Related
it's been brought up in other threads, but I'll get right down to the meat of it: Are the US variant tabs capable of sending and receiving cellular voice calls and texts, hardware wise? In other words, is the hardware there and just disabled by software, or are they physically incapable of this function?
Im on Sprint now, but my goal is to switch to T-Mobile or ATT so I can swap sim cards from my phone to a Tab at will. (yes, I know the tab takes a micro sim, but there are adapters). If the cellular radio is left intact, then rooting and flashing new firmware could enable it. Am I right?
thefoss said:
Im on Sprint now, but my goal is to switch to T-Mobile or ATT so I can swap sim cards from my phone to a Tab at will. (yes, I know the tab takes a micro sim, but there are adapters). If the cellular radio is left intact, then rooting and flashing new firmware could enable it. Am I right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think anyone truly knows if the phone functionality can be re-enabled on the US Tab, but are you sure the US Tab uses micro-SIMs, because the European one just uses standard ones?
Regards,
Dave
foxmeister said:
...but are you sure the US Tab uses micro-SIMs, because the European one just uses standard ones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Engadget reported that some T-Mobile US customer have been sent microSIMs recently, which lead to a spate of rumours about the iPhone4 but it was supposedly then confirmed that the microSIMs are to do with the Tab instead.
I spoke with T-Mobile tech support early this morning... the tech said according to the trouble shooting guides that they have to use... the hardware is there, but voice has been disabled due to software restrictions. If you look on the product page on the T-Mobile website, the specs listed have all 4 gsm radio frequencies as well as 2 aws 3g radios. The display pic even shows 4 full bars of cellular reception. The tech said voice was not supported at launch... however if the phone was "hacked" (his words) technically it could be used for voice and data. He also said that the data plan for the tab is the android smartphone plan, so if you do flash a new rom and have the unlimited plan... you should be gravy for voice and data!! I hope that all of this turns out to be true... we shall see in the next 2 days.
thanks for the info, im already a tmobile customer and want to do the same thing, flash cyanogen to the tab. I have a nexus one and this would rule. my only other question is...can i use my full upgrade on the tablet? i spoke to a 2nd lev tech support and he said i might have a problem doing that because its tech. not a phone. the regular rep couldnt help me at all, she had no info until launch....didnt even know launch date. again can i use my tmobile upgrade for the tab....
jdmadonna said:
I spoke with T-Mobile tech support early this morning... the tech said according to the trouble shooting guides that they have to use... the hardware is there, but voice has been disabled due to software restrictions. If you look on the product page on the T-Mobile website, the specs listed have all 4 gsm radio frequencies as well as 2 aws 3g radios. The display pic even shows 4 full bars of cellular reception. The tech said voice was not supported at launch... however if the phone was "hacked" (his words) technically it could be used for voice and data. He also said that the data plan for the tab is the android smartphone plan, so if you do flash a new rom and have the unlimited plan... you should be gravy for voice and data!! I hope that all of this turns out to be true... we shall see in the next 2 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds good
jdmadonna said:
I spoke with T-Mobile tech support early this morning... the tech said according to the trouble shooting guides that they have to use... the hardware is there, but voice has been disabled due to software restrictions. If you look on the product page on the T-Mobile website, the specs listed have all 4 gsm radio frequencies as well as 2 aws 3g radios. The display pic even shows 4 full bars of cellular reception. The tech said voice was not supported at launch... however if the phone was "hacked" (his words) technically it could be used for voice and data. He also said that the data plan for the tab is the android smartphone plan, so if you do flash a new rom and have the unlimited plan... you should be gravy for voice and data!! I hope that all of this turns out to be true... we shall see in the next 2 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IF this were true, and the hardware is all the same, then that would also lead us to believe that the EUR version should have 850 3G capabilities too then, should it not?
I find it hard to believe it is a software limitation. I HOPE it is but highly doubt it.....fingers crossed
shollywood said:
IF this were true, and the hardware is all the same, then that would also lead us to believe that the EUR version should have 850 3G capabilities too then, should it not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Rumours are that the T-Mobile US model uses a microSIM.
If that's true, then there must be some sort of difference in hardware between it and the EU models.
shollywood said:
IF this were true, and the hardware is all the same, then that would also lead us to believe that the EUR version should have 850 3G capabilities too then, should it not?
I find it hard to believe it is a software limitation. I HOPE it is but highly doubt it.....fingers crossed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessarily - the Telus Desire and "regular" Desire are essentially the same but have different radios to support different bands.
Regards,
Dave
Just came back from demoing the Tab at my local tmobile store. It does use a standard sim. However the update is this: in the apps management screen, it seems that the only thing missing is the actual phone apk. The phone utility apk is there and the contacts apk is there. It looks like we just need the phone apk and then possibly the contacts merge apk to get voice enabled. Anyhow, the phone is being released at 11am pst tomorrow in my town, mine is on reserve so I will have it by 11:05am pst. anyone who wants to guide me into activating voice on this baby, send me a message and i will be happy to assist with trying some methods out.
I will need to try the following apk's from the euro version:
phone.apk
contactsmerge.apk
oh, the local reps looked on the computer and said that this device WILL require a webconnect data plan, not the unlimited android. There is a work around though... with voice enabled, you can call tmobile and ask for a tech support supervisor, open a trouble ticket and request an engineer to change your device ip range to that of a smartphone... then data and voice should work together. I had this problem on my aws version of the dell streak and it fixed it using unlimited voice and unlimited android data plans.
foxmeister said:
Not necessarily - the Telus Desire and "regular" Desire are essentially the same but have different radios to support different bands.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how are they 'essentially" the same then? Different radios means different hardware....
This is my point, the US versions are not going to contain the same hardware, hence it will not be a simple software fix. I HOPE I'm wrong, but I don't see it happening.
shollywood said:
So how are they 'essentially" the same then? Different radios means different hardware....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it's one tiny chip that's different, that's all.
The CPU, RAM, camera, display, OS, everything else is the same - hence essentially the same.
shollywood said:
This is my point, the US versions are not going to contain the same hardware, hence it will not be a simple software fix. I HOPE I'm wrong, but I don't see it happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As foxmeister has pointed out, most of the hardware will be the same, so if it's as simple as just the 3G chip being different then it's possible that yes it may only require a simple software fix to enable voice calling.
The units don't to be 100% identical for it to just be a software matter.
However, until someone gives it a go there's no way of being sure.
the microsims are for iphone user that have unlocked their phones and port them over to t-mobile (makes it easier then cutting).
as for the plan. webconnect and regualr cellphone plans are two different animals... one customer having a mobile and a data stick will have two accounts. the webconnect plan is actually just data, no voice options. so really the only way for you to use this device as a phone is if you buy it full price and try your android device sim card on there. THEN theoretically it should work.
amdivoff said:
the microsims are for iphone user that have unlocked their phones and port them over to t-mobile (makes it easier then cutting).
as for the plan. webconnect and regualr cellphone plans are two different animals... one customer having a mobile and a data stick will have two accounts. the webconnect plan is actually just data, no voice options. so really the only way for you to use this device as a phone is if you buy it full price and try your android device sim card on there. THEN theoretically it should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's the plan. Paying the full price and if possible enable phone capabilities using a regular smartphone plan
Step666 said:
Because it's one tiny chip that's different, that's all.
The CPU, RAM, camera, display, OS, everything else is the same - hence essentially the same.
As foxmeister has pointed out, most of the hardware will be the same, so if it's as simple as just the 3G chip being different then it's possible that yes it may only require a simple software fix to enable voice calling.
The units don't to be 100% identical for it to just be a software matter.
However, until someone gives it a go there's no way of being sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So why wouldn't ANYONE just flash the EUR firmware then and have everything enabled? You don't think they thought of that???
jdmadonna said:
Just came back from demoing the Tab at my local tmobile store. It does use a standard sim. However the update is this: in the apps management screen, it seems that the only thing missing is the actual phone apk. The phone utility apk is there and the contacts apk is there. It looks like we just need the phone apk and then possibly the contacts merge apk to get voice enabled. Anyhow, the phone is being released at 11am pst tomorrow in my town, mine is on reserve so I will have it by 11:05am pst. anyone who wants to guide me into activating voice on this baby, send me a message and i will be happy to assist with trying some methods out.
I will need to try the following apk's from the euro version:
phone.apk
contactsmerge.apk
oh, the local reps looked on the computer and said that this device WILL require a webconnect data plan, not the unlimited android. There is a work around though... with voice enabled, you can call tmobile and ask for a tech support supervisor, open a trouble ticket and request an engineer to change your device ip range to that of a smartphone... then data and voice should work together. I had this problem on my aws version of the dell streak and it fixed it using unlimited voice and unlimited android data plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bet we'll know within a week whether it can make calls or not. And if I have to take a bet I'll say... it can
I have never wanted to be more wrong on something...but I'll take that bet.
Step666 said:
Because it's one tiny chip that's different, that's all.
The CPU, RAM, camera, display, OS, everything else is the same - hence essentially the same.
As foxmeister has pointed out, most of the hardware will be the same, so if it's as simple as just the 3G chip being different then it's possible that yes it may only require a simple software fix to enable voice calling.
The units don't to be 100% identical for it to just be a software matter.
However, until someone gives it a go there's no way of being sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting logic....
So the Wave and the Galaxy S are "essentially" the same then....you cannot just throw Android on it and away you go...your logic would say otherwise.
The Wave too has the same CPU, RAM, Camera...etc. as the Galaxy S
Mine is onhold and waiting for me... I have a friend who knows Android tweaks inside and out ready to help me in the morning... hopefully we will know soon.
shollywood said:
So why wouldn't ANYONE just flash the EUR firmware then and have everything enabled? You don't think they thought of that???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The same logic applies to locked and unlocked handsets, quite often it's just software 'so why wouldn't anyone just flash the generic firmware?'
It's a risk, that's why people don't do it.
However, in this case there may be something to be gained from taking that risk.
Unfortunately, we won't know for sure one way or the other until some intrepid soul takes that risk.
But the fact still remains, the vast majority of the hardware (ie basically everything but the radio) will be the same as the EU model and that means there is the possibility that all the T-Mobile US Tab (or perhaps an AT&T one) needs is a re-flash to activate calling.
shollywood said:
Interesting logic....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least I'm using some.
shollywood said:
So the Wave and the Galaxy S are "essentially" the same then....you cannot just throw Android on it and away you go...your logic would say otherwise.
The Wave too has the same CPU, RAM, Camera...etc. as the Galaxy S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now you're just being absurd.
The two situations are not comparable.
In the case of the Tab we're talking two versions of the same device just with different frequencies supported, both are still the Galaxy Tab, both are still the P1000, it is essentially the same device.
In the situation you have, for reasons unknown, chosen to highlight, they are two different handsets completely - they are different models, they have different model numbers, they just happen to have similar specs.
It would be like saying the Desire and the Trophy are the same just because they have the same CPU, RAM and camera and that you can just 'throw' the OS of one onto the other. It just doesn't work like that.
Or maybe you'd like to lend your expertise to the teams of people around here working tirelessly to port OSs between various handsets? Clearly they've missed a trick with this 'throwing' business you speak of(!)
I have the Verizon one, It works well but that lack of development and inability of it to ever make calls has me ready to move on from it and get a GSM version. Im a bit confused as to which one to get. It seems as if the Att one is the way to go but I dont want to make another $500 mistake. So which one woud you get and why?
Please advise
AT&T version is the USA is the most flexiblr and best if you want to flash and customize because it has the same radio as most Euro versions.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
w4, have you done any custom stuff??
The Bell and Rogers Galaxy Tabs are good too since they're the same as the AT&T Tabs.
I have the Bell Tab. No issues at all.
I want to be able to use it as a phone, I see ATT is what is needed but just going in to the ATT store and purchasing a tablet with a month to month plan will I get all I need, after the mods here of course??
Bobby Buggs said:
I want to be able to use it as a phone, I see ATT is what is needed but just going in to the ATT store and purchasing a tablet with a month to month plan will I get all I need, after the mods here of course??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you already have an att phone with voice and data, then yes. Just insert your current sim card.
I'd stick with the verizon one because it works everywhere. Good luck getting anything from AT&T to work in the southeast, for example. AT&T is awful where I live and, in fact, when my AT&T contract is up this summer I will most likely ditch them and the AT&T iPhone for Verizon and their iPhone. Which is another reason I'd stick with Verizon...already have a phone and couldn't care less about making voice calls with a tablet, especially when there are so many options that work just fine on the tablet as it is.
markgamber said:
I'd stick with the verizon one because it works everywhere. Good luck getting anything from AT&T to work in the southeast, for example. AT&T is awful where I live and, in fact, when my AT&T contract is up this summer I will most likely ditch them and the AT&T iPhone for Verizon and their iPhone. Which is another reason I'd stick with Verizon...already have a phone and couldn't care less about making voice calls with a tablet, especially when there are so many options that work just fine on the tablet as it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
guess it depends on where you live. verizon is **** here, att is fantastic.
There are ways to use the Verizon tab as a phone...voip and/or sip. Using skype myself, but slightly unhappy with the way that the skype app goes to sleep and doesn't recieve incoming calls after a while.
According to PhoneArea a Verizon spokeswomen has confirmed that they will be launching the Samsung Galaxy S II sometime next month.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-S-II-confirmed-for-July-touch-down-at-Verizon_id19421
I'm sure AT&T will probably release it around the same time (if not sooner).
This is shocking...
"Although the phone will not be enabled for the LTE 4G network, it probably won't matter to potential buyers as the device has already proven itself to be speedy over 3G pipelines."
What's the purpose of launching a state-of-the-art phone that doesn't run on your state-of-the-art network? Hell, with EVDO, it'll be the slowest of the three U.S. SGS2 variants assuming it's Wi-Max on Sprint and 4G and/or LTE on AT&T. Why carry the phone at all?
Oh well, I don't even have 4G coverage here. By the time I do, I'll probably already be getting a new phone.
Also while I don't put much stock what an email from a Verizon spokesperson says, at least Verizon acknowledges the phone and it will at least come out eventually. I hope it really does come out in July though.
At least it will work on ATT's fake 4G HSPA+.
To work on Verizon's LTE would require a big redesign.
Meets34 said:
At least it will work on ATT's fake 4G HSPA+.
To work on Verizon's LTE would require a big redesign.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it was supposed to be AT&T's first LTE phone? I read that online somewhere but can't find it now. AT&T was also supposed to be the first to launch so maybe the hold up is getting the LTE radio working. AT&T's LTE network is supposed to light up in a couple of weeks and they still have nothing that can run on it. Yet they're introducing a slew of high-end devices that work on a network that's outdated. Strange.
P.S. - Now that I think about it, it may be the combination of CDMA and LTE that prompted VZW and Samsung to skip LTE. That will still be strange though if Sprint's variant ends up being CDMA/Wi-Max.
BarryH_GEG said:
I thought it was supposed to be AT&T's first LTE phone? I read that online somewhere but can't find it now. AT&T was also supposed to be the first to launch so maybe the hold up is getting the LTE radio working. AT&T's LTE network is supposed to light up in a couple of weeks and they still have nothing that can run on it. Yet they're introducing a slew of high-end devices that work on a network that's outdated. Strange.
P.S. - Now that I think about it, it may be the combination of CDMA and LTE that prompted VZW and Samsung to skip LTE. That will still be strange though if Sprint's variant ends up being CDMA/Wi-Max.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adding the LTE radio and chipset would probably require redesigning the phone. The current LTE phones are really big and thick.
Meets34 said:
Adding the LTE radio and chipset would probably require redesigning the phone. The current LTE phones are really big and thick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bad for AT&T but good for all of us who imported a non-branded SGS2. I assumed that AT&T's LTE version was going to make our phones (at least in the U.S.) outdated. If it ends of being the same phone with AT&T "enhancements" it makes our decision (and the price) worthwhile.
Excuse my ignorance, but what are the chances of the carriers making the phone better? I don't know how, just asking.
I don't know if i should just wait to see the differences with the ATT version or just buy the unlocked one now
MrLeon said:
Excuse my ignorance, but what are the chances of the carriers making the phone better? I don't know how, just asking.
I don't know if i should just wait to see the differences with the ATT version or just buy the unlocked one now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well there's always the chance you can get a nice cold refreshing glass of lemonade in Hell...
MrLeon said:
Excuse my ignorance, but what are the chances of the carriers making the phone better? I don't know how, just asking.
I don't know if i should just wait to see the differences with the ATT version or just buy the unlocked one now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very close to zero. They will just add bloatware.
The only good thing is the subsidized price.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-said-to-be-verizon-bound-in-july/
damn engadget says they were talking about the New galaxy tab :\
boondoc said:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-said-to-be-verizon-bound-in-july/
damn engadget says they were talking about the New galaxy tab :\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just saw that as well. LAME!!
Yep, can never trust those spokesperson emails. God damn.
Thank goodness it's for the tab I'm not eligible until 9/4/2011
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
You guys need to realize JUST how hard it is to design and properly tune for LTE bands. I work in antenna design, and I can tell you it takes quite a bit to tune the noise down on the LTE frequencies. Add that to the fact that antenna real estate is already extremely tight in an ultra thin device like the SGSII (especially when taking GSM, WIFI, bluetooth, and GPS into account), the only way to get LTE in would be to have one/several of the other bands to suffer AND/OR make the device much, much thicker.
Until active antenna solutions are more readily available, this will continue to be a problem with passive antenna design, especially with small form factor devices like mobile phones.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
another reason to believe that Sprint GN2 may not have SIM slot.
We already know that previously Sprint Photon Q (made by Motorola) have SIM internally and unremovable. Now we know that there is another Sprint device Optimus G (made by LG) that will have the exactly similar design as far as SIM slot goes. (source here)
With the previous picture purposely a leak of Sprint GN2 device showing no SIM slot, this is likely to be a Sprint own evil doing.
And BTW I'm one very pissed about this. I 'll definitely sending a snail mail to Sprint Executive Office about how pissed I'm as a consumer regarding turning an international capable device into useless crap once the device come out. I go to Thailand every year or so to visit family member and when I am there I would definitely want to use SIM there because of the local number I can use. With unremovable SIM this is no longer possible. I'm very disappointed.
That's sucks, although I don't go over seas that much.. It would be nice to have. Tell them you Ben kohn bah and your red shirt friends don't approve of this.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Unfortunately most sprint users including myself really don't care that much although it would be great to have definitely not a deal breaker for most and most won't care. I feel your pain as I do go over seas but I don't use my sprint phone for over seas as I use my dumb phone a flip phone unlocked cheapo for traveling. But I'm in ur corner for *****in and moaning hopefully one day it will be different either way just get the damn device in stock and I'm happy
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
randy2 said:
Unfortunately most sprint users including myself really don't care that much although it would be great to have definitely not a deal breaker for most and most won't care. I feel your pain as I do go over seas but I don't use my sprint phone for over seas as I use my dumb phone a flip phone unlocked cheapo for traveling. But I'm in ur corner for *****in and moaning hopefully one day it will be different either way just get the damn device in stock and I'm happy
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears that this is the route they are going now. I wonder why that is? Does using the embedded SIM force you to use a Sprint International plan, for out of country use?
pardon my ignorance, but isn't the "international" version GSM...and sprint's, obviously gonna be CDMA? and as such, no SIM card?
---at least i've always assumed that SIM cards is something GSM phones use, while CDMA phones do not.
finalhit said:
pardon my ignorance, but isn't the "international" version GSM...and sprint's, obviously gonna be CDMA? and as such, no SIM card?
---at least i've always assumed that SIM cards is something GSM phones use, while CDMA phones do not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right, but some CDMA phones have radios that support at least EDGE on GSM so you can still text and make phone calls overseas (and if you unlock, you could run them on Tmo and AT&T).
However, the question is if the radios will even support the EDGE GSM bands... probably not though.
finalhit said:
pardon my ignorance, but isn't the "international" version GSM...and sprint's, obviously gonna be CDMA? and as such, no SIM card?
---at least i've always assumed that SIM cards is something GSM phones use, while CDMA phones do not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of Verizon's LTE phones have a SIM card slot and all of their recent phones also have GSM/HSPA radios for global roaming. I believe some can even run on T-Mobile and ATT's frequencies if you are lucky. But LTE will be Verizon only.
would it be possible to flash a Verizon Note 2 to Sprint in order to have one with a SIM card?
There are so much of competition in market, they skipping features users can easily find alternative. Bad for users but too bad for manufactures. They should understand
Not sure if you saw, but someone has figured out how to remove the embedded SIM in the Photon Q and replace it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=32593285#post32593285
Yea, but whose brave soul gonna do that on not even a month old GN2. And that's beside the point. Seriously, to me it seem like it would cost the manufacturor even more to make the SIM embeded than regular one.
KB112 said:
It appears that this is the route they are going now. I wonder why that is? Does using the embedded SIM force you to use a Sprint International plan, for out of country use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my guess Is That and it decreases fraud. I.e. new accounts created simply to obtain discounted phones that can be used overseas ...then the accounts go bad
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
I mean how many sprint phones even support GSM EDGE bands?
I don't use Sprint, so I don't know for a fact, but don't their phones usually only run on CDMA (I've only ever heard of Verizon CDMA "world-phones")
I know that the old Touch Pro 2(wm6) and Photon 4G both have dual GSM/CDMA chip in them and they both have SIM slot.
whats the significance in not having a sim card cause it seems like a good thing to me. unless its like tmobile and att network where you can get gsm phones
The significant isn't about whether it have SIM or not. I mean for most people in the US I think we can get by w/o it. I mean it's like once every year or two that people would go outside the country and can make use of it. So it wouldn't be like a final decision whether to get one w/ or w/o SIM. And you are right there are also AT&T and T-mobile. But I can say the for some people it's about the network in their local, while for other it may simply be about not going back to the service they have bad experience with. To me it's about cost, since I'm a Sprint SERO Premium account owner. But very, it's more about why walking the low path? The phone would have been technically capable of it, the chipset, modem, antana support it. This is more about why purposely redesign it to lock it down to a specific network, greed, basically.
someone0 said:
I know that the old Touch Pro 2(wm6) and Photon 4G both have dual GSM/CDMA chip in them and they both have SIM slot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the Sprint HTC Touch Pro 2 most certainly had a SIM card slot. I had a few of them before making the jump to android with my EVO 4G. It was a nice feature to have on a "Business" phone, which is what the TP2 was geared towards. The productivity of the Note 2 also can be geared for Business users, a SIM slot would be of great use.
Ohh okk that makes sense. Cause I never go out of the country so its not that big of a deal for me. But I guess I'd you travel a lot it would be better to have one
Sent From My HTC EVO 3D
00mred00 said:
my guess Is That and it decreases fraud. I.e. new accounts created simply to obtain discounted phones that can be used overseas ...then the accounts go bad
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DING DING DING!! Bingo
Frustrating
eurominican said:
DING DING DING!! Bingo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently Verizon figured out how to do it properly as they previously have had CDMA, but now allow removable SIM cards for their LTE world-phones. Sprint is now the only provider that locks their phones down like this- it's very frustrating. I am paying for a brand new device that is inherently compatible as a world-phone, but I must buy a separate device to use over seas so that I don't get raped with Sprint's international calling/data plans. RIDICULOUS! These kind of tactics are out of the apple playbook- limit the options of your customers, so you can squeeze em.
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
As with a lot of other people on this site, I'm wondering which carrier will be best to pre-order from? I use Verizon but HATE the fact that most of the times it's one of the last carriers to be able to root the phone. I would also hate for this to turn into another Verizon Samsung Note 4 issue. Too bad the rumors where Samsung was going to start making phones that were both CDMA & GSM/UTMS were not true (as far as I am aware of).
This way since I'm now paying outright for my phones (roughly $800 bucks for 7 Edge), I could use it if I moved between carriers. After reading some other posts, now I'm wondering If I'm paying full price (paid in full), Will it be unlocked? I can't be the only one that feels RIPPED OFF when I pay $800 for a device and can't have root = have my own admin access. Can you imagine buying a laptop and not being able to install/change your own OS? not having admin rights/root?
I feel it's a MAJOR excuse for a carrier to even say - if we give you root & you change the ROM, then it makes it more difficult to help you. Guess what?!? I have not ever asked for help and nor would I... Besides, why couldn't they ask for the ROM version your using... if it matches theirs, they assist... if it doesn't, they tell you before they can assist you, you must put their ROM back on? Yes - there will always be that one person... but hey - if they were able to gain root and swap the ROM, they should be able to swap it back or pay to have it swapped back. OR at least pay for insurance and "accidentally drop it" and have it replaced.
It really bites that I (along with so many other people) want to pre-order the phone for several reasons (the free VR and games along with getting the phone first) but don't want to be SCREWED by one specific carrier and not be able to unlock the phone, root and replace the ROM.
So after all that - which carrier (historically) is the best to purchase from?
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
Additional INFO - I'm also about to call Verizon to confirm - But I read 2-3 months ago that Verizon will now allow another carrier's phone on their network (if it is CDMA). If that's true, then why not purchase the phone thru Sprint or US Cellular if historically those phones have been rooted easier than Verizon? I've been on Verizon for so long, that I'm really not sure...
Comments? suggestions?
What I'm going to do is pre-order from eBay.
The phones have a hell of a mark-up (+$200/$300), but there are unlocked Qualcomms that are usually rooted much more quickly with better support for AOSP.
I hate paying that much, but I'm going to have this phone for years, and the hassle from carrier-branded phones just isn't worth it.
Edit: You should still be able to add insurance and such through your carrier too, depending on their policies.
Didn't have an issue insuring previous phones with AT&T even though they were bought off-plan through other retailers.
It is slightly cheaper when buying it from Best Buy, $779 vs $792. I saw the T-mobile version supports band 13 LTE, but I didn't see anything about CDMA support.
I also did follow up with Verizon about placing a phone on their network that was not purchased from Verizon. They said it is currently limited to 2 phones - I don't have the names because I didn't care much......they couldn't tell me the S7 would be added to the list. So does that mean people on Verizon are STUCK purchasing from Verizon?
For my s6 edge I much preferred the unlocked UK version over the US AT&T version. (Which is why I asked in another thread when we can expect to see unlocked international versions).
AT&T not only added crazy bloat but removed really cool features from the phone. Just took em right out. They also removed Samsung deals/bundles from the phone (there was a MS suite and a free TB of storage or something removed). And in exchange for screwing with the phone they had crazy delays on updates (because they had to re-remove and re-screw the phone).
Coming from iPhone I just can't deal with carrier customizations. Unlocked for life. (crazy that Apple is unlocked now and Android isn't -- bizarro world).
JustWannaRom said:
I also did follow up with Verizon about placing a phone on their network that was not purchased from Verizon. They said it is currently limited to 2 phones - I don't have the names because I didn't care much......they couldn't tell me the S7 would be added to the list. So does that mean people on Verizon are STUCK purchasing from Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus devices are the exception (6, 5X and 6P). The problem with VZW and Sprint is that they use proprietary CDMA technology for voice communication. You can bring just about any device to their networks and have data but you won't be able to make voice calls in most cases.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
JustWannaRom said:
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
As with a lot of other people on this site, I'm wondering which carrier will be best to pre-order from? I use Verizon but HATE the fact that most of the times it's one of the last carriers to be able to root the phone. I would also hate for this to turn into another Verizon Samsung Note 4 issue. Too bad the rumors where Samsung was going to start making phones that were both CDMA & GSM/UTMS were not true (as far as I am aware of).
This way since I'm now paying outright for my phones (roughly $800 bucks for 7 Edge), I could use it if I moved between carriers. After reading some other posts, now I'm wondering If I'm paying full price (paid in full), Will it be unlocked? I can't be the only one that feels RIPPED OFF when I pay $800 for a device and can't have root = have my own admin access. Can you imagine buying a laptop and not being able to install/change your own OS? not having admin rights/root?
I feel it's a MAJOR excuse for a carrier to even say - if we give you root & you change the ROM, then it makes it more difficult to help you. Guess what?!? I have not ever asked for help and nor would I... Besides, why couldn't they ask for the ROM version your using... if it matches theirs, they assist... if it doesn't, they tell you before they can assist you, you must put their ROM back on? Yes - there will always be that one person... but hey - if they were able to gain root and swap the ROM, they should be able to swap it back or pay to have it swapped back. OR at least pay for insurance and "accidentally drop it" and have it replaced.
It really bites that I (along with so many other people) want to pre-order the phone for several reasons (the free VR and games along with getting the phone first) but don't want to be SCREWED by one specific carrier and not be able to unlock the phone, root and replace the ROM.
So after all that - which carrier (historically) is the best to purchase from?
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
Additional INFO - I'm also about to call Verizon to confirm - But I read 2-3 months ago that Verizon will now allow another carrier's phone on their network (if it is CDMA). If that's true, then why not purchase the phone thru Sprint or US Cellular if historically those phones have been rooted easier than Verizon? I've been on Verizon for so long, that I'm really not sure...
Comments? suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmobile period, not going to lock the boot loader you'll be able to root (provided the community finds a way, but it's a snap dragon and unlocked bootloader so they will most likely before it even releases. ) second if you don't want tmo service you can still root it and use am at&t sim so there's that.