[Q] Unlock SCH-i515 - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Hi guys. I would like to ask if it is possible to unlock the SCH-i515 (Galaxy Nexus Verizon) for worldwide providers. I live in Greece and my provider is Cosmote. Thanks in advance.

No it is not possible. It is a CDMA device, and is hardware incapable of running on GSM networks.
You need to buy an i9250 model, which is GSM/HSPA+ compatible and (usually) SIM unlocked out of the box.

You would need to check around and see what local carriers use for frequencies.. you may get stuck on 1x if you don't .. it is possible to flash a cdma phone to different carrier its just not as easy as putting a different sim card in..

Related

A few questions from a total newbie

Hi,
I ordered a phone on eBay (refurbished Touch Pro2) unlocked (originally from Sprint). This is the phone : cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170495455167 (new user, can't post full links ...)
I would like to know, is it a GSM or a CDMA phone? It says I just need to put in a SIM card and it will be ready, is that true or it must be specific carriers?
Thanks!
Sam
sam_1421 said:
Hi,
I ordered a phone on eBay (refurbished Touch Pro2) unlocked (originally from Sprint). This is the phone : cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170495455167 (new user, can't post full links ...)
I would like to know, is it a GSM or a CDMA phone? It says I just need to put in a SIM card and it will be ready, is that true or it must be specific carriers?
Thanks!
Sam
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GSM = Sim Card
CDMA = No Sim Card
The Sprint Rhodium is a CDMA/GSM worldphone. It primarily operates on a CDMA network such as Sprint's, but is GSM capable for operation in areas where CDMA network service isn't available, like overseas. So long as the Sprint Touch Pro2 you've bought is properly unlocked depending on where you plan to use the device (there is a special unlocking procedure needed in order to use US carriers' SIMs in the Sprint Touch Pro2), you can use any SIM card from any GSM carrier in that device.
Just remember if you are going to use a Sprint phone on AT&T the best data connection you are going to get is 1X.
Thanks for the replies!
I don't know if it's been unlocked properly, but I won't use it with a US carrier, since I'm in Canada. I guess it should be fine?
Thanks!
Sam

LTE vs Global GN -- both use SIMS ; differences?

im really lost in the terminology behind all of the different phone standards... umts/hspa/gsm/evdo/1xrtt/lte/wimax/etc etc etc...
Verizon (and Sprint) are CDMA dominant networks. But Verizon LTE requires a SIM-card:
(1) Will a Verizon LTE phone accept a GSM SIM and work at optimal speed? e.g. Vodafone SIM in UK
(2) Conversely, can't the "Global/GSM" Galaxy Nexus take the Verizon LTE SIM and work on Verizon's network?
(3) Is the Verizon LTE's version of Galaxy Nexus a hybrid CDMA-GSM phone (like Sprint's Photon) ... i.e. if I get it unlocked, I could also use it with most international services?
The unlocked global GN is 750$. But if Verizon's contract price is 300+200 [term. fee]... AND it works internationally... clearly its the way to go
1 - No.
2 - No.
3 - No.
You're confusing SIMs for radios. Each phone has a different radio that can connect to EITHER GSM (UK model) or CDMA (USA model). The GNex cannot connect to both.
The GSM version will work in the US with a T-Mobile or AT&T SIM card on a GSM network. You can also take it on international trips (changing SIMs or roaming), as most of the world uses GSM.
The CDMA (Verizon LTE) version will work on Verizon only.

[Q] Galaxy Nexus without carrier / SIM card?

I have an opportunity to get a free unlocked GNex (for Verizon) from a promo with my stock broker. Can I use it with WiFi-only, without connecting to a carrier, without a SIM?
Thanks.
yes. it'd just be a WiFi only device.
Great, thanks for the fast reply.
alternatively, you can sell your Verizon unlocked version and sell it for equivalent of a GSM model so you can use your existing carrier with it
just an idea

[Q] Verizon Nexus run on GSM network?

I'm getting ready to deploy, and I was curious if you can convert the Verizon Nexus to run on GSM/international networks. If yes, how?
sorry
there is no way my friend. i just got back from deployment. I was in the same boat as you. sell that g nex my friend, and get the gsm one. i found one by going on ebay, searching for guys selling one close to me and off to buy it locally so you're not waiting on shipping. or put on craigslists for a trade for the gsm version, u never know.
Yep, what he said was right - you can't convert it over. The Verizon one has a CDMA antenna and all the other networks require the GSM antenna (why couldn't they have both!! probably for this reason..). And even if the other networks used CDMA, they have to specifically accept your phone into their network (some kind of CDMA authentication thing, whereas GSM accepts everything it can talk to).
So flashing a GSM baseband to the CMDA phone will not work?
NO! Do not flash a GSM baseband on your nexus. The VZW nexus doesn't have any of the GSM radios or frequencies and wont work.
Unfortunately the GN only comes with either GSM or CMDA/LTE. It may be worth looking into getting a global phone that supports both CDMA and GSM.
Masoa said:
So flashing a GSM baseband to the CMDA phone will not work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As already stated, definitely never do this.

[Q] [CDMA] Changing Carriers

I have a Verizon CDMA version of the GNexus. Now from what I've read elsewhere and through searches, the SIM card is really only for data. Is it still possible for me to switch a carrier when I go out of the country? I had a Nexus One and all I had to do was swap out the SIM. I assume it would be a lot more difficult on a CDMA phone.
The country I am visiting has a similar CDMA network that I could hop on.
No. Its hardware locked to Verizon. Your only chance is the other carrier having a roaming agreement with VZW. At that point you could pay for an overseas plan. But even then it may cause issues because its an LTE device that still relies on the SIM for activation.
Your Nexus One worked this way because its GSM and relies only on the SIM card to change carriers. CDMA (Verizon) is different.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

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