[Q] Why do some Sprint phones require SIM cards? - General Questions and Answers

I have a question prompted by nothing but curiosity: Does anyone know why some Sprint phones now require micro-SIM cards? An example would be the Galaxy S4, Google Nexus 5, etc. I thought Sprint used a CDMA network, and I thought SIM cards were only for carriers using GSM like AT&T and T-Mobile. Why do they suddenly need these now on some models?

AlgebraicMirror said:
I have a question prompted by nothing but curiosity: Does anyone know why some Sprint phones now require micro-SIM cards? An example would be the Galaxy S4, Google Nexus 5, etc. I thought Sprint used a CDMA network, and I thought SIM cards were only for carriers using GSM like AT&T and T-Mobile. Why do they suddenly need these now on some models?
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Data requires a SIM card. Same goes for Verizon.

Planterz said:
Data requires a SIM card. Same goes for Verizon.
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Click to collapse
If that's true, then why do most Sprint phones not require them despite having data functionality? For example, the Epic 4G (Sprint's Galaxy S1), Epic 4G Touch (Sprint's Galaxy S2), and the Galaxy S3 do not require any SIM card at all. The S3 even has 4G LTE capability. So it seems like data can't be the answer if 85% of Sprint's smartphones don't need it?

AlgebraicMirror said:
If that's true, then why do most Sprint phones not require them despite having data functionality? For example, the Epic 4G (Sprint's Galaxy S1), Epic 4G Touch (Sprint's Galaxy S2), and the Galaxy S3 do not require any SIM card at all. The S3 even has 4G LTE capability. So it seems like data can't be the answer if 85% of Sprint's smartphones don't need it?
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Click to collapse
Maybe I'm mistaken.

Related

Verizon Galaxy S3 SIM Unlock Swap for International Travel Possible?

Not too long ago, I had heard that the Verizon Galaxy S3 would support global roaming in a future update. With the Verizon Galaxy S3 release imminent, I was wondering if this was still the case.
I recently ordered a Galaxy S3 for my Dad, considering his contract with Verizon was up and the data plans were changing. Now, my dad often travels back and forth between the US and South Korea; so often in that he carries two different Android phones for each country (DROID Incredible on Verizon and Nexus S on KT).
Would it be possible for him to dump both the Incredible and Nexus S phones and use only Verizon Galaxy S3 on both of the carriers (if unlocked), by just swapping out the SIM card when traveling between Korea and the US? He will be keeping KT as his cell provider in Korea and from what I've heard, KT does allow foreign phones to be registered on their network, as long as they're unlocked. Both Verizon and KT support CDMA & LTE, but I'm not sure if their frequency bands overlap and if the Verizon S3 would be able to hook onto both without having to flash the radio.
I see that there's already a Voodoo S3 SIM Unlock app on Google Play (probably not compatible with Verizon S3 yet, but maybe eventually possible?).
Either way, it'd be awesome to be able to use the S3 as his main phone on both carriers with a simple SIM card swap! Does anyone have any insight on this, whether it would be possible or not?
CKTurbo128 said:
Not too long ago, I had heard that the Verizon Galaxy S3 would support global roaming in a future update. With the Verizon Galaxy S3 release imminent, I was wondering if this was still the case.
I recently ordered a Galaxy S3 for my Dad, considering his contract with Verizon was up and the data plans were changing. Now, my dad often travels back and forth between the US and South Korea; so often in that he carries two different Android phones for each country (DROID Incredible on Verizon and Nexus S on KT).
Would it be possible for him to dump both the Incredible and Nexus S phones and use only Verizon Galaxy S3 on both of the carriers (if unlocked), by just swapping out the SIM card when traveling between Korea and the US? He will be keeping KT as his cell provider in Korea and from what I've heard, KT does allow foreign phones to be registered on their network, as long as they're unlocked. Both Verizon and KT support CDMA & LTE, but I'm not sure if their frequency bands overlap and if the Verizon S3 would be able to hook onto both without having to flash the radio.
I see that there's already a Voodoo S3 SIM Unlock app on Google Play (probably not compatible with Verizon S3 yet, but maybe eventually possible?).
Either way, it'd be awesome to be able to use the S3 as his main phone on both carriers with a simple SIM card swap! Does anyone have any insight on this, whether it would be possible or not?
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As far as I understand it, the Verizon S3 needs a software update to unlock the GSM bands within the radio, which currently is not available...Also the LTE Bands are Not Compatible, according to my research Verizon uses 700/750 KT uses 1800. The Verizon S3 has 700/750 LTE Support...Also note while the Verizon S3 likely will have GSM support via a software update it will be Edge bands not WCDMA/HSPA+...as for the CDMA side out of luck there too according to KT they use the 1800 band and the Verizon S3 only has 850/1900 band for CDMA...in short getting the Verizon S3 will in no way help your father ditch his second phone...If your father is an international traveler he would be better suited to using a GSM carrier then buying a phone like the Galaxy Nexus which is pentaband WCDMA, this will work in any country that has WCDMA, I can vouch personally that my GNex (GSM Unlocked) works in S. Korea with HSPA+ Data Speeds as I was just there this past February.
So though the GS3 would most likely not be able to use 4G (through HSPA+, I may also be misunderstanding...) would it be able to have 3G overseas? I ask since I will be traveling to China later this year and being able to use 3G over there would be more convenient than getting another phone...

Can Verizon Samsung Tab I705 can be unlocked to use Tmobile SIM?

I just bought Verizon Samsung SCH-I705. I just wonder that can it could be unlocked to use Tmobile SIM. I know that this one has LTE SIM but just wonder?
I'd like to know the same
ill like to know that too
porto35 said:
I just bought Verizon Samsung SCH-I705. I just wonder that can it could be unlocked to use Tmobile SIM. I know that this one has LTE SIM but just wonder?
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Click to collapse
This has been asked before and the answer is still the same
Verizon - CDMA Carrier
TMO - GSM carrier
Two different radio's. You can use an unlocked TMO tab and use it on AT&T (Another GSM carrier).. The Verizon tab shouldn't have a SIM card in it. Unless it is a World tab or LTE. In the LTE case, only the 4G is sim controlled, the 3G is controlled by the CDMA radio.
Verizon:
Frequencies and Data Type Digital: (CDMA/PCS)/1x, EVDO Rev A, LTE (Band 13 only)
Tmobile
Frequencies and Data Type GSM: 850/900/1800/1900
So your answer is no.....
delete
Oditius said:
This has been asked before and the answer is still the same
Verizon - CDMA Carrier
TMO - GSM carrier
Two different radio's. You can use an unlocked TMO tab and use it on AT&T (Another GSM carrier).. The Verizon tab shouldn't have a SIM card in it. Unless it is a World tab or LTE. In the LTE case, only the 4G is sim controlled, the 3G is controlled by the CDMA radio.
Verizon:
Frequencies and Data Type Digital: (CDMA/PCS)/1x, EVDO Rev A, LTE (Band 13 only)
Tmobile
Frequencies and Data Type GSM: 850/900/1800/1900
So your answer is no.....
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Click to collapse
I believe you answer is just partially correct. My Verizon Tab has a SIM slot. I currently own a Verizon Iphone 4S, Iphone 5 and Samsung S3. Used to own BB Tour, Storm, Bold, HTC Incredible 2, HTC rezound. After unlock, all of them (they have both CDMA and GSM) can be used with any SIM card. That why Verizon called them Global Phones. I also believe that the Samsung S3 is LTE phone with SIM card slot and I have no problem to use it with my TMO SIM card
porto35 said:
I believe you answer is just partially correct. My Verizon Tab has a SIM slot. I currently own a Verizon Iphone 4S, Iphone 5 and Samsung S3. Used to own BB Tour, Storm, Bold, HTC Incredible 2, HTC rezound. After unlock, all of them (they have both CDMA and GSM) can be used with any SIM card. That why Verizon called them Global Phones. I also believe that the Samsung S3 is LTE phone with SIM card slot and I have no problem to use it with my TMO SIM card
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Click to collapse
My US Cellular S3 had a SIM card too, but USCC is a CDMA phone. The SIM card was for 4G LTE only as USCC is a CDMA carrier. Some of the BB was "World Phones" meaning that they had 2 radio's in them, 1 CDMA when you was in the USA, the other was GSM when you traveled outside the USA but could not be used inside the US unless it was (the GSM part) unlocked. I know there are some other Android "World Phones" I had the Motorola Electrify, I think it's counter part on Sprint had a different name. There was a few more on USCC that was World Phones, They had dual radio's. But the S3 and Note 2 didn't. But I would guess that it could be possible that Verizon's variation could be different. I never looked that close. But if there is a way to unlock it and use it on a GSM network, then do a search, the phone is old enough to have already been unlocked, and a search would turn it up if it was. If your search comes up negative, then you will have your answer.
Oditius said:
My US Cellular S3 had a SIM card too, but USCC is a CDMA phone. The SIM card was for 4G LTE only as USCC is a CDMA carrier. Some of the BB was "World Phones" meaning that they had 2 radio's in them, 1 CDMA when you was in the USA, the other was GSM when you traveled outside the USA but could not be used inside the US unless it was (the GSM part) unlocked. I know there are some other Android "World Phones" I had the Motorola Electrify, I think it's counter part on Sprint had a different name. There was a few more on USCC that was World Phones, They had dual radio's. But the S3 and Note 2 didn't. But I would guess that it could be possible that Verizon's variation could be different. I never looked that close. But if there is a way to unlock it and use it on a GSM network, then do a search, the phone is old enough to have already been unlocked, and a search would turn it up if it was. If your search comes up negative, then you will have your answer.
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Thx for your reply. My Verizon Samsung S3 was unlocked by Verizon (by agreement from verizon with FCC) as they did with Iphone 5 (can be considered as factory unlock). Both of them can be used with GSM carrier here but not the Iphone 4S (for abroad use only even it is unlocked by Verizon).
I searched and have not seen any solution for unlock the Samsung Tab I705 in US but there are unlock code for sale for I705 in Europe and in Asia. I checked the I705 specifications but only see LTE 700Mhz, Class 13 (as you stated) in your previous post. Same thing with Verizon Samsung S3 I535 but I can use S3 with TMO sim. That is the reason I want to find out anyway we can unlock I705 (Tab 2) to use with SIM card for GSM carrier. Anybody can help?
DAMN!
I was looking for the same thing!
>.>
yes it can be done
I know that the verizon galaxy tab 2 can be unlocked. A friend of mine had verizon do it by claiming they where traveling outside the country, and it works on T-Mobile just fine. because it does have both radios. PLUS i want it for the LTE anyways and it does work for the t-mobile LTE. problem for me is that i no longer have an account with verizon so they will not give me the unlock code for the tablet so i need another way to unlock it.... can i do this by rooting it and putting a customer ROM or does that no effect that portion of the tablet.
clevenger23 said:
I know that the verizon galaxy tab 2 can be unlocked. A friend of mine had verizon do it by claiming they where traveling outside the country, and it works on T-Mobile just fine. because it does have both radios. PLUS i want it for the LTE anyways and it does work for the t-mobile LTE. problem for me is that i no longer have an account with verizon so they will not give me the unlock code for the tablet so i need another way to unlock it.... can i do this by rooting it and putting a customer ROM or does that no effect that portion of the tablet.
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Click to collapse
No effect.
Sent from my GT-P5110 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I have Samsung Tab E Verizon SM-T567V it's Global and 4G supported with a dedicated sim slot. How to sim unlock it???

Question on Sim Card swapping

Hello, I currently have a Samsung Galaxy SIII (International) which is on a T-Mobile network through Carphone Warehouse as you know, the SIII was made in two model variants, the 3G and the 4G models. I have the 3G model but I was thinking of upgrading to a Nexus 5 (International) which is 4G ready.
So my question is: Would I be able to swap my SIM card from my SIII to the Nexus 5 and have access to 4G speeds straight away?
Smithy5995 said:
Hello, I currently have a Samsung Galaxy SIII (International) which is on a T-Mobile network through Carphone Warehouse as you know, the SIII was made in two model variants, the 3G and the 4G models. I have the 3G model but I was thinking of upgrading to a Nexus 5 (International) which is 4G ready.
So my question is: Would I be able to swap my SIM card from my SIII to the Nexus 5 and have access to 4G speeds straight away?
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Click to collapse
It depends on the SIM card they gave you. You may not have one provisioned for 4G LTE.

Do dual network Phones Exist?

Hello, I currently have Sprint in the USA and locked into a contract but when travelling, the service is spotty. I have to take a 2nd phone that I have with tmobile. I understand I can buy like a new Sprint iphone or the new nexus and just swap sim cards and that will work? That is one option. I was also wondering if there is like a single phone that will work with both sprint and tmobile at the same time. Kinda like the samsung duos phones but those only work with 2 gsm carriers. Tried a search but didnt get anywhere. Thanks. Just weighing my options here.
stephenjones007 said:
Hello, I currently have Sprint in the USA and locked into a contract but when travelling, the service is spotty. I have to take a 2nd phone that I have with tmobile. I understand I can buy like a new Sprint iphone or the new nexus and just swap sim cards and that will work? That is one option. I was also wondering if there is like a single phone that will work with both sprint and tmobile at the same time. Kinda like the samsung duos phones but those only work with 2 gsm carriers. Tried a search but didnt get anywhere. Thanks. Just weighing my options here.
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Click to collapse
Not with Sprint. As you've no doubt seen, dual SIM phones aren't exactly common in the US. The few that are are imports, and fewer still will even support North American GSM bands. And of course, Sprint uses CDMA for telephony, and only Sprint phones work on their own network. Your only option would be to switch to AT&T and/or T-Mobile or their MVNOs that work on those networks, and find the rare phone that has LTE for both. But if you're sticking with Sprint, you'll either have to swap SIMs on a device that works with any (as you said, iPhone, Nexus...I think the Moto X Pure does too), or carry a 2nd phone for a different carrier.

Using cricket sim on device?

I have a straight talk S3 (Verizon based) and a cricket sim card. How do I make the cricket sim work in the phone?
XxInSaNeClOwNxX said:
I have a straight talk S3 (Verizon based) and a cricket sim card. How do I make the cricket sim work in the phone?
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Click to collapse
You need a CDMA SIM from any CDMA carrier and it will work as soon as you put it in, then you set your APNs to Tracfone APNs.
If your Cricket SIM is a GSM SIM then it won't work, it MUST be a CDMA SIM.
Verizon CDMA LTE SIMs are only $3-5 on eBay. I'm sure you can afford the price and the wait while it is mailed to you.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
I used a friend's Verizon Galaxy SIII at one point... kind of... it took a while to detect the network each time the phone started up and it was only EDGE/2G
So, it works for phone calls and very slow data... might be okay if you're usually on wifi, but it's really better to just have a phone that is compatible with Cricket's HSPA+ 3G and 4G LTE network(s).
vdoug said:
I used a friend's Verizon Galaxy SIII at one point... kind of... it took a while to detect the network each time the phone started up and it was only EDGE/2G
So, it works for phone calls and very slow data... might be okay if you're usually on wifi, but it's really better to just have a phone that is compatible with Cricket's HSPA+ 3G and 4G LTE network(s).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are asking about the SIM because they have a straight talk s3 and that device has to use Verizon S3 ROMs and that makes the Straight Talk S3 require a SIM to have working mobile data, it won't work without the SIM. They weren't asking if they can use a Straight Talk S3 on Cricket network.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

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