Hello,
I have an AT&T i777 rooted running Shostock2 and I am looking to buy the international version for my daughter. Trying to separate from my contract lockup with AT&T.
What exactly is the difference between the different 9100 models (G, T, etc), and is there a better one among them? I want the most reliable one (in case the different processors makes any difference in that regard) and also one that would allow rooting and custom ROMs.
Also, it needs to work with any U.S. carrier at the highest speed that they offer. I saw one on eBay but it says "Will not work with T-Mobile or Simple Mobile 3G/4G speeds" and I am not sure why.
Thanks in advance.
Imo u'd decide to get i9100G as it powered by TI OMAP SoC which mostly being open sourced to support better & early development. But if u want it to come with NFC featured i9100P is.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S_II
I wonder how much of a "deal breaker" should NFC capability be. Looks like it is very difficult to find a P model in the US. I could probably go with T-Mobile one but from what I read it is a bit inferior to the AT&T and International models.
Then again - what if I do want the T-Mobile's 4G speeds....tough decision
sbi1 said:
I wonder how much of a "deal breaker" should NFC capability be. Looks like it is very difficult to find a P model in the US. I could probably go with T-Mobile one but from what I read it is a bit inferior to the AT&T and International models.
Then again - what if I do want the T-Mobile's 4G speeds....tough decision
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NFC=android beam, mobile cc payments, transferring files by tapping.
And maybe speed will also sacrifices power (batt), like 2G vs 3G/H+..
Intl i9100 maybe ur easy deal but maybe 2nd P var.? Ebay?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Adam Hui said:
NFC=android beam, mobile cc payments, transferring files by tapping.
And maybe speed will also sacrifices power (batt), like 2G vs 3G/H+..
Intl i9100 maybe ur easy deal but maybe 2nd P var.? Ebay?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is "2nd P Var.?" I am looking at eBay, almost impossible to find P on eBay for selling/shipping to U.S.
I meant second hand stuff buddy, sorry..
Just forget s2.. why don't u be patience & wait for lg or sony nexus4 as it's next Google golden boy. U'll taste pure aosp & find the updates dancing in ur phone w/o brand or carrier resistance..
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Adam Hui said:
I meant second hand stuff buddy, sorry..
Just forget s2.. why don't u be patience & wait for lg or sony nexus4 as it's next Google golden boy. U'll taste pure aosp & find the updates dancing in ur phone w/o brand or carrier resistance..
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, first of all, it's for my daughter, not me , she is the one who needs to be patient. But her old phone (Samsung Solstice 2, which is a piece of crap) is dying, it gets stuck all the time, turns off by itself, etc. She needs a new phone.
Second, I am not a big fan of Sony phones and/or LG phones. We had LG before (not a smart phone) and it was too a piece of crap. I am 100% convinced that in recent years, when the Smart Phones started to become so popular and companies started making so much money off of data plans, the manufacturers deliberately made the 'dumb' phones crappy, there is no other explanation for it.
I believe that Samsung and HTC are the best phones in the market these days (Android), not really sure I could like a 'Sony'.
sbi1 said:
Hello,
I have an AT&T i777 rooted running Shostock2 and I am looking to buy the international version for my daughter. Trying to separate from my contract lockup with AT&T.
What exactly is the difference between the different 9100 models (G, T, etc), and is there a better one among them? I want the most reliable one (in case the different processors makes any difference in that regard) and also one that would allow rooting and custom ROMs.
Also, it needs to work with any U.S. carrier at the highest speed that they offer. I saw one on eBay but it says "Will not work with T-Mobile or Simple Mobile 3G/4G speeds" and I am not sure why.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have a few options, but just keep in mind that the standard i9100 has the largest userbase, the most external support, and the quickest official updates from Samsung. In fact, these "similar yet different" models of the first Galaxy S were the first to lose official support. The i9100p may sound nice with NFC, but one feature isn't worth potentially losing out on updates. The i9100G uses a lesser version of the SOC found in the Galaxy Nexus. Unless the storage is a concern, the Galaxy Nexus would be a better (and cheaper) option in this case.
So, that leaves you with the vanilla GT-I9100, and it's still a kick-ass phone IMO. Comes in several colors but black and white are the easiest to find. Bonus if you get the black one, it will work on AT&T's medianet plan, which is truly unlimited data, no throttling, and no wifi hotspot restrictions, and it's $15/mo (or $10/mo if you have unlimited text). I've been using this for the past year and change. Added myself to my wfie's family plan and it cost us $9.99/mo for the line, $10/mo for the data, and that was it. I'm on pace to use over 30GB this month and I don't care
sbi1 said:
Well, first of all, it's for my daughter, not me , she is the one who needs to be patient. But her old phone (Samsung Solstice 2, which is a piece of crap) is dying, it gets stuck all the time, turns off by itself, etc. She needs a new phone.
Second, I am not a big fan of Sony phones and/or LG phones. We had LG before (not a smart phone) and it was too a piece of crap. I am 100% convinced that in recent years, when the Smart Phones started to become so popular and companies started making so much money off of data plans, the manufacturers deliberately made the 'dumb' phones crappy, there is no other explanation for it.
I believe that Samsung and HTC are the best phones in the market these days (Android), not really sure I could like a 'Sony'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus=Google phone
Whatever the brands that google has choosen to be a nexus device is android best choice... the only deal breaker is lack of external sdcard supported..
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
You could maybe send a PM to a helpful guy called ctomgee.He knows about US phones and could advise you best variant,providers etc.
Once you get a phone,you can then install custom roms etc,which gives the phone a new lease of life.
theunderling said:
You could maybe send a PM to a helpful guy called ctomgee.He knows about US phones and could advise you best variant,providers etc.
Once you get a phone,you can then install custom roms etc,which gives the phone a new lease of life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate the endorsement of my knowledge, but please don't PM me, or encourage others to do so.
sbi1 said:
Hello,
I have an AT&T i777 rooted running Shostock2 and I am looking to buy the international version for my daughter. Trying to separate from my contract lockup with AT&T.
What exactly is the difference between the different 9100 models (G, T, etc), and is there a better one among them? I want the most reliable one (in case the different processors makes any difference in that regard) and also one that would allow rooting and custom ROMs.
Also, it needs to work with any U.S. carrier at the highest speed that they offer. I saw one on eBay but it says "Will not work with T-Mobile or Simple Mobile 3G/4G speeds" and I am not sure why.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About phones working or not working with T-Mobile in the US, this is why; T-Mobile (at the moment, for their overall network) uses AWS for high-speed mobile data. AWS requires both 1700 mhz and 2100 mhz to get 3g/4g, as it uses one frequency for uplink, and the other for downlink. If one phone is not capable of receiving one of the frequencies, then the best mobile data speed the device will receive is Edge.
Now, they (T-mobile USA) are currently in the process of repurposing the spectrum of the 1900 mhz band they use now for Edge data and voice, to use it for high speed data instead. This will allow some phones that currently only get Edge speeds on T-mobile USA's network to get their "4g" speeds. That includes many of AT&T's phones (if they're unlocked), and the i9100, which receives high speed mobile data on 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 mhz. (notice the missing 1700 - which is why it won't necessarily get high speed on T-mobile USA's network... unless the market you're in has already had the repurposing of the 1900 mhz band)
However, this repurposing has already only happened in a handful of markets, though the rollout is currently underway.
Hope this makes sense.
EDIT to add:
Also, about the different I9100 variants - there are minor differences between the I9100, and the variants I9100P/T/M.
The P variant includes NFC, the T variant has a slight variance with the SAR values for the radio (so modems specifically for the T model work best for that model), and the M variant is simply a branded regional variant for the Canadian market (as far as I can tell). The CPU/GPU/SoC are all the same for these 4 variants.
The I9100G has a completely different CPU/GPU/SoC chipset, so firmwares, kernels, and ROMs are NOT compatible between this one variant, and the four listed above. But for most users, the performance between this variant and the others are very similar and comparable.
That said, they all have the same antenna/radio hardware, so what I said above regarding data speeds on T-Mobile USA above applies to all of them. This also means they all work just fine for high speed data on AT&T's network.
Ok tom.
I came in here to add to my previous post about which phones (and why) will/will not work on T-Mobile, but Tom beat me to it, so I'll just simply add this:
If you want 2G/3G/4G now and in the future, get the Galaxy Nexus as it's pentaband.
If you're ok with 2G and don't mind waiting on 3G/4G, get any phone, like the i9100, that supports the 1900mhz band. T-Mobile stated that they anticipate their 1900mhz refarm to conclude in mid-2013 and will cover ALL 229 current AWS HSPA+ markets.
jaykresge said:
Bonus if you get the black one, it will work on AT&T's medianet plan, which is truly unlimited data, no throttling, and no wifi hotspot restrictions, and it's $15/mo (or $10/mo if you have unlimited text). I've been using this for the past year and change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, can you elaborate on this a bit? What do you mean by "black" one? Is a black I9100 different from a white one other than color?
Also, are you referring to AT&T's 'non-smart phone unlimited plan'?
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Thank you all.
ctomgee said:
I appreciate the endorsement of my knowledge, but please don't PM me, or encourage others to do so.
About phones working or not working with T-Mobile in the US, this is why; T-Mobile (at the moment, for their overall network) uses AWS for high-speed mobile data. AWS requires both 1700 mhz and 2100 mhz to get 3g/4g, as it uses one frequency for uplink, and the other for downlink. If one phone is not capable of receiving one of the frequencies, then the best mobile data speed the device will receive is Edge.
Now, they (T-mobile USA) are currently in the process of repurposing the spectrum of the 1900 mhz band they use now for Edge data and voice, to use it for high speed data instead. This will allow some phones that currently only get Edge speeds on T-mobile USA's network to get their "4g" speeds. That includes many of AT&T's phones (if they're unlocked), and the i9100, which receives high speed mobile data on 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 mhz. (notice the missing 1700 - which is why it won't necessarily get high speed on T-mobile USA's network... unless the market you're in has already had the repurposing of the 1900 mhz band)
However, this repurposing has already only happened in a handful of markets, though the rollout is currently underway.
Hope this makes sense.
EDIT to add:
Also, about the different I9100 variants - there are minor differences between the I9100, and the variants I9100P/T/M.
The P variant includes NFC, the T variant has a slight variance with the SAR values for the radio (so modems specifically for the T model work best for that model), and the M variant is simply a branded regional variant for the Canadian market (as far as I can tell). The CPU/GPU/SoC are all the same for these 4 variants.
The I9100G has a completely different CPU/GPU/SoC chipset, so firmwares, kernels, and ROMs are NOT compatible between this one variant, and the four listed above. But for most users, the performance between this variant and the others are very similar and comparable.
That said, they all have the same antenna/radio hardware, so what I said above regarding data speeds on T-Mobile USA above applies to all of them. This also means they all work just fine for high speed data on AT&T's network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for a broad response. I learned something new!
We don't necessarily want to be on T-Mobile, I mentioned T-Mobile because I want to have options...I don't want to be locked to one carrier and T-Mobile offers a great deal with "bring your own unlocked phone, get a sim card with unlimited text/data". So it was just brought as an option for us to have.
In any case, I did offer a T-Mobile (T989) version to my daughter, she "kindly" refused...she does not want to see any logo on her phone . She also doesn't care much about the NFC, even though this can be 'fixed' through an SD card solution if (as she says) "The government will force you to have NFC..." , so I am now just looking for a good deal on a I9100 version.
BTW - what is the Nexus?! I am not familiar with it at all. Does it also come in branded (AT&T, T-Mobile, etc) as well as unlocked?
Thanks again.
sbi1 said:
what is the Nexus?! I am not familiar with it at all. Does it also come in branded (AT&T, T-Mobile, etc) as well as unlocked?
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus is the 'pure' android phone. Comes with stock android. No OEM bloatware or UI like Samsung's TouchWiz or HTC's SenseUI.
The biggest advantage of nexus phones however, is that they're the first to get any android update.
And yes, you do get it unlocked as well.
Hope it helps.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
sbi1 said:
Thank you all.
Thank you for a broad response. I learned something new!
We don't necessarily want to be on T-Mobile, I mentioned T-Mobile because I want to have options...I don't want to be locked to one carrier and T-Mobile offers a great deal with "bring your own unlocked phone, get a sim card with unlimited text/data". So it was just brought as an option for us to have.
In any case, I did offer a T-Mobile (T989) version to my daughter, she "kindly" refused...she does not want to see any logo on her phone . She also doesn't care much about the NFC, even though this can be 'fixed' through an SD card solution if (as she says) "The government will force you to have NFC..." , so I am now just looking for a good deal on a I9100 version.
BTW - what is the Nexus?! I am not familiar with it at all. Does it also come in branded (AT&T, T-Mobile, etc) as well as unlocked?
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As HAXTREME said above. Plus: http://www.google.com/nexus
sbi1 said:
OK, can you elaborate on this a bit? What do you mean by "black" one? Is a black I9100 different from a white one other than color?
Also, are you referring to AT&T's 'non-smart phone unlimited plan'?
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know why that guy differentiated between the black i9100 and the white i9100. As far as I know, there shouldn't be a difference between them, unless someone can provide us information otherwise.
EDIT: ah. I was curious and did a search on this. Apparently many have reported that their white i9100 gets flagged as a blackberry by AT&T for some reason, causing a bump in their data plan to the 2Gb tiered data plan. I didn't know this. I find that curious.
ctomgee said:
EDIT: ah. I was curious and did a search on this. Apparently many have reported that their white i9100 gets flagged as a blackberry by AT&T for some reason, causing a bump in their data plan to the 2Gb tiered data plan. I didn't know this. I find that curious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. I tried Google for 'difference' between them and didn't see anything. It sounds odd to me, to say the least. Question is - did those who report this issue also had a black one, to compare how AT&T "reads" their phone. Really doesn't make sense, but I am curious too.
Figured I'd come back and answer some questions, but thanks again to Tom for taking care of that To elaborate a bit further:
Whether or not your phone will work on AT&T's medianet plan is determined by whether or not they have loaded the device's IMEI database into their system. If they have, then they can detect your phone and will not allow medianet access. The international SGS3 and the Galaxy Nexus have already been detected. The white i9100 (SGS2) is detected as a Blackberry as it has a different IMEI database than the black or pink models. However, if you do get a device to use with AT&T medianet, understand that they can change this at anytime. Just ask Nexus and SGS3 owners who got caught 2-3 weeks ago
Based on your needs, there are two phones that I would recommend, and here's the links to the recommended purchase places.
Galaxy Nexus ($349)- This is the official Google phone, relatively cheap, always has the latest version of Android. Downside is that is only has 16GB internal storage and no support for MicroSD. 720p screen
Samsung Galaxy SII (black - $470 / white - $530)- The flagship android device from 2011 by most estimates, still a solid phone for today. Comes with 16GB internal, official support for 32GB MicroSD, but will support 64GB MicroSDXC unofficially. , 800x480 screen though. The black one will work on AT&T medianet, white one will not.
If you use on T-Mobile, or a T-Mobile MVNO such as Simple Mobile or Straight Talk w/TMO sim, you will get full 2G/3G/4G access with the Galaxy Nexus (before, during, and after the refarm). As for the SGS2s, you will get full 2G everywhere, but no 3G/4G in areas not yet refarmed. In areas that are refarmed, you will get full 2G/3G/4G. T-Mobile says that the refarming will be complete by mid-2013. You can check the current status of the refarming here:
http://airportal.de/
If you want to get her something top of the line instead of those former-fastest phones, you can look at the SGS3 unlocked, or wait 9 days to see the official unveiling of the new Nexus phone. Who knows, we may even see a $50 price drop on the Galaxy Nexus
Related
So I have the US Galaxy S II variant which is an amazing phone but it's not the GS2 I fell for in February. I managed to flip (sell) my phone for a hefty price which is more than enough to buy the International version but in your opinion -- is it worth it?
I know the Nexus Prime, Razr, etc are being announced in 24 hours but I don't care -- for now. If I get the GS2 off or Amazon will it have NFC compatibility when it gains ground in the US? Is the home button really as flimsy as people make it out to be? All of your opinions are welcome.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
What about the international version do you like so much better? They are nearly the same.
They are the same, minus home button.
Only nfc-ready place I've been to is starbucks. That's like having an lte phone but no lte connection in your city
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Maybe because I've had the original Galaxy S and am not fond of the capacitive button layout, and I had numerous issues with the search button freaking out on the Captivate. The international version looks a lot better IMO, but lack of NFC is a drawback. The bad thing is someone already bought my At&t version.
re: i777 vs i9100
ErebusRaze said:
So I have the US Galaxy S II variant which is an amazing phone but it's not the GS2 I fell for in February. I managed to flip (sell) my phone for a hefty price which is more than enough to buy the International version but in your opinion -- is it worth it?
I know the Nexus Prime, Razr, etc are being announced in 24 hours but I don't care -- for now. If I get the GS2 off or Amazon will it have NFC compatibility when it gains ground in the US? Is the home button really as flimsy as people make it out to be? All of your opinions are welcome.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a lot more differences than just the front mechanical button which everyone talks about.
#1: the i9100 has a built-in FM stereo RDS radio
#2: the i9100 has three front buttons one of which is mechanical
#3: the i9100 is factory unlocked (it was NEVER locked to start with)
#4: the i9100 has slightly thinner & smaller housing dimensions
#5: the i9100 weighs a few grams less
Here are the size/weight specs for each:
Samsung Galaxy SGH i777: Dimensions 126 x 66 x 8.9 mm Weight 121.9 g
Samsung Galaxy S II i9100: Dimensions 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm Weight 116 g
Most likely there are other slight differences which I have not yet investigated.
Check it out yourself at GSMARENA on their website.
faill quote 10 char
designgears said:
faill quote 10 char
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The man himself...
I see you traded your S II and have the At&t version at the moment. A reason you settled on this one (though your phone repertoire is pretty extensive)?
ErebusRaze said:
The man himself...
I see you traded your S II and have the At&t version at the moment. A reason you settled on this one (though your phone repertoire is pretty extensive)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are only three things that are in any way advantageous in choosing the ASGS2 over the ISGS2:
1) Subsidized pricing
3) Warranty with overnight replacement from AT&T
3) The ability to buy insurance from AT&T in case its lost or stolen
You can say NFC's an advantage but everyone will probably be on their next phone by the time you'll be able to do anything meaningful with it.
What you give up: (note: a lot of these are meaningless if you root/ROM)
1) Updates directly from Samsung
2) 2 year vs. 1 year warranty
3) FM Radio
4) Features and settings removed by AT&T
5) Multi-purpose hardware home button
6) $10 unlimited fake-4G
The ISGS2 was my first non-subsidized phone. I'll never buy another carrier molested phone again. I travel overseas a lot so don't have the luxury to root/ROM because every device I've modified always had problems registering on foriegn networks.
[email protected] grams and less than 1mm even worth mentioning...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
re: grams
ngocdao said:
[email protected] grams and less than 1mm even worth mentioning...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
116g to 121.9g equals just about 6 grams difference, not 4
lol .. even at 6 grams. seriously, i cant even tell the phones in my hand or in my pocket. How light and how thin do you really need your phone to be?
i hope you dont weigh your order of french fries too fearing a few missing fries.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
BarryH_GEG said:
2) 2 year vs. 1 year warranty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of the international versions have any warranty in US. You will have to deal with someone outside the US or the seller for any warranty work.
I'm in Bangkok all week w\ my SGSII (AT&T) and the thing that drives me absolutely INSANE is that AT&T blocks the ability to select which network you want to use. I have a local Thai SIM (DTAC), but I have to let the radio\ROM auto-select the network, which bugs the sh#$ out of me, because many countries have the ability to roam on several networks, and not being able to chose annoys me.
I was at the market today and they sell the SGSII International version for $516 USD, I think I may take the plunge. The US version doesn't nor never will have the number of accessories available as the international one does, so I think I'm good there, and I know I can sell my ATT version for $450-500, so likely I'll pick one up tomorrow. Good idea? For $516 it's a good price I think.
---------- Post added at 04:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:52 AM ----------
ngocdao said:
How light and how thin do you really need your phone to be?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're the guy on the plane next to me who pulls out the 17" Dell from 4 years ago that's 4 inches thick aren't you?
ngocdao said:
i hope you dont weigh your order of french fries too fearing a few missing fries.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although congrats for the worst analogy of the day!
re: network selection
bella92108 said:
I'm in Bangkok all week w\ my SGSII (AT&T) and the thing that drives me absolutely INSANE is that AT&T blocks the ability to select which network you want to use. I have a local Thai SIM (DTAC), but I have to let the radio\ROM auto-select the network, which bugs the sh#$ out of me, because many countries have the ability to roam on several networks, and not being able to chose annoys me.
I was at the market today and they sell the SGSII International version for $516 USD, I think I may take the plunge. The US version doesn't nor never will have the number of accessories available as the international one does, so I think I'm good there, and I know I can sell my ATT version for $450-500, so likely I'll pick one up tomorrow. Good idea? For $516 it's a good price I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you need to do if you want to be able to select different networks
is to unlock the AT&T phone........
As far as accessories you are right!
Misterjunky said:
All you need to do if you want to be able to select different networks
is to unlock the AT&T phone........
As far as accessories you are right!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's absolutely incorrect. You can NOT select network just by unlocking, that simply allows you to use the sim's default network. The manual network selection does NOT become usable after unlocking (I know from personal experience with the ATT SGSII AND the Infuse 4G). The only way to manual select on Infuse was to flash Rogers radio and install custom rom. Unfortunately no alternate radios are avail for i777 yet (if ever)
bella92108 said:
That's absolutely incorrect. You can NOT select network just by unlocking, that simply allows you to use the sim's default network. The manual network selection does NOT become usable after unlocking (I know from personal experience with the ATT SGSII AND the Infuse 4G). The only way to manual select on Infuse was to flash Rogers radio and install custom rom. Unfortunately no alternate radios are avail for i777 yet (if ever)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course you need to put a different sim chip into the phone if you want to
change service providors with an unlocked phone.
The advantage of a unlocked phone is just that, the ability to use different sim
chips from different service providors as long as they use the gsm networks.
Misterjunky said:
Of course you need to put a different sim chip into the phone if you want to
change service providors with an unlocked phone.
The advantage of a unlocked phone is just that, the ability to use different sim
chips from different service providors as long as they use the gsm networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand that. Tell ya what. Unlock your phone and pop in a t-mobile SIM and try to access the network selection screen. You CAN'T. I've been through this time and time again. AT&T LOCKS the menu. So unless you replace the radio AND install a custom ROM (ie on my Infuse I had Infused 2.3.3 and Rogers Radio), you CAN NOT even get into the manual network selection screen regardless of what sim you put into the phone.
re: network settings
bella92108 said:
I understand that. Tell ya what. Unlock your phone and pop in a t-mobile SIM and try to access the network selection screen. You CAN'T. I've been through this time and time again. AT&T LOCKS the menu. So unless you replace the radio AND install a custom ROM (ie on my Infuse I had Infused 2.3.3 and Rogers Radio), you CAN NOT even get into the manual network selection screen regardless of what sim you put into the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right, getting into the manual network selection with a locked or
unlocked phone depends on which rom you are using, some roms let you
do that others don't. CyanogenMod 7 roms do have that feature and some
other custom roms have it too.
But changing the network selection settings is not a very good idea even
if we can do it.
But what's the point in getting into the network selection if lets say you have
an AT&T or T-mobile sim card? With an unlocked phone both of these two
sims will work fine without needing to change the network selection.
The unlocked phone will automatically detect the correct network settings
for any sim card which it's compatible with.
Misterjunky said:
You are right, getting into the manual network selection with a locked or
unlocked phone depends on which rom you are using, some roms let you
do that others don't. CyanogenMod 7 roms do have that feature and some
other custom roms have it too.
But changing the network selection settings is not a very good idea even
if we can do it.
But what's the point in getting into the network selection if lets say you have
an AT&T or T-mobile sim card? With an unlocked phone both of these two
sims will work fine without needing to change the network selection.
The unlocked phone will automatically detect the correct network settings
for any sim card which it's compatible with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't travel much internationally, I see.
Yeah, if you are in Los Angeles with an AT&T sim it's likely going to find it's way onto the AT&T network, obviously. Try roaming across to Japan... you'll find that AT&T has roaming agreements with NTTdocomo, and SoftBank. NTTdocomo is great if you're sitting at Narita airport, but you may want to venture outside the airport, to say, downtown Tokyo, where Softbank dominates in coverage and reliability in parts of town. You can't switch because the ATT ROM\Radio will ALWAYS favor NTT, why? Because ATT likely has a more favorable roaming rate negotiated (ATT doesn't have customer experience first priority as you likely already know). Not being allowed manual selection means you take what ATT gives.
Now take an international SIM... say you go to Thailand, where I am this week. I go home with the SIM and I want to use it in the US. ATT's ROAMING list they force on me will allow me ONLY to use it on ATT... but wait, my SIM I bought here in Thailand doesn't roam with ATT, only T-Mobile... so I'm fu$#ed... see what I mean? If I had manual network selection, 2 clicks and I'd select t-mobile. To take that right away from a customer is 100% anti-customer, and demonstrates what a regional carrier ATT really is. The people who control these things don't leave their cubicle in Dallas, so they don't get it that someone might just want to not be screwed without phone service when they travel because the furthest the programmer geek has travelled is the $5 happy ending massage shop at the edge of town, lol
bella92108 said:
You don't travel much internationally, I see.
Yeah, if you are in Los Angeles with an AT&T sim it's likely going to find it's way onto the AT&T network, obviously. Try roaming across to Japan... you'll find that AT&T has roaming agreements with NTTdocomo, and SoftBank. NTTdocomo is great if you're sitting at Narita airport, but you may want to venture outside the airport, to say, downtown Tokyo, where Softbank dominates in coverage and reliability in parts of town. You can't switch because the ATT ROM\Radio will ALWAYS favor NTT, why? Because ATT likely has a more favorable roaming rate negotiated (ATT doesn't have customer experience first priority as you likely already know). Not being allowed manual selection means you take what ATT gives.
Now take an international SIM... say you go to Thailand, where I am this week. I go home with the SIM and I want to use it in the US. ATT's ROAMING list they force on me will allow me ONLY to use it on ATT... but wait, my SIM I bought here in Thailand doesn't roam with ATT, only T-Mobile... so I'm fu$#ed... see what I mean? If I had manual network selection, 2 clicks and I'd select t-mobile. To take that right away from a customer is 100% anti-customer, and demonstrates what a regional carrier ATT really is. The people who control these things don't leave their cubicle in Dallas, so they don't get it that someone might just want to not be screwed without phone service when they travel because the furthest the programmer geek has travelled is the $5 happy ending massage shop at the edge of town, lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just have to correct you on something, the $5 Happy ending places are NOT on the edge of Dallas, they are on Harry Hines near downtown... Not that I would know anything about that.
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Ok, just a disclaimer (I am well-aware of my n00b status here)... I spent quite a few hours already on this site and on the Android forums, and on Google searching for answers to this... Not to mention time at the AT&T store and chatting w/some other phone reps (including Samsung tech support and AT&T tech support)... And while I've made some progress, I still can't get any definitive answers here.
So... that being said, first (and big 'sigh' I'm sure to many) is that I'm using a South Korea Note - the SHV-E160S. I know this is the I717 forums, but before I get flamed and booted, let me explain...
Well, I am on AT&T. No problems with calls or texting (minus the annoying 80-character limit, but anyways)... However, I have a BIG problem with the LTE. I'm on the LTE data plan, however, I cannot access any data network other than GPRS. Yes, my pings take about 533ms. My download speeds are about 53kb/s. This sucks, quite a lot. Esp when compared to my fiance's Note, which side-by-side gets about 13mb/s on the LTE network.
So... Did some research, and got the run-around... Less all the crap I heard from AT&T reps... It seems that the antenna for my Note is set to LTE850/LTE1800, and the actual AT&T SGH-I717's antenna is set to LTE700/LTE1700/2100. My sources for this come from PDAdb.net (I'd hyperlink, but my post count is not high enough to do that, yet).
So... Here come the questions. First... Is the antenna frequency tuning something built-into the hardware, or is it something that can be tuned via software?
-If it's in the hardware, would it be possible to buy an AT&T-spec LTE antenna? Which antenna gets replaced (from what I understand, there are two, and I can't find a legit source that tells me which is which), and where could I buy such a thing?
-If it's in the software, what would I have to do to re-tune the antenna? My phone is rooted with the latest Gingerbread Tegrak kernel.
Lastly... Though there is a difference between the LTE antennas... I still cannot access any network other than GPRS. I should at least be able to access EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA and HSPA+ as well, but I can't.
If ALL else fails, I guess I could get a portable tethering device with a contract... But that'd be oh-so-annoying to have to carry around all the time, and I'd like to avoid that option as much as possible. I'm paying $30/mo for LTE service on my phone already!
Anyways... Any thoughts or advice would be very appreciated, and my apologies if anything here is out-of-place. Thanks in advance!
U have the international note. Doesn't have late chip in it. But ur note has better CPU then the att note. The international note CPU is not comparable with att lte chipset that's y Samsung use 2different CPU. Yes u should be able to get 3g. Reset your apn. And search around. To find the code to reset your apn. I forgot. Its something like *2260*
I had an international first, had to rest everything to get data. But after few days. I return it cos I prefer to have lte speed more then CPU speed. And I found out the u can just over clock att note to 1.85 instead of stock 1.5. So now I am very happy with my att note.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Hmm I'm not sure if this method works with the International Note but it's worth a try. You need to get into ServiceMode. On your phone dialer keypad type *#2263# and choose 2 WCDMA Band Preference and select (6) WCDMA all.
Reply with your findings.
babymatteo said:
Hmm I'm not sure if this method works with the International Note but it's worth a try. You need to get into ServiceMode. On your phone dialer keypad type *#2263# and choose 2 WCDMA Band Preference and select (6) WCDMA all.
Reply with your findings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip, but all I get is an error: "Connection problem or invalid MMI code."
:\
Maybe the issue is your kernal and/or radio? Isn't the Tegrak kernal Korean? Most likely your radio is also. That is probably your issue. The way I see it you have 3 choices: Live with it, Sell it and buy an I717 variant, Take the risk and at least flash the ATT Gingerbread radio.
home screen/ menu/ system settings/ more/ mobile networks/ access point names/ AT&T
Do all your entries match these? Write down your current ones before changing or take screen shots. You must use the menu key and save changes. Also make sure that is the APN checked after rebooting.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7298567918_306aaab920.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7236/7298567982_82c3b41861.jpg
chak29 said:
U have the international note. Doesn't have late chip in it. But ur note has better CPU then the att note. The international note CPU is not comparable with att lte chipset that's y Samsung use 2different CPU. Yes u should be able to get 3g. Reset your apn. And search around. To find the code to reset your apn. I forgot. Its something like *2260*
I had an international first, had to rest everything to get data. But after few days. I return it cos I prefer to have lte speed more then CPU speed. And I found out the u can just over clock att note to 1.85 instead of stock 1.5. So now I am very happy with my att note.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
he doesn't have the international note(n7000) he has the South Korea Note - the SHV-E160S (he says it in OP), which it has the same processor as ours but some minor diferences in other things.
To the OP, why do you have a korean Note when from your avatar you're in the US?, I'm sure there's your problem, that note is set to use bands in korea and not in US, so the data is going to be crap, and for you to attempt to swap out the antenna is risking braking the phone because you run a chance after swapping it, not working and not having a working phone anymore.
aj_vogtman said:
home screen/ menu/ more/ mobile networks/ access point names/ AT&T
Do all your entries match these? Write down your current ones before changing or take screen shots. You must use the menu key and save changes. Also make sure that is the APN checked after rebooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I matched the APN settings of my fiancee's LTE Note first, and that did not work... It's pretty much exactly what you have posted. However, there are a couple things of note (bad pun, sorry). I do not have a 'APN enable/disable' or 'Bearer' field... However, everything else is set the same.
roloracer said:
To the OP, why do you have a korean Note when from your avatar you're in the US?, I'm sure there's your problem, that note is set to use bands in korea and not in US, so the data is going to be crap, and for you to attempt to swap out the antenna is risking braking the phone because you run a chance after swapping it, not working and not having a working phone anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Korean Note because I was living in Korea for a while, and I just got back to the US last week.
As in my OP, I found that the LTE bands are different; however, I can't even get on any other data networks other than GPRS. I've tried some APNs for HSPA+, and the results are the same.
Swapping the antennas shouldn't be THAT big of a deal if I had to... I'm pretty mechanically inclined. Obviously, I need to know if it would provide the intended results or not first.
Pscheoverdrive said:
I have a Korean Note because I was living in Korea for a while, and I just got back to the US last week.
As in my OP, I found that the LTE bands are different; however, I can't even get on any other data networks other than GPRS. I've tried some APNs for HSPA+, and the results are the same.
Swapping the antennas shouldn't be THAT big of a deal if I had to... I'm pretty mechanically inclined. Obviously, I need to know if it would provide the intended results or not first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, was just wondering where you got a Korean note. hope you can figure it out and good luck.
Sent from my CM9 Note.
That's right.... I want LTE bad. The entire reason I switched to T-Mobile was for LTE. Now the issue is after the sim is activated, LTE disappears.
$50 Amazon gift card if you develop a fix for this. $25 if you give a solution that works!
Let's figure this out! I can't afford an S4 or htc one now....
I don't mean to sound negative or pessimistic but, the LGOG using T-Mobile's HSPA+ service is pretty damned fast as it is... and yes I'd like it to work on my LGOG since it did work not once but twice with two different T-Mobile SIM cards for periods of time but, if you're in an area serviced by T-Mobile's current LTE rollout then you're also getting HSPA+ service too so...
"How fast is fast?" is the question I end up eventually asking people: how fast do you really need the connection to be for a smartphone? What are you folks doing with your smartphones that requires more than ~15-20Mbps?
Also...
Can anyone that is rooted/unlocked (bootloader) and has a recovery installed boot your device into fastboot mode and see if it shows a baseband listed at all? Mine - which is running the stock JB 4.1.2 presently and using the stock JB AT&T radio shows N/A which makes me think there's something going on in there or I busted something during my multiple flashing phase over the past week or so, I don't know. Here's what mine says presently:
FASTBOOT MODE
PRODUCT NAME - mako
VARIANT - mako 16GB
HW VERSION - rev_10 (16)
BOOTLOADER VERSION - MAKOZ10o
BASEBAND VERSION - N/A
CARRIER INFO - None
SERIAL NUMBER - YADDAYADDAYADDA
SIGNING - production
SECURE BOOT - enabled
LOCK STATE - unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I'm wondering about two aspects there: the MAKOZ10o reference which could be related to the older ICS bootloader since that was a V10o thing, maybe it was updated and now IDs itself as Z10o, I don't know for sure, and of course the fact that it doesn't show a baseband version at all. I don't particularly believe that's what's causing the LTE to crap out and die but, I can't say for certain.
But I'm interested in seeing if anyone else's device running the stock JB 4.1.2 (mine has been flashed with LGNPST directly, not as an OTA - the device could have been 4.0.4 > 4.1.2 by OTA from the previous owner, I have no idea), and of course I can't say for certain when the LTE just stopped working but it was within the first day of me owning the device and before I ever flashed anything or rooted it so I will say that rooting it didn't cause the LTE to stop working and that was the first step in the flashing I've done since I got it.
Still, it's odd that it works then just stops working and never comes back...
br0adband said:
I don't mean to sound negative or pessimistic but, the LGOG using T-Mobile's HSPA+ service is pretty damned fast as it is... and yes I'd like it to work on my LGOG since it did work not once but twice with two different T-Mobile SIM cards for periods of time but, if you're in an area serviced by T-Mobile's current LTE rollout then you're also getting HSPA+ service too so...
"How fast is fast?" is the question I end up eventually asking people: how fast do you really need the connection to be for a smartphone? What are you folks doing with your smartphones that requires more than ~15-20Mbps?
Also...
Can anyone that is rooted/unlocked (bootloader) and has a recovery installed boot your device into fastboot mode and see if it shows a baseband listed at all? Mine - which is running the stock JB 4.1.2 presently and using the stock JB AT&T radio shows N/A which makes me think there's something going on in there or I busted something during my multiple flashing phase over the past week or so, I don't know. Here's what mine says presently:
Now I'm wondering about two aspects there: the MAKOZ10o reference which could be related to the older ICS bootloader since that was a V10o thing, maybe it was updated and now IDs itself as Z10o, I don't know for sure, and of course the fact that it doesn't show a baseband version at all. I don't particularly believe that's what's causing the LTE to crap out and die but, I can't say for certain.
But I'm interested in seeing if anyone else's device running the stock JB 4.1.2 (mine has been flashed with LGNPST directly, not as an OTA - the device could have been 4.0.4 > 4.1.2 by OTA from the previous owner, I have no idea), and of course I can't say for certain when the LTE just stopped working but it was within the first day of me owning the device and before I ever flashed anything or rooted it so I will say that rooting it didn't cause the LTE to stop working and that was the first step in the flashing I've done since I got it.
Still, it's odd that it works then just stops working and never comes back...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the most part, it's fast.... But it's line having a Porsche with a speed limiter.... Who wants that?
Mine didn't have lte bone stock. I just rooted mine and booted into bootloader and I do have a line of letters and numbers with the baseband.
Bounty is going to be void unless someone has a solution quick! I put it up on craigslist and supposedly someone is going to buy it. Guess I'll have to fork over extra $ for a One or S4
I'm on T-Mobile LTE has never worked for me (been on it about a week). I get week 4g in town and most the time it wont even load ANYTHING! 2G is garbage...... My fastboot shows baseband version as n/a also. Unlocking the bootloader via freegee simply flashes the nexus aboot image which likely hasn't been modified. Does Tmobile LTE work on the nexus/nexus conversion? I know free also flashes a modified boot image but it simply removes the wallpaper.bin file from the phones bin directory to allow removal of any apps (its checks for videos,apk etc etc). I haven't tried flash the T-Mobile modem in the modem thread (.38 or something?) but I am assuming it also wont allow for LTE? Do these phones share modems with nexus or are they just cross compatible? Does the phone run LTE stock? I'm not familiar with at&t and do not know if they have a LTE band. Is it possible the hardware has just been removed on this model for LTE and those that get it do so without the antenna? I know there is another phone where that is the case but I cant remember which one of the top of my head.
Guys really need to quit buying e970s and thinking lte on tmo will work.
Sent from my LG Optimus G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
DeathmonkeyGTX said:
Guys really need to quit buying e970s and thinking lte on tmo will work.
Sent from my LG Optimus G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I just noted in another post, the LGOG is fully capable of LTE service on the T-Mobile frequencies - it's a damned Nexus 4 in a different package, with the same hardware radio and I/we can even run the T-Mobile radio firmware as well. That's not the issue.
The issue is that for many of us it DOES work at first but then the LTE stops working and I/we would most certainly like to figure out why it's happening.
Probably tmo trying to force you to buy a phone from them.
Sent from my LG Optimus G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Doubtful considering that's one reason they refarmed their network in the first place, so potential customers could bring their unlocked ATT devices to the T-Mobile network and have great service, LTE included. The "uncarrier" has great pride in that fact and have gone through great lengths to advertise it. The issue the OP is having appears to be LGOG specific as I hadn't heard of or seen any other devices with said issue, thus the bounty.
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda app-developers app
The reason you guys are losing LTE is T-Mobile is slowly switching to a diff band. And it is one this phone doesn't handle. As they convert towers to the new frequency phones that do not handle all the US LTE bands get left behind.
Sent from my LG Optimus G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
autosurgeon said:
The reason you guys are losing LTE is T-Mobile is slowly switching to a diff band. And it is one this phone doesn't handle. As they convert towers to the new frequency phones that do not handle all the US LTE bands get left behind.
Sent from my LG Optimus G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
See:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=47076068&postcount=67
Since this double-posting and chasing people around threads gets tiring.
autosurgeon said:
The reason you guys are losing LTE is T-Mobile is slowly switching to a diff band. And it is one this phone doesn't handle. As they convert towers to the new frequency phones that do not handle all the US LTE bands get left behind.
Sent from my LG Optimus G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
I hadn't seen any information to back this up, feel free to direct me to the info if you'd like. I find it hard to believe as T-Mobile just refarmed the network to support the same LTE bands as att and are still actively advertising the fact you can bring your unlocked device to their network without issue and with full support. In addition individuals are reporting LTE service that works fine initially then ceases generally after reboot or within a few days. The odds of these bands being changed just as users switch in multiple locations to multiple users are slim to none.
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda app-developers app
I was told this by technical support when helping a friend that has an e970. Whether it is accurate info I guess is now in question. Sorry if it is not.
Sent from my LG Optimus G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
No worries in the long run, we just like to make sure people do get accurate info. T-Mobile uses band 4 for LTE purposes, and that'll fall within the 850 and 1900 MHz bands they're refarming aka repurposing from primarily 2G/EDGE network usage towards more HSPA+ access which would also get more LTE support there as well.
And yeah, it's irritating as hell knowing it did work and now it doesn't, very frustrating. It's the only thing I haven't been able to get addressed with this LGOG so far and it flat out pisses me off.
Bounty is OFF! I sold the LGOG and picked up an ATT S4 for $185 off CL! Only slight damage to volume button but other than that clean, not stolen and LTE works! Until I bricked it by flashing the wrong rom but it's in the mail shipping back to me repaired !!
I had it running on Simple and I would mainly get terrible edge a I guess HSPA since it would say 4G sometimes. Didn't get LTE until I went over to AT&T.
Well I have 2 unopened Samsung Alphas sitting in front of me.
1. SM-G850F (International from Germany)
2. SM-G850M (Unknown Origin)
I have Many sim cards that i am using. But the main one i want to use is the T-mobile USA.
What i have gathered reading is the F has the custom recovery where as the rest A,W(QuadCore) Y(Asia ?) do not.
All of them seem to have Root.
Version A is tuned for AT&T
Version W is tuned for T-Mobile USA LTE (But is a Quad)
etc etc
But the info on the M Bands is very vague, as in the Band listing on the website is always different listed for the M.
So what are my advantage of picking one over the other (M of F) for T-Mobile USA ?
As far as i know every other version than the A has exynos chipset with the octa core cpu and the A has qualcomm with quad core cpu and thats why almost every other version has root and the A dont.
Sent from my SM-G850F
Why the hell are they doing this ...
So how different is the M from F ?
I cant find any info regarding the M having custom recovery also.
Germanese said:
Why the hell are they doing this ...
So how different is the M from F ?
I cant find any info regarding the M having custom recovery also.
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Havent really looked into it.
Sent from my SM-G850F
Well i just took a bite xD
SM-G850M on Tmobile USA
I have 4G Stable aka LTE
Very happy with my outdated discontinued phone hahahahahah
I agree the Bands Info on 850 M is vague or conflicting .
But it seems that you should have the
1700/ 2100 LTE Bands for Tmobile 4G LTE and the 1900 band for 3G
needed with the M Version.
Are you getting full performance on 3G , 4 G and LTE on your Alpha ? ?
Yes i am getting all bands 2g 3g 4g H+ LTE depending where i am at sometimes E. Though during a call i only get lte or h if non of those my data doeent work during a call
SM-G850M (Vodafone) = Branded
SM-G850F (Europe) = Non Branded
cqdiep said:
I upgraded to 5.02, then did factory reset. That fixed it and I'm getting LTE on ATT.
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Can you tell me if the G850M is carrier-branded in any way? I know the G850F isn't, and I was wondering if the same is true for the G850M. Basically, I would like to receive Android updates directly from Samsung without carriers getting in the way, and I would like free use of the Portable WiFi Hotspot/Tethering feature (even without having it as part of your plan). I know Nexus phones allow you to do this.
Thanks!
unif said:
Can you tell me if the G850M is carrier-branded in any way? I know the G850F isn't, and I was wondering if the same is true for the G850M. Basically, I would like to receive Android updates directly from Samsung without carriers getting in the way, and I would like free use of the Portable WiFi Hotspot/Tethering feature (even without having it as part of your plan). I know Nexus phones allow you to do this.
Thanks!
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Click to collapse
850M is not carrier-branded...it's unlocked and sold by Vodafone. I rooted mine, so can't get updates through Samsung anymore.
I did use it to create a Wi-Fi hotspot to tether my laptop. It works well, and I do not pay extra for this feature on ATT.
cqdiep said:
850M is not carrier-branded...it's unlocked and sold by Vodafone. I rooted mine, so can't get updates through Samsung anymore.
I did use it to create a Wi-Fi hotspot to tether my laptop. It works well, and I do not pay extra for this feature on ATT.
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Thanks very much for your responses! I greatly appreciate it.
I found a 850M on eBay for $89.99 couldn't believe it, excellent condition like new. I rooted it, installed another XDA members 4.4.4 ROM but couldn't notice any difference from stock, works fine on Cricket (At&t) prepaid, 4G same speeds as my previous S5 Mini At&t version phone, around 8mbps down, 4mbps up, half that when on a call. I cannot find many 850M's on the market, it's amazing. I want to buy at least 1-2 more, these are one of the best phones Samsung produced, especially one of the last good phones with removable battery! There are more 850F's on eBay but may not have as fast data with At&t as they are EU version. After my experience with S5 mini on 5.1.1 ROM I noticed much faster battery drain and prefer 4.4.4 performance. Hope my post helps someone=) -Aje
ROM
newaje said:
I found a 850M on eBay for $89.99 couldn't believe it, excellent condition like new. I rooted it, installed another XDA members 4.4.4 ROM but couldn't notice any difference from stock, works fine on Cricket (At&t) prepaid, 4G same speeds as my previous S5 Mini At&t version phone, around 8mbps down, 4mbps up, half that when on a call. I cannot find many 850M's on the market, it's amazing. I want to buy at least 1-2 more, these are one of the best phones Samsung produced, especially one of the last good phones with removable battery! There are more 850F's on eBay but may not have as fast data with At&t as they are EU version. After my experience with S5 mini on 5.1.1 ROM I noticed much faster battery drain and prefer 4.4.4 performance. Hope my post helps someone=) -Aje
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Click to collapse
Can you provide a link to the ROM you installed and instructions? Thanks!
---------- Post added at 06:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:16 AM ----------
Can you provide a link to the ROM you installed and instructions? Thanks!
Here is the link to the ROM.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...m-rom-lukrangelo-v1-brazil-zto-4-4-4-t3116098
However I didn't notice any difference from the stock ROM, was surprised to see the same original games included which I consider bloatware. Anyway the phone works great after rooting and uninstalling a lot of things, although it did suddenly crash and restart yesterday while on a phone call, first and only time in about a week I've had it. I love this phone and the size is perfect.
Really wanted to try this ROM but DL link is no longer working and no one is replying lately.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...m-kf-rom-kk-v1-1-18-04-2015-sm-g850m-t3086594
CM for 850F works on other 850?
Probably not as they have different radio's and frequencies, I wouldn't try it. Still trying to get someone to share the slim rom for 850M.
newaje said:
Probably not as they have different radio's and frequencies, I wouldn't try it. Still trying to get someone to share the slim rom for 850M.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works! http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-alpha/general/unified-exynos-g850f-m-thread-t3515138