So, I have an NVIDIA Shield, and am very interested in the LTE version of the upcoming NVIDIA Shield Tablet, but I need to know something. I intend on buying the LTE variant for data. I have no reason to have voice, but I want to use data. I am under the impression it is a GSM device, and is for T-Mobile or AT&T, I want to use my Verizon LTE data. The question breaks down to whether I can pop my Verizon SIM in and use it on the LTE-only bands? I know the Nexus 7 had a LTE radio, but I am under the impression it was somewhat carrier specific. Anyways, if somebody has the answer, that'd be great.
Thanks in advance.
SO, I've searched the forums and no one has seemed to answer the question. They either skip over it or it just goes unanswered. Is there any way to get VoLTE to work on any other carrier than just Verizon on the G3? The phone supports it, the modem itself supports it but I'm not sure if it's locked down software wise to only be available on Verizon or if it'll be available on other carriers. I'm currently using an AT&T MVNO and I don't have the option available, the only phone I've had that didn't switch from LTE when on a call was my Lumia 928 (but that was when I was on Verizon itself) - the question stands - is VoLTE an option on any other carrier besides Verizon using this phone? I'm rooted running Jasmine 9.1 debloated w/Xposed.
Based on what I read so far, only unlocked version of AT&T will work only with GSM provider. Would like confirmation of this. Thanks!
jklny said:
Based on what I read so far, only unlocked version of AT&T will work only with GSM provider. Would like confirmation of this. Thanks!
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No, unfortunately.
Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk
Uh... If it's an unlocked phone there is no reason it wont.
http://www.droid-life.com/2017/03/08/unlocked-galaxy-s8-plus-s8-fcc-smg950-smg955/
Optimumind... can you provide any explanation for your answer?
Unless something has changed, Sprint is CDMA, not GSM.
eatmeimadanish said:
Uh... If it's an unlocked phone there is no reason it wont.
http://www.droid-life.com/2017/03/08/unlocked-galaxy-s8-plus-s8-fcc-smg950-smg955/
Optimumind... can you provide any explanation for your answer?
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An unlocked AT&T GS8 will work on other GSM networks but not on Sprint b/c Sprint won't add the AT&T GS8 IMEI to their system.
Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk
The hardware on all the s8's are the same so technically it will work but the imei isn't white listed so you won't be able to activate it on sprint but the sprint version can be activated on att or any other gsm provider.
Sprint galaxy s8 works with tmobile and verizon
The hardware on all the s8's are the same so technically it will work but the imei isn't white listed so you won't be able to activate it on sprint but the sprint version can be activated on att or any other gsm provider.
Hey there. I have an S7 Edge unlock from t-mobile running the unlock firmware from G935U. Sprint SIM cards are lock, I have a friend who works for sprint. I have 3 Sprint S8 and S8+, 2 unlock and running on T-Mobile network. I took 1 of the SIM card and put in my Unlock S7 Edge, the phone just keep trying to connect to network and repeating the same process. Didn't work at all, but the Sprint S8's works excellent on T-Mobile network after flashing the UNLOCK firmware.
---------- Post added at 03:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:53 AM ----------
I got 111.71 mbps download, 20 mbps upload speed from my Unlock Sprint S8+ running G955U1 unlock firmware on T-Mobile network. Couldn't ask for anything more than that.
I will provide my non Sprint S8 variant experience.....for any US S8, they all have the same hardware. I have noticed that ATT and TMO models have CDMA hardware, but are turned off in the carriers version of the firmware . Flashing the stock unlocked S8 firmware or the Sprint/VZW FW will enable the phones for use with CDMA and all LTE bands. I had an ATT version sim unlocked and attempted this on Verizon FW with a VZW sim and it worked perfect....but there is a major roadblock with Sprint. Sprint is the only carrier that I have tried that requires an update of the IMEI to the account (ie you cant just pop a sim in and the device works). VZW for example shows Unknown device on the account instead of an S8, but all the services still work. Sprint shows 3G for about 5 minutes, then you get a message that the sim is locked and to reboot or call support (not the same as the phones sim slot being locked, but more that the system cant register the sim/device combo). Sprint stores have the capability of adding IMEI's to the Sprint database, as long as the IMEI does not come back as ineligible. Well, I took the S8 to several stores and none of them could add it to the system. Several employees advised me that the IMEI's from other carrier's are blacklisted so that it can not be added and the only ones that the system would allow to add are IMEI's that were sold as unlocked or Sprint branded. If the IMEI can be white listed, then I am certain it would work.
mellojosh said:
I will provide my non Sprint S8 variant experience.....for any US S8, they all have the same hardware. I have noticed that ATT and TMO models have CDMA hardware, but are turned off in the carriers version of the firmware . Flashing the stock unlocked S8 firmware or the Sprint/VZW FW will enable the phones for use with CDMA and all LTE bands. I had an ATT version sim unlocked and attempted this on Verizon FW with a VZW sim and it worked perfect....but there is a major roadblock with Sprint. Sprint is the only carrier that I have tried that requires an update of the IMEI to the account (ie you cant just pop a sim in and the device works). VZW for example shows Unknown device on the account instead of an S8, but all the services still work. Sprint shows 3G for about 5 minutes, then you get a message that the sim is locked and to reboot or call support (not the same as the phones sim slot being locked, but more that the system cant register the sim/device combo). Sprint stores have the capability of adding IMEI's to the Sprint database, as long as the IMEI does not come back as ineligible. Well, I took the S8 to several stores and none of them could add it to the system. Several employees advised me that the IMEI's from other carrier's are blacklisted so that it can not be added and the only ones that the system would allow to add are IMEI's that were sold as unlocked or Sprint branded. If the IMEI can be white listed, then I am certain it would work.
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Yup, Sprint sucks very well in this regard.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
This phones are listed among eligible phones for Sprint's BYOD 1 year free plan. Does it say something?
Samsung Galaxy S8 (Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile)
Samsung Galaxy S8+ (Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile)
Yes it will work, i put a freedom pop sim in, and it restarted with at&t logo
mellojosh said:
I will provide my non Sprint S8 variant experience.....for any US S8, they all have the same hardware. I have noticed that ATT and TMO models have CDMA hardware, but are turned off in the carriers version of the firmware . Flashing the stock unlocked S8 firmware or the Sprint/VZW FW will enable the phones for use with CDMA and all LTE bands. I had an ATT version sim unlocked and attempted this on Verizon FW with a VZW sim and it worked perfect....but there is a major roadblock with Sprint. Sprint is the only carrier that I have tried that requires an update of the IMEI to the account (ie you cant just pop a sim in and the device works). VZW for example shows Unknown device on the account instead of an S8, but all the services still work. Sprint shows 3G for about 5 minutes, then you get a message that the sim is locked and to reboot or call support (not the same as the phones sim slot being locked, but more that the system cant register the sim/device combo). Sprint stores have the capability of adding IMEI's to the Sprint database, as long as the IMEI does not come back as ineligible. Well, I took the S8 to several stores and none of them could add it to the system. Several employees advised me that the IMEI's from other carrier's are blacklisted so that it can not be added and the only ones that the system would allow to add are IMEI's that were sold as unlocked or Sprint branded. If the IMEI can be white listed, then I am certain it would work.
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I had a similar experience with an Unlocked Galaxy S7 and Sprint. I actually had to get Samsung Tech support on a conference call with a Sprint Manager, because Sprint told my customer the the phone is incompatible with the Sprint network. After embarrassing the Sprint rep, he white listed the IMEI number on Sprint's network and the phone worked.
Also, MetroPCS has the same policy. You cannot just pop in a Metro Sim card. You have to call them and register the IMEI number. After about an hour tops, the phone will complete provisioning and be able to work on Metro's T-Mobile network.
T-Mobile is instant. You cab pop a T-Mobile Sim card into any sim unlocked variant and it will work. However you will need to go into settings and follow the T-Mobile instructions on how to set up the radio frequencies. The better way is to just flash the carrier's ROM version onto the phone. This way you will get the features and updates from the carrier. Carriers seem to get the Android updates faster than Samsung. A trade off for bloatware.
tempests said:
I had a similar experience with an Unlocked Galaxy S7 and Sprint. I actually had to get Samsung Tech support on a conference call with a Sprint Manager, because Sprint told my customer the the phone is incompatible with the Sprint network. After embarrassing the Sprint rep, he white listed the IMEI number on Sprint's network and the phone worked.
Also, MetroPCS has the same policy. You cannot just pop in a Metro Sim card. You have to call them and register the IMEI number. After about an hour tops, the phone will complete provisioning and be able to work on Metro's T-Mobile network.
T-Mobile is instant. You cab pop a T-Mobile Sim card into any sim unlocked variant and it will work. However you will need to go into settings and follow the T-Mobile instructions on how to set up the radio frequencies. The better way is to just flash the carrier's ROM version onto the phone. This way you will get the features and updates from the carrier. Carriers seem to get the Android updates faster than Samsung. A trade off for bloatware.
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Maybe I should try this approach with my Galaxy S9+ (AT&T, unlocked).
Sprint is a PITA.
tempests said:
I had a similar experience with an Unlocked Galaxy S7 and Sprint. I actually had to get Samsung Tech support on a conference call with a Sprint Manager, because Sprint told my customer the the phone is incompatible with the Sprint network. After embarrassing the Sprint rep, he white listed the IMEI number on Sprint's network and the phone worked.
Also, MetroPCS has the same policy. You cannot just pop in a Metro Sim card. You have to call them and register the IMEI number. After about an hour tops, the phone will complete provisioning and be able to work on Metro's T-Mobile network.
T-Mobile is instant. You cab pop a T-Mobile Sim card into any sim unlocked variant and it will work. However you will need to go into settings and follow the T-Mobile instructions on how to set up the radio frequencies. The better way is to just flash the carrier's ROM version onto the phone. This way you will get the features and updates from the carrier. Carriers seem to get the Android updates faster than Samsung. A trade off for bloatware.
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You may have been referring to me regarding the unlocked Galaxy S7 & Sprint. Many thanks for that one. I'm going through the same crap now with Universal unlocked IPhone 7. Sprint is a PITA!
I can confirm the SM-G955U from AT&T does work. I confirmed this via Sprint site. Just Google Sprint byod eligibility and you'll find the link.
My biggest roadblock was AT&T had a network lock on my phone so the sim Sprint sent couldn't be used. I then used the services provided by gsmzambia to network unlock the device. It's currently working on Sprint network.
Hello,
I just bought the S9+ unlocked today at best buy. I love the phone and I opted in for unlocked version so that I can root the thing later if I wish.
So, I would really like to have the HD voice option, but I found out that you need a carrier phone to be able to have wifi-calling and hd voice. My parent can hear me great on their end (they have iphones) but on my end I have the same old ****ty voice quality.
Is flashing ATT firmware (and getting their bloatware) the only way to get the option? Right now, when I go into settings-> connections-> mobile networks, the option isnt even there.
Reason is the same as I posted on a different thread. Flashing at&t firmware will not fix the problem. Subsequent comments in the thread may be of interest.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=77649772&postcount=7
Ouch. That sucks. I read somewhere that tmobile and sprint don't lock unlocked phones out of their volte and wifi calling. Does Verizon use same tactics as att or will they make it available to me as well?
fen-q said:
Ouch. That sucks. I read somewhere that tmobile and sprint don't lock unlocked phones out of their volte and wifi calling. Does Verizon use same tactics as att or will they make it available to me as well?
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Yeah att doesn't have volte on any unlocked Phones. I put a sim in my Sprint S8 and it dropped to H+ during the call where TMO and vzw stay on VOLTE on my phone.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Same issue in Canada - Carrier Unlocked device purchased do from Samsung & none of the Canadian Carriers support VoLTE or WiFi Calling - This is extremely unethical on the part of the partnership between Samsung & the Carriers! We all know that the Carriers are Samsung's biggest customers - But to make key features unavailable is unconscionable! ?
Sent from my SM-G965W ??
shaggyskunk said:
Same issue in Canada - Carrier Unlocked device purchased do from Samsung & none of the Canadian Carriers support VoLTE or WiFi Calling - This is extremely unethical on the part of the partnership between Samsung & the Carriers! We all know that the Carriers are Samsung's biggest customers - But to make key features unavailable is unconscionable!
Sent from my SM-G965W
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For the US carriers though... if i switch to tmobile, will hd voice work if i call my parents on att? Anyone have real life experience?
fen-q said:
For the US carriers though... if i switch to tmobile, will hd voice work if i call my parents on att? Anyone have real life experience?
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T-Mobile and Verizon customers both get VoLTE on Samsung factory unlocked phones. AT&T restricts by IMEI (as well as requiring their firmware). Sprint does not yet offer the feature at all on their network. It is unclear whether unlocked devices will get it once they do deploy it. Time will tell.
I currently have a unlocked T-mobile S21 that I am using on a Verizon based MVNO. Is there or would there be any benefits to switching the firmware over to Verizon instead of using T-mobile that's on the phone?
onefastneonrt said:
I currently have a unlocked T-mobile S21 that I am using on a Verizon based MVNO. Is there or would there be any benefits to switching the firmware over to Verizon instead of using T-mobile that's on the phone?
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I'd suggest switching to one of the 'open' versions, that has a multi csc capability and should thus have all the necessary ability to use the mvno you prefer. The t-mo rom may work, but it almost certainly won't have the full capabilities, such as all bands used, possibly volte working, vowifi, and there may be other things also.
Thank you. You make a valid point about going to a unlocked version.
I tried to flash the Verizon firmware along with the user_data files with no success.
I still get all of the T-mobile splash screens and all of the their bloatware. The service provider software version still states TMB/XAA,TMB/TMB but my baseband and build number are Verizons. Maybe I am not knowledgeable to this extend.
All I would like to do is get rid of T-mobile and make it a Verizon phone.