Hey everyone,
I just searched this topic and didn't find any definitive answers so I thought I'd ask...
Anyways is the VZW Galaxy S4 SIM unlocked out of the box? I keep reading the new VZW releases in 2012 and onwards are according to the VZW forums and website but then I found a post of someone asking VZW for an unlock. It its an official code its easier to just ask VZW as I meet all the requirements (1+ year customer). Also I read that on the S3 the APN settings are blocked on the default VZW firmware unless rooted. Is the APN settings on the S4 open (changeable) by default?
Also what's a realistic battery life you guys are getting out of this phone?
Am comparing phones and need a phone that is:
1. SIM Unlocked and APN settings changable that has VZW's US CDMA and LTE bands PLUS ALL the international bands (the 4 GSM and 4 UMTS international bands).
2. Has HSPA+21 at least.
3. Long battery life to last the day.
4. Rootable so I can get rid of VZW crap and increase the battery life.
I've also not seen any international VZW phones with HSPA+42 dual carrier like Apple's iPhone 5. I'm also debating getting a Android versus iOS phone...
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Recently took my S4 to Brazil and spent a fair bit of time talking to Verizon Global Support before the trip. One of the questions I asked was whether the phone was SIM unlocked so that I could purchase a SIM card while in Brazil and use local service down there. The VZW rep assured me the phone was indeed unlocked, but I did not use a Brazilian SIM card while on travel so I cannot confirm via personal experience.
I can confirm that it is unlocked. I put an active att sim card in, that then allowed me to add the correct apn info. I was then able to make calls and use data.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
willzzz88 said:
Hey everyone,
I just searched this topic and didn't find any definitive answers so I thought I'd ask...
Anyways is the VZW Galaxy S4 SIM unlocked out of the box? I keep reading the new VZW releases in 2012 and onwards are according to the VZW forums and website but then I found a post of someone asking VZW for an unlock. It its an official code its easier to just ask VZW as I meet all the requirements (1+ year customer). Also I read that on the S3 the APN settings are blocked on the default VZW firmware unless rooted. Is the APN settings on the S4 open (changeable) by default?
Also what's a realistic battery life you guys are getting out of this phone?
Am comparing phones and need a phone that is:
1. SIM Unlocked and APN settings changable that has VZW's US CDMA and LTE bands PLUS ALL the international bands (the 4 GSM and 4 UMTS international bands).
2. Has HSPA+21 at least.
3. Long battery life to last the day.
4. Rootable so I can get rid of VZW crap and increase the battery life.
I've also not seen any international VZW phones with HSPA+42 dual carrier like Apple's iPhone 5. I'm also debating getting a Android versus iOS phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The SCH-I545 has Quad band GSM/EDGE frequency's (850/900/1800/1900) and Quad band UMTS/HSPA (850/900/1900/2100) As well as AWS bands for LTE (1700/2100) so it should get LTE on T-Mobile. However, it does not have the capabilities to get LTE on AT&T since the SCH-I545 does not have the frequency's to operate on AT&T's LTE network but it will get HSPA+ on both networks. It will work on Sprint as well but it will not get LTE since its two LTE bands, (700 and 1700/2100), are not compatible. Sprint operates on the same CDMA/ Ev-Do bands as VZW so you will get 3G. I can confirm that i have used the SCH-I545 with an AT&T SIM card and i got HSPA+ speeds.
echo1030 said:
The SCH-I545 has Quad band GSM/EDGE frequency's (850/900/1800/1900) and Quad band UMTS/HSPA (850/900/1900/2100) As well as AWS bands for LTE (1700/2100) so it should get LTE on T-Mobile. However, it does not have the capabilities to get LTE on AT&T since the SCH-I545 does not have the frequency's to operate on AT&T's LTE network but it will get HSPA+ on both networks. It will work on Sprint as well but it will not get LTE since its two LTE bands, (700 and 1700/2100), are not compatible. Sprint operates on the same CDMA/ Ev-Do bands as VZW so you will get 3G. I can confirm that i have used the SCH-I545 with an AT&T SIM card and i got HSPA+ speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The AWS is there but not activated yet. for now you will only get EDGE on t-mobile unless in a refarmed are you will pickup HSPA. you will however pickup all AWS tis summer when verizon activates that band on our phone.
SOURCE: I'm on the 30$ a month prepaid with t-mobile. edge sucks but it works.
att sim in verizon sg4
Silentgray said:
I can confirm that it is unlocked. I put an active att sim card in, that then allowed me to add the correct apn info. I was then able to make calls and use data.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I have had the same outcome, voice and data work, BUT data is only HPSA+ at best. Do you get 4G LTE or found a way to get it?
Thanks!
ddckylec said:
Hi,
I have had the same outcome, voice and data work, BUT data is only HPSA+ at best. Do you get 4G LTE or found a way to get it?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but that is because i am not in an area where ATT has LTE turned on. South Dakota is still on the waiting list. Verizon uses different frequencies for LTE then ATT does.
Verizon has never locked their phones, even the CDMA ones. If you put a non Verizon SIM in you can change the APN settings
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk
Related
I was thinking about buying the International unlocked Galaxy SIII GT I9300 and saw how it would be cheaper in the long run, but my main motivation was being able to move from carrier to carrier if I wanted to and not having a contract. I seem to be reading though that the international version is only compatible with AT&T and T-mobile at 3G and is not capable of 4G speeds at all. Also, that even American versions are not always compatible with eachother. So am I correct in thinking that if I get an international version I'll be stuck between T-Mobile and Sprint at 3Gs. And that nothing can be done to the phone to allow an International phone to work with Sprint or even an American Sprint to work on a T-Mobile network? I'm starting to think it might be easier to just get an American phone and jailbreak it.
The international one will never work with sprint or Verizon, the AT&T and t-mobile versions will never work with sprint or Verizon.
The difference is hardware, Verizon and sprint are cdma, the rest are gsm.
The international one will work with AT&T with 3g and 4g(actually its hspa+ which is technically 3.5g) and will work on T-Mobile only in 2g for now, in a few months it will work on 3g and 4g when they refarm their 1900 or 1700mhz (can't remember which) band to 3g.
No matter what you do to either the international or US gsm versions they will NEVER EVER WORK ON SPRINT OR VERIZON.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
I see, that's what I was afraid of. The AT&T and T-Mobile option still seem attractive, but in your opinion will the Verizon/Sprint with a jailbreak route be better in the long term since the LTE is by far the superior option(from what I've read)? I've seen AT&T has LTE but the International version wouldn't be able to work on a LTE network anyway, would it??? I plan to download most things on my laptop and move them to the phone anyway, the only important thing to me internet speed would affect and my main concern would be live video chat, would the 3G or HSPA+ be sufficient for that? Other than talk and text the phone will be mainly used for games, movies, music and the superior GPU in the International version I think would be better for that? Are there any other phones comparative to the Galaxy III you know of that might have both the CDMA and the GSM, the "world phones" as I've seen them called?
Matt45045 said:
I see, that's what I was afraid of. The AT&T and T-Mobile option still seem attractive, but in your opinion will the Verizon/Sprint with a jailbreak route be better in the long term since the LTE is by far the superior option(from what I've read)? I've seen AT&T has LTE but the International version wouldn't be able to work on a LTE network anyway, would it??? I plan to download most things on my laptop and move them to the phone anyway, the only important thing to me internet speed would affect and my main concern would be live video chat, would the 3G or HSPA+ be sufficient for that? Other than talk and text the phone will be mainly used for games, movies, music and the superior GPU in the International version I think would be better for that? Are there any other phones comparative to the Galaxy III you know of that might have both the CDMA and the GSM, the "world phones" as I've seen them called?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't/don't jailbreak Android phones. Hard to even know what you are talking bout trying to accomplish? It's very simple.
1. Buy a phone from a carrier and use it on that carrier. That's the easiest option.
2. Buy an International GS3 and use it on AT&T 3G or 2G.
3. Buy an International GS3 and use it on T-Mobile 2G.
If you try any other options you are just going to confuse yourself.
Definitely don't get the sprint or Verizon ones, you are stuck on cdma then. The at&t one has LTE and the T-Mobile one has dc hspa+ (theoretically up to 42mbps) the international one has standard hspa+ (up to 21mbps) and I regularly get between 5-8mbps down and 2-3mbps up and I live in the country.
The gpu and cpu on the international one are better too.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
I have a bad habit of using the words root and jailbreak interchangeably, I meant root the phone. I guess I have to decide how important LTE is to me. It'll either be AT&T or the International version. The superior GPU and CPU are attractive, but so are the LTE speeds. But I guess with the limited data maybe not. But thanks for your help, this clarified a lot for me.
Frequency Concern
I have the exact same problem!
I am planning to buy a Galaxy Nexus, which works for UMTS (850/900/1700/1900/2100MHz) and GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz). I read from wikipedia that the 3G and 4G networks from Tmobile are carried on the frequency of both 1700MHz and 2100 MHz. Does that mean Galaxy Nexus can use 3G and 4G on Tmobile network?
playmaker1 said:
I have the exact same problem!
I am planning to buy a Galaxy Nexus, which works for UMTS (850/900/1700/1900/2100MHz) and GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz). I read from wikipedia that the 3G and 4G networks from Tmobile are carried on the frequency of both 1700MHz and 2100 MHz. Does that mean Galaxy Nexus can use 3G and 4G on Tmobile network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the galaxy nexus will work fine on tmo, its pentaband.
I brought my Irish one to america and used it on tmo no problem.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
nodstuff said:
Yes, the galaxy nexus will work fine on tmo, its pentaband.
I brought my Irish one to america and used it on tmo no problem.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh really?! Then I should sell my international version of Galaxy S II for a Galaxy Nexus. S II doesnt receive 1700MHz. I read from Wikipeida: This band (Tmobile 3G and 4G) was an area of wireless spectrum, half in the 1700 MHz (1.7 GHz) and half in the 2100 MHz (2.1 GHz) frequencies. SO I was thinking: Hey, how about getting a phone with both 1700 and 2100MHz to work on Tmobile 3G and 4G.
So you can actually use 3G? or even 4G on Tmobile? Is it so slow or weak that makes you want to change carrier?
I9300
nodstuff said:
The international one will never work with sprint or Verizon, the AT&T and t-mobile versions will never work with sprint or Verizon.
The difference is hardware, Verizon and sprint are cdma, the rest are gsm.
The international one will work with AT&T with 3g and 4g(actually its hspa+ which is technically 3.5g) and will work on T-Mobile only in 2g for now, in a few months it will work on 3g and 4g when they refarm their 1900 or 1700mhz (can't remember which) band to 3g.
No matter what you do to either the international or US gsm versions they will NEVER EVER WORK ON SPRINT OR VERIZON.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Help, I have an I9300 and I can't configure it to recieve data I am on the AT&T GO $60 data plan and AT&T says it is my phones problem. I've tried a lot of different settings and it still shows up as disconnected under the mobile network state. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
---------- Post added at 01:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 PM ----------
nodstuff said:
Definitely don't get the sprint or Verizon ones, you are stuck on cdma then. The at&t one has LTE and the T-Mobile one has dc hspa+ (theoretically up to 42mbps) the international one has standard hspa+ (up to 21mbps) and I regularly get between 5-8mbps down and 2-3mbps up and I live in the country.
The gpu and cpu on the international one are better too.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Help, I have an I9300 and I have tried for a week to get AT&T GO set up for data. I can talk and text fine, but no luck with data AT&T says it is my phone. Under mobile network state it says disconnected. any help would be greatly appreciated. It is an unlocked international GSM phone.
I have a Samsung GT-I9300 unlocked Gsm phone. I have started AT&T GO $60 data plan. I have tried for a week now to get data with no luck. I can talk & text fine, and it works great off of WI-FI. AT&T has tried everything they can do and says it is a problem with my phone. I was previously on Straight Talk but was stuck with EDGE speeds and not good coverage. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi,
So I've read the FCC documents located here: LINK
Page 1 and Page 5 are the most interesting! These state that the Verizon model SCH-i545 will have AWS band 4 (of course 13 too) which does support T-mobiles LTE network right? It never states 1700/1200 frequencies.
Thing I want to know from the pros is will this phone indeed offer LTE support for T-Mobile or and I'm just seeing things?
Also, for all the other people that are wondering if the ATT model will offer LTE support for T-Mobile as well? It will since it supports both bands 4 and 17 But wait is that AWS band 4?... the jury is out on that! -_-
Many Thanks
Becool0130 said:
Hi,
So I've read the FCC documents located here: LINK
Page 1 and Page 5 are the most interesting! These state that the Verizon model SCH-i545 will have AWS band 4 (of course 13 too) which does support T-mobiles LTE network right? It never states 1700/1200 frequencies.
Thing I want to know from the pros is will this phone indeed offer LTE support for T-Mobile or and I'm just seeing things?
Also, for all the other people that are wondering if the ATT model will offer LTE support for T-Mobile as well? It will since it supports both bands 4 and 17 But wait is that AWS band 4?... the jury is out on that! -_-
Many Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I am correct, Verizon phones do not use sim cards (CDMA) and AT&T and T-Mobile are GMS (sim phones). So even if the bands are supported, I don't see how a Verizon phone would work on T-Mobile or AT&T unless they are CDMA / GSM dual phones. And even then they would have to be unlocked.
scott14719 said:
If I am correct, Verizon phones do not use sim cards (CDMA) and AT&T and T-Mobile are GMS (sim phones). So even if the bands are supported, I don't see how a Verizon phone would work on T-Mobile or AT&T unless they are CDMA / GSM dual phones. And even then they would have to be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of the major Verizon releases over the past year have come GSM unlocked. They are world phones that contain GSM and CDMA radios. I'm using a Verizon iPhone 5 on the Straight Talk (AT&T) network currently.
All lte phones have sim cards as it is a gsm technology. My girls verizon gs3 has a sim. As far as it being compatible that is a hell of a question.
OneStepAhead said:
All of the major Verizon releases over the past year have come GSM unlocked. They are world phones that contain GSM and CDMA radios. I'm using a Verizon iPhone 5 on the Straight Talk (AT&T) network currently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! I sold my iPhone 4s to get Samsung galaxy s4 and it sold to someone over in the UK world (Ireland) that says it works! Lol.
I've also seen threads about sim unlocking the Verizon S3 for domestic and international use. Some people use HiAPN as system app along with other steps and viola... Working on whatever network you want
Question is... Am I seeing right that Verizon S4 will support AWS Band 4 for t-mobile?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app
good news
OneStepAhead said:
All of the major Verizon releases over the past year have come GSM unlocked. They are world phones that contain GSM and CDMA radios. I'm using a Verizon iPhone 5 on the Straight Talk (AT&T) network currently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey this is one question i have lingering on my mind. How is the StraightTalk connection? Is it any good? Are there call drop issues? And do they have data plans?
if i buy a tmobile s4 will it work on verizon??
I know most things are under the catagory of speculation/rumor but i was wanting to to check out tmobile network for a bit.... the no contract is appealing. If i bought the phone outright and ending up not liking tmobile i would switch to verizon. Short of selling the tmobile and getting a verizon phone i was wondering about just activating the same phone on verizon?
Will there be "one phone" in US or would they all have thier own modem chips i guess is the real question....
thanks for the guesses and speculat'n!
You have to consider its Verizon and they have 700Mhz LTE and you can't roam on AT&T's 700Mhz so I would not expect to access Verizons AWS spectrum on T-Mobile or vice versa. Remember when they said LTE was the unifying spectrum to allow for easier use across networks and carriers, well that was a pile of BS.
Great news, but I heard verizon was purposely going to burn in their logo onto the amoled screens.
RaptorMD said:
You have to consider its Verizon and they have 700Mhz LTE and you can't roam on AT&T's 700Mhz so I would not expect to access Verizons AWS spectrum on T-Mobile or vice versa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong: those "700mhz" frequencies are different bands. Both T-Mobile and Verizon are building out LTE on the same band: 4 (AWS). They will be interoperable device-wise.
AT&T also owns a lot of AWS, and though they're currently running LTE on it only in one market (somewhere in Oklahoma IIRC), all their LTE devices do come with band 4 enabled.
The more I read about the differences, the more I'm convinced that the Verizon model is more cross compatible with all other services. It's still the only CDMA model. But it's also gsm unlocked if you know how to program APNs. Any thoughts?
jerzyboy2421 said:
The more I read about the differences, the more I'm convinced that the Verizon model is more cross compatible with all other services. It's still the only CDMA model. But it's also gsm unlocked if you know how to program APNs. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I posted a pretty detailed analyzation of the LTE bands the different GS4 models work with here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=40974831#post40974831
if we ever get to the point where we don't need 3g at all any more (CDMA) and we can get VoLTE and use the LTE band exclusively that will eliminate a lot of the incompatability between Verizon and GSM carriers .
Parafly said:
if we ever get to the point where we don't need 3g at all any more (CDMA) and we can get VoLTE and use the LTE band exclusively that will eliminate a lot of the incompatability between Verizon and GSM carriers .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When we get to that point, Verizon will basically be a GSM carrier. Considering LTE is just an evolution GSM, both developed by 3GPP.
camaroz28 said:
When we get to that point, Verizon will basically be a GSM carrier. Considering LTE is just an evolution GSM, both developed by 3GPP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When it gets to that point, the question is will LTE then become open so Google can sell a Nexus that works on every network without carriers involved?
Schoat333 said:
When it gets to that point, the question is will LTE then become open so Google can sell a Nexus that works on every network without carriers involved?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not just Google...all the manufacturers could do it. But...don't get your hopes up. That situation is not in the carriers' nor major manufacturers' interests, and they sit on the standards bodies. No one represents the users/customers.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=43469207&postcount=11
samsung GS4
scott14719 said:
If I am correct, Verizon phones do not use sim cards (CDMA) and AT&T and T-Mobile are GMS (sim phones). So even if the bands are supported, I don't see how a Verizon phone would work on T-Mobile or AT&T unless they are CDMA / GSM dual phones. And even then they would have to be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon does use sim cards I am in the process of trying to unlock
SCH-I545 On T-Mobile
i Have This phone running on T-Mobile and have notice it does pick up AWS but very limied when compared to a T-Mobile branded phone... im wondering if anyone has tested flashing the T-Mobile modem??
---------- Post added at 04:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 AM ----------
No need to unlock just go into settings on the phone and under mobile networks their should be a tab that says prefered network.... click it and select global....
I have a VZW Note 2 and because of declining coverage in my area they have told me I can leave ETF free (engineer said I was in a marginal coverage area).
My phone is currently rooted and running beans 17.
That said, I just bought this phone 2 months ago and would like to take it to another carrier, so I was wondering ..
What modifications besides APN edits I would have to do?
Will it work on Sprint? T-Mobile? AT&T?
What speeds will I get on each network? (LTE - 3G - HSPA - HSPA+ - 2G(eww))
Thanks in advance for any assistance you all would be willing to offer.
Milimbar said:
I have a VZW Note 2 and because of declining coverage in my area they have told me I can leave ETF free (engineer said I was in a marginal coverage area).
My phone is currently rooted and running beans 17.
That said, I just bought this phone 2 months ago and would like to take it to another carrier, so I was wondering ..
What modifications besides APN edits I would have to do?
Will it work on Sprint? T-Mobile? AT&T?
What speeds will I get on each network? (LTE - 3G - HSPA - HSPA+ - 2G(eww))
Thanks in advance for any assistance you all would be willing to offer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know gsm phones are interchangeable ( att & tmo ) as far as Verizon I don't think it will work on anything other then Verizon since they r sim less and use different network styles pretty much I think u will need a new device or stick with Verizon
sent from my SGH - leet ( i337) using Tapatalk 4 beta
oddspec said:
I know gsm phones are interchangeable ( att & tmo ) as far as Verizon I don't think it will work on anything other then Verizon since they r sim less and use different network styles pretty much I think u will need a new device or stick with Verizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that VZW Note 2 was released with GSM radios as well as CDMA, what frequencies it supports I do not know. One of the reasons i bought it was it was supposedly a "world phone"
Milimbar said:
I know that VZW Note 2 was released with GSM radios as well as CDMA, what frequencies it supports I do not know. One of the reasons i bought it was it was supposedly a "world phone"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By world phone it probably like the HTC one has a few limited gsm bands for over seas I mite be able to pick up service with att or tmo but without ( research what bands it can receive ) full spectrum band support ur service mite be worse that what u have now and doubtful u get crap for data speeds probably 2g only
Go to a phone website that compares phones and click the note 2for all carriers they should list what bands each device can receive it will give u a better idea
sent from my SGH - leet ( i337) using Tapatalk 4 beta
Milimbar said:
I know that VZW Note 2 was released with GSM radios as well as CDMA, what frequencies it supports I do not know. One of the reasons i bought it was it was supposedly a "world phone"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct and the other poster is incorrect. The Verizon Note 2 supports:
LTE: Band 13 (700MHz); CDMA 1x/EVDO Rev A, Dual-band: 800/1900MHz; HSPA+/UMTS Quad-band: 850/900/1900/2100MHz; GSM Quad-band: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
So, you would only get 4G LTE on Verizon because it only supports Band 13, which is Verizon's part of the spectrum. Other service should be 3G.
jcollier said:
You are correct and the other poster is incorrect. The Verizon Note 2 supports:
LTE: Band 13 (700MHz); CDMA 1x/EVDO Rev A, Dual-band: 800/1900MHz; HSPA+/UMTS Quad-band: 850/900/1900/2100MHz; GSM Quad-band: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
So, you would only get 4G LTE on Verizon because it only supports Band 13, which is Verizon's part of the spectrum. Other service should be 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx for correcting me I wasnt sure I only know about gsm phones and was trying to help glad u posted !
sent from my SGH - leet ( i337) using Tapatalk 4 beta
Going to switch to Net10 using AT&T service, hopefully I will be able to pick up HSPA+ data.
Milimbar said:
I have a VZW Note 2 and because of declining coverage in my area they have told me I can leave ETF free (engineer said I was in a marginal coverage area).
My phone is currently rooted and running beans 17.
That said, I just bought this phone 2 months ago and would like to take it to another carrier, so I was wondering ..
What modifications besides APN edits I would have to do?
Will it work on Sprint? T-Mobile? AT&T?
What speeds will I get on each network? (LTE - 3G - HSPA - HSPA+ - 2G(eww))
Thanks in advance for any assistance you all would be willing to offer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I have stuffed my T-Mobile SIM into mine, and it was capable of achieving HSPA speed but then the new"er" T-Mobile towers in my area run on the 1900mhz spectrum. In certain areas when traveling EDGE (2G) is what I end up with. To set it up I followed the steps in another post here on XDA, but I don't still have that link. If you decide to try out T-Mobile you could use the tips on this thread: Verizon i605 Note 2 on T-Mobile Network
I picked T-Mobile because I could just walk into Walmart and buy an activation kit with Sim Card for $30, and it was just $30 a month for 100min Talk & Unlimited Text+ 5Gigs 4G Speed + Unlimited 3G Speed
Thanks for the reply,
I would love to use T-mobile service but it is only 2g where I am at.
I have been doing some research and it seems AT&T is rolling out a new prepaid option in a new company called AIO wireless. They seem to have decent pricing and unlimited data but at the moment are only in a few cities.
They are also updating the GoPhone plans on the 20th, so I might just wait around and see if any better options pop up this month before I make the move.
I have been reading and searching online to find the definitive answer to this question. I am currently using a straight talk compatible sim in my verizon galaxy s4 and it works great - of course straight talk does not use LTE so I am limited to 3g speeds. I'm also trying to find out if it is possible to use a tmobile sim in the verizon galaxy s4 and get 3g speeds? How about LTE? The appropriate radios seem to be installed but I am not sure if that is enough. Has anyone done any testing on this front?
Thanks!
If you go into your hidden menus and dig around enough you will find options to enable the WCDMA and GSM radios. Back when I tanked my sim card I was digging through the menus for hours and at one point under network options I could see AT&T and T-Mobile signal even though I didn't have the SIM to actually connect.
I would imagine if I had the sim I could have connected no problem.
But because the menus are so deep and obnoxiously laid out, I don't have more specifics on where all to navigate to find the right options.
sent from my GE gs4
I tried with my Tmo Sim and was able to get the phone and 1xrtt and Edge data connections but not LTE. I don't know if Verizon has enabled the LTE bands that Tmo uses.
Sent from my Nexus 7 FHD using Tapatalk HD!
---------- Post added at 03:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:16 PM ----------
Dubbsy said:
If you go into your hidden menus and dig around enough you will find options to enable the WCDMA and GSM radios. Back when I tanked my sim card I was digging through the menus for hours and at one point under network options I could see AT&T and T-Mobile signal even though I didn't have the SIM to actually connect.
I would imagine if I had the sim I could have connected no problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you think there are options to enable different radio frequencies? I could connect to the Tmo GSM towers but couldn't get an LTE data signal.
Where were you looking in the menus?
Sent from my Nexus 7 FHD using Tapatalk HD!
rmanaka said:
I tried with my Tmo Sim and was able to get the phone and 1xrtt and Edge data connections but not LTE. I don't know if Verizon has enabled the LTE bands that Tmo uses.
Sent from my Nexus 7 FHD using Tapatalk HD!
---------- Post added at 03:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:16 PM ----------
Do you think there are options to enable different radio frequencies? I could connect to the Tmo GSM towers but couldn't get an LTE data signal.
Where were you looking in the menus?
Sent from my Nexus 7 FHD using Tapatalk HD!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't get any signal because nothing was turned on in your hidden menus to allow it.
And yes, loads of frequencies listed for LTE, WCDMA, and GSM.
You have to enable hidden menu. Then start digging. Like I said there are too many options/submenus for me to remember exactly where everything was.
If someone really wants to get their phone on another network it is possible. They just have to really want it and therefore really put in the time to dig.
sent from my GE gs4
Band 4 LTE is disabled by the software on Verizon Galaxy S4. It will have band 4 LTE enabled when Verizon activates Band 4. They will release the firmware update that will enable it. So far you can only get 3g on 1.9 Ghz, 850 Mhz and 900 Mhz and 2g egde with gsm simcard.
seemcity said:
Band 4 LTE is disabled by the software on Verizon Galaxy S4. It will have band 4 LTE enabled when Verizon activates Band 4. They will release the firmware update that will enable it. So far you can only get 3g on 1.9 Ghz, 850 Mhz and 900 Mhz and 2g egde with gsm simcard.
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Click to collapse
Can this Band 4 LTE be enabled if the phone is rooted?
vikaspatil said:
Can this Band 4 LTE be enabled if the phone is rooted?
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Click to collapse
The latest update from 4.2.2 to 4.3 has an update in it to enable band 4 aws that vzw will be using. Once you've updated to 4.3, it's just a matter of waiting for vzw to turn on band 4 in your area.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
evltwn72 said:
The latest update from 4.2.2 to 4.3 has an update in it to enable band 4 aws that vzw will be using. Once you've updated to 4.3, it's just a matter of waiting for vzw to turn on band 4 in your area.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
However if you have a VZW Galaxy S4 on another network, the option of OTA 4.3 update I don't think is possible.
evltwn72 said:
The latest update from 4.2.2 to 4.3 has an update in it to enable band 4 aws that vzw will be using. Once you've updated to 4.3, it's just a matter of waiting for vzw to turn on band 4 in your area.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have updated my phone to android 4.3 and discontinued the contract with Verizon. Now I cannot access any updates from Verizon.
Do you still feel, when vzw turns on band 4 in my area, I can access 4G on my GS4 with Straight Talk sim(4G enabled)?
czarcas7ic said:
However if you have a VZW Galaxy S4 on another network, the option of OTA 4.3 update I don't think is possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt it.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
thaydengeo said:
I have been reading and searching online to find the definitive answer to this question. I am currently using a straight talk compatible sim in my verizon galaxy s4 and it works great - of course straight talk does not use LTE so I am limited to 3g speeds. I'm also trying to find out if it is possible to use a tmobile sim in the verizon galaxy s4 and get 3g speeds? How about LTE? The appropriate radios seem to be installed but I am not sure if that is enough. Has anyone done any testing on this front?
Thanks!
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I can absolutely 100% confirm for you that a Verizon Galaxy S4 on the latest Verizon radio can access T-Mobile LTE. This post and its attached screenshots were done from T-Mobile LTE on a VZ GS4.
BillBauman said:
I can absolutely 100% confirm for you that a Verizon Galaxy S4 on the latest Verizon radio can access T-Mobile LTE. This post and its attached screenshots were done from T-Mobile LTE on a VZ GS4.
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Click to collapse
I'm in the process of switching to T-Mobile from Verizon. Could you do me a favor and tell me how you got your Verizon S4 to work on T-Mobile? I thought I needed a new phone altogether. According to your screenshots, I may not...
Anyone able to get LTE on a ATT network?
majeiks said:
I'm in the process of switching to T-Mobile from Verizon. Could you do me a favor and tell me how you got your Verizon S4 to work on T-Mobile? I thought I needed a new phone altogether. According to your screenshots, I may not...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's really not that hard. You just need to be able to add the APN for T-Mobile. The VZ phone is already unlocked. I also just flashed one of mine back to the MDK baseband (radio/modem) and it also supports T-Mobile LTE where I am. Coincidentally, it gets 2 bars + LTE in this particular location in LA whereas the T-Mobile GS4 with Tmob radio is getting 1 bar + LTE.
---------- Post added at 02:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:25 AM ----------
equake said:
Anyone able to get LTE on a ATT network?
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Sorry, I'm afraid that one's not going to (easily) happen. The phone may or may not have the hardware for it, but you'd need the right radio to enable the LTE band that AT&T uses. Right now, I don't know of one, and I don't feel like playing with the AT&T radios to see if they would happen to flash properly to enable things. T-Mobile & AT&T use relatively identical phones and can run LTE on each other's respective networks. So, I'd say, use one of their hardware sets on AT&T. I use AT&T LTE on a Nexus 5 and a T-Mobile GS4, but I can only get H+ on the VZ GS4 on AT&T. The VZ phone does do the T-Mobile LTE band just fine, though.
BillBauman said:
It's really not that hard. You just need to be able to add the APN for T-Mobile. The VZ phone is already unlocked. I also just flashed one of mine back to the MDK baseband (radio/modem) and it also supports T-Mobile LTE where I am. Coincidentally, it gets 2 bars + LTE in this particular location in LA whereas the T-Mobile GS4 with Tmob radio is getting 1 bar + LTE.
---------- Post added at 02:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:25 AM ----------
Sorry, I'm afraid that one's not going to (easily) happen. The phone may or may not have the hardware for it, but you'd need the right radio to enable the LTE band that AT&T uses. Right now, I don't know of one, and I don't feel like playing with the AT&T radios to see if they would happen to flash properly to enable things. T-Mobile & AT&T use relatively identical phones and can run LTE on each other's respective networks. So, I'd say, use one of their hardware sets on AT&T. I use AT&T LTE on a Nexus 5 and a T-Mobile GS4, but I can only get H+ on the VZ GS4 on AT&T. The VZ phone does do the T-Mobile LTE band just fine, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to get LTE with AIO Wireless sim by toggling to LTE/GSM Auto(PRL). It seems to pickup Band 4 for ATT.
My 2 cents.
Does this still work?
I have a heightened interest in switching to T-Mobile now that they will pay for my early termination fee. I have a rooted VZW S4, added a new apn, and I am using an older sim card but i can't get it to connect to t-mobiles network. What all needs to be done to my phone in order for it to work. I did some research and saw that tmobile and verizon have the same LTE frequency and band.
EDIT (1/10/2014: I bought an activation kit at Walmart and activated the sim card. I am not connected.
I'm also using a Verizon Galaxy S4 with Straight Talk (ATT SIM). I have voice and text, but no data. I've changed the APN with no luck. I tried it in my Verizon Galaxy S3 and received E (Edge data) which was CRAZY slow. Any suggestions? I have a ATT Galaxy S4 Active being delivered today, so I guess it doesn't really matter, but very curious why I can't get any data on my Verizon S4 through Straight Talk.
If this helps anyone
This is how I have LTE with T-Mobile working on a Verizon S4...
I am getting 4Glte on my vzw S4 using tmobile prepaid!
When I got tmobile I was only getting H+ and 3g and all of a sudden I start getting 4Glte! I love it!
Tmob sim on unlocked G4s guide notes
I have a collection of notes on Signal improving topics, tricks etc. for the Gs4 at:
freeHelpingHands.wordpress DOT com
Groupon has a deal for the S5 that says it's for "Verizon and GSM Unlocked":
https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-samsung-galaxy-s5-smartphones
Is there any way to tell what model # this is? I'm guessing that it is a generic S5 and not the T-Mobile specific SM-G900T. If that's true, then it likely doesn't have the TMo specific LTE frequencies needed for full service (I'm in the Chicago area), correct?
I really hate having to find special versions of GSM devices to make full use of T-Mobile's network...
<TAP><TAP> Is this thing on???
Unlocked for all Verizon and GSM carriers.
On the same page --> https://www.groupon.com/pages/groupon-deal-images-gg-gsm-providers
Only thing is that it probably will not be compatible with WiFi calling features, but I could be wrong.
I know it would work but I was curious about whether it was the same model they sell via T-Mobile that has their unique frequency bands (1900/2100 I believe). Groupon responded to an inquiry and said it was a Verizon model so while I can't confirm it, I'm guessing it doesn't have the extra bands needed to fully make use of T-Mobile's LTE network so it would likely drop down to HPDPA+ in many locations.
According to the reviews, its a Verizon branded phone. A couple of the reviews are from T-mo users and they claimed to have issues with the sim/network not going to LTE, instead it uses their HSPA network.
If it was me, I would not buy this. It is cheap yea, but remember that the S5 is not compatible with the new band 12.
-edit-
The Chicago area isn't getting band 12 anyways, not anytime soon that is.
I'm using a Verizon S5 with a T-mobile rom and it works perfect 4g lte and all If you end up getting it just root it then look at my view forum posts.