I'm looking to buy one to use on T-Mobile prepaid network, since they seem to offer the most data (5gb for $30), which models would fully work on T-Mobile? I know at&t is lte, but T-Mobile is starting an lte thing, so that would be cool. Which can I get without unlocking, if any? And if I have to unlock, is that something I can do myself? I have a decent amount of experience rooting, but this is different. Thank you.
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
Bump
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deadlocked007 said:
Buy a nexus 4 and then you don't have to choose
Sent from my Evo 3D CDMA using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure a lot of people (including myself) would buy a Nexus 4 if the Play Store wasn't sold out all the time
@OP, I personally have never used LTE, but I can't imagine that it's significantly faster in real-world usage than HSPA+. IMO, you should go for an international SGS3 (assuming they work on T-MO US) and live without that ridiculous carrier branding you Americans are used to .
Nickdroid86 said:
I'm looking to buy one to use on T-Mobile prepaid network, since they seem to offer the most data (5gb for $30), which models would fully work on T-Mobile? I know at&t is lte, but T-Mobile is starting an lte thing, so that would be cool. Which can I get without unlocking, if any? And if I have to unlock, is that something I can do myself? I have a decent amount of experience rooting, but this is different. Thank you.
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would need one specifically for T-Mobile's LTE network. If you want to buy a T-Mobile LTE-capable phone NOW, you should get the Note 2, which has an LTE chip/antenna inside that is disabled for now. Just like 3G frequencies differ across carriers, so do LTE frequencies. No existing LTE devices on other carriers will work on T-Mobile's LTE. I believe they're looking to replace their 1700 MHz HSPA+ with LTE but I could be wrong.
Product F(RED) said:
I believe they're looking to replace their 1700 MHz HSPA+ with LTE but I could be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so. That's crazy.
The nexus 4, gs3 and gnote II on tmobile all have deactivated band 4 lte chips so when tmobile gets it those phones will have access to it. I suggest you get the tmobile gs3 because the s4 is faster than the exynos 4 and the extra gig of ram makes a difference.
sy224048 said:
The nexus 4, gs3 and gnote II on tmobile all have deactivated band 4 lte chips so when tmobile gets it those phones will have access to it. I suggest you get the tmobile gs3 because the s4 is faster than the exynos 4 and the extra gig of ram makes a difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're wrong on all accounts:
1. The Nexus 4 has slight LTE capabilities on one or two bands, which are used by AT&T, and they're weak because there's no power amp for the antenna. It happens to be left over from the Optimus G because they share the same motherboard, but it was cheaper to leave it on then to make a totally separate assembly line. There is no T-Mobile LTE compatibility in the Nexus 4.
2. The Galaxy S3 on T-Mobile doesn't have LTE. T-Mobile themselves said that they're releasing a new version of the Galaxy S3 with LTE for their network. The Note 2 HOWEVER, has been proven to have an LTE chip hidden inside.
3. The Snapdragon S4 is not faster than the Exynos 4. I have the i9300, I can tell you this from experience. You can also look up benchmarks online. The GPU in the Snapdragon S4 is junk for gaming, and the processor itself is not faster overall than the S4. It's not all about "Oh the Gigahertz are more on the S4." That's why so many people were disappointed the US version had an inferior processor. Also, the 2GB of RAM doesn't do anything for performance. It's just future-proofing.
Do your research.
Product F(RED) said:
3. The Snapdragon S4 is not faster than the Exynos 4. I have the i9300, I can tell you this from experience. You can also look up benchmarks online. The GPU in the Snapdragon S4 is junk for gaming, and the processor itself is not faster overall than the S4. It's not all about "Oh the Gigahertz are more on the S4." That's why so many people were disappointed the US version had an inferior processor. Also, the 2GB of RAM doesn't do anything for performance. It's just future-proofing.
Do your research.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because the s4 is slower on games ( benchmarks are pointless) doesn't mean its worse. Some will not use the exyons at all anymore so there are benifits to using the snapdragon like more developer support
Batcom2
zelendel said:
Just because the s4 is slower on games ( benchmarks are pointless) doesn't mean its worse. Some will not use the exyons at all anymore so there are benifits to using the snapdragon like more developer support
Batcom2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, I stick away from exynos (and tegra) because of the lack of developer cooperation from them.
And even though the T-Mobile s3 has an inferior processor on paper, (2 vs 4 cores) remember that it is based loosely on the A15 architecture, which is claimed by ARM to be double the performance of the A9 architecture which is in the exynos 4.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
zelendel said:
Just because the s4 is slower on games ( benchmarks are pointless) doesn't mean its worse. Some will not use the exyons at all anymore so there are benifits to using the snapdragon like more developer support
Batcom2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
klin1344 said:
Indeed, I stick away from exynos (and tegra) because of the lack of developer cooperation from them.
And even though the T-Mobile s3 has an inferior processor on paper, (2 vs 4 cores) remember that it is based loosely on the A15 architecture, which is claimed by ARM to be double the performance of the A9 architecture which is in the exynos 4.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never said it was worse. I just said it's not faster. Also to add on yo what you said, the S4 has better battery efficiency. It really depends on what you're looking for.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks for the info guys. So....my question. Will all of the s3's work on T-Mobile hspa+ without being unlocked or?
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
P.s. I find a nexus 4 8gb, brand new on Craigslist, but I have to pay $49 to sign on to solavei wireless (uses T-Mobile) should I just get that, pay the month they make me pay up front, then just switch in a T-Mobile card? Solavei is prepaid, so I'm not worried about black listing.
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Nickdroid86 said:
Thanks for the info guys. So....my question. Will all of the s3's work on T-Mobile hspa+ without being unlocked or?
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like said MOST OF THEM WILL NOT. Google first, ask later. The s3's from other networks will not work with the 4g/hspa network because they do not have the antenna for the aws spectrum we use.
Sent from my Galaxy S III
Nickdroid86 said:
Thanks for the info guys. So....my question. Will all of the s3's work on T-Mobile hspa+ without being unlocked or?
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Only the T-Mobile one will work because it's the only one that supports 1700 MHz (AWS). Most international phones don't support 1700 MHz (T-Mobile is 1700 MHz/2100 MHz), but will work on AT&T's bands (850/1900 MHz). However T-Mobile has been very slowly moving over to the same bands as AT&T, so soon you'll be able to use any AT&T compatible phone on T-Mobile.
I'm probably best off buying the nexus 4
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
I would go with a samsung processor because games are not the only thing people do on the phone. Soon emulators for various desktop OS will be available on the phone and their will be a phone OS race. So because masses have exynos. Devs will be forced to work things on exynos and plus exynos is good in data rendering and executing. Plus encrypting your work is really fast on exynos even better than intel processors.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
qazibasit said:
I would go with a samsung processor because games are not the only thing people do on the phone. Soon emulators for various desktop OS will be available on the phone and their will be a phone OS race. So because masses have exynos. Devs will be forced to work things on exynos
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this is where the problem lies. Devs cant work on something without the proper documentation (Which Samsung refuses to release, even after they stated they would.) This is why alot of the CM team has already stated they will not get another samsung device or any device that has this chip in it.
zelendel said:
See this is where the problem lies. Devs cant work on something without the proper documentation (Which Samsung refuses to release, even after they stated they would.) This is why alot of the CM team has already stated they will not get another samsung device or any device that has this chip in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I have the i9300 and that's the only thing that erks me. We have the more powerful phone, we can modify Samsung ROMs, but we pretty much have (actually stable) nightlies for AOSP/AOKP based ROMs. I would have gone with a US carrier S3 if it wasn't for the S4 Dual. I game heavily (GTA 3/VC, Dead Trigger, NFS:MW, MC4, etc), so I rely on the fastest processor out there. The S4 Dual is capable as a CPU, but the Adreno GPU that comes with it is meh. The 2GB of RAM is just futureproofing and doesn't affect performance. If the US S3's had the S4 Pro (Quad), I'd have bought one. The Note 2 seems enticing but I think it's too big for me.
Related
Ok, I was watching tv and a commercial came up for the Galaxy SGS II and it showed it was available for at&t among other carriers. Is this true?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897
Its available on all 4 major carriers.. AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. The sprint one is the epic touch and has a bigger screen amongst other things, and the T-Mobile one has a slightly less strong CPU as the others.
Correct me if I'm wrong guys
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using xda premium
In the US right?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897
Yes.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using xda premium
I went on a at&t website and I can't find it for purchase.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897
It's releasing on October 2nd
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Oh snap.... thanks!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897
Not Verizon - Verizon is getting the nexus prime, I believe, but not a straight up galaxy s2 model.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
^ you're right, all the Major US carrier is getting it except Verizon.
CoNsPiRiSiZe said:
Its available on all 4 major carriers.. AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. The sprint one is the epic touch and has a bigger screen amongst other things, and the T-Mobile one has a slightly less strong CPU as the others.
Correct me if I'm wrong guys
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile and sprint have boosted CPUs to 1.5 ghz. And 4.5 inch screen. At&ts version is identical to original sgs2 other than the home button
Official release date is October 2nd on AT&T
And apparently Verizon is holding out for the new nexus device with ICS. And won't feature the sgsII
Captivate 2.3.4
Thegodfather156 said:
T-Mobile and sprint have boosted CPUs to 1.5 ghz. And 4.5 inch screen. At&ts version is identical to original sgs2 other than the home button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Sprint Epic 4G Touch has the same processor as the AT&T version, 1.2 GHz Exynos. T-Mo version has 1.5 GHz Snapdragon processor. Exynos is touted to be a much better processor, so the difference between the two may not be much. We'll need to see benchmarks first.
Thegodfather156 said:
T-Mobile and sprint have boosted CPUs to 1.5 ghz. And 4.5 inch screen. At&ts version is identical to original sgs2 other than the home button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea sprint model has the same processor as att.
And tmoble model is getting snapdragon because Samsung does not have the capacity to produce enough exynos processors for all the phones they plan to ship this year, so they contracted Qualcomm to produce the chips for the rest of the phones.
So its not a matter of boosting the chips so much, but what is available for which customer. And Samsung believes their exynos 1.2 to actually be better than the snapdragon 1.5. But we will have to wait and see.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I read that the change in processor actually has to do with compatibility with the t mobiles upgraded hspa+ network.
dayv said:
Yea sprint model has the same processor as att.
And tmoble model is getting snapdragon because Samsung does not have the capacity to produce enough exynos processors for all the phones they plan to ship this year, so they contracted Qualcomm to produce the chips for the rest of the phones.
So its not a matter of boosting the chips so much, but what is available for which customer. And Samsung believes their exynos 1.2 to actually be better than the snapdragon 1.5. But we will have to wait and see.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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Nerz said:
I read that the change in processor actually has to do with compatibility with the t mobiles upgraded hspa+ network.
Sent from my I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't make sense to me. Its like saying you need a engine in your car just to ride on the carpool lane. Out of curiosity, which processor is cheaper to produce?
My local BB started taking pre-orders for the ATT SGS II on 9/22. I went by the store today and they don't have one single preorder. I'm just gonna call Friday and Saturday and see if they have it
Kinda interesting I thought this phone had some buzz, maybe just here on XDA, but oh well. Maybe it'll just make it easier to get one
creepyncrawly said:
No. Sprint Epic 4G Touch has the same processor as the AT&T version, 1.2 GHz Exynos. T-Mo version has 1.5 GHz Snapdragon processor. Exynos is touted to be a much better processor, so the difference between the two may not be much. We'll need to see benchmarks first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i stand corrected. i am also to see the performance of the exynos
mrhaley30705 said:
That doesn't make sense to me. Its like saying you need a engine in your car just to ride on the carpool lane. Out of curiosity, which processor is cheaper to produce?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.extremetech.com/mobile/96267-how-samsungs-chip-change-up-affects-the-t-mobile-galaxy-s2
"By dropping Exynos in favor of Qualcomm, T-Mobile is getting a version of the Galaxy S2 with a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon application processor, and probably a separate 42Mbps MDM8220 modem. Qualcomm usually integrates cellular connectivity as part of the SoC (these are the QSD series chips), so this is a special case in order to reach those higher theoretical speeds."
tysj said:
http://www.extremetech.com/mobile/96267-how-samsungs-chip-change-up-affects-the-t-mobile-galaxy-s2
"By dropping Exynos in favor of Qualcomm, T-Mobile is getting a version of the Galaxy S2 with a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon application processor, and probably a separate 42Mbps MDM8220 modem. Qualcomm usually integrates cellular connectivity as part of the SoC (these are the QSD series chips), so this is a special case in order to reach those higher theoretical speeds."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok. i learned something today. I appreciate the lesson.
^ Me too.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
+1!!
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium
http://www.talkandroid.com/65267-fu...xy-nexus-revealed-verizon-exclusive-and-more/
Huge screen. Small battery capacity. I'm sure it feels good in hand.
Edit: please delete if already posted.
Sent from my Google Nexus S 4G via XDA Premium
Battery life is probably gonna suck. But what's up with it being a Verizon exclusive? If that's true, that's terrible. It should be unlocked for GSM like the other two nexus phones. Disappointing
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
I just don't get the data caps. Seems to me, and I'm no genius, if carriers increase capacity, they could charge for unlimited data. A friend with an iPhone(att) is asking me about Sprint and is this || close to switching to the Nexus S 4G. He told me that he doesnt like that he cant use his device the way its meant to be used because of the 2GB cap. Caps just seem so...2005.
But I digress, I'm anxious to see real world performance on this thing.
malikadnanm said:
Battery life is probably gonna suck. But what's up with it being a Verizon exclusive? If that's true, that's terrible. It should be unlocked for GSM like the other two nexus phones. Disappointing
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There almost undoubtedly will be a GSM version. Do you really think Samsung is going to make a device like this and exclude the rest of the world - when both previous Nexus devices shipped as world phones?
Toss in the "confirmed" specs listing LTE/HSPA depending on carrier and you have your confirmation a GSM version will be produced. How or when it's sold within the US is another question. Verizon may have a launch exclusive, but you will see a GSM version. It's possible it may not be carrier subsidized in the US (I doubt that) or that it may merely be delayed to a later release date.
sprint also seems to be the new tmobile, adopting everything google. i cant imagine the prime not coming to sprint. i may pick up a epic touch to hold me off for a while. that is unless we get a leak of ics. that will hold me off till the prime.
krohnjw said:
There almost undoubtedly will be a GSM version. Do you really think Samsung is going to make a device like this and exclude the rest of the world - when both previous Nexus devices shipped as world phones?
Toss in the "confirmed" specs listing LTE/HSPA depending on carrier and you have your confirmation a GSM version will be produced. How or when it's sold within the US is another question. Verizon may have a launch exclusive, but you will see a GSM version. It's possible it may not be carrier subsidized in the US (I doubt that) or that it may merely be delayed to a later release date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And its rocking the PowerVR SGX540. Frankly, I wanted the OMAP4470 for the SGX544 and the Dual-channel LPDDR2 memory.
I'm going to be disappointed if the phone is that big.... or maybe its a 4 inch phone like the Nexus S but with a bigger screen to accommodate for having no touch sensitive keys..... I hope that's the case... I don't want a tablet, I want a smartphone.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
Actually, there's also another rumour for the specs of this phone
- dual-core 1.5GHz Exynos
- dual-core PowerVR SGX543MP2
- 8 megapixels camera
- 2,050mAh battery
http://www.gsmarena.com/source_close_to_google_reveals_real_nexus_prime_specs-news-3239.php
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/samsung-galaxy-nexus-specs-leak-headed-to-verizon-as-an-exclusi/
I'm considering buying this phone outright to replace my vibrant and was wondering wich one I should get...pros/cons.
Never tried the international vers with the exynos processor but the tmobile version is definitely a beast and the data speeds are ridiculous. I would suggest getting the tmo version. Also you would probably be able to get the tmo version cheaper.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Shortbus-Driver said:
I'm considering buying this phone outright to replace my vibrant and was wondering wich one I should get...pros/cons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are going to use it in Tmobile, you will need the Hercules version
the international version will not get you 3G in Tmo
AllGamer said:
the international version will not get you 3G in Tmo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was a little confused about that, are there not any international carriers that use tmobile bands?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
T-Mobile told me that the 3-4g data was compatible and that everything would work fine so long as it is unlocked.
dnguyen1988 said:
I was a little confused about that, are there not any international carriers that use tmobile bands?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, T-Mobile and the Telus version are the only ones that support T-Mobile's 42mbps. The only good I have heard about the International version is that it has a better processor than ours and that the software is free of lag. Our phone has a slight lag, but nothing major. Its hard to explain because our phone feels so fast, but every once in a while you'll get an occasional stutter. That minor issue seems like its just software based so it should be/can be fixed.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
What about our 3g bands?
The exynos processor is a beast. My lady has the att gs2 and its pretty snappy but there's not much noticeable difference. I'm super happy with my gs2 and the snapdragon s3 is no slouch.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
3G and 4G will not work. I just sold my white i9100 because I use T-Mobile. If you've never had the i9100 you'll be fine but if you ever hold them side by side, you'll be sorry you did. The exynos runs circles around ours in real world use. But really, if you're T-Mobile and have never had the i9100 you'll love it.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Shortbus-Driver said:
T-Mobile told me that the 3-4g data was compatible and that everything would work fine so long as it is unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont believe them i did some researched and it,s not compatible i love the look of the international and the exnos processor but with no 3G/4G coverage there is no point of getting it
Lt.Tealc said:
Dont believe them i did some researched and it,s not compatible i love the look of the international and the exnos processor but with no 3G/4G coverage there is no point of getting it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I kinda figured that,and is one of the reasons I made this post.....I am curious as to how many different customer service agents I could ask that, and how many different answers I'd get
I strongly suggest the international version. Sure the T-Mo version has a bigger screen and higher data speeds, but the screen also has a lot of issues (manufacturer's fault, there are dark blobs and lines all over the place in gray and black areas), and the data speeds are not going to make much of a difference, trust me, especially if you're in an area with really good service. Plus the Exynos blows Snapdragon out of the water with overall performance, as well as benchmark scores. Plus if anything, it will be much easier to sell.
OuncE718 said:
Nope, T-Mobile and the Telus version are the only ones that support T-Mobile's 42mbps. The only good I have heard about the International version is that it has a better processor than ours and that the software is free of lag. Our phone has a slight lag, but nothing major. Its hard to explain because our phone feels so fast, but every once in a while you'll get an occasional stutter. That minor issue seems like its just software based so it should be/can be fixed.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only touchwiz rom is free of lag since its hardware acceleration gingerbread roms are not hardware accelerated. It's hard to make a single core lag with a proper kernel and software enhancements on gingerbread. Once we get ics it lag will be virtually invisible on all devices.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Shortbus-Driver said:
T-Mobile told me that the 3-4g data was compatible and that everything would work fine so long as it is unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read this:
http://www.tmonews.com/2011/12/unlo...ing-on-t-mobiles-3g-network-its-true-sort-of/
It looks like T-Mobile are adding support for more frequencies. Does this mean we can maybe use the international model to pick up 3G now?
seanyuan62 said:
Read this:
http://www.tmonews.com/2011/12/unlo...ing-on-t-mobiles-3g-network-its-true-sort-of/
It looks like T-Mobile are adding support for more frequencies. Does this mean we can maybe use the international model to pick up 3G now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its available in very few areas
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
It comes down to hardware , the Exynos cannot get TMO 4g speeds it is not capable, but it is a "faster" CPU, so if you want 4g speeds now or in the future the Exynos in the international is not going to work regardless of the frequency.
This is the reason that the TMO version has the Snapdragon.
Get Galaxy Nexus from Verizon instead. I love my TMO SG2 but ICS is so siccckkk on the Nexus and Verizon LTE is no slouch.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
quest4fire said:
Get Galaxy Nexus from Verizon instead. I love my TMO SG2 but ICS is so siccckkk on the Nexus and Verizon LTE is no slouch.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would (very heavily) lean towards getting the Pentaband GSM version Galaxy Nexus. It's a world phone AND it can be used on T-Mo's network. Why limit yourself to Verizon??
seanyuan62 said:
Read this:
http://www.tmonews.com/2011/12/unlo...ing-on-t-mobiles-3g-network-its-true-sort-of/
It looks like T-Mobile are adding support for more frequencies. Does this mean we can maybe use the international model to pick up 3G now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean I can finely pick up my Galaxy Note! YEAH!!
I can leave all you SMALL SCREEN wimps in-da-dust!
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
scribbles92 said:
I would (very heavily) lean towards getting the Pentaband GSM version Galaxy Nexus. It's a world phone AND it can be used on T-Mo's network. Why limit yourself to Verizon??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point but you can get the GN on contract with Verizon for $299 but you cant with TMO or AT&T right now. You have to pay full price.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
The T-Mobile GSII if you'll be using T-Mobile. I like the shape of the I9100, too, but no 3G/"4G" is the ultimate dealbreaker especially on a $600+ phone. There is also the GSM Galaxy Nexus which has T-Mobile 3G AND the slightly higher resale value. I wish more OEMs would build phones supporting AWS bands. HTC does this with most of their newer phones. Samsung does so but only at the behest of Google, it seems. Motorola and Sony-Ericsson should follow suit. Didn't mean to go off topic but that's just my $.02...
The legendary Exynos (formerly Orion) we all read so much about a year and a half ago has been on store shelves for quite some time now. While SAMSUNG continues to develop the Exynos architecture - I don't see it catching on to other phones.
Plenty of phones sold by SAMSUNG don't even use the Exynos. It was even stripped from the T-Mobile version of the GS2...
So, is it a complete failure? Should we expect SAMSUNG to just stop development after the GS3 is released worldwide?
whitecrane said:
The legendary Exynos (formerly Orion) we all read so much about a year and a half ago has been on store shelves for quite some time now. While SAMSUNG continues to develop the Exynos architecture - I don't see it catching on to other phones.
Plenty of phones sold by SAMSUNG don't even use the Exynos. It was even stripped from the T-Mobile version of the GS2...
So, is it a complete failure? Should we expect SAMSUNG to just stop development after the GS3 is released worldwide?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm, how about no?
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
I hope Samsung will continue to develop their architecture because from what I have seen, it is quite powerful. So do I think it was a complete failure? No.
The thing these days is that it is probably easier and cheaper for companies to just use each other's technology, like the Tegra or TI series, than invest in their own R&D. The majority of phone users are not power users and do not care about specs. If it works well then that is good enough. It is not about pushing boundaries for some.
Exynos is actually one of the best SoC's a phone can have (subject to debate). Samsung doesn't put Exynos in every phone because it's a high-end SoC, so they use it in high-end devices such as the Galaxy S line and the Galaxy Note. Apple's Ax processors are even based on Exynos.
The T-Mobile Galaxy S II, as well as all US Galaxy S III's, have Snapdragons because Exynos does not support LTE nor T-Mobile's HSPA+ 42 and 84 Mbps technology, which US carriers strive to make available to customers. Samsung is working on supporting LTE in future Exynos chips though!
As for other manufacturers not implementing Exynos, I'm just going to make an assumption that Samsung's competitors (Motorola, HTC, etc.) would rather use Nvidia, TI, or Qualcomm's chips instead since they don't sell phones.
So no, Exynos isn't a complete failure at all if you ask me!
But didn't anyone else think that they would be more common by now?
What does the wireless band have to do with SOC? Can't this SOC run any algorithms we want it to?
To me, that's like telling someone they need an AMD CPU to use DSL, and an Intel CPU if they want FiOS. Isn't it just a matter of writing a program to do something?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
whitecrane said:
But didn't anyone else think that they would be more common by now?
What does the wireless band have to do with SOC? Can't this SOC run any algorithms we want it to?
To me, that's like telling someone they need an AMD CPU to use DSL, and an Intel CPU if they want FiOS. Isn't it just a matter of writing a program to do something?
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Radio hardware consists of physical transistors. We're not quite at software-defined radio yet.
You DO need different hardware to run DSL vs fios. If Intel built DSL hardware onto its CPU, then you're starting to understand what a SoC is.
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ferrocene said:
Radio hardware consists of physical transistors. We're not quite at software-defined radio yet.
You DO need different hardware to run DSL vs fios. If Intel built DSL hardware onto its CPU, then you're starting to understand what a SoC is.
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Right. Computers aren't built with DSL/FIOS/VDSL/etc. modems in them. That's why we use a DSL modem box and connect to it via ethernet. However, the Exynos SoC has a modem integrated on to it that supports certain bands and technologies. The Snapdragon SoC found in the GS2 and US GS3s does not contain an integrated modem, so there is a modem chip separate on the motherboard that supports the carrier's bands and technologies.
There's a bit of a gray area with this though. Sprint's GS2 has a WiMax modem built onto it even though it still has an Exynos chip. Why we don't do that for LTE and T-Mobile's HSPA+ 42/84 is something I'd like to know lol.
whitecrane said:
The legendary Exynos (formerly Orion) we all read so much about a year and a half ago has been on store shelves for quite some time now. While SAMSUNG continues to develop the Exynos architecture - I don't see it catching on to other phones.
Plenty of phones sold by SAMSUNG don't even use the Exynos. It was even stripped from the T-Mobile version of the GS2...
So, is it a complete failure? Should we expect SAMSUNG to just stop development after the GS3 is released worldwide?
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Wow. Short-sighted/simple-minded enough? :silly:
1) Exynos is not a failure. It's been shipped in literally millions of phones. In-house consumption alone probably makes it one of the most popular SoC's on the market right now.
2) Samsung is the world's largest manufacturer of phones. I doubt they even have the fabrication facilities to make enough Exynos chips to put in all the phones they make. Also remember that although Samsung Semiconductor and Samsung Mobile are both owned by Samsung Electronics, they don't always have completely overlapping goals or business interests. And Samsung Semiconductor is also busy making many other things... like the SoC for the iPhone 3G/3GS/4/4S. Or say the vast share of the world's NAND chips.
3) Samsung has a vested stake in not relying totally on another SoC manufacturer for all their phones. It allows them better leverage with other SoC companies, and prevents them from being "blackmailed" by any one company as a source of mobile CPUs. Even if they only shipped the Exynos in 5% of their devices, it would be enough to help leverage Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, etc.
4) While many of the U.S. variants of Samsung phones don't have the Exynos chip, that's mostly for technical reasons (lack of LTE support in the currently released chips), and probably also partially to increase total yield of produced phones. That's just the U.S. market. There is in fact a world outside the United States, with people, and people who buy phones.
So... long story short: The Exynos is not a failure. And I very much doubt Samsung will be dropping development anytime soon.
Moving this to a correct board (nothing to do with the AT&T SII)...
marcocore said:
Sprint's GS2 has a WiMax modem built onto it even though it still has an Exynos chip. Why we don't do that for LTE and T-Mobile's HSPA+ 42/84 is something I'd like to know lol.
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This is exactly what I was talking about. When something is missing you simply add it on, as with anything else in computing. I just hope this doesn't go the way of Glide from 3dfx.
Anyway, I'm more "put at ease" with the responses here. Thanks xda.
whitecrane said:
But didn't anyone else think that they would be more common by now?
What does the wireless band have to do with SOC? Can't this SOC run any algorithms we want it to?
To me, that's like telling someone they need an AMD CPU to use DSL, and an Intel CPU if they want FiOS. Isn't it just a matter of writing a program to do something?
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OK here's my understanding. First all quad core processors are having issues with lte. Second SoC stands for system on a chip. Its how cell phones are so small and thin. But for some reason they are not playing nice to gether. Now Samsung was able to release a variant of sgsiii with its quad core and lte in korea because they kept them separate. But because of this the phone is a little bit thicker then usual.
So they did treat it like a PC and added it like a pci card for desktops. If that helps you understand.
The overall goal is to get it all on one chip. That way it eats up less power and slims down your phone but it is not yet possible. It is being looked into.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA
marcocore said:
Exynos is actually one of the best SoC's a phone can have (subject to debate). Samsung doesn't put Exynos in every phone because it's a high-end SoC, so they use it in high-end devices such as the Galaxy S line and the Galaxy Note. Apple's Ax processors are even based on Exynos.
The T-Mobile Galaxy S II, as well as all US Galaxy S III's, have Snapdragons because Exynos does not support LTE nor T-Mobile's HSPA+ 42 and 84 Mbps technology, which US carriers strive to make available to customers. Samsung is working on supporting LTE in future Exynos chips though!
As for other manufacturers not implementing Exynos, I'm just going to make an assumption that Samsung's competitors (Motorola, HTC, etc.) would rather use Nvidia, TI, or Qualcomm's chips instead since they don't sell phones.
So no, Exynos isn't a complete failure at all if you ask me!
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That's not true any more seeing as the Korean GSIII will have a quad core Exynos and LTE.
tbaker077 said:
That's not true any more seeing as the Korean GSIII will have a quad core Exynos and LTE.
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It was true until Samsung produced their new chip within the past month. A quad core exynos with LTE capabilities.
So, his statement as to why t-mobile didn't use the exynos in the GSII and GSIII is 100% correct.
As I understand more, I have more concerns. Let me just say, I know what a SOC is. I'm not that much of a newbie.
I must wonder why the Exynos couldn't handle the T-Mobile HSPA+ network... It's just not that special. It's just 3G on steroids, and from what I see in the real world benchmarks, it is only a hair faster than AT&T's inferior on paper HSPA+ network. I realize it is a technical limitation (by design?), but wonder why SAMSUNG wasn't able (willing?) to design the Exynos SOC to accept it without a magic modem.
I also wonder how serious SAMSUNG is about Exynos if they're ignoring T-Mobile (shipping their flagship phone with an inferior SOC), and completley ignoring LTE up to only recently in one device that will only sell in one market. If SAMSUNG is serious about Exynos, I would think they woulod at least make it available in every market, accepting every type of radio. Traditional 3G, Wimax (we still have a huge Wimax network in the states that isn't going anywhere soon), LTE, and HSPA+. Does any other SOC standard have radio limitations?
I do not expect SAMSUNG to bundle a seperate modem outside the SOC in every market. In fact, I would think they would only do that in Korea and Japan, where they will likely sell more Exynos devices.
I have one more huge concern then. The GS2 i777 was phased out of most AT&T stores (corporate and otherwise) within 2 months of its release in favor of the GS2 "Skyrocket" with its far inferior SOC. Didn't that thing ship with a SOC based on the Cortex A8? Not even an A9?
It almost seems like my carrier did not want me to have a Galaxy S2 (with an Exynos, anyway). I bought mine on clearance at Best Buy... for $50. Within a month of its release, best buy was selling it for just $50 with a contract renewal - down from $200 just a month sooner? I think they wanted to get ride of the GS2 asap so they could order more Skyrockets.
I just don't think companies are taking Exynos seriously in the USA. Ignoring T-Mobile, ignoring Verizon. The only thing they have done right?? Sprint. Adding the Wimax modem without adding bulk to the phone was a brilliant move. That's how they're gonna sell this thing.
whitecrane said:
I have one more huge concern then. The GS2 i777 was phased out of most AT&T stores (corporate and otherwise) within 2 months of its release in favor of the GS2 "Skyrocket" with its far inferior SOC. Didn't that thing ship with a SOC based on the Cortex A8? Not even an A9?
It almost seems like my carrier did not want me to have a Galaxy S2. I bought mine on clearance at Best Buy... for $50. Within a month of its release, best buy was selling it for just $50 with a contract renewal - down from $200 just a month sooner? I think they wanted to get ride of the GS2 asap so they could order more Skyrockets.
I just don't think companies are taking Exynos seriously in the USA. I'm just glad I own one.
Does anyone know if OMAP's are cheaper to produce? It seems to me that there are far more OMAP devices than anything else out there.
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When it comes to the carrier they don't care about the hardware, because 99% of the consumers have no clue what exynos, snapdragon or tegra mean. What the normal consumer can comprehend is "Hey, this skyrocket has faster internet". So, LTE has become the selling factor.
lowandbehold said:
When it comes to the carrier they don't care about the hardware, because 99% of the consumers have no clue what exynos, snapdragon or tegra mean. What the normal consumer can comprehend is "Hey, this skyrocket has faster internet". So, LTE has become the selling factor.
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Fair enough, I agree with you. But why clearance the GS2? My market has no LTE, and probably won't for years to come.
My post above this has been edited quite a bit... in case you want to give it a second read... it's entirely related to the subject matter here.
whitecrane said:
Fair enough, I agree with you. But why clearance the GS2? My market has no LTE, and probably won't for years to come.
My post above this has been edited quite a bit... in case you want to give it a second read... it's entirely related to the subject matter here.
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Yup, but the previous generation exynos processors were not compatible with the AWS frequencies which T-mobile uses. That is why there has never been a T-mobile phone with an exynos. The Skyrocket and the T-mobile GS2 were in production at the same time, so it just seemed right to make 2 of the same exact phone (radios can be flashed on both to work on either network) to save money. Then, AT&T (through the eyes of the average consumer) had a GSII that gets slow internet, and a GSII that gets fast internet. They had to phase one out...it just happened to be the I777. It really makes sense from a business stand point, considering chips are so good these days that one can hardly tell a difference between a snapdragon or an exynos, or even quad core from dual core.
I bought an htc one a while ago and it was great for a while until I got fed up with htcs boot loader/s-off crap and now I'm thinking I'm gonna buy a Note 3. My only question is, should I get the Qualcomm or exnyos version? Is the octa-core better or is it just a gimmick?
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Also, I'm in the US but want an unlocked version, does this effect what I should get?
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Qualcomm everytime just look at the developement pace on each forum
spitfire2425 said:
I bought an htc one a while ago and it was great for a while until I got fed up with htcs boot loader/s-off crap and now I'm thinking I'm gonna buy a Note 3. My only question is, should I get the Qualcomm or exnyos version? Is the octa-core better or is it just a gimmick?
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Pretty much the same as me (cept I'm in the UK) - The Qualcomm version is LTE capable, where as the exy version is only 3G. - Depending if you buy outright or with carrier will determine which you get I guess? - If you are on a 4G plan then obviously you need the 4G model (Qualcomm)
For US get the N900T version which is the T-Mobile variant. If you use AT&T just get it unlocked. It has full bands support for AT&T and T-Mo. You can flash N9005-based ROMs to remove carrier bloat (which is why mine shows as N9005). It has a fully unlocked bootloader just like the international versions as well. If you get the N9005 it is missing LTE and if you get N900A (AT&T variant) it has a locked bootloader. All of these variants are S800 based.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app
Depends what you prefer - benchmarks or real world use.
The octa core S3 is pretty much the top phone on the market for most benchmarks, it is unstoppable.
In real life use, the S800 version is faster, snappier, has NO lag whatsoever, runs all games smoothly, even the top of the range ones, plus has 4k video and 4G LTE.
There is no real reason not to go for S800 when you have the choice.
The N9005 is IMHO a good choice (or any bootloader-unlocked version available in US, as some people already pointed out).
Two other things:
- vast majority (actually all that I know so far) of N9005 carrier-unlocked versions still have a "region-lock" - meaning that there are some restrictions on the SIMs that you can use
- there is also a "knox flag" which tells Samsung that the phone was "software tampered" and apparently that can void your warranty.
You should read more about the above points in the rest of the posts in this Note 3 forum.
Qualcomm ....
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Always Remain Loyal to the Snapdragon.
Well, I'm not a fan boy of Qualcomm but there's no reason to go for exnyos
The situation is simple, for a little bit extra $, you get 4G compatibility as well as working flawlessly on existing 3G / 2G. Whereas exnyos you are limited to 3G / 2G. The processing power is marginally better AND it can do 4k video.
Both versions are snappy enough, i doubt you will find any differences in performance in real life use. I personally own an Octa version which I am happy with "much more than the s4 variant" but if you are located in the US S800 version will suit you better because of the higher data speed. Whereby, in less than one year time they will be both outdated :silly: