Database Users

HD2 3G Question

So I am looking at getting the HD2 to replace my 3Gs iPhone. I actually just tried a Nexus One and while it is a great device there are some items that need to be addressed, mainly in the fit and finish side, plus full out of box Exchange support.
SO, with that said. I noticed MobileCity has the HD2 for $719 and this feels like a good price for this device. It is however the import version and the guy on the phone said it will NOT work in any USA 3G system.
My question is this, with a ROM update will this device work just fine on the T-Mobile 3G system today?
Thanks!

Current HD2 will not work 3G US
Please note that the hardware of the HD2 is only 1900/2100 bands. For 3G in the USA you will need 1700Mhz for T-Mo or 850Mhz for AT&T.
No softwre will do it, if the radio band is not supported by hardware. Rumor says T-MO will have the US version of HD2 by the end of Q1/2010. my guess is April 2010. Note that if you are on AT&T even unlocking will not work for you even then.
Personally- I 'lost' my 3G by buying the current HD2 model. It worth it, as for SMS/emails the 3G is not needed, and I can have WiFi free hot spots ..

Bummer, but a glimmer of hope there....
So you saying you do not miss the 3G service at all? I would also be in wifi coverage at home and in the office, heck I could even just stay with AT&T for now. Would you be able to compare it to an iPhone 3GS?
I thought that the HD2 radios were the same for both the US and the Europe versions as they are quad-band radios and it was just a software update for the radios.

socialwill said:
I thought that the HD2 radios were the same for both the US and the Europe versions as they are quad-band radios and it was just a software update for the radios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are now 4 distinct locality based versions of the HD2 with different radio bands for UMTS/3G
Quad band refers only to the GSM element, not UMTS

Well slap me and call me Susan, I did not know there were 4 units...which one is the device I should look at then even if it would not work on 3G?

socialwill said:
Well slap me and call me Susan, I did not know there were 4 units...which one is the device I should look at then even if it would not work on 3G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There you go Susan- details on PDAdb

Great! Thanks for the link.
Anyone able to say they are happy they went from a 3GS to the HD2? If so, why?

NeilM said:
There you go Susan- details on PDAdb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No offense, but PDAdb is utter trash. 4 different units of HD2? The Tmo US having 900/2100? Another HD2 US having 850/1900? Tmo US is on a 1700/2100 UMTS so no, that link to Tmo US HD2 is completely wrong. When did the 850/1900 HD2 was even mentioned anywhere on the net? AFAIK, the closeless you'll come to AT&T 3G is the australian version which has 850/2100 UMTS. I'd be careful giving people that link with unsubstantiated information.

Thanks. What device do you have?

So now the question is would it be better to wait for the T-Mobile version or go with a current device?

So I'm assuming that you have T-Mobile? If you do, just wait for the Tmo version to be release around March. That's all you need to know if you want Tmo 3G.
In case you want AT&T 3G, there's no news of 850/1900 band other than the Australian version that i talked about above. The Australian version is coming out at the end of this month.

Damn..now the question is whether to wait for the Australian version or just get it tonight from eBay.

iPhone 3Ha vs. HD2
had both. there is no way the iPhone beats the HD2 in any category but battery. but you can have two batteries...
the iPhone is slower , bloated, had to be jail broken of you consider any customizing, and must have itunes and Apple support. not for me. was a bitter trial.
why EBay? see www.networkingrus.com . got 3 phones from them already.
bigE

BigE said:
had both. there is no way the iPhone beats the HD2 in any category but battery. but you can have two batteries...
the iPhone is slower , bloated, had to be jail broken of you consider any customizing, and must have itunes and Apple support. not for me. was a bitter trial.
why EBay? see www.networkingrus.com . got 3 phones from them already.
bigE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What makes networkingrus.com so good? Just curious, but I like the site.

lude219 said:
So I'm assuming that you have T-Mobile? If you do, just wait for the Tmo version to be release around March. That's all you need to know if you want Tmo 3G.
In case you want AT&T 3G, there's no news of 850/1900 band other than the Australian version that i talked about above. The Australian version is coming out at the end of this month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, actually I am on AT&T so it would be a break of contract to move to T-Mobile, however it would be a cheaper data plan over all..
What are most people using here? T-Mobile or AT&T for the HD2?

socialwill said:
No, actually I am on AT&T so it would be a break of contract to move to T-Mobile, however it would be a cheaper data plan over all..
What are most people using here? T-Mobile or AT&T for the HD2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using AT&T without data plan.

I am on T-Mobile simply for the fact I save $50 dollars a month for the inconvenience of only having the Edge network.

omershahab said:
I'm using AT&T without data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are you doing that?

FunMCRider said:
I am on T-Mobile simply for the fact I save $50 dollars a month for the inconvenience of only having the Edge network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is the device on Edge only? Part of me wants to move now, however the other part of me says if I am going to get a device on T-Mobile, why not just wait for the 3G edge version from T-Mobile.

In the US it's going to be Edge only. I'm using it in Canada (Edge only again) but to be honest, haven't really missed much. I don't surf on it that much and I'd rather do it over Wifi anyways (home/office)

Samsung Galaxy S II "confirmed" for Verizon in July

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

Sprint version can be used on GSM networks?

I know how everyone is quick to shoot down people for double posting, but I've tried to search and perhaps my keywords are off but my question is:
Can the Sprint version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 be used on GSM networks?
I'm pretty sure I remember that Note2 and SG3 had no sim slots...but this one does.
Please don't tell me that it's for the LTE data (like in the Metro PCS version of the SG3), it would be hard for me to swallow that because they barely even have 4g in metro areas as it is.

Not sure how you missed this topic, it's been discussed many times. Do a search for sim lock in this forum.

WackyJoe said:
I know how everyone is quick to shoot down people for double posting, but I've tried to search and perhaps my keywords are off but my question is:
Can the Sprint version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 be used on GSM networks?
I'm pretty sure I remember that Note2 and SG3 had no sim slots...but this one does.
Please don't tell me that it's for the LTE data (like in the Metro PCS version of the SG3), it would be hard for me to swallow that because they barely even have 4g in metro areas as it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont know what 4g coverage you are talking about, my metro sgs3 gets great 4g coverage (just terrible metropcs speeds )

WackyJoe said:
I know how everyone is quick to shoot down people for double posting, but I've tried to search and perhaps my keywords are off but my question is:
Can the Sprint version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 be used on GSM networks?
I'm pretty sure I remember that Note2 and SG3 had no sim slots...but this one does.
Please don't tell me that it's for the LTE data (like in the Metro PCS version of the SG3), it would be hard for me to swallow that because they barely even have 4g in metro areas as it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't quote me on this cause I may be absolutely wrong, I have read all the threads in my spare time but this topic doesn't apply to me so I may have misread.
From what I gather, the Sim is for LTE, but you can use it on international GSM networks outside of the USA.
But I read something about being able to get Sprint to unlock it for you after you've been a customer for a certain amount of time or something like that. I don't know if this is true or not tho.
From what I have read though the general consensus is that the first statement is true at least.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Oh no...
shabbypenguin said:
i dont know what 4g coverage you are talking about, my metro sgs3 gets great 4g coverage (just terrible metropcs speeds )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No no...MetroPCS phones are CDMA, but I heard the sim portion is for the 4g LTE Data...not a slot to allow for GSM usage, that is what I was referring to...sorry to confuse anyone.

It is a cat3 sim card there for LTE im sure it can be unlocked for international use only not on US GSM but again im sure it can be unlocked to use anywhere. There are some smart people on xda and will figure it out.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

Hmm...
inlineboy said:
Don't quote me on this cause I may be absolutely wrong, I have read all the threads in my spare time but this topic doesn't apply to me so I may have misread.
From what I gather, the Sim is for LTE, but you can use it on international GSM networks outside of the USA.
But I read something about being able to get Sprint to unlock it for you after you've been a customer for a certain amount of time or something like that. I don't know if this is true or not tho.
From what I have read though the general consensus is that the first statement is true at least.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the Sprint LTE network even live? LOL...I swear I haven't seen it active anywhere near my area.
But, if indeed it is a Sim Slot for LTE AND International GSM, I can't see how it would just be for International.
From what I've heard, I could be wrong because of bad info, that all the S4s have cdma/gsm chips and is basically a world phone.
I still have a hard time swallowing the fact that MetroPCS SG3's sim slot is really only for LTE...so like, Samsung made that phone ESPECIALLY for the small carrier? Doesn't compute. Maybe on the software end.
So, that's why I'm believing that Sprint's S4 can be tapped for GSM usage, not just for International but for the US...I don't see how if it is unlocked, that it could differentiate between a U.S. sim chip and foreign one.

WackyJoe said:
No no...MetroPCS phones are CDMA, but I heard the sim portion is for the 4g LTE Data...not a slot to allow for GSM usage, that is what I was referring to...sorry to confuse anyone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im well aware of teh metropcs sgs3 . i was replying with regards to metro's 4g network
WackyJoe said:
Is the Sprint LTE network even live? LOL...I swear I haven't seen it active anywhere near my area.
But, if indeed it is a Sim Slot for LTE AND International GSM, I can't see how it would just be for International.
From what I've heard, I could be wrong because of bad info, that all the S4s have cdma/gsm chips and is basically a world phone.
I still have a hard time swallowing the fact that MetroPCS SG3's sim slot is really only for LTE...so like, Samsung made that phone ESPECIALLY for the small carrier? Doesn't compute. Maybe on the software end.
So, that's why I'm believing that Sprint's S4 can be tapped for GSM usage, not just for International but for the US...I don't see how if it is unlocked, that it could differentiate between a U.S. sim chip and foreign one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they made the SCH-R530, it was used on 3 carriers. we tried everything under the sun and it would not work with any form of sim. and i dont see why the continued attack on metropcs? they are doing a reverse merger with tmobile, as in metropcs is shouldering tmobile (you know the 4th largest carrier?)

WackyJoe said:
...
But, if indeed it is a Sim Slot for LTE AND International GSM, I can't see how it would just be for International.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very simple, Sprint has the OEM disable the device such that it won't accept any SIMs from any other US carriers and/or program the radio such that it ignores any GSM signal tied to American carriers. This is absolutely nothing new though... Sprint has done this on every Adroid or iOS GSM-capable device they've sold in the past three or four years (HTC TP2, Moto Photon 4G, iPhone...).

WackyJoe said:
Is the Sprint LTE network even live? LOL...I swear I haven't seen it active anywhere near my area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's been rolling out slowly for a long time. I live in San Francisco and it's incredibly fast. I'm one of the lucky ones that lives in a major city though.
And for the answer to the rest of your post, read above. ^^
Like I said that was the general consensus of every post I have read here. Hopefully someone can explain it to you more technically if that's what your looking for.
Good luck!
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

Thanks...
Thanks for the info guys...I appreciate the comments and feedback on this subject.

[Q] Not getting 4G speed on iWireless (Tmobile affiliate) using ATT SGS4

Yesterday I tried to switch to iWireless (a Tmobile Affiliate in Iowa) and to my surprise I was getting Edge connection from them on my unlocked ATT Galaxy S4!
I was aware about ATT iPhone working on edge speed if we use under tmobile but samsung too?
I tried the free method available on this forum to unlock the phone. Should I request a full unlock from ATT or this is (edge speed on iWireless-Tmobile) what I should be expecting even though I get full unlock from ATT (if the method I used is not unlocking the phone fully).

raone26 said:
Yesterday I tried to switch to iWireless (a Tmobile Affiliate in Iowa) and to my surprise I was getting Edge connection from them on my unlocked ATT Galaxy S4!
I was aware about ATT iPhone working on edge speed if we use under tmobile but samsung too?
I tried the free method available on this forum to unlock the phone. Should I request a full unlock from ATT or this is (edge speed on iWireless-Tmobile) what I should be expecting even though I get full unlock from ATT (if the method I used is not unlocking the phone fully).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure you have 4g in your area? I have same setup and certain places even blocks difference only gets hspa.

Airtioteclint said:
Are you sure you have 4g in your area? I have same setup and certain places even blocks difference only gets hspa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I tried that sim card on my tmobile galaxy s3 and it was showing 4g (~4-5 Mbps speed)..

raone26 said:
Yes, I tried that sim card on my tmobile galaxy s3 and it was showing 4g (~4-5 Mbps speed)..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, for 4G, iWireless uses the AWS Spectrum (1700/2100) which the Galaxy S4 doesn't support. Even the T-Mobile version doesn't due to the switch to the 1900 frequency.
Next time if you want 4G on your phone, look at the Tech Specs and make sure under UMTS it says 1700/2100. If you want 4G, your phone HAS to support that frequency.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41738642
Try this

electro` said:
Unfortunately, for 4G, iWireless uses the AWS Spectrum (1700/2100) which the Galaxy S4 doesn't support. Even the T-Mobile version doesn't due to the switch to the 1900 frequency.
Next time if you want 4G on your phone, look at the Tech Specs and make sure under UMTS it says 1700/2100. If you want 4G, your phone HAS to support that frequency.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41738642
So I guess what jd1639 suggested in above lunk will not work based on what you are saying? Because if the hardware doesn't support then unabaling it wont work.
Any comments please.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

raone26 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41738642
So I guess what jd1639 suggested in above lunk will not work based on what you are saying? Because if the hardware doesn't support then unabaling it wont work.
Any comments please.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know, I haven't seen that. I guess you can try it at your own risk.
I have iWireless, and just wondering what your location is. ;P

Unless tmobile has re done the towers in ur area ull have to unlock the the baseband im assuming u only get edge
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

electro` said:
Unfortunately, for 4G, iWireless uses the AWS Spectrum (1700/2100) which the Galaxy S4 doesn't support. Even the T-Mobile version doesn't due to the switch to the 1900 frequency.
Next time if you want 4G on your phone, look at the Tech Specs and make sure under UMTS it says 1700/2100. If you want 4G, your phone HAS to support that frequency.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm not mistaken the MF3 update unlocks that freq. I'm pretty sure I saw in some release notes on either the MF3 or the one before that unlocked that.

agent929 said:
If I'm not mistaken the MF3 update unlocks that freq. I'm pretty sure I saw in some release notes on either the MF3 or the one before that unlocked that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea, I don't have a GS4. I have a Galaxy Nexus.

Already.... This is resolved!!!
I tried unlocking all bands based on the link above and it was smooth. Bought new prepaid sim card from iWireless. And woila a nice 4G sign on status bar and the speed justified the sign
Thanks too all who took time reply. I really appreciate it!!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

raone26 said:
Already.... This is resolved!!!
I tried unlocking all bands based on the link above and it was smooth. Bought new prepaid sim card from iWireless. And woila a nice 4G sign on status bar and the speed justified the sign
Thanks too all who took time reply. I really appreciate it!!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! Enjoy your phone!

Possible to Enable HSPA+ AWS Bands onSM-N910W8

Wondering if this is possible or am I too early? Surely I'm not the only one in who'd like to use his note on Wind in Canada....

klow7 said:
Wondering if this is possible or am I too early? Surely I'm not the only one in who'd like to use his note on Wind in Canada....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mot sure but I think all the "w8" have the aws band on hspa+

I am guessing (keyword) that it may be like the Note 3 where Samsung will say no but realistically the phones are all the same regardless carrier. You would just have to unlock a Big 3 phone and you would be good to go.

Squirrel_Master said:
I am guessing (keyword) that it may be like the Note 3 where Samsung will say no but realistically the phones are all the same regardless carrier. You would just have to unlock a Big 3 phone and you would be good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah exactly.....Samsung always stay quiet about this......but they"re all the same phone /same soft in fact... like the international variant...they just didn't write all the compatibility band, but in fact most of them have all the band required to work in north America....guy just bought them and it work perfectly even with lte everything....

klow7 said:
Wondering if this is possible or am I too early? Surely I'm not the only one in who'd like to use his note on Wind in Canada....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this thread and this Qualcomm NV Calculator app.