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I saw a couple of tech points in the other threads. I myself have purchased the Att variant and planning to set it up with T Mobile but as I said, someone pointed out that they have different cellular banding or something to that effect. This person went on to say even if we were to get the ATT Gear S version on T Mobile that speeds would probably only be 2G.
From the articles that I've read on the Gear S specs I haven't come across anything saying that Samsung has designed specific versions for each U.S. carrier.
I do not have the answer at this time whether or not full cross compatibility is built into the device or not. Purely going by what has been announced, again I do not think it has been modified to keep us from doing carrier jumps.
I will update when Tmobile gets their networks up and running for the Gear S. If anyone can clear this up with for sure information, please do so. Feel free to speculate but if you're not certain please say so. Thanks.
If I can't get full functionality on the TMobile network with my ATT purchased and unlocked Gear S, I guess I'll have to return it and pony up the extra $50 that TMobile charges and fully join that club. Guys it may not be worth the hassle. I'll have an update soon on how all this works out, however I'd like to welcome feedback on the issue.
hughedee74 said:
If I can't get full functionality on the TMobile network with my ATT purchased and unlocked Gear S, I guess I'll have to return it and pony up the extra $50 that TMobile charges and fully join that club. Guys it may not be worth the hassle. I'll have an update soon on how all this works out, however I'd like to welcome feedback on the issue.
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Im doing the same thing tomorrow.
You can go to Samsung.com to check out the official spec. There are 5 different carrier variants but only three listed so far: AT&T (SM-R750A), Verizon (SM-R750V) and Sprint (SM-R750P). The missing two are T-Mobile (SM-R750T) and US Cellular.
Each listed different supported network (CMDA vs GSM) and bands.
It has the Snapdragon 400 which supports a HUGE number of bands and supports a global mode for both CDMA and GSM.
https://www.qualcomm.com/products/snapdragon/processors/400
https://www.qualcomm.com/products/snapdragon/wearables/samsung-gear-s
Someone will figure out a way to get the device to work with them back and forth ... it may be through a rom or a command line. But if you aren't a tinkerer you'll probably want to go with the version of the watch for your preferred carrier.
Update: I did a search through the FCC and didn't see one with T-Mobile specific bands (1700/2100). Bad news though is that there definitely are two variants for CDMA AND GSM. Argh. I stand brutally corrected!
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.
Was having an issue with the phone losing signal when in poor reception area. Do I need ATT to activate phone with imei of xz1 or in order to get LTE do I need to have a previous att branded phones imei on the sim card? Is there any ATT bands this phone doesn't support? Just don't know why phone says no service when it is in a bad reception area. My iPhone 8 works perfect in the same areas.
Use an IMEI of a LTE AT&T phone if possible. If you give AT&T the IMEI of this phone it won't be in their database and it will be provisioned as a 3G device at best.
Do you have any issues with it losing a connection when there is poor cell phone reception?
****, this phone isn't functioning with AT&T LTE? That's a problem... Can anyone else confirm?
I have AT&T. When I got the phone I called them, gave them the IMEI and they did whatever they need to do and my phone works with LTE.
I had previously contacted their technical support before getting this phone to verify that band 12 would work as well.
Frontier3 said:
I have AT&T. When I got the phone I called them, gave them the IMEI and they did whatever they need to do and my phone works with LTE.
I had previously contacted their technical support before getting this phone to verify that band 12 would work as well.
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Log into your AT&T account online and see what they have for a device for your number. It works fine on AT&T LTE but I have had issues for years when giving them the IMEI of my Sony phones. Maybe they have joined us in the 21st century.
So, from what I have been reading online and asking my IRL friends, it seems like AT&T doesn't exactly let devices that aren't sold by the carrier automatically have provisioning for LTE and LTE+. You have to call them.
Only negative in general is that VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling cannot be enabled as a company policy at this time on phones not directly sold by the carrier. Even the Google Pixel 2 can't get VoLTE on AT&T.
...Anyway, solution so far is to call AT&T via 611 or from another line at (800) 331-0500 and ask to "Activate my SIM"... And then ask for an agent. You'll need to give them the IMEI of your phone.
Only then, after you reboot your device, will your phone be provisioned for LTE.
Is this all correct??
I haven't had success giving them my Sony IMEI. I have a carrier version LG V30 and when I bought it, AT&T gave me a new sim. I pulled it and put it in my XZ1 and I have LTE.
As augie7107 mentioned, the trick seems to be getting an IMEI of an AT&T phone attached to your account and sim and you can get LTE on other non-branded phones. The sim I've been using has been the same one I've had since a launch day AT&T iPhone 6. I've used the sim in a number of unlocked Android and Windows phones without major issues: Nokia 925, Moto X Pure, Amazon Fire phone, Nokia 930 (no LTE), Nexus 6p, Axon 7, Xperia XZ, XZs, XZ1, and now an Essential PH-1.
augie7107 said:
I haven't had success giving them my Sony IMEI. I have a carrier version LG V30 and when I bought it, AT&T gave me a new sim. I pulled it and put it in my XZ1 and I have LTE.
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aj.eats.sushi said:
As augie7107 mentioned, the trick seems to be getting an IMEI of an AT&T phone attached to your account and sim and you can get LTE on other non-branded phones.
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What did the AT&T agents say when they wouldn't activate LTE?
When I received my XZ1c last week, data would not work at all - LTE or 3G.
After playing around with settings for an evening, I chatted with the AT&T service rep first thing the next day and he was happy to enable LTE using the Sony IMEI. I don't know if it depends on customer service agent, or if there is a policy difference, or what.
Pros/Cons?
Pro: No AT&T preinstalled bloat
I'm using an Essential PH-1 unlocked with AT&T. No problems.
Used a Mate 9 unlocked on ATT with no problem. Most US unlocked phones should work without any problems on ATT
VoLTE or HD calling as AT&T calls it might work on an unlocked phone if they will provision your line for the service. They did it for my Pixel 2 and it worked after I got a new sim. I don't think wifi calling will work on any phone except an AT&T device. I would make good use of this service so I'm opting for the AT&T version. If I find wifi calling works on an unlocked model I may switch but I don't think it will. We do some vacationing at a place with wifi but no cell service. My wife's AT&T iphone has it and it's pretty cool.
If the unlocked version is snapdragon then it will work just fine and lock to USA AT&T. With the S8 phones they were unlocked until you put a SIM in it and then it locks to that carrier. I'm curious is the unlocked version the exynos or the Snapdragon?
highaltitude said:
If the unlocked version is snapdragon then it will work just fine and lock to USA AT&T. With the S8 phones they were unlocked until you put a SIM in it and then it locks to that carrier. I'm curious is the unlocked version the exynos or the Snapdragon?
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The snapdragon is the only processor sold in the usa whether you are unlocked or carrier specific.
Having issues with SM-G965F on AT&T LTE
I just activated my SM-G965F and I'm only getting 3G and 3.5G (H+). No LTE. If I change the mobile networks settings to nxtgenphone, it connects to LTE, then drops and I get no data. I can only use the 'phone' version. My AT&T account has a grayed out device for my account. Checking compatibility with the IMEI checker for AT&T says it cannot determine if it is compatible. the 2nd SIM slot IMEI number is considered invalid!
Heading to the AT&T store at the mall later... not expecting much help.
I have the Note 8 and it was a PITA to get it full working on AT&T. Only thing that interest me was the Volte for talking on the phone and data at the same time, never got it working 100%. Had AT&T provision with new chip still not working good, so I sold the unlocked and got an AT&T model and had it unlocked and all is working well.
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
[Resolved] Having issues with SM-G965F on AT&T LTE
poodull said:
I just activated my SM-G965F and I'm only getting 3G and 3.5G (H+). No LTE. If I change the mobile networks settings to nxtgenphone, it connects to LTE, then drops and I get no data. I can only use the 'phone' version. My AT&T account has a grayed out device for my account. Checking compatibility with the IMEI checker for AT&T says it cannot determine if it is compatible. the 2nd SIM slot IMEI number is considered invalid!
Heading to the AT&T store at the mall later... not expecting much help.
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It was not the APN settings, entirely. It was that myAT&T would not recognize my IMEI number as a 9+. So, working with a store clerk at the local mall, she suggested to punch in a fake(last number altered) IMEI number using the in-store SM-G965U models. Since this has nothing to do with actually logging in or SIM verification, it worked. The SIM does its job and my account has an S9 (not a plus) on it, so when I changed to the 'nxtgenphone' APN settings, it is 'allowed' to log in (that's my best guess, anyway).
There is no other reason why the SM-G965F would NOT work on AT&T LTE since it has 3 of the 4 LTE bands (band30 is not included, but is only used in new, dense environments to alleviate network congestion -- my understanding).
dmb219 said:
The snapdragon is the only processor sold in the usa whether you are unlocked or carrier specific.
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So if I buy and ship an unlocked Galaxy S9 from Samsung website, it will have Snapdragon and not Exynos? I'm in a US territory.
I'm getting a good deal off their website with accessories and whatnot buying unlocked but I prefer Exynos
I'd rather not post and make a new thread. If someone else can confirm, I'd be much obliged
Yep it does. Just make sure it's on Snapdragon.
My question remains, when carrier unlocking an s9 or s9+, is there any way to make it available on different network types like say if the phone started out using a carrier that uses CDMA, is their any way to flash it to utilize t-mobile's frequency bands?
I unlocked two galaxy s9+'s that were on xfinity, which uses verizon towers. The two phones did unlock, but only for carriers utilizing CDMA. I was hoping they would be able to be used on t-mobile after unlocking, but they can't. Only messaging and data works using a t-mobile SIM card. Verizon works fine. SO my question still remains, is there a way to make it work?
I used itekimei .com to have the phones unlocked, as I found they were suggested here on XDA. And they weren't really able to answer my question either. They said it should work with t-mobile, but the conversation ended with "t-mobile is having problems with unlocked phones." This is super frustrating trying to get an answer.
Edit: I found this forum https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s9-plus/help/sim-unlocking-sprint-samsung-galaxy-s9-t3783571 which debates whether it will work or not. Also this one specifically about Xfinity https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s9-plus/help/xfinity-mobile-unlock-service-t3796349. But mine didn't work. I don't think U.S. S9's are cross compatible from CDMA to GSM. I have been searching and searching and can't find a way.
Yes, the US unit hardware is cross compatible. Heck, Verizon itself isn't all CDMA. They are phasing out CDMA soon and most of their network is LTE.
I have a US unlocked S9+ and can use any carrier in the US. You could too, all you need to do is flash the US Unlocked firmware to the device using Odin.
Your problem may be the Xfinity firmware restricting certain bands is all. Or possibly the device isn't really unlocked.
Regards,