I was thinking about buying the International unlocked Galaxy SIII GT I9300 and saw how it would be cheaper in the long run, but my main motivation was being able to move from carrier to carrier if I wanted to and not having a contract. I seem to be reading though that the international version is only compatible with AT&T and T-mobile at 3G and is not capable of 4G speeds at all. Also, that even American versions are not always compatible with eachother. So am I correct in thinking that if I get an international version I'll be stuck between T-Mobile and Sprint at 3Gs. And that nothing can be done to the phone to allow an International phone to work with Sprint or even an American Sprint to work on a T-Mobile network? I'm starting to think it might be easier to just get an American phone and jailbreak it.
The international one will never work with sprint or Verizon, the AT&T and t-mobile versions will never work with sprint or Verizon.
The difference is hardware, Verizon and sprint are cdma, the rest are gsm.
The international one will work with AT&T with 3g and 4g(actually its hspa+ which is technically 3.5g) and will work on T-Mobile only in 2g for now, in a few months it will work on 3g and 4g when they refarm their 1900 or 1700mhz (can't remember which) band to 3g.
No matter what you do to either the international or US gsm versions they will NEVER EVER WORK ON SPRINT OR VERIZON.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
I see, that's what I was afraid of. The AT&T and T-Mobile option still seem attractive, but in your opinion will the Verizon/Sprint with a jailbreak route be better in the long term since the LTE is by far the superior option(from what I've read)? I've seen AT&T has LTE but the International version wouldn't be able to work on a LTE network anyway, would it??? I plan to download most things on my laptop and move them to the phone anyway, the only important thing to me internet speed would affect and my main concern would be live video chat, would the 3G or HSPA+ be sufficient for that? Other than talk and text the phone will be mainly used for games, movies, music and the superior GPU in the International version I think would be better for that? Are there any other phones comparative to the Galaxy III you know of that might have both the CDMA and the GSM, the "world phones" as I've seen them called?
Matt45045 said:
I see, that's what I was afraid of. The AT&T and T-Mobile option still seem attractive, but in your opinion will the Verizon/Sprint with a jailbreak route be better in the long term since the LTE is by far the superior option(from what I've read)? I've seen AT&T has LTE but the International version wouldn't be able to work on a LTE network anyway, would it??? I plan to download most things on my laptop and move them to the phone anyway, the only important thing to me internet speed would affect and my main concern would be live video chat, would the 3G or HSPA+ be sufficient for that? Other than talk and text the phone will be mainly used for games, movies, music and the superior GPU in the International version I think would be better for that? Are there any other phones comparative to the Galaxy III you know of that might have both the CDMA and the GSM, the "world phones" as I've seen them called?
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Click to collapse
You can't/don't jailbreak Android phones. Hard to even know what you are talking bout trying to accomplish? It's very simple.
1. Buy a phone from a carrier and use it on that carrier. That's the easiest option.
2. Buy an International GS3 and use it on AT&T 3G or 2G.
3. Buy an International GS3 and use it on T-Mobile 2G.
If you try any other options you are just going to confuse yourself.
Definitely don't get the sprint or Verizon ones, you are stuck on cdma then. The at&t one has LTE and the T-Mobile one has dc hspa+ (theoretically up to 42mbps) the international one has standard hspa+ (up to 21mbps) and I regularly get between 5-8mbps down and 2-3mbps up and I live in the country.
The gpu and cpu on the international one are better too.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
I have a bad habit of using the words root and jailbreak interchangeably, I meant root the phone. I guess I have to decide how important LTE is to me. It'll either be AT&T or the International version. The superior GPU and CPU are attractive, but so are the LTE speeds. But I guess with the limited data maybe not. But thanks for your help, this clarified a lot for me.
Frequency Concern
I have the exact same problem!
I am planning to buy a Galaxy Nexus, which works for UMTS (850/900/1700/1900/2100MHz) and GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz). I read from wikipedia that the 3G and 4G networks from Tmobile are carried on the frequency of both 1700MHz and 2100 MHz. Does that mean Galaxy Nexus can use 3G and 4G on Tmobile network?
playmaker1 said:
I have the exact same problem!
I am planning to buy a Galaxy Nexus, which works for UMTS (850/900/1700/1900/2100MHz) and GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz). I read from wikipedia that the 3G and 4G networks from Tmobile are carried on the frequency of both 1700MHz and 2100 MHz. Does that mean Galaxy Nexus can use 3G and 4G on Tmobile network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the galaxy nexus will work fine on tmo, its pentaband.
I brought my Irish one to america and used it on tmo no problem.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
nodstuff said:
Yes, the galaxy nexus will work fine on tmo, its pentaband.
I brought my Irish one to america and used it on tmo no problem.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh really?! Then I should sell my international version of Galaxy S II for a Galaxy Nexus. S II doesnt receive 1700MHz. I read from Wikipeida: This band (Tmobile 3G and 4G) was an area of wireless spectrum, half in the 1700 MHz (1.7 GHz) and half in the 2100 MHz (2.1 GHz) frequencies. SO I was thinking: Hey, how about getting a phone with both 1700 and 2100MHz to work on Tmobile 3G and 4G.
So you can actually use 3G? or even 4G on Tmobile? Is it so slow or weak that makes you want to change carrier?
I9300
nodstuff said:
The international one will never work with sprint or Verizon, the AT&T and t-mobile versions will never work with sprint or Verizon.
The difference is hardware, Verizon and sprint are cdma, the rest are gsm.
The international one will work with AT&T with 3g and 4g(actually its hspa+ which is technically 3.5g) and will work on T-Mobile only in 2g for now, in a few months it will work on 3g and 4g when they refarm their 1900 or 1700mhz (can't remember which) band to 3g.
No matter what you do to either the international or US gsm versions they will NEVER EVER WORK ON SPRINT OR VERIZON.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Help, I have an I9300 and I can't configure it to recieve data I am on the AT&T GO $60 data plan and AT&T says it is my phones problem. I've tried a lot of different settings and it still shows up as disconnected under the mobile network state. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
---------- Post added at 01:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 PM ----------
nodstuff said:
Definitely don't get the sprint or Verizon ones, you are stuck on cdma then. The at&t one has LTE and the T-Mobile one has dc hspa+ (theoretically up to 42mbps) the international one has standard hspa+ (up to 21mbps) and I regularly get between 5-8mbps down and 2-3mbps up and I live in the country.
The gpu and cpu on the international one are better too.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Help, I have an I9300 and I have tried for a week to get AT&T GO set up for data. I can talk and text fine, but no luck with data AT&T says it is my phone. Under mobile network state it says disconnected. any help would be greatly appreciated. It is an unlocked international GSM phone.
I have a Samsung GT-I9300 unlocked Gsm phone. I have started AT&T GO $60 data plan. I have tried for a week now to get data with no luck. I can talk & text fine, and it works great off of WI-FI. AT&T has tried everything they can do and says it is a problem with my phone. I was previously on Straight Talk but was stuck with EDGE speeds and not good coverage. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Related
ok so i am currently with sprint and own a sph-d700 aka epic 4g. i am so sick of getting crappy 3g speeds and unreliable 4g speeds that are not really 4g speeds (4mb seems to be best i have seen but average just 2mb) in the north east (NY,NJ,PA. i do a lot of driving). I have fallen in love with amoled displays and would like to get an unlocked gs2 so that i wont be tied down to either carrier for 2 years if things dont work out.
So is there a model of this phone that works on both att and t-mobiles network with hspa+ speeds? does att and t mobile have the same speeds on hspa+ when in a good coverage area?
thanks in advance for the help.
As I understand it, the T-Mobile version of the SGS2 (SGH-T989) will work on both T-Mo and AT&T networks. You might get better information in the T-Mobile SGS2 forums.
3waygeek said:
As I understand it, the T-Mobile version of the SGS2 (SGH-T989) will work on both T-Mo and AT&T networks. You might get better information in the T-Mobile SGS2 forums.
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Click to collapse
thank you, for your input.
Once unlocked,will the i777 be able to access data at 3G and 4G speeds on T-Mobile USA's cellular network?
monoloco1 said:
Once unlocked,will the i777 be able to access data at 3G and 4G speeds on T-Mobile USA's cellular network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to put it plainly,
NO
the i777 does not support the required bands for accessing TMobile's 3g/4g network.
Had the merger gone through, possibly. But as of right now, no.
Tmobile is on 1700MHz and 2100MHZ while AT&T is on 850MHz and 1900MHz.
No, and this is the case for every AT&T device in existence to my knowledge.
In fact, the ONLY device I know of that is not sold by T-Mobile and supports their HSPA bands is the GSM Galaxy Nexus, which is one of the first (if not the first) phones to do pentaband HSPA.
Personnally I tested the Unlock Process with a T-Mobile SimCard...not sure if working properly due to a operation range described by the fellows
Entropy512 said:
No, and this is the case for every AT&T device in existence to my knowledge.
In fact, the ONLY device I know of that is not sold by T-Mobile and supports their HSPA bands is the GSM Galaxy Nexus, which is one of the first (if not the first) phones to do pentaband HSPA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually....
in even more bastardization provided by Samsung, the skyrocket can work on TMobile's 3/4G as long as you flash a TMo modem.bin to it.
jcomana said:
Personnally I tested the Unlock Process with a T-Mobile SimCard...not sure if working properly due to a operation range described by the fellows
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can still get 2G on T-Mo because T-Mo uses the standard 850/1900 for 2G. What OP asks is 3G/4G.
Entropy512 said:
No, and this is the case for every AT&T device in existence to my knowledge.
In fact, the ONLY device I know of that is not sold by T-Mobile and supports their HSPA bands is the GSM Galaxy Nexus, which is one of the first (if not the first) phones to do pentaband HSPA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actualy the T-Mobile version of the Samsung Galaxy SII Can work on AT&T`s 3G network. with BETTER Speeds than the AT&T version Data wise
hyelton said:
Actualy the T-Mobile version of the Samsung Galaxy SII Can work on AT&T`s 3G network. with BETTER Speeds than the AT&T version Data wise
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is that an exception to what I'm saying. The T-Mobile version is not a device sold by AT&T, and is, by definition, a device sold by T-Mobile.
It's always been a bit easier to get T-Mo phones to work on AT&T - a number of them support the AT&T bands. But it's never been easy (and with the possible exception of the Skyrocket, never even possible) to go the other way without losing 3G.
Entropy512 said:
How is that an exception to what I'm saying. The T-Mobile version is not a device sold by AT&T, and is, by definition, a device sold by T-Mobile.
It's always been a bit easier to get T-Mo phones to work on AT&T - a number of them support the AT&T bands. But it's never been easy (and with the possible exception of the Skyrocket, never even possible) to go the other way without losing 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly. The skyrocket is the ONLY at&t phone i have seen that has this capability, and i have been hacking away on phones for a while, and i have both carriers
Pirateghost said:
to put it plainly,
NO
the i777 does not support the required bands for accessing TMobile's 3g/4g network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be the obvious answer based on the published specs, but I found an unselected listing in the hidden modem/ band settings for WCDMA 1700 MHz (Band IV) on my i777. I don't know if it works, but it's listed. From the phone keypad on the stock version, type in *#2263# and then look under Combinations. The phone lists 7 different GSM/PCS/WCDMA frequencies and only the obvious 5 are selected.
Anyone with an unlocked i777 on Tmo want to try it out?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Even though there is a setting for wcdma on 1700, it doesn't seem to make a difference. Still stuck on edge.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
desertflyer said:
Even though there is a setting for wcdma on 1700, it doesn't seem to make a difference. Still stuck on edge.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WCDMA is 2G/Edge technology. HSPA is 3G/4G technology.
maybe it will possible if we can flash a T-Mobile midem on out phone with out breaking it
jaysix79 said:
maybe it will possible if we can flash a T-Mobile midem on out phone with out breaking it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlikely. Unless the phone has the hardware support for it.
I found out after extensive research on the Nexus One, that even though the radio chip inside it supports both frequency sets (pentaband, I suppose); the power amplifiers were only connected to certain frequency outputs, depending on the carrier it was advertised for. Which means even if I flashed a T-Mobile radio, the signal wouldn't be strong enough to get outside the case of the phone, let alone to a cell tower.
Your best bet is with European phones, as I believe they use the same frequencies as T-Mobile (since they're owned by a euro company).
Someone should confirm, but I would guess that the I9100 will work on T-Mobile with 3G.
Phoenix84118 said:
Unlikely. Unless the phone has the hardware support for it.
I found out after extensive research on the Nexus One, that even though the radio chip inside it supports both frequency sets (pentaband, I suppose); the power amplifiers were only connected to certain frequency outputs, depending on the carrier it was advertised for. Which means even if I flashed a T-Mobile radio, the signal wouldn't be strong enough to get outside the case of the phone, let alone to a cell tower.
Your best bet is with European phones, as I believe they use the same frequencies as T-Mobile (since they're owned by a euro company).
Someone should confirm, but I would guess that the I9100 will work on T-Mobile with 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Tmo's AWS band its an odd ball. Only certain Canadian Carriers use the same band.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Red5 said:
WCDMA is 2G/Edge technology. HSPA is 3G/4G technology.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, WCMDA = UMTS = pure vanilla 3G.
2G = GSM/GPRS
"2.5G" = EDGE
3G = vanilla UMTS (WCDMA)
3.5G = HSDPA
3.75G = HSPA+
3.9G (it's not really 4G) = LTE
true 4G = LTE Advanced
Most phones, even if they support advanced modulation schemes (HSPA, HSPA+) will list the band support as "UMTSxxxx or WCDMAxxxx"
I heard (it's actually confirmed, can't find the article), T-Mo has the same 3G bands as AT&T in some remote part of the USA, I think somewhere in Washington state, not sure though? The OP might want to move there
veliksam said:
I heard (it's actually confirmed, can't find the article), T-Mo has the same 3G bands as AT&T in some remote part of the USA, I think somewhere in Washington state, not sure though? The OP might want to move there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That might explain why the Vibrant apparently supported one (but not both) of AT&T's bands.
As I understand it, unlike the N1, the international HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus is full-blown pentaband.
Tmo has roaming agreement with at&t. So it is possible in places there is no tmo tower, your tmo phone could roam to at&t tower without showing the roaming sign.
veliksam said:
I heard (it's actually confirmed, can't find the article), T-Mo has the same 3G bands as AT&T in some remote part of the USA, I think somewhere in Washington state, not sure though? The OP might want to move there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Do these two phones have identical hardware but different firmware, so that flashing for example the CM9 mod would make them identical, or do their hardware differs from each other, considering different band support and lack of LTE on T-Mobile?
Thank you.
For the most part hardware seems yo be same... you may have to switch the modems though. Expect a common Cm9 base and then a zip flash for each service provider.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Hopefully there will be some good collaboration between the ATT/Tmo (and possibly some parts from Sprint/Verizon) devs since the hardware is so similar.
It opens up the possibilities for a lot more ROMs!
Actually my question was more about the possibility to use the devices across the networks using custom mods (e.g. to use the I747 on the T-Mobile network).
Thank you.
mikhailmv said:
Actually my question was more about the possibility to use the devices across the networks using custom mods (e.g. to use the I747 on the T-Mobile network).
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do this without mods but you won't have access to the 3g band on TMo just like TMo won't have access to the LTE 4g ATT Band...flashing a diff modem/radio won't give you the missing bands unless the hardware actually supports them and its just locked out...which currently isnt known.
djkinetic said:
You can do this without mods but you won't have access to the 3g band on TMo just like TMo won't have access to the LTE 4g ATT Band...flashing a diff modem/radio won't give you the missing bands unless the hardware actually supports them and its just locked out...which currently isnt known.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is what my question was about. So the answer is unknown.
Thank you.
mikhailmv said:
That is what my question was about. So the answer is unknown.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a very valid question… the AT&T Galaxy S III is $550 out of contract; the T-Mobile version, $630.
If you're paying out of pocket, $80 less for what amounts to the same device (arguably, the AT&T one is better since it has an LTE radio) is nothing to sneeze at.
I am having the same question as well.
The situation here is the same to what I have as Rogers/Bell/Telus vs Wind/Mobilicity
I'd like the flexibility to use the phone across the network since the new carriers charge way cheaper than the big 3....
I suppose the hardware between the two model are identical. All support the same band 850 900 1700 2100 (AWS/LTE). Only the AWS version has the LTE radio disabled and HSPA 42 enabled???
It should work, the phone is locked to att thou. You will have to have it unlocked. But the skyrocket and the hercules were interchangeable between networks. But the international will not work on lte or Hspa.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Micronads said:
It should work, the phone is locked to att thou. You will have to have it unlocked. But the skyrocket and the hercules were interchangeable between networks. But the international will not work on lte or Hspa.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you are saying that that radio modules of these two phones are identical. Meaning that T989 supports LTE, and I747 supports the 1700 band (they just have to be unlocked).
I'm gettin mine unlocked and using it on straight talk t mobile. I need to get that hspa 42 workin. It's just software. From what I gather, once t mobile rolls out their LTE they may just release a firmware update enabling LTE on the t mobile galaxy sIII's. This phone is a seven band monster world phone. To such an extent that carriers are turning features off.
---------- Post added at 09:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:43 PM ----------
mikhailmv said:
So you are saying that that radio modules of these two phones are identical. Meaning that T989 supports LTE, and I747 supports the 1700 band (they just have to be unlocked).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the radio modules on this phone are integrated in the S4 processor. And the processor is identical. One would have to conclude, that yes, that is the case.
From a strictly electrical background the modem is software running on transistors which can handle being pushed to the frequencies T-mobile requires, so I would think that it would be doable with the right software. When a transistor has the ability to handle the current and frequency the rest would be a matter of software, I assume.
As for LTE I have no knowledge as to the hardware or if there its something missing in non LTEs.
noahattic said:
I am having the same question as well.
The situation here is the same to what I have as Rogers/Bell/Telus vs Wind/Mobilicity
I'd like the flexibility to use the phone across the network since the new carriers charge way cheaper than the big 3....
I suppose the hardware between the two model are identical. All support the same band 850 900 1700 2100 (AWS/LTE). Only the AWS version has the LTE radio disabled and HSPA 42 enabled???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have unlocked (Sim Unlocked) my SGSIII I747 from Bell and it works with Rogers and all... however i do not have a micro sim from Wind or Mobilcity to test it... however i wiill go to a few stores to test it out... if it works... which i assume it should.... but there are so many factors that it might not....
However, if someone like tomin.... i cant rememebr his id can provide an interchangable flashable modem for the two phones i747 could be used on aws 1700 using the radio from t999.
See the chart on Wikipedia
Samsung Galaxy S III Model variants
I've looked at the specs sheet from samsung.com and it's the same thing.
Weve been arguing in the other thread about how t999 has msm8260 instead of a msm8960Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk 2
Unlocked as in correect combination of software loaded on the phone to correspond with the carrier, not simply unlocking the phone. More like unleashing its potential.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
It is interesting as its normally a possibility with Galaxy devices. This is a bit different since they have used slightly different models. We won't know until we get flashable radios and someone is brave enough to try to flash it on their device. I know with the Skyrocket I was able to flash a T-Mobile radio and get a 3G signal on wind (same type of network but in canada). The only limit was that you couldn't take a t-mobile version, flash at&t's radio and get LTE.
y2whisper said:
It is interesting as its normally a possibility with Galaxy devices. This is a bit different since they have used slightly different models. We won't know until we get flashable radios and someone is brave enough to try to flash it on their device. I know with the Skyrocket I was able to flash a T-Mobile radio and get a 3G signal on wind (same type of network but in canada). The only limit was that you couldn't take a t-mobile version, flash at&t's radio and get LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be great if we ca use the same technique to make i747 work with Wind & Mobilcity and make it just like T999
Any Luck>>>
it's good finally there's not that big of a difference in hardware and looks vs the Galaxy s2. too many variants makes it difficult to buy any accessories
Hi,
So I've read the FCC documents located here: LINK
Page 1 and Page 5 are the most interesting! These state that the Verizon model SCH-i545 will have AWS band 4 (of course 13 too) which does support T-mobiles LTE network right? It never states 1700/1200 frequencies.
Thing I want to know from the pros is will this phone indeed offer LTE support for T-Mobile or and I'm just seeing things?
Also, for all the other people that are wondering if the ATT model will offer LTE support for T-Mobile as well? It will since it supports both bands 4 and 17 But wait is that AWS band 4?... the jury is out on that! -_-
Many Thanks
Becool0130 said:
Hi,
So I've read the FCC documents located here: LINK
Page 1 and Page 5 are the most interesting! These state that the Verizon model SCH-i545 will have AWS band 4 (of course 13 too) which does support T-mobiles LTE network right? It never states 1700/1200 frequencies.
Thing I want to know from the pros is will this phone indeed offer LTE support for T-Mobile or and I'm just seeing things?
Also, for all the other people that are wondering if the ATT model will offer LTE support for T-Mobile as well? It will since it supports both bands 4 and 17 But wait is that AWS band 4?... the jury is out on that! -_-
Many Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I am correct, Verizon phones do not use sim cards (CDMA) and AT&T and T-Mobile are GMS (sim phones). So even if the bands are supported, I don't see how a Verizon phone would work on T-Mobile or AT&T unless they are CDMA / GSM dual phones. And even then they would have to be unlocked.
scott14719 said:
If I am correct, Verizon phones do not use sim cards (CDMA) and AT&T and T-Mobile are GMS (sim phones). So even if the bands are supported, I don't see how a Verizon phone would work on T-Mobile or AT&T unless they are CDMA / GSM dual phones. And even then they would have to be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of the major Verizon releases over the past year have come GSM unlocked. They are world phones that contain GSM and CDMA radios. I'm using a Verizon iPhone 5 on the Straight Talk (AT&T) network currently.
All lte phones have sim cards as it is a gsm technology. My girls verizon gs3 has a sim. As far as it being compatible that is a hell of a question.
OneStepAhead said:
All of the major Verizon releases over the past year have come GSM unlocked. They are world phones that contain GSM and CDMA radios. I'm using a Verizon iPhone 5 on the Straight Talk (AT&T) network currently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! I sold my iPhone 4s to get Samsung galaxy s4 and it sold to someone over in the UK world (Ireland) that says it works! Lol.
I've also seen threads about sim unlocking the Verizon S3 for domestic and international use. Some people use HiAPN as system app along with other steps and viola... Working on whatever network you want
Question is... Am I seeing right that Verizon S4 will support AWS Band 4 for t-mobile?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app
good news
OneStepAhead said:
All of the major Verizon releases over the past year have come GSM unlocked. They are world phones that contain GSM and CDMA radios. I'm using a Verizon iPhone 5 on the Straight Talk (AT&T) network currently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey this is one question i have lingering on my mind. How is the StraightTalk connection? Is it any good? Are there call drop issues? And do they have data plans?
if i buy a tmobile s4 will it work on verizon??
I know most things are under the catagory of speculation/rumor but i was wanting to to check out tmobile network for a bit.... the no contract is appealing. If i bought the phone outright and ending up not liking tmobile i would switch to verizon. Short of selling the tmobile and getting a verizon phone i was wondering about just activating the same phone on verizon?
Will there be "one phone" in US or would they all have thier own modem chips i guess is the real question....
thanks for the guesses and speculat'n!
You have to consider its Verizon and they have 700Mhz LTE and you can't roam on AT&T's 700Mhz so I would not expect to access Verizons AWS spectrum on T-Mobile or vice versa. Remember when they said LTE was the unifying spectrum to allow for easier use across networks and carriers, well that was a pile of BS.
Great news, but I heard verizon was purposely going to burn in their logo onto the amoled screens.
RaptorMD said:
You have to consider its Verizon and they have 700Mhz LTE and you can't roam on AT&T's 700Mhz so I would not expect to access Verizons AWS spectrum on T-Mobile or vice versa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong: those "700mhz" frequencies are different bands. Both T-Mobile and Verizon are building out LTE on the same band: 4 (AWS). They will be interoperable device-wise.
AT&T also owns a lot of AWS, and though they're currently running LTE on it only in one market (somewhere in Oklahoma IIRC), all their LTE devices do come with band 4 enabled.
The more I read about the differences, the more I'm convinced that the Verizon model is more cross compatible with all other services. It's still the only CDMA model. But it's also gsm unlocked if you know how to program APNs. Any thoughts?
jerzyboy2421 said:
The more I read about the differences, the more I'm convinced that the Verizon model is more cross compatible with all other services. It's still the only CDMA model. But it's also gsm unlocked if you know how to program APNs. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I posted a pretty detailed analyzation of the LTE bands the different GS4 models work with here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=40974831#post40974831
if we ever get to the point where we don't need 3g at all any more (CDMA) and we can get VoLTE and use the LTE band exclusively that will eliminate a lot of the incompatability between Verizon and GSM carriers .
Parafly said:
if we ever get to the point where we don't need 3g at all any more (CDMA) and we can get VoLTE and use the LTE band exclusively that will eliminate a lot of the incompatability between Verizon and GSM carriers .
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Click to collapse
When we get to that point, Verizon will basically be a GSM carrier. Considering LTE is just an evolution GSM, both developed by 3GPP.
camaroz28 said:
When we get to that point, Verizon will basically be a GSM carrier. Considering LTE is just an evolution GSM, both developed by 3GPP.
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When it gets to that point, the question is will LTE then become open so Google can sell a Nexus that works on every network without carriers involved?
Schoat333 said:
When it gets to that point, the question is will LTE then become open so Google can sell a Nexus that works on every network without carriers involved?
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Click to collapse
Not just Google...all the manufacturers could do it. But...don't get your hopes up. That situation is not in the carriers' nor major manufacturers' interests, and they sit on the standards bodies. No one represents the users/customers.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=43469207&postcount=11
samsung GS4
scott14719 said:
If I am correct, Verizon phones do not use sim cards (CDMA) and AT&T and T-Mobile are GMS (sim phones). So even if the bands are supported, I don't see how a Verizon phone would work on T-Mobile or AT&T unless they are CDMA / GSM dual phones. And even then they would have to be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon does use sim cards I am in the process of trying to unlock
SCH-I545 On T-Mobile
i Have This phone running on T-Mobile and have notice it does pick up AWS but very limied when compared to a T-Mobile branded phone... im wondering if anyone has tested flashing the T-Mobile modem??
---------- Post added at 04:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 AM ----------
No need to unlock just go into settings on the phone and under mobile networks their should be a tab that says prefered network.... click it and select global....
I went from a note 2 on T-mobile to the mega. (paid $515 us, no tax). I knew what i was getting into, about the bands, but i went for it anyway. I think in retrospect it may have been a mistake. The issue is, that it doesnt have the right bands for hspa+ a lot of the time. It has the edge and the 1900 that was refarmed for hspa+. Granted, i live in NYC which was refarmed, and it my house i do have hspa+, but it was a mistake because a lot of places i go, i dont have service, or i only have edge. And i do wedding jobs all over the tri state area, and that is going to suck. To me, Tmo is awesome, they have 3g, hspa21, hspa42 and now also lte. I can do without the LTE but now i'm limiting myself to only one band of hspa.... Not the smartest idea.
I've heard that a new ported radio may help this but....
mottyengel said:
I went from a note 2 on T-mobile to the mega. (paid $515 us, no tax). I knew what i was getting into, about the bands, but i went for it anyway. I think in retrospect it may have been a mistake. The issue is, that it doesnt have the right bands for hspa+ a lot of the time. It has the edge and the 1900 that was refarmed for hspa+. Granted, i live in NYC which was refarmed, and it my house i do have hspa+, but it was a mistake because a lot of places i go, i dont have service, or i only have edge. And i do wedding jobs all over the tri state area, and that is going to suck. To me, Tmo is awesome, they have 3g, hspa21, hspa42 and now also lte. I can do without the LTE but now i'm limiting myself to only one band of hspa.... Not the smartest idea.
I've heard that a new ported radio may help this but....
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Click to collapse
Why would you buy this phone knowing you wouldn't get consistent HSPA? I would return it if I were you. Good luck.
mottyengel said:
I've heard that a new ported radio may help this but....
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Click to collapse
Do you have a link for this? I'm used to slow speeds where I am anyway, so edge to HSPA isnt a difference for me. The only places it gets faster is in the areas where they have the 1900 bands anyway...
mottyengel said:
I went from a note 2 on T-mobile to the mega. (paid $515 us, no tax). I knew what i was getting into, about the bands, but i went for it anyway. I think in retrospect it may have been a mistake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is me pretty much exactly.
It is not bad in Atlanta, I get H+ most of the time and my prior tablet (LG G Slate) wasn't really better coverage wise so I'm not unhappy, I just keep thinking I could be happier if I had that extra band of H+
If you find out something that improves TMo experience please note it here so others can benefit also.
damastah said:
Do you have a link for this? I'm used to slow speeds where I am anyway, so edge to HSPA isnt a difference for me. The only places it gets faster is in the areas where they have the 1900 bands anyway...
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Click to collapse
I don't think a modem has been ported yet. I don't think there is a compatible radio out there for this phone. AT&T MIGHT get a version of the Mega (the I-527). If so, someone might be able to port it's radio over to our device and we MIGHT get better signal. Until then, we will have spotty / inconsistent coverage. I get HSPA+, Edge, G, and complete loss of signal almost every day in New York (I drive around a quite a bit between Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan in New York). AT&T and T-Mobile (refarmed), for the most part, use the same bands now.
I came from the AT&T original Galaxy Note (LTE) which I used on T-Mobile's network. I knew I would be taking a step back in terms of data speed by getting the Mega but figured I would at least get HSPA+ which is sufficient for what I do (email, internat and streaming video). When I have HSPA+ signal, I have no data lag even when streaming live tv so it's definitely fast enough (for me at least).
The only issue is, as I already said, the inconsistency. I like the device though and am trying to stick with it until the AT&T Mega comes out (no telling when that will happen - it has been rumored for this month but I'm not holding my breath).
I see the Mega as a mini tablet with GSM phone connectivity, mobile internet connectivity, bluetooth, wifi, nfc, gps, and infra-red (for infrared tv remote control capability). Looking at it from that perspective, I stick with it (because not many tablets have this much connectivity).
Plus, it fits in my pocket (a lot more portable than normal sized tablets).
curgervending said:
I don't think a modem has been ported yet. I don't think there is a compatible radio out there for this phone. AT&T MIGHT get a version of the Mega (the I-527). If so, someone might be able to port it's radio over to our device and we MIGHT get better signal. Until then, we will have spotty / inconsistent coverage. I get HSPA+, Edge, G, and complete loss of signal almost every day in New York (I drive around a quite a bit between Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan in New York). AT&T and T-Mobile (refarmed), for the most part, use the same bands now.
I came from the AT&T original Galaxy Note (LTE) which I used on T-Mobile's network. I knew I would be taking a step back in terms of data speed by getting the Mega but figured I would at least get HSPA+ which is sufficient for what I do (email, internat and streaming video). When I have HSPA+ signal, I have no data lag even when streaming live tv so it's definitely fast enough (for me at least).
The only issue is, as I already said, the inconsistency. I like the device though and am trying to stick with it until the AT&T Mega comes out (no telling when that will happen - it has been rumored for this month but I'm not holding my breath).
I see the Mega as a mini tablet with GSM phone connectivity, mobile internet connectivity, bluetooth, wifi, nfc, gps, and infra-red (for infrared tv remote control capability). Looking at it from that perspective, I stick with it (because not many tablets have this much connectivity).
Plus, it fits in my pocket (a lot more portable than normal sized tablets).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, I hear you. What will be the difference with the AT&T one? I'm really looking for a radio port like they did for the AT&T Note with the Galaxy Blaze and S II modems
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
damastah said:
Right, I hear you. What will be the difference with the AT&T one? I'm really looking for a radio port like they did for the AT&T Note with the Galaxy Blaze and S II modems
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The AT&T Mega will have LTE so the data speeds will be faster. However, if AT&T gets the Mega, it will be locked to their network and it's currently illegal to unlock your phone yourself (you're supposed to ask the carrier to unlock it for you). I would imagine that AT&T won't be so quick to unlock the phone for you since they wouldn't want to make it convenient for anyone to take the phone to another GSM carrier. Oh well...welcome to America. In Europe (and probably the rest of the world), when you get a phone (even if its carrier-branded and purchase directly from the carrier), it's unlocked. I usually only buy unlocked phones.
I want to wait for a radio port. If I get consistent HSPA+ connectivity, I'm fine. I got about 15mbps download and about 2mbps upload on an HSPA+ connection in Manhattan this morning. That's fast enough for my data needs. I WAS using a Galaxy Note on T-Mobile's LTE network and got up to 22mbps down and 11mbps up. To be honest though, I could only tell the difference between HSPA+ and LTE when downloading huge files (500MB and up). For web surfing, email, streaming video, and live tv, I saw no noticeable difference between LTE and HSPA+.
IF, at the end of the day, you get the data performance you need with HSPA+, having LTE won't really matter that much.
It's kinda like upgrading your car from one that has 160mph on the dash (current Mega with HSPA+) to the exact same car with 320mph on the dash (AT&T Mega with LTE) when the legal speed limit is 70mph (the data speed you need). You may be able to brag about it being faster but do you actually need the extra speed? Bottom line, you have to determine your data speed needs and then make a choice..
curgervending said:
The AT&T Mega will have LTE so the data speeds will be faster. However, if AT&T gets the Mega, it will be locked to their network and it's currently illegal to unlock your phone yourself (you're supposed to ask the carrier to unlock it for you). I would imagine that AT&T won't be so quick to unlock the phone for you since they wouldn't want to make it convenient for anyone to take the phone to another GSM carrier. Oh well...welcome to America. In Europe (and probably the rest of the world), when you get a phone (even if its carrier-branded and purchase directly from the carrier), it's unlocked. I usually only buy unlocked phones.
I want to wait for a radio port. If I get consistent HSPA+ connectivity, I'm fine. I got about 15mbps download and about 2mbps upload on an HSPA+ connection in Manhattan this morning. That's fast enough for my data needs. I WAS using a Galaxy Note on T-Mobile's LTE network and got up to 22mbps down and 11mbps up. To be honest though, I could only tell the difference between HSPA+ and LTE when downloading huge files (500MB and up). For web surfing, email, streaming video, and live tv, I saw no noticeable difference between LTE and HSPA+.
IF, at the end of the day, you get the data performance you need with HSPA+, having LTE won't really matter that much.
It's kinda like upgrading your car from one that has 160mph on the dash (current Mega with HSPA+) to the exact same car with 320mph on the dash (AT&T Mega with LTE) when the legal speed limit is 70mph (the data speed you need). You may be able to brag about it being faster but do you actually need the extra speed? Bottom line, you have to determine your data speed needs and then make a choice..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. So the at&t one will have an extra T-Mobile compatible band in it? I thought the only one was the 1900 band getting converted into affect by T-Mobile
damastah said:
I see. So the at&t one will have an extra T-Mobile compatible band in it? I thought the only one was the 1900 band getting converted into affect by T-Mobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The AT&T Mega should have both the 1900 (the refarmed HSPA+ band on T-Mobile) and the LTE 1700/2100 band (which is the same frequency that both AT&T and T-Mobile use for LTE). The I-9200 version Mega only has the 1900 band and no LTE at all. The I-9205 version Mega has the 1900 band and LTE but not the 1700/2100 LTE band that works on T-Mobile and AT&T .
Radio Question
curgervending said:
The AT&T Mega should have both the 1900 (the refarmed HSPA+ band on T-Mobile) and the LTE 1700/2100 band (which is the same frequency that both AT&T and T-Mobile use for LTE). The I-9200 version Mega only has the 1900 band and no LTE at all. The I-9205 version Mega has the 1900 band and LTE but not the 1700/2100 LTE band that works on T-Mobile and AT&T .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, bit of radio ignorance here. So is this a physical hardware difference or could it be adjusted on an existing I-9205 to use the 1700/2100 LTE band by flashing a new radio/rom once TMo/AT&T have a specific version out?
I must admit, this is the only thing that is keeping me from getting the Mega. IF I knew with certainty that a version of this phone would work 100% with T-Mobile, I would jump on it. Unfortunately, i'll probably just have to wait for the Note III. I know there will be a version of that for T-mo.
Mega
Coming to the US carriers soon?
http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/17/galaxy-mega-6-3-press-render-surfaces-with-navy-blue-body-atandt/
I know I want the Mega so bad & I see them unlocked on Ebay. I've asked a couple of sellers if it will work for TMobile but they say either edge or 3g. I have the Note 2 now and I'm more into size wise so not really looking forward to the Note 3. I was wondering if the AT&T one would work unlocked but they don't want you to leave the store without activating it. So I just have to wait patiently like you friend.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
jminatl said:
Sorry, bit of radio ignorance here. So is this a physical hardware difference or could it be adjusted on an existing I-9205 to use the 1700/2100 LTE band by flashing a new radio/rom once TMo/AT&T have a specific version out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Physical hardware difference. The I-9205's LTE physical hardware is "tuned" (for lack of a better word) to bands LTE2100, LTE850, LTE1800, LTE2600, LTE800. AT&T / T-Mobile uses band LTE 1700/2100 frequency. Using a different radio in the I-9205 won't change the bands that the phone is tuned to. If anyone out there knows better please chime in. I certainly don't claim to know much. One thing I'm not clear on is whether LTE2100 band in the I-9205 will partially work on T-Mobile / AT&T. I think the phone specifically has to have LTE1700/2100 which is different from LTE2100. Again, someone with more knowledge, please chime in.
would the att version work on T-Mobile? Here are the specs on it;
GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900,
UMTS850 (B5), UMTS900 (B8), UMTS1900 (B2), UMTS2100 (B1)
LTE700 (B17), LTE850 (B5), LTE1700/2100 (B4), LTE1900 (B2)
I live in a refarmed area with LTE.
mottyengel said:
I went from a note 2 on T-mobile to the mega. (paid $515 us, no tax). I knew what i was getting into, about the bands, but i went for it anyway. I think in retrospect it may have been a mistake. The issue is, that it doesnt have the right bands for hspa+ a lot of the time. It has the edge and the 1900 that was refarmed for hspa+. Granted, i live in NYC which was refarmed, and it my house i do have hspa+, but it was a mistake because a lot of places i go, i dont have service, or i only have edge. And i do wedding jobs all over the tri state area, and that is going to suck. To me, Tmo is awesome, they have 3g, hspa21, hspa42 and now also lte. I can do without the LTE but now i'm limiting myself to only one band of hspa.... Not the smartest idea.
I've heard that a new ported radio may help this but....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By the way, what version of the Mega do you have (i9200 or i9205)? I have T-Mobile and live in a refarmed area (NYC). I've heard people say that the i9205 gives them H+ speeds here.
T-mob 4G with AT&T mega?
I have just bought an AT&T mega (SGH-I527) from a guy. It's 8 days old, unlocked and running T-mob 4GLTE no problem.
21940kbps dl with the 4GLTE icon.
Sweet!
Does it give you spurts of edge 3g and lte or is it steady lte. In other words does it work pretty good to get online or does it lag sometimes?
Sent from my SGH-T889
MR.MEMORYLANE said:
Does it give you spurts of edge 3g and lte or is it steady lte. In other words does it work pretty good to get online or does it lag sometimes?
Sent from my SGH-T889
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had it for only a few hours but when 4GLTE lights up and I stay in the same position then it holds the icon no problem. The area is patchy and not far away I loose 4G and it drops to 3G but it gets back the 4G where it can. In that regard it works like my previous phone but it didn't have the benefit of of LTE!
I went to the AT&T store today and I can buy it cash without contract but I just don't want it to be just edge service if you know what I mean.
Sent from my SGH-T889