I'm in New Zealand and i use telecom XT network (umts 850mhz) so obviously the at&t version will work fine. I also perhaps have the opportunity of buying the umts quadband version (850,900,1900,2100) which would probably not have the same restrictions as the at&t 4G.
However, from lurking here i can see that there seems to be more dev happening on the 4G, is this correct or would i be better off with the vanilla quadband 3g version? (im not 100% sure where the local stores source these vanilla phones from)
One day i might change to another provider in which case i would need 900 umts but if there is more chance of getting more bang for my buck with the 4g i will go that way.
Yeah it would be easier just to buy a galaxy 2 but its big and cheap feeling and i just dont trust samsung build quality or gps as much as the Moto.
thanks in advance.
the 4G is a marketing term from AT&T. its just 14mb HSPDA+
Whether a local version vs AT&T version is worth it, that is up to you
tjjensen23 said:
the 4G is a marketing term from AT&T. its just 14mb HSPDA+
Whether a local version vs AT&T version is worth it, that is up to you
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Click to collapse
Yep i understand that the 4g is just a marketing buzzword. What i'm asking is to me it looks like the vanilla phone appears to be identical hardware just with an extra 3g band? Also which model is likely to have the better dev support and moto support if they do decide to unlock the bootloader for certain ops?
Is the atrix 4g only sold on AT&T or are other operators also selling htis elsewhere in the world?
I'm just wanting to make sure i buy the model with the best support moving forward as it has to be a keeper for a while. I've flashed the absolute hell out of my milestone and sadly realise that due to the ram its never going to amount to much more.
Well, i was searching and i noticed that here is no section here for the 3G GSM version of ATRIX, just the 4G US version.
What about the european or south american (or even asian) versions? Does all this custom roms works for them too?
ravefolk said:
Well, i was searching and i noticed that here is no section here for the 3G GSM version of ATRIX, just the 4G US version.
What about the european or south american (or even asian) versions? Does all this custom roms works for them too?
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Click to collapse
They are the same device essentially, and I'm pretty sure they're 4G enabled, just worded differently. They support HSDPA 14mbps (Cat 10) / HSUPA 2.0mbps which is HSPA in the US I think.
just the at&t atrix is currently unlockable but likely the international ones are getting unlocked with update so currently it is just possible for at&t atrix to flash custom roms, and the thing with the 3g/4g naming is region specific but the same hardware.
Here in germany 4g is lte, actually lte is called 3.9g so we donĀ“t even have 4g
tehrules said:
They are the same device essentially, and I'm pretty sure they're 4G enabled, just worded differently. They support HSDPA 14mbps (Cat 10) / HSUPA 5.76mbps which is HSPA in the US I think.
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Fixed that for ya!
It's the same phone
Just switches automatically to 3g. But in EU the carriers have very expensive prices for hdspa connection. So i use it in 2g mode (leeeesss of battery consume).
Ok thanks to all of you very much. I'm a little outdated about wireless technologies and i tought 4G was cdma-based stuff. So hsdpa-hsupa are 4g gsm based technologies? I can flash my atrix with a custom rom with no problems?
Another thing that bothers me is all that acessories that comes in the pack. Remote control, dock, hdmi... will all this stuff work with the custom roms?
One last thing: Can i use it on hdmi without that "hdmi modes", just displaying whats on my screen like a game or movie, like i do with my xoom?
Sent from my Xoom | Tapatalk
Just out of curiosity, do all Atrix use the same 3G bands?
If not, wouldn't that affect software porting?
CaelanT said:
Fixed that for ya!
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but th eofficial specs on motorola's website say 14.4 down and 2.0 upload, not 5.76. are you sure its 5.76Mbps HSUPA?
I have an atrix that is unlocked and has a T-mobile sim card. But its stuck on Edge and never been on 4g let alone even 3g. Is there a custom rom and/or kernel that can fix this issue?
The atrix isn't 4G capable (lacks the hardware) and T-mobile uses a different frequency for their 3G networks that the Atrix doesn't support.
So yeah you're stuck on edge as long as you're using T-mobile on the atrix
Seriously?
Blueangel180 said:
The atrix isn't 4G capable (lacks the hardware) and T-mobile uses a different frequency for their 3G networks that the Atrix doesn't support.
So yeah you're stuck on edge as long as you're using T-mobile on the atrix
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Click to collapse
I have been considering the Atrix 4G from AT&T. it is advertised as 4G by ATT. I ready a couple reviews that said it was slow, but I assumed that might be from all the bloatware. I guess I should be looking at a different phone, if the Atrix 4G is really not 4G.
First find the specs of the device. Only devices listed as LTE are real 4G. You can find it in radio frequencies. At&t only has a few but verizon has a plenty to choose, although according to user feedback 4g devices are battery hogs, while on 4g of course.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
If you want fast / reliable data speeds you best be looking at a different carrier than AT&T.
Sent from my Motorola Atrix 4G using Tapatalk on AT&T, the company that disappoints me so much that I have to use my tapatalk signature to tell everyone
Well that sucks... I guess I'll be continuing my search. I'm new here but am loving the available information and the responsiveness of the members. Thanks again.
As posted on the XDA portal and several other sites, the Galaxy Note (ATT) can be modded to run on T-Mobile's 4G network.
I am trying to find out what other phones can do this, preferably out of the box, whether they are ATT branded or international GSM. I have seen listings on ebay that sell Galaxy Nexus GSM versions with claims of working on 4G network but I havent seen this confirmed anywhere.
What do I need to look for in a phone's specs regarding GSm and UMTS frequencies that will tell me if the phone can run on T-Mobile's 3G or 4G network?
I use phonearena as a source for phone specs and according to wikipedia, 1700 and 1900 but plenty of phones have those frequencies so the answer cant be that simple, can it?
I know Verizon Wireless uses a CDMA network for their services. But LTE is GSM right? I remember the UMB standard which gives 4G on CDMA was abandoned in favor of LTE. So does that mean the Droid RAZR/MAXX have both GSM and CDMA radios? Also is it possible to have voice/video calling on 4G LTE?
Yes, the XT912, XT910, and Maxx phones use the same chipset and have GSM and CDMA radios. They have just been disabled for the different regions.
LTE is entirely separate and different then CDMA/GSM. LTE uses the 700Mhz spectrum, while GSM/CDMA uses 850Mhz to 2100Mhz. Eventually, once LTE becomes more mainstream will we see chipsets that support GSM/CDMA/LTE/HSPA+
The Razr has the capabilities to be used with GSM and CDMA, carrier depending. But not LTE. It simply doesnt have the chipset.
And 4G is a loose term. It is used in reference to LTE, and HSPA+. Since our phone only supports data speeds up to 14.4Mb down (HSPA), it is not a 4G device.
g2tegg said:
LTE is entirely separate and different then CDMA/GSM. LTE uses the 700Mhz spectrum, while GSM/CDMA uses 850Mhz to 2100Mhz. Eventually, once LTE becomes more mainstream will we see chipsets that support GSM/CDMA/LTE/HSPA+
The Razr has the capabilities to be used with GSM and CDMA, carrier depending. But not LTE. It simply doesnt have the chipset.
And 4G is a loose term. It is used in reference to LTE, and HSPA+. Since our phone only supports data speeds up to 14.4Mb down (HSPA), it is not a 4G device.
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Click to collapse
The cdma Droid razr and maxx are LTE phones. I don't know about the GSM Motorola razr.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using XDA
wildklymr said:
The cdma Droid razr and maxx are LTE phones. I don't know about the GSM Motorola razr.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using XDA
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Click to collapse
it often makes economic sense for a large scale electronics manufacturer to make only a single bit of hardware and then enable/disable various bits in software. Intel has been doing this for almost 30 years. I've seen several references to all RAZRs having identical hardware including one from a Verizon employee who claimed could flash a RAZR from gsm to cdma and then back again.
---------- Post added at 08:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ----------
what i often wonder is if there is a 1700 (tmobile) radio buried somewhere deep in the RAZR.
iolinux333 said:
]what i often wonder is if there is a 1700 (tmobile) radio buried somewhere deep in the RAZR.
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Nah, iFixit did a teardown and found a Qualcomm MDM6600 baseband. That doesn't have T-Mobile's frequencies. If it had the option for pentaband GSM, Motorola would definitely market the hell out of that - think about how many more customers they could get.
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Motorola-Droid-RAZR-Teardown/7048/1
wildklymr said:
The cdma Droid razr and maxx are LTE phones. I don't know about the GSM Motorola razr.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using XDA
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Your right. I had no idea that Verizon had a LTE version. I guess thats the difference between the XT910 and the XT912. Im curious to know if the XT912, unlocked, will work with other LTE carriers besides Verizon.
On top of that, I am unable to find any ifixit reviews of the XT912. Only the XT910. Is there actual hardware differences?
My question is since LTE is GSM and Verizon is NOT GSM, how do they manage to provide LTE service? Does the phone keep switching between CDMA and LTE or what?
cheekrox said:
My question is since LTE is GSM and Verizon is NOT GSM, how do they manage to provide LTE service? Does the phone keep switching between CDMA and LTE or what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you're in an area that has LTE coverage, you'll get LTE. When you're in an area that does not have LTE coverage, the phone automatically switches to CDMA.
The Verizon RAZR does have a GSM radio. But as others have said, it's disabled. Verizon has said they're going to enable the GSM radio on the Droid 4 for international use in the future, and since the Droid 4 and the RAZR are pretty much identical internally, many people think that Verizon may eventually enable the GSM radio on the RAZR as well at some point (though there has not been any official or unofficial word from Verizon/Motorola on that).
To answer your questions:
1. They are using GSM. They partnered with Vodafone in 2007 and have been building their LTE network since then.
2. Yes. CDMA for 3G and LTE for 4G.
cheekrox said:
My question is since LTE is GSM and Verizon is NOT GSM, how do they manage to provide LTE service? Does the phone keep switching between CDMA and LTE or what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Riight! So the DROID RAZR keeps switching between LTE (which is GSM) and Verizon's CDMA network right? Which means that it HAS TO have a GSM radio in it for LTE to function? Also I heard voice is NOT possible over 4G, is this true?
cheekrox said:
Riight! So the DROID RAZR keeps switching between LTE (which is GSM) and Verizon's CDMA network right? Which means that it HAS TO have a GSM radio in it for LTE to function? Also I heard voice is NOT possible over 4G, is this true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like myself and others have already said, there is a GSM radio in the Verizon RAZR. It is just not possible to use it. The Verizon RAZR will not work on a GSM network (at least not until the capability is enabled by Verizon or a developer).
VoLTE (voice over LTE) is possible, but no one is really doing that yet.
LTE is a form of GSM, but it's best to think about the two as completely different since in the real world their manner of operation is different. So don't think of LTE and GSM as the same type of technology that's interchangeable. Think of each as separate from the other.
Also, don't confuse what is often referred to as 4G on GSM networks (HSPA+) and LTE. They're also completely different. HSPA+ is often called 4G, but it's actually just an extension of existing 3G technology. LTE, for all intensive purposes, should be viewed as a completely different technology.
bsweetness said:
Like myself and others have already said, there is a GSM radio in the Verizon RAZR. It is just not possible to use it. The Verizon RAZR will not work on a GSM network (at least not until the capability is enabled by Verizon or a developer).
VoLTE (voice over LTE) is possible, but no one is really doing that yet.
LTE is a form of GSM, but it's best to think about the two as completely different since in the real world their manner of operation is different. So don't think of LTE and GSM as the same type of technology that's interchangeable. Think of each as separate from the other.
Also, don't confuse what is often referred to as 4G on GSM networks (HSPA+) and LTE. They're also completely different. HSPA+ is often called 4G, but it's actually just an extension of existing 3G technology. LTE, for all intensive purposes, should be viewed as a completely different technology.
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Click to collapse
I agree with you 100 percent. Except the fact that LTE is not a form of GSM nor CDMA. Its completely different.
The funny part about HSPA + is that its HSPA with mimo technology. Theoretically making it 3g on steroids.
razr maxx
There are two separate models of the Razr Maxx.
the first one, the xt912 released months ago is for the US market and is a CDMA phone
here s the link with all the specs:
developer . motorola . com / products / droid-razr-maxx-xt912
the second one, the xt910, is a gsm phone. and works on 2g and 3g networks around the world.
Connectivity
GSM 850/900/1800/1900,
W-CDMA 850/900/1900/2100
as u can read as well on Motorola website.
i cant post entire links due to restrictions to my new account but if u go on typing the url without spaces u will see all the specs
developer. motorola . com / products / razr_maxx_xt910
I have already bought the xt910 and i use it in Australia on normal 2g, 3g and 3.5g capable networks. It works on Telstra Next G network as well. The battery is amazing. 2 days of intense use in 3.5g without recharging it. 5 days of moderate use (gps - bluetooth - sync off) without a charge.
If you head over to the bionic forum a developer has been able to unlock the GSM radio for the RAZR/Droid 4/Bionic. It's compatible with ATT HSPA and T-Mobile edge. As far as I know it's still a work in progress.
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX via XDA
And yes at this time no carrier (that I know of) carries voice over LTE. It's still in the experimental stages.
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX via XDA
convert a cdma xt912
Hey guys I want to know if anyone could convert a cdma xt912 into a GSM phone by using a ROM or something ??
alyreda said:
Hey guys I want to know if anyone could convert a cdma xt912 into a GSM phone by using a ROM or something ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, you can get it running on 2G though I believe.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW
So is there any way I could get 4G working on my XT910?
cheekrox said:
So is there any way I could get 4G working on my XT910?
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Click to collapse
Not that I know of.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW