Ok, on my S3 there is no network branding at all either on the outside or when it starts up. I put my 3 mobile sim in it and it works, just wanted to update settings for internet and texts.

So how would I tell if my S3 is basically a SIM free model? It has no "bloatware" from T-mobile on it at all.

Also will it get faster updates as a unbranded phone?

Have you failed to return it then?

I rang in today to return it but T-mobile offered to credit my bill £6 a month for 12 months, increase the data allowance from 750mb to 3Gb but wouldn't increase the minutes.

So a free S3 for £20 a month for 12 months then £26 a month with unlimited texts,300 minutes, 3Gb data? I'd be mad to turn it down. A total of £512 over 24 months. PC World sell just the phone sim free for £529.

Anyway is there a way to tell its an unbranded phone with only Android ICS without it being corrupted with T-mobile crap.

Well from what you have said its sounds like you have a unbranded handset. You get updates faster this way.

Yeah I think it is a genuine unbranded handset straight from Samsung.

That's one of the reasons I prefer to use phones shops like Tesco phone shop. Because they offer the same handset for sale on all UK networks I guess it pays them to keep their stock unbranded and unlocked.

Where as obviously direct from T-mobile it would 100% be network locked and have T-mobile branding, and that stupid T-mobile jingle on start up.

But there's always ways round it for example htc desire s owners can now update their handsets to the ics update and if their handset is branded then this update will remove it all.

From what I understand you have an iPhone and S3 right? Are you paying for both right now? Was thinking you could cancel your iPhone contract if it's outside of it and use the S3 SIM in the iPhone since you don't like the S3 (going by other posts of yours).

Apparently T-Mobile didn't have time to brand their Galaxy S3s before releasing them.
But they still have T-Mobile-specific firmware, which means that updates only arrive when T-Mobile get round to releasing them, not when Samsung do.

At least that's what I've read.

No, my iPhone 4s is on the one plan from 3 with unlimited data. Also my current contract with 3 is many many years old so I will et a very good deal on the iPhone 5 should I choose to own 1.

No its fully unbranded I've been to a few other S3/Android forums. People with T-mobile S3's have that stupid T-mobile jingle on start up.

Even if the launch S3's from T-mobile didn't have time to be branded, one's on sale now definitely are. It also seems Tesco phone shop are known for selling unlocked unbranded handsets

Can I ask why you got a S3 then and keep your old contract? Normally most people upgrade, they don't take a second contract out.

Plus I wouldn't hold out for a good deal on the iPhone 5, as far as I'm aware networks don't care about loyalty when it comes to iPhones as they are restricted in what type of offers they can give customers. This is due to Apple wanting to make sure that the price of the iPhone never drops below a certain level sadly.

I hadn't realised you'd bought it from Tesco.

Though that begs the question why, when you called up T-Mobile to cancel, they didn't just point you back at Tesco.
Your right to cancel under the DSRs would be between you and Tesco, not you and T-Mobile.

Because I wanted to.

Because its pointless ringing Tesco, they do not have the power/ability to discount the contract. The 24 month phone contract is between me and T-mobile.

I currently have a iPhone 4s that I got on release, I got it for FREE and I pay £27.50 for the OnePlan. Deals are there to be had.

Lots of people need to pay full price so I can get a discount

DSR is between you and the retailer though.

But T-mobile still lose a customer, get it yet? They advised the phone would have to go back to Tesco if I didn't take the offer.

What has losing a customer got to do with DSR?

OMG lol...Ok I can return the phone, that means the contract is canceled. I rang T-mobile "Innocently" thinking its them I need to ring to cancel the contract.

They asked why, I said my reasons, they said well we can offer this and that to the contract plus we can give you a 12 month £6 a month discount. I kept the phone

OK just to me seems a bit odd having two phone contracts, unless they both aren't for yourself.

How long have you had the phone for? Can you not still take it back to Tesco to cancel? You obviously don't want the S3 going by other posts so seems silly to keep it because your getting a bargain.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it if I were you.

Sorry for asking

Wow, your life must be quite empty.

I have the phone, I'm keeping the phone, as far as you're concerned that's the end of it lol

Apology accepted.

Actually it's not, I'm rather happy.

I was just trying to offer some help by suggesting taking it back. Your a rather rude person aren't you. :sleep: