I would like to replace my edge with an Exynos version. My experience with T-Mobile is that in some areas I frequent I need to have that special frequency they use, I think it is 850 MHz. My old S3 just didn't cut it when in those areas.
Will any Exynos version support this scenario? I doubt it but I figure nothing to lose to ask.
Thanks.
Related
There are so many versions to choose from.
I am looking for the one with the fastest GPU and that can work on GSM networks.
From what I can see, T-Mobile version has a dual core 1.5 ghz.
What advice can you give me?
I am looking for a beefier batterry as well
It would depend on who you're carrier is I would assume. If you're within the States and you have Sprint you're stuck with their version, obviously. If you're outside the States, I would take the T-Mobile version. 1.5Ghz as opposed to 1.2GHz and the battery of the tmobile version is 1850mAh as opposed to 1650mAh...but I would think you can get extended batteries and backs for either s2.
Depends which carrier. If you're on T-Mobile US you have to get the T-Mobile version because the other ones don't support it's 3G bands.
If you're on AT&T you can either get the international version, or the AT&T branded version, or the Skyrocket, or the Skyrocket HD, etc.. All models are effectively the same. The T-Mobile version has a "faster" CPU clock speed wise, but it benchmarks much lower than the international GSM version with Exynos in it.
Here's the phone arena listing for all the models: http://www.phonearena.com/search/section/new-phones/term/Galaxy+S+II
They're all effectively the same inside. The differences are that 1) some have LTE and 2) some have an HD screen (but are more expensive). If you want the most basic, cheapest, model then get the i9100 version. That's the original unlocked model. You'll run on AT&T fine and its been out the longest.
In the screenshot, I've highlighted the AT&T capable models in Blue, T-Mobile in Pink, and Sprint in Yellow.
^ now thats how you answer a question lol
I am on GSM. Vodafone to be exact. From what I can see I can't see anything on sale rather than the i9100 version, being in europe.
I have later seen the Skyrocket and tmobile version. Why do they score lower? THey have the higher clock speed and the adreno 220 that according to benchmarks wipes the floor with any exynos or mali on other s2's.
nemuro said:
I am on GSM. Vodafone to be exact. From what I can see I can't see anything on sale rather than the i9100 version, being in europe.
I have later seen the Skyrocket and tmobile version. Why do they score lower? THey have the higher clock speed and the adreno 220 that according to benchmarks wipes the floor with any exynos or mali on other s2's.
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The exynos processor alone rapes the snapdragons (especially just looking at benchmarks), which is what the 42mbps HSPA+ (T-Mo) and LTE (Skyrocket) versions have in order to support those radios. Exynos has limited radio support so that's why you only see it in the basic 850/1900 GSM devices, like the i9100 and base AT&T model.
If you're in Europe you have no need for LTE, so just check the i9100 it'll have the lowest price in that area. The T-Mo version won't work for you (wrong frequencies unless you do some hackery) and the SII HD isn't really available yet. And at that point you might as well just buy a Galaxy Nexus.
Yes, it has the lowest price but I was fooled by the ghz. Thanks for the heads up.
If you're still here and you talk so well about sgs2 why did you get a nexus?
Forgive me if this is a trivial question, but since European carriers such as Vodafone and O2 Germany also have the dual-core version of the HOX, is it possible to flash a european radio and use the European LTE frequencies? Or are the frequency bands hard-coded into the chipset?
It was my assumption that the US and European LTE variants used the same hardware components, but were just set up to use different LTE bands.
Frequency support is set in hardware.
redpoint73 said:
Frequency support is set in hardware.
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Thinking more about this, I'm still not convinced it's impossible to flash a european radio on the HOX to swap LTE bands. Unless the physical antenna is different, I'd think that it's a possibility.
With my other phone, the Samsung Skyrocket, we can flash T-Mobile radios to gain support for the 1700 AWS band. The chipset supports it, and it just took a radio flash to activate it. AFAIK, you can't use 1700 and LTE though - that or a radio with support for both doesn't exist.
I guess it depends on what chipset the German One XL uses..but I'll wait to see if someone has luck before I risk my own One X.
The hardware is different, as I already said.
The Skyrocket (and a few other AT&T phones, like the Galaxy Note) included the AWS band in hardware (likely due to the now defunct merger with T-Mobile that was going on at the time). The hardware was there, but AWS was simply not enabled in software. Hacks to make AWS work on these phones just enabled the software side for what is already supported in hardware. Without the hardware already being there, no amount of radio flashing will create support for frequencies not already there.
Its possible that some bands are "hidden" in the same way that AWS was for the Skyrocket. Lots of folks here on T-Mobile are hoping the same AWS support is possible on our phone. But if the hardware is not already there (such as for different LTE bands, as you are asking for), you can't make it happen by flashing radios. In the case of AWS, AT&T had a reason for including support (T-Mobile merger). They don't have a reason for including support for LTE bands willy-nilly, just for the sake of doing so, without any tangible (monetary) reason.
It looks as if based on this link here on GSM Arena that the international GS4 is still not even at least supporting 21Mbit hdpa for AWS bands. Can anyone corroborate? There goes any plans of importing the Exynos version for T-Mo yet again. I wonder if the SoC supports at least 21Mbit AWS, but the antenna is not engineered to support those frequencies as they are considered not needed for that version.
Any concrete info on this? Not that I would allow any phone to pry my Nexus 4 from my hands even cold and dead until the next Nexus, but I'm interested nonetheless. I find the Exynos SoC and the device itself intriguing enough to ..perhaps... consider a fiscally irresponsible secondary purchase..
I'd like to buy Meizu M1 Note having such frequency support:
LTE-FDD:B1/B3,TD-LTE:B38/B41,WCDMA: 900/1900/2100MHz,GSM:900/1800MHz/1900MHZ
I feel there is no LTE compatibility with US carriers, but at least may I get FULL 3G coverage of some carrier?
I counted on AT&T only, but this phone seems to lack 850 MHz support, that could mean that 3G coverage would be limited...?
Or maybe I'm wrong or missed other options??
alexandis said:
I'd like to buy Meizu M1 Note having such frequency support:
LTE-FDD:B1/B3,TD-LTE:B38/B41,WCDMA: 900/1900/2100MHz,GSM:900/1800MHz/1900MHZ
I feel there is no LTE compatibility with US carriers, but at least may I get FULL 3G coverage of some carrier?
I counted on AT&T only, but this phone seems to lack 850 MHz support, that could mean that 3G coverage would be limited...?
Or maybe I'm wrong or missed other options??
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It doesnt have to do with the specs of the phone about your 3G coverage. It depends upon your carrier which area it covers! If your phone has gsm and UMTS network support than yes it would have 3G no matter what the specs are! :thumbup:
Sent from my XT1033 using XDA Free mobile app
Your coverage should be OK with either T-Mobile or AT&T. It does depend on the area though. AT&T typically has better area coverage, but T-Mobile has better 3G speeds where present.
Planterz said:
Your coverage should be OK with either T-Mobile or AT&T. It does depend on the area though. AT&T typically has better area coverage, but T-Mobile has better 3G speeds where present.
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I hope. I had Alcatel before, its UMTS frequencies include only 900 and 2100 MHz, so I suffered on GPRS speed with T-Mobile... So I count on 1900 MHz now.
alexandis said:
I hope. I had Alcatel before, its UMTS frequencies include only 900 and 2100 MHz, so I suffered on GPRS speed with T-Mobile... So I count on 1900 MHz now.
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A true "world phone" would suit you better. The problem with using a Chinese phone is that bands are often limited. Something like a Nexus 4 or 5, or Moto G with quad-band GSM and quad/penta-band UMTS would give you more coverage and versatility around the world.
Planterz said:
A true "world phone" would suit you better. The problem with using a Chinese phone is that bands are often limited. Something like a Nexus 4 or 5, or Moto G with quad-band GSM and quad/penta-band UMTS would give you more coverage and versatility around the world.
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I know that Sony or Samsung would serve me better in this case, because they support a bunch of frequencies for all possible cases and countries. But they are overpriced a lot. Besides, Sony now is not an audio smartphone at all.
It's just that my preference is not only frequency support, but a lot of other factors. I used to have Samsung a while ago, but since then I have switched to using other brands. And Meizu and BBK VIVO are my favorites for great sound (important for me) and decent price. Now when Meizu produced dual SIM phone as answer to my prayers, I've decided to buy it. And if 1900 is enough to get some 3G - it's fine with me
Would it be possible to use the International S6 on Verizon's network without problems? I discovered it was possible with the S4 back then but not so sure about now. In another way to ask this, does it have the proper CDMA bands to work on Verizon's network so that I could use 4G/calls/whatever else fine?
Will be doing my own homework but I want XDA's opinion.
Edit: I'm looking at the specs of the international variant and I see it doesn't state CDMA bands but it states that it has the frequency for example, it has 2100 MHz frequency among 700 and etc, those two for instance are used on Verizon apparently according to the other site I have pulled up. 2100 is for LTE/4G and 700 is UHF Voice Frequency (calls i assume) and 3G is CDMA EVGO?? not sure what that is but can someone explain and tell me for sure if this would work? I don't want to proceed with anything without proper confirmation from more than myself to assure no mistakes.