Besides bloatware installed by carriers on the branded (U) version, are there any other differences compared to the unlocked unbranded (U1) firmware?
It seems like the Android 11 (U) has better call and data connectivity compared to my prior experience of Android 10 (U1).
I know it's not the exact comparison but I am just wondering if there is some inherent differences in performance and band frequency in the carrier version.
I wonder about this subject too
One big difference I see, I'm on At&t... Without the carrier branding, I don't get Wi-fi calling.
one big feature on unlocked firmware: unlimited hospot. if you carrier plan asks you to pay monthly for hotspot. You can do it for free unlimited in unlocked ver
tele_jas said:
One big difference I see, I'm on At&t... Without the carrier branding, I don't get Wi-fi calling.
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This is a BIGGIE for me and the reason I went back to the At&t firmware.
1) I get spotty reception at my house and have for years (Verizon is worse), and I'm in the middle of town
2) I get worse reception, well none, in my office at work. So, I need wifi calling.
I had an unlocked Pixel 4 for about 6m, as much as I loved it, it was almost useless at home and work. So, I traded it to a buddy for his S20....I flashed the unbranded S20 firmware right after I got the S20 and while I loved the lack of bloat, I needed the Wifi calling.
I guess functionality won over what I'd rather have.
Related
Remember when AT&T chose to only carry the 16GB version of the S3, will US Carrier version availability of Note 2 be different?
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/10/samsung-confirms-october-24th-event-is-for-the-us-galaxy-note-ii/
I'm leaning toward 64GB Grey & can go to any carrier.. Verizon has LTE in my metro NY area but would fall back to 3G where it doesn't have LTE coverage while AT&T has LTE about 15 minutes away but usually only falls back to HSPA+ that is way faster than 3G not to mention would be ~$10/mo less (yet I'm on FIOS 75/35 Wi-Fi or other fast Wi-Fi most of the time anyway) so not sure which carrier to go with, advice on carrier options? -Thnx
Still have the EVO 4G on Sprint which does not have LTE yet in the area & its 3G is slow so the unlimited data differentiator is not too compelling as I'm mostly on Wi-Fi & when I'm not would rather not deal with slow 3G, prefer minimum HSPA+ speeds..
SMARTPHONEPC said:
Remember when AT&T chose to only carry the 16GB version of the S3, will US Carrier version availability of Note 2 be different?
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/10/samsung-confirms-october-24th-event-is-for-the-us-galaxy-note-ii/
I'm leaning toward 64GB Grey & can go to any carrier.. Verizon has LTE in my metro NY area but would fall back to 3G where it doesn't have LTE coverage while AT&T has LTE about 15 minutes away but usually only falls back to HSPA+ that is way faster than 3G not to mention would be ~$10/mo less (yet I'm on FIOS 75/35 Wi-Fi or other fast Wi-Fi most of the time anyway) so not sure which carrier to go with, advice on carrier options? -Thnx
Still have the EVO 4G on Sprint which does not have LTE yet in the area & its 3G is slow so the unlimited data differentiator is not too compelling as I'm mostly on Wi-Fi & when I'm not would rather not deal with slow 3G, prefer minimum HSPA+ speeds..
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AT&T Note 2 will most likely be unlocked while the Verizon version will most likely be locked. Seeing as you are on the XDA forums and you have fast wifi most of the time I would recommend the AT&T version. Being unlocked will allow you to run custom kernels and ROMs which allow you the ability to tweak your operating system and squeeze extra performance out of your device. AT&T recently added LTE in my city so that made it an easy choice for me along with all the benefits you mentioned of AT&T.
I would also like to get a 64GB model however I think its unlikely that will be released in the near future. Typically the higher GB models are released later.
Daniel
dachness said:
AT&T Note 2 will most likely be unlocked while the Verizon version will most likely be locked. Seeing as you are on the XDA forums and you have fast wifi most of the time I would recommend the AT&T version. Being unlocked will allow you to run custom kernels and ROMs which allow you the ability to tweak your operating system and squeeze extra performance out of your device. AT&T recently added LTE in my city so that made it an easy choice for me along with all the benefits you mentioned of AT&T.
I would also like to get a 64GB model however I think its unlikely that will be released in the near future. Typically the higher GB models are released later.
Daniel
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Verizon & Sprint will likely carry at least 32GB versions, AT&T better not only offer the 16GB again..
Ideally I want Samsung Galaxy Note 2 128GB (64GB Marble White + 64GB MicroSDXC) on day1
Hi, I'm planning on going on a long trip to nz and would like to use my phone over there. I know it has to be unlocked and stuff, but once that is all said and done, would I still have to change the radio to have good signal? The last time I went on my vacation with my sensation, the signal wasn't all that great until I flashed a radio that worked well for nz users, was wondering if that'll apply to the s4 as well. Thanks.
bump
I am an American living in Australia. (very similar mobile infrastructure w/ NZ. Kiwis to Aussies are just like Canadians to Americans)
I actually ordered the Tmo m919 sent here because all the avail bands for tmo (I still have tmo in the US). I bought it in full. Just got it a few days ago and after unlock it works great! IMO I think the tmo variant is one of the best out there. The octocores are a joke as they do not save anything on battery life not to mention performance gains. I've used tmo S3 and the tmo S4 has just about all the avail international bands out there. The only thing is there are not many dev in tmo based roms but plenty can be ported over from the i9505 variant.
On stock firmware:
1) no need to change APNS. After unlock I popped the local SIM here works great. The beauty is I pop my Tmobile SIM in, turn on wifi calling. Turn off roaming and make calls home w/ 100% clarity over wifi dialing direct US numbers w/o incurring any international fees.
Wifi calling really shines here. Will only work with active Tmobile SIM (tmo phone number).
2) All data, mms works great
3) AU and NZ do not have LTE. Just be thankful they just rolled out 4G for most networks here. There are plenty of patchy areas of 3G. Sometimes really bad in the city.
On custom firmware:
1) works even better!
2) wifi tethering hack is really good when u don't have decent internet access.
3) a lot of cheap prepaid packages here. cellular communications is about the only inexpensive thing here in AU/NZ compared with other commodities/services in the US.
*** You should call Tmo and get the unlock code well in advance. It has taken from 5-14 days to get an unlock code. My phone is newer so the free unlock method does not work (manufacture date 8/10/13). A good thing I do unlocking on the side so I plug it into my programmer box and unlock in about 3 secs.
Hope this helps
Hey All
Current Verizon M8 (rooted to GPE) user and I'm considering jumping to T-Mobile. I've loved the M8 and would intend on going with that device again if we make the switch. Planning on doing a Test Drive to get a feel of the network coverage in my area (Morris County, NJ).
Should all go well with that test, anything I should take into consideration with the T-Mobile version of the M8? Anything to be concerned with (rooting again, network radio capabilities, features, etc.)? Any past experiences of others switching to make note of?
Edit: Also, any success with using a Verizon M8 on the T-Mobile network? I'm savvy enough to make root-based mods if necessary. Wouldn't mind buying out the rest of my Verizon EDGE value on the phone to keep what I have.
Thanks for any input!
I also made the switch to t mobile from verizon. My first and only phone I have owned is the HTC Oe m8. The phone staright from TMobile came full of bloatware. 10+ apps of non sense. Coming from ios i had never rooted or unlocked a bootloader. I have to say it was super easy. TMobile does take awhile to realease updates but converting over to developer edition can take care of all that.
SiK TL said:
I also made the switch to t mobile from verizon. My first and only phone I have owned is the HTC Oe m8. The phone staright from TMobile came full of bloatware. 10+ apps of non sense. Coming from ios i had never rooted or unlocked a bootloader. I have to say it was super easy. TMobile does take awhile to realease updates but converting over to developer edition can take care of all that.
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Tmobile updates faster than Version and att.[emoji1]
HTC One M8 from T-Mobile here. I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile a while back and was disappointed at first but T-Mobile is definitely upping their game and recently I haven't even looked back. The benefits to T-Mobile over Verizon? Much faster updates. Most devices are less locked down. Uses GSM version of the M8 (I don't believe the Verizon version is compatible but T-Mobile has a neat little monthly payment program that makes getting new phones feel easier) Did I mention the GSM M8 has a LOT more roms and support than the Verizon version? Oh, and you can get truly unlimited data without losing your ability to upgrade. And they don't throttle your data speeds like Verizon seems to do. In many areas T-Mobile has much faster 4G LTE speeds than Verizon.
But that's just everything I can tell you off the top of my head. For many devices, T-Mobile is the first to update their carrier branded devices and, in my opinion, the bloatware was never a big deal. Even found myself using most of what was provided.
At this point, I'd probably wait till the m9 if possible. If you can't, as much as I love my One, the G3 or Moto X would probably get my money on t-mobile. the M8 not having band 2 lte is a major annoyance for me.
TriBeard said:
At this point, I'd probably wait till the m9 if possible. If you can't, as much as I love my One, the G3 or Moto X would probably get my money on t-mobile. the M8 not having band 2 lte is a major annoyance for me.
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Yeah, might as well wait. I like Hima plus 5.5". I just hope when we get lollipop update will have volte.
I would only switch if you live near a major city. Since your Verizon phone will only work on Verizon bands. T-mobile has different bands. I have a Verizon m8 and am on T-Mobile. Luckily I live within 5miles of Philadelphia,PA. I also enabled bands that are locked that can be found out how to do in the Verizon forum. I have excellent reception, lte data, and WiFi calling. But I can say from past users on forums, that the reception can be dreadful if you don't live near a major city due to the band frequencies.
We have lollipop, bad thing is no volte, @at&t probably get their updates next year.lol!!!
Hi guys, hope someone who has bought an s6 edge in full without contract from T-Mobile to use on AT&T can help me out.
My reason for doing this is the unlocked bootloader from the T-Mobile version of the s6 edge and that I like AT&T service more.
It seems like I will have to buy the s6 edge in full from T-Mobile, activate service with them, then wait 45 days to request unlock code, then unlock the phone and finally put in my existing AT&T sim.
Is there a method with less hassle? I rather not pay for 45 days of T-Mobile service that I don't need plus having to wait that long just to use it on AT&T. Wondering if I can somehow use a phone unlocking service and cancel the T-Mobile service right away to avoid any monthly service fees. Any successes?
Sent from my GT-I9100
Cellularunlocker.net has not worked for anyone as of yet but it is still early.
Also, if you become a business client it will be unlocked after 14 days after purchase.
I.m T Mobile customer, but I live in Italy the most part of year, Samsung s6 edge will work on LTE in Italy too or will be like IPhone the has different frequencies
marinodoct said:
I.m T Mobile customer, but I live in Italy the most part of year, Samsung s6 edge will work on LTE in Italy too or will be like IPhone the has different frequencies
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As long as the phone is unlocked, the T-Mobile and AT&T variants should have the required frequencies for both HSPA and LTE to work in Italy.
Don't know if there is a other way. I've thought about just switching to tmobile but then I remembered how at my job I have almost no signal inside while cricket (at&t) maintains full signal of LTE without issues
osmosizzz said:
Don't know if there is a other way. I've thought about just switching to tmobile but then I remembered how at my job I have almost no signal inside while cricket (at&t) maintains full signal of LTE without issues
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You can use wifi calling to mitigate things like this (assuming you have wifi at work), T-Mobile still has issues with signal quality in some areas.
walloftext said:
You can use wifi calling to mitigate things like this (assuming you have wifi at work), T-Mobile still has issues with signal quality in some areas.
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we have wifi but its very unstable as its the guest wifi. at school i also have wifi but it's also unreliable because on average, there are bout 2K students hopping in and out of the wifi at any given moment. and i live in a wideband area so tmobile coverage is fantastic..its just once you step into them buildings. I just came from a tmobile mvno. Had tmobile coverage for 2 years.. in january i switched to cricket and in building coverage was like never before
I was thinking of doing the same also, but it looks like we're gonna have to wait
I live in an area with sometimes-spotty reception.
Is it at all possible that when running a non-TMO firmware (such as global or custom ROM) I can have a less reliable network connection even if I'm running a NON-HLOS modem pulled from T-Mobile firmware?
I have a 9Pro purchased from T-Mobile and am on the TMO cellular plan.
And I can swear that running custom ROM or global firmware can sometimes deliver worsened network behavior than when on TMO firmware.
Not sure if it's just in my head or if others have the same issue?
Please tell me about your experience?
CZ Eddie said:
I live in an area with sometimes-spotty reception.
Is it at all possible that when running a non-TMO firmware (such as global or custom ROM) I can have a less reliable network connection even if I'm running a NON-HLOS modem pulled from T-Mobile firmware?
I have a 9Pro purchased from T-Mobile and am on the TMO cellular plan.
And I can swear that running custom ROM or global firmware can sometimes deliver worsened network behavior than when on TMO firmware.
Not sure if it's just in my head or if others have the same issue?
Please tell me about your experience?
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I think it's just you since I'm running global without issues. I'm not crazy about my network signal being a tad bit lower, as long as it works. I have nearly identical signal compared to stock firmware.
No issues here. T-Mobile user, Indian firmware. WiFi speeds top at 400mbps at home for reference. Running the same modem from when the phone was released (TMobile OG stock modem).
I actually noticed an improvement in reception going from OOS12 to crDroid on my 2127 tmo op9p. The transition was tricky though so DM me if you need guidance.
I thought my issues were related to switching to global/EU firmware from T-Mo, but when my wife and kids started having network problems with their stock T-Mo phones, it turned out to be then network was garbage (in our experience). Garbled calls, dropped calls, slow data, generally useless. Tried in multiple parts of the country (west, east, middle, north) and had issues. Even the unlocked ones we brought over had issues. So they either sold us a several garbage phones, or their network wasn't up to snuff.
Got all phones unlocked, and switched back to AT&T. They all work fine.
The network might just suck where you use it.