I'm a T-Mobile Prepaid customer using a simple $19 phone but am planning to purchase a no-contract smart phone, say Samsung Galaxy S 2 or HTC Amaze 4G.
If I buy one of these for T-Mobile Prepaid, am I locked in there, or the phone is useful even if I might move onto another carrier such as Verizon or ATT, or to another Plan within T-Mobile later?
xdabyk said:
I'm a T-Mobile Prepaid customer using a simple $19 phone but am planning to purchase a no-contract smart phone, say Samsung Galaxy S 2 or HTC Amaze 4G.
If I buy one of these for T-Mobile Prepaid, am I locked in there, or the phone is useful even if I might move onto another carrier such as Verizon or ATT, or to another Plan within T-Mobile later?
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No you are not locked in if you buy a phone off contract. You will not be able to move to verizon or sprint with the phone though, because they use CDMA and not GSM like the rest of the world.
you can outright buy the phone, but check to see if they have a pre-paid plan/data plan for that phone, it will not be unlocked so you cannot move. You can request t-mobile to unlock it though, but you will not get the same 4g speeds
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
lowandbehold said:
No you are not locked in if you buy a phone off contract. You will not be able to move to verizon or sprint with the phone though, because they use CDMA and not GSM like the rest of the world.
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Thank you. Does that mean I can use the Samsung Galaxy S2 No-Contract Model I buy from/for T-Mobil Prepaid now for other carriers of GSM? May I understand from your reply message(s) that T-Mobile is a GSM format carrier(and so is AT&T?) as opposed to Verizon and Sprint being a CDMA guys? If so, I can use the phone as long as my next carrier is a GSM guy? Does this make sense?
djjuice said:
you can outright buy the phone, but check to see if they have a pre-paid plan/data plan for that phone, it will not be unlocked so you cannot move. You can request t-mobile to unlock it though, but you will not get the same 4g speeds
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To: djjuice -
Thank you. I will do some homework in order to understand what "locked", "unlock" and " . . . will not get the same 4g speeds" mean.
Even unlocked the phone may not support the 3G or "4"G data speed between TMobile and AT&T. The AT&T Galaxy S II will not run on TMobile 3G data, only Edge (2G) data, because they run on different frequencies, same thing with the TMobile Galaxy S II does not support AT&T frequencies. If you buy the phone off contract from TMobile, they should unlock it for you, but there is no guarantee it will work (fully) anywhere else.
If you buy a phone off of craigslist even though you are buying it off contract you cannot guarantee it can be unlocked freely. For example if you buy an AT&T phone used from someone, AT&T will not unlock it for you for free until it's a certain number of months old (based on when the first person bought it from AT&T). You would have to pay a third party for an unlock code (if there is no help here on xda to unlock it).
It's best to just buy a phone for the carrier you plan on using. That ensures its going to work, and that it will work at full speed. If you really think you are going to switch to AT&T buy one of their branded phones, or Verizon etc. Verizon and Sprint both use CDMA, but they are very resistant to allowing another carriers phone on their network. Plus their 4G networks are different types (Verizon uses LTE, Sprint WiMax) so they wouldn't work fully regardless.
Thank you, quarlow.
My budget is around $600 max. So I'm inclined to purchase an HTC Amaze 4Z or Samsung Galaxy S2 for use for T-Mobile Prepaid at Target or at T-Mobile. T-Mobile Net Shop is selling Galaxy S2 Re-Furbished at a discount price. Hear Galaxy S2 have high rate of initial failures and therefore maybe better to buy a re-furbished one that has failed once and was repaired by qualified repairman. Below is how I come to think of buying a smart phone now. I've been happy with a simple prepaid phone buying 100 minutes at a time, which lasts more than a year for me. I also use a Sony Clie, a PDA running Palm Desk Top, which has gone obsolete long time ago. With a smart phone such as Galaxy or Amaze 4Z, I can leave not only the PDA but also a digital camera home. I do not need to access my PDA data over internet. I will import necessary data from my PC to my new smart phone either via cable or via WIFI before going out. That's why I want to remain "Prepaid Customer" not a customer with monthly fees. (Besides, I am not so much interested in leaving my data at ISP's servers.)
Thank you.
I haven't heard of high failure on the Galaxy S II's for TMo. But I have seen several studies showing refurbished devices have lower failure rates because they can have problem components replaced, and have to pass full qa testing twice.
If you are going to put all your data on your phone via USB on the computer, or wifi, then data compatibility won't matter. That changes the whole issue of taking it to another carrier. Any att or TMo phone that is unlocked will make and receive phone calls, text messages and mms messages just fine on the other network. You will only notice the difference when web browsing, or downloading files. If you aren't going to do that, then it wont make a difference.
Knowing that and your budget I would say get a international version of the phone. Get the Galaxy S II (i9100), or the Galaxy Note, or the Galaxy Nexus. All of those phones are top tier, and international versions will receive updates quicker. The Nexus being the Google device will be the first ICS device to get the next version of android, so its the most future proof. The GSM version of any of those phones will likely come unlocked.
The i9100 has a 4.3" screen, and 1.2Ghz dual core Exynos chip. The TMo version has a 4.5" screen (same resolution) with 1.5Ghz dual core qualcomm chip. The bigger screens did have issues with splotches and vertical lines far more than the 4.3" screen. With them being the same resolution the smaller screen is crisper. The Exynos chip is made by Samsung and widely regarded as the better chip, even at a slower speed. It also comes with a more powerful gpu than the qualcomm chip. So, the graphics are better, and games run better. The att version (i777) is almost exactly the same as the i9100, except it has the U.S. norm of 4 buttons, vs the international 3 buttons. The dev support on xda for the i9100 is unmatched by any other phone, its an amazing device with a huge support and user base.
The Galaxy Note is a 5.3" half phone half tablet with a stylus, and 1.4Ghz dual core Exynos chip. Its screen is a whopping 1280x800 resolution. But, for some that's too big.
The Galaxy Nexus has a 4.65" screen with 720p resolution (this screen is pentile which means it doesn't have as many sub pixels as it could. Its hard to explain, Google pentile vs rgb and there should be plenty of explinations. But, most reviews say at that resolution you need a microscope to tell). But the real strength with that device is that its the pure Google device. Its running Android the way its meant to be ran, unbloated and unrestricted. That is the Rolls Royce of Android phones for the next year. The Nexus S is last years Google device, and will be the first gingerbread device with an official ICS upgrade, if it isn't already upgraded. Its like a Mercedes at this point, its got the pure android experience, but its running last years tech: 4" screen, 1Ghz single core hummingbird chip.
I'm sure that is way more information than you ever wanted to know, but I hope it helps.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
quarlow said:
Even unlocked the phone may not support the 3G or "4"G data speed between TMobile and AT&T. The AT&T Galaxy S II will not run on TMobile 3G data, only Edge (2G) data, because they run on different frequencies, same thing with the TMobile Galaxy S II does not support AT&T frequencies. If you buy the phone off contract from TMobile, they should unlock it for you, but there is no guarantee it will work (fully) anywhere else.
If you buy a phone off of craigslist even though you are buying it off contract you cannot guarantee it can be unlocked freely. For example if you buy an AT&T phone used from someone, AT&T will not unlock it for you for free until it's a certain number of months old (based on when the first person bought it from AT&T). You would have to pay a third party for an unlock code (if there is no help here on xda to unlock it).
It's best to just buy a phone for the carrier you plan on using. That ensures its going to work, and that it will work at full speed. If you really think you are going to switch to AT&T buy one of their branded phones, or Verizon etc. Verizon and Sprint both use CDMA, but they are very resistant to allowing another carriers phone on their network. Plus their 4G networks are different types (Verizon uses LTE, Sprint WiMax) so they wouldn't work fully regardless.
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Actually the T-mobile SGSII supports AT&T 3g.
lowandbehold said:
Actually the T-mobile SGSII supports AT&T 3g.
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Att 3G runs on 850 and 1900, with preference on 1900 generally. The TMo looks to have 850, but not 1900. So like the vibrant the support will be spotty at best. It may work in some places, but not everywhere.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
To quarlow and lowandbehold -
Very informative! Thank you very much.
I will stay with the plan to go for a Galaxy S2(i1900) or an HTC Amaze 4Z for TMO Prepaid. If there be good prepaid phone service(s) available from other carrier(s), I'd definitely want to learn about.
My galaxy nexus radio problems and sprints terrible service in my area have made me decide that I need a change. I am looking to move to an AT&T prepaid service. My price limit is $200. I would like to have a phone that has removable batteries which the cloned s4 has. I like the size and design of the s4 better than the 4.5" moto g. The factors that are holding me back from the s4 is the lack of reviews on it. If its reliable stock or rooted, I would probably go with that. The reason the Moto G is in the running is that it will be at my door in 2 days and I know if I have any issues, I can call motorola as opposed to trying to deal with some chinese seller. The lack of reviews for the cloned s4 have me up in the air. There are threads here for the S4 but no real reviews. Can any owners comment on how they like using/owning the device?
THanks!!
I don't own it yet but i don't think you will be able to use 3g on att because of the frequency bands. You should check yourself but I think t mobile 3g will work.
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after my horrible experience with Verizon, I still have about 10 days to go back to ATT.
see here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/droid-turbo/general/verizon-horrible-t2935510
Not sure what phones to pick on ATT, all the phones are a bit older, or huge or lower end.
There is Moto X, probably the closest thing to Droid Turbo.... with camera, battery, screen is all inferior
There is (will be) Nexus 6, but that thing is huge, and missing the cool Moto apps.
There is Galaxy S5, that due to replacement
There is Note 4, again huge and Samsung TouchWiz....
Looking for some input.
TouchWiz is not bad on the note4
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So as the title states I am due for an upgrade soon with tmobiles jump program and I currently have the HTC One M8.
Had it not been for the lack of LTE radio bands on this device I would be keeping it.
I have been looking at newer 2015 flagships and none have really stood out and said "buy me", which seems rather sad to be honest, anyone else feel this way?
I am considering jumping back a generation and getting the iPhone 5S 64GB since it has the storage I want and all the radio bands I would need with tmo launching new towers and that if I did choose to jump to an mvno of ATT I know it would work.
I had considered two android flagships which are the LG G4 and the Samsung Galaxy s6, but im still not sold on them completely.
Anyone have any suggestions or thoughts about this?
If you want or need support for Band 12 (700 MHz A-block), no iPhone will provide it, unless Apple decides to provide it in the next version.
Otherwise, if I was getting a top-of-the-line phone, I'd be considering the G4, mainly for the SD slot and removable battery. IMO, Samsung ruined the S6 by getting rid of those features.
I would wait to see what motorola puts out. The droid lineup and the motoX have been great phones. Moto usually does their flagships later in the year and this will be the second set of flagship phones they release under Lenevo.
I just got the LG G4, going from the Note 4. Leant charge as fast and runs the Bart down 75% Bart with th browsing for an hour. Button on the back taking some getting used to. But yes it has to have sd slot and removable batt.
---------- Post added at 06:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:18 AM ----------
Btw on first jump plan, every 3 months new phone plus tax
I started to look more into the LG G4 yesterday afternoon and later that night to see if it would be something I could get behind and for the most part I can see myself using it.
I do like that it has the ability to swap batteries and take up to a 2TB sd card, which could be handy in the long run.
Ultimately I just wanted a device that was able to move seemlessly across tmo and att without much restriction other than getting the carrier unlock. Knowing now that the G4 H815 is the same model on tmo and att its practically a no brainer.
The only one downside I will not like is that despite it having a premium feel due to the leather, it is still ultimately a plastic device. I love my HTC One M8 and its build quality, but the lack of LTE band support slays me. Why introduce a device with only band 4 and 17 for LTE? I mean my wife and I were driving across rural west Texas the other day and she was pulling 4G LTE where I was barely pulling 2G, what was HTC Thinking?
grokus said:
I would wait to see what motorola puts out. The droid lineup and the motoX have been great phones. Moto usually does their flagships later in the year and this will be the second set of flagship phones they release under Lenevo.
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I was considering a 1st gen moto X when they first launched, but at the time I had an LG G2 and was enjoying that device. I have seen the steps moto has made from some of the earlier droids and I have been impressed especially with the new Moto X. If Tmo had a way to get it on their store without having to pay full price for it on motos store then I would get it id imagine.
Yea, my main device is a droid turbo. Would have gone with the moto x but I love the battery life on the turbo.
Sent from my XT1080 using XDA Free mobile app
so we currently are on verizon. our signal is weak at home and heard at&t services our area well.. so im realy cinsidering the switch.. it sucks going outside to make phone calls..
what at&t devices have development going on?? root, backup.. you know..
we switched to verizon a year ago from tmobile. i got a htc dsire 626 that had no dev whatsoever.. going from a rom junkie to no means at all was crazy.. i hate phones with buttons but in this case it seems if i have to do it, i have to do it..
I know the feeling. I thought the Galaxy S4 would be a "nice cheap upgrade" from the Captivate (Galaxy S, AT&T branded ofc) which spoiled me to no end. I'd love to find something as open as that.
Right now, I'm looking at just outright outta-contract buying an unlocked phone and just doing the legwork to make sure it works with AT&T antenna wise.
Of course everyone's needs and wants are different but amongst my group the winners seem to be OnePlus Three, LG G4/5, for those who are flash-happy.
MZeora said:
I know the feeling. I thought the Galaxy S4 would be a "nice cheap upgrade" from the Captivate (Galaxy S, AT&T branded ofc) which spoiled me to no end. I'd love to find something as open as that.
Right now, I'm looking at just outright outta-contract buying an unlocked phone and just doing the legwork to make sure it works with AT&T antenna wise.
Of course everyone's needs and wants are different but amongst my group the winners seem to be OnePlus Three, LG G4/5, for those who are flash-happy.
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cool i'll have to take a look into those.. yeah the desire 626 had literally no dev for the verizon side.. metropcs got a little but it was dead for the most part.. i just delt with it, gave up, but never lost interest.. now that we are thinking of switching again, ima do more research before get anything..
HTC 10 - T-Mobile Note 4 or 5 - Nexus 6p - one+ any version - Nexus 5x - Honor 5x or 8
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