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Hi. I'm new to these devices and have a question regarding the 2 phone options. I come from the iphone. I have a factory unlocked iphone that I use a tmobile sim in. I ordered the nexus one with the plan today. My question is are these phones like iphones where the one through tmobile is locked to tmobile. In my situation att sucks. I would never use them and do not plan on switching carriers. And these phones won't work on any other carriers until the spring. So, I like tmobile and went that route. My iphone takes any sim so I can hopefully swap the tmobile one out. If I am wrong please let me know. Anyway, are the tmobile ones locked to them so popping in a att sim won't work or is the phone not locked and they just want the contract?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock
If you bought the phone at $180 with the Tmobile plan then it is locked, meaning you can only use it with Tmobile. After a certain period of time though, you can call tmobile and ask to unlock your phone and they will walk you through it.
A locked phone means you can only use it on the carrier's service you bought the phone from. An unlocked phone is a phone you can use on any carrier.
Locked and unlocked phones have to do with GSM phones or phones that take SIM cards like Tmobile and ATT. Verizon and Sprint use CDMA phones, which do not have SIM cards.
When buying an unlocked phone, you need to make sure the phone will be compatible with your wireless service's 3G band or you will be stuck using their slower data offerings.
I found this out the hard way back when I bought an unlocked Nokia n95 with my Tmobile service. The Nokia n95 operates on ATT's 3G frequency and not Tmobiles...I had super slow internet on tmo's EDGE network. Fail.
If you do buy a phone from a carrier and it is locked, you can unlock it by calling the phone carrier and telling them you want to unlock your phone. Most carriers allow you to do that after you've had your phone for a certain period of time.
Thanks for the reply. Looks to be locked to tmobile which is fine for my situation. Sorry to be such a bother, but do you think it will work in my unlocked iphone then. I just want to be able to switch the sim between my N1 and iphone. Thanks again.
fdxgnd said:
Thanks for the reply. Looks to be locked to tmobile which is fine for my situation. Sorry to be such a bother, but do you think it will work in my unlocked iphone then. I just want to be able to switch the sim between my N1 and iphone. Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. You WILL be able to switch between GSM phones
That makes more sense to me. Also, my question is answered now. I don't mind tmobile as they are the premiere carrier here. Att doesn't even have 3g here and tmobile does. So, I made the right choice then. I wouldn't ever use an unlocked N1 on att for that reason. Now if it will work in my iphone life will be grand. Just to put this out there. I have no favorite software or phone. I usually get what works for what I need. I have far too many apps on my iphone to give it up. Probably upwards of $500 worth. I literally run my business on it. I am just sick of the fact that this phone was $1000 and I can't even do anything to it. I am making my way the android for that reason. Once the apps I do need come available bye bye iphone. Thanks for the great forum everyone and all willing to help out with answers. Much appreciated.
BTW. Ever try getting and iphone unlocked from apple or att. It would be easier to root the droid eris. Wife has one and I'm waiting. LOL
no if you get it for 180$ its STILL UNLOCKED!
see here:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Google+Mobile/thread?tid=6864cbe91ce938f6&hl=en
Never realized how controlling apple was until that comment melterX12. I'm getting a phone that is not locked on a plan I do want.
very true... hence the subsidized pricing and what not. the phone is unlocked which is why you have to pay more for it if you want to break your contract before the *so many days...
i'm pretty sure thats a good hint as to it coming unlocked through the t-mobile offer
All my past ppc's have been unlocked. It the best way, and it going to now (thanks to google) be the wave of the future in the States!
Just wondering what will be the easiest way to get a Note 4 that will work with straight talk. I'm sick of paying 100+ dollars a month with US cellular and was thinking of just buying a note 4 when it comes out for full price and setting it up with straight talk.
Do I just buy an unlocked GSM version of the Note 4 or do I need a ATT version? I know I need to change some settings ect to make it work. I obviously would want it to be LTE and have everything work (phone, MMS, etc).
Sorry if this is a newb question.
Thanks for the help!
Straight talk uses GSM and CDMA from various networks, so you have to check where you are located. I'm getting the att version or unlocked and putting a cricket sim in it. Can't beat the new 10gb unlimited talk text plan for 55 with auto pay no taxes or fees. I get good reception since they are att but the data is limited to 8mb downloads which is fine for me.
You need the T-mobile version. If history repeats itself, it will work with both the GSM Straight talk sims (Tmobile/ATT) as the S4, S5, and Note 3 has. The international version won't get all the bands you need and the ATT version removed some bands in the Note 3. ATT is shady like that plus it will be locked down tighter than a drum.
BTW, don't even bother with a CDMA sim. It runs off of sprint most likely and we all know how horrible that is.
So basically I need an unlocked GSM version. My wifes GS2 is GSM because I think straight talk uses ATT towers in this area (Wisconsin).
So would I be better off getting a Tmobile, ATT or just an unlocked GSM version (non international so I can use LTE) if I plan on at least rooting?
And I'm assuming Amazaon will have unlocked GSM versions of the note 4 for sale when it comes out? Also, do need to worry about bands/frequencies or will any US unlocked GSM note 4 work?
Thanks for the input and help guys!
thegipper said:
So basically I need an unlocked GSM version. My wifes GS2 is GSM because I think straight talk uses ATT towers in this area (Wisconsin).
So would I be better off getting a Tmobile, ATT or just an unlocked GSM version (non international so I can use LTE) if I plan on at least rooting?
And I'm assuming Amazaon will have unlocked GSM versions of the note 4 for sale when it comes out? Also, do need to worry about bands/frequencies or will any US unlocked GSM note 4 work?
Thanks for the input and help guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya, the international version is not an option here in the US. The carriers are moving to voice over lte and the international version won't have the correct LTE bands or at least they didn't on the previous samsung devices. The Tmobile version will work on ATT and Tmobile straight talk sims with full LTE compatibility if history repeats itself.
The international versions used to be great here in the US in the Note 1 era but with the introduction of LTE on frequencies not wildly used in Europe, you can't do that anymore. Samsung has never made a "US" unlocked version of the Note so it doesn't exist. Only the international versions.
So I should get a Tmobile note 4. How would I go about getting it unlocked so I can use it with straight talk?
Thanks
Also, how do I go about buying a Tmobile note 4 (when they come out) if I don't have a contract with them? Can I just go in there and buy one for full retail or how does that work?
tmobile doesn't have contracts, and they wont sell you a phone unlocked unless you have been a customer with them for a certain period of time
Does anyone know roughly how much the note 4 will cost? Thanks
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
thegipper said:
Also, how do I go about buying a Tmobile note 4 (when they come out) if I don't have a contract with them? Can I just go in there and buy one for full retail or how does that work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, just go in there and buy one and use cellunlocker.net. If they won't sell you one without knowing someone with tmobile or having an account yourself, keep in mind that there are no contracts, so as with the note 3, you can sign up and cancel it at any time and keep the phone.
Reference this thread if you have questions. A lot of it applies to the Note 4 as well.
---------- Post added at 01:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 PM ----------
xda23 said:
Does anyone know roughly how much the note 4 will cost? Thanks
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's reported to be $749.76 or $31.24 a month with 0 interest.
mircury said:
Yup, just go in there and buy one and use cellunlocker.net. If they won't sell you one without knowing someone with tmobile or having an account yourself, keep in mind that there are no contracts, so as with the note 3, you can sign up and cancel it at any time and keep the phone.
Reference this thread if you have questions. A lot of it applies to the Note 4 as well.
---------- Post added at 01:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 PM ----------
It's reported to be $749.76 or $31.24 a month with 0 interest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not 2 bad.I payed $712 for my Gs5.t-mobile more than will not carry the 64 Gb model right? Thanks.
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
mircury said:
Yup, just go in there and buy one and use cellunlocker.net. If they won't sell you one without knowing someone with tmobile or having an account yourself, keep in mind that there are no contracts, so as with the note 3, you can sign up and cancel it at any time and keep the phone.
Reference this thread if you have questions. A lot of it applies to the Note 4 as well.
---------- Post added at 01:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 PM ----------
It's reported to be $749.76 or $31.24 a month with 0 interest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not 2 bad.I payed $712 for my Gs5.t-mobile more than will not carry the 64 Gb model right? Thanks.
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app
Ordering ATT version this weekend
I am ordering ATT unactivated, unlocked Galaxy Note 4 this weekend. With the One Plus, One, I just exchanged the sim card from Nexus 5 into One Plus, One on StraightTalk.
Ok this is what I'm thinking, please let me know if this will or will not work.
I think I'm going to preorder the note 4 through best buy, a verizon version. If I trade in any working phone I will get a $200 gift card.
My questions are: If I don't have service with Verizon, can I still preorder a note 4 from Bestbuy? If so, will it be locked? If so, will they unlock it for me to use with a different carrier?
I have confirmed that my US cellular note 2 is compatabile with straight talk, because the phone hasn't been released yet, is it wrong to assume that a verizon note 4 should also work with straight talk?
Obviously I need to use a straight talk SIM card and adjust some settings so data and everything work.
Thoughts? Will it work?
You have nothing to fear or be weary of!
thegipper said:
Just wondering what will be the easiest way to get a Note 4 that will work with straight talk. I'm sick of paying 100+ dollars a month with US cellular and was thinking of just buying a note 4 when it comes out for full price and setting it up with straight talk.
Do I just buy an unlocked GSM version of the Note 4 or do I need a ATT version? I know I need to change some settings ect to make it work. I obviously would want it to be LTE and have everything work (phone, MMS, etc).
Sorry if this is a newb question.
Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, I'm going to make this very simple for you. I have been with straight talk since the days when having a flip phone were still cool. Besides the rare bad customer service (boo hoo) straight talk is amazing! Ever since I joined the Android phone race (I began with the LG thrill), I have used a straight talk sim. I have only ever used at&t because they're bigger and more reliable in most cases than T-Mobile. All you do is you buy an at&t phone, I did this with my Thrill, then my Galaxy s2 skyrocket and now my recently purchased Galaxy Note 4, which I'm using to type this! I paid it full price from Amazon, got 2 year insurance (accidental included) from Assurant Solutionsavailable at amAmazonccheckout for a total of $923. Then all you do is you go to a walmart and purchasean at&t compatible sstraighttalk sim or you can korder one from straighttalksim.com for like $7. The new straight talk at&t compatible Sims do support 4g LTE, I'm using it now, on speedtest it shows me about 222-25mbps download and 10+ mbps upload. In short, straight talk is great oI'm the unlimited everything plan, I spend $50.16 after taxes, which is automatically debited from your debit card if you choose to enroll in auto refill. Also, the play store has straight talk apps, the My Account app, and the Data Settings app. The data settings app will walk you through the settings you need to change to make it easy on you. Then, all you do is reboot your phone, and viola! You've got unlimited at&t 4g LTE! It's amazing, and you'll feel relieved at the price and saving over $1,200 over 2 years by paying full price and going the straight talk route. Way better than a 2 year contract, ill never do one of those! So yeah, straight talk is perfect for my at&t Galaxy note 4,worked right out of the box, no hassle, no need to unlock the phone, everything works as it should, even MMS! I hope I helped you, and I'm sorry for the long reply but if I was in your shoes, I'd want piece of mind too!
Frenchy91 said:
Okay, I'm going to make this very simple for you. I have been with straight talk since the days when having a flip phone were still cool. Besides the rare bad customer service (boo hoo) straight talk is amazing! Ever since I joined the Android phone race (I began with the LG thrill), I have used a straight talk sim. I have only ever used at&t because they're bigger and more reliable in most cases than T-Mobile. All you do is you buy an at&t phone, I did this with my Thrill, then my Galaxy s2 skyrocket and now my recently purchased Galaxy Note 4, which I'm using to type this! I paid it full price from Amazon, got 2 year insurance (accidental included) from Assurant Solutionsavailable at amAmazonccheckout for a total of $923. Then all you do is you go to a walmart and purchasean at&t compatible sstraighttalk sim or you can korder one from straighttalksim.com for like $7. The new straight talk at&t compatible Sims do support 4g LTE, I'm using it now, on speedtest it shows me about 222-25mbps download and 10+ mbps upload. In short, straight talk is great oI'm the unlimited everything plan, I spend $50.16 after taxes, which is automatically debited from your debit card if you choose to enroll in auto refill. Also, the play store has straight talk apps, the My Account app, and the Data Settings app. The data settings app will walk you through the settings you need to change to make it easy on you. Then, all you do is reboot your phone, and viola! You've got unlimited at&t 4g LTE! It's amazing, and you'll feel relieved at the price and saving over $1,200 over 2 years by paying full price and going the straight talk route. Way better than a 2 year contract, ill never do one of those! So yeah, straight talk is perfect for my at&t Galaxy note 4,worked right out of the box, no hassle, no need to unlock the phone, everything works as it should, even MMS! I hope I helped you, and I'm sorry for the long reply but if I was in your shoes, I'd want piece of mind too!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the straight talk unlimited everything plan how many Gigs of data due you actually get monthly? Thanks In advance!!!
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
xda23 said:
On the straight talk unlimited everything plan how many Gigs of data due you actually get monthly? Thanks In advance!!!
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You get 3gb unlimited @ lte speeds. If you go over 3gb over 30 days (which I have NEVER done, except for back when they only offered 2gb) the they slow you down to 2g speeds like edge if you use at&t. Don't fearthis llimitation. It offers more data than the bug carriers 2gb and like I said, with everyday use here and there, I barely reach 2gb used, much less 3gb!
Frenchy91 said:
Okay, I'm going to make this very simple for you. I have been with straight talk since the days when having a flip phone were still cool. Besides the rare bad customer service (boo hoo) straight talk is amazing! Ever since I joined the Android phone race (I began with the LG thrill), I have used a straight talk sim. I have only ever used at&t because they're bigger and more reliable in most cases than T-Mobile. All you do is you buy an at&t phone, I did this with my Thrill, then my Galaxy s2 skyrocket and now my recently purchased Galaxy Note 4, which I'm using to type this! I paid it full price from Amazon, got 2 year insurance (accidental included) from Assurant Solutionsavailable at amAmazonccheckout for a total of $923. Then all you do is you go to a walmart and purchasean at&t compatible sstraighttalk sim or you can korder one from straighttalksim.com for like $7. The new straight talk at&t compatible Sims do support 4g LTE, I'm using it now, on speedtest it shows me about 222-25mbps download and 10+ mbps upload. In short, straight talk is great oI'm the unlimited everything plan, I spend $50.16 after taxes, which is automatically debited from your debit card if you choose to enroll in auto refill. Also, the play store has straight talk apps, the My Account app, and the Data Settings app. The data settings app will walk you through the settings you need to change to make it easy on you. Then, all you do is reboot your phone, and viola! You've got unlimited at&t 4g LTE! It's amazing, and you'll feel relieved at the price and saving over $1,200 over 2 years by paying full price and going the straight talk route. Way better than a 2 year contract, ill never do one of those! So yeah, straight talk is perfect for my at&t Galaxy note 4,worked right out of the box, no hassle, no need to unlock the phone, everything works as it should, even MMS! I hope I helped you, and I'm sorry for the long reply but if I was in your shoes, I'd want piece of mind too!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you link the exact page from Amazon where you purchased your Galaxy Note 4? I want to make absolute certain that I get the right phone to use with straight talk. I assume it needs to be AT&T factory unlocked? Does it need to be the international model? If you could link the actual phone you got working on straight talk then it would make me feel more comfortable with making sure I get exactly what I am looking for.
Thanks!
/gp/aw/d/B00N532FRU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1417808017&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40
Type amazon.com and then add the rest of the link that Ippasted. This forum doesn't allow me to post links yet.
It is $825.99 and you get free shipping and no tax, and the option to add insurance.
Frenchy91 said:
/gp/aw/d/B00N532FRU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1417808017&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40
Type amazon.com and then add the rest of the link that Ippasted. This forum doesn't allow me to post links yet.
It is $825.99 and you get free shipping and no tax, and the option to add insurance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much, I figured it needed to be factory unlocked to work with Straight talk.
Hey guys,
I just purchased a nexus 6 from t-mobile and popped in a sim from att, sprint, and Verizon. I can confirm all 3 worked flawlessly with no problems.
At the device start up, i did skip the part where it tried to activate on the network the sim was from.
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask.
noXn said:
...
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you seeing the issue of voice + data not working at the same time? When I'm on a call on Verizon, Wi-Fi works, but mobile data shuts off... is this just Verizon, or is this a "feature"?
sephtin said:
Are you seeing the issue of voice + data not working at the same time? When I'm on a call on Verizon, Wi-Fi works, but mobile data shuts off... is this just Verizon, or is this a "feature"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not activated on Verizon...
But what I do want to know is if Verizon will whitelist the imei numbers . because I am soooo ready to pull the trigger to buy at a tmobile store. Did you have to activate the tmobile first? That's what the rep is telling me here
sephtin said:
Are you seeing the issue of voice + data not working at the same time? When I'm on a call on Verizon, Wi-Fi works, but mobile data shuts off... is this just Verizon, or is this a "feature"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless something has changed with CDMA technology, the Verizon phones shouldn't be able to use data while on an active call. I know they are working to get that working with some new LTE standard but I haven't heard anything about it being here yet.
dadsterflip said:
That is not activated on Verizon...
But what I do want to know is if Verizon will whitelist the imei numbers . because I am soooo ready to pull the trigger to buy at a tmobile store. Did you have to activate the tmobile first? That's what the rep is telling me here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm considering switching to TMo anyway, so I picked up 30 days of pre-paid with the phone for 45$. I plan to try both carriers on my commute, see how signal is on both carriers on the train ride, downtown at work, etc. before making up my mind, and this device makes it as easy as swapping the SIM out!
The issue I had, was I didn't have a nano-SIM. Verizon rep at the store told me there was nothing they could do... I told them if he got me a nano-SIM, that customer support could active it... He gave me a SIM and let me use their phone to call Support to activate it. The support person did a "SIM swap" for my existing device, even though my Note3 obviously doesn't use a nano-SIM.. but that's all it took to activate the nano-SIM, and it works perfectly.
I may be misunderstanding your question... I believe the confusion is that you don't actually activate the phone... you activate the SIM IN the device. You should be able to take the phone out of the box, and drop in an already activated SIM and all will work fine...
seh6183 said:
Unless something has changed with CDMA technology, the Verizon phones shouldn't be able to use data while on an active call. I know they are working to get that working with some new LTE standard but I haven't heard anything about it being here yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for confirming, that's exactly what I needed to know! I'm sure I can live without needing mobile data while on a call...
sephtin said:
I'm considering switching to TMo anyway, so I picked up 30 days of pre-paid with the phone for 45$. I plan to try both carriers on my commute, see how signal is on both carriers on the train ride, downtown at work, etc. before making up my mind, and this device makes it as easy as swapping the SIM out!
The issue I had, was I didn't have a nano-SIM. Verizon rep at the store told me there was nothing they could do... I told them if he got me a nano-SIM, that customer support could active it... He gave me a SIM and let me use their phone to call Support to activate it. The support person did a "SIM swap" for my existing device, even though my Note3 obviously doesn't use a nano-SIM.. but that's all it took to activate the nano-SIM, and it works perfectly.
I may be misunderstanding your question... I believe the confusion is that you don't actually activate the phone... you activate the SIM IN the device. You should be able to take the phone out of the box, and drop in an already activated SIM and all will work fine...
Thank you for confirming, that's exactly what I needed to know! I'm sure I can live without needing mobile data while on a call...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it works. My question is. Would Verizon block the imei or device I.d.s later down the road to where it doesn't work and only the imei that's been sold on Google play works.
dadsterflip said:
I know it works. My question is. Would Verizon block the imei or device I.d.s later down the road to where it doesn't work and only the imei that's been sold on Google play works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck getting your answer. If the device suddenly stops working on Big Red, I'll post here (as soon as I've completed my switch to another carrier).
sephtin said:
Good luck getting your answer. If the device suddenly stops working on Big Red, I'll post here (as soon as I've completed my switch to another carrier).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. Yea that's what I was worried about. I didn't want to buy it then down the road oh yea this I.d. doesn't work anymore.
I did not register my device on T-Mobile at all. Just popped the other sims in.
What I'm told is that carriers only care about imei when activating for the first time. If you just put your own sim in there they just can't see the device type which really doesn't matter unless you're looking to call them for support.
T mobile store gave me **** about buying the phone out right. I had to get a friend to add me as an authorized user on his account to buy the phone OUTRIGHT. So stupid...
Also, at T-Mobile the phone out right was 649 where everyone else is like 50 or 40 bucks more which was also sweet.
I also did not get bloat Ware on the phone from the carriers.
The devices CDMA identifier (MEID??) needs to be in the carriers whitelist so if the OP didn't place a voice call over either the Sprint or Verizon networks itnis not "safe" to to say it works on all carriers.
This is supposed to be one model for all of the US with 4 SKUs for the variations, and it should work but there is still the question of whether the CDMA carrier. Allows the phone on their network.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk
I can confirm I've activated my nexus bought directly from moto on both sprint and T-Mobile. Both voice and data worked with each carrier. Sprint takes a little more when than just putting the Sim in. They need to activate the MEID in their system. You can't just put an active Sim from another phone in and have it work.
Interesting..
Other users have reported the exact opposite.
msal said:
Interesting..
Other users have reported the exact opposite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you referring to activating one on sprint, I was one of those users. Since Monday haven't been able to activate it until this morning.
seezar said:
If you referring to activating one on sprint, I was one of those users. Since Monday haven't been able to activate it until this morning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, talking about Sprint. IIRC, there were multiple threads on here saying you can only activate on CDMA carriers if you buy from them or Google Play.
msal said:
Yep, talking about Sprint. IIRC, there were multiple threads on here saying you can only activate on CDMA carriers if you buy from them or Google Play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about activating on Verizon?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Buying from T-Mo living in a non-T-Mo area
Yes. I must be one of the only people on here in the U.S. not living in a T-Mo area.
I just ordered from T-Mo (64GB MB). After much conversation and clarification, I've learned that one can buy a Nexus 6 from them outright, which requires also buying a $10 SIM activation kit. Since I do not live in a T-Mo area, I will have to call and cancel my 'yet-to-be-activated' plan, which also required a $50 deposit. By utilizing T-Mo's "buyer's remorse", I will be able to keep the phone, since I bought it outright, but will be refunded my $50 deposit for the service, without ever having to activate it on T-Mo's network. From there, I will pop in my AT&T SIM card, and be on my way! The only thing I'll be out is the $10 SIM activation kit.
Also, the rep's did acknowledge that the Nexus 6 is one of the few phones they have that are already unlocked.
Please do critique this if you foresee any problems I'll have popping in my AT&T SIM and using my existing service with them.
EDIT: Yargh. T-Mo had zero 64GB phones, and have since called me back to tell me they are on back order. But hey... at least I have an order in now. Beats what I've accomplished so far on the Play store all to hell.
gregg0829 said:
What about activating on Verizon?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I'm aware, Verizon comes under the same category. You should only be able to activate on Verizon if you buy the phone from Google Play or from Verizon.
msal said:
As far as I'm aware, Verizon comes under the same category. You should only be able to activate on Verizon if you buy the phone from Google Play or from Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is what I have read. I am hoping by the 12/2 when I get my phone from Motorola I will have more options regarding Verizon.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
gregg0829 said:
What about activating on Verizon?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought my device from T-Mobile, removed the T-Mobile sim it came with, put my Verizon sim card in, and it worked no problem. This happened with my phone on ATT as well. The guy next to me did the SAME EXACT THING on Sprint.
I am not BSing you guys in the least. I have no problem helping out in anyway I can. I'll even give you the number and the guy at the T Mobile store who watched us do it lol.
seh6183 said:
Unless something has changed with CDMA technology, the Verizon phones shouldn't be able to use data while on an active call. I know they are working to get that working with some new LTE standard but I haven't heard anything about it being here yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is incorrect, it has been working for 3 years now. Data while on a phone call has been working since LTE came out. It worked on my Note 2, Note 3, and currently works on my Galaxy S5. Also works on my families HTC M7 and M8.
However, it no longer works on the Droid Turbo, and now I believe the N6.
But the original assumption was incorrect, data + voice has been working for years. They did something now that it is not working on new devices coming out.
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
As with a lot of other people on this site, I'm wondering which carrier will be best to pre-order from? I use Verizon but HATE the fact that most of the times it's one of the last carriers to be able to root the phone. I would also hate for this to turn into another Verizon Samsung Note 4 issue. Too bad the rumors where Samsung was going to start making phones that were both CDMA & GSM/UTMS were not true (as far as I am aware of).
This way since I'm now paying outright for my phones (roughly $800 bucks for 7 Edge), I could use it if I moved between carriers. After reading some other posts, now I'm wondering If I'm paying full price (paid in full), Will it be unlocked? I can't be the only one that feels RIPPED OFF when I pay $800 for a device and can't have root = have my own admin access. Can you imagine buying a laptop and not being able to install/change your own OS? not having admin rights/root?
I feel it's a MAJOR excuse for a carrier to even say - if we give you root & you change the ROM, then it makes it more difficult to help you. Guess what?!? I have not ever asked for help and nor would I... Besides, why couldn't they ask for the ROM version your using... if it matches theirs, they assist... if it doesn't, they tell you before they can assist you, you must put their ROM back on? Yes - there will always be that one person... but hey - if they were able to gain root and swap the ROM, they should be able to swap it back or pay to have it swapped back. OR at least pay for insurance and "accidentally drop it" and have it replaced.
It really bites that I (along with so many other people) want to pre-order the phone for several reasons (the free VR and games along with getting the phone first) but don't want to be SCREWED by one specific carrier and not be able to unlock the phone, root and replace the ROM.
So after all that - which carrier (historically) is the best to purchase from?
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
Additional INFO - I'm also about to call Verizon to confirm - But I read 2-3 months ago that Verizon will now allow another carrier's phone on their network (if it is CDMA). If that's true, then why not purchase the phone thru Sprint or US Cellular if historically those phones have been rooted easier than Verizon? I've been on Verizon for so long, that I'm really not sure...
Comments? suggestions?
What I'm going to do is pre-order from eBay.
The phones have a hell of a mark-up (+$200/$300), but there are unlocked Qualcomms that are usually rooted much more quickly with better support for AOSP.
I hate paying that much, but I'm going to have this phone for years, and the hassle from carrier-branded phones just isn't worth it.
Edit: You should still be able to add insurance and such through your carrier too, depending on their policies.
Didn't have an issue insuring previous phones with AT&T even though they were bought off-plan through other retailers.
It is slightly cheaper when buying it from Best Buy, $779 vs $792. I saw the T-mobile version supports band 13 LTE, but I didn't see anything about CDMA support.
I also did follow up with Verizon about placing a phone on their network that was not purchased from Verizon. They said it is currently limited to 2 phones - I don't have the names because I didn't care much......they couldn't tell me the S7 would be added to the list. So does that mean people on Verizon are STUCK purchasing from Verizon?
For my s6 edge I much preferred the unlocked UK version over the US AT&T version. (Which is why I asked in another thread when we can expect to see unlocked international versions).
AT&T not only added crazy bloat but removed really cool features from the phone. Just took em right out. They also removed Samsung deals/bundles from the phone (there was a MS suite and a free TB of storage or something removed). And in exchange for screwing with the phone they had crazy delays on updates (because they had to re-remove and re-screw the phone).
Coming from iPhone I just can't deal with carrier customizations. Unlocked for life. (crazy that Apple is unlocked now and Android isn't -- bizarro world).
JustWannaRom said:
I also did follow up with Verizon about placing a phone on their network that was not purchased from Verizon. They said it is currently limited to 2 phones - I don't have the names because I didn't care much......they couldn't tell me the S7 would be added to the list. So does that mean people on Verizon are STUCK purchasing from Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus devices are the exception (6, 5X and 6P). The problem with VZW and Sprint is that they use proprietary CDMA technology for voice communication. You can bring just about any device to their networks and have data but you won't be able to make voice calls in most cases.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
JustWannaRom said:
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
As with a lot of other people on this site, I'm wondering which carrier will be best to pre-order from? I use Verizon but HATE the fact that most of the times it's one of the last carriers to be able to root the phone. I would also hate for this to turn into another Verizon Samsung Note 4 issue. Too bad the rumors where Samsung was going to start making phones that were both CDMA & GSM/UTMS were not true (as far as I am aware of).
This way since I'm now paying outright for my phones (roughly $800 bucks for 7 Edge), I could use it if I moved between carriers. After reading some other posts, now I'm wondering If I'm paying full price (paid in full), Will it be unlocked? I can't be the only one that feels RIPPED OFF when I pay $800 for a device and can't have root = have my own admin access. Can you imagine buying a laptop and not being able to install/change your own OS? not having admin rights/root?
I feel it's a MAJOR excuse for a carrier to even say - if we give you root & you change the ROM, then it makes it more difficult to help you. Guess what?!? I have not ever asked for help and nor would I... Besides, why couldn't they ask for the ROM version your using... if it matches theirs, they assist... if it doesn't, they tell you before they can assist you, you must put their ROM back on? Yes - there will always be that one person... but hey - if they were able to gain root and swap the ROM, they should be able to swap it back or pay to have it swapped back. OR at least pay for insurance and "accidentally drop it" and have it replaced.
It really bites that I (along with so many other people) want to pre-order the phone for several reasons (the free VR and games along with getting the phone first) but don't want to be SCREWED by one specific carrier and not be able to unlock the phone, root and replace the ROM.
So after all that - which carrier (historically) is the best to purchase from?
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
Additional INFO - I'm also about to call Verizon to confirm - But I read 2-3 months ago that Verizon will now allow another carrier's phone on their network (if it is CDMA). If that's true, then why not purchase the phone thru Sprint or US Cellular if historically those phones have been rooted easier than Verizon? I've been on Verizon for so long, that I'm really not sure...
Comments? suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmobile period, not going to lock the boot loader you'll be able to root (provided the community finds a way, but it's a snap dragon and unlocked bootloader so they will most likely before it even releases. ) second if you don't want tmo service you can still root it and use am at&t sim so there's that.
Hi guys.. So I bought a Samsung Galaxy S8 from Best Buy Mobile last month. I had to use sprint because at&t (my fav. carrier) would not finance me on the phone. I was told if I paid off the phone I could switch carriers. So that's what I did. Sprint even unlocked it. Now people are telling me I can't use this certain phone on at&t, or even verizon because it is a cdma phone. No one told me this when buying the phone.
Is it true that I am stuck with sprint?! I have horrible coverage in my area and I can't even use the internet and such unless I'm on a wireless connection. What can I do? Please help!
Did you try putting in a non sprint sim?
If it is SIM unlocked, just flash the unlocked (G950U1) firmware on it.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817
KARVEGA79 said:
Hi guys.. So I bought a Samsung Galaxy S8 from Best Buy Mobile last month. I had to use sprint because at&t (my fav. carrier) would not finance me on the phone. I was told if I paid off the phone I could switch carriers. So that's what I did. Sprint even unlocked it. Now people are telling me I can't use this certain phone on at&t, or even verizon because it is a cdma phone. No one told me this when buying the phone.
Is it true that I am stuck with sprint?! I have horrible coverage in my area and I can't even use the internet and such unless I'm on a wireless connection. What can I do? Please help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the Sprint unlocked your phone, then it won't hurt inserting another sim in it. Theoretically speaking it should work and if it won't, then flashing is another way of making it work.
KARVEGA79 said:
Now people are telling me I can't use this certain phone on at&t, or even verizon because it is a cdma phone. No one told me this when buying the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who are these ignorant people telling you this and why are you listening to them?
1) Verizon also uses CDMA, so having CDMA is the reason it WOULD work with Verizon.
2) All the carriers in the U.S. get the same phone. All the bands needed for a specific carrier are activated when the SIM card is installed. The only reason it wouldn't work is if Sprint had not unlocked the phone after you paid it off. It would be locked to Sprint to prevent you from not honoring the purchase agreement. And even then it would be blacklisted on Sprint network, if you didn't honor the purchase agreement.
3) if inserting the SIM card for another carrier doesn't automatically change the firmware, then do what this guy said:
lancemoreland said:
If it is SIM unlocked, just flash the unlocked (G950U1) firmware on it.
Guide for Flashing Standard Firmware, Carrier Switching, and Flashing Unlocked Firmware
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint, at&t and even verizon said my phone wasn't compatible even after I told them sprint unlocked it. I had no idea about all this cdma, gsm crap when buying the phone. I have never had a decent phone like an S8. All my phones have been cheap prepaid phones since now due to the fact no one would ever finance me for one. I was SOO freakin surprised and happy when someone actually agreed to finance me, I figured I could pay off the phone and then switch. After paying off the phone is when these companies said it was incompatible. Weird thing is I went to IMEI.info and it says it IS compatible and IS unlocked for sure. I then went to at&t online and after typing in my imei number it also said it was compatible. I'm so confused. I am going to take it up to at&t tomorrow and see what happens when I buy and insert a sim card. If it turns out to be sim locked is there a way to bypass this? I truly have paid the phone off and after doing so I asked sprint (on the phone) to sim unlock it, they said they did.
Please do not listen to the idiots at the mobile companies. There is ZERO difference in the S8, ZERO!!!!! If It's not sim locked it will work on ALL carriers, both cdma and gsm.
If It's still sim locked, some people have had success paying a third party to provide a code. But I would try sprint first since They said it should be unlocked.
My guess is that it will work fine with another sim card.
I would either flash the att firmware or the unlocked firmware on it.
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Should I flash the att firmware before inserting the sim or only if the sim does not work? Also is there a way and should I back up my sprint firmware or should I be ok? Thanks.
KARVEGA79 said:
Should I flash the att firmware before inserting the sim or only if the sim does not work? Also is there a way and should I back up my sprint firmware or should I be ok? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would flash the unlocked firmware on the phone. Will get rid of bloatware. No reason to backup sprint firmware, Its everywhere.
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
ChazzMatt said:
Who are these ignorant people telling you this and why are you listening to them?
1) Verizon also uses CDMA, so having CDMA is the reason it WOULD work with Verizon.
2) All the carriers in the U.S. get the same phone. All the bands needed for a specific carrier are activated when the SIM card is installed. The only reason it wouldn't work is if Sprint had not unlocked the phone after you paid it off. It would be locked to Sprint to prevent you from not honoring the purchase agreement. And even then it would be blacklisted on Sprint network, if you didn't honor the purchase agreement.
3) if inserting the SIM card for another carrier doesn't automatically change the firmware, then do what this guy said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says this guide is only for snapdragon S8's I have an exynos S8. Is there another guide for that one? Nevermind, IMEI.info said I has an exynos, I guess it was wrong info. CPU-Z says it's a snapdragon 835. I'm assuming the CPU-Z info is the correct info?
KARVEGA79 said:
It says this guide is only for snapdragon S8's I have an exynos S8. Is there another guide for that one? Nevermind, IMEI.info said I has an exynos, I guess it was wrong info. CPU-Z says it's a snapdragon 835. I'm assuming the CPU-Z info is the correct info?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You said you purchased that phone from Sprint directly. It's a snapdragon. Exynos is in the international version, which Sprint does not sell.
rkennison said:
You said you purchased that phone from Sprint directly. It's a snapdragon. Exynos is in the international version, which Sprint does not sell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I purchased it from Best Buy Mobile, had to sign with sprint because no other carrier would finance me.
KARVEGA79 said:
It says this guide is only for snapdragon S8's I have an exynos S8. Is there another guide for that one? Nevermind, IMEI.info said I has an exynos, I guess it was wrong info. CPU-Z says it's a snapdragon 835. I'm assuming the CPU-Z info is the correct info?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you bought it from Sprint (or even just used it on Sprint), then you have a Snapdragon 835 S8. Only the Snapdragon variants have CDMA bands for Sprint and Verizon. Only the Snapdragon S8/S8+ variants are sold by carriers in North America -- so they can be cross compatible with Sprint/Verizon/AT&T/T-mobile/Canadian carriers. That's why whoever told you this nonsense is so ignorant.
If you had IMPORTED an Exynos variant from like England, then you would be limited to AT&T or T-mobile. But you have the "universal" Snapdragon model. Now the Exynos variant has an easily unlocked bootloader, which is a reason people import them, but that's another topic altogether.
As long as your Snapdragon 835 S8 is SIM unlocked (you have paid for it in full, and Sprint says they have unlocked it), you can take it to any other carrier or even an MVNO (like Straight Talk) and use it.
---------- Post added at 08:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 AM ----------
KARVEGA79 said:
I purchased it from Best Buy Mobile, had to sign with sprint because no other carrier would finance me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you used it on Sprint, you have Snapdragon 835. Only the Snapdragon S8/S8+ variants have CDMA bands for Sprint and Verizon, in addition to LTE bands.
---------- Post added at 08:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 AM ----------
KARVEGA79 said:
Should I flash the att firmware before inserting the sim or only if the sim does not work? Also is there a way and should I back up my sprint firmware or should I be ok? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thor2j said:
Please do not listen to the idiots at the mobile companies. There is ZERO difference in the S8, ZERO!!!!! If It's not sim locked it will work on ALL carriers, both cdma and gsm.
If It's still sim locked, some people have had success paying a third party to provide a code. But I would try sprint first since They said it should be unlocked.
My guess is that it will work fine with another sim card.
I would either flash the att firmware or the unlocked firmware on it.
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you phone is paid off, when you go to AT&T, try AT&T Prepaid (formerly called GoPhone). It's really for people who already own their phones.
Same high speed data off the same low-lag data servers used by "contract"/postpaid AT&T customers (with one exception, which I'll warn you about),
same in-store AT&T customer service as contract/postpaid AT&T customers,
same AT&T SIM card as contract/pospaid service. (The store may have SIM cards labelled "AT&T Prepaid", but underneath it's the same AT&T SIM card. If they try to charge you for one, tell them you want the FREE AT&T SIM card. It's the exact same thing.)
Make sure you go to an AT&T corporate store, not a "franchise" store. At the AT&T corporate store they will even give you free AT&T SIM card to use for AT&T Prepaid. (Franchise stores will try to sell you SIM cards.)
The advantage is AT&T Prepaid is much less expensive service than "postpaid" AT&T (contract service). Since you already own your phone in full, all you need to pay for is monthly service. You don't need to pay extra each month so you can get a "free" upgrade to a new phone in 2 or 3 years. (Not free, you are really paying for it with extra fees each month.)
You would want the $45/6GB plan on AT&T Prepaid. Do not fall for the $60 "unlimited" plan. The $45/6GB plan gives you plenty of UNCAPPED high speed data/unlimited calls/unlimited texts. Whereas the $60 plan caps your data speeds at 3mbps to compensate for it being "unlimited". AT&T Prepaid uses same data servers as their AT&T postpaid customers and I get ping speeds often less than 30ms, most often 26-29ms, which is fantastic low lag speed. (Lower pings are better, lower ping speed = less lag). If you go to even a service like Cricket (owned by AT&T, but you won't see any AT&T logos anywhere), they use proxy server farms and you often get triple digit ping speeds (high lag). This is also why Cricket has to use a DIFFERENT SIM card from regular AT&T. Higher ping speeds make it seems like your download speeds are much slower than they are.. due to LAG. Plus Cricket caps ALL download speeds at 8mbps. Until AT&T Prepaid (formerly called GoPhone) introduced their $60 "unlimited" plan, ALL their plans were uncapped high speed data. They didn't cap download speed at all. But now they have started capping speeds with the $60 "unlimited" plan. So STAY AWAY FROM THAT.
With the $45/6GB plan, if you autopay each month, you can save $5 and only pay $40 per month. So, $40 per month for 6GB data, with UNCAPPED low lag data straight from AT&T. Don't let them charge you for a SIM card! AT&T Prepaid uses the exact same SIM card as "regular' AT&T.
If you decide you don't like it, for whatever reason, you can switch to "regular" postpaid AT&T. But since I always pay for our phones in full, I like to save on monthly service. Although there are tons of MNVOs with prepaid service, they all use proxy servers with high lag (high ping speeds). Even AT&T's own Cricket is configured as an MVNO, to compete with MNVOs like Straight Talk. But AT&T Prepaid is not. It's "pure" AT&T, but at budget prices -- which AT&T uses to compete with actual carriers like T-mobile and Sprint.
You can "bring your own phone" , which in this case is your fully paid for Galaxy S8.
How do I know which ones are the corporate stores and which are the franchise stores? I'm looking at the St. Louis map now. Some say at&t authorized retailer and then some just say at&t.
I have a sprint model and I unlocked it.
It works with T-Mobile and gets LTE
It works with att and gets LTE
It works with Verizon my current carrier now and also gets LTE
Highly recommend flashing the unlocked software if you go this route the sprint software with non sprint SIM cards is very annoying.
Sheon849 said:
I have a sprint model and I unlocked it.
It works with T-Mobile and gets LTE
It works with att and gets LTE
It works with Verizon my current carrier now and also gets LTE
Highly recommend flashing the unlocked software if you go this route the sprint software with non sprint SIM cards is very annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked! Thank GOD! In my room now I get -90/-100 with att and had -100/-125 with sprint. It is using HSPA and I can't find LTE on here to switch over. It stays on 3g, it never goes to 4g or LTE, how can I fix that?
So please tell me what I need to do to delete the sprint crap on here and put att on it. Thanks guys.
Not being rude, but you've been told many times on here What to do , reread the posts.
Follow the directions, we can't spoon feed every little thing.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3625817
Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Ok, so I want to do the prerequisites - check.
Then just do the carrier switching part and I'm done right?
Do I do all this with the sim card installed or not installed?
Sorry, this is my first time doing this.
Ok, I did what the guide said. During the flashing standard firmware part after clicking start is said FAIL! SHA256 is invalid. I ended up going back into ADB, rebooting and trying a different att firmware download and now the phone works. Weird thing is, I don't see alot of the apps that I had on an old phone with go phone and 4g LTE is not working, it's not even an option. What should I do if I want to wipe clean the phone to stock samsung android, not stock sprint as I bought it. Then I could insert the new go phone sim and it will install those apps and turn on 4g LTE? I'm learning guys, slowly but surely. I love this kinda stuff, so please bear with me here.
KARVEGA79 said:
How do I know which ones are the corporate stores and which are the franchise stores? I'm looking at the St. Louis map now. Some say at&t authorized retailer and then some just say at&t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.att.com/maps/store-locator.html
Authorized retailers are code for "franchise stores". They are not owned by AT&T nor run by AT&T. They do not have actual AT&T employees and they will nickel and dime you for every little item, like SIM cards. Whereas "corporate" AT&T stores will give you free AT&T SIM cards.
When AT&T Prepaid was called GoPhone, event the AT&T stores sold a GoPhone SIM card "kit" that had various sizes SIM cards with plastic shims for $15 -- which was totally unnecessary. I just told them, "NO, I want a FREE AT&T SIM card which fits my phone." And at the corporate stores they have to give it to you. AT&T and AT&T Prepaid (formerly branded as GoPhone) uses the EXACT same SIM cards. It's just they had some "labelled" as GoPhone but underneath it was the exact same thing.
3or 4 years ago, I had a friend buy a brand new Samsung Galaxy phone "on contract" INSIDE an AT&T corporate store, then immediately paid it off with his credit card, and switched to GoPhone -- all in the same visit -- and they did NOT even touch his AT&T SIM card inside his phone. It's just an internal AT&T accounting change. Now GoPhone has been re-branded as AT&T Prepaid to make it less confusing.