What's the very best version of the Note 3? - Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

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.
Click to expand...
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.

Related

Hd2 on at&t

I have a hd2 tmobile usa version, i need a At&t friendly Nand rom. Whats the best rom out there for At&t????
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
as far as I know any NAND Android ROM should work on AT&T as it is not the ROM that controls this but a combination of you sim card, APN settings, and you having your HD2 sim unlocked. Wait for more replies though as I do not use AT&T and it might actually be a ROM out there that has certain things adjusted for AT&T, but what that might be I do not know.
This is true, the ROM does not control the radio. There are methods of flashing the radio to a different version, one that may work for the AT&T 3G bands. I am looking them up, but that is how you would flash the device to change the radio.
Hardware wise, the GSM module does support all world wide bands but what makes then different from one HD2 from one carrier ot another is the firmware version that is used in the phones that make them work on the network's bands. Correct me if i am wrong though.
TKETZ196 said:
This is true, the ROM does not control the radio. There are methods of flashing the radio to a different version, one that may work for the AT&T 3G bands. I am looking them up, but that is how you would flash the device to change the radio.
Hardware wise, the GSM module does support all world wide bands but what makes then different from one HD2 from one carrier ot another is the firmware version that is used in the phones that make them work on the network's bands. Correct me if i am wrong though.
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Click to collapse
Untrue my friend, the T-Mobile HD2 only supports the bands used by T-Mobile for 3G. If you sim unlock the T-Mobile HD2 you can use the device with other carriers but you will only get Edge for a data signal as the hardware only supports the T-Mobile 3G bands. There is a model of the HD2 that supports a different 3G band the same ones AT&T uses in the US, it is the Australian model that Telstra a Australian cell carrier released as they use the same bands as AT&T. go to "Official HD2 T9193 (Telstra 850Mhz) Discussion Thread" and you can learn more about it. I also saw your other post in another thread about trying to help your friend out getting 3G on his HD2 using AT&T. Unless he is willing to buy a Telstra HTC HD2 T9193 or have his T-Mobile HTC HD2 T8585 worked on to switch out the hardware for the hardware in the T9193 then he will never getb 3G with AT&T.
Just to answer your question, every rom is an AT&T friendly ROM, meaning, they'll allow you to talk, text and surf the internet.
What you DONT have is AT&T 3G on your tmous HD2. You'll be stuck with EDGE speed.
Thank you all 4 your help,greatly apreciated!! I'm in puerto rico where tmobile is still on Edge. But for some reason tmobile is still alot faster when it comes to receiving & sending MMS than At&t on this phone. Currently using Coredroid 1.5
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
its interesting they would use different hardware GSM modules for the slightly different models. I would think the radio firmware version woudl take care of that. Thanks for clarification. I assumed that all GSM modules would be built the same way.
Sadly they are not, this in my opinion is just cellular carriers trying to keep you locked to their networks cause the know most people don"t want to have to buy another device when changing carriers if they already have a good device. So they make it were branded devices can only utilize high speed data with it's intended carriers network. I think this is unfair to consumers, but again just my opinion.
T-Macgnolia said:
Sadly they are not, this in my opinion is just cellular carriers trying to keep you locked to their networks cause the know most people don"t want to have to buy another device when changing carriers if they already have a good device. So they make it were branded devices can only utilize high speed data with it's intended carriers network. I think this is unfair to consumers, but again just my opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there is technical reason. The various carriers have very different technologies. Even AT&T uses a different 3G network than T-Mobile, despite the fact that both are GSM. Sprint and Verizon use non GSM technologies that are even more different. When a device manufacturer makes a certain model, there is only so much room inside, and unless one wants a really thick and heavy device, a choice has to be made as to which hardware goes into the phone.
I'm not saying that they don't want you to stay on their network - they do, which is why they have those 2 year contracts in exchange for buying a discounted phone. But I don't think that is why the hardware is different.
stevedebi said:
I think there is technical reason. The various carriers have very different technologies. Even AT&T uses a different 3G network than T-Mobile, despite the fact that both are GSM. Sprint and Verizon use non GSM technologies that are even more different. When a device manufacturer makes a certain model, there is only so much room inside, and unless one wants a really thick and heavy device, a choice has to be made as to which hardware goes into the phone.
I'm not saying that they don't want you to stay on their network - they do, which is why they have those 2 year contracts in exchange for buying a discounted phone. But I don't think that is why the hardware is different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Point taken
I would go further with the discussion but I do not want to hijack this thread.

Which model to buy for full freedom

I am on ATT but I am tired of ATT BS and locked bootloaders and ROM work arounds. I want to be able to use international ROMs. Plus I want to have my ATT LTE.
I want freedom to have me device my way and with any carrier sim. With this said money is not the issue. So what do I buy. If I am reading things right the answer is a T-Mobile Version and then cancel the contract and put my ATT SIM in the Note 3.
Can anyone confirm or advise?
Want your cake (international version) and eat it too (non-international LTE) AND complain because getting both requires a bit of work? LOL
No carrier is going to let you have full freedom w/o you going behind their back (i.e. unlocking bootloaders and custom ROMs)
weirdingway said:
Want your cake (international version) and eat it too (non-international LTE) AND complain because getting both requires a bit of work? LOL
No carrier is going to let you have full freedom w/o you going behind their back (i.e. unlocking bootloaders and custom ROMs)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile appears to have an unlocked Bootloader and unlocked if paid in full. So that sounds like a clean unit to me. That I am free to load Intonational ROM's etc...
If you don't mind 32GB only of internal storage, which effectively translates into ~24GB of user available space - T-Mobile GN3 is your best bet. Pay in full, to get it unlocked and put your AT&T sim into it. Then you will have unlocked bootloader, no carrier network lock, no regional lock and it will work with AT&T LTE. You will be able to use international roms as well, as long as they're not for the octa-core version. You will also be able to flash AT&T modem to it, if you wish.
I just got the T-Mobile Note 3 from Negri (unlocked) It is $689 with no tax here in CA
boilerkim said:
I just got the T-Mobile Note 3 from Negri (unlocked) It is $689 with no tax here in CA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, how did you get yours already?
Apo11on said:
If you don't mind 32GB only of internal storage, which effectively translates into ~24GB of user available space - T-Mobile GN3 is your best bet. Pay in full, to get it unlocked and put your AT&T sim into it. Then you will have unlocked bootloader, no carrier network lock, no regional lock and it will work with AT&T LTE. You will be able to use international roms as well, as long as they're not for the octa-core version. You will also be able to flash AT&T modem to it, if you wish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to order a Note 3 from Negri to use it with AIO. I would like to have the unlocked bootloader but I'm worry about something I read in another thread here (Note 3 Carrier Selection):
"The main difference between the 1700 band being used by AT&T or TMO device is that AT&T version will use that 1700 for LTE signals where as Tmobile variant will use the 1700 for their HSPA signals."
What if ATT is using 1700 in my area for LTE? I will have the unlocked bootloader and no LTE? Where can I find what frequencies ATT is using in what areas? I made some searches without luck.
Any help will be appreciated.
T-Mobile note3 bootloader appears to be locked. Can't flash CWM
jmarquesh said:
I want to order a Note 3 from Negri to use it with AIO. I would like to have the unlocked bootloader but I'm worry about something I read in another thread here (Note 3 Carrier Selection):
"The main difference between the 1700 band being used by AT&T or TMO device is that AT&T version will use that 1700 for LTE signals where as Tmobile variant will use the 1700 for their HSPA signals."
What if ATT is using 1700 in my area for LTE? I will have the unlocked bootloader and no LTE? Where can I find what frequencies ATT is using in what areas? I made some searches without luck.
Any help will be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some search without luck? You've got to be kidding me! I have personally posted AT&T's LTE frequencies in at least 3 threads in Note 3 forums. It takes about 2 seconds to google a wiki page with LTE frequencies by carrier worldwide...FYI AT&T operates it's LTE network on both bands 4 and 17 in most areas. However, I don't understand why do you think there is a problem with AT&T & T-Mo using the same frequency in a certain area. There are 2 absolutely independent carriers, each with their own towers and your phone will get service from a carrier, based on whatever SIM you put in. What difference do these overlapping frequencies make to you?
eclipxe said:
T-Mobile note3 bootloader appears to be locked. Can't flash CWM
Click to expand...
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Do you have a source for this?
serialtoon said:
Wait, how did you get yours already?
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Click to collapse
I didn't, just ordered it
Apo11on said:
Some search without luck? You've got to be kidding me! I have personally posted AT&T's LTE frequencies in at least 3 threads in Note 3 forums. It takes about 2 seconds to google a wiki page with LTE frequencies by carrier worldwide...FYI AT&T operates it's LTE network on both bands 4 and 17 in most areas. However, I don't understand why do you think there is a problem with AT&T & T-Mo using the same frequency in a certain area. There are 2 absolutely independent carriers, each with their own towers and your phone will get service from a carrier, based on whatever SIM you put in. What difference do these overlapping frequencies make to you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did find information about the frequencies used by each carrier. What I was looking for is what frequency is used in a given area, say near my house. Maybe that is not the right question since I'm new to all this problem.
In another thread (Note 3 Carrier Selection) people is recommending to buy the TMobile version over the ATT version even if you want to use it with ATT (AIO). Because the bootloader in TMo may be unlocked. But then cheols46 posted this:
The main difference between the 1700 band being used by AT&T or TMO device is that AT&T version will use that 1700 for LTE signals where as Tmobile variant will use the 1700 for their HSPA signals.
I have 2 HTC One from each carrier and while AT&T version will pick up LTE at my house with the AT&T sim card in it, while T-mobile version only picks up HSPA+ with the AT&T sim card. It really depends on the tower frequency you use in your area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to know if that will happen to me if I buy the TMo version to use it with AIO.
Thanks in advance for any help you may provide.
That guy is getting only HSPA with AT&T SIM card because his APN for AT&T LTE is not configured correctly on the T-Mo phone. He probably didnt change the APN settings, or maybe T-Mo stock firmware doesnt even have those settings, since the network didnt support LTE when that phone was bought?
If your phone is configured correctly, and you use AT&T SIM you should get LTE service.
Apo11on said:
That guy is getting only HSPA with AT&T SIM card because his APN for AT&T LTE is not configured correctly on the T-Mo phone. He probably didnt change the APN settings, or maybe T-Mo stock firmware doesnt even have those settings, since the network didnt support LTE when that phone was bought?
If your phone is configured correctly, and you use AT&T SIM you should get LTE service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will you advice to buy the sim unlocked TMo version instead of the ATT version, because of the unlocked bootloader and the support for TMo bands (again this is just something I read)? I'm planning to use it with AIO but after spending all that money it will be good to know that I could use it with TMo if I wanted.
jmarquesh said:
Will you advice to buy the sim unlocked TMo version instead of the ATT version, because of the unlocked bootloader and the support for TMo bands (again this is just something I read)? I'm planning to use it with AIO but after spending all that money it will be good to know that I could use it with TMo if I wanted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If i were you I'd wait a week or two, until other people do it, and you can find enough feedback on how well things work. The question, you should be asking yourself is not a choice between T-Mo vs AT&T version, but T-Mo vs international LTE version with unlocked bootloader, because getting AT&T one with locked bootloader will severely cripple what you can do with your phone. Keep in mind if you have any LTE version with unlocked bootloader you should be able to flash AT&T modem onto it, once it becomes available, regardless of what LTE bands it currently supports.
Apo11on said:
If i were you I'd wait a week or two, until other people do it, and you can find enough feedback on how well things work. The question, you should be asking yourself is not a choice between T-Mo vs AT&T version, but T-Mo vs international LTE version with unlocked bootloader, because getting AT&T one with locked bootloader will severely cripple what you can do with your phone. Keep in mind if you have any LTE version with unlocked bootloader you should be able to flash AT&T modem onto it, once it becomes available, regardless of what LTE bands it currently supports.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sort of forced to get an AT&T version (have unlimited data) but considering taking chance that someone will figure out N3 bootloader unlock for future versions of AT&T roms. Is that wise?
sonicthoughts said:
I'm sort of forced to get an AT&T version (have unlimited data) but considering taking chance that someone will figure out N3 bootloader unlock for future versions of AT&T roms. Is that wise?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll give you a hint: http://www.androidoverload.com/bootloader-bounty-exceeds-5k-verizonatt-samsung-galaxy-s4/
boilerkim said:
I just got the T-Mobile Note 3 from Negri (unlocked) It is $689 with no tax here in CA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Negri still shows preorder, did they start to ship phones?
And by the way it's 669.5 with code ne20offcart

Unlock S5 From Sprint To Tmobile?

I recently got the S5 on sprint and im beyond disappointed with sprints new spark and lte network out here in NY. Im considering going to Tmobile since there lte speeds are crazy good and connection is steady out here. My question is can i get my phone unlocked and bring my sprint version phone over to Tmobile? I was told by a Tmobile rep that my phone would go down to 2g speeds and its not guaranteed to even get lte. Which i find hard to believe since since my phone has the option to also go on GSM/UMTS. Whats your guys thoughts on this?
darknatas said:
I recently got the S5 on sprint and im beyond disappointed with sprints new spark and lte network out here in NY. Im considering going to Tmobile since there lte speeds are crazy good and connection is steady out here. My question is can i get my phone unlocked and bring my sprint version phone over to Tmobile? I was told by a Tmobile rep that my phone would go down to 2g speeds and its not guaranteed to even get lte. Which i find hard to believe since since my phone has the option to also go on GSM/UMTS. Whats your guys thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
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Bump
19 25996965
darknatas said:
Bump
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Sprint phones cant work with T-Mobile, Sprint blocks other US GSM carriers from using their phone.
Sprint phones can only be used outside of the states
Vlade12 said:
Sprint phones cant work with T-Mobile, Sprint blocks other US GSM carriers from using their phone.
Sprint phones can only be used outside of the states
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So even if i get the phone unlocked i wont be able to use it on tmobile?
darknatas said:
So even if i get the phone unlocked i wont be able to use it on tmobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. Sprint uses different frequency ranges, so unlocked or not it's just not going to communicate.
ATT and T-Mobile work due to the overlap. In fact, for a while there ATT was going to purchase T-Mobile before the FCC put a halt to that.
Glad too as T-Mobile is now shaking up the market and forcing (encouraging?) Verzion and ATT to try and adopt similar measures in order to maintain customer base.
Vlade12 said:
Sprint phones cant work with T-Mobile, Sprint blocks other US GSM carriers from using their phone.
Sprint phones can only be used outside of the states
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think this is correct. Albeit S5 is a different phone, but I unlocked 4 SPH-L720 S4's from Sprint to Tmobile no problem using the following thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530610
If S5 could use the same methods, you would get 3G and HSPA+ on the Sprint S5 using a TMobile SIM.
I was able to get LTE using a TMobile SIM on a Sprint S4 by using DFS to edit the NV to enable AWS 1700 LTE Band in NV items, then flashing the TMobile HOS and MODEM bin files - along with copying the *ril*.so libraries to the system/lib directory. This ultimately allowed me to select the LTE/WCDMA/GSM option in Mobile Networks.
Not many people know about this but I found it in an i337 thread on how to unlock AWS on a S4.
bcas9472 said:
I dont think this is correct. Albeit S5 is a different phone, but I unlocked 4 SPH-L720 S4's from Sprint to Tmobile no problem using the following thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530610
If S5 could use the same methods, you would get 3G and HSPA+ on the Sprint S5 using a TMobile SIM.
I was able to get LTE using a TMobile SIM on a Sprint S4 by using DFS to edit the NV to enable AWS 1700 LTE Band in NV items, then flashing the TMobile HOS and MODEM bin files - along with copying the *ril*.so libraries to the system/lib directory. This ultimately allowed me to select the LTE/WCDMA/GSM option in Mobile Networks.
Not many people know about this but I found it in an i337 thread on how to unlock AWS on a S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you can get full speeds on gsm networks with the sprint version? in the US or out?
Is that right?
bcas9472 said:
I dont think this is correct. Albeit S5 is a different phone, but I unlocked 4 SPH-L720 S4's from Sprint to Tmobile no problem using the following thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530610
If S5 could use the same methods, you would get 3G and HSPA+ on the Sprint S5 using a TMobile SIM.
I was able to get LTE using a TMobile SIM on a Sprint S4 by using DFS to edit the NV to enable AWS 1700 LTE Band in NV items, then flashing the TMobile HOS and MODEM bin files - along with copying the *ril*.so libraries to the system/lib directory. This ultimately allowed me to select the LTE/WCDMA/GSM option in Mobile Networks.
Not many people know about this but I found it in an i337 thread on how to unlock AWS on a S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone comfermed this? To my knowledge the Sprint/Verizon phones are not cross compatable with AT&T and T-mobile. Some verizon phones are the exception but basicily its a no go from CDMA phone to GSM tech.
confirm
i can confirm the sprint s4 does work on tmobile with a bit of editing and following the gsm domestic tutorial on xda, however this part about the modem.bin and hlos isnt confirmed and i have done this and ended up hard bricking my devices and had to jtag to repair them. ive tried many times and always bricked so i say no go.
this forum is for the sprint s5 and i would hope we can find a loophole to get it gsm unlocked. any ideas? ive tried a few things but no luck
Theres alot of incorrect information here. The latest Sprint phones using sim cards ARE ABLE to use T-Mobile and AT&T as long as GSM is in the hardware. I dont own the S5 but for those blinding others with frequency talk I'm tired of seeing, read it and weep:
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=4408
Sprint S5 supports GSM. Now of course no LTE on T-Mobile due to the lack of the 1700 frequency,
but your 4G will be fine. Depending on where you live, you may not even care about LTE over 4G.
Sure, Sprint locks the darn thing up to avoid it getting into the hands of other domestic carriers, but
just as the Sprint Note 3 and my Sprint LG G2, a workaround has been invented. For the G2 it was as
"borrowing" the stock T-Mobile LG G2 firmware and tweaking it to boot up on our LS980. We have
about 3 different tastes of working unlocked roms, not only sticking to T-Mobile, but other carriers
reported working such as Metro PCS and AT&T. So my guess is that the S5 may need a similar
treatment, nobody wants Sprint honestly. The first 14 days (brought in my own LG Optimus G LS970)
I was with them service was glorious here in NYC. But after the 14 day "trial period" ended I was
DAMNED into horrible service, constant 3G instead of 4G, etc. Thanks to refusing to make payments
due to the disgusting service, my GS4's IMEI is basically crap, so I sold it in the same week I got it.
I should have never swapped it out for the LG OG...
Honestly, I'll thank every OP I see that "unlocks" the Sprint version of any phone for domestic GSM
use. Their silly Sprint Spark is useless, why introduce something new when they dont even have full
4G coverage here in the USA? And their agents sound like "AI" controlled cyborgs: "Oh we're sorry to
hear that, your zone is scheduled to be recieving 4G soon." Yeah right. I feel sorry for those who suffer
in other states.
ANYWAYS sorry for drifting off topic. The recap here is that the Sprint S5 IS capable of domestic GSM with some modding.
And also that I hate Sprint.
Any Updates on this
Does anyone have any news on this? I have a S5 from sprint and want to use it with tmobile or other gsm carrier. any1 have any updates on the UCCI deal i read about somewhere? I have the spc phone is rooted what do i need to do? cant bring up the service menu to change things there.. kind a lost pls help
..
lease has anyone found a solution for enabling aws bands on galaxy s5? i have the at&t active version unlocked and rooted using on tmobile but i get only edge :/
What is the verdict? Is there anyone who knows you can use it on any network? I am getting mine tomorrow and am unlocking it. Is there a way to test if they will work on any network? I have many sim cards from diff carriers.
..
unlock sprint
fffft said:
There have been a lot of threads about this, so clearly few are even bothering to search the forum for existing threads and the wealth of information in them.
Sprint is a CDMA system like Verizon & USC. CDMA per se is incompatible with GSM, which is what most of the world uses. The Sprint S5 only supports some of the most common GSM frequency bands and moreover will have a locked bootloader and SIM.
Sprint will not unlock the SIM (actually SPC code) to allow using it with other domestic carriers. You can find third party vendors that will "SPC unlock" your Sprint phone. But then you will find that Sprint's S5 won't support any of the LTE bands on other CDMA or GSM carriers and misses some GSM bands too.
Nor can you use custom ROMs, kernels or recoveries in the normal manner due to the locked bootloader. You could probably use the Verizon Safestrap method to emulate a limited palette of custom ROMs, but you would have to do your due dilligence there and look into the details.
In short, if you jump through enough hoops, you can use a Sprint S5 on another carrier like TMobile. But it will always be marginal. You won't get LTE data speeds, you will see more congestion than those using native handsets, due to your reduced number of bands. And you may have no coverage at all in some fringe areas served by a TMB band that your handset doesn't have.
.
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The limitation of what "bands" the radio will cover are software defined. if you look around. you can find a way to modify those defined rules.
to allow it to use 1700 LTE. although the legality may be questionable as the FCC approval for that model was not tested with the LTE. The baseband chip/radio still supports the band with the software changes
..
impossible
fffft said:
There have been a lot of threads about this, so clearly few are even bothering to search the forum for existing threads and the wealth of information in them.
Sprint is a CDMA system like Verizon & USC. CDMA per se is incompatible with GSM, which is what most of the world uses. The Sprint S5 only supports some of the most common GSM frequency bands and moreover will have a locked bootloader and SIM.
Sprint will not unlock the SIM (actually SPC code) to allow using it with other domestic carriers. You can find third party vendors that will "SPC unlock" your Sprint phone. But then you will find that Sprint's S5 won't support any of the LTE bands on other CDMA or GSM carriers and misses some GSM bands too.
Nor can you use custom ROMs, kernels or recoveries in the normal manner due to the locked bootloader. You could probably use the Verizon Safestrap method to emulate a limited palette of custom ROMs, but you would have to do your due dilligence there and look into the details.
In short, if you jump through enough hoops, you can use a Sprint S5 on another carrier like TMobile. But it will always be marginal. You won't get LTE data speeds, you will see more congestion than those using native handsets, due to your reduced number of bands. And you may have no coverage at all in some fringe areas served by a TMB band that your handset doesn't have.
.
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What in the heck? Who fed you this bologna? Do you work for Sprint? Cause I have various complaints for you if you do. My SPRINT G2 running a T-Mobile G2 stock rom which is unlocked DOMESTICALLY works perfectly fine with T-Mobile's 4G. I don't think many people care about LTE, getting off of Sprint alone is a huge leap for mankind (in this case G900P owners). And as it was mentioned, there are ways to get that nice LTE band for various devices with simple mods, problem is that it is NOT widely recognized yet and very few people know that the possibility exists because of various misleading posts that "its all in the hardware" and fingers being pointed at Qualcomm's techniques. Yes there is a possibility for a domestic unlock, sure there might not be LTE for it, but most people will be content with the fact that they can use their expensive locked down phone with another carrier. Honesty Sprint devices would be better off being sold for less than carriers that actually DO allow domestic unlocks. Why do we pay over half a "K" for a phone that in reality we do not completely have full rights over? Why do other carriers alow domestic unlocks and Sprint wants to be greedy and lock in all of their customers with shady contracts and decieving bills?
Thats why many of us including myself would be beyond grateful if we even get some 3G with another carrier. We have CDMA capabilities, we have GSM capabilities, all we need is some sort of domestic unlock.
There is NO third party unlock code of any sorts that will unlock a phone that is unlocked OTA. Check around for many posts from various foreign users who have gotten stuck with a useless Galaxy S5 that can only be used with wifi thanks to Sprint. Is it their fault? No. It is purely Sprint's fault for being so damn greedy. Thankfully I am hearing news that by February of 2015 all devices will be GSM and have the capabilities to be unlocked for domestic use.
Custom roms, honestly most of us are just unsatisfied with the average and like to go to the unique side. But is Cyanogenmod going to allow us to use Air Gestures and all the other cool features of the S5? Not really. Custom kernels would be nice, but many people only seek then in order to overclock their device, which this device is in particular really doesn't need any more added power (or battery drain) than it already has. Optimization tweaks might be worth it but I dont see it helping. If someone could fix the delayed multitasking transitions (switching from one app to the other at times is delayed a second or two) or the crashing browser without custom roms or kernels, then it is best not to waste time on the development of such things. But then again there are those who prefer stock android in combination with other features such as the AMOLED screen technology, but it is best to look for another device.

Note 4 Unlocked

So im with AT&T and im planning on getting the Note 4. I dont want the att version with all the bloatware. Do I have any options without changing carriers?
10pmStalker said:
So im with AT&T and im planning on getting the Note 4. I dont want the att version with all the bloatware. Do I have any options without changing carriers?
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Click to collapse
All the carriers install their own bloatware, and eventually a guide will turn up on here on how you can remove the bloatware anyhow.
10pmStalker said:
So im with AT&T and im planning on getting the Note 4. I dont want the att version with all the bloatware. Do I have any options without changing carriers?
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A. Buy an international version outright
B. Root and remove the bloat with Titanium Backup
C. Root and install a baked version of TouchWiz ROM with all the bloat already removed.
Those are your options and those are ALL of them.
10pmStalker said:
So im with AT&T and im planning on getting the Note 4. I dont want the att version with all the bloatware. Do I have any options without changing carriers?
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I think the best option is said to be T-Mobile - phones work on (most) AT&T bands and their phones are also do not have the locked bootloader that AT&T has.
Also you might want to look at US Cellular models and some of the Canadian unlocked versions - those tend to also have a lot of bands and are unlocked but might be launched later and might be harder to find in US.
Yup, the tmobile version is your best bet. The international version is a no go because it will be much slower data wise with no LTE. Plus carriers are moving to VoLTE. More info here. The same concept applies.
mircury said:
Plus carriers are moving to VoLTE. More info here. The same concept applies.
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I don't think the carriers are going to VoLTE in general(reading literally), because I think they want to go VoIP in general. Because they all going to support voice over wifi soon anyway, working seemlessly when you are in you home but with no or weak cell signal. It's just that anything less than LTE, the latency is too high for good quality VoIP. It's both marketing move and technical move. Moving all the voice on top of data in the LTE means they can convert all the existing cell tower to just support LTE and hopefully support LTEadvance soon. And since moving to VoLTE, it also means that it's technically a VoIP, and thus why wouldn't it works on wifi as well. Thus eliminate one of the people complain that they don't have good signal in the house. I personally don't use the phone to make call that much, so don't view this as too much negativity. I rather care about carrier that have signal everywhere else I go and don't have to keep looking for wifi.

What LTE bands does Sprint HTC 10 have?

I can't find any definitive answers on this. All I know is the minimum is 25, 26 and 41 but it'd be nice to know the full list. I travel internationally and without other LTE bands like band 7, it makes it tough to use it anywhere outside the US.
EDIT: Someone answered this question in another thread but it would be good to get screenshots to verify this.
m03sizlak said:
LTE Bands: 2 / 4 / 5 / 7 / 12 / 13 / 25 / 26 / 41
I've heard that the FCC filings show that the Sprint variant is not capable (tested or approved) for GSM or WCDMA, which is kind of disappointing since I travel a lot in Canada. Any confirmation on this?
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This list of bands is a little better than both the Sprint variants of the LG G5 and Samsung Galaxy S7. If this phone can be unlocked, you at least have a way to go abroad and use LTE connections in much of Europe and elsewhere. Band 7 is the most common band in the world from what I understand.
I'm curious about this comment about GSM and WCDMA. Hopefully someone can verify this one way or another.
asuh said:
I'm curious about this comment about GSM and WCDMA. Hopefully someone can verify this one way or another.
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Did you ever get an answer on this? I have a Sprint variant of the 10 and am trying to unlock it as I will be travel for the next 2 years. I've done everything I can think of but cannot get the phone's radio to work with any unlocked ROM. I could use some help here. Any advice or information you can provide?
vijn said:
Did you ever get an answer on this? I have a Sprint variant of the 10 and am trying to unlock it as I will be travel for the next 2 years. I've done everything I can think of but cannot get the phone's radio to work with any unlocked ROM. I could use some help here. Any advice or information you can provide?
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If you plan to travel outside the US during most of this time, your best options are to sell your HTC 10 and get one of the few unlocked flagship phones on Sprint's networks, assuming you want to stay with Sprint.
Here are your options:
Google Pixel
Samsung Galaxy S7 SM-930U
Samsung Galaxy S7 SM-935U
Nexus 6P or 5X
Motorola X Pure Edition
Apple iPhone
Here's a full list as of February 2017 of radio unlocked phones compatible with Sprint.
There are other unlocked phones that are not compatible with Sprint because CDMA and LTE bands are crippled or missing.
asuh said:
If you plan to travel outside the US during most of this time, your best options are to sell your HTC 10 and get one of the few unlocked flagship phones on Sprint's networks, assuming you want to stay with Sprint.
Here are your options:
Google Pixel
Samsung Galaxy S7 SM-930U
Samsung Galaxy S7 SM-935U
Nexus 6P or 5X
Motorola X Pure Edition
Apple iPhone
Here's a full list as of February 2017 of radio unlocked phones compatible with Sprint.
There are other unlocked phones that are not compatible with Sprint because CDMA and LTE bands are crippled or missing.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. The thing is I'm not on Sprint and have no desire to be. I won't be in the states long. I bought the phone thinking that like most, it could be unlocked and used as needed wherever I travel to. I knew it wasn't unlocked but figured I could do it myself. Well, I've tried a number of times, and keep having an issue with the radio. Can you explain what you mean by bands being crippled? What I'm trying to find out now is whether it's possible for me to get this HTC10 completely unlocked. I think I've done everything right but maybe not. I'm kinda desperate at this point. I love this phone. And if I have to I'll return it and grab another that can be unlocked but I just have a hard time believing that the phone can't be unlocked. It's a strange concept for me. Any help or info would be appreciated.
vijn said:
Thanks for the response. The thing is I'm not on Sprint and have no desire to be. I won't be in the states long. I bought the phone thinking that like most, it could be unlocked and used as needed wherever I travel to. I knew it wasn't unlocked but figured I could do it myself. Well, I've tried a number of times, and keep having an issue with the radio. Can you explain what you mean by bands being crippled? What I'm trying to find out now is whether it's possible for me to get this HTC10 completely unlocked. I think I've done everything right but maybe not. I'm kinda desperate at this point. I love this phone. And if I have to I'll return it and grab another that can be unlocked but I just have a hard time believing that the phone can't be unlocked. It's a strange concept for me. Any help or info would be appreciated.
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First, go go Google and look up what LTE bands are.
Crippled LTE bands = the hardware inside the phone will not allow certain LTE bands to work unless physically altered. It doesn't matter which ROM you install, you will not unlock all the LTE bands without physical alteration. https://www.quora.com/Does-installing-different-rom-change-LTE-band-frequency
So no, HTC 10 will never be completely unlocked. Look at the list above and buy one of those phones if you want a completely unlocked phone.
asuh said:
First, go go Google and look up what LTE bands are.
Crippled LTE bands = the hardware inside the phone will not allow certain LTE bands to work unless physically altered. It doesn't matter which ROM you install, you will not unlock all the LTE bands without physical alteration. https://www.quora.com/Does-installing-different-rom-change-LTE-band-frequency
So no, HTC 10 will never be completely unlocked. Look at the list above and buy one of those phones if you want a completely unlocked phone.
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I'm not sure I fully understand. Yes, I know that different chips have different bands that they work with. So, what you're saying is the Sprint HTC10 variant uses either a different chip or has some sort of other hardware configuration that is incompatible with GSM and the wider LTE bands and that no matter what I do with this phone I'll never have a truly unlocked phone? That's what I have understood, so my best option is to send it back. Ok, I get that. But I have read across tons of forums and threads of people who unlocked their Sprint 10s and are able to use them on other non-cdma carriers. So, how does that work? Are all the Sprint 10s the same or are some more limited than others? Are you essentially saying that i would have to get an unlocked/dev edition of the htc10 to be able to use GSM in other countries?
Sorry if i'm asking stupid questions here, I'm just trying to fully understand this. Thanks again for helping me out on this.
If anyone reading this knows better, please feel free to correct me.
This is my understanding of LTE bands and CDMA/GSM radios.
Phones like HTC 10, which are locked, include hardware that are built for specific usages. Prior to HTC 10, HTC phones built for Sprint's CDMA radio were specifically built to lock out GSM radio signals and most other LTE bands using the hardware. This means you'd have to open the physical device and modify the wiring inside the phone in order to allow other signals to work.
As of HTC 10, the locks are supposedly now just software based but I haven't seen proof of that. What this essentially means is that you should be able to unlock the bootloader and flash new Roms that could allow the GSM radio to work universally. However, lots of people are having issues with it. Here's one story of someone who was mostly successful but still had issues:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68960210&postcount=47
Read through the thread above and you'll see a lot of people having issues trying to fully unlock the radios and LTE bands for this phone.
If you ultimately don't want to be on Sprint anyway, I think you really should consider getting something already unlocked that can universally work anywhere. And lots of interesting non-Sprint compatible phones like OnePlus 3t (among the others on the lists I provided) are already unlocked and have a lot of good capabilities and would work great anywhere. The Pixel is one of the best devices out there and the camera is amazing from what most people say.
So I think your options are limited and I'd highly suggest you consider getting a Pixel or something else already unlocked.
asuh said:
If anyone reading this knows better, please feel free to correct me.
This is my understanding of LTE bands and CDMA/GSM radios.
Phones like HTC 10, which are locked, include hardware that are built for specific usages. Prior to HTC 10, HTC phones built for Sprint's CDMA radio were specifically built to lock out GSM radio signals and most other LTE bands using the hardware. This means you'd have to open the physical device and modify the wiring inside the phone in order to allow other signals to work.
As of HTC 10, the locks are supposedly now just software based but I haven't seen proof of that. What this essentially means is that you should be able to unlock the bootloader and flash new Roms that could allow the GSM radio to work universally. However, lots of people are having issues with it. Here's one story of someone who was mostly successful but still had issues:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68960210&postcount=47
Read through the thread above and you'll see a lot of people having issues trying to fully unlock the radios and LTE bands for this phone.
If you ultimately don't want to be on Sprint anyway, I think you really should consider getting something already unlocked that can universally work anywhere. And lots of interesting non-Sprint compatible phones like OnePlus 3t (among the others on the lists I provided) are already unlocked and have a lot of good capabilities and would work great anywhere. The Pixel is one of the best devices out there and the camera is amazing from what most people say.
So I think your options are limited and I'd highly suggest you consider getting a Pixel or something else already unlocked.
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They are software based. I have unlocked AT&T bands on my Sprint variant, 2 actually , and they worked perfectly fine. I would show you proof but I am back on T-Mobile which the Sprint HTC 10 already has LTE support for by default.
unlock
jblparisi said:
They are software based. I have unlocked AT&T bands on my Sprint variant, 2 actually , and they worked perfectly fine. I would show you proof but I am back on T-Mobile which the Sprint HTC 10 already has LTE support for by default.
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how did you unlock it manualy? can you show me some instruction?
jacobtvaliashvili said:
how did you unlock it manualy? can you show me some instruction?
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See my other reply.

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