Sprint Vs T-mobile - One (M8) Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey Everyone!
Quick question for you, i just switched to Sprint from T-Mobile and i got the HTC One M8 and i had the same phone from T-Mobile. Is there any Difference between the two cause i noticed on the sprint version that it says Model # 831 amd T-mobiles doesnt say model. Was just curious if there is anything different i donbt there is though

Different hardware, the T-Mobile version does not have the hardware required to work on Sprint's CDMA network.
The Sprint and Verizon versions of the M8 are CDMA, and are the oddballs. All "GSM" versions of the M8 are essentially the same in hardware, and just have different band support determined in software. Exception being the obvious cosmetic differences such as available colors, and some carrier logos on the back of the phone. Other exception being the dual SIM GSM variant.

Related

Can the GSM phone use CDMA?

I have the standard TP2 unlocked UK version, that is a GSM phone but I understand that TP2 has dual system capability, GSM and CDMA. I use it a lot in India where CDMA is more popular and has better coverage. Can I somehow use a CDMA SIM and service by unlocking something?
There are two main versions of the TP2, the CDMA/GSM hybrid variations that Verizon, Sprint, etc carry and the GSM models that ATT, T-Mobile carry. The unbranded version is also a GSM phone. The GSM models, including the unbranded do not have CDMA radios. CDMA cell tech does not use SIM cards. The SIM cards in the hybrid versions give United States TP2 users the ability to use their phone across the globe.
a2002cmacg said:
There are two main versions of the TP2, the CDMA/GSM hybrid variations that Verizon, Sprint, etc carry and the GSM models that ATT, T-Mobile carry. The unbranded version is also a GSM phone. The GSM models, including the unbranded do not have CDMA radios. CDMA cell tech does not use SIM cards. The SIM cards in the hybrid versions give United States TP2 users the ability to use their phone across the globe.
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so the bottom line, is NO, you cannot use your GSM phone as a CDMA one.

Sprint GS3 hardware question....

Is the internal radio and SOC identical across all US carriers? (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint)
I am looking to unlock a Sprint GS3 that I can get as an employee and use it on AT&T. (Apple appears to include both CDMA and GSM support in their 4S units) and I am hoping Samsung did the same to get the device out to all the carriers.
Thanks in advance!
Unfortunately, sprint opted to make the sim internal so it can't be swapped. If you see some of the video reviews out right now, it shows the sim slot missing.
Protocols and frequencies
themyst said:
Is the internal radio and SOC identical across all US carriers? (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint)
I am looking to unlock a Sprint GS3 that I can get as an employee and use it on AT&T. (Apple appears to include both CDMA and GSM support in their 4S units) and I am hoping Samsung did the same to get the device out to all the carriers.
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Click to collapse
I am not a professional on this but I believe that the SoC(processor, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc) is identical but the radios are different.
All the carriers use unique frequencies to communicate with their towers. Many carriers use separate protocols to communicate as well(HSPA+, CDMA, GSM) Its possible for 2 carriers to use the same protocol but they will always be using different frequencies.
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think its possible to re-program your phone to use a different frequency(i.e. change from 1900MHz to 800MHz)
I do not believe you can "unlock" a sprint phone. The radio simply will not work on any other carrier. Now, if said sprint phone were a "Global Phone", then it has an additional GSM radio in it as well. I don't know if this could be used to connect to another US carrier like AT&T though.

[Q] ATT Version Usable with T-Mobile?

I am going to switch to T-Mobile in 2 months so was wondering if it will work with T-Mobile's HSPA + Network.
AFAIK It won't, but the frequenceies are listed on both carrier's sites so you can have a look at that.
No.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/0...nt-4g-hspa-phone-will-not-be-covered-by-both/
Couldn't we just flash the t-mobile radio like with the t-mobile sgs2 and the skyrocket from at&t?
It should be possible. Check out the specs of the two: http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=4804&idPhone2=4803
This is EXACTLY the same as Tmobile S2 and ATT S2 LTE: http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=4129&idPhone2=4303
Some awesome dev needs to do some radio hacking to make the two phones interchangeable as they did for the S2/S2 LTE.
pvc_ said:
No.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/0...nt-4g-hspa-phone-will-not-be-covered-by-both/
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that article is over a year old. there are many devices that work on both carriers via 4g. looking at the frequencies on att version it should work with a radio flash.
There's hope then
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57460125-94/t-mobiles-pricier-samsung-galaxy-s3-will-not-get-lte/
same hardware in all US S3's so theoretically even a sprint or verizon one can be flashed if its just going to be software limitations
tspx23 said:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57460125-94/t-mobiles-pricier-samsung-galaxy-s3-will-not-get-lte/
same hardware in all US S3's so theoretically even a sprint or verizon one can be flashed if its just going to be software limitations
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Click to collapse
The CDMA and TDMA versions are different and not compatible. A sprint or Verizon model will not work on GSM networks due to the different protocols used. AFAIK no phone is universally portable amongst US carriers.
Verizon/Sprint/US Cellular phones are 100% different in terms of radio hardware and software.
It is possible the T-Mobile/AT&T ones will likely work together, but why? Also something to consider is the AT&T Note on T-Mobile gets HORRIBLE battery life.
malaeum said:
The CDMA and TDMA versions are different and not compatible. A sprint or Verizon model will not work on GSM networks due to the different protocols used. AFAIK no phone is universally portable amongst US carriers.
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You sure about this? Verizon model will have a sim card and has GSM support. Verizon will probably block T-Mobile and ATT with all of their GSM/devices.
tspx23 said:
You sure about this? Verizon model will have a sim card and has GSM support. Verizon will probably block T-Mobile and ATT with all of their GSM/devices.
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The SIM card is for LTE. The only way to get 3G on a CDMA device would be through CDMA.
joshnichols189 said:
The SIM card is for LTE. The only way to get 3G on a CDMA device would be through CDMA.
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Not exactly true... After a "hack" to my VZW Moto Bionic and dropping in an ATT sim from a demo Galaxy Note, we got working H+ on the Bionic.
Even after hack, the Bionic doesn't appear to support T-Mobile's 1700mhz so I get EDGE only when I use the T-Mo SIM out of my Galaxy S2.
But I wont have a Verizon Galaxy S3 to play with to see how that works.
KidJoe said:
Not exactly true... After a "hack" to my VZW Moto Bionic and dropping in an ATT sim from a demo Galaxy Note, we got working H+ on the Bionic.
Even after hack, the Bionic doesn't appear to support T-Mobile's 1700mhz so I get EDGE only when I use the T-Mo SIM out of my Galaxy S2.
But I wont have a Verizon Galaxy S3 to play with to see how that works.
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Interesting, have not heard of that one but I will take your word for it. Either way, most phones do not have AWS bands for T-Mobile unless they are T-Mobile phones.
Assuming the Verizon version has GSM 3G radios in it (what they call a "Global" phone) I don't see why even it could be flashed if someone could get the radio hacked.
For example, my current phone, the Droid 2 Global, normally runs on Verizon's CMDA bands. Being a global phone, it has GSM radios in it which can be activated if you get an unlock code from Verizon (not difficult).
Here's the catch- the baseband locks the phone so that it does not work on AT&T and T-Mobile's frequency bands! However, some clever hackers at TeamBlackHat were able to hack the baseband to allow it to work on US carriers as well.
tl;dr if the CDMA versions have GSM radios it should be feasible to make them work on AT&T and T-Mobile.
ExodusC said:
Assuming the Verizon version has GSM 3G radios in it (what they call a "Global" phone) I don't see why even it could be flashed if someone could get the radio hacked.
For example, my current phone, the Droid 2 Global, normally runs on Verizon's CMDA bands. Being a global phone, it has GSM radios in it which can be activated if you get an unlock code from Verizon (not difficult).
Here's the catch- the baseband locks the phone so that it does not work on AT&T and T-Mobile's frequency bands! However, some clever hackers at TeamBlackHat were able to hack the baseband to allow it to work on US carriers as well.
tl;dr if the CDMA versions have GSM radios it should be feasible to make them work on AT&T and T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically, all world phones can literally be made into world phones? Nice!
SaHiLzZ said:
It should be possible. Check out the specs of the two: gsmarena /compare.php3?idPhone1=4804&idPhone2=4803
This is EXACTLY the same as Tmobile S2 and ATT S2 LTE: gsmarena /compare.php3?idPhone1=4129&idPhone2=4303
Some awesome dev needs to do some radio hacking to make the two phones interchangeable as they did for the S2/S2 LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You raise a really good point.
joshnichols189 said:
Verizon/Sprint/US Cellular phones are 100% different in terms of radio hardware and software.
It is possible the T-Mobile/AT&T ones will likely work together, but why? Also something to consider is the AT&T Note on T-Mobile gets HORRIBLE battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the S2 and S2 LTE (skyrocket) succumb to bad battery life like the note does when their networks are interchanged?

what is the difference between m8 models?

hello guys
im planning to buy htc m8 from a guy, the phone has verizon brand on it and the question is: is there any difference between the international m8 and verizon one? and can i flash the official's one rom on the verizon's one? and in general, is there any hardware or sofware difference?
The Verizon and Sprint models are different hardware, due to the CDMA (plus GSM) radio. All the GSM versions of the M8 are essentially the same hardware, but the CDMA versions are the exception. Trying to flash GSM software onto the Verizon version won't work, and might even brick the phone. I'd stay away from the Verizon version, unless you happen to need CDMA (not likely in most parts of the world outside the US).
redpoint73 said:
The Verizon and Sprint models are different hardware, due to the CDMA (plus GSM) radio. All the GSM versions of the M8 are essentially the same hardware, but the CDMA versions are the exception. Trying to flash GSM software onto the Verizon version won't work, and might even brick the phone. I'd stay away from the Verizon version, unless you happen to need CDMA (not likely in most parts of the world outside the US).
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Click to collapse
Thank you man, you saved me, i apologized to the guy.actually, one of my big concerns is custom roms, i ordered my 4g note 3 from outside my country just because it has more support.
Thank you again man

CDMA T217s and GSM T217t are identical?

I saw that the t217s and t217t have the same software which lead me to believe they were identical (along with people saying they are)
I picked up a t217s to mess around with and it certainly seems to not have GSM hardware in it. Does the t217t (T-Mobile) have GSM hardware?
sprint is cdma. tmobile is very not cdma. There are radio differences. I have a pending question about LTE bands; a concern that max speed might not be possible or no coverage in certain [usa] regions should sprint files be flashed to tmobile.
As you have a sprint model you will find better support and root options.

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