After considering a number of things I've been led on deciding I'd probably want to get an S4 over the other currently available smartphones. I've held off because I had wanted a more premium feeling phone other than plastic, but I realize now I can easily buy an aluminum backing+bumper replacement to give it that look and feel.
Anyways now to the question part of it... I was preferring an unlocked device, but the Internationally sold i9505 and i9500 do not have faster than 3G in the US, or so I've read.
I'm not looking to get a specific phone service right away, for now I want a solid device I'll be happy with for some years to come. Mainly as a portable device with storage and apps, and a little down the road to use it as my mobile phone.
I need some confirmation, but from what I understand the T-Mobile version would probably be the best? Due to once unlocked you can use it on both T-Mobile, or AT&T with 4G/LTE speeds. Also I am led to believe the AT&T S4 does not have the right frequencies for T-Mobile 4G/LTE.
Aside the above wireless speed question, I'd like to know:
1. What would be the point in flashing the i9505/i9500 ROM on the T-Mobile version? To remove T-Mobile association more from the phone... boot screen/software?
2. Does T-Mobile actually sell their version of the S4 at full price, not linked to any plan? Will they provide an unlock code same day, assuming I don't use the free method posted publically. I'm dreading the possibility of having to jump through hoops.
Below I have summerized what I understand about a few non-carrier specific phones....
i9505: International LTE "not working in USA", quad core CPU.
i9500: International 8 core CPU, better GPU.
S4 Google Edition: 4G/LTE capabile, Quad Core CPU, No touchwiz, comes in white color only.
Anyways looking for S4 owner's knowledge, experience and opinions here!
if youre going to pay full price you might want to consider the LTE-A version aka snapdragon 800 version
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-Gal...1271471972?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item3384ceb764
32gb+snapdragon 800
According to that auction, it says it wont have 4G/LTE in the US? "I'm a frequency noob" One of my concerns was having something I could use on either TMobile or AT&T so I have options... if I was just looking at a 3g phone and cpu power I could just do this, or the i9500 "8 cores".
Dreamgun said:
According to that auction, it says it wont have 4G/LTE in the US? "I'm a frequency noob" One of my concerns was having something I could use on either TMobile or AT&T so I have options... if I was just looking at a 3g phone and cpu power I could just do this, or the i9500 "8 cores".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it gets hspa+ on tmobile and att it might be able to use LTE-A when tmobile and att add it to their networks
and the 8core isnt really 8 core its 4+4 = 4 low power 4 high power cores, only 1 pair of cores work at a time so its only quad core
Several threads say the 9505 can work on TMobile if you flash a compatible kernel but the 9500 is not compatible. With regard to AT&T vs. TMO compatibility, search for AWS mod. A T-Mobile salesman told me he got his girlfriend's AT&T phone to work on TMO network using that patch.
Sent from my SGH-M919
@OP
My experience is that yes, I could buy the S4 from TMO without plan, just pre-paid with a small credit. I do not live in the US,and had no problem with documentation or payment. Of course it is full price.
What the sales person told me is they will give you an unlock code only after 3 months if you are using it, reloading credit I guess. This doesn't work at all for me, but unlocking is actually real easy with the Samsun embedded app. I bought the phone and tried, it worked immediately (if it doesn't you can hand it back and have it refunded, for the restocking fee of 50USD).
Recently I used the ROM code here from Jamal (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2348272), to turn the M919 TMO into a i9505 Nexus. For me it is a massive improvement as I just cannot stand bloatware. It also free up much memory, and battery lasts longer.
The 9505 and 9500 will not get you LTE nor H+ on T-Mobile.
They will ONLY *possibly* get you 4G on AT&T.
The AT&T S4 is locked, yes. Your best bet is the T-Mobile S4.
You can flash 9505 ROMs on the T-Mobile version as well as some other ones.
Additionally, the development for the T-Mobile s4 is outstanding.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
How do the Verizon and Sprint Galaxy S4 compare to the T-Mobile S4?
Nate2 said:
How do the Verizon and Sprint Galaxy S4 compare to the T-Mobile S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cant use them on tmobile - cdma phones
haldi15 said:
cant use them on tmobile - cdma phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear the Verizon S4 has a SIM card. Aren't SIM cards for GSM phones?
Hi,
I m also freq noob and as much as I have searched the forum I cannot find the answer...I have SGH-M919 TMO and I am using it in Serbia but have network problems: receiving missed call TXT msg from operator, dropping out of network and difficulty in reconnecting to home network (need restarting).
Since TMO version supports all bands what can be the problem that phone is acting like that?
It works fine when i m on the network...we dont have LTE here nor will we for some time...
Please some help/direction to the thread dealing with this kind of problem...
Thanks
I had a stock unlocked att s4 on T-Mobile getting LTE without any mods.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4
Related
Or even flash it in At&T SG3. Samsung said the hardware are the same and have all the frequencies. i believe it might not be advertised this way from the carriers. Just thinking out loud.
Sorry i posted in the wrong section. Admin please move to Q&A
sorry again
Eh, I dont think so. Not at first anyway... after some hackery it might be possible.
The US versions are all the same.
The International version is very different.
It will never work.
I have yet to get 5 bars on my SGS3. Kinda odd.
Not a good idea as someone already stated they're different. I did that once by accident with the original galaxy s. Flashed the canadian firmware for the US version of the phone and ended up bricking it. Not even a jig bought it back to life.
It should work with the at&t and t-mobile sgs3 just like with the skyrocket and t-mobile's sgs2
htc fan89 said:
It should work with the at&t and t-mobile sgs3 just like with the skyrocket and t-mobile's sgs2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure? Can you reference someone or someplace that has had success with this?
}{Alienz}{ said:
Are you sure? Can you reference someone or someplace that has had success with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Skyrocket forums.. the AT&T Note also works because it also has the same SoC. The international version will never work with AWS though.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
... if this is true, I'm getting an AT&T S3 at retail and then flash the radio to T-Mobile.
Chances are I won't resist temptation and get the t-mobile one anyway
Lekz said:
... if this is true, I'm getting an AT&T S3 at retail and then flash the radio to T-Mobile.
Chances are I won't resist temptation and get the t-mobile one anyway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It hasn't been tested yet on the S3. And while it works on the Note, it is far from optimal. I have not read since the early stages but it would freeze and get awful battery life on T-Mobile.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
The US [GSM] models, ok. The international model, 100% no.
And as I understood, the T-Mobile version is pentaband out of the box (it will get AT&T 3G/4G 1900 MHz) because T-Mobile is moving to that frequency. So if anything, get the T-Mobile one and use it on AT&T if you don't care about LTE.
Product F(RED) said:
The US [GSM] models, ok. The international model, 100% no.
And as I understood, the T-Mobile version is pentaband out of the box (it will get AT&T 3G/4G 1900 MHz) because T-Mobile is moving to that frequency. So if anything, get the T-Mobile one and use it on AT&T if you don't care about LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what about the other way around, since at&t version is cheaper to get than t-mobile? My skyrocket had good battery life when I flashed t-mobile radio on to it...not sure about the note
htc fan89 said:
what about the other way around, since at&t version is cheaper to get than t-mobile? My skyrocket had good battery life when I flashed t-mobile radio on to it...not sure about the note
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Note had abysmal battery life from what I read. Just wait for someone to do it (they will) so you don't have to possibly return whichever one you buy.
joshnichols189 said:
It hasn't been tested yet on the S3. And while it works on the Note, it is far from optimal. I have not read since the early stages but it would freeze and get awful battery life on T-Mobile.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the At&T Galaxy Note is what inspired me to think it might be doable!! The At&T Note i have is working fine with Simple Mobile and picking up 4g all the way. the battery sucks anyways even with the At&T modem. Also, you guys should note that stationed in Kuwait and im using the At&T Note with T-mobile modem overseas and still working great. Yes i have 3G as they dont have 4G here. they funny thing is that i still shows 4G and run about 19Mbps in most places.
I can get the international SGIII in Kuwait for $250 16G unlocked (NICE RIGHT?) but when im home i use the Simple mobile network(T-mobile).
you can call it greed but i want to have 2GB RAM, LTE, T-mobile 4G and the ablity to use every network in the world
I hope someone can make this happen
The reason it worked with the AT&T Note is because the T-Mobile S2 used the same SoC (Snapdragons S3). The US Galaxy S3's have Snapdragon S4's, the International has an Exynos 4412. The SoC's (CPU, RAM, Radios, DAC) are COMPLETELY different. It will NOT work. It's not software magic that got the Note to work. It's the fact that it supported the 1700 MHz frequency. The Exynos SoC's radio doesn't. You'll end up bricking the phone and requiring a JTAG.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA Premium HD app
Product F(RED) said:
The reason it worked with the AT&T Note is because the T-Mobile S2 used the same SoC (Snapdragons S3). The US Galaxy S3's have Snapdragon S4's, the International has an Exynos 4412. The SoC's (CPU, RAM, Radios, DAC) are COMPLETELY different. It will NOT work. It's not software magic that got the Note to work. It's the fact that it supported the 1700 MHz frequency. The Exynos SoC's radio doesn't. You'll end up bricking the phone and requiring a JTAG.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one listens to me :'( thanks for the backup Fred. Haha
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
To be fair, I never meant the International S3
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk 2
Product F(RED) said:
The US [GSM] models, ok. The international model, 100% no.
And as I understood, the T-Mobile version is pentaband out of the box (it will get AT&T 3G/4G 1900 MHz) because T-Mobile is moving to that frequency. So if anything, get the T-Mobile one and use it on AT&T if you don't care about LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please confirm this, if I get the T-mobile version, and get it unlocked and use my existing AT&T sim on it, it will get 3G/4G speeds?. Would the international version also not give the same?. 4G speeds with AT&T?.
Thanks.
RizSher said:
Can you please confirm this, if I get the T-mobile version, and get it unlocked and use my existing AT&T sim on it, it will get 3G/4G speeds?. Would the international version also not give the same?. 4G speeds with AT&T?.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using the i9300 (International) on Straight Talk AT&T, which runs on AT&T's base network, and I get full HSPA+ (of course, no LTE). The i9300 runs on AT&T's bands, so if you used it on T-Mobile you'd only get EDGE (for now, because they're moving their network onto the same frequency as AT&T). If the T-Mobile version is indeed pentaband as I suspect, then unlocking it and using it on AT&T will give you the same data speeds as using the international version on AT&T.
I found out quite late that Tmobile is limited to 2G data on IPhones.. (or atleast IPhone 4S). I use TMobile prepaid 3$/day package as my usage is limited and sporadic.
Considering the S3, can anyone please tell me if Samsung has released distinct versions of the S3 for the two networks, or the same model covers both?.
Thanks.
I believe att has the lte version. Yes different phones.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Thanks Mr?Bmg
I suppose, the question I really wanted to ask was, is one network's version more of an international phone than the other with regards to data?... i.e if I were to take the phone to a)UK/Europe, b) Pakistan,
Would both phone be able to get atleast 3G, or, would the TMobile version still be restricted to EDGE?.
Thanks.
Riz
RizSher said:
Thanks Mr?Bmg
I suppose, the question I really wanted to ask was, is one network's version more of an international phone than the other with regards to data?... i.e if I were to take the phone to a)UK/Europe, b) Pakistan,
Would both phone be able to get atleast 3G, or, would the TMobile version still be restricted to EDGE?.
Thanks.
Riz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are different versions of the S3 for both the ATT and TMobile. On the S2, the difference was in the apearance, where the ATT was a little more square like, and TMobile had rounded edges. In the S3 though, the only difference is the name printed on the back (where it has either the Tmobile or the ATT logo). As for the mobile network support, I think that only the radio is different. Even now, you are not limited to 2g by your phone, but rather whatever TMobile decided to give you. Both phones will get atleast 3g. I know that TMobile version does not have LTE support, but im not sure about the ATT version.
RizSher said:
Thanks Mr?Bmg
I suppose, the question I really wanted to ask was, is one network's version more of an international phone than the other with regards to data?... i.e if I were to take the phone to a)UK/Europe, b) Pakistan,
Would both phone be able to get atleast 3G, or, would the TMobile version still be restricted to EDGE?.
Thanks.
Riz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you bring an AT&T phone to T-Mobile, you will not get 4G.
You can best 3G if your AT&T Phone has the 1900 range, you can get 3G on T-Mobile's service. Not sure how well it will be since it's only picking 1900 without others.
If you unlock your T-Mobile S3 you should be able to get 3G/HSPA+ on AT&T. The T-Mobile S3 is a pentaband device.
RizSher said:
I found out quite late that Tmobile is limited to 2G data on IPhones.. (or atleast IPhone 4S). I use TMobile prepaid 3$/day package as my usage is limited and sporadic.
Considering the S3, can anyone please tell me if Samsung has released distinct versions of the S3 for the two networks, or the same model covers both?.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are using an iPhone you might as well do the $2 a day since the $3 will only affect you if your phone gets 4G. They will be exactly the same performance on the $2 since it will just be on unlimited EDGE.
rmanne said:
There are different versions of the S3 for both the ATT and TMobile. On the S2, the difference was in the apearance, where the ATT was a little more square like, and TMobile had rounded edges. In the S3 though, the only difference is the name printed on the back (where it has either the Tmobile or the ATT logo). As for the mobile network support, I think that only the radio is different. Even now, you are not limited to 2g by your phone, but rather whatever TMobile decided to give you. Both phones will get atleast 3g. I know that TMobile version does not have LTE support, but im not sure about the ATT version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The AT&T version does not get 3G on T-Mobile save for a few sporadic locations across the states. And yes, it also has LTE.
joshnichols189 said:
The AT&T version does not get 3G on T-Mobile save for a few sporadic locations across the states. And yes, it also has LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also want to know about this
suhailstar said:
I also want to know about this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Know about what?
Sent from my SGH-T999
((( I moved this post from General to Q&A ))
I'm looking a purchasing a Samsung Note II that will be used on AT&T network. Since my upgrade is a year away, I have a Skyrocket that's only a year old, this phone will be a full price for me. I'm trying to find out some specific questions on the different Note II phone types, euro vs North America and what preloaded software differences are between them.
* the Note II that I purchase MUST have 4G LTE (AT&T FINALLY turned on 4G LTE in North East OKLA about 4 weeks ago! ..LOVEING IT).
* 10 minutes after I purchase the phone and verifying that everything is in working order it gets rooted.
I can purchase the phone from AT&T for full retail for 649. Best Buy said they would match that price (we'll see if they really do). When at Best Buy I asked about the preloaded software on the Note II (sense they do not have a working model on the floor) I was told in a blunt tone that it was an AT&T phone so it would work on AT&T's network.
Question---
1. Is the AT&T Note II phone that Best Buy sells have the same preloaded junk that comes on the one at the AT&T store?
2. Is the AT&T Note II phone that Best Buy sells been stripped of some of the Note II futures like the one at the AT&T store?
-- I read on an Amazon review the following http://www.amazon.com/review/R2Q2WM4I4VO8J7/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R2Q2WM4I4VO8J7
Be aware that the AT&T version of the Galaxy Note II is currently missing various standard functionality that Samsung is marketing and the other major carriers provide- missing functionality include:
~Multiview
~Group Shot Camera mode - with the ability to change faces
~Mobile data toggle
~Blocking mode toggle
~Screen Recorder
Since I am trying to get the most bang for my buck (a lot of bucks) which Note II phone that will work on AT&T that has 4G LTE should I be looking at?
(note- I suffered waiting on an ICS update from AT&T, so not having to depended on AT&T for my Android updates is a big plus)
Any advise or pointers is appreciated
Thanks
1.yes
2.yes
I will never buy a phone with a att stamp on it.
This PSA was Swyped out on my Paranoid Note 2 N7100
non carrier branded
So if I go with an unlocked phone- non carrier branded, which model number should I get that will work on AT&T and have LTE?
I saw this on another review-
Update: LTE! There are many people commenting about this. Apparently there's a version of the international Note 2 (not the N7100) that sports LTE, the model number is N7105 and it comes with "LTE 700 MHz Class 17 / 2100" (Sources: GSM Arena, Engadget and XDA forums). If you have a N7100 the LTE radio is simply not there. However this is not guarantee that the N7105 will work with AT&T's or Tmo's LTE, it all depends if those frequencies are compilant with those carriers' respective LTE signals. As LTE network compatibility can be a deal breaker for many people within the US, I suggest you to research very well before buying it. If someone can squeeze any info out of AT&T or Tmo, please comment. To shed more light on this issue, you can Google the xda thread 1917383. (Geez, all this makes me feel kinda happy I don't have to worry about LTE compatibility yet).
The only way to get lte with a note on att is with their model. If you can live with out lte the get N7100.in San Diego I get around 8mb down and around 2 up.
This PSA was Swyped out on my Paranoid Note 2 N7100
If you get the N7105, it will have LTE, but in the wrong bands for AT&T.
GT-N7105 (International Note 2): 800/1800/2600
SGH-i317 (AT&T Note 2): 700/850/AWS/1900
See how those don't line up?
I'd just get the 7100. You'll get 21mbps with that on AT&T with HSPA+ and you won't have any carrier BS. HSPA+ is pretty dang quick.
Might want to check this site too http://www.dailysteals.com/ got a good deal on note 2's today.
I am running the 7100 on AT&T in Phoenix. The lack of LTE does not bug me too often as the HSPA+ is good enough for my needs.
However, the OP stated that they would be rooting the phone. As such a clean bloat-free ROM for the AT&T phone would work on LTE. I have not been in the AT&T forums, but I assume there are bloat-free ROMs with all the missing features turned on.
-
CrozB said:
I am running the 7100 on AT&T in Phoenix. The lack of LTE does not bug me too often as the HSPA+ is good enough for my needs.
However, the OP stated that they would be rooting the phone. As such a clean bloat-free ROM for the AT&T phone would work on LTE. I have not been in the AT&T forums, but I assume there are bloat-free ROMs with all the missing features turned on.
-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I plan on rooting the phone and installing a clean bloat free ROM. (rant) I just wanted to buy a phone with all the futures the EU version has and without the silly branding/bloat that carriers do, all they do is muck up the phone.
Hi I want to buy a Samsung Note 8.0 for which model should I buy. I live in U.S. I know the LTE version here in US don't have phone capabilities. Can I install a custom rom for the one in US, if there is one, can someone point me to a thread. Please help, Thank you
magicman70 said:
Hi I want to buy a Samsung Note 8.0 for which model should I buy. I live in U.S. I know the LTE version here in US don't have phone capabilities. Can I install a custom rom for the one in US, if there is one, can someone point me to a thread. Please help, Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Though I don't live in US, I don't think you could add phone feature by changing the rom.
I think you would have to have the international version that permits calls. I'm not sure if that will work in the states though because of frequencies etc.
Galaxy Note 8.0 Xposed Build N5120XXCMH2 / Baseband N5120XXBMD9 / Kernel CivZ-SphereXtreme-REV on Telstra LTE
If you're looking at the AT&T branded Note 8, SGH-i467, there's a thread in this forum on getting the phone capability enabled. I don't think anyone has been totally successful doing that:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2430527
If VoIP will sufficiently meet your calling needs, you'll be fine with that model. If you don't want to deal with the idiosyncrasies associated with VoIP, get the international version, GT-N5100. The LTE frequencies won't work on AT&T's or T-Mobile's networks so you'll be at HSPA+ speeds, but it is a true 8" smartphone.
Sent from my GT-N5100 using xda app-developers app
afblangley said:
If you're looking at the AT&T branded Note 8, SGH-i467, there's a thread in this forum on getting the phone capability enabled. I don't think anyone has been totally successful doing that:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2430527
If VoIP will sufficiently meet your calling needs, you'll be fine with that model. If you don't want to deal with the idiosyncrasies associated with VoIP, get the international version, GT-N5100. The LTE frequencies won't work on AT&T's or T-Mobile's networks so you'll be at HSPA+ speeds, but it is a true 8" smartphone.
Sent from my GT-N5100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought one from amazon and it had calling capability. Should be the same for all of them.
The are different variants of the Note 8. Some have phone capability and some do not. The most common variant sold in the US (in Best Buy and big box stores) is WiFi only. The model sold in AT&T stores has LTE, but the phone functionality has been removed. The N5100, available thro some Amazon vendors, its a true smartphone, but only works on AT&T and T-Mobile's HSPA+ network.
Sent from my GT-N5100 using xda app-developers app
afblangley said:
The are different variants of the Note 8. Some have phone capability and some do not. The most common variant sold in the US (in Best Buy and big box stores) is WiFi only. The model sold in AT&T stores has LTE, but the phone functionality has been removed. The N5100, available thro some Amazon vendors, its a true smartphone, but only works on AT&T and T-Mobile's HSPA+ network.
Sent from my GT-N5100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a note 8 LTE as my phone here in UK and am absolutly loving it....had to change from 3 mobile to O2 as 3 dont allow phone sims in tablets, seems O2 do cos its been working fine for about 3-4 weeks.
Rather than look foolish with a tablet next to my ear I purchased a galaxy gear which is not fully working as I am on stock 4.2.
Got rid of my note 2 and note 10.1 and have just a note 8, best thing I ever did!!!
So I was talking to a Samsung rep at a Best Buy and she told me they may release a Developers Edition of the Note 4. I Googled it and see confirmation that there will be a Developers edition and that it will be sold through Verizon but not subsidized to any carrier. It should be released mid-November and cost around $660.00 Full Price.
That being said, does anyone plan to get the Dev Edition in order to Root/ROM? I am still rocking my Galaxy S3 but may end up going with the Note 4 so long as it has full Root/ROM.
I already have a note 4 but i might...Is it going to be able to use AT&T's 4G LTE? or only H+?
It seems that it's going to be a Verizon exclusive and will stay that way... I guess that it could be unlocked but Verizon phones have no simcard right? So I assume it would never work with AT&T
lebertian said:
It seems that it's going to be a Verizon exclusive and will stay that way... I guess that it could be unlocked but Verizon phones have no simcard right? So I assume it would never work with AT&T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon uses sim cards now too. They use it for their 4g. If a verizon phone is unlocked it can be used on AT&T but usually only with H+. I just didn't know if there was a different case with this one. Why is verizon getting all of the good phones? Droid turbo and now this?
I'll probably wait until it does release to see if its compatible with AT&T but I definitely require it to be LTE and not just H+. Hopefully it is a fully unlocked device with all of the bands needed to work with AT&T.
If that's true I might even sell mine to get it
It's for Verizon only. They use a different LTE it's CDMA based so will be no help for ATT users. If you want to get one for ATT you need to have everyone blowing up their twitter Facebook etc to get one released.
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Free mobile app
ShrekOpher said:
It's for Verizon only. They use a different LTE it's CDMA based so will be no help for ATT users. If you want to get one for ATT you need to have everyone blowing up their twitter Facebook etc to get one released.
Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just maybe like verizon's previous iphones that worked on att and tmobile just fine. But still doesnt make sense a developer version just for verizon, we know most developers are on gsm, jk