International vs. US model - Huawei Mate 9 Questions & Answers

I am on AT&T in the US. I'd like to get the 6GB version. I haven't seen that it is being offered in the US. Anyone know if it will?
Assuming it will, ifs there any specific reason to purchase the US model over the international version? I would like to have a phone that will work on both Verizon and AT&T, as I may change carriers.
Any advice?

The Mate 9 will not work on Verizon nor Sprint. Its a GSM phone which means AT&T and Tmobile

If you're changing, then consider T-Mobile!

Not sure you guys realize Verizon uses SIM cards now too on some phones. Pixel XL is a sim card phone that was sold exclusively for a min through verizon, my friends have Nexus 6P on Verizon network. Sprint also uses a nano SIM on all their iPhones. Now the bands they support maybe different from a US version to a International.
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers mobile app

I'm waiting for the official US release in the scant hope of VZW radio support. (Not likely though)
Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

daraj said:
The Mate 9 will not work on Verizon nor Sprint. Its a GSM phone which means AT&T and Tmobile
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Oh, interesting. That is a caveat that throws the consideration less toward this phone.
Thanks for the replies.

tosh1 said:
Not sure you guys realize Verizon uses SIM cards now too on some phones. Pixel XL is a sim card phone that was sold exclusively for a min through verizon, my friends have Nexus 6P on Verizon network. Sprint also uses a nano SIM on all their iPhones. Now the bands they support maybe different from a US version to a International.
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Yes, if you get a variant of the Mate 9 that supports Verizon's LTE bands it will likely work for LTE. However it will not support 3G, 1X, or voice (which are CDMA). The Pixel and Nexus 6P include CDMA support, which the Mate 9 does not.

skunkiechris said:
The Pixel and Nexus 6P include CDMA support, which the Mate 9 does not.
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Click to collapse
The Kirin 960 natively supports CDMA. But whether or not it gets certified for use in the US in the Mate 9 is yet to be seen.

This is killing me. I'm on Sprint, I want this phone. I keep hearing multiple different things. I want to order an international one to have ordered one by the end of the year. I see multiple models (MHA-AL00 and MHA-L29) hoping something will work with CDMA (Sprint)

They likely won't bother supporting all the right frequencies unless VZ or Sprint brands the phone, which seems even less likely... VZ has been using sims since LTE rolled out but that isn't really the problem.
If you're on a AT&T or T-Mobile then who cares about the US model... The only benefit is that eventually there will be cheaper used phones in the US after 6+ months.

I have a MHA-AL00 (6gb, 128gb) from China and wish I had an AL29 as the Chinese support on unlocking the boot loader is terrible (e.g., I cannot get a code). AL29 is supported by one of the apps and also I believe local Huawei offices. Installing google play thankfully is not a problem but I'd be careful nonetheless on the AL00.

Verizon and Sprint
tosh1 said:
Not sure you guys realize Verizon uses SIM cards now too on some phones. Pixel XL is a sim card phone that was sold exclusively for a min through verizon, my friends have Nexus 6P on Verizon network. Sprint also uses a nano SIM on all their iPhones. Now the bands they support maybe different from a US version to a International.
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon and Sprint only use SIM cards for international use, they had to use/include GSM in order for their phones to roam outside the US.

Related

A quick question regarding carriers

I have a vzn s4 right now and I am looking to upgrade. Does the one plus one support vzn? For example, could I pull out my sim card on my s4, put it in the one plus one, maybe go to the vzn store to do some logistical stuff (but not starting a new contract, just using the old one!), and then proceed to use the one plus one on vzn? Thanks
The OnePlus One does not support Verizon. The only carriers that the OnePlus One supports within the U.S. are AT&T and T-Mobile.
If you plan on using AT&T or T-Mobile with the OnePlus One, you'll need the international version as the Chinese OPO does not have the proper bands to get LTE signal.
Edit: replaced "4G" with LTE signal as Chinese OPO does get "4G" by definition being HSPA/HSPA+.
zephiK said:
The OnePlus One does not support Verizon. The only carriers that the OnePlus One supports within the U.S. are AT&T and T-Mobile.
If you plan on using AT&T or T-Mobile with the OnePlus One, you'll need the international version as the Chinese OPO does not have the proper bands to use 4G.
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Click to collapse
Word. image all the words I would say, if he hadn't said them. If you you're on verizon, you're out of luck.

Verizon Model LTE Bands same as Unlocked Model?

Do you guys think the Verizon unit will have the same LTE bands as the Play Store model? I can get these st 2yr contract pricing on my Verizon business account and would like to use one on AT&T service, but need to be sure Band 12/17 is unlocked and ready for use.
The answer is yes, there are only different frequency bands for the intl and US versions. The US version, which Verizon is selling, supports all major carriers, according to Google.
alexjzim said:
The answer is yes, there are only different frequency bands for the intl and US versions. The US version, which Verizon is selling, supports all major carriers, according to Google.
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My only concern is that the Verizon website does not list all US LTE bands such as Band 12 or Band 17. This was an issue with my Note 7 also. Band 12/17 were capable and supported by the hardware, but Verizon locked these from being used. It wasn't until I flashed AT&T Note 7 firmware onto my Verizon Note 7 unit that I was able to use those 2 LTE bands.
alright I take it back. According to google, it is carrier locked to verizon http://i.imgur.com/Jc9eV9E.png
alexjzim said:
alright I take it back. According to google, it is carrier locked to verizon http://i.imgur.com/Jc9eV9E.png
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Click to collapse
This is 100% wrong. No Verizon phone's have been locked to the carrier for a few years now.
mdmogren said:
This is 100% wrong. No Verizon phone's have been locked to the carrier for a few years now.
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Click to collapse
Correct they have been carrier unlocked since the iPhone 5 came out. Verizon still locks the LTE bands for data, however. The only phones that have unlocked LTE bands on Verizon are iPhones, because Verizon does not/cannot tamper with the firmware before boxing the phones up.
MrBaltazar said:
Correct they have been carrier unlocked since the iPhone 5 came out. Verizon still locks the LTE bands for data, however. The only phones that have unlocked LTE bands on Verizon are iPhones, because Verizon does not/cannot tamper with the firmware before boxing the phones up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Evidence? I've had no problem using several verizon phones on T-Mobile LTE bands.
mdmogren said:
Evidence? I've had no problem using several verizon phones on T-Mobile LTE bands.
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Click to collapse
That is because Verizon uses the same bands as TMobile in many areas of the country, so those bands are unlocked. Verizon does not use AT&T's primary bands at all, so they lock it out. (Band 17)
As a quick example, AT&T uses Band 3 in more rural areas and I was able to catch a bar or two of LTE here and there on a 100% stock Verizon Note 7 with AT&T sim card in it since Verizon also uses Band 3, , but it would quickly fall back to HSPA because it lost band 3 signal. I verified this with LTE Discovery app. At my office I only have Band 17 from ATT, so I was only getting HSPA. As soon as I flashed AT&T Note 7 firmware onto the Verizon Note 7, I had full LTE signal on Band 17.
Since Verizon cannot legally carrier SIM lock their devices anymore, they still do what they can to make the phones as unusable as possible on other carriers with their firmware, including a message that pops up every time you start the phone saying "this sim is not from Verizon"
I'm trying to figure out if the Pixel will be the same story as my Note 7, in which Verizon locks out a majority of LTE bands. And if so, can the Play Store version firmware be flashed onto thr Verizon version of the Pixel to unlock these bands?
The Snapdragon 821 supports all LTE bands so I know it won't be hardware limited, only firmware limited.
MrBaltazar said:
That is because Verizon uses the same bands as TMobile in many areas of the country, so those bands are unlocked. Verizon does not use AT&T's primary bands at all, so they lock it out. (Band 17)
As a quick example, AT&T uses Band 3 in more rural areas and I was able to catch a bar or two of LTE here and there on a 100% stock Verizon Note 7 with AT&T sim card in it since Verizon also uses Band 3, , but it would quickly fall back to HSPA because it lost band 3 signal. I verified this with LTE Discovery app. At my office I only have Band 17 from ATT, so I was only getting HSPA. As soon as I flashed AT&T Note 7 firmware onto the Verizon Note 7, I had full LTE signal on Band 17.
Since Verizon cannot legally carrier SIM lock their devices anymore, they still do what they can to make the phones as unusable as possible on other carriers with their firmware, including a message that pops up every time you start the phone saying "this sim is not from Verizon"
I'm trying to figure out if the Pixel will be the same story as my Note 7, in which Verizon locks out a majority of LTE bands. And if so, can the Play Store version firmware be flashed onto thr Verizon version of the Pixel to unlock these bands?
The Snapdragon 821 supports all LTE bands so I know it won't be hardware limited, only firmware limited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only reason LTE won't work on at&t is because at&t won't provision it unless it's an At&t branded phone. You can get around this by having them activte your sim in an at&t store phone. My brother used to have at&t and I gave him my old S7E from Verizon which had full LTE after doing that.
cadcamaro said:
The only reason LTE won't work on at&t is because at&t won't provision it unless it's an At&t branded phone. You can get around this by having them activte your sim in an at&t store phone. My brother used to have at&t and I gave him my old S7E from Verizon which had full LTE after doing that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct IF there isn't a LTE capable IMEI on your AT&T account, you would need to have them add the LTE capable IMEI and provision LTE. This issue is based on Verizon's firmware and their lockdown, however. I have thoroughly tested this and even entered service mode to see what bands are available with Verizon firmware vs AT&T firmware.
not good news for the verizon pixel with att. Some guy on the pixel xl xda reported he is getting only H+ with the verizon pixel xl. Definitely need more people to check it out. Donr believe PC mag one bit. They said bootloader was unlocked but it turned out to be LOCKED.
zboy2 said:
not good news for the verizon pixel with att. Some guy on the pixel xl xda reported he is getting only H+ with the verizon pixel xl. Definitely need more people to check it out. Donr believe PC mag one bit. They said bootloader was unlocked but it turned out to be LOCKED.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using a VZW Pixel XL on AT&T and I have the best reception I have ever had. I don't know why he's not getting LTE coverage, but that's not my experience whatsoever.
hollowlog said:
I'm using a VZW Pixel XL on AT&T and I have the best reception I have ever had. I don't know why he's not getting LTE coverage, but that's not my experience whatsoever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you install LTE Discovery you can see the band you're connected do. If the phone can connect to band 12 or 17, I would say the Verizon version most likely supports all LTE bands.
I am using a Verizon Pixel currently on a 850Mhz/1.9Ghz GSM and Band 4 (2.1Ghz) and I am experiencing no issues. I used my carrier's SIM, and the only thing I had to do differently was update the SCMS in the *#*#3646#*#* to match my carrier's Service Center ID. This allowed my SMS to work. I experience no issues here as the phone operates as though it were unlocked.
I've even used the VZW pixel on T-Mobile and had band 12 carrier aggregation with band 2. Definitely not a problem and same bands.
I believe the only difference is the imei disallows bootloader unlocking. And the post boot Verizon three app install (which is an easy uninstall)
Doesn't att require the imei added for LTE? They audit accounts on the regular and if they find an unknown imei they disallow LTE.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
smgrimes said:
I've even used the VZW pixel on T-Mobile and had band 12 carrier aggregation with band 2. Definitely not a problem and same bands.
I believe the only difference is the imei disallows bootloader unlocking. And the post boot Verizon three app install (which is an easy uninstall)
Doesn't att require the imei added for LTE? They audit accounts on the regular and if they find an unknown imei they disallow LTE.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for posting, VZW wouldn't lock certain frequencies (12 and 17) on the Pixels like others have stated since their phones have been fully unlocked for years. This phone works with all US carriers.
jawmail said:
Thanks for posting, VZW wouldn't lock certain frequencies (12 and 17) on the Pixels like others have stated since their phones have been fully unlocked for years. This phone works with all US carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup and on top of that they seem 100% feature parity. I've even seen (on my Verizon sim) the option for volte video calling. And volte voice definitely works on T-Mobile as well as wifi calling.
Just the locked bootloader is the only downside.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
alexjzim said:
alright I take it back. According to google, it is carrier locked to verizon http://i.imgur.com/Jc9eV9E.png
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is 100% incorrect. It is NOT locked to a carrier, and does support all bands. I have been using my VZW Pixel on other carriers.
TCPDump said:
This is 100% incorrect. It is NOT locked to a carrier, and does support all bands. I have been using my VZW Pixel on other carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, those customer service reps. need more training.
jawmail said:
Agreed, those customer service reps. need more training.
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Click to collapse
The misinformation and confusion about this phone in general all the way around astounds me. It's actually rather simple. The only major difference in the Verizon variant from the play is that the bootloader is locked.

Is the verizon pixel carrier unlocked?

Hello, I want to buy the pixel from best buy but it is a verizon version.
Will it work on an israeli mobile carrier?
Thanks,
Raz Kochavi
According to Best Buy, yes. It is a SIM unlocked phone, I'm not to sure about the bootloader though. Only problem you could have is the radio bands that are supported by your carrier. If you haven't already, make sure the Pixel supports them.
verizon pixel has lesser bands. No band 12 or 17 per their website.
Ok, thanks you!
I need only the 3 band
After picking up a Verizon Pixel from BestBuy, it does immediately pick up my data bands (4) however, the only thing I did have to do was use the *#*#4363#*#* in order to update the SCMC with my service providers Service Center ID and the SMS works now. No other visual branding or any way at this moment to tell otherwise. So far... so good...
I've used the VZW pixel on T-Mobile on band 12. It has all the bands, Verizon just (for some reason) doesn't advertise it as such.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
zboy2 said:
verizon pixel has lesser bands. No band 12 or 17 per their website.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's completely wrong. It has all the same bands.

Phones that are open to any/all carriers

I know from experience for the most part gsm is the majority of the unlocked sim carrier, but I recently came on the moto 4g and 4g+ that were unlocked to every cdma/gsm carrier. I then found out the nexus 5x was the exact same way, so I opted out for a nexus 5x from google fi. Nice phone, but now I'm curious what other phones have the capability of being used and are unlocked for cdma and gsm across the board.
So I am just curious if anyone knew of a list of phones that are unlocked sim for any and/or all carriers IE: sprint, at&t, t-mobile, Verizon, and so on, both cdma and gsm unlocked, not just limited to gsm only.
easyrider77 said:
I know from experience for the most part gsm is the majority of the unlocked sim carrier, but I recently came on the moto 4g and 4g+ that were unlocked to every cdma/gsm carrier. I then found out the nexus 5x was the exact same way, so I opted out for a nexus 5x from google fi. Nice phone, but now I'm curious what other phones have the capability of being used and are unlocked for cdma and gsm across the board.
So I am just curious if anyone knew of a list of phones that are unlocked sim for any and/or all carriers IE: sprint, at&t, t-mobile, Verizon, and so on, both cdma and gsm unlocked, not just limited to gsm only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Steve? What's up Buddy?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
Steve? What's up Buddy?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Who me? no way....ok ok I fess up, it's me lol
That's a funny answer to this question btw

Purchasing Note 9 "unlocked" but cannot be used on Sprint?

Hello everyone,
I am looking to buy an Unlocked Note 9 (US Version) to be used primarily on the Sprint Network. I am looking at new phones on Ebay and Amazon and they are all labeled as GSM unlocked or some of them say GSM and CDMA unlocked, yet they all say they cannot work on the Sprint or Metro PCS or Verizon network. Some of the ads show that they have SM-960U1(unlocked) firmware some others show SM-960U firmware while still stating "unlocked", but I am not sure if they understand the difference or maybe I do not.
Aside for the phone being blacklisted on these networks, is there any other reason why a Note 9 would not work on these CDMA networks if they are truly unlocked? Thanks in advance.
LGoptimususer said:
Hello everyone,
I am looking to buy an Unlocked Note 9 (US Version) to be used primarily on the Sprint Network. I am looking at new phones on Ebay and Amazon and they are all labeled as GSM unlocked or some of them say GSM and CDMA unlocked, yet they all say they cannot work on the Sprint or Metro PCS or Verizon network. Some of the ads show that they have SM-960U1(unlocked) firmware some others show SM-960U firmware while still stating "unlocked", but I am not sure if they understand the difference or maybe I do not.
Aside for the phone being blacklisted on these networks, is there any other reason why a Note 9 would not work on these CDMA networks if they are truly unlocked? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're going to be using the device primarily on Sprint, why not get an unlocked Sprint version of Note 9? It is guaranteed to work on Sprint's network plus if it is unlocked, it can be used on other carrier networks.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
If you're going to be using the device primarily on Sprint, why not get an unlocked Sprint version of Note 9? It is guaranteed to work on Sprint's network plus if it is unlocked, it can be used on other carrier networks.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Droidriven, I am trying to look for this, but I am unable to. I have not seen any ads specifically stating Sprint Unlocked. Every unlocked phone whether GSM or CDMA unlocked states something along the lines, will not work on sprint or verizon or metro. If the phone is truly unlocked and supports the CDMA bands that Sprint uses, then what is the reason behind it?
I am wondering if I can just buy a Sprint only Note9 then flash the SM-960U1(unlocked) firmware for it?
I went through the same issues with sprint, got a note 9 unlocked from a friend an they said it is not compatible. So I asked about buying a note 9 unlocked from them. I asked what is model number and it was the exact same as the one I just got. I asked what is the difference between one from them and the note 9 I baught from my friend, They said no difference, EXACT SAME! Sprint Just wanted me and you to buy a new phone from them in a contract. The Unlocked model's have modems for both, CDMA and GSM. I was with sprint for 20 years, they were decent only for good deals, service was **** in Milwaukee. I left them for spectrum. No issues and great service. Sorry 2 years late..

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