So I'm switching from verizon to T-Mobile after this month and I was wondering what would be the best way to flash the T-Mobile firmware and get rid of the verizon firmware?
Firmware is not the problem. TMO & ATT have GSM radios, Verizon & Sprint are CDMA. Your Verizon S5 *will not* connect to the t-mobile network no matter what firmware you are running. T-mobile probably still has a very generous trade-in program.
Actually the Verizon S5 should work as it contains an LTE radio, meaning GSM functionality is present. Furthermore, the Verizon model comes unlocked as per FCC regulations. You will need to set the proper APNs to get connectivity on the Verizon S5, however.
Short answer: The S5 works on TMO.
I just made the same switch two months ago. I had two S5s and an S4. My dad is still using his VZW S4 on TMO and I used both of my S5s. However, the coverage seemed to be less than optimal and I wanted the WiFi calling options so I bought two used TMO S5s and my dad is getting a Kyocera Hydro. Even with the cellspot extender my dad's S4 won't make a call at his house.
I guess I got it wrong. DOH! Thanks for setting me straight. So what about going the other way, would a TMO S5 work on the Verizon network?
Related
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?
Long story short my work has offered me cell phone service but they only have Verizon or ATT.
I have a tmob s4 ... rooted and custom rom. Are the phones "essentially" the same so with a kernel and modem would I be good on Verizon?
Any caveats to be concerned with? its been probably 8 years since I had a Verizon plan but it does offer better coverage than ATT in the places I need...
thansks!
Razzzzer said:
Long story short my work has offered me cell phone service but they only have Verizon or ATT.
I have a tmob s4 ... rooted and custom rom. Are the phones "essentially" the same so with a kernel and modem would I be good on Verizon?
Any caveats to be concerned with? its been probably 8 years since I had a Verizon plan but it does offer better coverage than ATT in the places I need...
thansks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only the Verizon S4 will work with Verizon, you'll need to go to ATT.
Oishikatta said:
Only the Verizon S4 will work with Verizon, you'll need to go to ATT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see others that have used the Verizon s4 on Tmob so not sure why the reverse wouldn't be true... ill research more but I am finding that all the s4 hardware is the same... only software differences.. (possible that its not possible to get the Verizon software on the phone the hardware should be the same)...
maybe get some more input
Razzzzer said:
I see others that have used the Verizon s4 on Tmob so not sure why the reverse wouldn't be true... ill research more but I am finding that all the s4 hardware is the same... only software differences.. (possible that its not possible to get the Verizon software on the phone the hardware should be the same)...
maybe get some more input
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know where you're researching, but the S4 definitely has hardware differences.
Verizon is what's called a "CDMA" carrier. Their S4 includes hardware that can connect to both their CDMA and others' GSM networks.
T-Mobile has a GSM network. Their S4 includes only the GSM hardware, there is no possibility of using it with a CDMA carrier.
Most variations of the S4 also have slightly different sets of "bands" that they can connect to, so the speed you get will vary depending on both the network type and your S4's type. However, the S4 should be able to get at least 2G on any GSM network. Verizon's S4 has the widest possible area of use, because it includes both CDMA and GSM. It can be used on T-Mobile or ATT, but their S4s cannot be used on Verizon entirely because of the hardware differences.
Oishikatta said:
I don't know where you're researching, but the S4 definitely has hardware differences.
Verizon is what's called a "CDMA" carrier. Their S4 includes hardware that can connect to both their CDMA and others' GSM networks.
T-Mobile has a GSM network. Their S4 includes only the GSM hardware, there is no possibility of using it with a CDMA carrier.
Most variations of the S4 also have slightly different sets of "bands" that they can connect to, so the speed you get will vary depending on both the network type and your S4's type. However, the S4 should be able to get at least 2G on any GSM network. Verizon's S4 has the widest possible area of use, because it includes both CDMA and GSM. It can be used on T-Mobile or ATT, but their S4s cannot be used on Verizon entirely because of the hardware differences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand the networks are different.. what I am seeing is that the hardware is the same ... they all have the same chips.. the different carriers are just using software to use what they need
for example here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25953096&postcount=13
and this thread has examples of people who have used their Verizon on Tmob (voice, wifi, and 4g)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2331131
long story short they say all the phones are the same... they just use different Radio software (plus kernel I assume)
The answer is simple: You will never use a T-Mobile S4 on Verizon.
Verizon S4 on T-Mobile is completely irrelevant, because they're designed to work that way.
Razzzzer said:
I understand the networks are different.. what I am seeing is that the hardware is the same ... they all have the same chips.. the different carriers are just using software to use what they need
for example here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25953096&postcount=13
and this thread has examples of people who have used their Verizon on Tmob (voice, wifi, and 4g)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2331131
long story short they say all the phones are the same... they just use different Radio software (plus kernel I assume)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is NO CDMA radio in a T-Mobile GS4.
Even if it were, Verizon will not add foreign IMEID/ESN to their database. Without the IMEID/ESN added to the database you cannot get voice service. You could possibly take a provisioned SIM and get data only, but what good is that.
Sell the S4, buy an HTC M8 do S-Off, move on.
Your S4 will never work on Verizon.
Hello All,
A family member recently purchased a VZW S5 and now I've helped to move them from VZW over to T-Mobile.
The phone is factory unlocked, and with the addition of the T-Mo SIM + the T-Mo APN, everything is up and running.
The key issue I am seeing is the signal strength vs. that of a true T-Mobile Handset. Example, in my house, I have 4 bars on my T-Mo Galaxy Note 3 but 1 bar on the VZW Galaxy S5. Additionally, it's constantly switching from LTE to H+ to 3G.
I've rooted the S5, custom ROM'd it, and even did the mod to unlock all of the different LTE bands but this hasn't helped.
The phone was running the latest FW from Verizon with the most recent Modem, but I'm wondering if there is another modem I could flash that is T-Mobile oriented that may help to improve the service.
Please let me know, thank you!
- Taxmaster
Taxmaster said:
Hello All,
A family member recently purchased a VZW S5 and now I've helped to move them from VZW over to T-Mobile.
The phone is factory unlocked, and with the addition of the T-Mo SIM + the T-Mo APN, everything is up and running.
The key issue I am seeing is the signal strength vs. that of a true T-Mobile Handset. Example, in my house, I have 4 bars on my T-Mo Galaxy Note 3 but 1 bar on the VZW Galaxy S5. Additionally, it's constantly switching from LTE to H+ to 3G.
I've rooted the S5, custom ROM'd it, and even did the mod to unlock all of the different LTE bands but this hasn't helped.
The phone was running the latest FW from Verizon with the most recent Modem, but I'm wondering if there is another modem I could flash that is T-Mobile oriented that may help to improve the service.
Please let me know, thank you!
- Taxmaster
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is that the phone simply doesn't have the hardware for all of the bands. It's not as simple as just flashing, to my knowledge. For example, I don't think the phone supports 2100 which is used by Tmobile in some areas.
I just went through the same process. Enabled the bands, tried different modems, no improvement. Finally, bought a T-Mobile S5 and sold the Verizon. Performance is far better, plus it supports Wi-Fi calling.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Groupon has a deal for the S5 that says it's for "Verizon and GSM Unlocked":
https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-samsung-galaxy-s5-smartphones
Is there any way to tell what model # this is? I'm guessing that it is a generic S5 and not the T-Mobile specific SM-G900T. If that's true, then it likely doesn't have the TMo specific LTE frequencies needed for full service (I'm in the Chicago area), correct?
I really hate having to find special versions of GSM devices to make full use of T-Mobile's network...
<TAP><TAP> Is this thing on???
Unlocked for all Verizon and GSM carriers.
On the same page --> https://www.groupon.com/pages/groupon-deal-images-gg-gsm-providers
Only thing is that it probably will not be compatible with WiFi calling features, but I could be wrong.
I know it would work but I was curious about whether it was the same model they sell via T-Mobile that has their unique frequency bands (1900/2100 I believe). Groupon responded to an inquiry and said it was a Verizon model so while I can't confirm it, I'm guessing it doesn't have the extra bands needed to fully make use of T-Mobile's LTE network so it would likely drop down to HPDPA+ in many locations.
According to the reviews, its a Verizon branded phone. A couple of the reviews are from T-mo users and they claimed to have issues with the sim/network not going to LTE, instead it uses their HSPA network.
If it was me, I would not buy this. It is cheap yea, but remember that the S5 is not compatible with the new band 12.
-edit-
The Chicago area isn't getting band 12 anyways, not anytime soon that is.
I'm using a Verizon S5 with a T-mobile rom and it works perfect 4g lte and all If you end up getting it just root it then look at my view forum posts.
Not including myself, the rest of my family is on Verizon. My daughter recently upgraded her S3 so I have it now as a handmedown. I have AT&T
and have been using it with their sim. (Verizon doesn't lock their smartphones) I get normal voice coverage but can't get anything more than
edge on data. I have 2 APN's programmed that I found here. One is HSPA+ and the other is for LTE. If the sim is in an AT&T phone, I get LTE
coverage but in the S3, nothing more than as mentioned. Is this because AT&T doesn't have the IMEI registered on their end or is it something else?
I'd really like to get more out of this phone. Any ideas?
Thanks ahead of time,
Todd