A few days ago I found out that T-Mobile's 3g won't work on the Photon (only their Edge service) after I'd already ordered 2 T-Mobile pre-paid SIMs. Yesterday I received my T-Mobile pre-paid SIM cards, and sure enough, it's like being back on dial-up.
When I go to StraightTalk's website to order a SIM card and put in my zip code, it tells me that it will send me an AT&T compatible SIM card. Here's my question: Since AT&T is also GSM, will I still be stuck with 2g speeds or will I be able to get 3g? I know that both AT&T and T-Mobile have good service where I live. (Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but I've been on CDMA for almost a decade).
Thanks in advance!
--Adam
niphoet said:
A few days ago I found out that T-Mobile's 3g won't work on the Photon (only their Edge service) after I'd already ordered 2 T-Mobile pre-paid SIMs. Yesterday I received my T-Mobile pre-paid SIM cards, and sure enough, it's like being back on dial-up.
When I go to StraightTalk's website to order a SIM card and put in my zip code, it tells me that it will send me an AT&T compatible SIM card. Here's my question: Since AT&T is also GSM, will I still be stuck with 2g speeds or will I be able to get 3g? I know that both AT&T and T-Mobile have good service where I live. (Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but I've been on CDMA for almost a decade).
Thanks in advance!
--Adam
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you will get 3G data speeds. I have 3G data speeds that beat Sprint's 3G speeds.
Make sure to flash the KDDI radio before doing so or you won't get any results.
tmobile is unique in that they use 1700mhz for 3G (which isnt used by any other US carrier). The photon is a quad band (not penta band) phone and doesnt pick up 1700mhz frequency. Tmobile is making a transition to put 3G on 1900mhz so that it is more iphone friendly. Some locations in the US have already made that transition.
Thanks for the help guys. I guess I'll finish out this month on T-mobile then switch to straight talk.
Related
I'm thinking about picking one up for review. I'm on T-Mobile and I know the phones come unlocked, but I want to be sure there aren't any hidden surprises or anything like that. If I put in a T-Mobile USA sim card, am I guaranteed to get Edge signal?
Where did you find out that this phone will come unlocked on T-Mobile?
t4ure4n said:
Where did you find out that this phone will come unlocked on T-Mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He never said that.
He asked if the unlocked i9100 will at least get edge on tmobile network.
good question..wonder if anybody will get it
I think most of the world uses the same frequencies for UMTS EDGE, so yes... an international Galaxy S II should work on T-mobile with EDGE, though you will have to program all of the tower/apn data into the phone manually to get everything to work
Probably not worth extra cost and effort to get a phone which will always be slow due to frequency mis-match.
It would only work on 2g for T-mobile USA.
I'll enjoy the G2X for now and then switch to the SGS2 when it get's to T-Mobile.
http://www.tmonews.com/2011/04/t-mobile-to-carry-samsung-galaxy-s-2/
joackie27 said:
I'll enjoy the G2X for now and then switch to the SGS2 when it get's to T-Mobile.
http://www.tmonews.com/2011/04/t-mobile-to-carry-samsung-galaxy-s-2/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You made my day. Thank you so much.
joackie27 said:
I'll enjoy the G2X for now and then switch to the SGS2 when it get's to T-Mobile.
http://www.tmonews.com/2011/04/t-mobile-to-carry-samsung-galaxy-s-2/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried, and failed. Stupid battery.
I'm trying the Sensation or SGS2 first, whichever one reaches them first.
kampf said:
I tried, and failed. Stupid battery.
I'm trying the Sensation or SGS2 first, whichever one reaches them first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also tried and failed. Stupid screen. Waiting for sgs2 now. The tilt zoom and etc look awesome.
Bump, still wondering if ant T-Mobile users got the phone yet.
I've placed an order with Handtec, but thanks to a long back-and-forth security process I have to wait for next weeks batch of devices (ugh).
I'm assuming 2g will work fine - I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't. I've bought international phones for use on T-mo back in the pre-3g days, which in a way I'm still stuck in. Rural Iowa is not exactly blanketed in 3g...
Off-topic.
http://www.bgr.com/2011/05/05/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-passes-fcc-with-att-3g-bands/
GT-I9020T (Nexus S) - T-Mobile
GT-I9020A (Nexus S) - ATT
If you are to follow the naming convention above, then this new phone that passed the FCC should be for T-Mobile.
GT-I9100T (GS2) - T-Mobile
it will work on 2g but nothing else until the version that supports tmobiles AWS 3g/4g bands os released. im thinking about pulling the trigger anyways
Arcadia310 said:
I'm thinking about picking one up for review. I'm on T-Mobile and I know the phones come unlocked, but I want to be sure there aren't any hidden surprises or anything like that. If I put in a T-Mobile USA sim card, am I guaranteed to get Edge signal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3G/4G will not work as they use 1700/2100 instead of 850/1900
you'll only get EDGE/2G
Hi I have a SGS2 on tmobile USA. Here are the issues. I phone is ASIA version rooted.
Tried a few mods didnt like it much.
Big issue is the phone defaults to GSM (2g) and the only other option on the phone is WCDMA. On tmobile it doesnt show edge or HSPA so I can connect for faster speeds.
I went to the tmob store the guy said the firmware needs to be updated but samsung doesnt have anything new.
I am hoping to download stock mod from say europe or canada that enables 4G to see if itll work on tmob. I called tmob they said they cant help as they dont support the phone! i asked for the bands that tmob uses 3G/4G on ( they refused to give it to me)
Tmob came in late in the game for 3g/4g so im not sure if they are on some diff bands that the phone cant catch. although i have not tried inserting an Att sim in it to see if it will get 4g speeds.
if anyone knows of any other options please let me know at this point im paying for 4G speeds on tmob but getting 2G.
sharathvc said:
Hi I have a SGS2 on tmobile USA. Here are the issues. I phone is ASIA version rooted.
Tried a few mods didnt like it much.
Big issue is the phone defaults to GSM (2g) and the only other option on the phone is WCDMA. On tmobile it doesnt show edge or HSPA so I can connect for faster speeds.
I went to the tmob store the guy said the firmware needs to be updated but samsung doesnt have anything new.
I am hoping to download stock mod from say europe or canada that enables 4G to see if itll work on tmob. I called tmob they said they cant help as they dont support the phone! i asked for the bands that tmob uses 3G/4G on ( they refused to give it to me)
Tmob came in late in the game for 3g/4g so im not sure if they are on some diff bands that the phone cant catch. although i have not tried inserting an Att sim in it to see if it will get 4g speeds.
if anyone knows of any other options please let me know at this point im paying for 4G speeds on tmob but getting 2G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, the GS2 doesn't support T-mobile bands. Therefore you'll only get EDGE speed on that phone until you get their Variant or switch to AT&T.
sharathvc said:
Hi I have a SGS2 on tmobile USA. Here are the issues. I phone is ASIA version rooted.
Tried a few mods didnt like it much.
Big issue is the phone defaults to GSM (2g) and the only other option on the phone is WCDMA. On tmobile it doesnt show edge or HSPA so I can connect for faster speeds.
I went to the tmob store the guy said the firmware needs to be updated but samsung doesnt have anything new.
I am hoping to download stock mod from say europe or canada that enables 4G to see if itll work on tmob. I called tmob they said they cant help as they dont support the phone! i asked for the bands that tmob uses 3G/4G on ( they refused to give it to me)
Tmob came in late in the game for 3g/4g so im not sure if they are on some diff bands that the phone cant catch. although i have not tried inserting an Att sim in it to see if it will get 4g speeds.
if anyone knows of any other options please let me know at this point im paying for 4G speeds on tmob but getting 2G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can never get past 2g on T-Mobile, ever. It's a hardware issue not software, you are stuck with EDGE speeds unless you switch to AT&T.
Thanks... I guess ill be selling this phone if I have to remain on Tmob.. or get me an atnt account! tmob has the least expensive plans .
sharathvc said:
Thanks... I guess ill be selling this phone if I have to remain on Tmob.. or get me an atnt account! tmob has the least expensive plans .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get a cheap medianet plan and get 3g since AT&T will not recognize this as a smartphone, the plan is unlimited too
Alright..I'm running an unlocked Bell Atrix on the Telus network..and was recently down in San Diego where I purchased a Tmobile SIM card for use while I was down there (and so I could Hotspot and have the wife boost off my wifi for her phone).
When I attempted to do this however I got a notice that I had to enable this thru my AT&T provider. Obviously it was a Tmobile sim card using tmobiles APN..so I'm not sure why it was prompting me to contact AT&T. Does anyone know a way I can get around this for the next time I'm down in the US? I'll be going to Hawaii in Sept and really want to be able to tether so all my Canadian companions can boost off me..
you'd only get 2G off t-mobile
maybe try getting an ATT sim card?
rebellus run their 3G off the same 850/1900 frequency as ATT
regardless, t-mobile's data apn probably didn't get added. try adding them next time.
goo.gl/Yk35c
PatcheZ said:
you'd only get 2G off t-mobile
maybe try getting an ATT sim card?
rebellus run their 3G off the same 850/1900 frequency as ATT
regardless, t-mobile's data apn probably didn't get added. try adding them next time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had data..and I'm not sure if it was 3g or 2g but it was quick enough that I didn't notice any difference. The problem is at&t doesn't sell prepaid sims with data..that's why I went with tmobile. I had the apn's configured appropriately otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get any data..which I was. I just wasn't able to tether..
Hey everyone,
I just searched this topic and didn't find any definitive answers so I thought I'd ask...
Anyways is the VZW Galaxy S4 SIM unlocked out of the box? I keep reading the new VZW releases in 2012 and onwards are according to the VZW forums and website but then I found a post of someone asking VZW for an unlock. It its an official code its easier to just ask VZW as I meet all the requirements (1+ year customer). Also I read that on the S3 the APN settings are blocked on the default VZW firmware unless rooted. Is the APN settings on the S4 open (changeable) by default?
Also what's a realistic battery life you guys are getting out of this phone?
Am comparing phones and need a phone that is:
1. SIM Unlocked and APN settings changable that has VZW's US CDMA and LTE bands PLUS ALL the international bands (the 4 GSM and 4 UMTS international bands).
2. Has HSPA+21 at least.
3. Long battery life to last the day.
4. Rootable so I can get rid of VZW crap and increase the battery life.
I've also not seen any international VZW phones with HSPA+42 dual carrier like Apple's iPhone 5. I'm also debating getting a Android versus iOS phone...
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Recently took my S4 to Brazil and spent a fair bit of time talking to Verizon Global Support before the trip. One of the questions I asked was whether the phone was SIM unlocked so that I could purchase a SIM card while in Brazil and use local service down there. The VZW rep assured me the phone was indeed unlocked, but I did not use a Brazilian SIM card while on travel so I cannot confirm via personal experience.
I can confirm that it is unlocked. I put an active att sim card in, that then allowed me to add the correct apn info. I was then able to make calls and use data.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
willzzz88 said:
Hey everyone,
I just searched this topic and didn't find any definitive answers so I thought I'd ask...
Anyways is the VZW Galaxy S4 SIM unlocked out of the box? I keep reading the new VZW releases in 2012 and onwards are according to the VZW forums and website but then I found a post of someone asking VZW for an unlock. It its an official code its easier to just ask VZW as I meet all the requirements (1+ year customer). Also I read that on the S3 the APN settings are blocked on the default VZW firmware unless rooted. Is the APN settings on the S4 open (changeable) by default?
Also what's a realistic battery life you guys are getting out of this phone?
Am comparing phones and need a phone that is:
1. SIM Unlocked and APN settings changable that has VZW's US CDMA and LTE bands PLUS ALL the international bands (the 4 GSM and 4 UMTS international bands).
2. Has HSPA+21 at least.
3. Long battery life to last the day.
4. Rootable so I can get rid of VZW crap and increase the battery life.
I've also not seen any international VZW phones with HSPA+42 dual carrier like Apple's iPhone 5. I'm also debating getting a Android versus iOS phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The SCH-I545 has Quad band GSM/EDGE frequency's (850/900/1800/1900) and Quad band UMTS/HSPA (850/900/1900/2100) As well as AWS bands for LTE (1700/2100) so it should get LTE on T-Mobile. However, it does not have the capabilities to get LTE on AT&T since the SCH-I545 does not have the frequency's to operate on AT&T's LTE network but it will get HSPA+ on both networks. It will work on Sprint as well but it will not get LTE since its two LTE bands, (700 and 1700/2100), are not compatible. Sprint operates on the same CDMA/ Ev-Do bands as VZW so you will get 3G. I can confirm that i have used the SCH-I545 with an AT&T SIM card and i got HSPA+ speeds.
echo1030 said:
The SCH-I545 has Quad band GSM/EDGE frequency's (850/900/1800/1900) and Quad band UMTS/HSPA (850/900/1900/2100) As well as AWS bands for LTE (1700/2100) so it should get LTE on T-Mobile. However, it does not have the capabilities to get LTE on AT&T since the SCH-I545 does not have the frequency's to operate on AT&T's LTE network but it will get HSPA+ on both networks. It will work on Sprint as well but it will not get LTE since its two LTE bands, (700 and 1700/2100), are not compatible. Sprint operates on the same CDMA/ Ev-Do bands as VZW so you will get 3G. I can confirm that i have used the SCH-I545 with an AT&T SIM card and i got HSPA+ speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The AWS is there but not activated yet. for now you will only get EDGE on t-mobile unless in a refarmed are you will pickup HSPA. you will however pickup all AWS tis summer when verizon activates that band on our phone.
SOURCE: I'm on the 30$ a month prepaid with t-mobile. edge sucks but it works.
att sim in verizon sg4
Silentgray said:
I can confirm that it is unlocked. I put an active att sim card in, that then allowed me to add the correct apn info. I was then able to make calls and use data.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I have had the same outcome, voice and data work, BUT data is only HPSA+ at best. Do you get 4G LTE or found a way to get it?
Thanks!
ddckylec said:
Hi,
I have had the same outcome, voice and data work, BUT data is only HPSA+ at best. Do you get 4G LTE or found a way to get it?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but that is because i am not in an area where ATT has LTE turned on. South Dakota is still on the waiting list. Verizon uses different frequencies for LTE then ATT does.
Verizon has never locked their phones, even the CDMA ones. If you put a non Verizon SIM in you can change the APN settings
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk
I'm new to Verizon and new to having a phone with a SIM card (GS4.) Now that I have come to understand that Verizon is evil :laugh: I have started counting down the days to when my contract expires - 23 months, 10 days, 10 hours, and 36 seconds.
Will I be able to take the phone to another carrier, get a SIM from them, and then operate on their network? Or is this phone forever tied, by a deal with the devil, with Verizon?
jwhistler said:
I'm new to Verizon and new to having a phone with a SIM card (GS4.) Now that I have come to understand that Verizon is evil :laugh: I have started counting down the days to when my contract expires - 23 months, 10 days, 10 hours, and 36 seconds.
Will I be able to take the phone to another carrier, get a SIM from them, and then operate on their network? Or is this phone forever tied, by a deal with the devil, with Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Short answer: Yes, you can take it to any GSM carrier and it is already unlocked, so you could pop a prepaid SIM in today and it would work fine.
Since you're in the US, it will work on AT&T with few issues and can get "4G" (HSPA+) but cannot access AT&T's LTE network. With T-Mobile, it will also work on HSPA+ where T-Mobile has refarmed their network for 1900 MHz. It should also be able to access LTE on T-Mobile once it is update for the AWS bands and it should also access AT&T's LTE in some limited areas where AWS is available.
In addition, you may need to root the phone to be able to change the APN settings.
dossa002 said:
Short answer: Yes, you can take it to any GSM carrier and it is already unlocked, so you could pop a prepaid SIM in today and it would work fine.
Since you're in the US, it will work on AT&T with few issues and can get "4G" (HSPA+) but cannot access AT&T's LTE network. With T-Mobile, it will also work on HSPA+ where T-Mobile has refarmed their network for 1900 MHz. It should also be able to access LTE on T-Mobile once it is update for the AWS bands and it should also access AT&T's LTE in some limited areas where AWS is available.
In addition, you may need to root the phone to be able to change the APN settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the explanation!
Hopefully someone will figure out how to unlock and root the SG4 with the latest build (I545VRUDMI1)
Hi there, i was able to get one of these from a local walmart for about $150 bucks, its a Verizon Prepaid samsung Galaxy S4 i545PP i545ppvruaoh7 is the build, and it comes with lolipop.
the reason why i bought is is because according to http://willmyphonework.net/
this phone was supposed to support 4G LTE Band4-AWS , but it does not!
it sure comes unlocked, i can put any sim card and i get signal, i get 2g, 3g, H, H+
I tried different sim cards and the best it can do is H+ on all of them.
I tried changing it to global, and also changing it to LTE GSM etc on the android menu but i have no luck.
Is there any way to enable the 4G on this phone? I live in a contry where all carriers use the same 3G and 4G that At&T uses. So here all At&T phones got 2g, 3g,and 4g out of the box. And i thought this verizon phone supported 4G Band4.
ZeldaWW said:
Hi there, i was able to get one of these from a local walmart for about $150 bucks, its a Verizon Prepaid samsung Galaxy S4 i545PP i545ppvruaoh7 is the build, and it comes with lolipop.
the reason why i bought is is because according to http://willmyphonework.net/
this phone was supposed to support 4G LTE Band4-AWS , but it does not!
it sure comes unlocked, i can put any sim card and i get signal, i get 2g, 3g, H, H+
I tried different sim cards and the best it can do is H+ on all of them.
I tried changing it to global, and also changing it to LTE GSM etc on the android menu but i have no luck.
Is there any way to enable the 4G on this phone? I live in a contry where all carriers use the same 3G and 4G that At&T uses. So here all At&T phones got 2g, 3g,and 4g out of the box. And i thought this verizon phone supported 4G Band4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure ATT uses band 4 (AWS - 1700/2100) in your area? ATT uses a number of different LTE bands in different areas, and the Verizon S4 (prepaid or not) only supports band 4.
im sure my carrier uses same band as At&T, 100% positive that my carrier uses Band 4.
reason is because i also bought two other phones, a moto E At&T gophone and i unlocked it and i got 4G icon at first boot with the carrier here.
but verizon galaxy S4 prepaid is different, i can´t get more than H+, i have never seen the 4G icon
and i dont think there is a hack for it to enable all bands