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Hello gents, I'll start with a short story to get you into the thread:
Me and my girlfriend live in Venezuela, our service providers are not up to par with american or european carriers in terms of available devices, so we bought an HTC Magic for each of us last year to try out Android, everything was fine, I learned how to root it, install roms and such, and we had a pretty good run with the phone and the OS.
Last week we got robbed and they took away our phones, I decided to get a Nexus S for her and I found one at a good price on eBay(270$+shipping) however this one is branded for Sprint, will I be able to go to my service provider and just tell them to attach my account to the phone I bought on ebay? or are the Sprint and Verizon Nexus S locked to those carriers exclusively?
If the answer to the second question is yes, then a third question is raised, can I in any way unlock this phone to use it on my non-american service provider?
I have seen other threads and the replies are always "the Nexus S is factory unlocked." but I dont know if this refers exclusively to the ones sold in the UK or retail stores in the US.
I apologize for any noobish behaviour, I'm a big fan of devices and gadgets yet I lack a lot of the technical skills you all seem to demonstrate.
Thanks in advance.
-Gaash
There is no such thing as a Verizon Nexus S. Sprint Nexus S have different radio bands than the regular Nexus S (I9020T/I9020A/I9023) and features a 4G radio with it. You have to make sure that the phone is compatible with your carrier's bands. Another thing to note is that the Sprint Nexus S is CDMA (No SIM card) as well.
All Nexus S models come unlocked regardless if you're on the contract or not. Sorry to hear about your incident
The model I bought is GT-I9020T, according to people on the internet(random links on google) this model works on GSM frequencies of 850, 900, 1800, & 1900. It supports UMTS 900, 1700, and 2100 frequencies.
My current provider works on 850 and 1900 for GSM and 850 for CDMA.
Do you think I will have trouble using the phone I bought for my girl?
I feel terribly dumb when I ask this, I cant explain why, hehe.
Oh, I think I figured it out, I bought for her the non branded GSM version, so yes, it will probably work on my provider.
But what happens if I buy a Sprint CDMA one for myself? Those are definitely cheaper, and CDMA seems to be better down here, at least more stable.
Thanks for your replies, and simpathy, it's been a rough week without a smartphone for both of us.
Gaash said:
Oh, I think I figured it out, I bought for her the non branded GSM version, so yes, it will probably work on my provider.
But what happens if I buy a Sprint CDMA one for myself? Those are definitely cheaper, and CDMA seems to be better down here, at least more stable.
Thanks for your replies, and simpathy, it's been a rough week without a smartphone for both of us.
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure and I wouldn't say the CDMA version is more stable. I personally never used the Nexus S 4G but from what I can tell from threads is that there are problems with WiFi or something of that sort.
You might want to ask the carrier yourself via phone to see if it would be compatible or so. Just let them know about the bands the phone supports.
And that's interesting if your carrier supports CDMA and GSM.
CDMA = No SIM card
GSM = SIM card
GSM is more popular around the world. Just including that just incase!
Alright, so I talked to my carrier they said the following:
-If I buy a CDMA phone with no contract on the US I will be able to register it on their network.
-If I buy an unlocked GSM phone I can register it on their network.
I guess I'll have to buy a couple of GSMs just to be sure... even tho they are about 100$ more expensive.
Thanks for all the replies, catch you later!
Xda Dear friends, I want to understand something, I would buy a phone from the states, the problem of the consignment through baipassato very useful website (viaddress) I find myself having to choose between the various types of cell present them with the board, without board, t-mobile, verizon, unlooked, etc., which can also be used in Italy?
Anything unlocked GSM with 850/1900 HSPA frequencies (aka AT&T frequencies).
But why are you ordering from the US? Surely the unlocked prices are much better from elsewhere in Europe.
so long as it's unlooked, because of the vast majority unlooked not report if they are at & t or verizon or t-moblile, says only unloked
ulkika said:
so long as it's unlooked, because of the vast majority unlooked not report if they are at & t or verizon or t-moblile, says only unloked
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Click to collapse
Sorry having trouble understanding...
Phones in the US are rarely unlocked. They're almost always carrier locked devices.
Not to mention that ordering from the US severely cuts your choices down. The only phones that'll work in Italy are from AT&T. Verizon and Sprint are CDMA, and T-Mobile operates on different frequencies.
If you're in Italy looking for a device, the US is the wrong place to look.
I apologize but I had a t-mobile htc hd2 and it worked well but not great compared all'hd2 I've had since, as you said?
Also, several people in Italy are selling t-mobile, if as you say they work on different bands why we find them for sale.
not 'not true that mobile phones are cheaper in Europe, especially for used here in Italy is still a well spent money.
T-Mobile in Europe (run by Deutsche Telekom) is different from T-Mobile US.
Every carrier in Europe (with few exceptions) are running on 850/1900 HSPA+ (or within normal quadband UMTS). Buying a T-Mobile branded phone from the US means that it will not get 3G on your networks in Europe. T-Mo US branded phones in the US have AWS for HSPA+ (that's 1700/2100).
As I've said earlier and said in my reply to your PM, buying from the US market will not save you any money, and it will cause more problems for you. Retailers do not sell unlocked phones in the US. They're locked, and you will have even less of a selection because only AT&T has compatible bands for you. T-Mobile US, Sprint, and Verizon phones will not work for you in Italy.
As I said before and in my PM, just buy from Europe. You'll get an unlocked device that will work for your networks, and won't have to deal with hassles of importing form outside the EU. There are tons of quality importers, such as www.handtec.com, www.clove.com, www.expansys.com, and others. There's a reason why people who want cheaper unlocked phones for the US buy from Europe....
Prices are not lower in the US.
Hello, my friend is looking to buy a smartphone but shes asked me for some help and i dont quite know the answer.... She lives in the US and is on AT&T but comes to university here in England.
My question is, if she buys an AT&T phone, what gsm bands will the phone require for 3g to work here in england (and will it be HSDPA?). Information on the internet is scattered and confusing...
Better call your carrier there in England and ask them what frequencies they use. Then search for a smartphone that works on the frequencies available there in England. GSMarena has a nice phone finder, with a lot of filters (including network frequency)
http://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3
kickassy said:
Hello, my friend is looking to buy a smartphone but shes asked me for some help and i dont quite know the answer.... She lives in the US and is on AT&T but comes to university here in England.
My question is, if she buys an AT&T phone, what gsm bands will the phone require for 3g to work here in england (and will it be HSDPA?). Information on the internet is scattered and confusing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know the Galaxy S II (both i9100 and i777 [AT&T version]) will both work in England because the English i9100 works on AT&T for both 3G and HSPA+ ("4G").
Hi all,
With Verizon releasing officially, the update making its SGS3 Global ready atleast for voice as of now, a lot of discussion is happening right now about the Global capabilities.
FYI. I'm a good reader and explorer on hofo,androidforums and xda. So any guidance is highly appreciated
So here is my question.
I have a Verizon S GS3. It is brand new.
1. Can I use it with Straight Talk T-Mobile SIM ( T-Mobile has good coverage near my house ) after doing the rooting, unlocking, etc. etc all the technical stuff
2. If I unlock the phone, will it be truly global capable, I mean, can I use my S GS3 on any GSM Network in the World, even in the USA, with 3G Speeds? Did anyone use it in any Country with 4G LTE Speeds?
3. I know this is really a very very strange question. But after unlocking the S GS3, will it be working on the AT&T LTE Netowrk in the USA? My thinking is, if it working in the LTE Network in the USA, then it will work in other countries as well, where LTE Network is going to be available in the future. Sorry, I know this is a bit weird.
If You can please refer and threads or links, it is fine with me. I'm also looking and not depending only on the answers that I get from this thread. But looking for replies/guidance/links though.
Thank You.
hope this is the answers you are looking for
qzmpal said:
Hi all,
With Verizon releasing officially, the update making its SGS3 Global ready atleast for voice as of now, a lot of discussion is happening right now about the Global capabilities.
FYI. I'm a good reader and explorer on hofo,androidforums and xda. So any guidance is highly appreciated
So here is my question.
I have a Verizon S GS3. It is brand new.
1. Can I use it with Straight Talk T-Mobile SIM ( T-Mobile has good coverage near my house ) after doing the rooting, unlocking, etc. etc all the technical stuff
2. If I unlock the phone, will it be truly global capable, I mean, can I use my S GS3 on any GSM Network in the World, even in the USA, with 3G Speeds? Did anyone use it in any Country with 4G LTE Speeds?
3. I know this is really a very very strange question. But after unlocking the S GS3, will it be working on the AT&T LTE Netowrk in the USA? My thinking is, if it working in the LTE Network in the USA, then it will work in other countries as well, where LTE Network is going to be available in the future. Sorry, I know this is a bit weird.
If You can please refer and threads or links, it is fine with me. I'm also looking and not depending only on the answers that I get from this thread. But looking for replies/guidance/links though.
Thank You.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for Q1:yes you well be able to use any network... install any mod now most of them are already rooted and unlocked
for Q2:yes you can... all you need to ddo is to download a program called hiapn.. wipe the existing apn settings.. then auto detect and you are good to go 3g and hspa
Q3: yes it works thanks to the magic of hiapn software... but not many countrys use LTE .. usa canada japan and maybe few others
Verizon SGS3 on any GSM Carrier
Hi experts,
I have a small doubt here.
If the Verizon SGS3 can be used with any GSM Carrier around the world, then that means, the Verizon SGS3 can be used with AT&T or T-Mobile as well along with Verizon Network.
But the T-Mobile or AT&T Versions cannot be used on the Verizon's Network. Is that true?
I'm have got a traveling assignment coming up to Europe this Summer and I need to know what is the best possible solution out there before I leave.
Thank You.
Verizon's GS3 uses CDMA technology for the phone calling and data, as far as I know the SIM in the verizon version is only used for LTE.
From what I have read in forum posts, (this one in particular http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2013647) if you pop in a SIM card, calling and texting should work. If you want data to work then you need to change some APNs around. Stock touchwiz does not allow this so you would need an app to do that. AOSP ROMs should have a way for you to edit APNs.
On the topic of getting 4G on any other network besides Verizon, that is fairly unlikely as they all use different technologies/ bands. Verizon has LTE, T-Mobile has HSPA+, not entirely sure what AT&T has but I think its also LTE.
This phone will take any SIM card cut to micro-size.
3G+ speeds depends on the frequency the carrier uses. The VZW GS3 uses the following radio frequencies after the JB update: GPRS/EDGE/GSM (850/900/1800/1900); HSPA/UMTS (2100) [I had to search high and low to find this for my trip to China]
Each LTE carrier uses different radio frequencies, and global countries also use LTE frequencies different than the US ones. 4G is a very varied standard at the moment.
If you want fast internet on a non VZW carrier, it better have HSPA+, otherwise you are on 3G at best.
Right now, the only truely global phone is the iPhone5 on VZW, which supports 5 different LTE frequencies. Sad but true.
The US based SG3's dont even have the FM radio that the international versions have
Edge
Mix3d said:
This phone will take any SIM card cut to micro-size.
3G+ speeds depends on the frequency the carrier uses. The VZW GS3 uses the following radio frequencies after the JB update: GPRS/EDGE/GSM (850/900/1800/1900); HSPA/UMTS (2100) [I had to search high and low to find this for my trip to China]
Each LTE carrier uses different radio frequencies, and global countries also use LTE frequencies different than the US ones. 4G is a very varied standard at the moment.
If you want fast internet on a non VZW carrier, it better have HSPA+, otherwise you are on 3G at best.
Right now, the only truely global phone is the iPhone5 on VZW, which supports 5 different LTE frequencies. Sad but true.
The US based SG3's dont even have the FM radio that the international versions have
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, my girlfriend has a verizon s3 and with straight talk she is only on edge it never changes. It makes the phone nearly useless. Ive tried to talk her into letting me flash and unlock it but she isnt real interested in it. I dont even know forsure if unlocking the bootloader downgrading to 4.1.1 and using the att sim unlock method would work but I would assume that flashing it would allow you to at least get 3-4g. not?
Hi,
I have a north american version Nexus 5 bought in Canada. I will be travelling to Hong Kong and want to use the 4G network there
Am I able to do this or the north american verison cannot use the 4G LTE bands in Hong Kong
Is there any way to flash it or ROM it to change the bands if so?
Thanks
US version should NOT work in HK
If it is only for a short visit, you might have a look for pocket Wifi instead, Many shopping mall offer free Wifi there.
http://www.wifibb.com/en
4G of US version (D820) will not work, only 2G and 3G working.
p.s. my wife got the D820 which bought from google online when in canada, so I quite sure about that.
DummyPLUG said:
4G of US version (D820) will not work, only 2G and 3G working.
p.s. my wife got the D820 which bought from google online when in canada, so I quite sure about that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are indeed correct. Everything but LTE will work just fine.
I have a similar question, but flipped a little for the D821. I want to buy my wife a Nexus 5 phone that will work in both China and Hong Kong -- preferably 4G.
What if I purchase the D821 for use in Asia that, from my research on the 4G LTE bands, will work on 4G in those two countries. Then I bring it back to the US for use. Can anyone confirm whether it will work on US GSM based networks' 4G? I'm almost positive it will not work on either T-Mobile or AT&T, but I can't find much info on any other GSM based network here in the US (which I think use AT&T or T-Mobile networks anyway).
I'd appreciate any help you can offer. I'm still doing research, but there's a good deal going on on ebay for brand new, unlocked D821s for about $375 USD -- reputable Top Seller too. So, I probably need to act fast. In the end, this will be my wife's first smartphone, and so 3G will be fast enough for her, and works perfectly fine in both US and Asia.
THANKS!
okayplay? said:
I have a similar question, but flipped a little for the D821. I want to buy my wife a Nexus 5 phone that will work in both China and Hong Kong -- preferably 4G.
What if I purchase the D821 for use in Asia that, from my research on the 4G LTE bands, will work on 4G in those two countries. Then I bring it back to the US for use. Can anyone confirm whether it will work on US GSM based networks' 4G? I'm almost positive it will not work on either T-Mobile or AT&T, but I can't find much info on any other GSM based network here in the US (which I think use AT&T or T-Mobile networks anyway).
I'd appreciate any help you can offer. I'm still doing research, but there's a good deal going on on ebay for brand new, unlocked D821s for about $375 USD -- reputable Top Seller too. So, I probably need to act fast. In the end, this will be my wife's first smartphone, and so 3G will be fast enough for her, and works perfectly fine in both US and Asia.
THANKS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its the same answer, flipped.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
okayplay? said:
I have a similar question, but flipped a little for the D821. I want to buy my wife a Nexus 5 phone that will work in both China and Hong Kong -- preferably 4G.
What if I purchase the D821 for use in Asia that, from my research on the 4G LTE bands, will work on 4G in those two countries. Then I bring it back to the US for use. Can anyone confirm whether it will work on US GSM based networks' 4G? I'm almost positive it will not work on either T-Mobile or AT&T, but I can't find much info on any other GSM based network here in the US (which I think use AT&T or T-Mobile networks anyway).
I'd appreciate any help you can offer. I'm still doing research, but there's a good deal going on on ebay for brand new, unlocked D821s for about $375 USD -- reputable Top Seller too. So, I probably need to act fast. In the end, this will be my wife's first smartphone, and so 3G will be fast enough for her, and works perfectly fine in both US and Asia.
THANKS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3G will work, 4G will not work. Basically the N5 is a world phone except when it comes to LTE, then you need either the North American version or the rest of the world version.