Is it likely the V20 will get decent Dev support/activity/ROMs? - LG V20 Questions & Answers

So I've been looking through the V10 Android Development threads and wondering what it's been like on XDA with the V10 in terms of Dev support/ROMs/ etc. I've asked over there for feedback. Doesn't look like there's been much interest in the V10 phone from Devs? Is there a reason why? Locked bootloader? No "sources" released? Is there a CM ROM available anywhere?
Reason I ask is because I'm seriously considering getting a V20 which looks like a great phone and I've always had Nexus phones in the past. Currently rocking a Nexus 5 which I still love. The V20 looks to me almost like a larger more modern and advanced Nexus 5 (both made by LG). The G5 I saw in a phone shop and it really didn't appeal to me (build quality seemed poor). What's the likelihood the V20 will get decent Dev support? Is there anything that will make it more likely?

What specifically was wrong with the G5 build? My wife has the phone and we both think its pretty nice. At least as good as the Galaxy it replaced and probably a bit nicer.
I'm also interested in your original question. How much support will this phone get and will the boat loader enforce secure boot?
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

v10 was abandoned in short order after the bootlooping SNAFU.
This phone is starting life too expensive, unique snowflake hardware SKUs for every US carrier, And more than likely a locked bootloader (hopefully it can be unlocked). All those combined are a development death sentence. Assume no development, and be happy if there is any. Combined they make people who can develop firmware not even want to bother.
Remember the v20 has been on sale in Korea for a month now. How many buyers/users even post on XDA about it? Basically none AFAIK. There should already be a development charge, and maybe a root worked out or at least actively being tested. And there isn't any, not that has been made public.

lol dude we get it. every post of yours is the phone is too expensive and there's carrier versions of it... like every. other. phone. if you're so upset by price and carrier versions, why are you looming around these forums? go buy a 300 dollar phone and stop trying to sell everyone else on your opinion.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7 using Tapatalk

Skripka said:
v10 was abandoned in short order after the bootlooping SNAFU.
This phone is starting life too expensive, unique snowflake hardware SKUs for every US carrier, And more than likely a locked bootloader (hopefully it can be unlocked). All those combined are a development death sentence. Assume no development, and be happy if there is any. Combined they make people who can develop firmware not even want to bother.
Remember the v20 has been on sale in Korea for a month now. How many buyers/users even post on XDA about it? Basically none AFAIK. There should already be a development charge, and maybe a root worked out or at least actively being tested. And there isn't any, not that has been made public.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering there is an unlocked US model that seems will work for all carriers, I would think that would be the one that gets development and is quite conducive to it.
No development is getting slowed down because a phone is $800. That's the new norm if you want this high quality of a phone. Pixel will get tons of development, Note 7 was actually going really well despite the $864 price, and many others will too. The fact that it's LG and people overlook the brand continually will be the primary reason for lack of development, if that's the case.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA-Developers mobile app

PsiPhiDan said:
Considering there is an unlocked US model that seems will work for all carriers, I would think that would be the one that gets development and is quite conducive to it.
No development is getting slowed down because a phone is $800. That's the new norm if you want this high quality of a phone. Pixel will get tons of development, Note 7 was actually going really well despite the $864 price, and many others will too. The fact that it's LG and people overlook the brand continually will be the primary reason for lack of development, if that's the case.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Click to collapse
Say what?
The unlocked version WILL NOT WORK on Sprint at all (the model # and IMEI range will be completely wrong to pass their whitelist)...and unless you have an already active SIM, your new VZW SIM will not activate as the model number is wrong and your account will show "unauthorised device". This of course sets aside the problems of radio bands that are missing or wrong for your specific carrier. So at best you'll have poor service if any depending on where you are and the tower deployments in the areas you travel. Also we don't know how updates will be handled on the unlocked device--take for example recent Nexus devices that got carrier fed updates rather than direct from Google (although that at least was an option if you ADB'd factory images) Every carrier is a unique SKU with unique firmware. You may never get updates even from LG (it is a serious possibility and risk).
I hope you have lots of cash hoarded when your $800 gamble, that it will work on all carriers, screws you over
The ZTE Axon 7 could be a much better device with much more development potential that is 50% the frickin price. "$800 the new normal" indeed. Buy an iPhone 7 for less cash, not an iPhone wannabe with less long-range OS support and let's be honest worse standby battery life. Because yea let's be honest, in 12-18 months LG will quit updating the device while in 3 years the iPhone7 will probably still be getting OS updates.
jayochs said:
lol dude we get it. every post of yours is the phone is too expensive and there's carrier versions of it... like every. other. phone. if you're so upset by price and carrier versions, why are you looming around these forums? go buy a 300 dollar phone and stop trying to sell everyone else on your opinion.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because folks ask questions...and get tremendously wrong answers. Like "the unlocked version that will work on all carriers". Echo chambers benefit no one. Until you see and know what having a unified hardware platform (like Nexus) does to accelerate development you don't get how screwed over you are by unique snowflake SKUs.
I too was excited for the v20, but LG fumbled the ball. in 3 months when the price comes down from the early-adopter surcharge (hopefully) I'll think about getting one. Depending on what I see.

Skripka said:
Say what?
The unlocked version WILL NOT WORK on Sprint at all (the model # and IMEI range will be completely wrong to pass their whitelist)...and unless you have an already active SIM, your new VZW SIM will not activate as the model number is wrong and your account will show "unauthorised device". This of course sets aside the problems of radio bands that are missing or wrong for your specific carrier. So at best you'll have poor service if any depending on where you are and the tower deployments in the areas you travel. Also we don't know how updates will be handled on the unlocked device--take for example recent Nexus devices that got carrier fed updates rather than direct from Google (although that at least was an option if you ADB'd factory images) Every carrier is a unique SKU with unique firmware. You may never get updates even from LG (it is a serious possibility and risk).
I hope you have lots of cash hoarded when your $800 gamble, that it will work on all carriers, screws you over
The ZTE Axon 7 could be a much better device with much more development potential that is 50% the frickin price. "$800 the new normal" indeed. Buy an iPhone 7 for less cash, not an iPhone wannabe with less long-range OS support and let's be honest worse standby battery life. Because yea let's be honest, in 12-18 months LG will quit updating the device while in 3 years the iPhone7 will probably still be getting OS updates.
Because folks ask questions...and get tremendously wrong answers. Like "the unlocked version that will work on all carriers". Echo chambers benefit no one.
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Click to collapse
Um, the unlocked version has all the Verizon bands and is completely compatible with all carriers from everything I have read.
The iPhone 7 is not a valid comparison at all. Different type of phone. iPhone 7+ model with more than 32GB of storage... That'll set you back over $800, like these other phones.
You're clearly an Apple lover so I'm not going to bother continuing to argue. LG V20 >>>>>> iPhone 7 that it's absurd to even compare, for me. I'd be really unhappy with that iPhone because it still lacks most qualities I desire in a phone. To each their own.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA-Developers mobile app

PsiPhiDan said:
Um, the unlocked version has all the Verizon bands and is completely compatible with all carriers from everything I have read.
The iPhone 7 is not a valid comparison at all. Different type of phone. iPhone 7+ model with more than 32GB of storage... That'll set you back over $800, like these other phones.
You're clearly an Apple lover so I'm not going to bother continuing to argue. LG V20 >>>>>> iPhone 7 that it's absurd to even compare, for me. I'd be really unhappy with that iPhone because it still lacks most qualities I desire in a phone. To each their own.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Click to collapse
Then you clearly need to read more, not repeat flat out wrong info. The unlocked version is missing IIRC 1 Verizon CDMA 3G band (of 3), it is missing IIRC at least 1 WCDMA bands (out of 2 or 3), and it is missing IIRC 2+ LTE bands (Of 6 or 7 OTTOMH). The FCC filings showing that are available online. The same way that the unlocked version is similarly missing Spring CDMA/WCDMA/LTE bands. The radio support IS NOT THE SAME between VS995 and US996 and S997. It is NOT "completely compatible"-it is only sort of compatible....presuming it gets past carrier whitelisting of the IMEI and model number which on Sprint it 100% WILL NOT DO, and on Verizon it probably will presuming you already have a working SIM....then you have other problems to worry about (radio band support and updates).
See:
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...n_id=qbzdcULnrRZWOUdXGtJlew==&fcc_id=ZNFVS995
I'm not an Apple lover at all. I'm fed up with Android OEM shortsighted foolishness.

The unlocked version also doesn't have AT&T's bands 29 & 30 and T-Mobile's Band 66. Personally, I plan to get the AT&T V20. I don't mind the (expected) lack of updates so much as long the current version doesn't have glaring bugs. For AT&T you also need a branded device for VoLTE.
I currently have the Nexus 5 and Google left it with major bugs for a few months (one of them was broken car Bluetooth). So my experience with Google wasn't that great. The Pixel devices look like bad iPhone and Galaxy copies.

Skripka said:
Then you clearly need to read more, not repeat flat out wrong info. The unlocked version is missing IIRC 1 Verizon CDMA 3G band (of 3), it is missing IIRC at least 1 WCDMA bands (out of 2 or 3), and it is missing IIRC 2+ LTE bands (Of 6 or 7 OTTOMH). The FCC filings showing that are available online. The same way that the unlocked version is similarly missing Spring CDMA/WCDMA/LTE bands. The radio support IS NOT THE SAME between VS995 and US996 and S997. It is NOT "completely compatible"-it is only sort of compatible....presuming it gets past carrier whitelisting of the IMEI and model number which on Sprint it 100% WILL NOT DO, and on Verizon it probably will presuming you already have a working SIM....then you have other problems to worry about (radio band support and updates).
See:
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...n_id=qbzdcULnrRZWOUdXGtJlew==&fcc_id=ZNFVS995
I'm not an Apple lover at all. I'm fed up with Android OEM shortsighted foolishness.
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Click to collapse
Interesting. I'll look into it more.
I honestly don't care about development anyway - I left my Note 5 alone and loved it. I'm planning to do the same with the V20, but I do hope there is some development eventually just for fun.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA-Developers mobile app

PsiPhiDan said:
Interesting. I'll look into it more.
I honestly don't care about development anyway - I left my Note 5 alone and loved it. I'm planning to do the same with the V20, but I do hope there is some development eventually just for fun.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Click to collapse
The development is what I find cool. It is why I keep ending up being a tester for ROM teams (did it on Note 2, and still on Nexus 6)....but Android generally is getting really f'ing annoying on some of this crap. SafetyNet for example isn't just a framework for AndroidPay and stopping you from using your phone from paying for a burger due to Xposed, corporate email servers are now using it....so if you modify your firmware in any unauthorised way your employer may well not let your phone talk to your work email servers anymore (one of mi amigos on Team Twisted has this problem-nothing we can do). Google seems to be wanting to go iron-fisted in security and sacrificing FOSS development for "security".
There was a post on r/Android tonight outlining some of the more obscure technical problems, and outright annoyances for developers as well in the current Android landscape generally: https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/56qr4z/why_i_am_giving_up_on_android/
FWIW....he mentions specifically kernel 3.18; that kernel is not only used by the upcoming Pixel but according to the posted v20 system dump, a few subforums down, is the kernel v20 is going to ship with as well. When that OP is speaking about shipping a brand new device in Q4 2016 with a 2-year-old+ kernel ceasing upstream patching in 2-3 months as being insanity.....he's not just talking Pixel, he's also talking v20.
I wouldn't borderline rant on it unless the device had a ton of potential...which v20 especially does, and seeing LG squander it with shortsighted planned obsolescence is frustrating.

Personally I am okay with not too many roms. All I need is root for Viper and a few other apps.

I really think that I'll get this phone to replace my G4. I had to come to terms that the bootloader will never be unlocked on all models except T-Mobile and certain international models. I've also accepted that there will be absolutely zero dev support.
Don't fault me for being pessimistic. Being optimistic with the possibility of Dev support and observing how the G4, G5 and V10 turned out is plain foolish.

Skripka said:
Then you clearly need to read more, not repeat flat out wrong info. The unlocked version is missing IIRC 1 Verizon CDMA 3G band (of 3), it is missing IIRC at least 1 WCDMA bands (out of 2 or 3), and it is missing IIRC 2+ LTE bands (Of 6 or 7 OTTOMH). The FCC filings showing that are available online. The same way that the unlocked version is similarly missing Spring CDMA/WCDMA/LTE bands. The radio support IS NOT THE SAME between VS995 and US996 and S997. It is NOT "completely compatible"-it is only sort of compatible....presuming it gets past carrier whitelisting of the IMEI and model number which on Sprint it 100% WILL NOT DO, and on Verizon it probably will presuming you already have a working SIM....then you have other problems to worry about (radio band support and updates).
See:
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...n_id=qbzdcULnrRZWOUdXGtJlew==&fcc_id=ZNFVS995
I'm not an Apple lover at all. I'm fed up with Android OEM shortsighted foolishness.
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Click to collapse
Hmm here is a comparison of frequencies between the VS995 and the US996. Seems the US996 covers all the frequencies of the VS995 and some:
This is according to frequencycheck.com.
Frequency Band LG VS995 V20 XLTE LG US996 V20 LTE-A
GSM 850 Yes Yes
GSM 900 (E-GSM) Yes Yes
GSM 1800 (DCS) Yes Yes
GSM 1900 (PCS) Yes Yes
UMTS B1 (2100) Yes Yes
UMTS B2 (1900 PCS) Yes Yes
UMTS B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1) No Yes
UMTS B5 (850) Yes Yes
UMTS B8 (900 GSM) Yes Yes
LTE B2 (1900 PCS) Yes Yes
LTE B3 (1800 +) Yes Yes
LTE B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1) Yes Yes
LTE B5 (850) Yes Yes
LTE B7 (2600) Yes Yes
LTE B12 (700 ac) No Yes
LTE B13 (700 c) Yes Yes
LTE B17 (700 bc) No Yes
LTE B20 (800 DD) Yes Yes
LTE B25 (1900 +) No Yes
CDMA BC0 (800) Yes Yes
CDMA BC1 (1900 PCS) Yes Yes
Cheers

EMSpilot said:
Hmm here is a comparison of frequencies between the VS995 and the US996. Seems the US996 covers all the frequencies of the VS995 and some:
This is according to frequencycheck.com.
Frequency Band LG VS995 V20 XLTE LG US996 V20 LTE-A
GSM 850 Yes Yes
GSM 900 (E-GSM) Yes Yes
GSM 1800 (DCS) Yes Yes
GSM 1900 (PCS) Yes Yes
UMTS B1 (2100) Yes Yes
UMTS B2 (1900 PCS) Yes Yes
UMTS B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1) No Yes
UMTS B5 (850) Yes Yes
UMTS B8 (900 GSM) Yes Yes
LTE B2 (1900 PCS) Yes Yes
LTE B3 (1800 +) Yes Yes
LTE B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1) Yes Yes
LTE B5 (850) Yes Yes
LTE B7 (2600) Yes Yes
LTE B12 (700 ac) No Yes
LTE B13 (700 c) Yes Yes
LTE B17 (700 bc) No Yes
LTE B20 (800 DD) Yes Yes
LTE B25 (1900 +) No Yes
CDMA BC0 (800) Yes Yes
CDMA BC1 (1900 PCS) Yes Yes
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their listing for the VS995 is incorrect/incomplete compared to what the LG Electronics sent to the FCC and has on file. Read and compare, some of their entries are wrong (VS995 does indeed have Band 25), some like Band 66 are left out or missing (VS995 has that too). WCDMA is either seemingly absent although maybe they call that "UTMS". CDMA support is also flawed (should be 850/1900 for VS995 not 800/1900). I don't have easy to call up numbers for US996 ATM, but one way or another-their band support table is incorrect.
https://apps.fcc.gov/eas/GetApplicationAttachment.html?id=3102983
https://apps.fcc.gov/eas/GetApplicationAttachment.html?id=3102984
The phones are not radio band identical.

Yes the US996 is compatible with Verizon. I will have it on their network within 30 minutes of unpacking it from the box.
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...n_id=qbzdcULnrRZWOUdXGtJlew==&fcc_id=ZNFUS996
Cheers

EMSpilot said:
Yes the US996 is compatible with Verizon. I will have it on their network within 30 minuets of unpacking it from the box.
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...n_id=qbzdcULnrRZWOUdXGtJlew==&fcc_id=ZNFUS996
Cheers
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Click to collapse
Please report back once you have it working. I'm very interested in doing this too. I'd love to not get stuck with the bloat.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA-Developers mobile app

There is ZERO chance of it ever happening.. Avoid LG like a plague..

thanks for your expert opinion. nobody will take it seriously, but thanks!
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7 using Tapatalk

windozeanti said:
There is ZERO chance of it ever happening.. Avoid LG like a plague..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, devs that tried supporting Note 7 are now interested in developing for the V20 from the online polls since the note 7 has been officially canceled

Related

AT&T Moto X radio

I have a droid maxx that I'm using for AT&T. For those of you who don't know, the droid maxx is supposed to be a verizon phone only. It is unlocked from the factory, but LTE does not work for AT&T or T-Mobile. Being that the maxx is essnetially just a moto x with a bigger battery, I was hoping someone could pull their radio from their phone and upload it so that I can flash it to see if it enables LTE.
There is much speculation that the maxx has the bands, but they are just diabled by verizon. I hope that flashing your guys' radio will unlock the bands. There was a similar method available to enable the Razr Maxx HD's to grab signal on AT&T. They use a motorola tool to flash the radio.
If anyone wants to help out a fellow motorola XDA member, let me know
For what it's worth, I have been told by someone I consider reliable at Moto that the AT&T version of the X does have the hardware to support the 1700/AWS band for T-Mobile, but that it isn't "software enabled" in the phone. So someone providing the radios for any of those carriers might be able to help a lot of us.
Rask40 said:
For what it's worth, I have been told by someone I consider reliable at Moto that the AT&T version of the X does have the hardware to support the 1700/AWS band for T-Mobile, but that it isn't "software enabled" in the phone. So someone providing the radios for any of those carriers might be able to help a lot of us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think we'll also need a way to flash it, i.e. a custom recovery. I know Hashcode is working on SafeStrap, so hopefully that will be done soon and we can figure out if this works. I'm not sure if SS will allow access to the partition that holds the radio software, though. I strongly suspect it's just software blocked as well, so I think either flashing the radio or editing the NV values like they do for the last generation of DROIDs should open the AT&T models up to AWS. Or maybe I just really want that to be true.
Rask40 said:
For what it's worth, I have been told by someone I consider reliable at Moto that the AT&T version of the X does have the hardware to support the 1700/AWS band for T-Mobile, but that it isn't "software enabled" in the phone. So someone providing the radios for any of those carriers might be able to help a lot of us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it would, but what I'm looking for specifically is to enable the LTE bands for AT&T on the verizon devices.
freak4dell said:
I think we'll also need a way to flash it, i.e. a custom recovery. I know Hashcode is working on SafeStrap, so hopefully that will be done soon and we can figure out if this works. I'm not sure if SS will allow access to the partition that holds the radio software, though. I strongly suspect it's just software blocked as well, so I think either flashing the radio or editing the NV values like they do for the last generation of DROIDs should open the AT&T models up to AWS. Or maybe I just really want that to be true.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wouldn't need to flash the radios through recovery. The radios can be changed with a motorola specific windows program called, CDMA WS 2.7. You boot the phone into BP Tools mode and then can modify the radio.
seh6183 said:
Yes it would, but what I'm looking for specifically is to enable the LTE bands for AT&T on the verizon devices.
You wouldn't need to flash the radios through recovery. The radios can be changed with a motorola specific windows program called, CDMA WS 2.7. You boot the phone into BP Tools mode and then can modify the radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm...didn't know that. I've flashed through recovery on other phones, I believe. I've never had to flash a full radio on a Motorola phone, though. On the Droid Pro, it was a flashed file that unlocked it, but it wasn't actually a radio. On the M, it was done through RadioComm. Anyway, regardless of the method, I hope it's possible.
seh6183 said:
I have a droid maxx that I'm using for AT&T. For those of you who don't know, the droid maxx is supposed to be a verizon phone only. It is unlocked from the factory, but LTE does not work for AT&T or T-Mobile. Being that the maxx is essnetially just a moto x with a bigger battery, I was hoping someone could pull their radio from their phone and upload it so that I can flash it to see if it enables LTE.
There is much speculation that the maxx has the bands, but they are just diabled by verizon. I hope that flashing your guys' radio will unlock the bands. There was a similar method available to enable the Razr Maxx HD's to grab signal on AT&T. They use a motorola tool to flash the radio.
If anyone wants to help out a fellow motorola XDA member, let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It won't work. AT&T uses a different slice of the 700 band than Verizon as their primary LTE band. This means that they are using different radio hardware to pick up their LTE bands. They are incompatible.
AT&T also only uses AWS in a few sites here and there (not majorly rolled out in any capacity), so you're unlikely to get it with AWS as well in your city regardless. If you want LTE on AT&T, you need a Band 17 (soon to be Band 12 in the future) enabled phone. Band 13 may be 700 as well, but different slice, so incompatible. Flashing a T-Mobile radio might enable you to pick theirs up by unlocking the AWS LTE as Verizon has that disabled currently until they open up their AWS network using a software update.
Hope that clears things up and helps.
Yes I realize the networks are different, i don't doubt that. There is just speculation that the droid maxx is a world phone and has the bands there for almost everything but they are disabled. They do make a droid maxx Dev version so I can't see them making two different boards with different hardware for each.
seh6183 said:
Yes I realize the networks are different, i don't doubt that. There is just speculation that the droid maxx is a world phone and has the bands there for almost everything but they are disabled. They do make a droid maxx Dev version so I can't see them making two different boards with different hardware for each.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't believe me, check the FCC filings. They use the same boards, but there's more to that in making LTE work on a phone. As we found out with the Nexus 4, it may have the same hardware as the LTE compatible LG Optimus G, but unfortunately was missing the LTE radio hardware components, filters, amplifiers, etc (see Anandtech article). Motorola released several versions of the Moto X with the same boards, but different LTE radios (hence why we have an XT1053, XT1060, XT1058, etc).
Unfortunately, software cannot fix a missing hardware component. The Droid Maxx does not support Band 17 for AT&T, therefore, you are missing a hardware component and will not be able to get AT&T LTE regardless of how many radios you flash.
For further proof, look at the Razr HD forums. They only released one version (XT925) for internationally and we thought we could flash different radios to use abroad only to find out that different regions had different radio hardware (EVEN THOUGH they were all XT925 models). Motorola doesn't play when it comes to hardware.
UserDemos said:
If you don't believe me, check the FCC filings. They use the same boards, but there's more to that in making LTE work on a phone. As we found out with the Nexus 4, it may have the same hardware as the LTE compatible LG Optimus G, but unfortunately was missing the LTE radio hardware components, filters, amplifiers, etc (see Anandtech article). Motorola released several versions of the Moto X with the same boards, but different LTE radios (hence why we have an XT1053, XT1060, XT1058, etc).
Unfortunately, software cannot fix a missing hardware component. The Droid Maxx does not support Band 17 for AT&T, therefore, you are missing a hardware component and will not be able to get AT&T LTE regardless of how many radios you flash.
For further proof, look at the Razr HD forums. They only released one version (XT925) for internationally and we thought we could flash different radios to use abroad only to find out that different regions had different radio hardware (EVEN THOUGH they were all XT925 models). Motorola doesn't play when it comes to hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not trying to say you're wrong, but the Nexus 4 worked on LTE with the proper radio mods. Not sure if the signal levels were different than a phone that was LTE-capable out of the box, though.
freak4dell said:
Not trying to say you're wrong, but the Nexus 4 worked on LTE with the proper radio mods. Not sure if the signal levels were different than a phone that was LTE-capable out of the box, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus 4 only worked on Band 4 (AWS) LTE because it had the radio antenna, but none of the other parts (amplifier, filter, etc). The quality wasn't the same. Plus, people were using it on T-Mobile which has their entire LTE rollout on AWS.
For AT&T, per the original question, the Droid Maxx lacks the hardware for Band 17. For AWS, it is there and a radio mod could work, but you will only get it in like a handful of cities for AT&T as this is not their primary spectrum band.
UserDemos said:
The Nexus 4 only worked on Band 4 (AWS) LTE because it had the radio antenna, but none of the other parts (amplifier, filter, etc). The quality wasn't the same. Plus, people were using it on T-Mobile which has their entire LTE rollout on AWS.
For AT&T, per the original question, the Droid Maxx lacks the hardware for Band 17. For AWS, it is there and a radio mod could work, but you will only get it in like a handful of cities for AT&T as this is not their primary spectrum band.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All I know is that I have full blazing h+ right out of the box on at&t.
So who's going to try flashing TMo radio on the 1058?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4
seh6183 said:
All I know is that I have full blazing h+ right out of the box on at&t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course you would. Let's look at specifications (from the official site at http://www.motorola.com/us/shop-all-mobile-phones/Droid-Maxx/m-droid-maxx.html):
WCDMA 850/900/1900/2100
CDMA 800/1900
GSM 850/900/1800/1900
LTE Band 04/13
First, as a stipulation of the 700 Block auction, all Verizon phones have to be SIM unlocked. Therefore, that's why you can use your AT&T sim and get AT&T HSPA+ out of the box. It clearly says HSPA+ is supported in the specs (WCMDA 850/900/1900/2100). Why? AT&T uses 850 and 1900 for their HSPA+.
But AT&T LTE? Nope. Why? AT&T LTE uses Band 17 mostly, with Bands 2, 4, and 5 to supplement. Let's look back at the specs (LTE Band 04/13). Ouch, that's only 1 of AT&T supplementary LTE bands. Therefore again, you WILL NOT receive AT&T LTE on your Verizon Maxx unless you are in a Band 4 market (which there are a few and they're mostly small cities).
Flashing a radio will not fix the hardware issue of the lack of Band 17 support. Don't believe me? Try it. I've already tried with another Motorola phone in the past to spend lots of wasted time trying to exactly what you're trying.
But is the hardware missing or is it just a matter of software? Xperia T is software, hoping Motor X is the same way.
I'm interested in activating AWS on one of the unlocked models floating around EBay... The Puerto Rican ones.
Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk 4
UserDemos said:
Of course you would. Let's look at specifications (from the official site at http://www.motorola.com/us/shop-all-mobile-phones/Droid-Maxx/m-droid-maxx.html):
WCDMA 850/900/1900/2100
CDMA 800/1900
GSM 850/900/1800/1900
LTE Band 04/13
First, as a stipulation of the 700 Block auction, all Verizon phones have to be SIM unlocked. Therefore, that's why you can use your AT&T sim and get AT&T HSPA+ out of the box. It clearly says HSPA+ is supported in the specs (WCMDA 850/900/1900/2100). Why? AT&T uses 850 and 1900 for their HSPA+.
But AT&T LTE? Nope. Why? AT&T LTE uses Band 17 mostly, with Bands 2, 4, and 5 to supplement. Let's look back at the specs (LTE Band 04/13). Ouch, that's only 1 of AT&T supplementary LTE bands. Therefore again, you WILL NOT receive AT&T LTE on your Verizon Maxx unless you are in a Band 4 market (which there are a few and they're mostly small cities).
Flashing a radio will not fix the hardware issue of the lack of Band 17 support. Don't believe me? Try it. I've already tried with another Motorola phone in the past to spend lots of wasted time trying to exactly what you're trying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok but this does nothing to tell us about the actual board in the droid maxx. Of course they aren't going to list the bands that the phone isn't capable right out of the box. The nexus 4 was listed as not having LTE even though it actually did. All I'm saying is that the bands may be there even though its stated that they're not. They may just be software locked. The only way to know for sure is by trying different radios to see if they are unlocked.
seh6183 said:
Ok but this does nothing to tell us about the actual board in the droid maxx. Of course they aren't going to list the bands that the phone isn't capable right out of the box. The nexus 4 was listed as not having LTE even though it actually did. All I'm saying is that the bands may be there even though its stated that they're not. They may just be software locked. The only way to know for sure is by trying different radios to see if they are unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking at the Nexus 4, it was missing most of the LTE radio components. They just got lucky. Sloppy workmanship and design on LG's part. Motorola doesn't work like that. Check the FCC filings as they provide all the information about the device. The only thing disabled about the Droid Maxx is AWS LTE which is great for T-Mobile, not AT&T.
This'll be my last post on this one. Go ahead and try to flash radios. Repeat what many of us have tried before with other devices and find out the same thing. Motorola makes variants with custom hardware radios. This is why they get the best reception. They customize them to the carrier that wants it. So the hardware in variants is very specific and precise.
Good luck in your endeavor, but don't expect a miracle.
Any Updates?
I have a SIM unlocked AT&T Customized one, and when putting in my Truphone (TMo MVNO) sim, I am only getting EDGE. Now, Truphone does not use Tmo LTE yet - so I am only concerned with HSPA+...yet I am only getting EDGE. So, wondering if I am in a re-farmed area and would a modem re-flash support HSPA+....has anyone come across this?
yankeeboy73 said:
I have a SIM unlocked AT&T Customized one, and when putting in my Truphone (TMo MVNO) sim, I am only getting EDGE. Now, Truphone does not use Tmo LTE yet - so I am only concerned with HSPA+...yet I am only getting EDGE. So, wondering if I am in a re-farmed area and would a modem re-flash support HSPA+....has anyone come across this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are in a re-farmed area, you should get TMO HSPA+ out of the box, no radio flashing required. What is your area, if I may ask?
Flashing Moto X Radios to get LTE
UserDemos said:
If you are in a re-farmed area, you should get TMO HSPA+ out of the box, no radio flashing required. What is your area, if I may ask?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally someone who knows! So much misleading info on this issue. I bought the 1053 to avoid bloat, then the 1060 Dev Ed in hopes of somehow new rom or modem allowing LTE ( on basis radios were all firmware ). But _I believe you_ and will be returning the 1060 ( currently on ATT but would love maximum radios for traveling abroad ). But... would it perhaps be wiser to get the 1058, unlock the bootloader, flash a custom rom, and have clean-ish ATT + more world phone funness? I think I'm just going to stick w my 1053 but would prefer 2 more LTE bands for whatever may come up. Sense?
Axilarry said:
Finally someone who knows! So much misleading info on this issue. I bought the 1053 to avoid bloat, then the 1060 Dev Ed in hopes of somehow new rom or modem allowing LTE ( on basis radios were all firmware ). But _I believe you_ and will be returning the 1060 ( currently on ATT but would love maximum radios for traveling abroad ). But... would it perhaps be wiser to get the 1058, unlock the bootloader, flash a custom rom, and have clean-ish ATT + more world phone funness? I think I'm just going to stick w my 1053 but would prefer 2 more LTE bands for whatever may come up. Sense?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2502161
Sent on my Gummy running Lenoto X

Xperia Z3 on T-Mobile

I know there's a T-Mobile announcement on Oct 9 where the Z3 is likely to be revealed. Do these announcements usually follow the sale of the device the next day? I'm debating on either getting the international version or waiting for the T-Mobile announcement. I'm just not a fan of the carrier branding. I'm hoping Sony sells the device on their US site to buy directly rather than through T-Mobile. Anyone have any input? Then again, maybe I'll wait for the Nexus 6/X or whatever. I hate so many choices!
Sent from my MI 4W
If there's branding it will be on the back, unlike Verizon who brands their phones like there's no tomorrow.
Jfree3000 said:
If there's branding it will be on the back, unlike Verizon who brands their phones like there's no tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true
Sent from my MI 4W
I'm using an international Z3 on T-Mobile (the Dual-SIM version) - works as expected, though no WiFi Calling.
Is that hardware limitation though? Any way to get an unlocked z3 that has tmobile wifi calling?
Nope only t-mobile phones are capable of this.
This is the press picture for T-Mobile
http://www.static.xperiablog.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/T-Mobile-Xperia-Z3_1-640x433.jpg
Also if you search the web, there is a video of unboxing for Z3 T-Mobile and it shows everything of it.
It is a software restriction, but ever since the BB Curve 8330 people have been trying to port it to non-Tmobile phones. As far as I know, none have been successful. It relies on heavy modifications to the telephony stack.
jonshipman said:
It is a software restriction, but ever since the BB Curve 8330 people have been trying to port it to non-Tmobile phones. As far as I know, none have been successful. It relies on heavy modifications to the telephony stack.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if the stars align and a USA T-mobile Z3 ROM can be flashed onto a regular Z3 without problems, maybe
(Nexus 5 has the same modem firmware between USA and Int'l model... so if all Z3 models share the same modem firmware... probably not going to happen)
paperWastage said:
if the stars align and a USA T-mobile Z3 ROM can be flashed onto a regular Z3 without problems, maybe
(Nexus 5 has the same modem firmware between USA and Int'l model... so if all Z3 models share the same modem firmware... probably not going to happen)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not going to happen, THOUGH, T-mobile's implementation is being adopted into the standard... sooooo maybe¿ That's how WIFI calling is coming to the iPhone in 2015 on ATT. And I think Verizon is in on the mix. E.g. if Android L or M supports this wifi calling it will eventually be carried over the the Z line. But that's a but if/maybe/assumptions being made.
If WIFI calling is vital - then buy the carrier version. But in my experience, if you have internet fast enough for VOiP, you're likely in a T-Mobile coverage area anyway. If you're underground, you have Hangouts which Google just rolled voice into for Free.
paulcbetts said:
I'm using an international Z3 on T-Mobile (the Dual-SIM version) - works as expected, though no WiFi Calling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So to verify, you're using the D6633? Any benefit to it being dual sim? Is it missing any bands for functionality with TMo? Also, where did you get it from?
Don't mean to bug you with all the questions, just want to make sure I'm getting the best version of the Z3 possible (don't like the info that the carrier branded version is missing lots of bands).
Raeglatem said:
So to verify, you're using the D6633? Any benefit to it being dual sim? Is it missing any bands for functionality with TMo? Also, where did you get it from?
Don't mean to bug you with all the questions, just want to make sure I'm getting the best version of the Z3 possible (don't like the info that the carrier branded version is missing lots of bands).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a huge advantage of going with the T-Mobile version when it comes to radio. AWS HSPA+ and Band 12 (700 Mhz A Block) LTE.
AWS HSPA+ support is necessary for areas without 4G LTE so you're not stuck at 2G speeds.
Band 12 LTE support is going to be critical in the coming years, as its going to be T-Mobile's savior when it comes to covering large areas and getting inside of hard-to-reach locations such as office buildings.
mattlgroff said:
There is a huge advantage of going with the T-Mobile version when it comes to radio. AWS HSPA+ and Band 12 (700 Mhz A Block) LTE.
AWS HSPA+ support is necessary for areas without 4G LTE so you're not stuck at 2G speeds.
Band 12 LTE support is going to be critical in the coming years, as its going to be T-Mobile's savior when it comes to covering large areas and getting inside of hard-to-reach locations such as office buildings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I was just reading about Band 12 and didn't realize that all the other models don't support. that sweet 700Mhz spectrum should cover huge areas and penetrate buildings well. Really excited for the possibilities with that one.
Didn't realize the lack of AWS HSPA+ support as well.
Looks like I will stick to the Tmobile variant then and just keep my fingers crossed on colors lol.
mattlgroff said:
There is a huge advantage of going with the T-Mobile version when it comes to radio. AWS HSPA+ and Band 12 (700 Mhz A Block) LTE.
AWS HSPA+ support is necessary for areas without 4G LTE so you're not stuck at 2G speeds.
Band 12 LTE support is going to be critical in the coming years, as its going to be T-Mobile's savior when it comes to covering large areas and getting inside of hard-to-reach locations such as office buildings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The D6603 supports AWS (1700) HSPA
The biggest things you lose with the international (D6603) on T-mobile is:
- WiFi calling
- Band 12 LTE
- 16GB vs 32GB System memory
- possibly VoLTE (not 100% sure)
Tech Spec differences aside, do we have word yet on if the T-Mo version will have the plastic body ala the Z1s? The press images look like all the ports and covers stay the same between the D6603 and the D6616, and the White Paper doesn't seem to indicate a difference, but I feel like one can never tell with T-Mo these days ...
Raeglatem said:
Yeah I was just reading about Band 12 and didn't realize that all the other models don't support. that sweet 700Mhz spectrum should cover huge areas and penetrate buildings well. Really excited for the possibilities with that one.
Didn't realize the lack of AWS HSPA+ support as well.
Looks like I will stick to the Tmobile variant then and just keep my fingers crossed on colors lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far, only black... Maybe later more colors?
se1000 said:
The D6603 supports AWS (1700) HSPA
The biggest things you lose with the international (D6603) on T-mobile is:
- WiFi calling
- Band 12 LTE
- 16GB vs 32GB System memory
- possibly VoLTE (not 100% sure)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. Out of those, the only one that I put weight on is the Band 12 LTE since it is supposed to reach within buildings and the like. Really do not care for the rest. And, I will add, the fact that the updates from Android might take longer for the T-Mobile branded Z3 than the regular non-carrier version. I really hope that Sony sells a US non-carrier here like they did with the Z2.
Cheers.
GoyoNeuff said:
True. Out of those, the only one that I put weight on is the Band 12 LTE since it is supposed to reach within buildings and the like. Really do not care for the rest. And, I will add, the fact that the updates from Android might take longer for the T-Mobile branded Z3 than the regular non-carrier version. I really hope that Sony sells a US non-carrier here like they did with the Z2.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the fact that it would be Tmobile branded is what has me worried with updates. Finger crossed on an official one direct from Sony.
GoyoNeuff said:
So far, only black... Maybe later more colors?
True. Out of those, the only one that I put weight on is the Band 12 LTE since it is supposed to reach within buildings and the like. Really do not care for the rest. And, I will add, the fact that the updates from Android might take longer for the T-Mobile branded Z3 than the regular non-carrier version. I really hope that Sony sells a US non-carrier here like they did with the Z2.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isnt the Band 12 (700mhz) on tmobile the same as band 17 on at&t. if so then D6603 does have support for it.
Edit: Apparently they are not the same. the Band Class 17 standard allows LTE operations in only the Lower 700 MHz B and C blocks using a specific signaling protocol that would filter out all other frequencies. Although Band Class 17 operates on two of the three blocks common to Band Class 12, Band Class 17 devices use "more narrow filters," which have the effect of permitting a smaller range of frequencies to "pass through" the filter. In addition, Band Class 12 and Band Class 17 signaling protocols are not compatible
GoyoNeuff said:
So far, only black... Maybe later more colors?
True. Out of those, the only one that I put weight on is the Band 12 LTE since it is supposed to reach within buildings and the like. Really do not care for the rest. And, I will add, the fact that the updates from Android might take longer for the T-Mobile branded Z3 than the regular non-carrier version. I really hope that Sony sells a US non-carrier here like they did with the Z2.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they'll sell the D6603 as an unlocked version in the US, it has all the bands for both T-Mobile (except Band 12) and AT&T.
For me, WiFi calling will be a nice to have, I've had it before and it's certainly gotten me out of a few pinches. The partnership with GoGo to allow free in-flight text messages through the feature also adds value to me. Not a deal maker or breaker, but nice to have.
Personally, I think minor Android releases are getting less and less important. I mean, can you point out off the top of your head one thing 4.4.4 brings you that 4.4.2 is missing? Of course Android L will be a huge step forward, especially with the introduction of ART, but it can be said that maybe some of us will hold off on jumping right into the release due to things like incompatibility with apps such as xposed as well. Just my take on it.
se1000 said:
I think they'll sell the D6603 as an unlocked version in the US, it has all the bands for both T-Mobile (except Band 12) and AT&T.
For me, WiFi calling will be a nice to have, I've had it before and it's certainly gotten me out of a few pinches. The partnership with GoGo to allow free in-flight text messages through the feature also adds value to me. Not a deal maker or breaker, but nice to have.
Personally, I think minor Android releases are getting less and less important. I mean, can you point out off the top of your head one thing 4.4.4 brings you that 4.4.2 is missing? Of course Android L will be a huge step forward, especially with the introduction of ART, but it can be said that maybe some of us will hold off on jumping right into the release due to things like incompatibility with apps such as xposed as well. Just my take on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good points...
In fact, one reason I kind of like the Z3 is that Sony does not modify as much the interface as others. Not completely stock like my wife's Nexus 5, but close enough. We will see... I am anxiously waiting for this week event !

[Discussion] Using the OnePlus X in the US on AT&T or T-Mobile & their MVNOs

This is a bit of bad news that I was afraid of:
Before deciding if they want to buy the new handset, US customers should know that they might be having trouble with LTE connectivity. More exactly, the OnePlus X supports the following LTE bands: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8. This doesn't completely cover the LTE bands of AT&T (2, 4, 17) and T-Mobile (2, 4, 12) - these being the only major US carriers that you can use the OnePlus X on, since we're talking about a GSM device here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source: phonearena.com
So, the bottom line is that AT&T users will have no access to band 17, and T-Mobile users no access to band 12.
Fortunately, bands 2 & 4 will be covered on both carriers.
Well, that's a deal breaker for me... off to look for another phone. Gotta be now one out of Oneplus 2, Oneplus One, Zenfone 2, Zenfone 2 Laser, etc.
Akopps said:
Well, that's a deal breaker for me... off to look for another phone. Gotta be now one out of Oneplus 2, Oneplus One, Zenfone 2, Zenfone 2 Laser, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 5X?
BTW, you better check out the other devices too:
The OnePlus One supports the following bands:
GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz
WCDMA Bands: 1/2/4/5/8
LTE Bands: 1/3/4/7/17/38/40
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OnePlus 2
Network:
GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
North America model
WCDMA: Bands 1/2/4/5/8
FDD-LTE: Bands 1/2/4/5/7/8/12/17
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source: OnePlus.net
And it looks like they won't be fixing it either:
In case you were holding out hope the Chinese startup manufacturer would perhaps somehow fix the “glitch” with a miraculous software update, or launch a separate GSM unlocked version tailor-made for AT&T and T-Mobile’s LTE networks, OnePlus crushed everyone’s dreams by confirming “the bands listed on the spec sheet are correct” and “we have no plans for adding more bands right now.”
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source: pocketnow.com
I don't understand their logic. Sell it in the US, but don't allow full LTE functionality on the only two carriers it will work with.
I might be moving on to a Nexus 5X.
This was a major mistake.
I was looking forward to rocking this on MPCS.
Got to stay with my MotoG3 (which is not a problem).
Is this software related? Is it possible to add the missing band?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
Maybe the cellular antenna could be modified with RadioComm or QPST or something similar. Obviously we won't know for sure until someone tries.
Definitely not good news....fortunately my area covers ATT band 2 most of the time. I think It is still worth getting the phone with this price point even if it is on 3G.
T-Mobile won't allow band 12 unless it's certified for VoLTE. That's what they did to Motorola over the 3td gen Moto G and I think the newer X as well.
Sent from my Moto G XT1034 using Tapatalk
Wow this seems crazy,just when I found the phone to replace my aging moto x 2013. Band 17 is what's in my neighborhood. Not good!
Any recommendations for a 5" or smaller comparable cell?
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
mario24601 said:
Wow this seems crazy,just when I found the phone to replace my aging moto x 2013. Band 17 is what's in my neighborhood. Not good!
Any recommendations for a 5" or smaller comparable cell?
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xperia z3 compact is still really good. The z5 is out but a bit expensive.
Hikikomori-Otaku said:
Maybe the cellular antenna could be modified with RadioComm or QPST or something similar. Obviously we won't know for sure until someone tries.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm gonna attempt doing this when I get my hands on one. I recall someone having "some" success with the original One Pus, and I have a pretty good theory on how to get past the VoLTE Certification too. I'm currently saving up for one so stay tuned
Thanks giving the z5 a look. It's just too bad about the X band omissions
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
abrahammmmmmm_ said:
I'm gonna attempt doing this when I get my hands on one. I recall someone having "some" success with the original One Pus, and I have a pretty good theory on how to get past the VoLTE Certification too. I'm currently saving up for one so stay tuned
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If my searching is accurate, you're referring to this thread. Looks promising. but there's still the possibility for hardware being the limiting factor and not software.
mario24601 said:
Wow this seems crazy,just when I found the phone to replace my aging moto x 2013. Band 17 is what's in my neighborhood. Not good!
Any recommendations for a 5" or smaller comparable cell?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went back to a Moto X 2014. 5.2" screen and about the same size as the Oneplus X. Plus marshmallow update is imminent.
Pretty direct article from the Verge on this topic and it's not good:
http://www.theverge.com/2015/11/12/9725208/oneplus-x-lte-att-tmobile-us
In my experience, using the OnePlus X on AT&T in New York City and surrounding areas for the past week, I was unable to keep an LTE signal for more than just a couple of minutes. Most of the time the OnePlus X was stuck on AT&T's HSPA network, which is much slower in both uploads and downloads than LTE. All of these issues also apply to the MVNOs that use AT&T's LTE network, such as StraightTalk or Tracfone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for info. Such a shame! I'm still torn on what to replace my aged 2013 moto x.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
Crippling lte like this is a MASSIVE FAIL. Sorry, but you would have to be really dumb to buy this phone... I would much rather have features that I actually need like lte, nfc, fingerprint reader, a good camera with ois, no display gap etc.. over a glass back(that doubles your chance of damage) and an aluminum border. 2014 moto x/g, g2, s5 are all better options for under 300...
Bad news regarding AT&T and TMobile. Any news about Verizon or Sprint or other carriers in the US? Does this phone work on all of their LTE bands?
f1dotcom said:
Bad news regarding AT&T and TMobile. Any news about Verizon or Sprint or other carriers in the US? Does this phone work on all of their LTE bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon and Sprint are CDMA carriers.
Shouldn't it be possible to unlock additional LTE bands using the method for the OPO?

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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See my other reply.

LG V20 Unlocked (US996) vs TMobile LG V20?

Hey Guys,
So I am seriously interested in this phone but cant decide what the difference is between these 2 variants?
It seems that TMobile LG V20 has no support for CDMA and support for AWS-3 spectrum (Band 66)
The unlocked version seems to support CDMA but I dont know if it has support for Band 66.
Source TMobile LG v20 : http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/lg-v20.html
LG v20 Unlocked: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1285961-REG/lg_lgus996_ausasv_lg_v20_4gb_ram.html
Can someone please shed some light on this? Will the unlocked version include all the bells and whistles of TMobile variant?
Thanks.
adit07 said:
Hey Guys,
So I am seriously interested in this phone but cant decide what the difference is between these 2 variants?
It seems that TMobile LG V20 has no support for CDMA and support for AWS-3 spectrum (Band 66)
The unlocked version seems to support CDMA but I dont know if it has support for Band 66.
Source TMobile LG v20 : http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/lg-v20.html
LG v20 Unlocked: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1285961-REG/lg_lgus996_ausasv_lg_v20_4gb_ram.html
Can someone please shed some light on this? Will the unlocked version include all the bells and whistles of TMobile variant?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has there been confirmation that the t-mobile variant is locked?
You'll have to look around but I thought it was confirmed the unlocked version B&H is selling is not Band 66 compliant.
CHH2 said:
You'll have to look around but I thought it was confirmed the unlocked version B&H is selling is not Band 66 compliant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Do you have any link that confirms that?
US996 is USCC (US Cellular) version which does not have B4 HSPA.
I can confirm that, unfortunately, the T-Mobile LG V20 will not come with an unlockable bootloader. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this something I got straight from the top-level guys @ TMO.
Possible good news, see two post below.
What... "top level guys"? What's your connection? Hmmmm
Sent from my awesome T-Mobile LG V10!
@planetbeen That would be Mr. Lucero and Miss Viola, director's in their respective divisions.
Anyways... I might have some good news.
I was called this morning and included in a conversation between TMO and LG. LG is now saying the bootloader will not be "locked down". I tried asking about fastboot and they were being a bit shady and gave me a vague answer.
Take this how you will.
Well we now have a couple people who have received their v20.. Hopefully we'll know very soon!
Sent from my awesome T-Mobile LG V10!
Specs for the US996:
http://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-US996-Unlocked-v20-titan
CDMA 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS/800 MHz CDMA; GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz; LTE Bands 2/3/4/5/7/12/13/17/20/25
EVDO, EVDO Rev A, 1xRTT, LTE, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, GSM, HSPA+, HSPA
What is the bloatware situation on the T-Mobile vs unlocked? And can all of the bloat be deleted? (Especially any anti-virus software!)
Despite my phone will be arriving on monday, Let me ask you a question that might make you get your choice. do both of then offer great promotions? and which one has the frequencies more suitable to your needs?
I pre ordered the tmobile variant because im currently on tmobile. But that's not the only reason, i grabbed all the offers too and the phone ended up being $520 (+ 49.99 down payment + 53.90 of taxes) thanks to the $200 dollars when you trade-in a 4g phone (any phone that is 4g (preferably 4g lte), and also i get the free H3 earphones (i have to redeem it on LG website). And also, i get the opportunity of the free tablet (sure, at a cost of having to add an extra line but that is only 10 dollars more for 24 month and also is optional). In additon, Tmobile variant has unlocked bootloader, no other variant has reported that as far as i know.
How do you know it has an unlocked bootloader? I got mine yesterday. Is there any way we can check I recovery or something to see if it's locked?
Paradoxumical said:
I can confirm that, unfortunately, the T-Mobile LG V20 will not come with an unlockable bootloader. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this something I got straight from the top-level guys @ TMO.
Possible good news, see two post below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take it you are the master of all that is holy?
thatisandwas said:
How do you know it has an unlocked bootloader? I got mine yesterday. Is there any way we can check I recovery or something to see if it's locked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because there was someone who already did it. it doesnt come unlocked, but it is unlockable , at least for the Tmobile version.
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/lgv20/comments/58568e/v20unlockable_bootloadervery_simplesame_as_g4g5/
also there are some posts around in XDA LG V20 section, the first 3 sub-sections. Right now @bountyman334 has tried several methods to root it however he hasnt hit the spot yet. But im sure there are also quite a few people who haven't spoken but are trying to root it. You will have to ask them how did the manage to do it, but at least we know that if we have the Tmobile variant, we have unlockable bootloader. :good::good:
Oh man that is awesome to hear! I was just saying the only thing that could make this phone the best in years would be if I could install custom roms like the old days!
thatisandwas said:
Oh man that is awesome to hear! I was just saying the only thing that could make this phone the best in years would be if I could install custom roms like the old days!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But remember, unlocked bootloader doesnt mean you will get root and roms. (I will soon be an owner of the V20 tmobile variant so is not like i m not expecting for a rooting method and roms soon after) . On the other hand, we are closer than any other variants
ice5192 said:
I take it you are the master of all that is holy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Holy, light, pure, good and just.
No guarantee.....but......
joseguillen1994 said:
But remember, unlocked bootloader doesnt mean you will get root and roms. (I will soon be an owner of the V20 tmobile variant so is not like i m not expecting for a rooting method and roms soon after) . On the other hand, we are closer than any other variants
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am hoping that with an unlocked Bootloader more devs will jump on-board; especially with Samsung no longer being dev friendly for US models. I am very pleased with the V20. I wasn't sure I would find something I was happy with to replace my TMobile Note 4. But so far this is an excellent choice.
FAUguy said:
Specs for the US996:
CDMA 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS/800 MHz CDMA; GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz; LTE Bands 2/3/4/5/7/12/13/17/20/25
EVDO, EVDO Rev A, 1xRTT, LTE, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, GSM, HSPA+, HSPA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the same as the unlocked LG G5. It won't work on Sprint. Why would any company make an unlocked cell phone that works on three of the four US carriers? Phones that work on Sprint can be used on RingPlus who offer free phone/data plans.
LG's unlocked phones are an abortion done with pliers.

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