Hey so I'm seeing various answers in regards to our phones having FM radio capability in the hardware or not, some people are saying it doesn't period since LG didn't put it in from the factory , others are saying on some international models of the LG optimus G pro, they have this capability. I know for sure the phones don't come with the FM radio APK period but I recently came across the Spirit FM radio app that has the FM radio working on the LG G2 even, was wondering if our phones have the hardware to run FM radio or not or if the FM radio board is grounded? I run the app and it tells me to connect a headset and at first I was actually getting a signal but eventually dropped to 0, went through lots of posts in which some users said it works some said its impossible, my model is the e980 by ATT so its possible my board is grounded since its not international
I'm a owner of the international model, e986, fm radio was the only feature I misses from my previous device.
Like you, I want to now witches boards have this ability. I think isn't possible to activate the radio with software.
I just got my T-Mobile variant m8 and had been sticking to the rather limited rom selection in my variants forum, but I discovered the general HTC One_m8 forum had tons of roms that supported GSM and CDMA phones. I'm feeling a bit confused, since any phone I've had previously never had been on multiple carriers. If a rom in the general android development section says it supports gsm variants ( using my brain when selecting, of course), will I be able to just change APNs to make it work with my network?
Apologies for noobiness, I'm just finding the world of roms again after my last phone had none.
themacman1000 said:
Apologies for noobiness, I'm just finding the world of roms again after my last phone had none.
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Its not a stupid question, by any means. And the answer is not simple either.
Any ROM intended for GSM versions of the M8 should be safe to flash, and will for the most part work (and if fact may work perfectly). The hardware for all GSM versions is essentially identical aside from cosmetic differences.
However, some folks have gotten slower data speeds on ROMs not intended for their carrier. In particular, I've seen this mentioned by some folks using "international" based ROMs on the AT&T version. Your mileage may vary, and it might not be an issue for you. I don't want to discourage you from using any particular ROMs; but just want you to be aware.
Flashing the most recent radio for your carrier may or may not help, and is probably the smart move. s-off required to flash a radio manually, alternately can be installed by official OTA or RUU, and your phone may already be up to date.
In any case, stay away from ROMs intended for the CDMA versions of the M8 (Verizon, Sprint) as the hardware is actually different, and I've seen folks brick from accidentally flashing things meant for the wrong hardware version M8 (CDMA vs. GSM).
redpoint73 said:
Its not a stupid question, by any means. And the answer is not simple either.
Any ROM intended for GSM versions of the M8 should be safe to flash, and will for the most part work (and if fact may work perfectly). The hardware for all GSM versions is essentially identical aside from cosmetic differences.
However, some folks have gotten slower data speeds on ROMs not intended for their carrier. In particular, I've seen this mentioned by some folks using "international" based ROMs on the AT&T version. Your mileage may vary, and it might not be an issue for you. I don't want to discourage you from using any particular ROMs; but just want you to be aware.
Flashing the most recent radio for your carrier may or may not help, and is probably the smart move. s-off required to flash a radio manually, alternately can be installed by official OTA or RUU, and your phone may already be up to date.
In any case, stay away from ROMs intended for the CDMA versions of the M8 (Verizon, Sprint) as the hardware is actually different, and I've seen folks brick from accidentally flashing things meant for the wrong hardware version M8 (CDMA vs. GSM).
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Thank you redpoint, that helps a lot actually.
I swear I saw you on the HOXLs forums when I had that phone... Am I crazy?
themacman1000 said:
I swear I saw you on the HOXLs forums when I had that phone... Am I crazy?
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Are those 2 things mutually exclusive?
Yes, that was me. I was on that forum a lot and maintained the Index thread.
hii guys ,,
im going to buy the HTC m8 next week
i'v seen many type of version of the phone
like AT&A , Verizone , Sprint , Google Edition
so anyone can tell whats the different between them if there any !!
thank you
I believe the hardware is the same on all M8 variants (apart from the dual SIM ones) so all the differences lie in the software side.
AT&T, Verizon and Sprint will have a few differences to each other due to the bloatware they decide to add in.
The Google Play Edition (GPE) is running vanilla android rather than Sense (the same as Nexus devices). As they're Google devices, they'll get updates quicker than the other M8 variants (just slower than Nexus).
There's the developer edition which runs Sense but comes with an unlocked bootloader and will get updates quicker than the other Sense M8's, but not as quick as the GPE.
Then finally there's the Windows M8. This is simply running Windows 8.1 (I think) instead of Android.
It would help to know what region you are located in.
Some of the US carriers (Verizon, AT&T) have their logo on the phone, so you might not like that. And there is some difference in the colors available (for instance Verizon has red, Sprint Harmon Kardon edition has black back and sides with gold front). Other than those minor cosmetic differences, the hardware is identical, from what I understand.
Band compatibility is different on each carrier version, but is software based and can be changed by installing the proper radio (S-off required, which will probably also require sunshine s-off, which costs $25 US).
And as mentioned, the only other difference is the stock ROM, which for US carriers will have their own carrier branding and (tons of ) bloatware. Again, easily changed with unlocked bootloader or S-off.
redpoint73 said:
It would help to know what region you are located in.
Some of the US carriers (Verizon, AT&T) have their logo on the phone, so you might not like that. And there is some difference in the colors available (for instance Verizon has red, Sprint Harmon Kardon edition has black back and sides with gold front). Other than those minor cosmetic differences, the hardware is identical, from what I understand.
Band compatibility is different on each carrier version, but is software based and can be changed by installing the proper radio (S-off required, which will probably also require sunshine s-off, which costs $25 US).
And as mentioned, the only other difference is the stock ROM, which for US carriers will have their own carrier branding and (tons of ) bloatware. Again, easily changed with unlocked bootloader or S-off.
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Software wise theres carrier bloatware on each device. But hardware wise the Verizon / Sprint ones have an added CDMA chipset and from what ive read they are different from the GSM units hardware wise.
Blowing a GSM rom into a CDMA unit will brick it, or so ive read.
IAmSixNine said:
hardware wise the Verizon / Sprint ones have an added CDMA chipset and from what ive read they are different from the GSM units hardware wise.
Blowing a GSM rom into a CDMA unit will brick it, or so ive read.
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I thought and had heard the same as well (hardware difference between CDMA and GSM M8's). But several folks here have strongly claimed otherwise, that the radio difference is still in software; and that all M8's are the same hardware-wise aside from the dual SIM M8. So I'm not really sure what to believe.
That being said, the OP should probably get the version offered by their carrier, or intended for their region. Even if it can be "converted" by software, it just makes for less steps and less hassle. Unless there is some strong reason to do otherwise, like a much lower price.
IAmSixNine said:
Software wise theres carrier bloatware on each device. But hardware wise the Verizon / Sprint ones have an added CDMA chipset and from what ive read they are different from the GSM units hardware wise.
Blowing a GSM rom into a CDMA unit will brick it, or so ive read.
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Click to collapse
redpoint73 said:
I thought and had heard the same as well (hardware difference between CDMA and GSM M8's). But several folks here have strongly claimed otherwise, that the radio difference is still in software; and that all M8's are the same hardware-wise aside from the dual SIM M8. So I'm not really sure what to believe.
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I'm not too sure about this either. I've seen a lot of people saying they have the same hardware and seen a lot of people saying CDMA have different hardware.
KidCarter93 said:
I'm not too sure about this either. I've seen a lot of people saying they have the same hardware and seen a lot of people saying CDMA have different hardware.
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And I haven't actually seen any definitive evidence for either case.
Looking at specs, both (GSM and CDMA versions) use the same chipset (Qualcomm MSM8974AB). I would think if there was a difference due to CDMA, it would have a different chipset number. But that's just a guess.
OP should stick to the version that matches their carrier (GSM versus CDMA) to be safe.
redpoint73 said:
And I haven't actually seen any definitive evidence for either case.
Looking at specs, both (GSM and CDMA versions) use the same chipset (Qualcomm MSM8974AB). I would think if there was a difference due to CDMA, it would have a different chipset number. But that's just a guess.
OP should stick to the version that matches their carrier (GSM versus CDMA) to be safe.
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I actually thought the most "obvious" difference in hardware was the actual circuitry itself. They use similar components etc but the way it's "wired" is a bit different, but I don't recall where I got that info from
BerndM14 said:
I actually thought the most "obvious" difference in hardware was the actual circuitry itself. They use similar components etc but the way it's "wired" is a bit different, but I don't recall where I got that info from
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It would be great if you could link the source, it would settle this debate.
So you mean the copper trace/tracks between components on the board are different? I would assume that some of components and/or the layout is also different, otherwise why have different trace paths?
The following teardown shows the layouts of the Verizon PCBs, but I can't find similar into for the GSM version to compare it to:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/HTC+One+%28M8%29+Teardown/23615
Anandtech actually has a great write-up on the differences between the various models.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7893/the-htc-one-m8-review
Specifically, the chart on the supported bands is useful.
Thanks for the help guys
I think all the versions supported here with operator, im located on Israel for now
If there is no hardware different is it possible to flash a firmware from Google edition HTC to another versions?
So I dont have to wait too long for updates
Thanks again
sparxx4 said:
Thanks for the help guys
I think all the versions supported here with operator, im located on Israel for now
If there is no hardware different is it possible to flash a firmware from Google edition HTC to another versions?
So I dont have to wait too long for updates
Thanks again
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The main difference in GSM version is the frequency/band it uses for 3G/LTE.
Everything about the GSM version is the same except for each have different frequencies enabled.
So find out in Israel what cellular company you will be using and what frequencies their 3G and what LTE band if any. Then you'll be able to pick which m8 is right for you.
jshamlet said:
Anandtech actually has a great write-up on the differences between the various models.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7893/the-htc-one-m8-review
Specifically, the chart on the supported bands is useful.
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what ever model its a amazing phone .
It is amazing indeed
It seem im getting the Gunmetal version
Any ideas about it!?
When an update roll out for HTC Google edtion is it possible to flash it on my phone after unlocking bootloader?
Thanks
sparxx4 said:
It seem im getting the Gunmetal version
Any ideas about it!?
When an update roll out for HTC Google edtion is it possible to flash it on my phone after unlocking bootloader?
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Gunmetal finish is available for a great many versions/regions, so telling us that alone doesn't say much.
But GPE full conversion is possible with unlocked bootloader and I think S-off also.
I believe US Cellular stopped carrier locking their phones a few years back and they also don't load many additional apps (if any)by default. Wondering if this is a good alternative to the Verizon model. The specs also seem to indicate the presence of both CDMA and GSM antennas. Can any one confirm this?
jsncjns said:
I believe US Cellular stopped carrier locking their phones a few years back and they also don't load many additional apps (if any)by default. Wondering if this is a good alternative to the Verizon model. The specs also seem to indicate the presence of both CDMA and GSM antennas. Can any one confirm this?
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Please elaborate on "seems unlocked". Best way to determine an answer to your questions is to put a Verizon sim in it and see what happens.
I'm looking at an HTC One M9 (Verizon) for a host for LineageOS and before buying I'd like to get to the bottom of whether it has FM radio or not. Verizon's specs make no mention of an FM radio but I haven't been able to find anything stating Verizon 'deleted' the FM radio from the 'regular' M9. And I do know at least one case where Verizon deleted the radio from a 'regular' spec phone because I have one (Samsung Galaxy Core Prime S820L). So I'm wondering if anyone knows whether Verizon deleted the radio hardware or if the Verizon-specific ROM just doesn't have a radio control interface. IOW, will it have a functioning FM radio if I put LineageOS on it?
The answer is: Yes. I flashed the phone to LineageOS 14.1 (Android 7.1.2) an the FM radio is indeed working.