In the U.S has its own unique model names which is a branded in a specific carrier according to their network providers; SGH-T999 (T-Mobile), SGH-I747 (AT&T) , SCH-I535 (Verizon), SPH-LP710 (Sprint) and SCH-R530 for US cellular.
In Canada branded by Bell, Rogers, Telus, Sakstel seems like the same with AT&T but with model named SGH-I747M, a letter "M" is added to it signifies that it is Canadian version. This also goes exactly the same for Wind, Mobilicity and Videotron Galaxy S3's which is SGH-T999V, this time a letter "V" is added instead of just only SGH-T999 like T-Mobile.
Now, why I intentionally show this Galaxy S3 comparison table?
The table above is useful to those new users of Samsung Galaxy S3 that heard about rooting procedures anywhere else. Rooting can grant superuser access to your device, meaning - you can install a wide-variety of 3rd-party apps from Google Play you desired. But be careful folks, read carefully if you have found any tutorial on the web this days or you may ended up your Galaxy S3 bricked.
How to avoid Bricking your Samsung Galaxy S3?
1. Rooting - Do not root your phone using any traditional method that something works from your other Android devices before. Read carefully any given instruction you read online, if they are legit or expert to that matter. Since there is a risk danger in rooting that result to unwanted soft-bricks or hard-bricks that is not too easy to recover your device.
The Samsung Galaxy S3 has identical variants with specific model numbers, use that info to identify your device and only use root method for your specific Samsung Galaxy S3 models,
i.e - GT-I9300 root method will not work on U.S and Canadian Galaxy S3 SGH-T999/V or SGH-I747/M devices.
Aside from that, since the Galaxy S3 Android firmware has now few versions, like 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and 4.1 Jelly bean, some root methods will only works for such specific firmware version, So, check it out also for that. Root for Ice Cream Sandwich is not the same to root for Jelly Bean version.
2. Custom ROMs - Some users also installed Custom ROMs. A custom ROMs are created by 3rd-party Android developers. Its very tempting to install such pieces of art unto your devices for it has features that never-seen before on Samsung's official firmware releases. But again, check for where and what particular models it is compatible to use for.
The ODDS of Bricked Galaxy S3
The above methods will void the warranty of your Samsung Galaxy S3, then Samsung will not fix it for you for free. You might needed an explanation that they may fix it for free, or have it exchange, but that accordingly happens the way how you encourage them. Samsung tech's knows what have you done to your phone no matter what alibi you have in mind, but they sometimes understand your situation.
Here's a tip: Tell the truth instead of telling a lie.
Help! Fix! Fix my bricked Galaxy S3
If however you have a bricked Galaxy S3, find any solution on the web first, were you can try to recover it by yourself, before exactly sending it back to your dealer and get rid of any costs it may applied. Google is your friend for that, then only send it back to Samsung when you already lost all of your effort.
