[Q] Speed? Coverage? Straight Talk or T-Mobile? Wait for better phone? - Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G

So I've got a bunch of questions. I am a Samsung Galaxy S Epic 4G guy coming from Verizon's network. I'm wondering about the Galaxy S Relay 4G as my next phone.
-I've heard coverage is bad on T-Mobile. Is it hard to switch to straight talk? Would I use an AT&T sim card, or T-Mobile sim card for straight talk? Does coverage vary?
-How fast is this phone on 4.4.2? The Epic is kind of sluggish on 4.4.2 - which is understandable given the single core, 1ghz proc. This is why I want to upgrade.
-Any opinions coming from CDMA? I've never used a GSM phone before. I know plenty about CDMA phones, but nothing about GSM.
-Are there any slider phones on the horizon? I was thinking about waiting for the Droid 5, but it doesn't seem like it's ever going to be more than a pipe dream.
Thanks in advance!

TPMJB said:
So I've got a bunch of questions. I am a Samsung Galaxy S Epic 4G guy coming from Verizon's network. I'm wondering about the Galaxy S Relay 4G as my next phone.
-I've heard coverage is bad on T-Mobile. Is it hard to switch to straight talk? Would I use an AT&T sim card, or T-Mobile sim card for straight talk? Does coverage vary?
-How fast is this phone on 4.4.2? The Epic is kind of sluggish on 4.4.2 - which is understandable given the single core, 1ghz proc. This is why I want to upgrade.
-Any opinions coming from CDMA? I've never used a GSM phone before. I know plenty about CDMA phones, but nothing about GSM.
-Are there any slider phones on the horizon? I was thinking about waiting for the Droid 5, but it doesn't seem like it's ever going to be more than a pipe dream.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you unlock the relay you can use the att based sim card but i cant confirm youll get 4g...i used straight talks tmobile based sim (normal sized) and it works perfectly...exact same as tmobile as it runs on tmobile towers....for me (in California) data was not slow for me on their tmobiles 4g (h+) networks...a new slider phone has come out this year but was pretty crappy compared to relay 4g...was an lg slider..the relay is the best choice you have if you want a slider phone if you ask me... the prior phone i had before the relay was the htc rezound (verizon network) and to me relay even out performs it by a long shot in terms of both speed and stability....to be honest 4.4.2 roms on the relay are quite fast....of course not quad core fast like a nexus 5 or s5 lol but many miles faster than the epic 4g (speaking from experience)....having a custom rom on it like lets say my liquid build is also much faster than stock plus much better battery life...

REV3NT3CH said:
if you unlock the relay you can use the att based sim card but i cant confirm youll get 4g...i used straight talks tmobile based sim (normal sized) and it works perfectly...exact same as tmobile as it runs on tmobile towers....for me (in California) data was not slow for me on their tmobiles 4g (h+) networks...a new slider phone has come out this year but was pretty crappy compared to relay 4g...was an lg slider..the relay is the best choice you have if you want a slider phone if you ask me... the prior phone i had before the relay was the htc rezound (verizon network) and to me relay even out performs it by a long shot in terms of both speed and stability....to be honest 4.4.2 roms on the relay are quite fast....of course not quad core fast like a nexus 5 or s5 lol but many miles faster than the epic 4g (speaking from experience)....having a custom rom on it like lets say my liquid build is also much faster than stock plus much better battery life...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welp, that pretty much settles it! So to sum it up:
-If TMob doesn't work, I should get an AT&T sim card, but I have to find out if 4G works on straight talk this way.
-No advantage to straight talk over t mobile except unlimited everything?
-The relay is a good purchase
-I should sell this POS galaxy S4 quickly so I can buy a relay, haha.
Even if a droid 5 comes out...I dunno. I HATE the keyboard of the droid 4. I don't know why the keys have to be right next to each other!
If anyone else has comments, let me know! I live in Central New York and they seem to have coverage.

TPMJB said:
Welp, that pretty much settles it! So to sum it up:
-If TMob doesn't work, I should get an AT&T sim card, but I have to find out if 4G works on straight talk this way.
-No advantage to straight talk over t mobile except unlimited everything?
-The relay is a good purchase
-I should sell this POS galaxy S4 quickly so I can buy a relay, haha.
Even if a droid 5 comes out...I dunno. I HATE the keyboard of the droid 4. I don't know why the keys have to be right next to each other!
If anyone else has comments, let me know! I live in Central New York and they seem to have coverage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait...do you have an epic 4g or galaxy s4? Also straight talk has a cap of 3gb usage a day. which isn't bad as its daily and not monthly on that data cap and the fact that its 5 bucks cheaper than T-Mobile prepaid monthly with similar bandwidth cap. The relay is a tmobile phone so straight talks T-Mobile based sim is what is guaranteed for 4g which beats 3g by a long shot as well which is what you may get on their att based card if you decide to do the free unlock that's guided in the threads here. I again use the T-Mobile based aim in the relay and get 4g no problem... Also a good purchase in my opinion but depends on how much you are paying for the relay...you can get one for near mint for under 100 bucks if you look on eBay.
Sent from my SGH-T699 using XDA Free mobile app

REV3NT3CH said:
Wait...do you have an epic 4g or galaxy s4? Also straight talk has a cap of 3gb usage a day. which isn't bad as its daily and not monthly on that data cap and the fact that its 5 bucks cheaper than T-Mobile prepaid monthly with similar bandwidth cap. The relay is a tmobile phone so straight talks T-Mobile based sim is what is guaranteed for 4g which beats 3g by a long shot as well which is what you may get on their att based card if you decide to do the free unlock that's guided in the threads here. I again use the T-Mobile based aim in the relay and get 4g no problem... Also a good purchase in my opinion but depends on how much you are paying for the relay...you can get one for near mint for under 100 bucks if you look on eBay.
Sent from my SGH-T699 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I currently use an Epic 4G. I picked up a galaxy S4 off of eBay for cheap thinking that those bluetooth keyboards would be my saving grace.
No dice. They suck. Every single one of them is a variation of one on the market with a different brand name. They are all identical. Price ranges from $20 to $100.
T-mobile currently has a deal where you supply your own phone and it's $30/month for 100 minutes talk, unlimited text, and 5gb of 4G data.
And yes, I was looking on eBay

TPMJB said:
I currently use an Epic 4G. I picked up a galaxy S4 off of eBay for cheap thinking that those bluetooth keyboards would be my saving grace.
No dice. They suck. Every single one of them is a variation of one on the market with a different brand name. They are all identical. Price ranges from $20 to $100.
T-mobile currently has a deal where you supply your own phone and it's $30/month for 100 minutes talk, unlimited text, and 5gb of 4G data.
And yes, I was looking on eBay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouch...100 mins of talk sucks...on straight talk though it is required to have the 45 dollar plan while using a smartphone....trust me they'll know if your running a smartphone just by data usage alone...but then again data is also unlimited as well as talk and text for 15 bucks more. I will say relay isn't as fast as s4 obviously because its a quad core phone and more ram. But comfortably fast in how it runs...its a great phone if you ask me...pretty comparable to an s3 on stock rom just slightly less snappy
Sent from my SGH-T699 using XDA Free mobile app

REV3NT3CH said:
Ouch...100 mins of talk sucks...on straight talk though it is required to have the 45 dollar plan while using a smartphone....trust me they'll know if your running a smartphone just by data usage alone...but then again data is also unlimited as well as talk and text for 15 bucks more. I will say relay isn't as fast as s4 obviously because its a quad core phone and more ram. But comfortably fast in how it runs...its a great phone if you ask me...pretty comparable to an s3 on stock rom just slightly less snappy
Sent from my SGH-T699 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use less than 30 minutes a month on my current plan, so it's a non-issue. I text like a fiend, though. T-mobile's plan doesn't say there's a limit to data, just that you only get the first 5gb at 4G speeds a month. Perfect for my cheap ass :laugh:

Related

Thinking Of Moving To The Thunderbolt Opinions Wanted

Longtime GSM user, both AT&T and T-Mobile. I have a terminal aversion to CDMA but LTE looks intriguing. I use, roughly, between 13-20GB per month. Voice usage is almost nonexistent. I do text frequently.
I've been eyeballing a fellow coworkers Thunderbolt. (I'm also enititled to a 20% discount through work.) My questions:
Are you guys happy with your Thunderbolts? Like the screen? Does the LTE SIM work like GSM, just find another LTE phone pop and go? (I phone hop like mad!) LTE coverage in Ohio is actually pretty good. Your ETF is $350? (Once the AT&T&T mereger is done 12-16 months down the road I may switch back. Any general thoughts to add?
I'm happy to listen to anyone!!
I was a longtime ATT user (and Cingular before that, THOSE were the days) before switching for the TBolt. I enjoy the screen, better than my old Blackberry and since I mainly use texting/email on it instead of video, I actually prefer the screen to a SAMOLED. In theory, LTE SIM switching should work, but there hasn't been another LTE VZW device to test that with (another week and we'll know). And yes, ETF is $350 now, just like ATT.
Out of curiosity, why would you switch back soon down the road? ATT's (even if they acquire T-Mobile) "4G" technology is so far behind LTE that it's laughable. That's why I switched, ATT spent too long dawdling around not really improving their network infrastructure, at least where I live.
I use about 120 to 80 Gb monthly now that this is my only net connection. The best thing about it is the price monthly. I'm paying for a data only plan which is 50 a month unlimited before my 25 percent discount. For texting I use Google voice app and I have GV forwarded to a sipgate #, running SIPdroid on the tbolt to get my calls. Result is unlimited calls text and internet tethering for 37 bucks a month. Ya the phone ain't cheap upfront but it really is like having a cable modem in your pocket. I love it
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
I just got the T-bolt and I am impressed. Although I have not tasted any 4G yet, it is a very solid phone. The battery life is not great, but that is to be expected of such a device. Getting a bigger battery seems to be the only option. I love the screen and cannot wait to watch movies on it! Waiting for a netflix app
bmstrong said:
Longtime GSM user, both AT&T and T-Mobile. I have a terminal aversion to CDMA but LTE looks intriguing. I use, roughly, between 13-20GB per month. Voice usage is almost nonexistent. I do text frequently.
I've been eyeballing a fellow coworkers Thunderbolt. (I'm also enititled to a 20% discount through work.) My questions:
Are you guys happy with your Thunderbolts? Like the screen? Does the LTE SIM work like GSM, just find another LTE phone pop and go? (I phone hop like mad!) LTE coverage in Ohio is actually pretty good. Your ETF is $350? (Once the AT&T&T mereger is done 12-16 months down the road I may switch back. Any general thoughts to add?
I'm happy to listen to anyone!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The LTE SIM does not work like GSM just yet. Verizon has it on a white list. They have to approve the device it will be in. They say that they are adding approved devices all the time but not sure which devices have been added. I think they are pushing more for the LTE SIM to be taken out of your phone and you put it in a camcorder, DSLR camera and make the devices shoot live feeds. I had read this on howard forums. I would love for HTC have it where you could custom build your phone and just pop in the LTE sim card. Just think pick your own screen, ram, internal memory, speaker, etc.
howardforums.com/showthread.php/1703825-Thunderbolt-and-ALL-future-4G-VZW-devices-require-a-UICC-SIM-card.
warning wall of text
I remember hating verizon for crippling the bluetooth on my v710? swearing never to go back. I've been GSM since cingular dropped tdma and I switched my 3360 and got a 6620. Then winmo starting with an htc wizard up until an HD2 that I converted to android. Wife has gone from thinking I'm nuts to giving up on my smartphone crack habit. Been mostly cingular/AT&T with a few bad romances with Tmo where I think "this time the reception will be better" (last time cause I really wanted the HD2). Then I walk out of the lumber yard and get 4 voicemails all saying generally wtf are you??
Then along comes the thunderbolt. I'm currently carrying an tmo HD2 running android and cause it's better than my fuze... a hacked beyond belief iphone on att. A friend hands me his verizon phone and I walk through my 7 story concrete/glass office building with the verizon, at&t, and tmo phone all showing signal strength. Tmo fades early as expected. There's a few times where verizon gets beat but most of the time it's got a 5 db advantage.
So a saleslady at the verizon store loans her thunderbolt and I try it in a fringe area (my house). Coverage is better with the thunderbolt and while at&t speedtests better and seems to load faster initially, verizon never hiccups and pauses like at&t and loads every single webpage before at&t completes.
So then the pro's cons.
I have 7 gsm phones all unlocked that I can bring up either att or tmo on but my att contract is up and my tmo is just a $5/mo family line that I just use text on.
unlimited data. I dont have 4g here but it's a chance to grandfather in on unlimited high speed data. Previous calls to at&t complaining about having 4 iphone non-tech unlimited users on my plan where I'm the geek yet I'm the only one without unlim data fall on deaf ears. I may not use the 5 gig I've got but it's a pain having to worry.
Verizon? Really? After laughing at people who were forced to use get it now to get their pictures off their phone? After swearing never to return when they crippled the firmware on the v710? And CDMA?
But the lure of unlimited data gets me to try a thunderbolt. I get in on a 1 year contract and I too get a healthy discount.
Fast forward 3 weeks. Rooted & flashed a non vzw rom after 4 days. 14 day return day came in went without a thought. The iphone is in my desk and the tmo hd2 will probably get turned into a winmo phone when I get time just to see if it's more than an xbox facebook extension. I find there are many times I havent even bothered to turn on wifi since web pages load without pauses, hiccups or waiting. Was going to hold out for a dual core but I've got no complaints. The screen colors seem much more vibrant than my hd2. I got the extended battery but even with not being able to put the phone down be it texting or internet I still last all day on the regular battery. Besides, by now I've got a usb charger about every 5 feet at home.
very tough call and it took a lot to get past going back to verizon and cdma but I'm glad I did. Sorry if I stepped on any toes windows phone, iphone, tmo fanboys, and grammar nazi's. Just MHO. Got a microcell to help not drop calls and still do on att. Verizon goes without extra help and doesnt drop calls. Texts are quick but break at 160chars. I use the phone to monitor several production unix machines so quick sms was imperative.
Drop me a line if you have other q's. I'm generally a lurker but always up for helping. Feel your pain in deciding..
Well this is my first smartphone so I don't have any comparison. But I love it. Love the screen and it's 4.3" of manlyness. I really never understood why people have such animosity for CDMA vs GSM. Yes I get the whole SIM card thing, but is that the only reason?
For me, it was the problem of no data while on a call. Never again AT&T, never again.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Longtime GSM user, both AT&T and T-Mobile. I have a terminal aversion to CDMA but LTE looks intriguing. I use, roughly, between 13-20GB per month. Voice usage is almost nonexistent. I do text frequently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious, but what do you have against CDMA other than you cant port to other carriers as easy as GSM? I found CDMA voice is generally better than GSM. The ThunderBolt still uses voice for CDMA so other than it being fast for data over what is considered GSM, it's still pretty much a CDMA phone in the sense it's locked to verizon (probably more so since you cant take it to other CMDA carriers either).
ATT will be going to LTE sometime next year as well though, so eventually when phones are using LTE for voice and data, you would be able to switch between carriers (assuming they both support the same frequency of LTE, there's 2 of them) and different phones on the same carrier
I love my tbolt. I went from a D1 to the TB, and was a little scared of leaving all the great ROMs, kernels and support on my D1 (was running CM7 nightlies with the deprimed kernel on droidforums and that thing ran more amazing than it ever did) but made the jump to get in on 4G before a rumored switch to tiered plans. And I couldn't be happier, I do miss CM and prime's kernels, but the devs have been putting out some great things on the TB. Adrynalyne and thatdudebutch have an amazing ROM with das BAMF 1.5 remix and I'm running imoseyon's lean xtreme kernel. And since development is young on this phone, I can only see it getting better
I wish I could recomend this phone over my Droid x but the battery life is so pitiful in comparison. Don't get me wrong I love the thunderbolt and having 4g is nice (Seattle) but having to be tethered to the wall on charger almost constantly is just annoying. My Droid x would go all day and had better outdoor visibility. The auto brightness on the tbolt is wack. The new blur on gingerbread also puts sense to shame. Onevgreat thing about the tbolt is the camera is really good and very fast. While the Droid x takes great shots it slow to snap them.
In short I'd recomend the Droid x over the thunderbolt.
My upgrade is in 4 days, and im thinking of the thunderbolt, i have no 4g in my area, they say by the holidays maybe.
That being said i love my incredible but want a bigger screen, is this work upgrading or should i wait until the next 4g phones come out. I only want an HTC phone.
yareally said:
ATT will be going to LTE sometime next year as well though, so eventually when phones are using LTE for voice and data, you would be able to switch between carriers (assuming they both support the same frequency of LTE, there's 2 of them) and different phones on the same carrier
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have heard that AT&T will *not* use the same bands as Verizon. Here is an article stating something less general, but indicative of this discrepancy:
http://www.fiercewireless.com/story...ice-wont-roam-verizons-lte-network/2010-10-26
jakaro said:
My upgrade is in 4 days, and im thinking of the thunderbolt, i have no 4g in my area, they say by the holidays maybe.
That being said i love my incredible but want a bigger screen, is this work upgrading or should i wait until the next 4g phones come out. I only want an HTC phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, I think it's worth it. The thing's fast, smooth, and powerful (insert joke here). It works well on 3g, and when 4g comes to you (or you travel to a 4g market), you will DEFINITELY not regret it!
I would consider waiting on galaxy 2. That thing looks like a complete beast.
Not you fat Jesus
Legacystar said:
I wish I could recomend this phone over my Droid x but the battery life is so pitiful in comparison. Don't get me wrong I love the thunderbolt and having 4g is nice (Seattle) but having to be tethered to the wall on charger almost constantly is just annoying. My Droid x would go all day and had better outdoor visibility. The auto brightness on the tbolt is wack. The new blur on gingerbread also puts sense to shame. Onevgreat thing about the tbolt is the camera is really good and very fast. While the Droid x takes great shots it slow to snap them.
In short I'd recomend the Droid x over the thunderbolt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get the extended battery my phone now lasts 30+ hours when my Droid X would be luck to last 15 even with liberty installed.
Sent from my Gingerbreaded Thunderbolt.
Im just curious to what dual core phones will be coming out by HTC. I am also worried about these random reboots.
One other thing, but how is the developer community on this phone, im sure its huge being the only 4gphone.
Edit: make that second on vzw
Since it's verizon a dual core htc is a year away lol
And samsung is samsung...
Thunderbolt «» das BAMF Remix
jakaro said:
One other thing, but how is the developer community on this phone, im sure its huge being the only 4gphone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The dev community here is freaking awesome. They've been busting ass to get stuff working, tweaked, and corrected. Great group of guys.
Alrighty then, anybody have the extended battery, how does it feel, i love mine on my incredible.
Well, my Incredible is up on Craigslist, if i sell it ill be on the thunderbolt!

Alternative to Motorola Triumph - Samsung Exhibit II 4G

A lot of troubles with Triumph? Motorola not fixing software? There is an alternative now.
People have choice to switch to Samsung Exhibit II 4G on T-Mobile. It is 194.98 in Walmart and has monthly no contract Monthly4G plan - 100 min talk + unlimited text + unlimited web - USD 30/Month
Walmart.com: T-Mobile Samsung T679 Exhibit II 4G Prepaid Android Smartphone: Cell Phones
Monthly4G Plan details:
Walmart.com: (Email Delivery) New T-Mobile Monthly4G $30 Unlimited Web & Text with 100 min of talk: Cell Phones
Specs and review:
Android 2.3
3.7 Inch AMOLED screen
1 GHz Processor
512 MB RAM
4 GB ROM
Front Camera VGA
3 MP Rear Camera
wi-fi calling
DLNA
VPN
GSM Quadband - Can be used all over the world if unlocked
HSDPA, 14.4 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps
More detail specs at:
Features and Specifications - Samsung Exhibit
Review at:
Samsung Exhibit II 4G Review - Watch CNET's Video Review
I compared features of Triumph and Exhibit II 4G and found that HDMI port is missing in Exhibit II 4G. However, it has FM Radio hardware, 3.0 Bluetooth, and wi-fi Hotspot (T-Mobile official).
Compare Mobile Phones, Cell phone Comparisons - Compare Specifications, Prices, Pictures, Videos
EducateAndInnovate said:
I compared features of Triumph and Exhibit II 4G and found that HDMI port is missing in Exhibit II 4G. However, it has FM Radio hardware, 3.0 Bluetooth, and wi-fi Hotspot (T-Mobile official).
Compare Mobile Phones, Cell phone Comparisons - Compare Specifications, Prices, Pictures, Videos
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to play pessimistic jerk (not hard for me) because I loved my Triumph. So here's my "Triumph over Exhibit" list:
The Triumph pretends to be a Motorola, but the Exhibit pretends to be a Galaxy SII. Why either company is trying for the honor of "worst phone with our high-end label on it" I will not know, but this SII isn't.
The screen is smaller. Than a Galaxy S.
The camera has fewer pixels. Two million. That's pixel genocide.
I strongly doubt T-Mobile included a hotspot feature unless they really got sloppy. A lot of websites list specs that aren't there, or list arbitrary specs. I won't believe they did that one until I see evidence.
I honestly would go buy one if I could somehow get my triumph sold, but it seems like once a phone is activated on VM you're pretty much screwed. You can call them up and transfer it to another VM number... but nobody in the market for a phone will want to deal with all that.
The 100 minutes is a killer, but if you're a voip user its not really an issue. The only thing that REALLY makes me want to switch is the 4g. I guess ill just hold out and hope that VM eventually upgrades their mobile network.
Sent from my Triumph using XDA App
eShrooms said:
I honestly would go buy one if I could somehow get my triumph sold, but it seems like once a phone is activated on VM you're pretty much screwed. You can call them up and transfer it to another VM number... but nobody in the market for a phone will want to deal with all that.
The 100 minutes is a killer, but if you're a voip user its not really an issue. The only thing that REALLY makes me want to switch is the 4g. I guess ill just hold out and hope that VM eventually upgrades their mobile network.
Sent from my Triumph using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh bah. After destroying my last Triumph I would be happy to buy a used one as long as it worked. Maybe you should hook me up once I get $200 to spend on it.
Sent from my LG-VM701 using Tapatalk
primetechv2 said:
Oh bah. After destroying my last Triumph I would be happy to buy a used one as long as it worked. Maybe you should hook me up once I get $200 to spend on it.
Sent from my LG-VM701 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of curiosity, how did you "destroy" your last Triumph? What happened to it?
primetechv2 said:
Oh bah. After destroying my last Triumph I would be happy to buy a used one as long as it worked. Maybe you should hook me up once I get $200 to spend on it.
Sent from my LG-VM701 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously, call Virgin Mobile, tell them the truth, they'll probably replace it.
After using the 4.1" screen of the Triumph, I wouldn't be able to go down to 3.7".
After using the 4.1" screen of the Triumph, I wouldn't be able to go down to 3.7".[/QUOTE]
That's my killer. After having a large screen I don't think I could go smaller. Besides now running MIUI it's a really nice phone.
All I can say is the op must be a salesman, he/she has this same exact thread posted on just about every android forum I read.
IMHO it (samsung exhibit II) is a downgrade to the triumph, however, the one thing it has that I wish the triumph (virgin mobile/sprint) had was GSM.
I think the triumph kicks @ss with CM7, hopefully CM9 works just as well
tannerzion said:
Seriously, call Virgin Mobile, tell them the truth, they'll probably replace it.
After using the 4.1" screen of the Triumph, I wouldn't be able to go down to 3.7".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, Mister Rep, my friend was using the phone and got extremely angry at it. And seems to have smashed the screen. And poked it. And attempted to snap it in half, crosswise. Am I still eligible for phone insurance?
No, Mister Rep, he's not my friend anymore.
FM Radio
Hello OP,
You wrote -
I compared features of Triumph and Exhibit II 4G and found that HDMI port is missing in Exhibit II 4G. However, it has FM Radio hardware, 3.0 Bluetooth, and wi-fi Hotspot (T-Mobile official).
What will it take to activate the FM Radio in Exhibit II?
Thanks.
Exhibit II 4G discussion areas
Exhibit II 4G discussion areas
Since we don't have a forum we've centralized at the links below:
Exhibit II 4g discussion HERE
Exhibit II 4g dev thread HERE
Exhibit II 4g Wiki HERE
All thought the exhibit out-specs the triumph in some departments the triumph has ALOT more custom ROMS.We have MIUI based on android 2.3 and cm7 and th devs are working on MIUI v4 and cm9 in the works,not to mention alot other smaller ROMS
MotoTriu said:
All thought the exhibit out-specs the triumph in some departments the triumph has ALOT more custom ROMS.We have MIUI based on android 2.3 and cm7 and th devs are working on MIUI v4 and cm9 in the works,not to mention alot other smaller ROMS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it under specs the MT in most departments. The only thing that it has over the MT is 4g and maybe less hardware bugs. If you want an alternate get any post paid T-mobile phone and get a prepaid activation kit activate it online and choose the $30 plan. There are plenty of dual core 4g phone's that you can get for fairly cheap used or new on ebay, amazon, or craigslist.
good deal as a backup plan, but I'm still at grandfathered prices so still happy and comfy with my triumph and service
I would rather get a Galaxy S 4G in good condition for that much $$...
Triumph is probably the best bang for buck as far as the spec/features you get. Only thing is they skimped on the hardware quality, so it's a crap shoot whether it'll be a lemon or not.
I may be the only one, but I'm going to stick with Virgin because of their awesome customer service. Yes, you may have to speak to several thickly accented indians before you are speaking to the right person, but once you are, they are really helpful usually. My old triumph broke (think it was overheating, but not sure; bought it used), and after telling them it wouldn't turn on, they agreed to send me a refurb. After waiting 5 days to get the refurb (they told me they would overnight it), I got a month of service for free. Not sure how good T-Mobile is.
Also, the plan is much MUCH better on Virgin. I can go over 300 minutes a month without being forced to permanently change plans. The $30/month gives you 100 minutes and unless you change plans to a much more expensive plan, you cannot get more. And if you change to the more expensive plan, you are not allowed to revert to the $30/month plan unless you buy a new SIM card. Pretty ridiculous.
I'm kinda confuse too. I have my triumph since September, paying $25 a month and can't really complain. But Most of the time when I'm home, people keep saying that they can't call me even my phone is on.
I also having a TM samsung vibrant right now that is not in use. I am thinking about going for that $30 plan and have better services. ( If it announced before I bought my triumph I may not be here lol )
gary93 said:
I'm kinda confuse too. I have my triumph since September, paying $25 a month and can't really complain. But Most of the time when I'm home, people keep saying that they can't call me even my phone is on.
I also having a TM samsung vibrant right now that is not in use. I am thinking about going for that $30 plan and have better services. ( If it announced before I bought my triumph I may not be here lol )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so you're aware, being on Tmobile will not give you better service (necessarily). Your signal depends on where you live. For example, where I currently am, Tmobile has no signal, but Sprint/VM has an awesome signal. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe Sprint has a larger network than Tmobile. Can anyone else verify?
xxBrun0xx said:
Just so you're aware, being on Tmobile will not give you better service (necessarily). Your signal depends on where you live. For example, where I currently am, Tmobile has no signal, but Sprint/VM has an awesome signal. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe Sprint has a larger network than Tmobile. Can anyone else verify?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well T-MO is the smallest of the 4 networks so I would assume that would mean they have a smaller network. Although where I am I get a almost perfect signal with T-MO and got hardly any signal with VM. The best thing that you could do would be to check coverage maps... (although the VM map for my area says I'm in a good signal area...)
Just a thought but does anyone else really feel that in this day and age with TuneIn and numerous other internet radio apps that having an fm tuner in your phone is a major plus selling point. With modern technology almost seems to be a solution to a non-existent problem, Oh well just my thought for the day, Clint

T-Mobile us

I had T-Mobile for over six years and threw the years service had gotten bad. All the big company's offer 4g lte the real 4g and we got hspa. Fake 4g. It feels like 3g at best. T-Mobile starting to charge for tethering and raised the price on plans. I started to think me and my Verizon friend pay almost the same a month for unlimited plans. I try my best to defend T-Mobile but I have nothing to brag about prices as high as the other companies which was the reason I been here so long . We don't get nearly as many good android phones as other. T-Mobile put out almost the same phones two months after they release a new phone example. I bought a Samsung vibrant then they come out with a galaxy s. Same phone but that had a Ffc . I buy the sensation then they conme out with the amaze. Same Damn phone with a different camera. Recently I saw a phone called the blaze, which is just the galaxy s 2 with a smaller screen. Just wondering if anyone else is thinking about leaving T-Mobile . Why we pay extra for 4g when we are not getting 4g. T-Mobile should market it as 3.5g with 4g speed at times. Im surprised no one sued them yet.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G with Beats Audio using XDA Premium App
bonebeatz1234 said:
I had T-Mobile for over six years and threw the years service had gotten bad. All the big company's offer 4g lte the real 4g and we got hspa. Fake 4g. It feels like 3g at best. T-Mobile starting to charge for tethering and raised the price on plans. I started to think me and my Verizon friend pay almost the same a month for unlimited plans. I try my best to defend T-Mobile but I have nothing to brag about prices as high as the other companies which was the reason I been here so long . We don't get nearly as many good android phones as other. T-Mobile put out almost the same phones two months after they release a new phone example. I bought a Samsung vibrant then they come out with a galaxy s. Same phone but that had a Ffc . I buy the sensation then they conme out with the amaze. Same Damn phone with a different camera. Recently I saw a phone called the blaze, which is just the galaxy s 2 with a smaller screen. Just wondering if anyone else is thinking about leaving T-Mobile . Why we pay extra for 4g when we are not getting 4g. T-Mobile should market it as 3.5g with 4g speed at times. Im surprised no one sued them yet.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G with Beats Audio using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is because they can't sue. Nothing guarentees you will received 4G speeds at all times.
I have considered leaving them as well but stay with them for a multitude of reasons.
1 - Affordable
2 - For what I use my phone for (Mostly Data and Texts not so much talk) they do fine
3 - If I go over 2GB because I stream DI.FM a lot they don't charge me $10 bucks when I go over.
4 - Verizon is too expensive for what I get, ATT isn't much better, and the service for Sprint here sucks
Definitely prefer tmob over the rip offs of the other carriers.
I get 12-13 Mb/s in Houston/Mission bend area.
Sounds pretty fast to me considering I can download 100mb in about 2 minutes.
I would be shocked if a member of XDA actually pays for tethering, regardless of carrier. If so they need their member card revoked for not reading any of the threads.
I have T-mo and I get 7-10mb downloads typically so I'm very happy with my speeds. I tether my G-tab and laptop regularly without issue or extra expense.
I rarely have dropped calls but they happen. I'm not sure any carrier is immune no matter what they say.
I do believe VZ will have better service, but since it's marginal for my situation I'm sticking with T-Mo.
Everyone's situation is different. A good example is I had no need for a FFC on the Vibrant. It's probably one of the best phones I've ever owned. Also great to learn rooting on since it's very hard to brick. Amazing phone. My brother didn't get the S2 because it's humongous so I may recommend the Blaze if it's the same.
Tmobile = GANGSTAAA
tmobile has cheap prices and the new phone thing is just bad luck on ur end lol
prices are awesome! i dont care i we dont have real 4G i care how fast it is if its faster than real 4g i dont care if its 2g but its fast lol
http://www.moneycrashers.com/how-i-got-out-of-my-t-mobile-contract-and-saved-200/. Hope this could help you, I'm trying to get out of my contract too. It makes no sense to pay for a service that is not being received.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
First, HSPA+ IS 4G. As much as LTE is 4G. If you're looking at HSPA, that is 3G. Second, I bet you could put a phone like the Amaze with its 42 mbps radio up against most anything else... if you were in the top market for both (HSPA+ 42 vs. LTE). Hey, my Sensation with a tiny 14.4 radio can out do LTE in the right location.
But hey, if Tmo is no longer the company for you, feel free to choose another carrier. That's the beauty of competition.
My last phone was an AT&T iPhone, so I know all about slow mobile internet. HSPA+ is at least slightly better in my area, but not by much. I'm on contract so I haven't really considered leaving, but maybe I'll think about it some more when commitment is up... In 2013.
No LTE does suck, but ah well.

Has Anyone Jumped from Sprint to Verizon for the SGIII?

I have an S2 with Sprint and while I love the phone, Sprint's lack of signal and speed is making me loose my shlt on a daily basis.
I'm at the point where taking the ETF hit is inconsequential to the quality of life I may enjoy with VZ.
Has anyone done what I'm talking about specifically from the S2 Sprint to the S3 Verizon? Are you happier????
I did and i couldnt be happier. Went from the epic touch to the S3. Sprint service blows. Not even a comparison.
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using xda premium
I did. The service is much better in most places, but where I live I got slow Sprint speeds and its no different with VZW.
I did exactly that, Sprint gs2 to Verizon gs3. I couldn't be happier. I went from absolutely no service at work to having lte coverage. I am selling my e4gt to cover the cost of early termination. My bill is more monthly, but I feel it's worth it.
i as well, just three weeks back
flashing roms is easier
4g just about anywhere
this phone has a ton of features whether you stay stock or custom like paranoid android
and reception being the biggest reason i transferred. i dont miss sprint, loved the s2 but s3 is a beast
I did also. I had the OG HTC EVO 4G with Sprint and enjoyed that phone. I had no problem with Sprints call quality, but the internet speeds were horrible and I refused to wait for the LTE to be up and running with Sprint. Verizon LTE speeds is way faster than Sprints Wimax. Verizon LTE is also faster than my Comcast home internet at times. I'm happy with my decision.
Came from Sprint and couldnt be happier. I have 4G LTE everywhere I go to the tune of 12mb to upwards of 30mb down.
Sprint is lucky to hit 1.5mb down at 5am, and normally runs at 200-600k down during the day. Sometimes 70k!
ECrispy said:
I did. The service is much better in most places, but where I live I got slow Sprint speeds and its no different with VZW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except VZW has 4g LTE and Sprint basically has none. If you're going to have an s3 LTE device you might as well have a carrier that has 4g LTE.
Another convert here: E4GT -> GS3. Couldn't be happier with my decision. It's like going from a dumbphone to a smartphone all over again. Sprint's service was so godawful I could never use my phone for much off of Wifi. Now, I have a solid connection everywhere I go so I end up using my GS3 far more than I ever did my E4GT. It's like night and day.
I converted from Sprint the week xda gave me the heads up VZW was doing away with their unlimited plan.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
I came from an Epic which I loved but Sprint which drove me crazy. My internet speed is 10x better which is great. The best part is I can make a phone call and actually talk to someone for 10 minutes and not have the call drop a dozen times.
I went from the Epic Touch to the Verizon GS3, and I could not be happier! Bought my phone for $485 on eBay, plus 64Gb San Disk sdcard from Amazon for $50-ish. Love the phone, and love the service and LTE. Get an average of 15 hours battery life with 4G on 24/7, about 3.5 hours screen on time.
Same here. Went from Epic 4g on Sprint to GS3 on Verizon & have ZERO regrets. Signal is better, data speed is insanely faster. I'm in Omaha, NE, where Sprint has no 4G; finally got tired of their '4G coming soon' BS response.
If your main concern is signal reliability & data speed, make the switch, you'll be much happier. What good is a killer phone if you're always b1tc1n about crappy service?
C
Paid my ETF and made the switch last week. I'd been thinking about it for awhile and the Amazon $99 sale pushed me over the edge. The only place I spend anytime that doesn't have LTE is work but Verizons 3G is actually usable there compared to Sprints dialup speeds.
I jumped from sprint after 12 years and I couldn't be happier. I have 4g everywhere. I had the evo lte which I loved but the signal is amazing from Verizon. Worth the Money I can't believe how much better the network is on Verizon. And the s3 is a kick ass phone I like it just as much as I liked the evo lte. Only now I have lte
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Same for me. I was with sprint for 12 years and couldn't stand the slow data anymore. What's the pont of unlimited data when you never have any bandwith! I went from the Epic to the S3 on Verizon and wish I did it long ago. No regrets. I get 4G LTE almost everywhere. The slowest speed I have seen so far on Verizon has been faster than the fastest speed I ever saw on Sprint.
Thanks guys...
I ended up porting the whole family on Saturday to VZW. I took a $440 hit on ETFs, but my sanity is worth it.
The LTE signal is ALL OVER THE PLACE where I operate and it's lightning fast....Like somebody said, I didn't realize how slow and shtty Sprint was.
My S3 is lasting more than a day compared to my S2 that could barely get 4 hours due to many reasons, most of which stemming from constantly having weak Sprint signals.
I don't even think I'm going to root the S3 at this point.
Also came from Sprint using an S2. I left Sprint due to the crappy service and didn't have to pay ETF fees due to an FCC complaint that got escalated to executive services.
I am loving my S3 as well as Verizons service. Using an app called Netmonitor I now know that Verizon has 3 times as many towers in my area so even if Sprint upgraded my area to LTE they would still suck compared to Verizon.
I shall never bother with Sprint again.
I had just switched to verizon. from sero premium is $50 but i rather pay double for 2gb data on verizon. even if i paid half less for unlimited, i wasnt able to use it. whats the point of unlimited and cheaper when you cant even hardly use it. just too dam slow.
definitely happier with verizon. can use 4g about almost anywhere. even 3g data is fast.
now i can use my phone at work during break. before i couldnt at all. i see everyone with phone out and i am too but not surfing the web. even at home i dont get service. had to use sprint air rave. even with that it barely work once in a while
SGS3 on verizon!
I just did it. One week in and went from SGS3 to SGS3
Verizon is way better! Yes I paid to quit sprint and it's the last they ever get from me
I'm sick and tired of waiting for sprint and then it sucks
Verizon gives me kick ass speeds in about ever place I go in SoCal I'm so much happier!

[Q] Good, inexpensive, contract-less smartphone

I hope that this is the right area to post, if it is not I am sorry and please move it. Thank you!
So, I am heading off to college and I want to get a smart phone. But I am way too cheap to pay for a data plan from a major carrier.
I currently have a Net10 brick phone and use their $30 for 60 days cards. So, I am essentially paying a $15/month service. I like the idea of Net10's "bring your own phone" plan that is $50/month with unlimited everything.
I have decided that what ever phone I may get, it needs to be under $250, run Android 4+, have a dual-core 1GHz or higher, and have 4G capability.
Now, I really like the Samsung Galaxy S2 and I can get one from eBay used for around $250, but I found the BLU Quattro 4.5 for $240 and it looks like one heck of a phone for the price. So my question is, which one should I get, or should I get something else?
Thank you,
saleenman95
I just received the Blu Quattro 4.5 from Amazon. It's a great phone, crazy fast. It doesn't support 4G LTE, but I'm pretty sure it will work on Tmobile's H+ 4G, haven't tried it yet though. Also Tmobile now does unlimited plans with 500MB data for $50/month no contract.
I see what the development for the Blu Quattro is and compare things like micro SD and removeable battery. If you're buying the phone yourself I think being able to replace the battery will really extend the life of the device and save you trouble. I'd check the bands against your provider and service area.
Just taking a peek, the SII has multiple 4.2.2 ROMs. Another quick look doesn't really turn up anything for the other phone. Something like re-flashing the stock ROM can save you in some situations even if you haven't used custom ROMs. Things can go wrong.
T-Mobile still has the 100min/unlimited text/5Gb 4G data plan through WAL*MART if that's enough minutes for you or you'd be able to call over VOIP (data or wifi) to extend that.
Boost mobile .....the plans shrink as you pay on time and the phone are pretty cheap....unlimited everything
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

Categories

Resources