Hi everyone, my wife and I use Verizon and I'm running into a problem that I hope you guys can help me find a solution to.
I recently bought my wife a Samsung Galaxy S8 SM-G950U (Unlocked by Samsung). Purchased from Amazon. The phone technically works with Verizon, but it seems that it only has partial compatibility with Verizon's CDMA network. I don't totally understand but from what I gather, it works well when it has 4G LTE signal, but really has problems with lesser signals (3G, 2G, 1G). It seems like it has no connection (no calling or data) when it's out of 4G LTE range. Her old phone (HTC 10) seems to have much better compatibility with Verizon's CDMA signals. She really likes the S8, but the importance of her ability to use voice calling outweighs the other benefits of the phone upgrade, so we're going to return the Galaxy S8 and she's going back to the HTC 10 until we find something that works better with Verizon's network.
So now to my questions:
1) Is there a version of the Galaxy S8 that has better network compatibility with Verizon?
2) Are there other Galaxy phones that work better with Verizon's CDMA signals?
3) Can you recommend any other phones that are known to have great compatibility with Verizon? (Google Pixel? any others?)
My goal is to get her a premium phone that is maybe 1-2 years old, but works great with Verizon. It doesn't have to be Samsung. Thanks in advance
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Hi,
I am using a prepaid service after transferring number to Google Voice.
I am researching providers. It seems in my area T-mobile has decent HSPA+ speeds. But ATT 4g LTE may come soon, too.
So, the question: which phone meets these criteria
- future-proof
- unlocked/unlockable for use with T-mobile and ATT for data mainly
- ready out-of-the-box or after rooting/radio flashing for all the current and foreseeable bands?
I've read that one current ATT 4G LTE phone (can't remember which, maybe Skyrocket or Note) can have a radio flashed that will make it work on T-mobile HSPA+.
Thank you!
Galaxy Nexus. Unlocked and pentaband right out of the box, no flashing radios needed. Gets T-mobile and AT&T 3g and 4g. Super easy to root, dev community that is second to none..AAANNNNNDDD available brand new on google.com for $399.99 with a US warranty.
thank you! great.
I have about $300 saved from selling my VZW Droid. I'm almost there.
This will show my ignorance, but will it do AT&T 4G LTE, too?
Any other choices?
also, 5-6 months ago when I was considering the Nexus when I was still with VZW, there were complaints about the radio being weak. Even I went into a VZW store and the settings were showing -105dB and almost every other device, including the cheapest Pantech, were in the mid to high 70s.
How is the radio strength/quality on GSM version now?
Not too long ago, I had heard that the Verizon Galaxy S3 would support global roaming in a future update. With the Verizon Galaxy S3 release imminent, I was wondering if this was still the case.
I recently ordered a Galaxy S3 for my Dad, considering his contract with Verizon was up and the data plans were changing. Now, my dad often travels back and forth between the US and South Korea; so often in that he carries two different Android phones for each country (DROID Incredible on Verizon and Nexus S on KT).
Would it be possible for him to dump both the Incredible and Nexus S phones and use only Verizon Galaxy S3 on both of the carriers (if unlocked), by just swapping out the SIM card when traveling between Korea and the US? He will be keeping KT as his cell provider in Korea and from what I've heard, KT does allow foreign phones to be registered on their network, as long as they're unlocked. Both Verizon and KT support CDMA & LTE, but I'm not sure if their frequency bands overlap and if the Verizon S3 would be able to hook onto both without having to flash the radio.
I see that there's already a Voodoo S3 SIM Unlock app on Google Play (probably not compatible with Verizon S3 yet, but maybe eventually possible?).
Either way, it'd be awesome to be able to use the S3 as his main phone on both carriers with a simple SIM card swap! Does anyone have any insight on this, whether it would be possible or not?
CKTurbo128 said:
Not too long ago, I had heard that the Verizon Galaxy S3 would support global roaming in a future update. With the Verizon Galaxy S3 release imminent, I was wondering if this was still the case.
I recently ordered a Galaxy S3 for my Dad, considering his contract with Verizon was up and the data plans were changing. Now, my dad often travels back and forth between the US and South Korea; so often in that he carries two different Android phones for each country (DROID Incredible on Verizon and Nexus S on KT).
Would it be possible for him to dump both the Incredible and Nexus S phones and use only Verizon Galaxy S3 on both of the carriers (if unlocked), by just swapping out the SIM card when traveling between Korea and the US? He will be keeping KT as his cell provider in Korea and from what I've heard, KT does allow foreign phones to be registered on their network, as long as they're unlocked. Both Verizon and KT support CDMA & LTE, but I'm not sure if their frequency bands overlap and if the Verizon S3 would be able to hook onto both without having to flash the radio.
I see that there's already a Voodoo S3 SIM Unlock app on Google Play (probably not compatible with Verizon S3 yet, but maybe eventually possible?).
Either way, it'd be awesome to be able to use the S3 as his main phone on both carriers with a simple SIM card swap! Does anyone have any insight on this, whether it would be possible or not?
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As far as I understand it, the Verizon S3 needs a software update to unlock the GSM bands within the radio, which currently is not available...Also the LTE Bands are Not Compatible, according to my research Verizon uses 700/750 KT uses 1800. The Verizon S3 has 700/750 LTE Support...Also note while the Verizon S3 likely will have GSM support via a software update it will be Edge bands not WCDMA/HSPA+...as for the CDMA side out of luck there too according to KT they use the 1800 band and the Verizon S3 only has 850/1900 band for CDMA...in short getting the Verizon S3 will in no way help your father ditch his second phone...If your father is an international traveler he would be better suited to using a GSM carrier then buying a phone like the Galaxy Nexus which is pentaband WCDMA, this will work in any country that has WCDMA, I can vouch personally that my GNex (GSM Unlocked) works in S. Korea with HSPA+ Data Speeds as I was just there this past February.
So though the GS3 would most likely not be able to use 4G (through HSPA+, I may also be misunderstanding...) would it be able to have 3G overseas? I ask since I will be traveling to China later this year and being able to use 3G over there would be more convenient than getting another phone...
Well at the moment my old vibrants usb port is broken, and my parents are too lazy/cheap to send it to mobile tech videos. But i may get a new phone soon, i love the galaxy s 3 but since im not getting it very soon but like few months soon, i need good backup phones. I love the htc one s but its screen maybe to small. Is the htc one x from att or unlocked compatible with my network? Or maybe the droid razr?
Anything made for AT&T will get 2G speeds on T-Mobile, but only if you can get it carrier unlocked. Most international phones are also compatible with only T-Mobile 2G
While T-Mobile is working on improving their network for better compatibility with other GSM standards, its not at a stage i would call "reliable" yet, that is, unless 2G and spotty 3G is good enough for you, with the promise of things to become better in the future. If that IS good enough for you, than you can use ANY GSM device on T-Mobile.
However, I have a feeling you want a 4G device. The best tried-and-true unlocked off-contract phone that's T-Mobile 4G compatible is the Play Store Galaxy Nexus
Hey Folks,
I am looking to ditch my current service provider for Straight Talk (which uses AT&T network I believe).
I have the option from picking a T-Mobile HTC One or Verizon Galaxy S4.
They both are priced exactly the same (buying from relatives)
From my understanding, the T-Mobile HTC One has bands for LTE network on Straight Talk but the Verizon Galaxy S4 (Only has HSPA+ for AT&T network)
Which one would you guys recommend me getting? I mainly call,text, with the occasional game & media streaming. Battery life is important to me and so is build quality and SPEED.
Thanks in advance!
mc704 said:
Hey Folks,
I am looking to ditch my current service provider for Straight Talk (which uses AT&T network I believe).
I have the option from picking a T-Mobile HTC One or Verizon Galaxy S4.
They both are priced exactly the same (buying from relatives)
From my understanding, the T-Mobile HTC One has bands for LTE network on Straight Talk but the Verizon Galaxy S4 (Only has HSPA+ for AT&T network)
Which one would you guys recommend me getting? I mainly call,text, with the occasional game & media streaming. Battery life is important to me and so is build quality and SPEED.
Thanks in advance!
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Click to collapse
Straight Talk has AT&T and T-Mobile SIM's so make sure you verify which one your getting before you order it.
I would go with the HTC One, it has the T-Mobile bands if you do plan on getting a Straight Talk T-Mobile SIM.
I'm curious if anyone in the forum has bought the Blu Pure XL and used it on T-Mobile? Supposely the LTE support is "limited", but I would like to know what that might mean to me in the real world........
I recently took my Verizon-branded Samsung Galaxy S4 and ported it to Walmart Family Mobile (which runs off T-Mobile), and I've had some baffling issues. Time for an upgrade. Considering this device, but only IF it will work well with T-Mobile... thanks
Yes, it works on TMobile. I get 4G LTE on it. I'm using it around the Bay Area, East Bay and Sacramento area in California.
I'm surprised you can take any Verizon phone - which runs on CDMA - and use it on TMobile - which uses GSM.
jaybirdhawaii said:
I'm surprised you can take any Verizon phone - which runs on CDMA - and use it on TMobile - which uses GSM.
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Yes Verizon phones have cdma and GSM bands and I know ever since the iPhone 5 and the galaxy s5 Samsung and Apple phones from verizon come factory unlocked for GSM use.
homerpez said:
I'm curious if anyone in the forum has bought the Blu Pure XL and used it on T-Mobile? Supposely the LTE support is "limited", but I would like to know what that might mean to me in the real world........
I recently took my Verizon-branded Samsung Galaxy S4 and ported it to Walmart Family Mobile (which runs off T-Mobile), and I've had some baffling issues. Time for an upgrade. Considering this device, but only IF it will work well with T-Mobile... thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works fine in San Francisco bay area, Las Vegas, LA, San Diego & Austin TX. I had no coverage in Orlando,FL only.
I'm using it on t-mobile and have not had connectivity issues anywhere I've traveled.
The only thing missing on T-Mobile is LTE band 12, which is faster than the other bands present (provided you live in an area that has band 12.) I live in Dallas/Fort Worth and IN a band 12 area, and my LTE performance is usually the same on my LG V10 (which supports band 12) and my BLU Pure XL. I've had no problems (other than some minor bluetooth issues, that seem to have been resolved with the latest update.)
I came from a T-Mobile G4 I pre-ordered, so I had it a long time. Got the BLU in December. As far as I can tell, the Pure XL actually gets better and more consistent signal then the G4 did, I use about 40gb of data a month. Very consistent LTE signal in covered areas, and even rural signal is very good; I drive a lot.
I live in Dallas/Fort Worth area as well.
I have no issues with my Pure XL on T-Mobile. Since it doesn't have support for band 12, LTE coverage inside buildings can occasionally be spotty, but it just goes to regular 4G with full signal, no problem. I'm in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
homerpez said:
I'm curious if anyone in the forum has bought the Blu Pure XL and used it on T-Mobile? Supposely the LTE support is "limited", but I would like to know what that might mean to me in the real world........
I recently took my Verizon-branded Samsung Galaxy S4 and ported it to Walmart Family Mobile (which runs off T-Mobile), and I've had some baffling issues. Time for an upgrade. Considering this device, but only IF it will work well with T-Mobile... thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works great for me on T-Mobile and never have problems with getting LTE. I'll take some speed tests and report. I work about 30 miles from home so will take both areas and list them to see if that helps.
Springfield Illinois checking in, I use T mobile and works great... fast lte (30+ MB down, ive seen as high as 45 i think
Works great on T-mo for me in Denver.
homerpez said:
I'm curious if anyone in the forum has bought the Blu Pure XL and used it on T-Mobile? Supposely the LTE support is "limited", but I would like to know what that might mean to me in the real world........
I recently took my Verizon-branded Samsung Galaxy S4 and ported it to Walmart Family Mobile (which runs off T-Mobile), and I've had some baffling issues. Time for an upgrade. Considering this device, but only IF it will work well with T-Mobile... thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Working for me. T-Mobile in sim 1. AT&T in sim 2.
Sent from my PURE XL using XDA-Developers mobile app
Works great in Livermore CA 94550.
Still want to switch to net 10 though, as I had previously.
Net10 Customer support is really bad......
The Pure XL works well in South FLorida ( WPB, Broward and Miami-Dade) on Tmobiles LTE network. Occasionally, I will drop down to 4G but 99% of the time, 4G LTE is available in my coverage area.
Down- 44Mbps UP - 27Mbps