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?
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
Question for those who know more than I do... If someone gets a sprint S8+ unlocked (A SPRINT DEVICE THAT HAS BEEN UNLOCKED NOT A FACTORY UNLOCKED DEVICE) to use on GSM (T-mobile, AT&T, etc) will it get all the GSM/LTE freqencies and bands for usa gsm services like T-mobile, AT&T, etc... Or are the SPRINT S8+ crippled on the GSM frequencies?
Araltd said:
Question for those who know more than I do... If someone gets a sprint S8+ unlocked (A SPRINT DEVICE THAT HAS BEEN UNLOCKED NOT A FACTORY UNLOCKED DEVICE) to use on GSM (T-mobile, AT&T, etc) will it get all the GSM/LTE freqencies and bands for usa gsm services like T-mobile, AT&T, etc... Or are the SPRINT S8+ crippled on the GSM frequencies?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash the U1 firmware that comes from the unlocked US phones, you should be good if the phone's already network/SIM unlocked-that firmware doesn't have the carrier bloat, but it detects the SIM card inserted and will adjust the network stuff accordingly so that it operates on the right bands, etc. If you'd prefer to have all the carrier apps/ bloat as well, there are several threads on carrier switching. Flashing the U1 firmware is fairly straightforward and easy, and most carrier features work; Switching from Sprint firmware to another carrier's firmware is a bit more involved but still totally doable. You're going to have to do one of the two though.
Edit: All of the US models have the exact same hardware, with all of the same radios...the unlocked model is the exact same as a variant from T-Mobile/Sprint/etc. It's just the CP & CSC firmware files that dictate the network stuff.
À
I just got an unlocked Samsung Galaxy J3 (2017) J327A from Amazon. This is an unlocked version of an AT&T prepaid phone. My T-Mobile SIM works OK with it. But: (1) VoLTE is not enabled, meaning T-Mobile will not work on 700 MHz Band 12 (which is the whole reason I got this phone, we don't have coverage here on any other band) and (2) wifi calling is greyed out and unavailable.
I had not realized there is more to switching between carriers than just "locked" or "unlocked", because there are different features beyond the basics that are either supported or not supported, and it turns out that having either VoLTE and/or Wifi Calling is pretty much essential for me now.
I'm an utter newbie regarding firmware mods. Is there any hope of changing the firmware on this model to enable VoLTE on T-Mobile and/or wifi calling on T-Mobile? A quick search of this forum only found complaints about seeing a "Wierd VoLTE icon" when they rooted their J327T phone. Which to me actually seems hopeful. The update guides I've seen all warn that firmware must be loaded only into the exact model number called out. Not sure if that means just "J327" or for example "J327x"
My question is: can you change an Unlocked J327A (supporting AT&T features) to a J327T (supporting T-Mobile features) by software tools? Or are there hardware differences, or at least serial-number-based locks to prevent that?
Would like to do the same thing, any luck?
Will an unlocked TMobile version of this phone work on an existing Verizon line without having to ask verizon to white list the imei or add cdma less etc?
I have
pj1980 said:
Will an unlocked TMobile version of this phone work on an existing Verizon line without having to ask verizon to white list the imei or add cdma less etc?
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Click to collapse
I have Unlocked T-mobile A71 5G, It works on Verizon network like 4G LTE (just swap the SIM card even I have 5G Sim card from Verizon) but NO 5G because they are using different 5G Band.
I have the same question, but on cricket wireless, I can't get the phone to login to their network
It works just fine on any GSM/LTE network. I have not checked this personally for this device, but depending on the variant you have, you may be missing some LTE or 5G bands specific Verizon. You may not get full performance. That must be verified though.