updating imported android phone

[twraia]

Hi guys,
I am interested in purchasing a Samsung Galaxy Note, but it is not available officially in Australia yet
There is this online retailer that sell phones from oversea sources that I could go for, however (MobiCity)
But a question regarding the android 4.0 update inevitably arises:

I thought whilst the imported phones are claimed to be unlocked versions, they still have firmwares that are area-specific (or even network provider-specific?)
Does this mean that if my phone is from a UK source (or in cases of network provider-specific, a UK Vodafone source), I must wait for Android 4.0 to come out in the UK (or UK Vodafone) just so that I would be able to proceed to upgrade it via Samsung Kies?

What if my 'imported phone' happens to be from a dodgy network provider in some remote country where the Samsung does not plan to release the android 4.0 update? I'm not keen on flashing the phone myself..
Thanks for taking your time to read this
Cheers

 

[chanchan05]

All of your assumptions are correct. If the product code of the unit does not have the update released, you will not get the update via official means. However you must also make sure that the radio bands of the unit you are buying match those of your country's local networks, otherwise you'd have a galaxy player and not a galaxy note, if you understamd what I'm saying..

 

[twraia]

I see
I am purchasing my Galaxy Note from Poland, hopefully Samsung would not neglect the Polish when it comes to ICS update
thanks for your reply!