Turn a 3G Device to a 4G Device? - HTC Sensation

I tried searching but I couldn't find anything that would help me to be the wiser. What differs the 4G version and the 3G version <- which I have?
Is it possible to turn a 3G to a 4G? Is it just drivers or physical hardware that differs them?
Kind Regards,
Jolaren

its just an icon on the sensation...... besides the band differences on the couple versions out there they are all the same!
but on a realistic level, there is hardware that makes the difference from a 'TRUE' 4G to a 3G device
'h' is 3g

So my European bought Sensation won't be able to run 4G ever?
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App

jolaren said:
So my European bought Sensation won't be able to run 4G ever?
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
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Well. You see, the T-Mobile 4G isn't even 4G its actually 3G they just call it 4G.. So "H" is basically "4G" for T-Mobile users. So don't worry, you're not missing out on anything. It's just an icon

All current 4G is not true 4G. But it is marketed as such. That's not the question here.
3g can do up to about 3mbs on average. It uses a different radio spectrum than 4G phones.
For example my sensation hits 5mbs while my wifes 3g Samsung Galaxy S can only reach 300kps to 600kps when compared side by side. It will depend on your proximity to the tower, but my real world tests were done side by side so hopefully that helps you. Don't take my advice though, go to your nearest store and run the comparison yourself!
Hope this helps!

Related

Only 2g or 4g.. never seen a 3g symbol!

Since purchasing my phone almost 2 weeks ago I have never gotten 3g. I have replaced my sim and also upgraded data. I have one day left to return and I'm wondering if you guys too are having this issue. Or perhaps is it a tower/radio issue?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
It won't ever show 3g
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Yeah i saw the same thing. I think it's has a lot to do with TMO's 4G not actually being a different technology than it's 3G. So in most cases if you have 3G you also have 4G. Are there any areas where you know that TMO's HSPA+ network doesn't have coverage but the normal 3G coverage does? I'd be interested in that. I couldn't test in my area because the 3G coverage is the exact same as the 4G so the indicator would only change if I entered an edge only area.
The G2 only displays an H which can either be 3G or 4G but it's not differentiated on the phone. So I think it's just because of TMO's network not being a separate technology that requires a different radio. So the phone won't go from 4G to 3G to Edge. It goes straight to 2G because 3g and 4G is the same in technology. Only difference is speed and that that's with any network where you have different speeds in different places.
The 4G is a souped up version of their 3G so you won't see 3G ever AFAIK.
Thought i was the only one that noticed
As a t-mob tech rep I can confirm that this is true. The phone will either display 2 or 4. It was even in the brief training we received. No need to return it
Get Mobile Signal Widget if you want to see it go between 3G(UMTS) or H(HSPA+)
It will not show 3G/4G because it would flip between the two too much.
Yesterday I saw it just said "G". Phone was slow as ****. I love this thing.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
joeyklatzko said:
The 4G is a souped up version of their 3G so you won't see 3G ever AFAIK.
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Click to collapse
It's the same on the G2x that I had briefly.
good to know cause im in love with my phone and didnt wanna chance a exchange! its really not enough good about this phone on here but for any of you on the edge its a great phone coming from a hd2 which was also the SH!T !!
Just a little extra info on this. EVERY 3G cell site in T-Mobile's network is HSPA capable so whenever you are on a 3G site your have HSPA access BUT not every site is HSPA+ (4G speeds). With that said, your phone does not know the difference so even if we wanted an icon to show the difference we couldn't have it. There is one more mode and that is UMTS. This only shows when your phone is idle and not doing data (not very often). It does NOT mean your don't have HSPA access on that site, it just means your phone is not currently doing data. So, we could have a 3G icon for when your idle but your phone would be constantly switching from 3G icon to 4G or H (whichever you have) and that would be annoying. Hope this helps.
setzer715 said:
There is one more mode and that is UMTS. This only shows when your phone is idle and not doing data (not very often). It does NOT mean your don't have HSPA access on that site, it just means your phone is not currently doing data. So, we could have a 3G icon for when your idle but your phone would be constantly switching from 3G icon to 4G or H (whichever you have) and that would be annoying. Hope this helps.
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Click to collapse
That's what it did for the HD2 & it let me know when I was actually pulling down data, just look for 3G or the H
xnifex said:
That's what it did for the HD2 & it let me know when I was actually pulling down data, just look for 3G or the H
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You will still know with the data activity arrows.
setzer715 said:
You will still know with the data activity arrows.
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Click to collapse
On the Sensation yes, HD2 running WM though it was about the only way to know
Its a lie. It just says 4G instead of 3G. Never 3G. Its a ploy to make you believe they have 4G everywhere.
I have an unbranded Asian Sensation and it shows 3G once and a while. There is this one area I notice it switches from the H(4G) to 3G. I know TMO changed the H icon with a 4G one so maybe they removed the 3G one show it always shows 4G even if on 3G??
Ive seen it switch to 3g and its like not having internet. Speeds around 50-100 kbps . A friend with mt4g confirmed.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
~~Tito~~ said:
Its a lie. It just says 4G instead of 3G. Never 3G. Its a ploy to make you believe they have 4G everywhere.
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Tito, long time no see!
LOL, true that t-Mob is trying to brainwash the XDA gang
DeezNotes said:
Yesterday I saw it just said "G". Phone was slow as ****. I love this thing.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
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Click to collapse
You were on a regular GSM connection, those are old and slow. Not your phones fault, it was basically trying to use data over a rotary phone.
Is your device from tmobile?

Confused??!?!

Hi im waiting for my sensation toarrive....My confusion comes from References to Sensation 4g...In the uk we dont get 4g so mine will not be the 4g,But tools like Temp root all refer to the 4g and dont mention the 3g?
I dont want to brick my shiny phone when it arrives so is anyone able to ellaborate any diffs between the 4g and the uk version? Is the 4g GSM or CDMA? Is the 4g on tmobile??
Sorry if this has been asked i dont want to seem like an arse
The guides work for both, just that most users on here seem to be American. The European model isn't 4G
It is basically just a naming difference, american carriers like to advertise as being "4G" even when they are only operating 3G networks, and the phone is only 3G capable (like T-Mobile US - they call HSPA+ "4G", which is a technology most modern networks have implemented at this time and is most definitively "3G").
I don't think there is any GSM/UMTS/LTE-capable phone from a major manufacturer available in the market (or even announced) at this point. There are, however, some USB datasticks that are LTE ("4G") capable.
And while the UK may lag a bit behind in LTE coverage compared to some countries of continental europe (although it really doesn't matter all that much at this point), LTE trials are being conducted in the UK at this time.
The Sensation and Sensation 4G are both capable of exactly the same speeds & standards.
Don't be fooled by all the "4G"-marketing, it is exceptionally meaningless.
There are a couple here in the US. Verizon and MetroPCS both have LTE.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Both are CDMA/LTE-carriers, not really comparable.
AT&T has started building a LTE-network as well, but their phones advertised as "4G" are still regular GSM/UMTS-phones (typically HSPA+ capable).
Which further reinforces my point, "4G" has become a meaningless marketing-term slapped on anything to suggest extraordinary speed to the uninformed.
Thanks guys,Great help as usual! Confusing though when US call it 4G and UK call is HSDPA or 3G+
bonesy said:
Thanks guys,Great help as usual! Confusing though when US call it 4G and UK call is HSDPA or 3G+
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Just wondering.. Since UK considers the 10mbs+ some people get as 3g still, what speeds are considered 4G there? Not trying to flame, just curious.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
It's not about speed, but technology - only LTE is considered "true" 4G over here, while HSPA is still very clearly a 3G technology.
Where I live, providers advertise with HSPA+ and LTE directly, A1 marketed "air to fiber" to highlight their supposedly fast backend.
PartyMango said:
It's not about speed, but technology - only LTE is considered "true" 4G over here, while HSPA is still very clearly a 3G technology.
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And you folks are much more accurate in your description. Have to love marketing BS here in the States.
PartyMango said:
It's not about speed, but technology - only LTE is considered "true" 4G over here, while HSPA is still very clearly a 3G technology.
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I see... So maybe carriers are are advertising 4G speeds and not technology. Makes sense to me. Are speeds there about the same on "3g+ "?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
momentarylapseofreason said:
And you folks are much more accurate in your description. Have to love marketing BS here in the States.
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Click to collapse
Lol yea.. I I just signed a contract with America's largest 4G network and constantly get 200–500kbs on speedtest.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Well when i had my Hero, Editing the build.prop line which said *something*gprs.class=10 to 12 i got 6-7mb download,which was enough to tether to my pc and HOST Modern warfare 2 with no problems

Wheres my 3g? 4G to 2G switching simultaneously

So i just purchased my Sensation 4G about two weeks ago.. I live in an area where 4g i guess is somewhat new (Rancho Cucamonga, CA).. Well i get 4g not very fast but i get it.. although it seems to switch to 4G to 2G a lot in an area where 4G is strong. I went back and got a new sim card and that seemed to help a bit but my question is... Why am i not getting 3G? 2G is old news... on the coverage map i dont even see any 2G... If im in an area where i dont get 4G why cant i get 3G?
+1
in Raleigh/Durham, NC
Because 4G is really only faster 3G.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
The sensation 4g doesn't show the difference between 4g and 3g. Even when you have 3g, it will always say 4g. I don't know why HTC did that, I would like to know when I'm not in a 4g area, but that's how they did it. When you drop down to edge, it will say 2g, but UTMS/HSPA and HSPA+ is shown as 4g.
T-Mobile's so called 4G is just 3.5G. Basically a better version of 3G but just set at a higher frequency meaning that you won't be likely to get "4G" if your in a very crowded area. I used to have 4G all the time with my MyTouch 4G but I guess it probably has something to do with the phone.
Thats really weird. I guess T-Mobile doesn't really have the greatest 4G now do they?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
HSPA+ is technically 4G, but there's no more 3g to fall back to.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
frostyroot said:
T-Mobile's so called 4G is just 3.5G. Basically a better version of 3G but just set at a higher frequency meaning that you won't be likely to get "4G" if your in a very crowded area. I used to have 4G all the time with my MyTouch 4G but I guess it probably has something to do with the phone.
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Click to collapse
So is every other carriers 4G. True 4G is faster than your local area networks are right now! So it's all a joke.
but HSPA+ can do 50Mbs and the Sensation can do 14Mbs according to T-Mobile.
LTE can do 50Mbs but in real world delivers about 12Mbs that I've tested. HSPA+ does about 5 to 6Mbps. So it's all a sham and depends on factors like tower saturation, proximity to the tower, etc. Really it's luck of the draw with HSPA+...
The difference is that LTE uses the 3g radio so LTE devices fall back to that and display 3g. With the Sensation it just knows it's running on HSPA/HSPA+ and throws it all in the 4g category. I wish they would come up with a way to detect regular HSPA/3g and display it, but they probably won't.
And since the 3G's radio is easier to get, real 4G LTE is way more common than HSPA+.

[Q] why does my t mobile sensations internet say wcdma

The top icon says "4g" yet in my internet settings it says wcdma not hspa or anything like that. Does this mean it isn't 4g??
I'm assuming you are looking under Mobile Network Setting > Network Mode. If that is in fact what your are referring to, then you have nothing to worry about. What you are seeing in the type of connection the phone is using to connect to the network. GSM is the network T-Mobile and AT&T uses (SIM card), and CDMA is what Verizon and Sprint uses (old technology). If you are getting the 4G icon on your status bar, then you are connected at 4G speeds.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G "Stock and Rooted" using XDA Premium App
Thank you, question tho i'm always either on 4g or edge, why? I love the 4g speeds but why no 3g? I never see the icon read 3g?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
same here always 4g or edge. No 3g
Sent from my TripNMiUI Pyramid using xda premium
From time to time you may see G (3G), or the slowest speed 2G (Edge), and this just means the signal is fluctuating from the available connection speeds in your area, this is normal. You will never just get 4G all the time, it will go in and out. Your phones are doing what they are supposed to do. And be aware some areas have no 4G at all.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
the reason why you are not seeing 3g is cause the 3g icon has been replaced by 4g. cause technically there is no 4g yet. its a marketing ploy to get more people to buy new phones. dont get me wrong cause its not really 3g you are connected to its more like 3.5g.
SoFaKiNgStOkeD said:
From time to time you may see G (3G), or the slowest speed 2G (Edge),
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Click to collapse
Have to correct you on this, G = GPRS, E = Edge (2G).
Divine flaw said:
the reason why you are not seeing 3g is cause the 3g icon has been replaced by 4g. cause technically there is no 4g yet. its a marketing ploy to get more people to buy new phones. dont get me wrong cause its not really 3g you are connected to its more like 3.5g.
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Click to collapse
this guy is correct. if you really want to know what connection you have you can swap out the icons for your data connectivity or install Elixir & look at what it says there. If you're connected to 3G it'll say UTMS & it'll say HSPA for 4G/HSPA
Divine flaw said:
the reason why you are not seeing 3g is cause the 3g icon has been replaced by 4g. cause technically there is no 4g yet. its a marketing ploy to get more people to buy new phones. dont get me wrong cause its not really 3g you are connected to its more like 3.5g.
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Click to collapse
Damn I knew some **** like this was up. any idea when real 4g will be out
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
nbochoa said:
Damn I knew some **** like this was up. any idea when real 4g will be out
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
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No one has finished deploying faux G networks and no real 4G phones are being sold. I imagine it will take 5-10 years for true 4G to be available in more than a few small markets. It just doesn't make financial sense for service providers to replace/upgrade equipment over and over again in a short timeframe.
So me having a sensation would mean what I have is the fastest I can get or would changing my ROM help me get the "42 mbps" t mobile claims to have.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
mike_ekim said:
No one has finished deploying faux G networks and no real 4G phones are being sold. I imagine it will take 5-10 years for true 4G to be available in more than a few small markets. It just doesn't make financial sense for service providers to replace/upgrade equipment over and over again in a short timeframe.
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I dunno, one could say LTE is 4G.
lianw said:
I dunno, one could say LTE is 4G.
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So the Verizon lte is faster than hspa+
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
nbochoa said:
So the Verizon lte is faster than hspa+
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
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Higher theoretical higher throughput performance. Real-world results are of course, different.
It all depends on the area (population density, etc) as well as the quality of the network infrastructure.
Here are some results:
http://www.phonearena.com/news/4G-s...e-holds-the-fort-in-smartphone-speeds_id17405
nbochoa said:
So me having a sensation would mean what I have is the fastest I can get or would changing my ROM help me get the "42 mbps" t mobile claims to have.
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Click to collapse
The Sensation is not capable of achieving that speed. It's a hardware limitation, not software.
It's quasi-impossible to obtain the full theoretical maximum speed a network provider advertises.
nbochoa said:
So me having a sensation would mean what I have is the fastest I can get or would changing my ROM help me get the "42 mbps" t mobile claims to have.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
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Max "theoretical" speed is 14.4mb. Speeds vary by location.
I can't get above 2 or 3, MAYBE 4 mbps on a good day, not sure why. I got 3 or 4mbps regularly on my old mytouch 3g slide using the HSPA network, I figured HSPA+ would be faster, not slower, but I have yet to pinpoint my problem. I was expecting a good 5-8 at least, but oh well.
As for Verizon's LTE, it's still not technically 4G. 4G is TECHNICALLY required to have a theoretical maximum output of 1 GBPS, of course, nothing would be able to achieve that initially, but that is the required theoretical maximum for 4G specifications. But there's nothing they can do about companies claiming 4G. Although what can they really do, they've already sucked the 3G term dry, and it's kind of a stupid marketing campaign to say 3.75G or HSPA+, it's easier for the vast majority of technologically incompetent Americans to understand if they just say 4G. But just wait for when the mass confusion ensues when real 4G does really get invented, then everyone's going to say "I thought that was 4G before! What's this 4G? We'll call it 5G!"
It'll be an endless cycle of marketing ploys.
Divine flaw said:
the reason why you are not seeing 3g is cause the 3g icon has been replaced by 4g. cause technically there is no 4g yet. its a marketing ploy to get more people to buy new phones. dont get me wrong cause its not really 3g you are connected to its more like 3.5g.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not entirely true, I do get a "G" symbol from time to time out her in San Diego when I am on the stock ROM, which "G" is 3G. There is a difference between the 3 bands, and 4G is much faster when you do get it.
SoFaKiNgStOkeD said:
Not entirely true, I do get a "G" symbol from time to time out her in San Diego when I am on the stock ROM, which "G" is 3G. There is a difference between the 3 bands, and 4G is much faster when you do get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh no, if you get just a G then you're on GPRS & that is slower than EDGE.
If you're on a stock Tmobile US ROM you will never see 3G since they disabled it from showing.
SoFaKiNgStOkeD said:
Not entirely true, I do get a "G" symbol from time to time out her in San Diego when I am on the stock ROM, which "G" is 3G. There is a difference between the 3 bands, and 4G is much faster when you do get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats funny..... g =gprs not 3g. think of it as 1g. and yes i do get a g signal every time i head down to the dungeon at work and i cant for the life of me connect to the internet. even on my old phone which was an hd2 i would get a g signal if im down in the dungeon. but guess what that phone had a 3g icon and when im not in the dungeon i was connected to a 3g network cause my phone had that icon. if you are telling me this g signal is 3g than im sorry your wrong.

4G questions - Bell vs T-Mo vs others

Hi,
I always have long and complicated questions to ask, so I usually don't get much help, probably cause I'm Canadian
I have Bell Sensation 4G. It operates on HSPA+ from what I understand. It's a "sort of" 4G.
Anyways, when I run ICS ARHD, I get H symbol. Yes, I've talked about this topic a lot, but in other aspects. Now I'm just curious about the other phones in US, and if I am actually connected to "4G" networks.
What I want to get to the bottom of is I see mentions a lot of the T-Mobile 4G sensation. Is this specifically because all other Sensations on other US carriers are not 4G capable? Or are every one of them exactly the same, and operate on the same network type (HSPA+)? Essentially making them all the exact same networks and speeds as my Bell unit?
The reason I ask is I'm pissing around with the H, H+, 4G, etc. png icon files in the "systemUI.apk". Just trying to learn what's going on behind the scenes.
I note in there that the files are named as such
"H" icons are named as files like "stat_sys_data_connected_h.png".
"H+" icons are named as files like "stat_sys_data_connected_hplus.png".
Being that on ARHD, "H+" is never used. I am now wondering if I am even connected to HSPA+. I mean, if US carriers other than TMO don't use HSPA+ then that would be reasonable that the standard US based ROM isn't setup to properly connect to the Canadian network? The icon files are there, but they are not being used, so is it because I am not on 4G, because other US phones dont get 4G? Flashing the TMO option gives me the same thing, so maybe because our networks are different?
I understand that there is a mod to switch the TMO version to "4G" icon. But is that simply switching the icon names? Yeah cool I can do that and give myself "H+" icons to make myself happy, but I'd really just like to know if I am even connected to the proper network speeds, and it all has something to do with the radio version and ROM. (afterall, I did fix my 350ms PING to Speedtest.net by flashing stock Bell RUU, so it further makes me think I am not on correct network speeds, rather than just an icon issue)
If you're asking if you're still getting 4g, yes you are.... That is if your phone is capable of 4g... I have tmo sensation 4g and have the H icon... The speed is the same.... No changes at all... I can flash the 4g icon but decided not to... H don't bother me at all since there are no changes in the speed... Sorry if I misunderstand your question in any way, it was just too long to read and I'm getting cross eyed
Some phones in the US don't have 4g capabilities... Usually the older once...
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4g with Beats Audio
I know it's too long to read but I don't know how else to explain it, and make it shorter. I just am wondering if T-Mobile 4G HSPA+ is exactly the same as Bell 4G HSPA+?
Put it this way...with ARHD 6.5.x ICS, am I getting the same 4G as I would be with the stock Bell Canada RUU? Everything seems centered around T-Mo 4G, nobody ever talks about Bell 4G!
In my opinion, it depends how strong hspa in your area... I don't think Rom or the phone matters, as long as it can accept hspa signals.... It might matter with the radio thoughh... Don't worry about the long explanation, it was just me thats the problem ...
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4g with Beats Audio
I have seen so many posts and threads here saying H icon is for 4g connection. I am from UK we don't have 4g yet its all 3g still my sensation shows me H icon. On my old Nokia n97 it was showing 3.5g ? It's really confusing.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium
The connection that we call 4g ( atleast with tmo) is actually 3.5g. I'm not sure with the LTE technology though....
There's three different 4g types, fastest is LTE then hspa and last WiMAX.... So when you see H its considered 4g as for hspa
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4g with Beats Audio
T-Mo doesn't even have much of any hspa+ in the first place... if you look in network settings on the phone, it almost always says hsdpa and never hspa+... along with hspa+ not even being close to 4G.
I came across this when trying to make sure I am doing it right. When installing ARHD it asks if I have a tmobile sensation 4g - I have an unlocked Bell/Virgin Mobile one and have been hitting yes. It seems to work okay, but should I be saying yes to that, or no, because it is a Bell/Virgin one with different bands? Is it just to get the graphical band display? Does it have any impact on performance or the radio?

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