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I've got a GT-I9000M right now and I've pre-ordered up the inter version. How do I know I'm not just wasting money?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
Unlocked GSM devices will work on any carrier that uses a SIM card.. i.e. T-Mobile, AT&T, etc. CDMA are the devices without SIM cards like Verizon and Sprint.
You just have to be aware of which carrier and what they use.
(I think I got that right ) maybe someone else can chime in..
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
Coreym said:
T-Mobile
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Careful, it'll work but most models are missing the 1700 band for HSPA+.
OP: Make sure it's GSM, then compare the bands.
thebobp said:
Careful, it'll work but most models are missing the 1700 band for HSPA+.
OP: Make sure it's GSM, then compare the bands.
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good point.. thank you
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
It's 850Mhz as far as I know.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
Funny, you should ask; I was wondering about the same thing just yesterday:
What I learned, as far as T-Mobile (US) is concerned: it will work - if using a Tmo or AT&T SIM card - but only at 2G speeds, for now (probably until 2013).
That's my finding, and also the opinion of some other fine forum folks here.
Just wish it was wrong...
Well, according to the specs compared between my current I9000 and the SGS3, they have the same bands across the board. So I SHOULD be okay.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
MaesterB said:
Well, according to the specs compared between my current I9000 and the SGS3, they have the same bands across the board. So I SHOULD be okay.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
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That would be awesome...if you were right!
What are your download speeds, and where do you live, bro?
4.5-5mbps down. 3mbps up.
I'm in Saskatchewan on Sasktel. It's a 3G/4G network that most devices on it are 850 and 1900 compatible.
Sasktel has boasted LTE in the fall, but only in the main cities, Regina and Saskatoon. Doesn't really affect me because in the city, at work or at home or friends/family, I'm on wifi.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks, man!
So there is hope that it actually may work OK... hmm.
Guess I'll wait some more, and until more folks chime in, as I would not want to gamble $800 (US ) on it... not yet.
Would sure love to buy an International/Unlocked S3 and run it on a prepaid T-Mobile SIM, but that may just not work the same way here in the US of A...
Well, expansys offers up to 15 days to return the device. So I'll know within the first day or so of receiving it if it's going to work or not. I'll have to go buy a MICRO SIM for it or not.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
MaesterB said:
Well, expansys offers up to 15 days to return the device. So I'll know within the first day or so of receiving it if it's going to work or not. I'll have to go buy a MICRO SIM for it or not.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Dang...You're right! I totally forgot about that option
I9300, here I come
Thanks, MaesterB!
International version for AT&T
I have a question, I am new to GSM as I have been with Sprint for the past 13 years but just switched to AT&T for the purpose of being able to easily swap phones and use international versions. I got the HTC One X but I have to say that it is not "doing it" for me. I am used to the GS1 and then the GS2 and my plan WAS to get the GS3. I don't want to wait until AT&T gets the phone, plus its my understanding that the US versions are dual-core vs the quad.
With that in mind, I was thinking I could easily take my HTC which is only a day old and sell it on Ebay for 2-3 times what I paid for it, and use that money to get an international GS3. Before I do that though I have a few questions about using international versions.
1) With international phones (GS3 or any other model), would I still be able to use my AT&T apps such as Uverse Live TV, myAT&T, FamilyMap?
2) I realize that as long as the version of phone I get has the 850 and 1900Mhz bands, it will be compatible with AT&T for voice and 2G. What I want to know is would I be able to use AT&T's LTE or at the minimum the fake 4G (HSPA+). I don't want to spend $800 on a phone that is stuck on 3G.
3) Obviously I would not get OTA updates from AT&T but I assume that even without rooting I could go somewhere else (perhaps XDA) to get regular firmware updates?
4) Last, for those of you that have alot of exp buying swapping international phones, would you say that if for instance, I would not be able to use the phones LTE on AT&T, and that I was stuck on 3G, if I went ahead and purchased the phone anyway with the intent of using it until the AT&T version comes out, do you think at that time I would still get most of my purchase price back from the re-sale of the international version to use that to buy the AT&T one?
Thank You very much for your help.
I may not be "The Capacity" on the subject, but I have been tinkering with my phones over the last years, I do have some "smartphone cred" and also learned a lot myself on XDA (on the same subject) this weekend...
Let's see if other folks can confirm my answers:
1. According to my information, the US version of the S3 will indeed come with a dual S4 (Krait), compared to the International Exynos quad core CPU. Reason: the S4 can handle LTE, the quad core Exynos not yet;
2. If you buy a (prepaid) SIM card/plan from a 3rd party provider, or from AT&T or T-mo directly, you will be able to use the network you decide to go with. Since only Tmo and ATT have GSM networks, you can only use these with the International S3 and SIM card (Micro-SIM, that is). However, I am pretty sure you won't have a problem using network-specific apps either... since you are using the network/carrier already;
3. As far as the network speed (LTE <> 2G <> 3G) is concerned, I have heard different opinions. T-mo specifically states that you need the 1700MHz band, which the International S3 does not cover. However, they - and I believe also ATT - offer 3G on the 1900 MHz band, which the Inter S3 does pick up.
I have had a good exchange with a nice guy from Canada earlier today (look for MaesterB, the OP of this thread...), and he confirmed that his I9000 does pick up 3G speeds/5Mbps (in Canada). Since the I9000 covers the same bands as the I9300 (S3), I am convinced that it's gonna work to get 3G speeds.
I doubt that it's going to be HSPA+ anytime soon, but you'll definitely won't get LTE - as that depend on the 1700MHz spectrum, I think.
T-Mobile, however, is upgrading their network, and we are supposed to get HSPA+ on the 1900MHz band by the end of the year/next year here in the US... (??);
4. Don't know about the OTA updates... but who cares? You've gotta root your phone anyway to get the most from it. At least, that's my stance. And if you do root, you might as well get the OTAs from the XDA community. Who cares about 'straight-from-the-carrier' updates anyway..?
5. I'm not so sure if you're right with your resale philosophy, especially on 'getting most of your money back'. I wouldn't bank on it. Usually, and once the phone is on the market for some time, the level of desirability tanks, and so does the resale value...
6. Now that I have wised up some over the weekend myself, I'm going to get an unlocked S3, together with a prepaid SIM (probably from 'Straight Talk', 'Simple Mobile', or even directly from T-mo [the latter only with 2-yr contract... yuck!]). If I find out that I cannot get decent 3G speeds (area of 5 Mbps/down) on the phone already the same day I get it, I will return it - and the SIM card - right away and get my money back
Let's see what others can add to this...
cott789 said:
I have a question, I am new to GSM as I have been with Sprint for the past 13 years but just switched to AT&T for the purpose of being able to easily swap phones and use international versions. I got the HTC One X but I have to say that it is not "doing it" for me. I am used to the GS1 and then the GS2 and my plan WAS to get the GS3. I don't want to wait until AT&T gets the phone, plus its my understanding that the US versions are dual-core vs the quad.
With that in mind, I was thinking I could easily take my HTC which is only a day old and sell it on Ebay for 2-3 times what I paid for it, and use that money to get an international GS3. Before I do that though I have a few questions about using international versions.
1) With international phones (GS3 or any other model), would I still be able to use my AT&T apps such as Uverse Live TV, myAT&T, FamilyMap?
2) I realize that as long as the version of phone I get has the 850 and 1900Mhz bands, it will be compatible with AT&T for voice and 2G. What I want to know is would I be able to use AT&T's LTE or at the minimum the fake 4G (HSPA+). I don't want to spend $800 on a phone that is stuck on 3G.
3) Obviously I would not get OTA updates from AT&T but I assume that even without rooting I could go somewhere else (perhaps XDA) to get regular firmware updates?
4) Last, for those of you that have alot of exp buying swapping international phones, would you say that if for instance, I would not be able to use the phones LTE on AT&T, and that I was stuck on 3G, if I went ahead and purchased the phone anyway with the intent of using it until the AT&T version comes out, do you think at that time I would still get most of my purchase price back from the re-sale of the international version to use that to buy the AT&T one?
Thank You very much for your help.
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Click to collapse
There is no possible way you will be able to "sell your one x for 2 or 3 times what you paid for it". You will NOT get LTE on the international version. HSPA+ is 3G and it will get that on AT&T, so yes you will be stuck on 3G. You will still get OTA updates on the phone regardless of what carrier you use it on. Depending on how long you wait you probably won't get most of your purchase price for the phone. If AT&T waits until August to release it you will probably get $100 less at least. Six months later the Galaxy nexus is $350 cheaper, and the One X already only fetches about $500-550.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Sweet.
I was just doing some snooping on my providers website.
EVERYTHING they're doing is in the 850 and 1900 bands. Even the "4G", which still isn't anything to write home about.
Now, as long as I don't suffer from my modem problems that I had after I flashed my SGS the first time (ie. lose carrier once I'm out of my home zone) I'm REALLY set.
(pre-)Ordered my S3 yesterday...
Yeah! Can't wait for the baby to arrive next week!
Also got me a prepaid SIM (AT&T) with Straight Talk, and - just in case - a SIM cutter. Looks like I'm ready to roll!
Let's see how this all shakes out... but it better be good!
I read in another thread here on XDA ("Samsung Galaxy S III... No LTE for $800?!") that the phone will "perform sexual favors and make a sandwich afterward." -- Awesome!!!
Unbelievable, how Samsung pulls these things off again and again and again... LOL
Well, I had to double-check to make sure I asked for 1-3 day shipping on mine. Still waiting for a reply back!
Even if Expansys gets it next week, I won't be seeing it until the week of June 4th OR later.
And it's being shipped to the office where I work. Double-bonus. So as soon I get it, my lunch break will be go down to the kiosk of my provider, pay $10 for the microsim, get it programmed, and voila...done and done.
I have a UK unlocked HTC titan, I get horrible reception in my house and AT&T has given me a 3g Microcell to fix it, well the Microcell has its own problems, but regardless they say that my phone wont work with the Microcell anyways because its only getting E (edge) so they convinced me to get a new phone (Nokia Lumia 900) which i did like, but ultimatly took back because I love my titan so much, they no longer offer the titan 1 and would only give it to me for $199 through their site (which is BS because the titan 2 is $199) I know i should just et the titan 2 but i dislike the curved glass, I like the look and feel of my Titan 1, I would have already dropped AT&T and went to verizon but they have no WP7 phonesand I want to keep my titan...
So I'm asking:
Is there a Rom that I could flash to my titan (Its an Unlocked UK version (British lady voice and all) and AppHub Unlocked) that would set it to the AT&T rom and possibley get better signal as well as 3G capabilities?
I would like to flashmy rom and use the one from AT&T to recieve 3G and use the Microcell as well as overall better coverage.
Im somewhat of a noob to the flashing and dont know if thats how it works or what... Can someone please help?
Thanks.
Hello
I'm with ATT, but I want to switch to StraightTalk, since here in Miami, they use ATT anyways.
I also want to upgrade to the LG V10, but I want to get the T-Mobile variant (H901) since that one can be rooted.
So. Can I buy an H901 from ebay, wherever that is unlocked, and use the StraightTalk SIM on it? I will be able to root it, and get a sim card from StraightTalk that will work with ATT. Right?
Thanks
There should be no issue I have unlocked att phones I have use with t-mobile before might check to see what bands of lte att uses most In your area and check what bands the h901 uses
Buy an already unlocked Tmo phone if you can. If not, still OK, just get it unlocked. I would suggest buying from Amazon over eBay, better quality overall, less like to get ripped off, better sellers. As long as the device itself is fully paid they should unlock it. I've gone through major hassles getting my H901 unlocked, but it's done, as of today.
As far as Straight Talk, it should work. Tmo and ATT are mostly compatible with each other as far as networks are concerned. But check first. They both use SIM cards, so does ST. You should be able to switch pretty easily.
At work, we are affiliated with mywit.com, where we can buy refurbished phones in very good condition.
If I buy a T-Mobile phone that is locked to T-Mobile (as it says in the description), how would I use it on ATT until I decide to switch to StraightTalk?
The switch to Straight Talk involves our 3 phones, so it's something that I have to plan out; one of the phones lives in another city. So, I have to remain with ATT for now. How do I get this H901 to work with ATT? Can I do that somehow?
@nabril15: The answer is simple:
You cant use the phones with ATT or ST until they are unlocked from T-Mo's network. You can use T-Mo's Device Unlock app to get a temp unlock, but that only lasts 30 days. On the other hand, you should theoretically have no issues getting unlocks for all devices involved, if they are paid in full.
Unlock terms and conditions:
http://www.t-mobile.com/company/company-info/sim-unlock-policy/unlock-your-mobile-wireless-device.html
AnonVendetta said:
@nabril15: The answer is simple:
On the other hand, you should theoretically have no issues getting unlocks for all devices involved, if they are paid in full.
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And I can get this done by calling TMobile to unlock it even though I am NOT a customer of theirs?
Sent from my LG-D800 using XDA-Developers mobile app
nabril15 said:
And I can get this done by calling TMobile to unlock it even though I am NOT a customer of theirs?
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No, t mobile won't unlock it for you if you're not a customer, feel free to try but i doubt they will
Check Swappa, usually on of the best prices and sellers will say if unlocked - also i believe i saw them on eBay for like 250$ unlocked and refurbished
I recently purchased the H901 unlocked from the guys at Mytecell on Swappa. I'm on att. Had to do some research on entering a new APN to get data and MMS to work, but overall satisfied.
Does anyone know if root or which roms will allow wifi calling on att networks?
To my knowledge you can only use WiFi calling on a Tmo-issued phone if you are on Tmo's network. Doesnt matter if you're rooted or what ROM you use, there is probably a server side check. And you generally can only use Tmo wifi-calling on stock based ROMs, no AOSP/CM.
I plan to keep updating this XDA forum thread with what I find out about this problem, potential solutions, and hopefully what solves it. Hopefully this will be useful to those with the same or similar problem.
Please excuse typos...
The Solution
The reality is, prevention is the best solution here, do a bunch of research to make sure you don't encounter this problem. Read the rest of the post to better understand.
Original
Thank you in advance for reading this and helping me. (I also posted this in r/LGG8X, and am posting it here because some people don't have accounts with both. The more people that see it, the better, if by chance someone has ideas, wants to help, and has time to post the ideas)
It seems like a lot of people are having this issue, so maybe someone might have an idea.
I bought this phone to replace my Xiaomi Mi 9 (which was on the fritz, turning itself off randomly), about 1.5 weeks ago. I did my research and reasonably concluded that this phone has LTE band 12 and VoLTE; also it would be foolish of LG to not to have that. I could not find the VoLTE or Wifi Calling switches anywhere in the settings app, or in the phone app. I then dialed " *#*#4636#*#* " which opened up the "Testing Settings" (as usual). I click on the "Phone Information" tab, scroll down and find both the VoLTE and Wifi Calling switches, which are, to my dismay, greyed out.
I called Ting and they said, (after getting the IMEI), that this doesn't have LTE band 12, therefore no VoLTE. That confused me, because like I said, my research before buying had already concluded that it has band 12. The Ting rep said that's all he could do for me, so we ended the call. I did another 30 mins of research, again concluded it has band 12 with VoLTE. I also called LG themselves, and the rep there confirmed that this phone has band 12 with VoLTE, they also said "we would be more than happy to verify that the phone works with you carrier through phone conferencing". I asked the rep about about the previously mentioned VoLTE and Wifi Calling switches being greyed out, and they said that's because the phone has those 2 capabilities, but the carrier has to enable them.
I really love this phone, especially in comparison to the Mi 9 (even tho the Mi 9 is a good phone). I love the software better (even with the weird quirks that it has), and the value proposition is quite good. I really don't want to have to get a 3rd new phone in one year. If anyone has any ideas/help that would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
[Edit]: P.S. I think this is partly a problem with LG, and partly with the carriers. I suspect that LG messed up with the IMEI/etc and other important identifiers as to what the device is, what exact version (i.e. LM-G850UM, etc) of a particular model (i.e. LG G8X Thinq Dual Screen, etc). This leads to the cell carrier's infrastructure seeing this phone as incompatible (doesn't see LTE Band 12, when it really is. The cell carriers, (from my own experience with 2 Ting Reps, and from what others have said on other forum threads), can't or won't solve this problem, even tho it may be solvable. From what I have seen on other forums, some got it solved by the cell carrier entering codes on the phone and doing something on their side. If LG and the all the networks would talk to each about this problem and get it solved if possible that would be awesome...
Update - 11/04/2020:
It seems I unintentionally bought a G8X with the Canadian rom LMG850UM20e. I am doubtful, but is the hardware the same or similar enough to flash the USA unlocked rom LMG850QM? Or is there something else I can do to make the Ting network allow VoLTE? As far as I can tell, the Canadian model still supports VoLTE LTE Band 12, but correct me if I'm wrong.
Update - 11/05/2020:
Ting says that my phone has LTE Band 12 and therefore VoLTE, but that will only work on ATT. A bit confusing because (like I said) the particular rom on my phone is Canadian (LMG850UM20e), so why ATT? The explanation for that, it seems is that ATT, (and Sprint), and the unlocked Canadian version have the same sub-model: LMG850UM. The USA unlocked version has a different sub-model (LMG850QM), the rest of the world has yet another sub-model (LMQ850EMW). There are around 15 different versions it seems; see this reddit post on the different models: (can't post the link yet) title: "Hey G8X owner, what is the submodel number and regional code of your unit? And where did you buy it from? I am trying to complete this list, also relating to timing of security updates and Android 10 release." posted in r/LG G8X
It seems like all the versions (LMG850......) have the same hardware, the only difference are the roms, which seem artificially disable certain capabilities of the phone. I am pretty sure my phone would do VoLTE just fine on Ting (or most other carriers). The thing wrong here, I think, is that the IMEI and other specific identifiers of the phone artificially show that the phone does not have the functionality, so the networks don't enable it. It also seems like LG made an agreement or something with ATT as well as Sprint (separately), to release carrier-specific version (as most brands seem to do), and that the phone would fully work on their respective networks and MVNOs, at least the versions in the LMG850UM sub model group, and the USA unlocked sub-model group. LG and T-Mobile seem to have come to no such *official* agreement, unfortunately. I am wondering any of the versions work with T-Mobile and it's MVNOs out of the box, some *modifications* may have to be done in order to get it working on TM towers. There may also be unintentional bugs in some or all roms that are possibly causing, or more likely, adding on to the problem.
Obviously, I am still trying to find my around this problem. I'm considering flashing a USA unlocked rom (LMG850QM sub-model), though not sure if that's possible, or if it'll change what the IMEI and the other specific identifiers tell the cell carrier about compatibility. I also wonder if carriers have the ability to override the artificial restrictions. There is also one report of T-Mobile supposedly fixing the same/similar problem with Sprint for a customer, see u/Veshtarii's comments on this reddit post: (can't post link yet) title: "LG G8X unlocked models having issues with US carriers." Posted in r/LGG8X. Another reddit user used a cheap Tracfone sim card to make his phone work on T-Mobile: (can't post link yet) title: "Tutorial: How to Update eBay Unlocked ATT / AT&T LG G8x" Posted in r/LGG8X. I am unsure if he also has VoLTE working.
Update - 11/06/2020
I'm done with this... It is pretty much impossible. I commented on the "Tutorial: How to Update eBay Unlocked ATT / AT&T LG G8x" post, and the OP responded and said he can't get VoLTE working, even with doing that update. The only thing that could possibly work, is flashing the USA unlocked sub-model onto it. However I probably don't know enough to do it right, but the bigger reason is that it'll probably brick it. I've realized, and should realized when I was doing the research for a new phone, that ATT and TMO's VoLTE/Wifi Calling work differently. They both use propriety coding, which they license to each brand to use in the models they both come to agreement on, and a similar agreement with each MVNO under their towers. LG and TMO seem to have made no such agreement for the G8X, therefore in all practicality, no G8X will work on any of their towers. Also, I called H2O Wireless just to see if my phone works with them, but they said my IMEI is not compatible; so I'm not the Canadian model that I have works in the US at all, that makes me think that not even the versions inside each sub-model aren't even compatible with each other. There is that one situation I mentioned, where the person who was having problems with Sprint before the merger, took it to TMO after the merger and the TMO tech fixed it for him. But I think he must've been having a different problem, because his phone is probably still technically running on Sprint towers. Sprint made the agreement with LG, so VoLTE would work in that instance. Flashing is practically not a solution for most people.
I should've done more research than I did before buying the phone. That is the moral of this story; make sure you do all your "homework" before buying any phone anywhere but the shop of the carrier you are using (or plan to use). That leads me to my number one complaint with phone brands and especially cell carriers as whole: they make it incredibly annoying, often difficult, and confusing to find a compatible phone that isn't on the carrier store. And the problem with that is that everything in any carriers' stores is everything is stupidly overpriced, and then they get you hooked with pricey deals you don't want. If you're reading this, you're most likely like me, you know better than to spend more than you have to on a phone and plan in the carrier store, you know (or at least kinda know) how to get past that. I get that cell carriers want to make money, but I tell you, this is too far. Anyways, the point is, there is no immediate solution, in other words, your only worthwhile solution is prevention, doing a bunch of research. I'm done with this... I'm returning this phone and getting the vanilla G8...
I have the LMG850QM. It has no VOLTE icons while in call even if on band 12. It uses HD+ and that will be shown in dialer during call. Internet does work while in call so believe that it is working. The switches are on like yours but greyed out. Wi-fi calling does work. By turning on airplane mode and then turning back on wifi the dialer will show that calls are being made over Wifi. The OnePlus 6T has VoWifi icons in status bar and this phone doesn't. I will say that this phone gets service in buildings where neither of my 6t's would have service.
hello please help me replace my phone.
hello friends, admittedly my custom rom days are behind me. exciting times participating in xda with windows phone/ nexus 4 and lg g3. however these days i must discuss with you a practical matter:
i must replace my lg v20. i bought and am trying to return soon-to-be-paperweight v50 thinq from sprint. i saw the cheap price, i asked no questions.
this volte thing has me in quite a tizzy. i didnt think i would make such a mistake. volte white-list on att and voodoo-magic on t-mobile.
is it possible to use the g850QM (usa unlocked from what i understand) on att and receive all proper updates? will i be able to switch and use on tmobile? are these lg phones essentially just one-carrier deals? i don't exactly have pixel money but i would prefer that style of universality. with volte it seems we can't even jump around gsm provider anymore!
i have heard happy tales of some xda member using the Qm on att. it is not on the white-list (only shows um version) so if it works on att that would be a plus and might leave option for also functioning with volte on tmobile?
i think i would settle on the phone just running on att. that is how i intend to use it. tmobile would be nice to try switch for cost savings. i worry about traveling to europe and no longer being able to pop in a sim ...
as i understand it the att 850UM will be locked to att with never a hope for tmobile volte. and also the same for the vanilla g8 versions ATT and TMUS also.
i weep at night over this ... who will console me?
please offer up any experience or insights. i beg of you. please. i am poor and can't afford another hundreds $$ blown in the dark.
many thanks.
Check the threads, there's a volte fix thread here. But you have to root and install twrp.