My family has a contract with T-Mobile, and I am looking at buying a factory unlocked version of it that has not been activated on any network.
I have heard about wi-fi calling not working unless I flash a T-mobile stock rom to it; is this simply referring to the roms on the htc support website or is it about something else?
Will 4g lte work? I checked and it seems that it uses the same bands as the T-mobile but are there other factors in this?
Will there be any other potential issues I should check for?
I am not phone-savvy so any and all help will be incredibly appreciated!
I have the developer edition M9 on T-Mobile (USA) and can confirm that there are no reception issues (full 4G/LTE compatibility). You are correct about wifi calling - this is baked into the T-Mobile ROM. If you achieve S-OFF and change the CID & MID, you can install that and have wifi calling too. There are guides aplenty and we're happy to help you if you go that route.
T-Mobile is pretty great with getting software updates out in a timely manner, but they have not yet released Android 7 (Nougat). It is coming though, so I don't see any downside whatsoever to having the unlocked M9 on their network.
Related
Ok, so I haven't been an HTC user since the HD2 (Loved that device). Bought a T-Mobile branded one m8 and got the carrier unlock code with the phone. Unlocked it, used all in one toolkit to unlock/root/twrp. Now I didn't have any issues with the phone (got mms and 4g lte no problem) but sick of the bloat, t-mobile startup screen etc. As I'm new to the HTC game, is S-Off worth getting for the $25? I'm wondering if the ATT radio will make my phone work any better, or an AT&T rom (stock or custom) would improve the phones connectivity. Sometimes people say i'm cutting out during a phone call (I live in Chicago, this usually never happens to me). Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I have no problem paying $25 , just don't want to if it's not needed.
Personally, I'd S-OFF and then flash the Dev Edition RUU so, in essence, make the device an unbranded handset free of bloat
EddyOS said:
Personally, I'd S-OFF and then flash the Dev Edition RUU so, in essence, make the device an unbranded handset free of bloat
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I went ahead and got S-Of and flashed Insert Coin. What I'm wondering is if flashing an ATT radio will help strengthen my connectivity (the LTE seems slow).
icemanscion said:
I went ahead and got S-Of and flashed Insert Coin. What I'm wondering is if flashing an ATT radio will help strengthen my connectivity (the LTE seems slow).
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Assuming you are with T-mobile, the answer is probably no, and it may actually make things worse - especially if you are concerned about LTE. T-mobile and AT&T are both GSM providers, and you can switch between them, but they don't perfectly overlap in terms of bands used.
That said, since you are S-off, you can try it and see what happens. If you don't feel it is an improvement, put it back on the T-mobile radio.
I'm actually using AT&T, that's why I was wondering if the Radio change would help. The phone was originally a T-Mobile phone that was carrier unlocked via a code tmobile gave my friend.
icemanscion said:
I'm actually using AT&T, that's why I was wondering if the Radio change would help. The phone was originally a T-Mobile phone that was carrier unlocked via a code tmobile gave my friend.
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Ah, then yes, you should switch radios - and for the same reason.
I would also suggest switching to the Developer Edition software. It is functionally identical to the AT&T version, minus the AT&T (or T-mobile) crap. In fact, the DE and AT&T versions only differ in CID - they share the same MID.
So I've decided to jump back on HTC ship with HTC 10.
The website says "The Unlocked version is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile".
I assume that means radio bands compatibility only? And the features like Voice over WiFi will be still t-mobile branded only?
Asking existing HTC community if that's the case for the previous models?
And are there any other cons/pros of getting t-mobile branded version vs global?
Especially looking at OS updates frequency from HTC vs T-mobile.
Almost everything works for T-Mobile. From what I gathered of what was answered. Wifi calling, and VoLTE yes. In flight and RCS is a no.
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
T-mobile specific features like VoLTE and Wifi calling will be fully supported by the unlocked version on HTC.com
Source: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Unlo...rts-T-Mobiles-VoLTE-and-Wi-Fi-calling_id80185
Thank you!
These are great news! I'm glad I went with unlocked version!
I'm tired of all the t-mobile bloatware and dragging of android updates.
Yea no enhanced voice services im guessing
I wonder if HTC will have interest in adding EVS and RCS down the road. I don't see why they wouldn't...
Wow this is HUGE IMO. No more requirement to load TMOUS FW or RUU so that VoLTE and WiFi Calling work!
What's up guys?
I'm currently in Japan and own a US Unlocked HTC 10. Currently I'm on ATT and while out here, I have all my bars and LTE. However, ATT is mad expensive as far as international, so I need to get a Japanese provider. I was gonna go with docomo or Softbank which all support HTC 10 LTE and 3G bands. I think like 18 of them. Anyway, what is the advantage to changing my Cid and mid and fully converting to international WWE? Will it help with compatibility on Japanese networks? Or is is just how fast I will receive updates from HTC?
Bump?
Just the recieving of updates. Do yourself a favor, S-OFF your phone and convert it to WWE. Much easier life when it's on WWE plus you can use it on AT&T when you're back and you get faster updates .
Regards, Talpes
If it's just updates, I may just leave it. When firmware updates come out, I always use RUUs cause I like to completely wipe and reinstall everything. If I were to get better signal strength or compatibility with Japanese networks I would do it.
However, I am S-off, unlocked, so its not difficult if I need to.
Thanks man!
I've really enjoyed my S7 and want to upgrade to the S9. Later in the year I'll be overseas for almost a year, so I want something that will work with all Verizon bands of LTE, but also not have a firmware lock that would cause it to not work on other bands of LTE overseas. (planning to just use prepaid dataplan sim cards overseas)
I think my two options are to either get a US 'unlocked' version or wait for the 'international' version. My understanding is the primary differences between the unlocked and international version is the 2G/3G coverage for CDMA and possibly slightly different hardware. I'd rather have a phone with CDMA backwards capability, but my prime concern lacking full access to all LTE bands available wherever I am.
I'm not really interested in going any route that would require me to root the phone if there is a way to do it without.
Well the only way to get VZW compatibility is the VZW phone or a US unlocked model. So you're looking at the US Unlocked model at this point.
A listing of all the different model numbers available (per country and carrier) is available here: https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-s9-sm-g960-g965-model-number-differences/
You will probably want to get the phone that works with your primary location the most. I am not sure which countries use which frequencies for LTE in Europe; you will need to research that to see what you may be missing out on.
With my T-Mobile S7, I haven't had any issues when traveling in Europe or Asia. It connects to LTE usually.
So I just did a deep dive of that list:
It looks like the Verizon and Unlocked versions are almost identical (the unlocked US version has B46(5200) 4G TDD LTE, but I'm not sure anyone who uses it)
Looking at 4G FDD LTE it looks like a Verizon or US unlocked phone will have almost complete coverage around the world, notable gaps are B30(2300) in China/Canada/US AT&T, B32(1500) in UK and B71(600) (US Tmobile). I thought that was a bit confusing as you'd expect a US Unlocked phone to service all LTE bands available in the US yet it lacks AT&T and Tmobile bands.
So based on all that information looks like I should just get an unlocked US phone to be totally safe, and I'd likely also be fine getting a Verizon version also.
StykerB said:
Well the only way to get VZW compatibility is the VZW phone or a US unlocked model. So you're looking at the US Unlocked model at this point.
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Relcan said:
So I just did a deep dive of that list:
It looks like the Verizon and Unlocked versions are almost identical (the unlocked US version has B46(5200) 4G TDD LTE, but I'm not sure anyone who uses it)
Looking at 4G FDD LTE it looks like a Verizon or US unlocked phone will have almost complete coverage around the world, notable gaps are B30(2300) in China/Canada/US AT&T, B32(1500) in UK and B71(600) (US Tmobile). I thought that was a bit confusing as you'd expect a US Unlocked phone to service all LTE bands available in the US yet it lacks AT&T and Tmobile bands.
So based on all that information looks like I should just get an unlocked US phone to be totally safe, and I'd likely also be fine getting a Verizon version also.
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So I'm new to Android but i use Verizon prepaid. Will I lose anything by going with the unlocked version or should i stick with a Verizon S9?
I don't use video calling. All i do is text and talk but I've heard that people on Verizon prepaid have issues with unlocked Android phones.
Thanks
Would Wifi Calling work with the US unlocked on verizon? I thought that required a Verizon FW to be flashed. I imagine all the other features such as voLTE / HD calling, etc to work on the US unlocked.
testinguser said:
Would Wifi Calling work with the US unlocked on verizon? I thought that required a Verizon FW to be flashed. I imagine all the other features such as voLTE / HD calling, etc to work on the US unlocked.
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Curious about that also
testinguser said:
Would Wifi Calling work with the US unlocked on verizon? I thought that required a Verizon FW to be flashed. I imagine all the other features such as voLTE / HD calling, etc to work on the US unlocked.
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Throwinrocks said:
Curious about that also
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I did a cursory review of the wifi-calling FAQ on their website. They don't mention anything about compatibility with Unlocked versions of phones (that I saw). I'd call tech support to ask, but I'd expect there to be a 50% chance of getting the wrong answer from the tech based on my interactions with their support.
There might be some good experience based anecdotes in the Galaxy S8 forum, if it works on an unlocked S8 its a safe bet it will work on an unlocked S9
I think I'll ask in the Verizon subreddit, it seems like they normally have really good information as well.
I'm mostly curious about the LTE TDD Band 46 (5200) - its the only band an unlocked US phone has that a Verizon phone doesn't. 5200 is in the U-NII frequency range, no cellphone service providers use it, but I wonder if it may be used for local LTE networks in the near future. The other advantage is avoiding all the verizon bloat wear, but that may be what allows the Wifi Calling to work!
All this has me thinking I might have to add the extra $80 and just buy the Verizon version. I don't get phones on contract and I've always just paid full price. (Page 2 404 error?)
Apparently the Nov/Dec Samsung s8 firmware update added an option for BYOD carrier provisioning for unlocked s8. Given the similarity, I'd imagine the same to be true for s9. Can someone who has an unlocked s8 confirm?
Well after a little more research I see that if you use Verizon prepaid you lose visual voicemail and WiFi calling even if you use a Verizon phone so there's no need in me paying extra for a Verizon S9. Unlocked it is.
Throwinrocks said:
Well after a little more research I see that if you use Verizon prepaid you lose visual voicemail and WiFi calling even if you use a Verizon phone so there's no need in me paying extra for a Verizon S9. Unlocked it is.
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You might wanna check this as Verizon is starting to implement network locks on some devices as to deter thefts more
Dont know when or what devices but it was a statement Verizon made
So, you're saying the prepaid SIM might not work in an unlocked S9?
I don't think Verizon is keeping Verizon prepaid SIMS from working in unlocked phones they are just locking their phones like Sprint and AT&T still do.
I had no problems with my unlocked Pixel 2 XL that I purchased from Google and my Verizon prepaid, just no visual voicemail.
Anyone running AT&T-branded G8 on T-mobile (and/or the US unlocked LMG820QM7 version)
I've had a week and a half long headache wrestingly with two Sprint-branded (LM-G820UM) handsets and I've had enough.
(Quick explanation... No wi-fi call support which I could live with, but no VoLTE was a deal breaker only because in my house for some reason UTMS 3G is either spotty or the radio just doesn't switch back and forth effectively. The Sprint baked ROM is a pain.)
At any rate, I'm looking at unlocked T-Mo, AT&T and general US unlocked (LMG820QM7) units around the web and just wondering what the experiences are with those. VoLTE would fix my problem. Wi-fi calling successful provisioning would be gravy (actually that would solve the problem as well in my house, but suspect the latter would likely come hand-in-hand with the former).
Cheers in advance. I needs a working phone order asap!