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Hi all. I have searched and cant find an answer to my specific Q.
I am thinking of getting an unbranded/unlocked SGS2 To use with my ATT sim, which has an unlimited data plan for $10....old grandfathered one.
I am presently using an HTC HD2, which is a smartphone that ATT never sold, therefore the non smartphone data rate.
If I were to buy an unbranded SGS2, would ATT be able, through the registering of the phones IMEI on their network, to change my data plan to the more expensive data plan? I guess the question boils down to, in addition to all the IMEI's that ATT has for the SGS2's that they sell and have a record of, would they also have a record of unbraded IMEI's?
Isn't this the reason there is an AT&T SGS2 because the International one doesn't fully support AT&T? Maybe ask the question in the AT&T SGS2 forums?
Didnt know that there was an ATT forum! Thanks. And, the International SGS2 supports ATTs 3G network on the 850 band. That is why I want one....fully international on 3G...850/900 and 2100.
Found my answer on the ATT thread....I think. Looks like ATT will not know the international SGS2 is a smartphone as they wont have the IMEI's, I think!
Thanks.
Hey whats up erybody?
Im new to the forum as well as the android flashing/modding scene as i've always had an iPhone but recently gave in to this Galaxy sII as it looks and performs amazing. The only issue I have currently is I own an ATT Galaxy sII that is unlocked and I am using for T-Mobile but cannot get any 3G/4G network at all.
This phone is rooted and running cyanogen mod on ICS 4.0.4. I have read online about people flashing there ATT Note's radio to force your phone to accept 3G/4G for T-Mobile and I was just wondering if this is possible for the Galaxy SII? I tried using the same method but no luck, can anyone possibly point me to the right modem to install if one is available? This phone is great but I cant stand this slow ass EDGE signal.
Thanks :cyclops:
wexpac said:
Hey whats up erybody?
Im new to the forum as well as the android flashing/modding scene as i've always had an iPhone but recently gave in to this Galaxy sII as it looks and performs amazing. The only issue I have currently is I own an ATT Galaxy sII that is unlocked and I am using for T-Mobile but cannot get any 3G/4G network at all.
This phone is rooted and running cyanogen mod on ICS 4.0.4. I have read online about people flashing there ATT Note's radio to force your phone to accept 3G/4G for T-Mobile and I was just wondering if this is possible for the Galaxy SII? I tried using the same method but no luck, can anyone possibly point me to the right modem to install if one is available? This phone is great but I cant stand this slow ass EDGE signal.
Thanks :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, you're in the wrong forum for your device.
This is the forum for the i9100, the international Galaxy S2.
You say you have the AT&T Galaxy S2... Which is the SGH-I777.
Second, since ATT and T-mobile use different frequencies for high speed mobile data, most devices for ATT will only get Edge on T-mobile. Vice versa, most devices for T-mobile, if unlocked for ATT, will only get Edge on ATT's network. SOME devices you can flash a different modem, because they have the requisite antenna hardware to get the necessary frequencies.
Unfortunately for you, the SGH-I777 isn't one of them.
Unless, you actually have the Skyrocket, which is the SGH-I727. (check the label under the battery to get the exact model number) That phone, you CAN flash a T-mobile modem to it and get high speed on T-mobile's network.
Ahhh I see. When I power on the phone it displays the international model however in the menu settings it does say SGH-I777 which is why I was a little confused since there are so many differen't models aparently.
Looks like im screwd until later this year when/if T-Mobile does go good on there word that they will be acquiring new towers to promote the other frequencies for ATT devices. Thanks for the reply.
wexpac said:
Ahhh I see. When I power on the phone it displays the international model however in the menu settings it does say SGH-I777 which is why I was a little confused since there are so many differen't models aparently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The boot screen and indeed, the about phone screen can change depending on what is flashed to the phone. So if you flash an i9100 firmware to an i777, it will then display the wrong model when booting. Which is why I said to check the label under the battery to be sure.
wexpac said:
Looks like im screwd until later this year when/if T-Mobile does go good on there word that they will be acquiring new towers to promote the other frequencies for ATT devices. Thanks for the reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't hold my breath for this to help you.
ctomgee said:
First off, you're in the wrong forum for your device.
This is the forum for the i9100, the international Galaxy S2.
You say you have the AT&T Galaxy S2... Which is the SGH-I777.
Second, since ATT and T-mobile use different frequencies for high speed mobile data, most devices for ATT will only get Edge on T-mobile. Vice versa, most devices for T-mobile, if unlocked for ATT, will only get Edge on ATT's network. SOME devices you can flash a different modem, because they have the requisite antenna hardware to get the necessary frequencies.
Unfortunately for you, the SGH-I777 isn't one of them.
Unless, you actually have the Skyrocket, which is the SGH-I727. (check the label under the battery to get the exact model number) That phone, you CAN flash a T-mobile modem to it and get high speed on T-mobile's network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CTOMGEE,
I have the i9100 International Galaxy S2 and am wondering if I can access 3G speeds on T-Mobile? I know the phone is not 4G compatible, so unfortunately I won't be able to access those speeds, but I am wondering if I will be forced to use the EDGE network.
ellewms said:
CTOMGEE,
I have the i9100 International Galaxy S2 and am wondering if I can access 3G speeds on T-Mobile? I know the phone is not 4G compatible, so unfortunately I won't be able to access those speeds, but I am wondering if I will be forced to use the EDGE network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check your thread
Swyped from my Samsung Galaxy SII
Supercharged ParanoidAndroid 2.12
Dorimanx kernel 5.76B
GT I9100
Next phone: Galaxy NOTE II
ellewms said:
CTOMGEE,
I have the i9100 International Galaxy S2 and am wondering if I can access 3G speeds on T-Mobile? I know the phone is not 4G compatible, so unfortunately I won't be able to access those speeds, but I am wondering if I will be forced to use the EDGE network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not as of now. T-Mobile in the US uses AWS currently for 3g and "4g". This band requires both 1700 & 2100 mhz for data to get these speeds. The phone doesn't get 1700, do it won't get higher than Edge.
There are rumors T-Mobile will be re-purposing 1900 mhz (which the phone DOES get) for data, so if and when that happens, the phone will probably get high speed mobile data. But until then, you're out of luck for T-Mobile with this phone, and will have to use ATT to get high speed data.
Ananda
Hi ctomgee and others, I'm using a Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 that was bought unlocked. I'm also getting only 2G speeds on T-mobile. Could you tell me what is flashing the T-mobile modem and how it is done? Can I try to do this so that I can get 3G speeds? If this is not possible, would I get 3G speeds if I buy a S2 from T-mobile?
On the sidelines: What do they do to the phone that the phones bought from T-mobile would work but the others won't? Is it something done to the hardware or the software? If the change is in the software, can't we try to do it ourselves - are there any online tutorials on this?
ctomgee said:
Not as of now. T-Mobile in the US uses AWS currently for 3g and "4g". This band requires both 1700 & 2100 mhz for data to get these speeds. The phone doesn't get 1700, do it won't get higher than Edge.
There are rumors T-Mobile will be re-purposing 1900 mhz (which the phone DOES get) for data, so if and when that happens, the phone will probably get high speed mobile data. But until then, you're out of luck for T-Mobile with this phone, and will have to use ATT to get high speed data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ananda.b said:
Hi ctomgee and others, I'm using a Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 that was bought unlocked. I'm also getting only 2G speeds on T-mobile. Could you tell me what is flashing the T-mobile modem and how it is done? Can I try to do this so that I can get 3G speeds? If this is not possible, would I get 3G speeds if I buy a S2 from T-mobile?
On the sidelines: What do they do to the phone that the phones bought from T-mobile would work but the others won't? Is it something done to the hardware or the software? If the change is in the software, can't we try to do it ourselves - are there any online tutorials on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a modem is essentially changing the software drivers for your antenna. This does not, however, change what frequencies your phone is capable of receiving. This is a hardware limitation.
The T-mobile USA Galaxy S2 is model number SGH-T989 - a totally different model than the GT-I9100. The hardware is completely different. The size itself, the CPU/GPU/SoC, the antenna hardware - all different. This isn't something you can fix with flashing a modem.
If you are patient, as I stated above, T-mobile USA is in the process of re-purposing a frequency the I9100 DOES get so it will get 3/4g on T-mobile. When that happens in the market you are in is up to T-mobile.
ctomgee said:
First off, you're in the wrong forum for your device.
This is the forum for the i9100, the international Galaxy S2.
You say you have the AT&T Galaxy S2... Which is the SGH-I777.
Second, since ATT and T-mobile use different frequencies for high speed mobile data, most devices for ATT will only get Edge on T-mobile. Vice versa, most devices for T-mobile, if unlocked for ATT, will only get Edge on ATT's network. SOME devices you can flash a different modem, because they have the requisite antenna hardware to get the necessary frequencies.
Unfortunately for you, the SGH-I777 isn't one of them.
Unless, you actually have the Skyrocket, which is the SGH-I727. (check the label under the battery to get the exact model number) That phone, you CAN flash a T-mobile modem to it and get high speed on T-mobile's network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I spent hours online chatting with support trying to get this information and they couldn't provide it. 10 minutes of internet searching and you said EXACTLY what I needed to know. Thank you sir!! Helped me a ton.
Also, just a heads up. At the end of this year (2012) T-Mobile is going to launch their 1900 mhz band towers (see: newsroom.t-mobile(d0t)com/articles/4GNetworkEvolutionVendorsSelected) so AT&T phones that use that 4G band will work with T-Mobile once unlocked and moved over.
Thanks again!
Roelith said:
I spent hours online chatting with support trying to get this information and they couldn't provide it. 10 minutes of internet searching and you said EXACTLY what I needed to know. Thank you sir!! Helped me a ton.
Also, just a heads up. At the end of this year (2012) T-Mobile is going to launch their 1900 mhz band towers (see: newsroom.t-mobile(d0t)com/articles/4GNetworkEvolutionVendorsSelected) so AT&T phones that use that 4G band will work with T-Mobile once unlocked and moved over.
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like i occasionally get the 4G speeds on tmobile on my i9100, but it switches between Edge and 4G quite frequently. Anyone know how to force a 4G?
mok86 said:
Looks like i occasionally get the 4G speeds on tmobile on my i9100, but it switches between Edge and 4G quite frequently. Anyone know how to force a 4G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can set the network mode to WCDMA only... but I think there's a problem with that. If you wander into an area where T-mobile doesn't have "4G" coverage on 1900mhz, then I don't think you'll have any signal at all. When it is set to GSM/WCDMA (Auto mode), it switches automatically to Edge if you don't get the "4G" signal.
Wrong forum, this is for the international i9100 not Skyrocket.
TheATHEiST said:
Wrong forum, this is for the international i9100 not Skyrocket.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OP is from July. The guy above me today was asking a general question, and ATT sells TWO variants of the GS2 - the SGH-I777, which is their branded regular Galaxy SII, and the SGH-I727, which is the "Skyrocket" - which is the variant that has LTE.
I'm confused
Sent from my Zanpakuto using Getsuga Tensho!
Nick281051 said:
I'm confused
Sent from my Zanpakuto using Getsuga Tensho!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guy posted in i9100 forums because he tripped the flash counter causing his phone to say i9100 so he was confused and posted there. Asked about TMO only getting 2g and was already answered,
ctomgee said:
You can set the network mode to WCDMA only... but I think there's a problem with that. If you wander into an area where T-mobile doesn't have "4G" coverage on 1900mhz, then I don't think you'll have any signal at all. When it is set to GSM/WCDMA (Auto mode), it switches automatically to Edge if you don't get the "4G" signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem , get mostly Edge and Very less 4G with my International 9100 in T Mobile. Was wondering if a modem change will fix the problem . I am currently on Slimbean Rom. Any suggestions guys ?
nikunj_cal said:
Same problem , get mostly Edge and Very less 4G with my International 9100 in T Mobile. Was wondering if a modem change will fix the problem . I am currently on Slimbean Rom. Any suggestions guys ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Its a hardware thing. Not that complicated to understand really.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Pirateghost said:
No. Its a hardware thing. Not that complicated to understand really.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed since we are missing 1700mhz here but I was wondering whether its possible to capitalize on the 1900 mhz freq.
nikunj_cal said:
Agreed since we are missing 1700mhz here but I was wondering whether its possible to capitalize on the 1900 mhz freq.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello every one I was wondering I have the i9100 and I have metropcs on it and I also flashed omni rom on it but I was thinking that I need to flash the us radios on it because I got it from Japan and as I can make calles they drop alot and the network is so slow so is this something where I would need to flash that ? and if so can someone post a link for the file's?
Hope I am in the correct forum, but have a question regarding the Sprint "Samsung Galaxy S™ ll, Epic™ 4G Touch".
I do not use Sprint, but am under the impression they do not use SIM cards. My question is simple, can this phone from Sprint (Galaxy S II) be used with any other carrier like AT&T? Long story short I have the opportunity to get one of these phones, but my contract is with AT&T.
ssa2204 said:
Hope I am in the correct forum, but have a question regarding the Sprint "Samsung Galaxy S™ ll, Epic™ 4G Touch".
I do not use Sprint, but am under the impression they do not use SIM cards. My question is simple, can this phone from Sprint (Galaxy S II) be used with any other carrier like AT&T? Long story short I have the opportunity to get one of these phones, but my contract is with AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not. EDIT TO ADD: Sprint is a CDMA voice network. AT&T is a GSM voice network. You'll never be able to get voice on one network with a phone from the other carrier because of this.
And the Epic 4G Touch has its own forum. This is the forum for the GT-i9100. Different phone from the Epic 4G Touch.
FYI though, the GT-i9100 DOES work on AT&T - I have one, and am on AT&T.
Note: Posting this here because...this kinda concerns this version, tmobile, AT&T, and the US version. Not sure if this is the best place to post this topic though. If it isn't, please move it. Anyway
Edit: Dammit, maybe this thread is more appropriate for the Tmobile section. I guess I posted this in the wrong place then.
For the past two days, I've been undecided on whether or not I should get the International Samsung Galaxy S3, or the USA Samsung Galaxy S3. To the point where it's stressing me out.From what I've read, its a pretty debatable subject..and its tiring having to go through "lolz quad core owns all" or "2gb ram is the best. Lol international". I looked at some videos, and they seemed even, more or less.
1. Here is my issue. I have Tmobile.Right now I'm under a prepaid type of plan(as in, I pay for minutes whenever. If I'm out of minutes, I can buy some more at any time. I'm under no type of contract. And the only thing that obviously happens to me if I run out of minutes is that I cant call/text anyone until i add more ). But I would like the option to go to 3g/4g in the future. I don't have the money to do 3g/4G right now , but atleast the option is still there for the future. So for now , I'm on a prepaid "pay whenever I want" thing.
From what I've heard the international version does not support 3g/4g(?) regarding Tmobile. All I will get is edge. Now here is the question. Will this always be the case for the International version? Meaning that the international version will never support 3g and 4g under Tmobile?(if I wanted to get a 3g plan) ?
2. If thats the case, what about the USA version? If I decide to stick under Tmobile, and get the US version, I will still have the option of upgrading to 3G/4g on Tmobile, right ? If so, does it matter which US Samsung Galaxy phone I get?(ignoring Verizon and Sprint)
For example, I heard that the AT&T locks the user from disabling LTE for the USA version. As well as locks other things in general. Even if unlocked. Is this true? Or was the person who said this full of crap?
2.5 Also, lets say I do get The AT&T SGS3. And I unlock it and put my Tmobile sim card in it. Now in the future, If I wanted to upgrade to LTE, would I be able to get LTE on this unlocked AT&T phone under a Tmobile Plan? Or would I need an AT&T SGS3, along with an AT&T plan in order to get LTE? And would the reverse be true(as in, If I get a Tmobile SGS3, and wanted to switch carriers . I would never get LTE because of the change of plan). Should I only get a Tmobile USA Samsung Galaxy S3?
3.What about "rooting"? Would that be a way around #2.5 or any of the above questions?
4. Does AT&T have a good prepaid plan as well?(as in, I can pay for minutes whenever. I'm not under any contract or $30 a month type of thing)
5.In my situation, would you recommend I get the US, or international version? Is it worth getting the international version, or USA version when concerning Tmobile? Should I switch carriers in the future, or am I fine the way I am now?
?
6. IYO, if I were to get the USA version, what would be the best place to get it? Without any type of contracts. Again, I assume that buying it locked(and them me manually unlocking it) is the safest option?
7. In my situation, would you recoomend I get the USA, or international version?
Cliffs.
- Deciding between international SGS3, or USA SGS3.
- I'm under Tmobile(prepaid for now)
- Is it true that the International version of the SGS3 will never support 3g or 4g for Tmobile?
- If that's the case, I will at least have the option of upgrading to 3g/4g/on a USA SGS3 under Tmobile, right?
- If the above is true, would it matter which USA Samsung Galaxy S3 I get?(AT&T, or Tmobile). Ex: Is it true that AT&T locks/prevents the user from disabling LTE(which apparently drains a lot)pa, and other apps on the specific AT&T SGS3? Even if it's unlocked? Or was the person who said this full of crap?)
- If I do get a USA AT&T SGS3, unlock it, and put my Tmobile sim card in it. And in the future, wanted to upgrade to LTE, would I be able to get LTE on this unlocked ATT phone, under a Tmobile plan? If not, does the reverse hold true as well?(as in, If I get a Tmobile SGS3, and wanted to switch carriers . I would never get LTE because of the change of plan)
- Would rooting solve the above issues?
- Does AT&T have a good prepaid plan as well?(as in, I can pay for minutes whenever. I'm not under any contract or $30 a month type of thing)
- What would you guys do in my situation?
- IYO, if I were to get the USA version, what would be the best place to get it? Without any type of contracts
- In my situation, would you recommend I get the US, or international version?
destroyer8888 said:
Note: Posting this here because...this kinda concerns this version, tmobile, AT&T, and the US version. Not sure if this is the best place to post this topic though. If it isn't, please move it. Anyway
For the past two days, I've been undecided on whether or not I should get the International Samsung Galaxy S3, or the USA Samsung Galaxy S3. To the point where it's stressing me out.From what I've read, its a pretty debatable subject..and its tiring having to go through "lolz quad core owns all" or "2gb ram is the best. Lol international". I looked at some videos, and they seemed even, more or less.
1. Here is my issue. I have Tmobile.Right now I'm under a prepaid type of plan(as in, I pay for minutes whenever. If I'm out of minutes, I can buy some more at any time. I'm under no type of contract. And the only thing that obviously happens to me if I run out of minutes is that I cant call/text anyone until i add more ). But I would like the option to go to 3g/4g in the future. I don't have the money to do 3g/4G right now , but atleast the option is still there for the future.
From what I've heard the international version does not support 3g/4g(?) regarding Tmobile. All I will get is edge. Now here is the question. Will this always be the case for the International version? Meaning that the international version will never support 3g and 4g under Tmobile?(if I wanted to get a 3g plan) ?
2. If thats the case, what about the USA version? If I decide to stick under Tmobile, and get the US version, I will still have the option of upgrading to 3G/4g on Tmobile, right ? If so, does it matter which US Samsung Galaxy phone I get?(ignoring Verizon and Sprint)
For example, I heard that the AT&T locks the user from disabling LTE for the USA version. As well as locks other things in general. Even if unlocked. Is this true? Or was the person who said this full of crap?
2.5 Also, lets say I do get The AT&T SGS3. And I unlock it and put my Tmobile sim card in it. Now in the future, If I wanted to upgrade to LTE, would I be able to get LTE on this unlocked AT&T phone under a Tmobile Plan? Or would I need an AT&T SGS3, along with an AT&T plan in order to get LTE? And would the reverse be true(as in, If I get a Tmobile SGS3, and wanted to switch carriers . I would never get LTE because of the change of plan). Should I only get a Tmobile USA Samsung Galaxy S3?
3.What about "rooting"? Would that be a way around #2.5 or any of the above questions?
4. Does AT&T have a good prepaid plan as well?(as in, I can pay for minutes whenever. I'm not under any contract or $30 a month type of thing)
5.What would you guys do in my situation? Is it worth getting the international version, or USA version when concerning Tmobile? Should I switch carriers in the future, or am I fine the way I am now?
6. IYO, if I were to get the USA version, what would be the best place to get it? Without any type of contracts. Again, I assume that buying it locked(and them me manually unlocking it) is the safest option?
Cliffs.
- Deciding between international SGS3, or USA SGS3.
- I'm under Tmobile(prepaid for now)
- Is it true that the International version of the SGS3 will never support 3g or 4g for Tmobile?
- If thats the case, I will atleast have the option of upgrading to 3g/4g/on a USA SGS3 under Tmobile, right?
- If the above is true, would it matter which USA Samsung Galaxy S3 I get?(AT&T, or Tmobile). Ex: Is it true that AT&T locks/prevents the user from disabling LTE(which apparently drains a lot)pa, and other apps on the specific AT&T SGS3? Even if it's unlocked? Or was the person who said this full of crap?)
- If I do get a USA AT&T SGS3, unlock it, and put my Tmobile sim card in it. And in the future, wanted to upgrade to LTE, would I be able to get LTE on this unlocked ATT phone, under a Tmobile plan? If not, does the reverse hold true as well?(as in, If I get a Tmobile SGS3, and wanted to switch carriers . I would never get LTE because of the change of plan)
- Would rooting solve the above issues?
- Does AT&T have a good prepaid plan as well?(as in, I can pay for minutes whenever. I'm not under any contract or $30 a month type of thing)
- What would you guys do in my situation?
- IYO, if I were to get the USA version, what would be the best place to get it? Without any type of contracts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in Germany on T-Mobile and have the International version. I recently travelled back to the US (PA/WV/OH area). T-Mobile only gave me a roaming Edge connection, no 3G (at least in the Columbus OH area). I went to the local AT&T shop to get one of the prepaid SIM's. They sold me one, but no-go on the data. They don't do "4G" data on the prepaid plan, the phone was too cool for them. I was only there for a couple of weeks, so I dealt with it. As for which is better, 2 core or 4 core, flip a coin. They are both good. Use GSM Arena's specs pages along with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_frequencies for carrier frequencies to figure out which phone supports the data connection you want.
michaeljwestii said:
I live in Germany on T-Mobile and have the International version. I recently travelled back to the US (PA/WV/OH area). T-Mobile only gave me a roaming Edge connection, no 3G (at least in the Columbus OH area). I went to the local AT&T shop to get one of the prepaid SIM's. They sold me one, but no-go on the data. They don't do "4G" data on the prepaid plan, the phone was too cool for them. I was only there for a couple of weeks, so I dealt with it. As for which is better, 2 core or 4 core, flip a coin. They are both good. Use GSM Arena's specs pages along with [link] for carrier frequencies to figure out which phone supports the data connection you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh I see. Thanks for the input man Now that I think about it, i'm starting to lean more towards the US version.
also, are there any good guides on how to disable LTE on a US ATT SGS3?
I have been reading a lot of different things about doing this with no definitive answer. It looks like, as of recently, it should be as simple as popping in the sprint Sim card and it should work but I want to be sure before hand. Are there any downsides at all about using tmobile Note 8 on Sprint?
Hi there, I'm not sure but Sprint SIM cards are lock. You can try and see, I had Sprint before and try using there SIM card in my unlock tmobile Galaxy S7 Edge running the unlock S7 Edge firmware, it keep reconfiguring over and over. Maybe you might get better than me.
cmdauria said:
I have been reading a lot of different things about doing this with no definitive answer. It looks like, as of recently, it should be as simple as popping in the sprint Sim card and it should work but I want to be sure before hand. Are there any downsides at all about using tmobile Note 8 on Sprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint doesn't allow other carriers phones on their network. Unlocked or not. T-Mobile does though...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/help/cdma-unlock-verizon-note-8-sprint-t3732364
First question would be: Does Sprint allow to use their SIM cards within non-Sprint devices? That I can't answer. Because I never used Sprint services.
The second question is: Would the T-Mobile radios work with Sprint? LTE radios would most likely work if Sprint allows you to use their SIM card with that device. When LTE is weak or not available the answer is: No. The active radios within T-Mobile and even AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 8 are both LTE and GSM (Both 3G and 4G). Both Sprint and Verizon uses LTE and CDMA (each has their own CDMA) radios. You can't use GSM radios with Sprint and Verizon right now. Though that will end up changing as CDMA gets phased out.
To top things off each GSM carrier maybe using different frequencies with some (but not all) of their GSM radios. So changing a cellular device from a GSM carrier to another GSM carrier may have limits with GSM services.
Sprint and Verizon services have problems with international areas (outside of the USA) where LTE is weak or no LTE. The reason is that CDMA is very limit or doesn't exist in most international areas (outside of the USA). The areas that CDMA still works internationally (outside of the USA) will be phased out (mostly in the near future). Only a few places outside of the USA, like China, would CDMA not be phased out so quickly. But CDMA will end up completing phased out all together sometime in future (including in the US).
If you want to be truly Global then go for carriers that have both GSM and LTE, like T-Mobile, AT&T, etc. Then once you unlock the SIM then you can use your carrier's roaming (which don't need SIM unlock) or switch the SIM card with a carrier in that country to get service internationally. Just a side note: T-Mobile does have Unlimited 3G international roaming without any extra cost (this is subject to the type of plan you have with T-Mobile).
The only way this would work for you is if the CDMA radio is built into all Note 8 devices. If so then you just need to flash the correct radio firmware to active the correct carrier radios. But I don't believe this is the case. And this wouldn't solve the Sprint SIM lock issue.
The short answer is no. Read this thread. I thought you could just pop in an activated SIM, but it's not that simple.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/help/cdma-unlock-verizon-note-8-sprint-t3732364
JaguarXT said:
First question would be: Does Sprint allow to use their SIM cards within non-Sprint devices? That I can't answer. Because I never used Sprint services.
The second question is: Would the T-Mobile radios work with Sprint? LTE radios would most likely work if Sprint allows you to use their SIM card with that device. When LTE is weak or not available the answer is: No. The active radios within T-Mobile and even AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 8 are both LTE and GSM (Both 3G and 4G). Both Sprint and Verizon uses LTE and CDMA (each has their own CDMA) radios. You can't use GSM radios with Sprint and Verizon right now. Though that will end up changing as CDMA gets phased out.
To top things off each GSM carrier maybe using different frequencies with some (but not all) of their GSM radios. So changing a cellular device from a GSM carrier to another GSM carrier may have limits with GSM services.
Sprint and Verizon services have problems with international areas (outside of the USA) where LTE is weak or no LTE. The reason is that CDMA is very limit or doesn't exist in most international areas (outside of the USA). The areas that CDMA still works internationally (outside of the USA) will be phased out (mostly in the near future). Only a few places outside of the USA, like China, would CDMA not be phased out so quickly. But CDMA will end up completing phased out all together sometime in future (including in the US).
If you want to be truly Global then go for carriers that have both GSM and LTE, like T-Mobile, AT&T, etc. Then once you unlock the SIM then you can use your carrier's roaming (which don't need SIM unlock) or switch the SIM card with a carrier in that country to get service internationally. Just a side note: T-Mobile does have Unlimited 3G international roaming without any extra cost (this is subject to the type of plan you have with T-Mobile).
The only way this would work for you is if the CDMA radio is built into all Note 8 devices. If so then you just need to flash the correct radio firmware to active the correct carrier radios. But I don't believe this is the case. And this wouldn't solve the Sprint SIM lock issue.
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ALL US Note 8s (N950U and N950U1) are identical. Same radios. Same hardware. Same everything. Only difference is the preloaded firmware. I actually think the Canadian Note 8s (N950W are the same, too, sonce they can run the N950U firmware).
So it's not an issue of missing a CDMA radio. It's an issue that Sprint will not accept the IMEI for another carrier branded Note 8 (or S8/+). You can only activate Sprint or Factory Unlocked devices on Sprint.
As Note 8 has both GSM and CDMA capabilities, why shouldn't an unlock T-Mobile work with Sprint?
RossTeagan said:
As Note 8 has both GSM and CDMA capabilities, why shouldn't an unlock T-Mobile work with Sprint?
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Sprint won't accept any devices on their network unlocked or not if they came from any other carrier. Sprint only allows Sprint phones and factory unlocked devices. Its Sprint, they suck.
Gizmoe said:
Sprint doesn't allow other carriers phones on their network. Unlocked or not. T-Mobile does though...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/help/cdma-unlock-verizon-note-8-sprint-t3732364
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Gizmoe said:
Sprint won't accept any devices on their network unlocked or not if they came from any other carrier. Sprint only allows Sprint phones and factory unlocked devices. Its Sprint, they suck.
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i just switched my tmobile note 8 to sprint today, lol..
Thread cleaned due to much spam! I remind you to follow XDA Rules and especially to respect all XDA users.
ilikebigjugs88 said:
i just switched my tmobile note 8 to sprint today, lol..
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On Sprints website it still does not list the tmo note 8 as compatible for BYOD. It says only the note 8 special edition is. However it is not unlikely they stopped blocking the other U.S. carrier versions. People have gotten devices to activate in the past, but with minimal network functionality. Is your Note 8 fully utilizing the LTE network?
Either way this thread brings trouble so its now closed
Sprint allows sprint capable devices such as clean sprint,Boost and such and subsidiaries that run on sprint only.
@cp1024 @Gizmoe
The Special Edition devices are the ones sold directly by Samsung as factory-unlocked models. Samsung over the years has used the term inconsistently across their site and marketing materials.
Only Sprint calls them "Special Edition", otherwise they are the U1 models, vs U for carrier branded.
Which means they as of the time this was printed will only accept this model
Maybe some others have managed to pull something off but this is official answer
my post above is how it has always been in the past
And it ends here