So a new line of phones is on the way, im just wondering what you guys think, will they ALL be locked down for us on VZW? or do you think theres any hope for a Dev Edition Droid or X? Maybe get lucky with something unbranded like the xt1250? Will hell freeze over and VZW will allow OEM unlock?
Basicly the question is there ANY hope for those who like Moto, VZW, and Unlocked phones?
if history is any indicator, there is close to zero hope outside a Nexus phone.
gqskrub said:
if history is any indicator, there is close to zero hope outside a Nexus phone.
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This
TheWhiteChallenger said:
So a new line of phones is on the way, im just wondering what you guys think, will they ALL be locked down for us on VZW? or do you think theres any hope for a Dev Edition Droid or X? Maybe get lucky with something unbranded like the xt1250? Will hell freeze over and VZW will allow OEM unlock?
Basicly the question is there ANY hope for those who like Moto, VZW, and Unlocked phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the upcoming 2015 models, let's look at recent history of last year's models...
Something like the U.S. Moto Maxx XT1250 (same device, same FCC ID as the Verizon Droid Turbo which PROVES it's the same device; same CDMA/GSM/HSPA/LTE bands as the Droid Turb XT1254 -- but with unlock-able bootloader) will show up on the smaller, regional CDMA/LTE carriers.
These are actual standalone carriers, with their own spectrum -- NOT Verizon MVNOs. But they have roaming agreements with Verizon, and share in Verizon's hardware portfolio but their models are sold under different names/model numbers. However, these devices are IDENTICAL to the Verizon models, due to having the same FCC ID. That's all the proof you need.
The Verizon fanbois will be reluctant to admit it will exist because they like the believe the "exclusive" marketing LIES by Verizon. (Nothing about the Droid Turbo was exclusive to Verizon, except the "Droid" name -- because it's licensed by Verizon from Disney/LucasArts. Even the "Turbo" name was used by Motorola for another Quark phone.) This marketing lie was repeated verbatim by lazy bloggers/U.S. tech media who care more about Apple farts than anything Android-related.
These upcoming devices will work on the Verizon network just like a non-Verizon Nexus 6 -- and just like the XT1250 does.
When you find this device -- whatever the alternative model number/name is -- and buy it you will have to ensure it's unlocked from the carrier it's bought from since you will be paying full price. Again, this device will work on the Verizon network just like a non-Verizon Nexus 6. But it will be there -- just like the U.S. Moto Maxx XT1250 is available for anyone who wants a "dev" edition of the XT1254.
The U.S. Moto Maxx XT1250 is not to be confused with the International Moto Maxx XT1225 and Moto Turbo XT1225 (see even the Turbo name is not exclusive), which are also Moto Quark phones but do not have CDMA bands enabled, and have a slightly different mix of LTE bands. All the XT1225 models are the same device, in spite of having two model names (Moto Turob and Moto Maxx). Same FCC ID across all regions, same SKU.
See, there were basically two Motorola Quark phones -- with two different FCC IDs -- released under THREE model names:
FCC ID IHDT56PK1:
XT1254 U.S. Droid Turbo/XT1250 U.S. Moto Maxx (identical device, CMDA/GSM/HSPA/LTE bands -- except for model name). The XT1250 will run on Verizon, with a Verizon SIM card. This device has LTE bands 2, 3, 4, 7, 13 enabled.
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FCC ID IHDT56PK2:
XT1225 "international" Moto Turbo/XT1225 "international" Moto Maxx (identical device, GSM/HPSA/LTE bands, except for model names). This LTE bands 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 17 enabled.
Of the two Quark models -- released under three models names (Moto Maxx, Moto Turbo, Droid Turbo) -- only the one with the model name "Droid Turbo" has locked down bootloader. The XT1250 U.S. Moto Maxx is basically the "dev" version of the XT1254 "Droid Turbo" if you can get your hands on it. (unlock-able bootloader, can be easily rooted, TWRP installed, etc.)
I don't see why that would change for upcoming models. You just have to research and find what you need.
This has been the pattern the past few years, and I don't see why it would change, especially since Verizon can no longer lock out non-Verizon devices due to FCC agreement. They don't have to "activate" those devices, but if you swap in an already-activated SIM card will work just fine. Just like the non-Verizon Nexus 6.
ChazzMatt said:
For the upcoming 2015 models, let's look at recent history of last year's models...
Something like the U.S. Moto Maxx XT1250 (same device, same FCC ID as the Verizon Droid Turbo which PROVES it's the same device; same CDMA/GSM/HSPA/LTE bands as the Droid Turb XT1254 -- but with unlock-able bootloader) will show up on the smaller, regional CDMA/LTE carriers.
These are actual standalone carriers, with their own spectrum -- NOT Verizon MVNOs. But they have roaming agreements with Verizon, and share in Verizon's hardware portfolio but their models are sold under different names/model numbers. However, these devices are IDENTICAL to the Verizon models, due to having the same FCC ID. That's all the proof you need.
The Verizon fanbois will be reluctant to admit it will exist because they like the believe the "exclusive" marketing LIES by Verizon. (Nothing about the Droid Turbo was exclusive to Verizon, except the "Droid" name -- because it's licensed by Verizon from Disney/LucasArts. Even the "Turbo" name was used by Motorola for another Quark phone.) This marketing lie was repeated verbatim by lazy bloggers/U.S. tech media who care more about Apple farts than anything Android-related.
These upcoming devices will work on the Verizon network just like a non-Verizon Nexus 6 -- and just like the XT1250 does.
When you find this device -- whatever the alternative model number/name is -- and buy it you will have to ensure it's unlocked from the carrier it's bought from since you will be paying full price. Again, this device will work on the Verizon network just like a non-Verizon Nexus 6. But it will be there -- just like the U.S. Moto Maxx XT1250 is available for anyone who wants a "dev" edition of the XT1254.
The XT1250 is not to be confused with the International Moto Maxx XT1225 and Moto Turbo XT1225 (see even the Turbo name is not exclusive), which are also Moto Quark phones but do not have CDMA bands enabled, and have a slightly different mix of LTE bands. All the XT1225 models are the same device, in spite of having two model names (Moto Turob and Moto Maxx). Same FCC ID across all regions, same SKU.
See, there were basically two Motorola Quark phones -- with two different FCC IDs -- released under THREE model names:
FCC ID IHDT56PK1: XT1254 U.S. Droid Turbo/XT1250 U.S. Moto Maxx (identical device, CMDA/GSM/HSPA/LTE bands -- except for model name). The XT1250 will run on Verizon, with a Verizon SIM card. This devices has LTE bands 2, 3, 4, 7, 13 enabled.
FCC ID IHDT56PK2: XT1225 "international" Moto Turbo/XT1225 "international" Moto Maxx (identical device, GSM/HPSA/LTE bands, except for model names). This LTE bands 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 17 enabled.
Of the two Quark models -- released under three models names -- only the one with the model name "Droid Turbo" has locked down bootloader. The XT1250 U.S. Moto Maxx is basically the "dev" version of the XT1254 "Droid Turbo" if you can get your hands on it.
I don't see why that would change for upcoming models. You just have to research and find what you need.
This has been the pattern the past few years, and I don't see why it would change, especially since Verizon can no longer lock out non-Verizon devices due to FCC agreement. They don't have to "activate" those devices, but if you swap in an already-activated SIM card will work just fine. Just like the non-Verizon Nexus 6.
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this is exactly why im asking. im moving cross country in about a month going through several of these local carrier areas, so ill be able to go in to one of there physical stores a buy a XT1250 soon. but now with the new motos coming out im wondering if i should hold off.
I've had 4 VZW Android phones. The Turbo is the only one, so far, with a bootloader that can't be unlocked for free.
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Yes, all of the Verizon bootloader will be locked. Seems like a silly question.
Whether that will by bypassed or cracked is another story. Although bootloader unlocking is getting extremely difficult, so is very unlikely.
Obviously root is still a possibility though.
100 who ever can unlock the next gen droid nexus
JasonJoel said:
Yes, all of the Verizon bootloader will be locked. Seems like a silly question.
Whether that will by bypassed or cracked is another story. Although bootloader unlocking is getting extremely difficult, so is very unlikely.
Obviously root is still a possibility though.
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Is not a silly question at all. In fact yours was a silly (and wrong) reply.
1. I'm sending this message now from my xt1080m dev edition and official Verizon device with a oem unlockable bootloader.
2. The nexus 6 is currently available from Verizon. Oem unlockable.
3. Next gen moto x's were just announced to be universal (none carrier specific), and unlockable.
It's a brave new world.
TheWhiteChallenger said:
Next gen moto x's were just announced to be universal (none carrier specific), and unlockable.
It's a brave new world.
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Click to collapse
But for the next gen Moto X, you will have to buy a non-Verizon model straight from Motorola website. Fantastic you will be able to do that but means Verizon still has not changed their "lock the bootloader!" ways. It's just that they can no longer block non-Verizon branded devices from connecting to their LTE network if those devices are compatible. (like a non-Verizon Nexus 6 or a U.S. Moto Maxx XT1250 -- same device as the Droid Turbo.)
Motorola gladly unlocked ALL Quarks, except for the Verizon branded one, because Verizon would not let them. To this day, Verizon will not let them unlock the XT1254, even though the XT1250 (sold by smaller regional CMDA/LTE carriers) is IDENTICAL and runs on Verizon with a Verizon LTE card. The XT1250 can be unlocked because Verizon has no control over it.
Yes there are a few exceptions - nexus 6 for example.
All of the Verizon branded, non-nexus non-developer edition phones will continue to have locked boot loaders. Period.
So for Verizon, get a Nexus, developer, or 'pure' device if you want an unlocked bootloader.
So I stand by my original statement, just with a few qualifications.
ChazzMatt said:
But for the next gen Moto X, you will have to buy a non-Verizon model straight from Motorola website. Fantastic you will be able to do that but means Verizon still has not changed their "lock the bootloader!" ways. It's just that they can no longer block non-Verizon branded devices from connecting to their LTE network if those devices are compatible. (like a non-Verizon Nexus 6 or a U.S. Moto Maxx XT1250 -- same device as the Droid Turbo.)
Motorola gladly unlocked ALL Quarks, except for the Verizon branded one, because Verizon would not let them. To this day, Verizon will not let them unlock the XT1254, even though the XT1250 (sold by smaller regional CMDA/LTE carriers) is IDENTICAL and runs on Verizon with a Verizon LTE card. The XT1250 can be unlocked because Verizon has no control over it.
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yes, you need to look forward, cuz those days might be over. Motorola is spitting in the carriers faces and if it is profitable to them the rest for the companys will copy it. just like everything thing else in the cellular industry. the days of service providers pretending to be software developers is ending. and not a moment to soon
IMO unless Google changes their policy, I'd not expect Verizon or AT&T offering unlockable devices (that are not Nexus nor developer edition). Both cases generally have a workaround though; AT&T will work with any GSM phone that has the right bands (aka XT1225) and Verizon will work with an active 4G SIM also with a phone that has the right bands (aka XT1250). So what you simply need is to have a non-Verizon or non-AT&T version, that's it.
Skrilax_CZ said:
IMO unless Google changes their policy, I'd not expect Verizon or AT&T offering unlockable devices (that are not Nexus nor developer edition). Both cases generally have a workaround though;
AT&T will work with any GSM phone that has the right bands (aka XT1225) and
Verizon will work with an active 4G SIM also with a phone that has the right bands (aka XT1250).
So what you simply need is to have a non-Verizon or non-AT&T version, that's it.
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Click to collapse
And Verizon fanbois don't believe the marketing hype about "exclusive" devices for Verizon. For the Droid Turbo XT1250, the only thing exclusive was the "Droid" name. The exact same device with the exact same FCC ID was sold with the exact same specs and bands by other U.S. CDMA/LTE carriers as the XT1250 (U.S. Moto Maxx).
Motorola even used the "Turbo" part of the name for the Moto Turbo XT1225, which was a Quark sibling.
When Verizon says you can only buy the "Droid Turbo" at Verizon, they mean you can only buy the "tramp stamped" version at Verizon. You can buy the same phone elsewhere under a different name, with the same FCC ID -- with unlockable bootloader. The OTHER phone is actually a better phone!
By the way, for those looking for 64GB Moto MAXX XT1250, this CDMA/LTE carrier in Oklahoma seems to have one:
http://sprocketwireless.com/product/moto-maxx-xt-1250/
Moto Maxx XT 1250
No Contract: $725.00
Product Description
Display 5.2-inch AMOLED, Quad HD (1440 x 2560 pixels), 565 ppi
Processor 2.7 Ghz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, Adreno 420
RAM 3GB
Camera Rear: 21MP. Front: 2MP
Battery 3,900 mAh
Storage 64GB, non-expandable
Networks 3G, LTE
Connectivity GPS, microUSB 2.0, WiFi a/b/g/n/ac, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0
Software Android 4.4 Kitkat
Dimensions 143.5 x 73.3 x 11.2mm – 176 g
Colors Black, Red
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You just have to convince them to sell it to you out of their market area... Tell them it's a gift for a relative or something...
One other carrier listed a 64GB months ago, but when people called to buy it, they were told it was an error in the website listing, that they only had 32GB in stock. So, confirm before you buy.
moto x play (style everywhere else in world) will be compatible with att, tmobile and verizon and will come directly from motorola.
to avoid all this carrier mess we have with locked bootloaders, motorola has listened.
check the networks:
http://www.motorola.com/on/demandwa...a_WE-Site/en/Product-Show?pid=moto-x-style-we
off course will be bootloader unlockable.
Jaocagomez said:
moto x play (style everywhere else in world) will be compatible with att, tmobile and verizon and will come directly from motorola.
to avoid all this carrier mess we have with locked bootloaders, motorola has listened.
check the networks:
http://www.motorola.com/on/demandwa...a_WE-Site/en/Product-Show?pid=moto-x-style-we
off course will be bootloader unlockable.
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Moto X Pure is what the Moto X Style is called in the U.S. Moto X Play is another device, rumors are it's a Droid Turbo variant for EU folks.
Sent from my One M8 using Tapatalk
There also are rumours about Droid Turbo 2.
Skrilax_CZ said:
There also are rumours about Droid Turbo 2.
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This, i might be interested if they release an international bootloader free variant of it.
They won't. The international version will be the 'Play' model - which won't be the exact same as the Turbo 2 like the Turbo/Maxx were.
Skrilax_CZ said:
There also are rumours about Droid Turbo 2.
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Semseddin said:
This, i might be interested if they release an international bootloader free variant of it.
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JasonJoel said:
They won't. The international version will be the 'Play' model - which won't be the exact same as the Turbo 2 like the Turbo/Maxx were.
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Click to collapse
Current rumors are the Droid Turbo 2 will NOT be based on the Play model. You are thinking of the Droid Maxx 2, which will be the mid-tier 2015 Droid model.
Looks like Verizon will have two Droid models this year. (Not that I care about Verizon, but I have the international version of the Quark running on AT&T and am curious about the successor model.)
The top-tier model will be code name "Bounce" to replace the "Quark". Droid Turbo 2 for Verizon and Moto X Force for international. It will have a slightly smaller size (5.43") than the X Play (5.5") and yet have a larger battery. And it should still have unlock-able bootloader. No reason for it not to have it.
To be released in December, will probably have Android 6.0 Marshmallow already installed.
Current leaks show at least one variant that looks like dark blue Ballistic Nylon? (which in the Quark was really ballistic nylon + kevlar.)
http://www.mnrdaily.com/article/mot...eaks.to.come.out.in.different.colors/3705.htm
Motorola has already released two new smartphones under the Moto X series namely the Moto X Play and Moto X Style. Motorola is expected to market these devices in various regions across the world in different names and possibly with some unique feature for a particular region. There were rumors earlier of Motorola launching a new smartphone by the end of the year that would be called as Moto Bounce.
But yesterday, new reports claimed that the rumored Moto Bounce smartphone would be launched as the Moto X Force, which would be a shatterproof handset. Serial tipster @upleaks had posted an unofficial press render of the Moto Bounce, which he claimed would arrive in the market as the Moto X Force.
This time, @upleaks has posted a second series of renders that depicts the Moto X Force in three color variations available for the back cover. The Moto X Force is expected to be highly resistant to impact and shocks, and is considered to be shatterproof.
In terms of design, the Moto X Force appears similar to the Moto X Play, but is expected to arrive with different specifications. The Moto X Force will feature a 5.43 inch QHD display and will be powered by QUALCOMM's Snapdragon 810 processor, paired with 3GB of RAM. The Moto X Force will be available in 32GB and 64GB variants of on-board storage, and will sport a 21MP rear camera along with a 5MP front facing camera. The handset will pack a 3760mAh battery and is likely to run on Google's latest Android operating system.
The rumored specifications list suggests that the Moto X Force will be superior to the Moto X Style in terms of processor and battery size, and will have a smaller screen size, though the QHD display will deliver a better viewing experience.
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http://www.techtimes.com/articles/8...-again-this-time-in-various-color-options.htm
The mobile device will also include a 3,760mAh battery. (Because the Quark's 3900 mAh was too much?) To be released in December, the Moto X Force will probably come running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow straight out of the box.
If the leaked images are to be believed, then the upcoming handset will have two speaker grills at the bottom of the display screen.
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_____
This person isn't sure the grills at the bottom are speakers. If not what are they?
http://phandroid.com/2015/09/04/mot...posed-again-shows-off-mysterious-new-sensors/
Late last evening, @Upleaks returned with a handful of new press renders, this time of the phone prominently displayed in white, along with red, white, and blue color options (‘Merica). The best part about the newly leaked white color is we get a much better look at Motorola’s strange sensors. You can see the dots — which are the same IR sensors that come on the Moto X Style — but what’s really interesting is the elongated ones which definitely aren’t speakers/mic... why wouldn’t they use the same grill as the top of the phone?.
So, what exactly are they? We have no clue. We’re hoping that huge chin bezel serves more purpose than simple hand gestures, perhaps hiding a fingerprint reader underneath. We saw Qualcomm experimenting with this technology back during Mobile World Congress, so it’s not too far fetched an idea.
One thing we want to point out on the leaked backs are the different accent colors surrounding the camera module. This could be a hint that the phone will also be available on Moto Maker for buyers to customize. We’ll keep our fingers crossed. As it stands, we’re going to hold off on all these new Androids until Motorola can at least make this device official. Don’t want to make any hasty decisions.
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A co-worker has a lightly used T-Mobile G6 I'm thinking about picking up. Obviously this phone is too new for custom ROMs to be out there yet, and from reading here it looks like there are no custom recoveries either; but when that all starts to happen, will separate custom ROMs have to be created for each carrier variant, or will any ROM run on any carrier variant?
Pardon me if this is a dumb question. I'm coming in from the Nexus 5, which didn't have carrier-specific models. Thanks.
From previous experience there's enough difference between carriers to requirements different ROMs.
Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk
Good questions, I think most of the time this is necessary, but with the S7 for example it wasn't. This is my first LG too so we'll have to wait and see.
I have seen a few instances where two models have been compatible with one another. An old example would be the HTC Inspire 4g with the HTC Desire HD; the former was the domestic US models and the other was foreign. In another case, models both have bootloader unlocked and root available so the community choose to create roms compatible with both revisions.
I found the H850 and H830 (the LG G5?) had cross compatible development in some instances... Also, you could use Nexus 4 roms on the LG Optimus G once you completed the conversion process. I had the Optimus G and loved this capability!
Will it happen again, who knows.... we can only hope! I'm no developer, but just a rom junkie ;-p
But to answer the question directly: from the phones I've owned & read on the forums, you usually have carrier dependent roms. Now it seems more common to have no support on certain models altogether. This is why I sold my Galaxy Note 3 and now the LG G6 from at&t to get an unlocked T-Mobile variant.
reignlight said:
I have seen a few instances where two models have been compatible with one another. An old example would be the HTC Inspire 4g with the HTC Desire HD; the former was the domestic US models and the other was foreign. In another case, models both have bootloader unlocked and root available so the community choose to create roms compatible with both revisions.
I found the H850 and H830 (the LG G5?) had cross compatible development in some instances... Also, you could use Nexus 4 roms on the LG Optimus G once you completed the conversion process. I had the Optimus G and loved this capability!
Will it happen again, who knows.... we can only hope! I'm no developer, but just a rom junkie ;-p
But to answer the question directly: from the phones I've owned & read on the forums, you usually have carrier dependent roms. Now it seems more common to have no support on certain models altogether. This is why I sold my Galaxy Note 3 and now the LG G6 from at&t to get an unlocked T-Mobile variant.
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All the 2014 Moto Quarks run the same custom ROMs.
Droid Turbo XT1254,
U.S. Moto Maxx XT1250,
Moto Turbo XT1225 (India), and
"international" Moto Maxx XT1225 (LTE bands 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 17).
All the way from Lollipop, Marshmallow, and now Nougat.
[ROMs][Quarks][List for Moto Maxx/Moto Turbo and Droid Turbo]
The phones are split between two different XDA forums, but the same ROMs are used by all the phones. The original CM dev @Skrilax_CZ made sure the kernel was cross-compatible, and it's stayed the way ever since.
The Quark was released at the same time as the Moto Nexus 6, and was basically 5.2" version of that phone -- but had a 3900 mAh battery! The Droid Turbo was the best known of the series, but I owned three of the Moto XT1225 as it has all the AT&T LTE bands. For some reason, Motorola changed the model names depending on country/carrier, but they all had the same hardware. The Droid Turbo was actually a CLONE of the U.S. Moto Maxx XT1250, with the same FCC ID and radio bands (LTE/CDMA). The XT1250 would run on Verizon with a Verizon SIM card because it was the EXACT same device. You could cross flash Verizon Motorola stock firmware onto an XT1250 to convert it into a "Droid Turbo" if you wished.
The XT1225 models had different FCC ID and radio, but still all the custom ROMs were compatible with ALL the Quarks, thanks to @Skrilax_CZ talent and foresight. And remains so to this day, even with a bunch of other devs now maintaining a variety of ROMs.
It seems the T-Mobile variant has a locked bootloader (which is not un-lockable). I'm guessing that will probably limit the amount of development for this variation of the G6. The only US model that is un-lockable is the US997 (not the US997 from US Cellular).
lemmyslender said:
It seems the T-Mobile variant has a locked bootloader (which is not un-lockable). I'm guessing that will probably limit the amount of development for this variation of the G6. The only US model that is un-lockable is the US997 (not the US997 from US Cellular).
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Yeah, I wound up buying unlockable US997s from B&H, passing up T-Mo's $500 buy-one-get-one offer with real regret.
dwasifar said:
Yeah, I wound up buying unlockable US997s from B&H, passing up T-Mo's $500 buy-one-get-one offer with real regret.
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Didn't realize the OP was that old. Whoops. Still probably good info to have on the thread.
Got mine from B&H too.
What phone would be considered the next step up from the G4 Play? I'd like to keep it at $150, but might consider spending a bit more if it's worth it.
I don't care what brand, don't want a screen bigger than 5" and don't care about camera quality. I pretty much just use the phone for calls/txts, internet and music, so a nice speaker and microphone would be a plus.
Thanks.
adam79 said:
What phone would be considered the next step up from the G4 Play? I'd like to keep it at $150, but might consider spending a bit more if it's worth it.
I don't care what brand, don't want a screen bigger than 5" and don't care about camera quality. I pretty much just use the phone for calls/txts, internet and music, so a nice speaker and microphone would be a plus.
Thanks.
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Click to collapse
Consider the G5 plus. Fully unlockable variants hover in the $200 USD range but will likely drop during local holiday promotions.
Davey126 said:
Consider the G5 plus. Fully unlockable variants hover in the $200 USD range but will likely drop during local holiday promotions.
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Is there a regular G5 or just the G5 Plus? When I google Moto G5 only the G5 Plus pops up..
I checked out the side by side comparison. How does # of cores/clock speed affect performance vs RAM? The G5 Plus has higher core and clock speed, 8 core/2.0 gHz vs 4 core/1.2 gHz, but the same amount of RAM, 2 GB on both. Will that improve internet load times, or is carrier and reception the only factors for that?
Also, it says that compatible 4G frequencies for MeteoPCS are 700 MHz and 1700 MHz while 3G is 1900 MHz. The G4 Play and G5 Plus cell band is listed as: WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 / CDMA2000 1x 1900/850. Does the lack of either 4G frequency slow down the 4G LTE speed? I'm getting LTE 95% of the time, so my G4 Play still works.
Plus the G4 Play is listed as having Verizon for a carrier while the G5 plus has AT&T.
Would it be ideal to get a phone that not only have the compatible frequencies, but on the T-Mobile network, since that's Metro PCS's backbone. Or does none of that make any difference?
adam79 said:
Is there a regular G5 or just the G5 Plus? When I google Moto G5 only the G5 Plus pops up..
I checked out the side by side comparison. How does # of cores/clock speed affect performance vs RAM? The G5 Plus has higher core and clock speed, 8 core/2.0 gHz vs 4 core/1.2 gHz, but the same amount of RAM, 2 GB on both. Will that improve internet load times, or is carrier and reception the only factors for that?
Also, it says that compatible 4G frequencies for MeteoPCS are 700 MHz and 1700 MHz while 3G is 1900 MHz. The G4 Play and G5 Plus cell band is listed as: WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 / CDMA2000 1x 1900/850. Does the lack of either 4G frequency slow down the 4G LTE speed? I'm getting LTE 95% of the time, so my G4 Play still works.
Plus the G4 Play is listed as having Verizon for a carrier while the G5 plus has AT&T.
Would it be ideal to get a phone that not only have the compatible frequencies, but on the T-Mobile network, since that's Metro PCS's backbone. Or does none of that make any difference?
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There are three G5 varients; only the G5 Plus is available in the US.
As for your other questions the best answer is to purchase from a distributor with 15-30 day return privileges. Then pop your G4 sim into the G5 and see how it performs. You may have to trim the SIM for the G5 and purchase an adapter for the G4. Good luck.
First time I will say this .... Totally agree with Davey; Moto G5 Plus is a lot better !
Davey126 said:
There are three G5 varients; only the G5 Plus is available in the US.
As for your other questions the best answer is to purchase from a distributor with 15-30 day return privileges. Then pop your G4 sim into the G5 and see how it performs. You may have to trim the SIM for the G5 and purchase an adapter for the G4. Good luck.
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How would I trim down the SIM card and what kind of adapter are you referring to for the G4 Play? Also, for an additional $80 you can get 4GB or RAM compared to 2. How does this affect phone lag? I'd like to avoid dealing with a refund. Not only is it a pain in the ass, but you can only activate one phone every three months with metro pcs. I'm not sure if there's a grace period for phone activations...if I had to return the phone and buy a different one, I'm not sure they'd let me activate it.
adam79 said:
How would I trim down the SIM card and what kind of adapter are you referring to for the G4 Play? Also, for an additional $80 you can get 4GB or RAM compared to 2. How does this affect phone lag? I'd like to avoid dealing with a refund. Not only is it a pain in the ass, but you can only activate one phone every three months with metro pcs. I'm not sure if there's a grace period for phone activations...if I had to return the phone and buy a different one, I'm not sure they'd let me activate it.
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The G4 Play uses a micro SIM (larger) while the G5 Plus uses a nano SIM. You can Google options for modifying the size of an existing SIM.
4GB of RAM would be most beneficial if you do extensive multitasking. 2GB is fine for most...especially on a mid-range device. Given your modest budget an additional $80 for 4GB RAM is probably not a good spend.