LTE Chip? - T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII

I came across this article http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2012/06/26/no-lte-for-galaxy-s3-on-t-mobile/
I'm confused about what T-Mobile's version of the phone actually has in it. I thought that Samsung used a different chipset for the T-Mobile version, which doesn't have any LTE chip, but has support for DC-HSPA.
This article suggests that the device has an LTE chip that is software deactivated / incompatible with T-Mobile's future LTE network.
So, if I was to unlock this phone, and go to AT&T's network, could I pick up their LTE?
Additionally, I thought T-Mobile's LTE would work with AT&T's current LTE phones? Aren't both AT&T and T-Mobile LTE going to be on 1700MHz?

As I understand it, the hw itself is not capable. Otherwise it should be possible to load up att firmware and modem and use it on atts network (theoretically anyway). But as far as I know no one has been able to make it work, and it was never able to to begin with.
Will atts lte and tmobiles lte be compatible for both carriers phones? I have no idea. But it wouldn't surprise me if it were made so that they're not.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

No. This phone does not have an LTE chip. It uses an MSM8260A and the AT&T version uses an MSM8920. They are the same chip but ours has no LTE.
Sent from my SGH-T999

T999+aokp= oneness

kurplop said:
T999+aokp= oneness
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes we have seen those screenshots.. The board is an MSM8960 but the SoC is not.
Sent from my SGH-T999

Related

[Q] Will an ATT or Rogers Note 2 work on more thna edge speeds on T-mobile?

I just received my Note 2 it is on Rogers.
I have unlocked it but it is not yet rooted.
I have just traveled to US and am using my T-mobile SIM card and no matter what settings I try I can't get anything other than EDGE data even though I am paying for 4g.
I was under the impression that All models of the note 2 In North America (not including Verizon) were identical and would if unlocked work on all networks equally.
Seems this is not the case. The TMobile site lists different choice for the LTE bands than Rogers. Yet the Telus branded model on their website shows the same version of LTE as on Tmobile.
Are the phones actually different? Or is it the firmware of the Radio inside such that if I rooted and flashed the Tmobile modem it would then allow me to use the faster speed data network on my unlocked Rogers phone but on the T-mobile network?
No. Our model doesn't support the frequency that T-Mobile uses for 3G
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda premium
Is it possible to flash the modem for Tmobile on ours and make it work?
I was under the impression all the phones in Canada were identical and yet the Telus one seems to have different LTE frequencies so maybe it just needs to be enabled as hardware not firmware supports it
Canadoc said:
Is it possible to flash the modem for Tmobile on ours and make it work?
I was under the impression all the phones in Canada were identical and yet the Telus one seems to have different LTE frequencies so maybe it just needs to be enabled as hardware not firmware supports it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the hardware doesn't support it so a different modem wouldn't work. Our phones (Bell, Telus, Rogers) support LTE on 1700/2100, but not HSPA+, so until T-Mobile launches their LTE network you'll be on edge only
Edit: There are some areas where they are reforming their 1900 spectrum to HSPA+, so you could only connect in an area where they have done that already
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda premium
C.Flat said:
No the hardware doesn't support it so a different modem wouldn't work. Our phones (Bell, Telus, Rogers) support LTE on 1700/2100, but not HSPA+, so until T-Mobile launches their LTE network you'll be on edge only
Edit: There are some areas where they are reforming their 1900 spectrum to HSPA+, so you could only connect in an area where they have done that already
Sent from my SGH-I317M using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I guess for now I will stay on EDGE hopefully LTE goes live soon enough. The Rogers phone will work on their LTE frequencies right?

Verizon Note 2 Vs. T-Mobile Note 2

Which Note 2 supports more networks and frequencies; and therefore, which would be more suitable for international travel. Is the Verizon Note 2 even pentaband?
T mobile version because it's gsm which is going to work overseas. Verizon is a CDMA and I haven't read that it has gsm support.
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Rhiannon224 said:
T mobile version because it's gsm which is going to work overseas. Verizon is a CDMA and I haven't read that it has gsm support.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, the T-Mobile version will work in more places overseas -- Especially Europe. Just in case, you might want to ask this in the Verizon area also just to make sure. :good:
I'm confused because on Samsungs website, http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SCH-I605TSAVZW-specs
the Verizon Model has the GSM frequencies,
is it GSM if unlocked; i believe the Note 2 is already unlocked by verizon, will it work on GSM frequencies internationally?
correct me if I'm wrong, thanks
the verizon Galaxy Note II apparently has the GSM radios,
also has LTE; doesn't AT&T LTE work along same frequencies as verizon LTE
or is the verizon LTE exlusively to CDMA?
All Galaxy Note 2 devices seem to have all WCDMA, GSM, and LTE bands.
But what I understand is that Verizon version is considered as a "world" phone. I know that they tell me that I can use their Galaxy Note 2 on the European Networks.
I have played around with the bands on my T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 and can get the WCDMA and LTE working. So I don't know if the Modem firmware in all Galaxy Note 2 are the same and just need to be activated by the carrier's sim card or not. Someone please educate us on the this. I know that their is talk of needing OTA update to activate the LTE within T-Mobile GN2. But if the Modem is all the same then can just updating or exchanging the sim card could do the same? Or does the nv file also needs to be updated to activate the band/s as well?
The question is not if Galaxy Note 2 (all verisons) have the bands. But how to (the actual process) activate the band, in question, and get the Galaxy Note 2 in working order with the carrier of choice? What is the method? How to do the process of this method?
Please correct me if I am getting this wrong.
^ good point, and also just to ask about the verizon note 2 again, i thought it carries carries an an additional radio for CDMA, does this mean that the verizon note 2 model has better capabilities worldwide' since it is virtually compatible with all networks in the world (simply tweaks to the frequencies to the radio can get the verizon variant working virtually anywhere) please correct me if I'm wrong here. thanks
N/m ...
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Problem I have seen in the past with Verizon world phones is that the game frequencies only work overseas. And lte is gsm band. Which is one of the few reasons Verizon phones have a sim slot to begin with
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
All recent Verizon LTE phones have GSM radios built in as well as their own CDMA/LTE radio. The LTE radio is only compatible with their network.
Some of these phones are even shipped out of the box unlocked and can be used immediately on GSM networks in the U.S.
If you do get the Verizon Note II and want to use it on T-Mobile, it will not have support for their HSPA+ 42mbps network, I believe it maxes out at 21mbps, as with all other Note II's around the world except for T-Mobiles.
But doesn't Verizon use LTE on the 700 band just like AT&T and future TMobile LTE?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
Please correct me if I'm wrong, thank you.
nerdydesi said:
All recent Verizon LTE phones have GSM radios built in as well as their own CDMA/LTE radio. The LTE radio is only compatible with their network.
Some of these phones are even shipped out of the box unlocked and can be used immediately on GSM networks in the U.S.
If you do get the Verizon Note II and want to use it on T-Mobile, it will not have support for their HSPA+ 42mbps network, I believe it maxes out at 21mbps, as with all other Note II's around the world except for T-Mobiles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the Verizon Note2 is like the AT&T Note2 & Sprint Note2 (supporting 21Mbps HSPA+ but not 42Mbps like T-Mobile) but all only with their own respective LTE?..wouldn't it be more cost effective for Samsung just to make 1 phone with all the hardware to support all (isn't the iPhone5 like that now?) or is it cost prohibitive or do carriers not want to make it easier to unlock?
Are we still confident that the T-Mobile Note2 is the best if we want the flexibility to use on all carriers? How often is >21Mbps HSPA+ seen in real world use & why is the disabled LTE not listed at http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1877 ?
So, which is better then, Verizon or T-Mobile? Verizon's Note 2 also includes a CDMA radio whereas the T-Mobile version does not. If you are using the Note 2 in the US, wouldn't you have more flexible options in terms of which carrier to use?
nerdydesi said:
All recent Verizon LTE phones have GSM radios built in as well as their own CDMA/LTE radio. The LTE radio is only compatible with their network.
Some of these phones are even shipped out of the box unlocked and can be used immediately on GSM networks in the U.S.
If you do get the Verizon Note II and want to use it on T-Mobile, it will not have support for their HSPA+ 42mbps network, I believe it maxes out at 21mbps, as with all other Note II's around the world except for T-Mobiles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So do we consider the Verizon Note2 even more carrier flexible than T-Mobile's Note2 (as I was about ready to buy the T-Mobile Note2 to try their $30/mo plan but now having some doubts..if I want this tomorrow I need to order soon) ?
-Thnx
Well LTE On the Verizon Note 2 is only compatible with Verizon's Network. Even if unlocked; the phone's firmware only recognizes LTE if only the Verizon 750 band is detected. Verizon has its own exclusive LTE bands compared to AT&T and Future T-Mobile LTE (sharing the same LTE bands)
SMARTPHONEPC said:
So do we consider the Verizon Note2 even more carrier flexible than T-Mobile's Note2 (as I was about ready to buy the T-Mobile Note2 to try their $30/mo plan but now having some doubts..if I want this tomorrow I need to order soon) ?
-Thnx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot speak to the CDMA radio issue, but I am positive that Verizon LTE will not work with any GSM LTE phone. The frequencies are similar, but Verizon is using a different LTE protocol. I asked that question a long time ago, thinking that LTE would finally allow roaming between Verizon and AT&T, but they are too clever to allow such a democratic system to function. They will remain fundamentally incompatible, not because they need to be, but because they want it that way to keep you locked to your carrier by your choice of device. Nice, eh?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
The Verizon NoteII will (in theory) connect to any gsm carrier. How to do so, I don't know.
Sent from my very "non-stock" TP.
^^^ Well, the Verizon Note 2 will not be able to work with another carrier's LTE than itself.
my experience
Hey folks,
I've got the Verizon Note 2 and I love it. If you're willing to unlock the bootloader and then install a hack onto your device, you'll easily be able to swap the SIM card out and use it just about anywhere. Yes, the phone is carrier unlocked (not the same as bootloader unlocked). The issue is that in the settings, they won't let you add the specific APNs for the carriers you need. I"m not sure how else to get around that without installing some of the hacks. I managed to do it and it works beautifully on Canada's Bell Mobility, HSPA+ is screamingly fast and the LTE on VErizon in the States is just insanely fast. My recommendation: get the Verizon version because they've built out their LTE much more than their rivals at this point.
On anantech the reviewer stated that the tmobile version would be the most compatible. If you get vzw note2 and switch you wont get lte on tmob or att. Quite frankly vzw is too expensive and the coverage from tmobile is getting better by the month. Not to mention their business pricing is better than any of the other carriers.

[Q] Will the I9305 work on Tmobile's LTE network?

I have done an extensive search both on Google and XDA Developers, and could not find an answer to my question.
I know that Samsung has released an LTE compatible version of the S3, the I9305 (LTE 800 / 1800 / 2600). So my question is, when the LTE network becomes available and more prevalent for T-mobile, will I be able to get LTE speeds with an unlocked I9305 S3? Thanks.
remiks3 said:
I have done an extensive search both on Google and XDA Developers, and could not find an answer to my question.
I know that Samsung has released an LTE compatible version of the S3, the I9305 (LTE 800 / 1800 / 2600). So my question is, when the LTE network becomes available and more prevalent for T-mobile, will I be able to get LTE speeds with an unlocked I9305 S3? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I recall, T-Mobile doesn't offer LTE. Or maybe they have started recently and I just haven't realized it. But nonetheless, you can use the i9305, on T-Mobile seeing as it is an unlocked gsm phone. So it'll go as fast as T-Mobile will let it.
EDIT: Just kidding, T-Mobile DOES have 4G LTE, supposedly the fastest out there too.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Yeah tmobile 4g lte beat att's and verizon in a test from cnet! But you have to make sure that your phone supports tmobiles lte bands. I dont know yet what bands tmobile use for their lte
gypsy214 said:
Yeah tmobile 4g lte beat att's and verizon in a test from cnet! But you have to make sure that your phone supports tmobiles lte bands. I dont know yet what bands tmobile use for their lte
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol you do know that T-Mobile just released lte and have far less data traffic on their lte network than at&t and Verizon which right?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
KingKostas said:
Lol you do know that T-Mobile just released lte and have far less data traffic on their lte network than at&t and Verizon which right?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not all there is to it... They launched LTE-Advanced right off the bat. It is highly optimized over LTE revision 0.
OP, you would not even get HSPA+ on that phone if there isn't support for the 1700 band but you definitely will not get LTE based on the bands you posted.
EtherealRemnant said:
That's not all there is to it... They launched LTE-Advanced right off the bat. It is highly optimized over LTE revision 0.
OP, you would not even get HSPA+ on that phone if there isn't support for the 1700 band but you definitely will not get LTE based on the bands you posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the responses, this is good to know. I was always leery about unlocked phones claiming to be LTE compatible... this is why I would prefer buying a t-mobile specific LTE phone so I am 100% certain I will get LTE speeds.
remiks3 said:
Thanks for all the responses, this is good to know. I was always leery about unlocked phones claiming to be LTE compatible... this is why I would prefer buying a t-mobile specific LTE phone so I am 100% certain I will get LTE speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile is unique because they use the AWS 1700 band for LTE and 3G/HSPA. Verizon and at&t use 700MHz for their LTE which is the problem. We should start seeing a bunch of phones launch with AWS LTE this year. I would just wait and see what comes down the pipeline.

Developer's Note 3 for Verizon...

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Release Bringing One Last Surprise:
http://drippler.com/updates/share/samsung-galaxy-note-3-release-bringing-one-last-surprise Via j.mp/drippler_app
That's awesome. Would this phone work on Tmobile?
sgh-TWEAKED-889©
To funny, wonder if it ships minus the Knox crap. One would think it must, thus in a roundabout kinda way, Samsung is/was aware of the issues Knox would create for developers, modders, rooters etc.. After popping the Knox flag..
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I'd grab that phone for sure if it works on Tmobile. You think it will?
sgh-TWEAKED-889©
Warrior1975 said:
I'd grab that phone for sure if it works on Tmobile. You think it will?
sgh-TWEAKED-889©
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon is CDMA. We are GSM. They don't have SIM cards. They use ESN #'s.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
Oh well
sgh-TWEAKED-889©
XxLostSoulxX said:
Verizon is CDMA. We are GSM. They don't have SIM cards. They use ESN #'s.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All LTE devices (even Sprint's and Verizon's) take SIM cards. Also, that same cellular radio that handles the LTE almost always does GSM/HSPA as well, all integrated on the same radio. Furthermore, Verizon is in the habit of leaving their LTE devices SIM-unlocked, so they can be used on GSM carriers. As long as the phone supports the appropriate bands, it will work on T-Mobile. However, I don't believe the VZW Note 3 supports the AWS bands that T-Mobile uses for most of their HSPA+ coverage. I doubt the developer edition would be any different.
darkkterror said:
All LTE devices (even Sprint's and Verizon's) take SIM cards. Also, that same cellular radio that handles the LTE almost always does GSM/HSPA as well, all integrated on the same radio. Furthermore, Verizon is in the habit of leaving their LTE devices SIM-unlocked, so they can be used on GSM carriers. As long as the phone supports the appropriate bands, it will work on T-Mobile. However, I don't believe the VZW Note 3 supports the AWS bands that T-Mobile uses for most of their HSPA+ coverage. I doubt the developer edition would be any different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My note 2 didn't have a sim card from Sprint.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
XxLostSoulxX said:
My note 2 didn't have a sim card from Sprint.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint chose to have the SIM cards embedded into the device so that they couldn't be removed. They're not as open with the GSM part of their LTE phones as Verizon has been. If you read the label on the side of the box, it would have listed an ICCID number, which is the SIM card number for that device. The Sprint version of the Galaxy S4 had the SIM card tray accessible, unlike their previous LTE phones. Not sure if they continued that with the Note 3 or went back to embedding them.
darkkterror said:
All LTE devices (even Sprint's and Verizon's) take SIM cards. Also, that same cellular radio that handles the LTE almost always does GSM/HSPA as well, all integrated on the same radio. Furthermore, Verizon is in the habit of leaving their LTE devices SIM-unlocked, so they can be used on GSM carriers. As long as the phone supports the appropriate bands, it will work on T-Mobile. However, I don't believe the VZW Note 3 supports the AWS bands that T-Mobile uses for most of their HSPA+ coverage. I doubt the developer edition would be any different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to use my Verizon Note 2 on AT&T, but never got anything better than 3g speeds. Which is good enough for some, but I need my LTE.
aimfire72 said:
I was able to use my Verizon Note 2 on AT&T, but never got anything better than 3g speeds. Which is good enough for some, but I need my LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's precisely why it's important to take note of the bands that the phone supports and the bands that the carrier requires for their various services (UMTS/HSPA, LTE, GSM/EDGE). I briefly popped my T-Mobile SIM into my VZW Note 2 and could only get Edge because the VZW Note 2 doesn't support the AWS frequencies that T-Mobile uses for HSPA in my area.

[Q] Cel-Fi Signal Booster + Verizon S4 + TMobile Sim Card = HELP

Hey Guys,
Not sure where to ask at this point, but I know that there is a Verizon forum for the S4, but this is more T-Mobile inclined question.
My mom was given an S4 at her job from Verizon but I convinced her to give it to me since I wanted it and I gave her my Tmobile Note 2.
I put my sim card into the Verizon S4 and configured the APN setting so now im getting faster data speeds with the Verizon S4 than I was with my Tmobile Note 2. So everything works but the phone is in Global mode, which I dont really care at this point.
My question is though, how can I get the Verizon S4 to connect to the Tmobile signal cel-fi booster that I have. I have no service at my job so therefore I obtained one of the boosters offered by Tmobile, works great with my Note 2, but the S4 does not recognize the cel-fi booster.
Please advise...
I guessing the cell fi thing is for tmobile phone only. I'm sure tmobile don't want just anyone to use their products.
It's probably a firmware deal and not the SIM that recognized the cell fi.
☞ Sent from here☜???
Yes, I definitely understand that, but I am using a TMobile sim card, logged into Tmobile towers, using Tmobile 4G LTE network, but the hardware/firmware is Verizon, so that is why I am asking if it is doable to get this working? Perhaps if flashing a rom or something?
elite-fusion said:
Yes, I definitely understand that, but I am using a TMobile sim card, logged into Tmobile towers, using Tmobile 4G LTE network, but the hardware/firmware is Verizon, so that is why I am asking if it is doable to get this working? Perhaps if flashing a rom or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could it be a hardware issue? Tmobile special band which does noy jave in the verizon phone?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
I don tknow, thats why im asking you guys lol
elite-fusion said:
I don tknow, thats why im asking you guys lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best bet is to call T Mobile tech support and ask them. You've got a really obsscure question that probably has to deal with the frequencies the 2 devices communicate on that no one here has probably ever dealt with. T Mobile is going to be the quickest way to get this answer.
The T-Mobile cel-fi operates at the 1700MHz aws frequencies. According to this thread they are not enabled by default on the Verizon galaxy s4. So that's why it's not picking up the signal from the cel-fi.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
Cel-Fi RS1 vs RS2
elesbb said:
The T-Mobile cel-fi operates at the 1700MHz aws frequencies. According to this thread they are not enabled by default on the Verizon galaxy s4. So that's why it's not picking up the signal from the cel-fi.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guys,
I work for Cel-Fi - it looks like you are correct.
The RS2 Cel-Fi (the latest one) will boost 2 bands: 1.9GHz (aka PCS, Band 2) + AWS
BUT the older RS1 (we dont sell it anymore) will only boost AWS and not Band 2...
Check here for details on the Bands 2 and 4, and here for definitions of the bands...
It looks like the S4 gets 1900 band 2 (specs S4 for T-Mobile UMTS: Band I (2100);UMTS/HSPA+: AWS Band IV / 2100 / 1900 / 850;Band II (1900);Quad Band GSM;LTE)
Let us know which Cel-Fi you have...
Regards,
Laurent
laurent.gil said:
Guys,
I work for Cel-Fi - it looks like you are correct.
The RS2 Cel-Fi (the latest one) will boost 2 bands: 1.9GHz (aka PCS, Band 2) + AWS
BUT the older RS1 (we dont sell it anymore) will only boost AWS and not Band 2...
Check here for details on the Bands 2 and 4, and here for definitions of the bands...
It looks like the S4 gets 1900 band 2 (specs S4 for T-Mobile UMTS: Band I (2100);UMTS/HSPA+: AWS Band IV / 2100 / 1900 / 850;Band II (1900);Quad Band GSM;LTE)
Let us know which Cel-Fi you have...
Regards,
Laurent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the RS1 (older one) got it for 90 bucks on ebay
Works great!
And since you work for Cel-Fi, does the RS2 model boost the LTE signal for T-Mobile or not? From what i am reading, it does not.
Sorry for my ignorance but how is the Verizon Galaxy S4 able to connect to T Mobile let alone LTE? Is Verizon S4 a pentaband phone? I think my knowledge is outdated but I was under the impression that Verizon uses CDMA
utsc said:
Sorry for my ignorance but how is the Verizon Galaxy S4 able to connect to T Mobile let alone LTE? Is Verizon S4 a pentaband phone? I think my knowledge is outdated but I was under the impression that Verizon uses CDMA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do, it switches to global mode (GSM) when you insert a non-verizon sim.. Most CDMA smartphones have this capability nowadays, which they did not before.. Verizon is the only carrier I know that does not lock the gsm radio on their phones, I think Sprint's phones are sim locked
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
I'll sell the new cell-fi
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

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