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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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!
Hi there,
I've done some googling on the topic and i can't seem to find a concrete answer, i was hoping one of you could help me out.
When my plan is finished in december, i'm planning on switching over to WIND mobile since their prices are WAY better than anything any other canadian provider has to offer. Unforunately, their network only really works with AWS compatible phones. Now, my friend had a rogers captivate and switched over to WIND no problem. My infuse is an ATT version (not sure if theres a difference) but theres no mention of AWS compatibility on phonegsm for the captivate or the infuse.
I'm thinking that in that case, the infuse is also compatible?
If anybody has a friend that uses WIND, would it be possible for you to pop in their sim card and see if it works?
Wind Mobile requires your equipment to transer on 1710–1800 MHz, and receive at 2100–2155 MHz.
Due to the fact that the Infuses radio can operate on both 1800 and 2100 Frequency, I would assume that it would work. However, if you go to a Wind Mobile store, they can test your phone for free.
projectvirtue said:
Hi there,
I've done some googling on the topic and i can't seem to find a concrete answer, i was hoping one of you could help me out.
When my plan is finished in december, i'm planning on switching over to WIND mobile since their prices are WAY better than anything any other canadian provider has to offer. Unforunately, their network only really works with AWS compatible phones. Now, my friend had a rogers captivate and switched over to WIND no problem. My infuse is an ATT version (not sure if theres a difference) but theres no mention of AWS compatibility on phonegsm for the captivate or the infuse.
I'm thinking that in that case, the infuse is also compatible?
If anybody has a friend that uses WIND, would it be possible for you to pop in their sim card and see if it works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's an AT&T phone, it's not AWS compatible - simple as that.
Try unlocking a T-Mobile phone, much higher chance of working.
I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with definitively determining which network bands are offered on the SM-G920W8. I have done a lot of searching today, and everything I seem to read online about this is conflicting. Is there a source out there with this information that someone thinks might be correct?
I am mostly just wondering if my phone will be able to access European networks while traveling.
A related question - if I key in *#2263#, select Band Selection>LTE, I get a listing of LTE bands. Are all of these active on my phone?
I can post screenshots if it helps.
Hello everyone. As many of us first posters here, I have a problem:
I've bought an north american J327U from someone I know, and that person only used it at home with their wi-fi. It's got an Exynos chipset, and no support for the LTE bands from where I live in (which are completely different from the USA's LTE bands).
After quite a bit of research, I found here and elsewhere methods to change LTE support for Qualcomm devices, but had no luck finding any for Exynos devices. Is there any way to do the same thing for devices with Exynos chipset, or am I stuck with no LTE? I also know it deppends on the hardware support for that, in my case I would need support for bands 3 (1800mhz), 7 (2600mhz) and 28 (700mhz). The phone covers none of those.
My device is not yet rooted, but I'm fine with doing so if needed.
Thanks in advance for any help.
I don't think you can physically change the bands unfortunately.
Hey everyone,
the new Zenfone 6 is amazing, besides the FlipCamera it has nearly everything (big battery, microSD, 3,5 mm headphone,...).
Just one thing irritates me: there are three Versions A, B and C, as one can see here under "Network Standard"
https://www.asus.com/Phone/ZenFone-6-ZS630KL/Tech-Specs/
So can someone tell me what that means? Like if I get the European version A (with Band 20), will I than for instance not be able to use it in the USA for telephone / SMS?! Or just not LTE / can I still use it like on UMTS? No LTE at all or just not certain carriers?
Hope someone can make it clear to me, thanks in advance
You'll be able to use it anywhere, it's just there's slightly less band coverage, so some networks in some countries would be nixed.
See Kimovil.com for network compatibility.
Gearbest currently have the 6GB / 64GB Version C (most bands) for €495.
It means you'll have to be sure to verify you get the version with the bands needed for your particular carrier. You have to be very careful and verify before buying as it seems with the ZenFone 5Z, for example, sellers don't always properly clarify which version they're selling.
You need to find out which of the main bands your phone carrier uses then match them up to one of the versions. I use AT&T prepaid, so for for example I need a phone with coverage for bands 2,4,5,8, and 17 if I recall correctly.
If some bands aren't covered you won't have LTE in that area, as not all areas you're in are using the same network frequency bands. Therefore coverage can get worse when you travel with a phone without full band support.
Checked out the bands available on the Asus site you linked (thank you very much BTW) and it seems they are missing bands 66(extension of band 4) & 71 (600mhz frequency) so it seems like it may work okay on TMobile.
What do you guys think if those two bands are missing? Will it be detrimental to daily use or not really? Currently on an OG Pixel and this Asus offering is looking like a future purchase!!
CDMA (Sprint or Verizon) compatiblity in the US?
Stanto said:
CDMA (Sprint or Verizon) compatiblity in the US?
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Click to collapse
Looks like the C variants might work for you but double check the bands for your carrier Kimovil.com.
mudnightoil said:
See Kimovil.com for network compatibility.
Gearbest currently have the 6GB / 64GB Version C (most bands) for €495.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the hint.
I need Band 20 (O2 Germany), so I can only use Version A (so no B or C for me).
---edit---
I just checked: T-Online and Vodafone use Band 20 and 32 (in Germany), but none of the three versions support both.
MartyM76 said:
If some bands aren't covered you won't have LTE in that area, as not all areas you're in are using the same network frequency bands. Therefore coverage can get worse when you travel with a phone without full band support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, but does it mean I will at least have telephone and SMS in those areas, where the LTE band won't be supported?!
JJ111 said:
Ok, but does it mean I will at least have telephone and SMS in those areas, where the LTE band won't be supported?!
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Click to collapse
Yes, as long at the other bands are supported (which they should be) it will drop to 3G/4G or whatever. That's why people using some Chinese phones for example in the USA can use everything but LTE.
You might
need to check however about VoLTE, I think. I don't have T-Mobile but you should read more about that as I've seen it mentioned in XDA & other places.
---------- Post added at 12:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 PM ----------
> Gearbest currently have the 6GB / 64GB Version C (most bands) for €495
I only see the A version there. Where did you find the C version?
This device just hit my radar... looks like we might have an upgrade winner!
For Tmobile US, C model is the way to go. The two highest bands that are missing with this device would get you better signal indoors / less interference, but I am not sure how far along that tech even is.
charlatan01 said:
The two highest bands that are missing with this device would get you better signal indoors / less interference, but I am not sure how far along that tech even is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By highest bands do you mean 66 and 71? The only phones that use band 71 at the moment are Samsung s8 Active and LG V30. I currently have an OG Pixel and it does not use 66 or 71 and I get great coverage in the East coast even when going north into the mountains.
wreq5 said:
By highest bands do you mean 66 and 71? The only phones that use band 71 at the moment are Samsung s8 Active and LG V30. I currently have an OG Pixel and it does not use 66 or 71 and I get great coverage in the East coast even when going north into the mountains.
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'
Yep, those are the two. Those two are still relatively new, and general Tmo coverage continues to improve here in Colorado.
I imagine that once the phone is sold on the asus.com website that particular variant will support all the main carriers LTE bands. I would be surprised if there were any major issues with that otherwise what's the point of even selling it in the USA?
SantinoInc said:
I imagine that once the phone is sold on the asus.com website that particular variant will support all the main carriers LTE bands.
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Yes, for example in the case of the 5Z I just ordered (to get me by since I desperately need a phone with a better camera & no OLED to cause eye strain) the bands listed for phones at the Asus USA online store cover AT&T properly and to the best of my knowledge T-Mobile as well.
I figured out that they don't list phones there that aren't USA network compatible. I still check, regardless, just to feel 100% sure but that's what I found.
It's the 3rd party sellers you really need to be careful about and always verify.
The OnePlus 7 pro has bands 66 and 71.
This probably would have been my first choice until I noticed the different versions. With more and more manufacturers choosing to release single, global bands phones, I really don't understand why Asus insist on continuing to release regional versions of their phones.
Back in the days when everyone made regional models, I had the Padfone Infinity 2 and it was a great phone (until a late OTA release have it the new ZenUI, which was promptly removed). After reading that the latest ZenUI 6 has been slimmed down to an almost stock Android experience, I thought it might once again be similar to what Asus provided before ZenUI came along and that I can now once again consider Asus phones. Wrong!
I spend time in both Europe and Asia and there is no version that covers both areas major LTE bands. So Asus will have to remain on the list of phones to ignore.
Robbo.5000 said:
This probably would have been my first choice until I noticed the different versions. With more and more manufacturers choosing to release single, global bands phones, I really don't understand why Asus insist on continuing to release regional versions of their phones.
Back in the days when everyone made regional models, I had the Padfone Infinity 2 and it was a great phone (until a late OTA release have it the new ZenUI, which was promptly removed). After reading that the latest ZenUI 6 has been slimmed down to an almost stock Android experience, I thought it might once again be similar to what Asus provided before ZenUI came along and that I can now once again consider Asus phones. Wrong!
I spend time in both Europe and Asia and there is no version that covers both areas major LTE bands. So Asus will have to remain on the list of phones to ignore.
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I'm in the same position. The C version covers everything I need except for Band 20 which is a necessity throughout Europe. The A version has Bamd 20 but won't work on US LTE. They did the same thing with the Zenfone 2 and inexplicably mixed up the bands regionally. I'll stick with my NexS for now but keep an eye on this phone in case the Limited edition they usually release solves the problem.
prestonmcafee said:
The OnePlus 7 pro has bands 66 and 71.
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I don't want the OP7. This isn't the OP7 forum.