Galaxy Nexus works on T-Mobile 3g/4g? - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Hi all. I'm thinking of getting the Galaxy Nexus on my Tmobile. Thing is, I have the GS2 and the 4G has spoiled me. I'm in NYC so coverage is pretty good. What I want to know is whether or not T-Mo's 3G works on GN. Reading about it and I have conflicting answers. Thanks.

tmobiles 3g is GSM and will work just like at&t. The 4g is LTE and will not work on the GSM galaxy Nexus. LTE is CDMA based like Verizon and sprint

He is asking if T-Mobile "4g" works and yes it does but it isn't as fast as the SII.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

It certainly does my friend. As long as you have the GSM version which is pentaband. You can't use the Verizon or future att one coming out .
Right now its Verizon or GSM and gsm is the one u need.
Its capable speed is 21 versus 42 on gs2 but difference shouldn't be big at all

joshnichols189 said:
He is asking if T-Mobile "4g" works and yes it does but it isn't as fast as the SII.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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He said 3g lol. Anyway, I thought T-Mobile had 4g LTE.....how would that work with the GSM GNex? Do they also have HSPA+ like at&t? Cause that works with the GSM GNex

spitefulcheerio said:
He said 3g lol. Anyway, I thought T-Mobile had 4g LTE.....how would that work with the GSM GNex? Do they also have HSPA+ like at&t? Cause that works with the GSM GNex
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes T-Mobile has HSPA+.
The Galaxy S2 for TMo theoretically can reach speeds of 42Mbps but honestly... you won't reach anywhere near that. The Galaxy Nexus reaches theoretically up to 21Mbps on T-Mobile.
In the end, it does support HSPA+ (4G)

spitefulcheerio said:
He said 3g lol. Anyway, I thought T-Mobile had 4g LTE.....how would that work with the GSM GNex? Do they also have HSPA+ like at&t? Cause that works with the GSM GNex
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Click to collapse
Sorry, I got that from the thread title haha
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I put both because I realized that T-Mo doesn't have true 4G. So it looks like I will be getting this after all. I had a Nexus S prior to the GS2. Am missing that "Nexus" feel. I also read that there are different builds out. One or two are getting updates via Samsung and not Google. Which build should I be on the lookut for?

gamefreakgcb said:
I put both because I realized that T-Mo doesn't have true 4G. So it looks like I will be getting this after all. I had a Nexus S prior to the GS2. Am missing that "Nexus" feel. I also read that there are different builds out. One or two are getting updates via Samsung and not Google. Which build should I be on the lookut for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a Nexus S prior to this phone too.
You would want the 'yakju' build, but you can convert any non-yakju build (as long as its not mysid) to a yakju build.
If you use custom ROMs, then you won't have to worry. I honestly don't know why people want OTAs, but that's up to them. I personally use custom ROMs and custom kernels to get the most out of my phone.

gamefreakgcb said:
I put both because I realized that T-Mo doesn't have true 4G. So it looks like I will be getting this after all. I had a Nexus S prior to the GS2. Am missing that "Nexus" feel. I also read that there are different builds out. One or two are getting updates via Samsung and not Google. Which build should I be on the lookut for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't matter which build you get..

zephiK said:
Yes T-Mobile has HSPA+.
The Galaxy S2 for TMo theoretically can reach speeds of 42Mbps but honestly... you won't reach anywhere near that. The Galaxy Nexus reaches theoretically up to 21Mbps on T-Mobile.
In the end, it does support HSPA+ (4G)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HSPA+ is more like 3.5G than 4G, but T-mobile is calling it 4G.
The GSII can consistently reach speeds of 20mbs, while the SGN only gets speeds between 2-9 mbs.

andythefan said:
HSPA+ is more like 3.5G than 4G, but T-mobile is calling it 4G.
The GSII can consistently reach speeds of 20mbs, while the SGN only gets speeds between 2-9 mbs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is 3.5G but it's marketed as "4G."
Galaxy S2 can reach up to speeds of 21Mbps. BUT the T-Mobile version can reach up to speeds (theoretically) of 42Mbps because it uses a Snapdragon instead of Exynos.
GN reaches 21Mbps. Not 2-9. These speeds are all theoretically speaking as we weren't talking about "real speeds in real time."
Don't understand why you quoted me and reverted everything I said when everything I have said about about Galaxy S2 is a fact.
Sources if you don't believe me:
The magenta carrier is in the process of rolling out an enhancement to its HSPA+ network that will allow theoretical maximum speeds of 42Mbps. The Exynos board in all the other GSM Galaxy S2 devices uses a separate radio that is only capable of 21Mbps. T-Mobile wants to have devices capable of taking full advantage of the newly enhanced network.
http://www.extremetech.com/mobile/96267-how-samsungs-chip-change-up-affects-the-t-mobile-galaxy-s2
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Network: HSPA+ 21Mbps/HSUPA 5.76Mbps 850/900/1900/1700/2100 / Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz / (Band frequency, HSPA availability, and data speed are operator dependent)
(Under specifications) http://www.expansys-usa.com/google-nexus-prime-android-smartphone-unlocked-16gb-224148/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

zephiK said:
If you use custom ROMs, then you won't have to worry. I honestly don't know why people want OTAs, but that's up to them. I personally use custom ROMs and custom kernels to get the most out of my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I don't understand who would be rushing to import a non-subsidized GSM Galaxy Nexus and not plan on immediately rooting it. The Verizon phones, ok, someone walked in and walked out with the "latest Android phone". Still, the vast majority of the nexus owners, especially anyone who visits xda-developers.com will be rooting and flashing if not true "you need a 12 step program" crack-flashing.
Me: I am Rick, and I am a crack-flasher
Group(in unison): Hello Rick.

Related

Poor performance on SpeedTest.net (GSM version)

Hey all,
I live in Chicago and have a GSM version of the Galaxy Nexus using the T-mobile network. Honestly I have never gotten more than 10mbps download and often get less than 5mbps. My ping is also very unstable sometimes its 1000+ or its 100. Is there something wrong with my 4g radio? As a comparison my gf's Samsung Galaxy S II gets 15mbps or better.
Thanks
Here in Baltimore my tmo galaxy s2 pulls 10 to 12 mbps and my gnex on tmo only gets about 5. Don't think there is really anything wrong with the gnex radio. Its just not best suited for tmo network as good as the tmo branded sgs2.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
does your gnex show 3G when you are not browsing and then switches to "H" when you are?
Try flashing some radios. Ug--x radios are for north America but it seems a lot of people do better with Europe radios on T-Mobile which are XX--X.
bow chicka wow wow.
roumancesoiree said:
Hey all,
I live in Chicago and have a GSM version of the Galaxy Nexus using the T-mobile network. Honestly I have never gotten more than 10mbps download and often get less than 5mbps. My ping is also very unstable sometimes its 1000+ or its 100. Is there something wrong with my 4g radio? As a comparison my gf's Samsung Galaxy S II gets 15mbps or better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try different radios to see if it helps. The T-Mobile SGSII will always get faster speeds because its a 42mbps HSPA+ device, whereas the GNex is a 21mbps HSPA+ device.
roumancesoiree said:
does your gnex show 3G when you are not browsing and then switches to "H" when you are?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is how it should be. This is how GSM/HSPA+ devices work. It saves battery.

[Q] 4G speed with att GSM?

Yeah I am trying to figure out if I get an ATT gsm version would I get 4g speeds or would I be stuck with edge? I'm debating if I should do A trade or just go buy a nexus from google play.
You will probably get 3-5 mb/s in non congested area or non peak time. Some areas peak higher. But I wouldn't expect higher than 3 mb/s anytime. And in my area that is stretching it from 8a to 3p.
teach a man to fish, you feed him for life. teach a man to fastboot, and you create competency. and less threads on xda.
I currently have an unlocked GSM version on ATT and I have seen some downloads as high as 8-9mbps down. I average around 3-5.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
An ATT specific version does not exist. The GSM Nexus sold in the google play store supports HSPA+ with both ATT and T-Mobile networks.
El Daddy said:
An ATT specific version does not exist. The GSM Nexus sold in the google play store supports HSPA+ with both ATT and T-Mobile networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok, the guy in the thread said it was an AT&T variant thats why I asked, usually ATT phones only get edge or whatever.
Yeah most phones are that way. The galaxy nexus had a penta-band radio so it supports both.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium HD app
djdant said:
Oh ok, the guy in the thread said it was an AT&T variant thats why I asked, usually ATT phones only get edge or whatever.
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Click to collapse
Huh? not sure what you mean by that... If you have an "AT&T" branded phone and put it on T-Mobile it'll get EDGE only. And vice-versa. There are plenty of unlocked phones that will get HSPA+ on AT&T though, they just have to support the right frequencies (most do).
The GNex supports EDGE/UMTS/HSPA+ on AT&T. You'll get full speeds that any other HSPA+ device will get on their network. You will not get LTE.
You'll also get full HSPA+ support on T-mobile.
it all depends where you live..
Yes you will get 4G ATT speeds on your galaxy nexus... But you wont get LTE Speeds since it don't have a LTE Radio
i can get 5-8Mbps down on a good day..
but i avg about 2.5-4mbps

[Q] Not getting 4G on GSM Nexus

Hey guys I just got my Galaxy Nexus yesterday and I've been noticing that I am not getting 4G or 4G speeds in the areas that I used to with my Galaxy S 2. Just so you know I'm on T-mobile. I haven't seen 4G or a 4G speed once. What's going on? I'm running CM9 Nightly
GS2 and galaxy nexus do not have the same HSPA radio
GS is 42mbit
GN is 21mbit
also the icon on the GSM GN is just H
Zepius said:
GS2 and galaxy nexus do not have the same HSPA radio
GS is 42mbit
GN is 21mbit
also the icon on the GSM GN is just H
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh dang. Well that really sucks.
GSM Nexus do not have LTE radio, you need to get the LTE Nexus, which i believe is carrier locked.
Mach3.2 said:
GSM Nexus do not have LTE radio, you need to get the LTE Nexus, which i believe is carrier locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile USA doesn't have LTE, so it doesn't matter what device he gets.
OP, what are your speeds? Sounds like you're falling for some serious marketing speak. The T-Mobile branded SGSII has 42mbps HSPA+ radio compared to the 21mbps HSPA+ radio in the Galaxy Nexus. Real-world speeds will be a bit lower, that's just how it is.
Also, the Galaxy Nexus doesn't have a "4G" icon. When its connected to HSPA+ you'll see an "H" icon. It'll be connected to the exact same network. Its just an icon.
I understand that. I just though the gnex was 42mbps hspa. I'm getting 3-6 mbps real world whereas before I was getting 9-15
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Tynen said:
I understand that. I just though the gnex was 42mbps hspa. I'm getting 3-6 mbps real world whereas before I was getting 9-15
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Click to collapse
hmm. Well that's too big of a gap to blame it on the radio. I easily post 9mbps on mine. And the blame is all on you. Its extremely well documented this device is 21mbps.
Totally. What's speed on att radio?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Tynen said:
Totally. What's speed on att radio?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get what you're asking...
HSPA+ (H) is being marketed as 4G on T-Mobile.
Tynen said:
Totally. What's speed on att radio?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Click to collapse
I get like 5-6Mbps on ATT, but that's the Max I ever get with all my phones. So its normal for ATT I say.
I am really curious about this as well. I have speed tested a GSII and a One S and seen speeds around 20mb, where I get a consistent 3.5mb in the same place with my GN.
Sent from my... wait... I don't remember what phone OR ROM I'm using anymore!
ofsinreno said:
I am really curious about this as well. I have speed tested a GSII and a One S and seen speeds around 20mb, where I get a consistent 3.5mb in the same place with my GN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, 20mbps on T-Mobile? Sorry, don't think that's a standard consistant speed you can reproduce. There's no way you held a SGSII and a GN next to each other, one getting 20mbps and the other getting 3.5mbps. Something is wrong there.
Realize the speeds are different, but cmon. I get 7-9mbps on my GNex + T-Mo no problem.
martonikaj said:
Okay, 20mbps on T-Mobile? Sorry, don't think that's a standard consistant speed you can reproduce. There's no way you held a SGSII and a GN next to each other, one getting 20mbps and the other getting 3.5mbps. Something is wrong there.
Realize the speeds are different, but cmon. I get 7-9mbps on my GNex + T-Mo no problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The review of the one s on tmonews shows consistent speeds of 20mbps+.
I know the One s is "42mbps" but I do sometimes wonder if they are holding non-tmobile phones down.
My sensation speeds were crap when I moved from the nexus one initially. I changed my phone on my account from unknown to the sensation and I was getting consistent 7-9mbps instantly. The sensation is only 14.4mbps.
I rarely get 9mbps with the GNex.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
martonikaj said:
Okay, 20mbps on T-Mobile? Sorry, don't think that's a standard consistant speed you can reproduce. There's no way you held a SGSII and a GN next to each other, one getting 20mbps and the other getting 3.5mbps. Something is wrong there.
Realize the speeds are different, but cmon. I get 7-9mbps on my GNex + T-Mo no problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I know there is something wrong, that's why I have been asking around. And to be honest it was the One S that was hitting 20+ consistently, the GSII hit 14-18mb while I never hit faster than 3.6. If anyone had anything helpful let me know, I have already tried two or three different radios with no noticeable difference, and I have read about some kernels having a data speed lock problem, so I tried different kernels with no noticeable difference as well. And in the end, I have never hit any higher than 3.8 download speed with my GN here in Reno and we do have the 42mb towers.
Sent from my... wait... I don't remember what phone OR ROM I'm using anymore!
I get over 7 Mbps easily. Phone set to unknown on my account. highest was 11 Mbps xxla2
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I always thought that as long as the tower back haul is not maxed out, a 21 Mbps and 42 Mbps phone should get identical speeds as long as you're not hitting any of the limits. So I mean if the 42 Mbps phone pulls down 15 Mbps, then the 21 Mbps phone should also pull down 15 Mbps, up till the 21 Mbps limit.
So I'd say its artificially limited by T-Mobile giving preference to their phones over unlocked phones. Or some wrong apn setting.

Can we use AT&T 4G LTE on these? Is the radio physically there?

I'm debating between the T-Mobile and AT&T versions of the SG3. I'm currently planning on using a prepaid T-Mobile service but I can see myself in the future possibly switching to a postpaid AT&T plan.
If I buy the AT&T version I will be stuck on EDGE when on the T-Mobile network. No one has gotten T-Mobile's HSPA+ or DC-HSPA+ to work on the AT&T version of the GS3.
If I buy the T-Mobile version I won't have the option of using AT&T 4G LTE if I choose to go AT&T in the future.
So: does the T-Mobile GS3 physically have the AT&T 4G LTE hardware, and could it be activated?
fuzzybabybunny said:
I'm debating between the T-Mobile and AT&T versions of the SG3. I'm currently planning on using a prepaid T-Mobile service but I can see myself in the future possibly switching to a postpaid AT&T plan.
If I buy the AT&T version I will be stuck on EDGE when on the T-Mobile network. No one has gotten T-Mobile's HSPA+ or DC-HSPA+ to work on the AT&T version of the GS3.
If I buy the T-Mobile version I won't have the option of using AT&T 4G LTE if I choose to go AT&T in the future.
So: does the T-Mobile GS3 physically have the AT&T 4G LTE hardware, and could it be activated?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked into the exact same thing before taking the plunge. Apparently, even though they have the same hardware, there is a trade off no matter which one you choose, so short answer is no. (But who knows,there are smarter people out there who may prove me wrong...)
I can tell you why I went with the T Mobile version if it will help with your decision...
1. TMo ver will work with HSPA on both TMO and ATT (As you pointed out, the ATT will only get EDGE on TMo)
2. I previously owned 2 LTE phones and battery life was horrible. Giving LTE up was not that difficult for me since the trade off was batt life
3. HSPA speeds are enough for my uses (You will rarely ever get advertised speeds with either HSPA or LTE)
Hey Cheez - FYI if you are the second post on a thread there is absolutely no reason to quote the whole first post. How could there possibly be any confusion about what you are replying to?
dkmdlb said:
Hey Cheez - FYI if you are the second post on a thread there is absolutely no reason to quote the whole first post. How could there possibly be any confusion about what you are replying to?
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Click to collapse
lol, well, between Cheez and I it might just be force of habit. Plus if the OP changes their original post the quote will contain the old post without the changes.
dkmdlb said:
Hey Cheez - FYI if you are the second post on a thread there is absolutely no reason to quote the whole first post. How could there possibly be any confusion about what you are replying to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Infamous_Cheez said:
I looked into the exact same thing before taking the plunge. Apparently, even though they have the same hardware, there is a trade off no matter which one you choose, so short answer is no. (But who knows,there are smarter people out there who may prove me wrong...)
I can tell you why I went with the T Mobile version if it will help with your decision...
1. TMo ver will work with HSPA on both TMO and ATT (As you pointed out, the ATT will only get EDGE on TMo)
2. I previously owned 2 LTE phones and battery life was horrible. Giving LTE up was not that difficult for me since the trade off was batt life
3. HSPA speeds are enough for my uses (You will rarely ever get advertised speeds with either HSPA or LTE)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it. Thanks. Even if I go with AT&T I might not even want to use their 4G network since it hogs battery so much? I've currently got T-Mobile and the fastest I've ever been able to clock is a measly 5mbps. A far cry from even the "slow" 21mbps speed that HSPA+ advertises.
dkmdlb said:
Hey Cheez - FYI if you are the second post on a thread there is absolutely no reason to quote the whole first post. How could there possibly be any confusion about what you are replying to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely force of habit on my part
fuzzybabybunny said:
Got it. Thanks. Even if I go with AT&T I might not even want to use their 4G network since it hogs battery so much? I've currently got T-Mobile and the fastest I've ever been able to clock is a measly 5mbps. A far cry from even the "slow" 21mbps speed that HSPA+ advertises.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, ATT may or may not have LTE lit up in your area yet. You may be waiting for a while. I had an HTC Thunderbold and a Galaxy Nexus on VZW for a few years and it was only towards the last 3 months of my VZW service that I began to get LTE lol HSPA is much more widespread as of right now on ATT
My GF has the hox and at the house I have faster speeds than she does hspa+ 42 is pretty damn fast
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
md1008 said:
My GF has the hox and at the house I have faster speeds than she does hspa+ 42 is pretty damn fast
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What kind of speeds are you getting with hspa+42?
All depends on where I am at my high is 23 mbps. My average is around 6mbps. Basically it varies a lot really hard to give you an average
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

GSM GNex data slower on t-mo/att, but why?

Why is it that the gsm gnex has slower data speeds running on t-mo/att than their carrier branded phones? I'm using t-mo and my gs2 will outperform my gnex in data speeds any day of the week. I know this is the norm, but why are gsm phones slower?
expl0it4 said:
Why is it that the gsm gnex has slower data speeds running on t-mo/att than their carrier branded phones? I'm using t-mo and my gs2 will outperform my gnex in data speeds any day of the week. I know this is the norm, but why are gsm phones slower?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've always thought the same but I'm sure it's because the branded phones are tested in house at the respective carriers and tuned to the best operating radios. Our GSM phones just have to work with all radios at optimum level. T-mobile has months to fine tune their phones for release just for their network. That makes the difference.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
nexicon said:
I've always thought the same but I'm sure it's because the branded phones are tested in house at the respective carriers and tuned to the best operating radios. Our GSM phones just have to work with all radios at optimum level. T-mobile has months to fine tune their phones for release just for their network. That makes the difference.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The gsm gnex from the playstore is listed as an hspa+ device that works with att/t-mo. So its a radio/modem issue?
Your Hercules is a Tmo HSPA+42 device while the GN is "only" 21. So, you should see max speeds of about 20-25mbps for the Herc and upwards of 9 on the Nexus.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
expl0it4 said:
Why is it that the gsm gnex has slower data speeds running on t-mo/att than their carrier branded phones? I'm using t-mo and my gs2 will outperform my gnex in data speeds any day of the week. I know this is the norm, but why are gsm phones slower?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile SGSII has a 42mbps HSPA+ radio, the GNex has a 21mbps HSPA+ radio. That's why you see a difference in speeds.
martonikaj said:
The T-Mobile SGSII has a 42mbps HSPA+ radio, the GNex has a 21mbps HSPA+ radio. That's why you see a difference in speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't agree with this statement personally. Unless your in an area where you actually get those speeds it shouldn't matter. My previous phone, SGS4G, was a 21mbps HSPA+ device and saw the same speeds as my friends Tmo GS2. Both topped out around 10mbps down, best I've seen with my Gnex is 8, so not much worse but a little slower.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
95Z28 said:
I don't agree with this statement personally. Unless your in an area where you actually get those speeds it shouldn't matter. My previous phone, SGS4G, was a 21mbps HSPA+ device and saw the same speeds as my friends Tmo GS2. Both topped out around 10mbps down, best I've seen with my Gnex is 8, so not much worse but a little slower.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're in an area with 42mbps towers deployed, then the speeds will definitely be higher on the 42mbps HSPA+ device. That's just how it is. The radio just gives you more headroom, so it has a higher theoretical max speed. Most areas nowadays are rolled out with 42mbps service on T-Mobile. If all you want is faster speeds, then the T-Mobile branded devices are a better choice than an unlocked device that likely only has a 14.4mbps or 21mbps radio.

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