Hi guys,
I'm from Aus and trying to get a non-savvy US (Cali, splitting time between Sac and SF) friend set up with an unlocked phone suitable for short-term US and overseas use due to travel requirements. The Amaze 4G looks great. I've tried to find answers, but would like some knowledgable eyeballs on my proposal:
1. A US website currently has the Amaze 4G for $479.50 which is much cheaper than all other options. Is this legit? Is there only the X715M model out there, or is this a predecessor?
2. Are all unlocked 'Tmo' Amaze 4G phones able to operate on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 as well as UMTS 1700/2100, both physically and as allowed by the carrier? Any weird APN/data connectivity restrictions due to unlocked phone?
3. Can this phone connect to Tmo at 3G speeds if AWS is unavailable? I read somewhere that 3G 1900 would be required, and this phone doesn't appear to have that?
4. I want to get it on the $30/m walmart/tmo prepaid plan (5G uncapped is plenty of data) but can't see how to order just the sim via their website. should I just have my friend go into walmart? prefer not to muck around with simplemobile if possible - ironically, i want to keep this whole enterprise as simple as possible with a big carrier/theoretically good support.
5. Is this idea, for use in the US primarily but also overseas over the next 12 or so months, future-proof for a couple of years? e.g. I've read about tmo working on HSPA 1900MHz, but hopefully AT&T remains an option if Tmo ends up being unsatisfactory for any reason.
Thanks for having a read, hoping to tie this up ASAP. Much love for any responses.
resolved said:
Hi guys,
I'm from Aus and trying to get a non-savvy US (Cali, splitting time between Sac and SF) friend set up with an unlocked phone suitable for short-term US and overseas use due to travel requirements. The Amaze 4G looks great. I've tried to find answers, but would like some knowledgable eyeballs on my proposal:
1. A US website currently has the Amaze 4G for $479.50 which is much cheaper than all other options. Is this legit? Is there only the X715M model out there, or is this a predecessor?
2. Are all unlocked 'Tmo' Amaze 4G phones able to operate on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 as well as UMTS 1700/2100, both physically and as allowed by the carrier? Any weird APN/data connectivity restrictions due to unlocked phone?
3. Can this phone connect to Tmo at 3G speeds if AWS is unavailable? I read somewhere that 3G 1900 would be required, and this phone doesn't appear to have that?
4. I want to get it on the $30/m walmart/tmo prepaid plan (5G uncapped is plenty of data) but can't see how to order just the sim via their website. should I just have my friend go into walmart? prefer not to muck around with simplemobile if possible - ironically, i want to keep this whole enterprise as simple as possible with a big carrier/theoretically good support.
5. Is this idea, for use in the US primarily but also overseas over the next 12 or so months, future-proof for a couple of years? e.g. I've read about tmo working on HSPA 1900MHz, but hopefully AT&T remains an option if Tmo ends up being unsatisfactory for any reason.
Thanks for having a read, hoping to tie this up ASAP. Much love for any responses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. 479 sounds legit for phone, i dont know about x715m but i do know that us tmobile version is compatible with all bands networks.
2. Yes all US tmobile amaze 4g operate on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 as well as UMTS 1700/2100, both physically and as allowed by the carrier. As far as apn you would need to set up your apn settings according to the network you are using.
3. If no AWS available then only 2g Edge will work, although I have called tmobile and asked if amaze 4g unlocked will be able to use att's hspa network and they said yes amaze and sg2 are only phones capable of that meaning they were built with future proof in mind. I also seen around that tmobile version has all 3g network bands but not sure myself.
4. Easiest would be to have friend pay and pick up the sim card at walmart but i do remind you it is 30/m- 100 min and 5gb of 4g speeds CAPPED, but 2g edge speeds after the 5gb. Simple mobile is 60/m - unltd talk unlt text and 2gb of 4g speeds capped then 2g edge speeds after just depends on your preference.
5. This is a good idea as att will stil be an option and now that att failed to buy tmobile, att has come to an agreement in a roaming contract with tmobile for 7 years.
hope this helps you a little bit more in what ever you decide, good luck!
thanks mate, helped confirmed a few things in my mind.
Negri said they're on backorder so I went ahead and ordered the phone from an Amazon seller for $500. I can only hope everything's legit - I'm not too sure what the dangers of this option are. My best idea is just to use the phone heavily in the first week after getting it and make sure everything works.
now i just need a "beginners guide to android" to help the friend work through the basics... google time.
Is this your first Android phone?
Sent from my HTC Amaze 4G using xda premium
nope, i've had a HTC Hero and currently run a SGS2. I bought the Amaze for a friend who's new to Android due to Apple's stupid GSM-only unlocked phones, and their lack of 1.7ghz for tmo.
we'll get through it, tho after 15 mins of googling, there's a distinct lack of good "idiot user's (not programmer's) guide to android" articles/books. will write something up myself, i think.
my response to you above is more fishing for people's ideas about how Amazon sellers can be dodgy, esp. when pretty much every website is still doing the Amaze for $6-700.. I wondered if there were any potential pitfalls with the $500 price.
resolved said:
nope, i've had a HTC Hero and currently run a SGS2. I bought the Amaze for a friend who's new to Android due to Apple's stupid GSM-only unlocked phones, and their lack of 1.7ghz for tmo.
we'll get through it, tho after 15 mins of googling, there's a distinct lack of good "idiot user's (not programmer's) guide to android" articles/books. will write something up myself, i think.
my response to you above is more fishing for people's ideas about how Amazon sellers can be dodgy, esp. when pretty much every website is still doing the Amaze for $6-700.. I wondered if there were any potential pitfalls with the $500 price.
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Click to collapse
I bought mine from eBay. It was used for a week with everything and he gave me an Incipio case. I bought it for $445. I was happy with it.
resolved said:
Hi guys,
I'm from Aus and trying to get a non-savvy US (Cali, splitting time between Sac and SF) friend set up with an unlocked phone suitable for short-term US and overseas use due to travel requirements. The Amaze 4G looks great. I've tried to find answers, but would like some knowledgable eyeballs on my proposal:
1. A US website currently has the Amaze 4G for $479.50 which is much cheaper than all other options. Is this legit? Is there only the X715M model out there, or is this a predecessor?
2. Are all unlocked 'Tmo' Amaze 4G phones able to operate on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 as well as UMTS 1700/2100, both physically and as allowed by the carrier? Any weird APN/data connectivity restrictions due to unlocked phone?
3. Can this phone connect to Tmo at 3G speeds if AWS is unavailable? I read somewhere that 3G 1900 would be required, and this phone doesn't appear to have that?
5. Is this idea, for use in the US primarily but also overseas over the next 12 or so months, future-proof for a couple of years? e.g. I've read about tmo working on HSPA 1900MHz, but hopefully AT&T remains an option if Tmo ends up being unsatisfactory for any reason.
Thanks for having a read, hoping to tie this up ASAP. Much love for any responses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what i understand, this phone has UMTS/HSPA+ support for 850,1700/2100aws/1900mhz and 2100mhz. Pretty much anywhere in the world that uses those.
Hi, im looking for a phone which would work with both verizon and T-mobile. Why both? well im in an odd situation, where im halfway through my contract with verizon, but want to switch to T-mobile. But my phone right now barely even works at the moment, so i need a new one, which I can bring over with me when i switch to T-mobile
I need a phone which works on both carriers or else I will end up buying to phones at full price, and I wouldnt want to do that!. Any help wpuld be extremely appreciated, there has to be some kind of smartphone out there thats capable of this
robotnikman said:
Hi, im looking for a phone which would work with both verizon and T-mobile. Why both? well im in an odd situation, where im halfway through my contract with verizon, but want to switch to T-mobile. But my phone right now barely even works at the moment, so i need a new one, which I can bring over with me when i switch to T-mobile
I need a phone which works on both carriers or else I will end up buying to phones at full price, and I wouldnt want to do that!. Any help wpuld be extremely appreciated, there has to be some kind of smartphone out there thats capable of this
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Click to collapse
A lot of phones these days are tri/quad-band. This means they operate on 3 or 4 frequencies ranges.
I'm not from the US so I'm not 100% sure but I believe Verizon is a CDMA based network while T-Mobile uses GSM (or WCDMA).
This would mean that most phones cannot be taken from one to the other. However many newer phones are released in carrier specific versions but don't have any hardware differences. Its often very hard to test/confirm this without having the specific device in your hand.
Google suggests that the iPhone 5, 5C & 5S from Verizon is unlocked and works on T-Mobiles 3G & 4G networks. So this could be an option.
As far as android handsets go, most of the phones I can find dont have a good overlap of frequencies for both networks.
Using the LG G2 as an example, the T-Mobile versions of most handsets use 850/1700/1900/2100 for 3G and LTE Bands 2, 4, 17. Verizon uses 850/900/1900/2100 for 3G and LTE Bands 4, 13. There is a little overlap there, 3G @ 850, 900 & 2100, but the LTE coverage is limited to Band 4 which could result in some negative experiences coverage wise on T-Mobile.
I saw a couple of tech points in the other threads. I myself have purchased the Att variant and planning to set it up with T Mobile but as I said, someone pointed out that they have different cellular banding or something to that effect. This person went on to say even if we were to get the ATT Gear S version on T Mobile that speeds would probably only be 2G.
From the articles that I've read on the Gear S specs I haven't come across anything saying that Samsung has designed specific versions for each U.S. carrier.
I do not have the answer at this time whether or not full cross compatibility is built into the device or not. Purely going by what has been announced, again I do not think it has been modified to keep us from doing carrier jumps.
I will update when Tmobile gets their networks up and running for the Gear S. If anyone can clear this up with for sure information, please do so. Feel free to speculate but if you're not certain please say so. Thanks.
If I can't get full functionality on the TMobile network with my ATT purchased and unlocked Gear S, I guess I'll have to return it and pony up the extra $50 that TMobile charges and fully join that club. Guys it may not be worth the hassle. I'll have an update soon on how all this works out, however I'd like to welcome feedback on the issue.
hughedee74 said:
If I can't get full functionality on the TMobile network with my ATT purchased and unlocked Gear S, I guess I'll have to return it and pony up the extra $50 that TMobile charges and fully join that club. Guys it may not be worth the hassle. I'll have an update soon on how all this works out, however I'd like to welcome feedback on the issue.
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Im doing the same thing tomorrow.
You can go to Samsung.com to check out the official spec. There are 5 different carrier variants but only three listed so far: AT&T (SM-R750A), Verizon (SM-R750V) and Sprint (SM-R750P). The missing two are T-Mobile (SM-R750T) and US Cellular.
Each listed different supported network (CMDA vs GSM) and bands.
It has the Snapdragon 400 which supports a HUGE number of bands and supports a global mode for both CDMA and GSM.
https://www.qualcomm.com/products/snapdragon/processors/400
https://www.qualcomm.com/products/snapdragon/wearables/samsung-gear-s
Someone will figure out a way to get the device to work with them back and forth ... it may be through a rom or a command line. But if you aren't a tinkerer you'll probably want to go with the version of the watch for your preferred carrier.
Update: I did a search through the FCC and didn't see one with T-Mobile specific bands (1700/2100). Bad news though is that there definitely are two variants for CDMA AND GSM. Argh. I stand brutally corrected!
I have an old M8 lying around that I fired up and had remembered I had rooted it and the bootloader is unlocked.. Is there a way to 'trick' this phone into thinking it's an AT&T branded phone? hboot, etc. and that will allow me to RUU something official from AT&T? I know this sounds really strange and probably stupid but.. I just can't sleep and need something to fill the time.. Can I do it?
Don't think so, radio hardware is different, not to mention the partition layout.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
jbarcus81 said:
Is there a way to 'trick' this phone into thinking it's an AT&T branded phone? hboot, etc. and that will allow me to RUU something official from AT&T? ?
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Click to collapse
Absolutely not. At least not any way that is known; and your chance of failure is high (with a brick being the possible or even probable result).
As mentioned in the previous comment, the partitioning on the phones is different. If you try to run the RUU, you at best it will fail, at worst it will brick the device.
Most other M8 versions (that don't support CDMA) can be "converted" from one version to another (other exceptions being dual SIM and M8 Eye). But Verizon and Sprint are the oddballs here. Some experienced devs have been messing around with these variants from the start (to try to convert them) with no success.
Perfect! All I needed to hear! Ah well.. it was worth a shot! Just trying to get my account provisioned for LTE so I can get LTE on my unlocked devices.. I've been told, and read, that if I can get an AT&T branded LTE capable phone to just swap my SIM in it.. and let my account provision, then I'll have LTE on any device AT&T or not... Just trying to avoid a contract..
jbarcus81 said:
I've been told, and read, that if I can get an AT&T branded LTE capable phone to just swap my SIM in it.. and let my account provision, then I'll have LTE on any device AT&T or not... Just trying to avoid a contract..
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As long as the phone is SIM unlocked (Verizon version is) then you should just be able to put an AT&T SIM in, and enter the proper AT&T APN for service, as long as the phone supports the proper bands. Its irrelevant whether the phone is AT&T branded or not.
Now the underlined bit in the paragraph above is the main issue. The Verizon M8 only supports one of the four bands (Bands 2, 5, 4, and 17) used by AT&T for LTE (Verizon M8 supports Bands 3, 4, 7, and 13). So depending on what band is used in your area, you may or may not get LTE.
But GSM (2G) and HSPA (3G) should work just fine on AT&T.
redpoint73 said:
As long as the phone is SIM unlocked (Verizon version is) then you should just be able to put an AT&T SIM in, and enter the proper AT&T APN for service, as long as the phone supports the proper bands. Its irrelevant whether the phone is AT&T branded or not.
Now the underlined bit in the paragraph above is the main issue. The Verizon M8 only supports one of the four bands (Bands 2, 5, 4, and 17) used by AT&T for LTE (Verizon M8 supports Bands 3, 4, 7, and 13). So depending on what band is used in your area, you may or may not get LTE.
But GSM (2G) and HSPA (3G) should work just fine on AT&T.
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That's the odd part.. My main phone is the S6 Edge from Verizon.. it's on the AT&T network and I assume my APN is correct.. But it's not picking up LTE and I am almost certain the S6 Edge from Verizon will pick up the correct band for AT&T LTE .. But it's only using the H+ speed.. What's even more strange?? When I throw my SIM into the M8? I get LTE on AT&T and verify with 30+mpbs speeds.. I have no idea what's going on...
jbarcus81 said:
That's the odd part.. My main phone is the S6 Edge from Verizon.. it's on the AT&T network and I assume my APN is correct.. But it's not picking up LTE and I am almost certain the S6 Edge from Verizon will pick up the correct band for AT&T LTE .. But it's only using the H+ speed.. What's even more strange?? When I throw my SIM into the M8? I get LTE on AT&T and verify with 30+mpbs speeds.. I have no idea what's going on...
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Yeah, that is strange. According to the specs for the S6 Edge here, the Verizon version supports the same LTE bands as the VZN M8, and actually some additional bands (2 and 5) that also happen to be bands used by AT&T.
One thing I can think of, is that the VZN M8 in actuality supports some bands that are not advertised/explicit in the specs. It wouldn't be unheard of, as members here have reported some versions of the non-CDMA M8 as supporting some bands not indicated in the specs. And that band happens to be what AT&T is using in your market region. In this case, that band would seem to be Band 17 (the only band that AT&T is known to use, that isn't listed on the S6 Edge specs).
Or the other possibility, is there is just some issue with the S6 that is preventing connection to LTE (but on the same supported band that the M8 has).
redpoint73 said:
Yeah, that is strange. According to the specs for the S6 Edge here, the Verizon version supports the same LTE bands as the VZN M8, and actually some additional bands (2 and 5) that also happen to be bands used by AT&T.
One thing I can think of, is that the VZN M8 in actuality supports some bands that are not advertised/explicit in the specs. It wouldn't be unheard of, as members here have reported some versions of the non-CDMA M8 as supporting some bands not indicated in the specs. And that band happens to be what AT&T is using in your market region. In this case, that band would seem to be Band 17 (the only band that AT&T is known to use, that isn't listed on the S6 Edge specs).
Or the other possibility, is there is just some issue with the S6 that is preventing connection to LTE (but on the same supported band that the M8 has).
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Yeah.. I'm not worried about it.. I've been told that all I need is an AT&T branded LTE capable device hooked up to the account and that my account hasn't been provisioned for LTE .. I've seen this in a few places so it's worth a shot.. I ordered a junk LTE phone branded AT&T to test it out.. ordered a OnePlus 2 and will likely unload the S6 Edge (if it never picks up the LTE from AT&T)
jbarcus81 said:
I've been told that all I need is an AT&T branded LTE capable device hooked up to the account and that my account hasn't been provisioned for LTE ..)
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As I've already mentioned, its not really necessary to have an AT&T branded device. I suspect the reason you've seen people say this, is that AT&T branding means by definition the phone has all the bands used by AT&T for LTE; since obviously the phone is intended for use on AT&T's network. Since AT&T uses a number of bands (4) and LTE bands being used worldwide has become very un-standardized, its somewhat difficult to find a non-AT&T phone that has all the bands. But they do exist, such as the US unlocked M8, Dev Edition M8, and Nexus devices. Also, I've seen folks used other non-ATT branded phones, which may not have all 4 LTE bands used by AT&T, but the one(s) needed in the particular user's region. Not ideal, but sufficient for some folks.
Another reason why some may say the phone needs to be AT&T branded, is that AT&T tech support won't provide you any support if you have a non-ATT phone. But honestly, I've used non-branded devices (and plenty of folks here have), and this is very rarely an issue. The folks here on XDA will usually provide you better support, anyway!
Of course, your ATT account needs to be provisioned for LTE in order to have that service. Its a simple matter, and doesn't cost anything (just need a smartphone data plan).
redpoint73 said:
As I've already mentioned, its not really necessary to have an AT&T branded device. I suspect the reason you've seen people say this, is that AT&T branding means by definition the phone has all the bands used by AT&T for LTE; since obviously the phone is intended for use on AT&T's network. Since AT&T uses a number of bands (4) and LTE bands being used worldwide has become very un-standardized, its somewhat difficult to find a non-AT&T phone that has all the bands. But they do exist, such as the US unlocked M8, Dev Edition M8, and Nexus devices. Also, I've seen folks used other non-ATT branded phones, which may not have all 4 LTE bands used by AT&T, but the one(s) needed in the particular user's region. Not ideal, but sufficient for some folks.
Another reason why some may say the phone needs to be AT&T branded, is that AT&T tech support won't provide you any support if you have a non-ATT phone. But honestly, I've used non-branded devices (and plenty of folks here have), and this is very rarely an issue. The folks here on XDA will usually provide you better support, anyway!
Of course, your ATT account needs to be provisioned for LTE in order to have that service. Its a simple matter, and doesn't cost anything (just need a smartphone data plan).
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Click to collapse
I've dug deeper and have to not only have an AT&T branded phone, I have to register the IEMI on my account, then swap the SIM card back into the other phone. I've got the phone but can't find a way to do this online so I'll have to call tomorrow...
Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk
I have a m8 whl sprint abd does not use CDMA only gsm network. I can I change the mid and convert the phone to get latest ota for dev edition version? I thanks
long.nguyen said:
I have a m8 whl sprint abd does not use CDMA only gsm network. I can I change the mid and convert the phone to get latest ota for dev edition version? I thanks
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Absolutely NO.
What I mentioned above (Post #3) for the Verizon variant, also applies to Sprint (both versions support CDMA - the fact you don't use it is irrelevant). If you try to convert to another version won't work, and will probably result in a brick.
Also, even if you didn't have a CDMA version M8, you typically can't convert using an OTA, it has to be an RUU.
redpoint73 said:
Absolutely NO.
What I mentioned above (Post #3) for the Verizon variant, also applies to Sprint (both versions support CDMA - the fact you don't use it is irrelevant). If you try to convert to another version won't work, and will probably result in a brick.
Also, even if you didn't have a CDMA version M8, you typically can't convert using an OTA, it has to be an RUU.
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@redpoint ; don't we have any chance to install different provider radios to Verizon Htc devices..?
because verizon devices you know that support 3, 4, 7, and 13 bands,but i want to enable band 20 for europe LTE..
pls help us to enable other bands =( because only u can do that as a genius =)
thanx a lot
cincon said:
@redpoint ; don't we have any chance to install different provider radios to Verizon Htc devices..?
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Click to collapse
Absolutely NOT. As already thoroughly discussed on this thread, if you attempt to install another version's radio on the Verizon version, it won't work, and you may radio brick the phone (permanent damage possible).
Different radios, different partition layout.
Don't even try it. Experienced devs have tried to "convert" by various methods and mods, and failed.
But there may be other ways (besides flashing another version's radio) to enable the band(s) you want, read on:
cincon said:
[MENTION=434105]
because verizon devices you know that support 3, 4, 7, and 13 bands,but i want to enable band 20 for europe LTE..
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Click to collapse
You can take a look at the following method, as it claims to enable Band 20: http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-htc-one-m8/general/lte-band-7-2600mhz-finally-guide-t2992523
Read the thread, and proceed at your own discretion. I'm not knowledgeable with changing NV values (it doesn't work on "GSM" M8 variants, so does not apply to me). I simply know this thread exists.
cincon said:
[MENTION=434105]
pls help us to enable other bands =( because only u can do that as a genius =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Far from a genius, and I don't create any of these mods. I just contribute by passing on knowledge I've gained here. Really, that is part of what XDA is all about.