Database Users

Tmobile Version has AT&T LTE support, and unlocked bootloader?

So far it looks like the Tmobile S4 has LTE/HSPA+ support for AT&T, and no real signs of a locked bootloader. Anyone else plan on buying that version and unlocking it if the bootloader is in fact unlocked?
Does anyone know of any apps that would test the LTE/HSPA+ bands the phone is capable of? I want to go into a Tmobile and use a test unit to see if I can get service with my LTE AT&T SIM.
https://explore.t-mobile.com/samsung-galaxy-s4
Edit: Well, it looks like I'll be getting the Tmobile variant unsubsidized and use it on AT&T. Tmobile will unlock the phone if you pay the total cost up front. I just need to find a replacement back cover to rid myself of the stupid Tmobile logo on the back... lol.

xxhorseriderxxx said:
So far it looks like the Tmobile S4 has LTE/HSPA+ support for AT&T, and no real signs of a locked bootloader. Anyone else plan on buying that version and unlocking it if the bootloader is in fact unlocked?
Does anyone know of any apps that would test the LTE/HSPA+ bands the phone is capable of? I want to go into a Tmobile and use a test unit to see if I can get service with my LTE AT&T SIM.
https://explore.t-mobile.com/samsung-galaxy-s4
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Click to collapse
If I had the money to buy the S4 outright for full price, I would just get an i9505.
EDIT: Spoke too soon. The i9505 doesn't support AT&T's LTE bands.

Can you post info on the source? I was also curious about this but i was thinking if we changed the radios like they did in the past that maybe we could get something working?

XsMagical said:
Can you post info on the source? I was also curious about this but i was thinking if we changed the radios like they did in the past that maybe we could get something working?
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I put the info in the OP that I have so far; the LTE/3G radios are reported to support all of AT&T's bands. The bootloader, I'm going off of a guess since I don't think that Tmobile could afford to bribe Samsung to lock their bootloaders for them.

HMM, ok thanks for the info so far. I might have to go out and pick one up and test it.

Looks like the T-Mobile version has all the same bands and some extra ones added in. For instance the at&t only has lte bands 4&17. The tmobile version has LTE bands 1,2,4,5,7&17. Will T-Mobile unlock their phones for u??
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

I dnot know t mobile has att lte but i am using att phone with t mobile sim in it and i am getting 12-15 Mbps speed.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=40888195&postcount=46
T-Mobile:
HSPA+ Bands: I (UMTS 2100), II (1900), IV (1700/2100/AWS), V (850)
LTE Bands: Band 1 (2100), 2 (1900), 4 (1700/2100), 5(850), 7 (2600) & 17
GSM Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
Rogers - Applies for Bell and Telus:
GSM Bands:850/900/1800/1900
HSPA+/HSPA Bands:850/1900/2100
LTE Bands:2100/2600
AT&T:
4G-LTE Band 4 and 17
3G - UMTS 850/1900/2100MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz

T-Mobile Bootloader Locked or Unlocked ?
xxhorseriderxxx said:
So far it looks like the Tmobile S4 has LTE/HSPA+ support for AT&T, and no real signs of a locked bootloader. Anyone else plan on buying that version and unlocking it if the bootloader is in fact unlocked?
Does anyone know of any apps that would test the LTE/HSPA+ bands the phone is capable of? I want to go into a Tmobile and use a test unit to see if I can get service with my LTE AT&T SIM.
https://explore.t-mobile.com/samsung-galaxy-s4
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Click to collapse
I'm feeling like a newbie today cause I have my new T-Mobile Galaxy S4 in front of me & still playing with new features after 3 hours.
Tell me how to check to see if bootloader is unlocked and I'll do it.
Also trying to remember where we go to unlock the developer tools. Only remember that it must be clicked 7 times?
Just remembered, Settings.About Device>Build Number <Click Build Number 7 times, back out and Developer options magically appears.
Now i can go into it and toggle USB debugging. Now I only feel 95% newbie.
Glenn

So .. How do I get TMoble 4G on my HTC One X
What do I have to do get off Edge and onto Tmobile 3g/4g. I have the unlocked HTC One X ... What apps are there, and what steps needs to be followed.

trvlpoet said:
What do I have to do get off Edge and onto Tmobile 3g/4g. I have the unlocked HTC One X ... What apps are there, and what steps needs to be followed.
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Do you realize you are in the S4 forum?

weltwon said:
I'm feeling like a newbie today cause I have my new T-Mobile Galaxy S4 in front of me & still playing with new features after 3 hours.
Tell me how to check to see if bootloader is unlocked and I'll do it.
Also trying to remember where we go to unlock the developer tools. Only remember that it must be clicked 7 times?
Just remembered, Settings.About Device>Build Number <Click Build Number 7 times, back out and Developer options magically appears.
Now i can go into it and toggle USB debugging. Now I only feel 95% newbie.
Glenn
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you don't have to worry about checking the bootloader, it has already been confirmed to be unlocked
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2258476

I love this thread, i cant wait to get the Tmo version of the S4 and return this locked down model.
Stroked from my Dirty Nocturnal'd Galaxy S4

scott14719 said:
Do you realize you are in the S4 forum?
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Oh ... thanx... fustration!!!!

Has anybody tried their T-Mobile phone on AT&T yet?
If so, I have a couple of questions.
1. Can you use the T-Mobile phone to wireless tether (become a wifi hotspot) on AT&T's network? The AT&T version can be used to tether (with a simple hack). I was just wondering if a different .APK would be needed to do the same with the T-Mobile phone on AT&T's network or if the T-Mobile phone already has an APK installed that works on AT&T's network?
2. I realize an existing AT&T sim card can just simply be placed into the sim unlocked T-Mobile phone for it to work, but how would I go about changing the imei and other phone info that AT&T has in their system about the phone? In other words, would AT&T cause problems with anyone using a T-Mobile phone on their network even if the person paid full price for the phone and it is unlocked? Would it be better to have them change the system information at a store versus over the telephone?
3. It is reported that the T-Mobile phone works fine on AT&T's LTE network, has anyone verified this and does the phone show LTE when on AT&T's LTE network?
Thank you for any replies. Hopefully this information can help people decide if they want to buy the T-Mobile S4 to use on AT&T or not.

scott14719 said:
Has anybody tried their T-Mobile phone on AT&T yet?
If so, I have a couple of questions.
1. Can you use the T-Mobile phone to wireless tether (become a wifi hotspot) on AT&T's network? The AT&T version can be used to tether (with a simple hack). I was just wondering if a different .APK would be needed to do the same with the T-Mobile phone on AT&T's network or if the T-Mobile phone already has an APK installed that works on AT&T's network?
2. I realize an existing AT&T sim card can just simply be placed into the sim unlocked T-Mobile phone for it to work, but how would I go about changing the imei and other phone info that AT&T has in their system about the phone? In other words, would AT&T cause problems with anyone using a T-Mobile phone on their network even if the person paid full price for the phone and it is unlocked? Would it be better to have them change the system information at a store versus over the telephone?
3. It is reported that the T-Mobile phone works fine on AT&T's LTE network, has anyone verified this and does the phone show LTE when on AT&T's LTE network?
Thank you for any replies. Hopefully this information can help people decide if they want to buy the T-Mobile S4 to use on AT&T or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can, for now, use PDAnet for tethering.
As far as changing the phone to appear as "unknown" to AT&T's system, don't do it without a backup of your /efs folder. I don't recommend doing it either because it's not really worth changing things around to hide that you're on a Tmobile phone, because for the most part, they don't care as long as you're paying them your monthly bill. I personally know a friend who has used her unlocked HTC Amaze on AT&T without issue (she was stuck to 2G speeds). The only way for you to have an "unknown" phone on your account is to use an international model phone such as the HTC one or the i9500 (unconfirmed that the i9300/i9500 model is entered into AT&T's system, I only hèard a rumour that AT&T has the IMEI of those phones in its system). My i9100 currently shows up as "unknown" in my bill statement.
I took a screenshot, but I don't have a link of the LTE working conformation (attached). I won't be getting my phone until I am on holiday in New Hampshire so that I can avoid the sales tax on purchasing the Tmobile variant. I would ask my parents to buy it for me, and I send them the money, but they have no technological skills whatsoëver close to asking/knowing what to ask for at the Tmobile store. Sorry guys, lol.

my t mobile m919 stock mdl rooted..tetheting works out of the box SN at&t and on their system it doesn't know what kind of phone I have...
Sent from my SGS 4

[Q] S4 SGH-I337 or SGH-I337m? AT&T or Rogers?

Sorry moderators, put this in the wrong section last time! Feel free to delete previous post!
I spend 50% of my time in the US and 50% of my time in Canada and have a contract with both AT&T and with Rogers.
I am going to buy the S4 soon. Should I get the SGH-I337 variant with AT&T or the SGH-I337m variant with Rogers?
In about 14 months, I will be back in Canada (on Rogers) permanently. So far, I am leaning towards the AT&T variant due to greater rom availability, but I am worried about whether the S4 will work on Rogers 3G bands and LTE network.
The reason I am worried is that I am currently using an unlocked Sprint BB Tour 9630 Quadband on Rogers with specs:
2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 2100
CDMA/EVDO Rev A 800/1900
And the Roger's EDGE network barely functions on that phone (many disconnects).
I am a little unfamiliar with network bands, but can you let me know if the phone's 3G radio and LTE radio are identical across Rogers and AT&T?
I read somewhere that Rogers S4 uses 2600 MHz LTE Band and AT&T uses 700 MHz LTE. Is this true? Or does this phone have both LTE bands built in?
Thank you!

After a quick search, I believe both phones should have identical network capabilities.
So you should be able to get LTE and 4G access on either of the networks using either of the phone variants.
The 'M' after the model number is definitely a Canadian carrier thing and it makes no difference. I have a Galaxy S2 from Virgin/Bell which was sold in Canada as GT-i9100M but it was identical to the international GT-i9100. So much so, that I was able to flash the ROM for the international GT-i9100 on my phone without any modifications or complications.
Hope it helps! Or a more senior member can chime in and correct me!

i would recommend going with the rogers i337m. the only reason that there is more roms for at&t version is that there is a stronger demand for them. but any roms meant for i337 will also work on i337m.

Buddyjohn said:
i would recommend going with the rogers i337m. the only reason that there is more roms for at&t version is that there is a stronger demand for them. but any roms meant for i337 will also work on i337m.
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Why would you choose the Rogers version?

if you were thinking about getting the s4 soon i would go with att variant like you said because of the rom availability, but if you were going to wait, let say a few weeks to a month i would just get the i337m because samsung will probably push another update to ruin djrbliss work to unlock the bootloader. just keep checking back to see if any update gets pushed through and youll be good

vRoman Godv said:
if you were thinking about getting the s4 soon i would go with att variant like you said because of the rom availability, but if you were going to wait, let say a few weeks to a month i would just get the i337m because samsung will probably push another update to ruin djrbliss work to unlock the bootloader. just keep checking back to see if any update gets pushed through and youll be good
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Click to collapse
Ah, the Rogers bootloader is unlocked, but AT&T is locked, correct?

golden_35 said:
Why would you choose the Rogers version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocked boot loader.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app

Hmmmmm. Thank you all! I may just end up getting the 32gb model from AT&T, since I know the AT&T model has the same radio bands built in for 3G and LTE. I'll just hope for an unlocked bootloader!

golden_35 said:
Hmmmmm. Thank you all! I may just end up getting the 32gb model from AT&T, since I know the AT&T model has the same radio bands built in for 3G and LTE. I'll just hope for an unlocked bootloader!
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Click to collapse
AT&T has a locked bootloader, but you can get it in 32GB. However there are works underway to get around the locks.
Rogers has an unlocked bootloader but only comes in 16GB. Unfortunately there are no ways that I know of to get around the lack of internal space and JB does not let you install apps on external SDcards.

Perfect. I'm going to trade my Blackberry Q10 for the AT&T S4 32gb.
Thanks!

What's the very best version of the Note 3?

I'm using an ATT Note 2 and I want to upgrade, mainly because of the better RAM and ROM. But I'm confused by the choices and Knox and locking and all that.
I am going too want to root my phone for sure, and unlock to use on different providers.
Not to worried about the cost.
What's the very best version out there, in your opinion?

capite said:
I'm using an ATT Note 2 and I want to upgrade, mainly because of the better RAM and ROM. But I'm confused by the choices and Knox and locking and all that.
I am going to want to root my phone for sure, and unlock to use on different providers.
Not to worried about the cost.
What's the very best version out there, in your opinion?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the LTE bands tend to be very different from one provider to another the differences are only relevant once you know who is your carrier - so you should probably look / ask in the OTHER Note 3 forums:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-sprint
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-note-3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-tmobile
Also see this to get a start on the matter of portability (or almost complete lack thereof) among those:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2464498

Thanks. When I mean I will want to use the phone on 'other providers,' I really just mean the GSM-based ones like ATT/T-mo and overseas carriers. I understand that Tmo and ATT use different LTE bands, just hoping that there's at least one unlocked and rootable model that covers both sets of LTE bands.
xclub_101 said:
Since the LTE bands tend to be very different from one provider to another the differences are only relevant once you know who is your carrier - so you should probably look / ask in the OTHER Note 3 forums:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-sprint
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-note-3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-tmobile
Also see this to get a start on the matter of portability (or almost complete lack thereof) among those:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2464498
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

capite said:
Thanks. When I mean I will want to use the phone on 'other providers,' I really just mean the GSM-based ones like ATT/T-mo and overseas carriers. I understand that Tmo and ATT use different LTE bands, just hoping that there's at least one unlocked and rootable model that covers both sets of LTE bands.
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Click to collapse
Actually, the ATT and TMOBILE gnote3 cover each others LTE bands too. Infact, after unlocking your tmobile gnote3, achieving LTE on ATT should be as easy as popping in a sim card.

I think your choice would be between ATT and Tmo and I believe both can be rooted without tripping Knox. Even thought Tmo supposed to have unlocked bootloader, they use ATT rooted ROMs (since the name delavega root). Personally I would stick with the carrier: Tmo phone will give you Wifi calling, but only on Tmo network, so you can call home for free from anywhere in the world over WiFi. ATT is just beginning to test voice over LTE, no other US carrier has yet. And if you have call issues, are you going to call t-mo complaining their phone doesn't work well on ATT network, or you going to call ATT, that their network signal sucks with T-mo phone? And for example it would be difficult to buy new T-mo phone without at least some temporary t-mo service.

capite said:
Thanks. When I mean I will want to use the phone on 'other providers,' I really just mean the GSM-based ones like ATT/T-mo and overseas carriers. I understand that Tmo and ATT use different LTE bands, just hoping that there's at least one unlocked and rootable model that covers both sets of LTE bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not have a lot of experience on the US market but my last link seems to suggest that the TMo version is 100% compatible with ATT LTE (and the other way around), so generally (given the much bigger bootloader freedom on TMo vs ATT) I would say that TMo Note 3 should be a good choice. It will also work on ATT up to the full 4G and worldwide for voice over normal GSM, maybe 3G in many places. Also that last link suggests that once you unlock it (which is IMHO rather inexpensive and worth it) you will be able to use (almost) any GSM SIM in the world.

Can I use a Tmobile Note 4 on AT&T and vice versa?

Can I use a Tmobile Note 4 on AT&T and vice versa and have it work with LTE?
In other words, is the Note 4 interchangeable with both Tmobile and AT&T LTE service?

Neo3D said:
Can I use a Tmobile Note 4 on AT&T and vice versa and have it work with LTE?
In other words, is the Note 4 interchangeable with both Tmobile and AT&T LTE service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes

Potentially, yes. You could do the reverse, so I can't see why it wouldn't work.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using XDA Free mobile app

You guys are positive that LTE will still work on both networks?

Neo3D said:
You guys are positive that LTE will still work on both networks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's showing the same bands to it should work, no one will know until they actually test it. The Note 3 also had the same bands, but some anecdotal reports stated the reception was a bit worse and it didn't hang onto LTE as well. Nothing scientific, just users reporting this so make of it what you will. Personally my business can't take the chance of reception issues so I just bit the bullet and got the ATT version knowing I am saying goodbye to root. Once again this is unsubstantiated, it's just what I got from hours of looking at all the forum posts about using the Tmo Note 3 on ATT.

How about a Verizon Note 4 on AT&T? Verizon is charging almost $150 less for an off contract phone, however I have a mobile share plan with other AT&T phones on contract so I'd need to stay on AT&T if possible...

Is it possible to "unlock" (or whatever the term is) an AT&T phone to use with Tmobile?
I want to use AT&T mainly but when I'm traveling internationally, I want to be able to switch to Tmobile.

Neo3D said:
Is it possible to "unlock" (or whatever the term is) an AT&T phone to use with Tmobile?
I want to use AT&T mainly but when I'm traveling internationally, I want to be able to switch to Tmobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can and the term is "unlock". Just make sure the bands are compatible on your at&t phone with the Tmobile network.

daraj said:
Yes you can and the term is "unlock". Just make sure the bands are compatible on your at&t phone with the Tmobile network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
Well, that's what I want to know. Will LTE work on both networks with either or both Tmobile and at&t versions?

danmanca said:
How about a Verizon Note 4 on AT&T? Verizon is charging almost $150 less for an off contract phone, however I have a mobile share plan with other AT&T phones on contract so I'd need to stay on AT&T if possible...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know you can use TMOBILE PHONES on ATT - I assume you can do the reverse -but I don't think you can run TMOBILE PHONES on Verizon - or Verizon PHones on TMOBILE - I say this because the roms created for Verizon were really never very compatible for Tmobile phones ( at least not for me on any of the roms I tried to flash - data didn't work - wifi didn't work - ) so I htink they have different kinds of radios - but I am not a developer so that is only a guess -
USE TMOBILE phone on ATT and you are fine
---------- Post added at 03:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:57 PM ----------
Neo3D said:
Is it possible to "unlock" (or whatever the term is) an AT&T phone to use with Tmobile?
I want to use AT&T mainly but when I'm traveling internationally, I want to be able to switch to Tmobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes - as long as you manually add the APNS - but keep in mind the ATT PHONE will have a locked bootloader and it will probably be a while until someone finds a way to root the ATT PHONE - I say this based on what happened with the Note3 and S5 - I assume the same will be the case for ATT NOte 4s

If somebody takes an AT&T phone to T-Mobile, it will get fully functional LTE (as they both use band 4 aws). However, T-Mobile has built most of its 3G network on Band 4 UMTS / HSPA (AWS 1700/2100) which AT&T phones to not support. This coverage footprint is bigger than their current LTE network. The AT&T phone will get Band 2 (1900) UMTS / HSPA in the areas T-Mobile has refarmed.
A T-Mobile phone is fully compatible with AT&T. All T-Mobile phones support bands 2 and 5 for 3G (H+). T-Mobile phones also support AT&T's Band 17 for roaming reasons.
Be advised that if your using a T-Mobile device on AT&T (preferably an LTE device) it may not get the best reception, as AT&T optimizes their modems for their lower frequencies. Last year my T-Mobile Note 3 LTE reception was awful on AT&T. The T-Mobile S5 on AT&T was improved, but not as good as AT&T's own S5's reception.

MattMJB0188 said:
If somebody takes an AT&T phone to T-Mobile, it will get fully functional LTE (as they both use band 4 aws). However, T-Mobile has built most of its 3G network on Band 4 UMTS / HSPA (AWS 1700/2100) which AT&T phones to not support. This coverage footprint is bigger than their current LTE network. The AT&T phone will get Band 2 (1900) UMTS / HSPA in the areas T-Mobile has refarmed.
A T-Mobile phone is fully compatible with AT&T. All T-Mobile phones support bands 2 and 5 for 3G (H+). T-Mobile phones also support AT&T's Band 17 for roaming reasons.
Be advised that if your using a T-Mobile device on AT&T (preferably an LTE device) it may not get the best reception, as AT&T optimizes their modems for their lower frequencies. Last year my T-Mobile Note 3 LTE reception was awful on AT&T. The T-Mobile S5 on AT&T was improved, but not as good as AT&T's own S5's reception.
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Click to collapse
I am pretty sure I know the answer to this - but if the ATT modem is better for att users - if someone does have a TOMBILE PHONE - why is that we can't flash an ATT Modem on the TOMBILE Phone?
I realize there is a chance of 'brcking" but if the phones are so close to each other anyway - why can't you flash an ATT Modem on a TMOBILE phone? Anyone?.

mocsab said:
I am pretty sure I know the answer to this - but if the ATT modem is better for att users - if someone does have a TOMBILE PHONE - why is that we can't flash an ATT Modem on the TOMBILE Phone?
I realize there is a chance of 'brcking" but if the phones are so close to each other anyway - why can't you flash an ATT Modem on a TMOBILE phone? Anyone?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure. But a few years ago there was a guy from Canada using a Rogers device ( I think the S3?) anyway AT&T had just released an update for their S3 and it drastically improved signal strength and data speeds. He took it upon himself to flash only the modem from CWM. The phone rebooted and he had no IMEI number. Therefore his phone couldn't even connect to the network. I'm not sure how or if he resolved it. But that lesson right there made me never flash any carrier's modem on my device.

MattMJB0188 said:
I'm not sure. But a few years ago there was a guy from Canada using a Rogers device ( I think the S3?) anyway AT&T had just released an update for their S3 and it drastically improved signal strength and data speeds. He took it upon himself to flash only the modem from CWM. The phone rebooted and he had no IMEI number. Therefore his phone couldn't even connect to the network. I'm not sure how or if he resolved it. But that lesson right there made me never flash any carrier's modem on my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would keep me away too - but it's too bad - as much a like as the variants are - it is too bad they are not more interchangeable

definitive FACTS on all s8 variants

I bought a Verizon SM-G950UZKAVZW direct from Samsung. I thought that I was buying a phone that I could take to any carrier. I'm hearing that might not be true. Does anyone have definitive, confirmed specs ie supported radio bands on all of the carrier variants as well as the upcoming intl version? Also I heard other reports that the hardware is identical and it's firmware that is limiting the phones. Not sure if that is true either. Samsung was absolutely not helpful.
Bottom line I need to know:
1 if I keep the SM-G950UZKAVZW, will I be able to use it with other carrier networks?
2 if I can use the SM-G950UZKAVZW with other carriers, what actions (if any) would I need to take to do that? (Other than swapping a sim card)
3 would the phone I currently possess be limited in any way if I were to use it with other carriers? (Limited is defined here as "performing differently in contrast to that carriers native S8 model variant") if so, specifically how would it be limited?
4 if I were to purchase an unlocked international model once it becomes available, would that phone be limited in any way when used on any US carrier? (Limited is again defined here as "performing differently in contrast to that carriers native S8 model variant") if so, specifically how?
If you aren't sure, please don't reply. There's plenty of people documenting their best guess already. I'm looking for the straight story.
Thanks for reading!

All of Verizon phones are Sim card unlocked and since there is really only 1 version of the S8/S8+ in the US (with different model #'s corresponding to the different carriers) using the phone on another carriers network is not going to be an issue. All you need to do is insert the sim card in.
http://www.gottabemobile.com/how-to-unlock-the-galaxy-s8/
As a quick note, if you have a Verizon Galaxy S8 congratulations. Your phone is already unlocked. Verizon Wireless no longer locks phones, regardless of what you might hear from friends or family. Simply drop a T-Mobile or AT&T SIM card in a Verizon model and it works. It may require manually configuring the APN settings though, so keep that in mind.
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The ONLY exception that might be would be Sprint since they are CDMA as well, but who really wants to go from Verizon to Sprint?????
All 4 Major US(and subsequent sub carriers) are receiving the same version of the phone(meaning same internals). From my understanding, inserting the carriers Sim card into the verizon phone just means you start going at that point and have access to all the carriers bands
If you got an international version, it most likely would be powered by an Exynos CPU vs the Snapdragon 835 so there would be some performance differences (typically Exynos models perform marginally better based on previous history)
If you're looking for a US unlocked model - wait until next month
http://www.theverge.com/circuitbrea...-unlocked-galaxy-s8-plus-pricing-release-date

I appreciate your clear response! Would it be accurate to say that I will have just as much freedom to hop from one carrier to another using the phone I have, as opposed to purchasing the upcoming US unlocked variant?
Also, I have heard the same thing about the hardware, that all of the carrier variants are the same physical model. But some folks, including the Samsung tech support rep I spoke to (unfortunately that probably doesn't mean a whole lot) seem to think that the carrier firmware is limiting the radio bands. Do you know this to be false?

I have the Verizon version and works fine on Tmo out of the box. Have to use Verizon update software through Windows though. OTA's will never come through.

I am using Verizon GS8 on att, it works but I only get HSPA mostly. No LTE, so band is definitely capped by firmware.
I didn't have any issue receiving ota with att sim in vzw gs8

I saw a review that said the s8 gets locked to the first carrier sim it accepts. Can someone confirm swapping sims of different carriers works?

Whanksta said:
I am using Verizon GS8 on att, it works but I only get HSPA mostly. No LTE, so band is definitely capped by firmware.
I didn't have any issue receiving ota with att sim in vzw gs8
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Have you tried going into the network band menu and locking it to one of the AT&T LTE bands?
This still works on the S8 (found this on the S7 and used it to lock my S7 to band 4 for Tmobile)
https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...ng-network-t3331555/post65722081#post65722081

ElBeaner said:
Have you tried going into the network band menu and locking it to one of the AT&T LTE bands?
This still works on the S8 (found this on the S7 and used it to lock my S7 to band 4 for Tmobile)
https://forum.xda-developers.com/tm...ng-network-t3331555/post65722081#post65722081
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I am unable to access the service menu via the S7 method

Whanksta said:
I am unable to access the service menu via the S7 method
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Ok forgot you were Verizon - you have to edit a setting because they block you from that access
Try this if you're daring enough
https://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s6/general/enabling-using-servicemode-t3109579
EDIT Damn, looks like you have to be rooted first
---------- Post added at 12:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:18 AM ----------
Whanksta said:
I am unable to access the service menu via the S7 method
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You'll need to wait unti the official AT&T rom is available from Smasung and then you should be able to flash it via ODIN onto the phone and get all the AT&T carrier bands

mredamon said:
I bought a Verizon SM-G950UZKAVZW direct from Samsung. I thought that I was buying a phone that I could take to any carrier. I'm hearing that might not be true. Does anyone have definitive, confirmed specs ie supported radio bands on all of the carrier variants as well as the upcoming intl version? Also I heard other reports that the hardware is identical and it's firmware that is limiting the phones. Not sure if that is true either. Samsung was absolutely not helpful.
Bottom line I need to know:
4 if I were to purchase an unlocked international model once it becomes available, would that phone be limited in any way when used on any US carrier? (Limited is again defined here as "performing differently in contrast to that carriers native S8 model variant") if so, specifically how?
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Once it becomes available? You can buy Exynos right now from other countries. Clove in UK will region unlock the phone before shipping to you in the U.S. What needs to become available?
Don't confuse the "unlocked" S8 Samsung will sell here in the U.S. in a month or so with the Exynos international variant. The "unlocked" S8 coming to the U.S. is still the bootloader locked Snapdragon version, just without carrier branding. It will be carrier unlocked but not bootloader unlocked. If you care about rooting, TWRP, ROMs, etc Exynos is what you want.
would that (Exynos international variant) phone be limited in any way when used on any US carrier?
(Limited is again defined here as "performing differently in contrast to that carriers native S8 model variant") if so, specifically how?
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NO, except if you are on CDMA-handicapped Sprint or Verizon. If you use Sprint or Verizon be aware Exynos doesn't have 3G CDMA bands to fall back on if you can't get LTE. For AT&T or T-Mobile, YES it has all the LTE/HSPA/GSM bands.
The "international" Exynos variant can be bootloader unlocked, rooted, etc. so tons of advantages. While it has Verizon LTE bands, there's no CDMA. This means you really need Verizon VoLTE to work and I don't have the answer to that. And if you can't get LTE signal on mobile network, you won't have any signal due to no CDMA fallback. Again, only an issue because of CDMA if you stay on Verizon instead of using AT&T or T-mobile (or their network affiliates). You seem like you want to switch to another carrier? So, go ahead and do so!
EXYNOS VARIANTS LTE BANDS:
LTE Bands: FDD: B1(2100), B2(1900), B3(1800), B4(AWS), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B12(700), B13(700), B17(700), B18(800), B19(800), B20(800), B25(1900), B26(800), B28(700), B32(1500), B66(AWS- 3) | TDD: B38(2600), B39(1900), B40(2300), B41(2500)
GSM/GPRS
850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
3G/HSPA
850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz

ChazzMatt said:
Once it becomes available? You can buy Exynos right now from other countries. Clove in UK will region unlock the phone before shipping to you in the U.S. What needs to become available?
Don't confuse the "unlocked" S8 Samsung will sell here in the U.S. in a month or so with the Exynos international variant. The "unlocked" S8 coming to the U.S. is still the bootloader locked Snapdragon version, just without carrier branding. It will be carrier unlocked but not bootloader unlocked. If you care about rooting, TWRP, ROMs, etc Exynos is what you want. /QUOTE]
Yeah I screwed up. I did confuse them.
I'm not interested in all that rooting stuff I just want a phone that pretty much works anywhere I want to take it and if it's slower on one network than another I wanna know what I'm getting myself into.
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Whanksta said:
I am using Verizon GS8 on att, it works but I only get HSPA mostly. No LTE, so band is definitely capped by firmware.
I didn't have any issue receiving ota with att sim in vzw gs8
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Hey guys
I'm from Brazil and I wanna buy the Verizon's S8 but I'm afraid about the 4G.
I saw that this model has the Brazil LTE frequencies, but I read here that Verizon capped the band from the firmware.
Somebody knows if I could flash via ODIN the unlocked rom that will come with the unlocked version in USA and so get the LTE free to use in any place?
I don't want to assume the risk to have a top mobile phone but don't be able to use 4G.
Thank you very much guys

Hey mredamon. Did you ever get a clear response here or somewhere else about this?