Can it be done? If so, how?
Here is the various information I have to far. The Verizon galaxy s3 uses both CDMA and GSM.
My father has a Verizon Iphone 5 he unlocked and put on straight talk.The iphone 5 uses both CDMA and GSM and is 4G just like my S3. Theoretically it should work the same, right? WRONG. I have yet to be able to find a site or program that can unlock my i535. Even if I could get it to unlock, would I need to also flash the cdma portion over to straight talk?
I borrowed the SIM card from a friends T-mobile S3 and without doing ANYTHING to my phone I was able to make calls and send texts with her SIM card in my phone,no data though.
The i535 has a "global mode" which essentially allows me to switch between the classic Verizon LTE-CDMA mode and a GSM mode for use outside of the U.S. Is that only good for making calls? do I even need to unlock my phone in order to use straight talk on my handset?
I have searched a ton of Forums and must be blind, because I cannot find a single how-to video or good explanation on how this is done. I HAVE found, however that there are a lot of people out there who are just like me who are trying to find out, and they get dead threads, mis-information and vague "It may work..." Any help or information that ANYONE can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Yeah I don't see it as a priority item for any dev to create something so a great phone with the best network coverage would half work on straight talk. Straight talk has android phones appropriate for their network I would suggest selling your verizon phone and buying the straight talk phone.
Sent from my GT-P5113 using xda premium
what about flashing an AT&T rom?
bbqsfire said:
Yeah I don't see it as a priority item for any dev to create something so a great phone with the best network coverage would half work on straight talk. Straight talk has android phones appropriate for their network I would suggest selling your verizon phone and buying the straight talk phone.
Sent from my GT-P5113 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the hardware the same between the Verizon and the at&t s3? Can I flash the at&t rom to my Verizon s3? Will it brick the phone for good or can I flash it back?
Straight Talk runs the Galaxy S3 on Sprint network rather than Verizon. Your best luck would be trading the Verizon S3 for a Sprint S3 and going from there... or even trading the Verizon S3 for an actual Straight Talk S3. I'm pretty sure the LTE is a different frequency that you won't be able to get working right. I know there is a way to get a Verizon S3 on AT&T and T-Mobile with edge data... but not Sprint.
Long story short, I don't think it will be able to work unless you get either a Straight Talk or Sprint S3.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Straight talk is at&t, and t-mobile. Not Sprint
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tylerlawhon said:
Straight talk is at&t, and t-mobile. Not Sprint
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I originally thought that but read somewhere that the Straight Talk S3 is run on Sprint. Strange.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Boost is on Sprint iirc
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Related
So net10 has unlimited everything for $50 with CDMA devices on their new BYOD program- http://www.net10byop.com/ PagePlus and VZWPP both claim LTE devices don't work but it's merely that they require flashing. I assume it's the same for net10. Has anyone tried this?
untruestory said:
So net10 has unlimited everything for $50 with CDMA devices on their new BYOD program- http://www.net10byop.com/ PagePlus and VZWPP both claim LTE devices don't work but it's merely that they require flashing. I assume it's the same for net10. Has anyone tried this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive been wondering dame thing. I want to get my niece a phone that use this but no LTE has stopped me
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
kenbrownstone said:
Ive been wondering dame thing. I want to get my niece a phone that use this but no LTE has stopped me
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
LTE is really overkill on a phone IMO when 3g allows streaming video and there's free WiFi on every corner. Unless you're tethering who cares. I just want 3g.
If it can be done on other mvnos im sure it can be done.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
i would like more info on this as well. thisi is what i heard
my friend got a call from net10 dealer. saying that net10 wants us to flash phones to net10 now. I know net10, tracfone,st ect our owned by the same person even page plus now!! page plus dealer portal will probably disappear soon or later.
well net10 cdma is now open for business to flasher offing unlimited everything for $50
the only reason i really want to make the switch because whether unlimited or not net10 advertises as unlimited data so that makes all the difference with customers. plus is $5 cheaper. anybody else heard of this? not trying to mess up vipers thread but just trying to see as we might have to had net10 to the topic. if so i want to make this transition asap plus you can top up on net10 anywhere!!! even at your local dollar store! another plus
So, I excitedly purchased a Nexus S 4g off eBay the other day thinking, hey it's a CDMA phone it might work on the Verizon network. Now I'm not so sure. I'd even be willing to use the Sprint network but those guys just told me Sprint has no sims and the only option is to open a 2 year contract agreement to use that phone. Sounds a little crazy to me. I'm not willing or able to do that at this time.
I need a no-contract phone carrier for the Nexus S 4g. Are there any no-contract carriers in the USA that will provide service?
My wife uses her Nexus S 4G on Metro PCS.. there is probably a guide to alternative carriers on here if you look around. She only gets 3g on it but for phone and text its perfect.
Sent from my JellyBeaned Epic 4G
TONYSALEM78 said:
My wife uses her Nexus S 4G on Metro PCS.. there is probably a guide to alternative carriers on here if you look around. She only gets 3g on it but for phone and text its perfect.
Sent from my JellyBeaned Epic 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi thanks for your reply. If I remember correctly the phone you mention would be a GSM variety. I have a CDMA version. My phone's spec name is Nexus S 4G SPH D720.
Found some good info here....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_wireless_communications_service_providers
So just to get 3g I'd need to match up a carrier that supports CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, then a compatible sim, then assuming they allow a sim swap if I have to buy one of their phones unless they have a sim program like Smart Talk.
UNLESS... and this is the real reason I posted this on XDA, I can get some information on how to flash my phone to one of these carriers. I'm now looking hard at Cricket Wireless. They're pretty good in my neighborhood. I know I can pay somebody to do the flash but where would the fun be in that even if I could afford it lol.
So any info on how to flash the phone, correct the settings or whatever else I need to do to get this phone Cricket ready is appreciated!
I'm looking into net10 now. They have a SIM program and support 3g.
My wifes phone is the same.(I think) It was a sprint phone originally. Anyhow, I was in my local metro dealer the other day and he showed me some sim cards as they are about to start using them in September for the bring your own phone program. So if you have a sim slot, that is a possible option for ya! Good luck and keep us posted what you decide,so others know their options as well.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
TONYSALEM78 said:
My wifes phone is the same.(I think) It was a sprint phone originally. Anyhow, I was in my local metro dealer the other day and he showed me some sim cards as they are about to start using them in September for the bring your own phone program. So if you have a sim slot, that is a possible option for ya! Good luck and keep us posted what you decide,so others know their options as well.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no SIM card in this phone. It arrived today. They used an embedded SIM from what I understand. Although I've used Metro PCS in the past it isn't even available in my area if my phone had a SIM. I do appreciate your responses as it appears this device is not getting much love anymore. Funny thing, the phone state is still in service although Sprint has closed usage. So I get a signal and all and have discovered the Sprint network is weak in my area. Specifically my home is a dead zone practically. Back to the drawing board. Be nice if I could switch out the radio I guess. Not sure I wanna undertake all that. Seems a shame as this is still a nice device running Jellybean as well.
You can use sprint or any derivative, ie boost or possibly virgin. No sim, but the phone can be flashed to work on boost. Pretty sure of that. It will never work on anything but sprint guaranteed.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 11:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 AM ----------
This might help. Different phone but good information. Still might work the same. Forgot about ting! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2060085
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda app-developers app
My opinion is buy gsm unlocked ns and your options are endless and I believe gsm has more development as well. Sell the ns4g to pay some of the difference. Gsm are almost always slightly more expensive than gsm but this Phone is 3 years old so it really shouldn't be a problem finding one for less than $100
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
You could check out ting.
Thanks for the link. I'm gonna look into flashing this phone to Verizon today.
Sent from my SCH-I110 using Tapatalk 2
Yeah good idea. i had very limited funds the other day while looking for a device and came across the sprint phone cheap. i figured the gsm phones would be just out of my pocket money's reach.
I might end up selling it off and getting a gsm version in the future. in the meantime i went and bought aSamsung illusion running on Verizon network. this phone is very similar to the Nexus phone. Smaller than the "s". Now that Im contracted with Verizon (prepaid) I'll see if i can move the sprint phone over via flashing it. Stay tuned!
Sent from my SCH-I110 using Tapatalk 2
jumico said:
You could check out ting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard of ting while researching possibilities. Don't quite remember what that was all about. thanks. will check it out.
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KEB64 said:
I heard of ting while researching possibilities. Don't quite remember what that was all about. thanks. will check it out.
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Click to collapse
Ting runs off Sprint towers. You can use any previous Sprint contract phone that Ting has on their eligibility list. Just go to their web site and enter your phone's ESN/MEID to check for eligibility.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
michaelandrew said:
Ting runs off Sprint towers. You can use any previous Sprint contract phone that Ting has on their eligibility list. Just go to their web site and enter your phone's ESN/MEID to check for eligibility.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know thank you. I ended up signing with Sprint and getting an EVO 4g LTE. I did have the nexus running on Sprint for a few days whil I made my decision.
I'm new to the prepaid game. I just ordered my nexus 5.
Now I want to get straight talk because I hear its att or Verizon towers?..
Anyway.. Is there a special sim or settings I will need to order or can I get it from Walmart?
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk 2
Your Nexus 5 can't connect to Verizon, but no worries. StraightTalk can connect to either AT&T or T-Mobile depending on which sim card you choose. Make sure you check coverage to see which suits you best.
The Nexus 5 takes a Micro sim card.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
imablackhat said:
I'm new to the prepaid game. I just ordered my nexus 5.
Now I want to get straight talk because I hear its att or Verizon towers?..
Anyway.. Is there a special sim or settings I will need to order or can I get it from Walmart?
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just activated my Nexus 5 with straight talk over the weekend. I got a BYOP kit from Walmart, which has 4 SIM cards: 2 regular SIM (for AT&T and T-mobile towers) and 2 micro SIM (AT&T and T-mobile). You need the pick the micro SIM of the service provider that you want to use.
To activate, just go the straight talk website. The kit has $45 1 month unlimited talk, text and data card with a service PIN. You would need to enter the serial number of the SIM and the service PIN to activate the service. You can choose to get a new number or port an existing number. I ported mine from Verizon and it took only a few hours.
You would also need to enter the APN settings from the straight talk website. There is a flashable zip here in the forums that can help automate the process or you can enter them manually. After you enter the APN settings, LTE should be functional. You may need to reboot the phone.
My Nexus 5 works perfectly with straight talk with AT&T as the service provider.
Any speed test? Also the zip can you post link?
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk 2
And what's better to get T-Mobile or att? In my area I know att is better. (ma). But that's full. Not prepaid and through straight
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk 2
The thread for the APN is on the Nexus 5 development forum.
[APN] Straight Talk All, AIO Wireless Flashable & (for Devs) Sprint Full Data Fix
imablackhat said:
And what's better to get T-Mobile or att? In my area I know att is better. (ma). But that's full. Not prepaid and through straight
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the beauty of prepaid try out one if your not satisfied try out the other.
Sent from my SCH-R760 using Tapatalk
One big issue with Straight Talk
Not sure why nobody else is mentioning it in the forums but I just discovered that Straight Talk severely limits video streaming on LTE or 4G. Trying to watch a video on Youtube is pretty useless since it will keep stopping every 3-4 seconds to buffer and will never pre-load any of the video. But if you switch your phone to 3G, Youtube works like normal. I can't deal with this problem so I'm dropping Straight Talk very soon.
I have a Nexus 5 and currently use Net10 with AT&T towers. Where I live AT&T doesn't have the best coverage. I would love to be on Verizon but I have been told that is impossible with the Nexus 5. What carriers can I use the Nexus 5 with and how good are they in speed, coverage, price, and amount of data(data cap)? Does anybody have Straight Talk with the Nexus 5 and how good is it?
Thanks in advance.
Edit: Don't need any info on Straight Talk anymore. Compared it to Net10 and it is basically the exact same thing with minor plan differences. I would still like to know about any other carriers though.
Just not verizon.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
There is an entire thread dedicated to straight talk.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/nexus-5-straight-talk-att-thread-t2581840
Don't need any info on Straight Talk anymore. Compared it to Net10 and it is basically the exact same thing with minor plan differences. I would still like to know about any other carriers though.
shiznoroe88 said:
Don't need any info on Straight Talk anymore. Compared it to Net10 and it is basically the exact same thing with minor plan differences. I would still like to know about any other carriers though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It all depends on your location. Att is great where I live, that's why I still use att.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
shiznoroe88 said:
Don't need any info on Straight Talk anymore. Compared it to Net10 and it is basically the exact same thing with minor plan differences. I would still like to know about any other carriers though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works on every carrier except Verizon. This isn't really a carrier comparison forum.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
As other people said, the USA version of Nexus 5 work with ANY GSM Carrier (T-mobile, at&t, any of their prepaid / MVNO partners)... just need to swap the sim card
For CDMA, works with Sprint (and SOME of it's MVNO partners). Ting supports it, but not Boost Mobile
Doesn't work with Verizon or any of it's MVNO.
Just received my SIM card from straight talk for the i535 all I did was go to straight talk web site activate the phone using the phone imei number then start phone with SIM card installed> Once SIM card was activated I restarted the phone and had LTE with no need to setup APN settings.
I just shut off the verizon service right before setting up the phone on ST so I do not know if thats has effected anything but hopefully it doesn't.
Also I had to contact Straight Talk using their facebook page to get the SIM card and it was shipped for free.
highspeedfelon said:
Just received my SIM card from straight talk for the i535 all I did was go to straight talk web site activate the phone using the phone imei number then start phone with SIM card installed> Once SIM card was activated I restarted the phone and had LTE with no need to setup APN settings.
I just shut off the verizon service right before setting up the phone on ST so I do not know if thats has effected anything but hopefully it doesn't.
Also I had to contact Straight Talk using their facebook page to get the SIM card and it was shipped for free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know, I get my sim card from straight talk tomorrow. I didn't imagine it was that hard to setup. You did the smart thing and went to facebook, like an idiot I called them and it took well over a week for them to send it
From my CM11 S3
ShapesBlue said:
Good to know, I get my sim card from straight talk tomorrow. I didn't imagine it was that hard to setup. You did the smart thing and went to facebook, like an idiot I called them and it took well over a week for them to send it
From my CM11 S3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh it took them a while to send it to me also. I had even told them to cancel it and thats when I went to Verizon. I was told at one point that the SIM cards should be in stores around December 5th,
highspeedfelon said:
Oh it took them a while to send it to me also. I had even told them to cancel it and thats when I went to Verizon. I was told at one point that the SIM cards should be in stores around December 5th,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea the kit they sell at Walmart doesn't currently include it only the T-Mobile and AT&T sims which we can't use. Mine will Thankfully be here today
From my CM11 S3
Can you explain what you mean by "shut off Verizon services*?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
A0425A said:
Can you explain what you mean by "shut off Verizon services*?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he's saying is he had a VZW phone on VZW and cancelled his service to go with Straight Talk I believe
canodroid15 said:
What he's saying is he had a VZW phone on VZW and cancelled his service to go with Straight Talk I believe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's correct. I am now with straight talk with a VZW S3
All I had to do was get the sim card from straight talk and call them to activate it. It was a pretty simple process
From my CM11 S3
So you didn't have to hack the phone or anything?? Verizon is CDMA and Straight Talk is GSM, how did that work? Especially without setting up a new APN?
Oh and did you get the AT&T or TMobile sim? I think straight talk still has the option for either.
jayjr1105 said:
So you didn't have to hack the phone or anything?? Verizon is CDMA and Straight Talk is GSM, how did that work? Especially without setting up a new APN?
Oh and did you get the AT&T or TMobile sim? I think straight talk still has the option for either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does but straight talk told me the AT&T and T-Mobile sims won't work for this phone. They sent me a CDMA specific sim card, and cmda phones will indeed work on straight talk, not every single one but most
And no I didn't have to do anything with the phone, didn't have to edit apn settings or anything. I'm still running off the Verizon network
From my CM11 S3
ShapesBlue said:
It does but straight talk told me the AT&T and T-Mobile sims won't work for this phone. They sent me a CDMA specific sim card, and cmda phones will indeed work on straight talk, not every single one but most
And no I didn't have to do anything with the phone, didn't have to edit apn settings or anything. I'm still running off the Verizon network
From my CM11 S3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, Straight Talk has Verizon SIM's now??? Meaning Verizon is one of their MVNO's? I always thought it was just TMobile and AT&T and Tracfone leased off Sprint for CDMA based phones.
jayjr1105 said:
Wait, Straight Talk has Verizon SIM's now??? Meaning Verizon is one of their MVNO's? I always thought it was just TMobile and AT&T and Tracfone leased off Sprint for CDMA based phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tracphone owns straight talk for one. It's a straight talk sim... But they piggy back off all 4 networks. VZW, ATT, TMobile and sprint
From my CM11 S3
Deleted
Sent from my SGH-I747, SCH-s968c, or my Exhibit2 4g from somewhere in BAMA!
What type of speeds you getting with straight talk on the 4G LTE VZW network? Speedtest?
bigstack said:
What type of speeds you getting with straight talk on the 4G LTE VZW network? Speedtest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you referring to me?
I was. However I hooked my Old S3 up for a family member. I can confirm that the VZW S3 will get 4G LTE on the Verizon network with the CDMA Sim that comes with the starter pack. Ran a speed test at full signal strength and had an initial burst for ~9-10 mbs and stabilized at ~5mb both up and down. This is way more than the user of the phone will need but also not a bad number.
For comparison sake my personal phone on a VZW unlimited plan still gets 40+ mbs during speed tests in the same location. Appears that ST is speed limited but at 5mbs still more than 99.9% of users will ever need/notice at one time.
bigstack said:
I was. However I hooked my Old S3 up for a family member. I can confirm that the VZW S3 will get 4G LTE on the Verizon network with the CDMA Sim that comes with the starter pack. Ran a speed test at full signal strength and had an initial burst for ~9-10 mbs and stabilized at ~5mb both up and down. This is way more than the user of the phone will need but also not a bad number.
For comparison sake my personal phone on a VZW unlimited plan still gets 40+ mbs during speed tests in the same location. Appears that ST is speed limited but at 5mbs still more than 99.9% of users will ever need/notice at one time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I'm not worried about speed as I'm 99% of the time on wifi so I could care less now. The initial starter pack didn't come with the CDMA sim. Card which is a pain but now it does
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Xparent ICS Tapatalk 2
Quick question for those that have done this already - I have just ordered the Galaxy S3 I535 from walmart because i'm cheap and it was on special - Would it be wise to at least activate the phone on Verizon and entering the details on ST's site to make sure it will work before getting the sim or just ordering it (they are on special right now for .99c) I'm glad they are doing the CDMA sims because i had read that folks were only getting edge for data using the AT&T sims and was prepared to limit myself to being on the Verizon prepaid plan and just sucking it up...
warlordxxx said:
Quick question for those that have done this already - I have just ordered the Galaxy S3 I535 from walmart because i'm cheap and it was on special - Would it be wise to at least activate the phone on Verizon and entering the details on ST's site to make sure it will work before getting the sim or just ordering it (they are on special right now for .99c) I'm glad they are doing the CDMA sims because i had read that folks were only getting edge for data using the AT&T sims and was prepared to limit myself to being on the Verizon prepaid plan and just sucking it up...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If its the prepaid version it may not work, the prepaid version doesn't utilize a sim card where as the contract version does
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Xparent ICS Tapatalk 2
Thanks Shapes it's the prepaid but i'll wait til it gets here and check it out
warlordxxx said:
Thanks Shapes it's the prepaid but i'll wait til it gets here and check it out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably a good idea. I'm truly unsure if it will work or not. I have the S3 contract version and it works great on straight talk. Another user informed me the prepaid version doesn't utilize a sim which in most cases at least for VZW means no 4G
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