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anyone know of any good stickies on flashing a Samsung s3, note, or any other new Samsung, or iphone. im curious which prepaid carrier is the best to flash to. and should I try to get a phone with a sim card? just looking for some ideas. thanks
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Are you implying that you currently have a phone on a postpaid plan, and you want to use it on a prepaid plan? What are you thinking of flashing?
well ill put it this way. my friend wants a nice phone on prepaid. doesn't care about cost. he has 2 phones now. one is on straight talk other is on T-Mobile..he wants a nice phone I was curious if anyone has done it and if anyone had any suggestions on what phone to use with what prepaid. like Sprint Verizon or AT&T iphone 4/5 on tmobile or straight talk. or a Sprint galaxy s3...he'll use just about any new-ish phone.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
I guess the 1st decision is what service he wants to go with. Phones are either CDMA or GSM, and not both, with few exceptions (like the new iPhones). So, if he gets a Verizon phone, he can't use it on T-Mobile or AT&T prepaid, and vice versa.
Since cost of the device is no issue, he just has to buy one that's factory unlocked (a.k.a., SIM unlocked).
apologies, I personally have an s3 through Sprint which Ive rooted along with numerous other phones just never did anything of this nature. so I should have him buy a phone that takes a SIM card we'll say and use either straight talk SIM card or tmobile? as an example.
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where would be the best place to buy factory unlocked phones? ebay? and obviously the easiest would be to go the SIM card route
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If the phone he has/gets is unlocked, he should have no problem swapping the SIM cards, and using the phone on either provider. If you want help mulling over specifics of what particular phone to buy, post it here. You'll get shut down if you start a thread asking what phone to buy.
pharmacist101 said:
where would be the best place to buy factory unlocked phones? ebay? and obviously the easiest would be to go the SIM card route
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Best" is subjective. Some would say to buy it from the manufacturer, as then you would have warranty, return policy, & everything.
well I talked to him and he says he'd prefer to go the galaxy s2 or 3 route. would it be cheaper to buy a unlocked GSM s2? im just confused about the SIM ordeal and what carrier to go with, with what phone. I've tried changing MEID before on a epic to use it on straight talk, which it was CDMA but I couldn't get the MEID to write properly so that was a fail.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Yeah, you don't have to deal with that stuff with GSM phones. That whole "flashing to another provider" thing is a CDMA issue. Basically, any unlocked GSM phone will work, with any GSM provider.
Another thing to consider, though, is 4G data speeds. AT&T (and their MVNOs) and T-Mobile (and their MVNOs) use different frequencies for the highest speed cellular data connections. For example, if you buy an AT&T phone and then unlock it, you won't get 4G data speed on Simple Mobile, since Simple Mobile is a T-Mobile reseller. Therefore, even when you've finally decided which phone to buy, you still need to decide which bands you want it to have, based primarily on which service provider you plaln to go with. One exception to this is the Galaxy Nexus HSPA+, which is pentaband, and can be used just about anywhere, at full speed.
nice. any suggestions for iphone? My apologies. just seems those appear to be the cheapest route via ebay for a gsm unlocked one.
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pharmacist101 said:
nice. any suggestions for iphone? My apologies. just seems those appear to be the cheapest route via ebay for a gsm unlocked one.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume you live in Richmond VA. You probably have a choice between T-Mobile or AT&T 3G/4G. T-Mobile is far better than AT&T and the Monthly Prepaid stuff from T-Mobile isn't bad. I like the $30 plan personally.
MrObvious said:
I assume you live in Richmond VA. You probably have a choice between T-Mobile or AT&T 3G/4G. T-Mobile is far better than AT&T and the Monthly Prepaid stuff from T-Mobile isn't bad. I like the $30 plan personally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's two 30$ plans (the one with 100min, unl texts and 5GB data and a 1500 min/texts and a small amount of data (30MB?? I forget))
You should be specific. The 5GB data one is only available online or at Wal-Mart.
The other one is available in T-Mobile stores.
Sent from somewhere....if I could only remember where....
Richmond Indiana, my apologies. I appreciate all of the suggestions. I can root phones and such no problem, very new to this prepaid & gsm(sim card) stuff, as I have had Sprint for 6 years lol
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so I can order a iphone 3g gsm unlocked for like $120 on eBay (or is there a better place to order them?) and it will work with a straight talk sim card? it's for a friend, im not a fan of either xD
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Yes it will.
Sent from my XT862 using xda app-developers app
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Try typing your question in the thread, not as the thread topic...
If I was to order s att lte sim card and when they ask for a imei no. If I was to give them one from a regular att prepaid non smartphone could they tell that the phone wasnt a smartphone and if I could get by that if I got the prepaid $50 unlimited everything monthly you think that I could take that prepaid sim card and put it in a smartphone and get unlimited Lte data.Does anyone think this could possibly work. Thanks
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http://www.amazon.com/AT-T-Micro-SIM-Card/dp/B003YTSXYO
LostInMyHead said:
http://www.amazon.com/AT-T-Micro-SIM-Card/dp/B003YTSXYO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im actually wondering if my idea eould possibly work if it would I was going to put the att sim card in my unlocked tmobile Gs4.I kind of want to see if att's lte speeds are faster than tmobiles. Thanks
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Greg1964 said:
Im actually wondering if my idea eould possibly work if it would I was going to put the att sim card in my unlocked tmobile Gs4.I kind of want to see if att's lte speeds are faster than tmobiles. Thanks
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Click to collapse
Well it's area dependent but my best is about 52 down, 21 up on AT&T
I heard if I go to att store that they will give me s free lte dim card. Is that correct I dont have to be an att customer? Thanks
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I went to att store to get a sim card for I can unlock my tmobile Gs4 and they wouldnt give me one or sell me one. I basically need a att sim card for I can unlock my tmobile Gs4.I can order one but thats kind of a pain.anybody have any suggestions. Thanks
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rp56 said:
I went to att store to get a sim card for I can unlock my tmobile Gs4 and they wouldnt give me one or sell me one. I basically need a att sim card for I can unlock my tmobile Gs4.I can order one but thats kind of a pain.anybody have any suggestions. Thanks
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a dead TMO & ATT SIM you can have, PM me...
I never had a gsm phone so I dont know alot about world phones. On sprints community foruma there is much debate if the gs4 is a world phone. I see a sim slot my guess that it is. Anyway if I were to switch to tmobile, can this phone be used or is it completely impossible? Other countries use gsm networks only so being a world phone I would assume that it can be used with US gsm networks. Thanks.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Simply put no
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robogoflow said:
I never had a gsm phone so I dont know alot about world phones. On sprints community foruma there is much debate if the gs4 is a world phone. I see a sim slot my guess that it is. Anyway if I were to switch to tmobile, can this phone be used or is it completely impossible? Other countries use gsm networks only so being a world phone I would assume that it can be used with US gsm networks. Thanks.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
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Click to collapse
It is a world phone but it is locked to Sprint only you can call sprint and have it unlocked for international and sprint simcards only no domestic Sims like from t-mobile and AT&T.
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nicotheandroidguy said:
It is a world phone but it is locked to Sprint only you can call sprint and have it unlocked for international and sprint simcards only no domestic Sims like from t-mobile and AT&T.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Okay did some research and youre correct. Invalid sim pops up when a local sim is inserted. Lets say I flash the google edition rom stock rooted. Now I know it will mess up all radio with cdma but will this bypass or does sprint have a hardware lock on the device?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
No way!
Not gonna work.
The Ax says thanks.
robogoflow said:
Okay did some research and youre correct. Invalid sim pops up when a local sim is inserted. Lets say I flash the google edition rom stock rooted. Now I know it will mess up all radio with cdma but will this bypass or does sprint have a hardware lock on the device?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that doesn't discard it it is a hardware lock.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
robogoflow said:
I never had a gsm phone so I dont know alot about world phones. On sprints community foruma there is much debate if the gs4 is a world phone. I see a sim slot my guess that it is. Anyway if I were to switch to tmobile, can this phone be used or is it completely impossible? Other countries use gsm networks only so being a world phone I would assume that it can be used with US gsm networks. Thanks.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Switch to T-Mobile, get new GS4, sell Sprint GS4. Problem solved.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
It will work on tmobile
robogoflow said:
I never had a gsm phone so I dont know alot about world phones. On sprints community foruma there is much debate if the gs4 is a world phone. I see a sim slot my guess that it is. Anyway if I were to switch to tmobile, can this phone be used or is it completely impossible? Other countries use gsm networks only so being a world phone I would assume that it can be used with US gsm networks. Thanks.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it will work on tmobile for text and call when you unlocked it. For data, you need to change the apn setting to epc.tmobile.com. I am sure that you will get EDGE but not sure about 3g/4g or LTE.
Galaxy s 4 sprint to Tmobil
robogoflow said:
I never had a gsm phone so I dont know alot about world phones. On sprints community foruma there is much debate if the gs4 is a world phone. I see a sim slot my guess that it is. Anyway if I were to switch to tmobile, can this phone be used or is it completely impossible? Other countries use gsm networks only so being a world phone I would assume that it can be used with US gsm networks. Thanks.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
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Click to collapse
Unfortunately they work in different bands even you put a Tmobil Sim card it wont work.
Lucky422 said:
Unfortunately they work in different bands even you put a Tmobil Sim card it wont work.
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Click to collapse
That is not correct. It will work if you unlocked it. You will only get EDGE data for the time being in the US.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium
Sprint to tmobil
gizmoscoop said:
That is not correct. It will work if you unlocked it. You will only get only 2g data.
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Click to collapse
Im sure not everyone is willing to tinker with setting and all that...and sure you can make it work if youre willing to put the time and effort then yes it will work.
sprint to tmobil
thanks for all but can someone put what will be the procedure in how its done and the call how it will work just fine or what? please i need to know to do it im a newbee .thanks to everyone
You can't do it, it is impossible. Sprint has US carriers blocked and there is no method to unlock to use a Sprint phone on Tmobile. So here is the steps to follow: List your Sprint phone on Ebay or Craigslist, Sell it, go buy a Tmobile S4, enjoy.
2nd try
gizmoscoop said:
Yes, it will work on tmobile for text and call when you unlocked it. For data, you need to change the apn setting to epc.tmobile.com. I am sure that you will get EDGE but not sure about 3g/4g or LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im having difficulties rooting the S4. When I check it says its not rooted properly. Im still on MF9 and have no clue how to get it to MDC/MDL baseband. Any help? And how would you change the apn settings?
cruise350 said:
You can't do it, it is impossible. Sprint has US carriers blocked and there is no method to unlock to use a Sprint phone on Tmobile. So here is the steps to follow: List your Sprint phone on Ebay or Craigslist, Sell it, go buy a Tmobile S4, enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's very possible..
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will not work don't waste your time trying. Maybe on verizon or another cdma carrier but not gsm just wont work. I read this question at least 100 times on xda and no one ever did it successfully or even partially. Trade or sell it
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actually...
devoureddreams said:
Simply put no
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Click to collapse
I just rooted my sph-L720 and am in the middle of unlocking it right now...so yes, it's possible to go tmobile
aaron.romina said:
I just rooted my sph-L720 and am in the middle of unlocking it right now...so yes, it's possible to go tmobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it's easily possible, but because there isn't a how to on here, people assume it isn't..
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Ive seen a video on YouTube where someone confirms a sprint iphone 4s on tmobile sim
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sigh...
There seems to be a very dismissive attitude in this thread.
I have a Sprint HTC One and I can easily throw a T-Mobile SIM in there and get full service (sans LTE) with T-Mobile. The HSPA+ is faster than the Sprint 3G.
So while I do not have personal experience with the S4 in this fashion, I do not see why it would not be possible to get it unlocked and used on T-Mobile. (Unless Samsung/Sprint are blocking it for whatever reason)
My local ATT store is expecting their shipment of Note 3's today. Any reason I shouldn't buy one, change APN settings, and slide my Tmo sim card in it?
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NissanGuy01 said:
My local ATT store is expecting their shipment of Note 3's today. Any reason I shouldn't buy one, change APN settings, and slide my Tmo sim card in it?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Avoid the ATT one like the plague especially since you are on Tmobile. Without going into to much technical detail.
1. SIM lock
2. Bootloader locked
3. No root yet
4. No wifi calling
5. No Tmobile support.
+1 good luck unlocking it
I bought two At&t Note 3s yesterday. One for me and one for a friend. I'm on At&t and my friend is on MetroPCS. I called At&t for an unlock and they couldnt get me a code, even though one was paid in full price and "qualified" to get unlocked according to them. So this is how I got the phones unlocked.
Reminder: I'm not responsible for any damage you may do to your phone. Proceed at your own risk!
Root is Required!
1. To root your At&t Note 3 follow this guide (Thank You designgears!)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2474422
2. You will need to allow unknown sources to be installed.
Settings>General>Security>Unknown Sources (Make sure its checked)
3. Install Chainfire's RegionLock Away App from Google Play Store (and buy him a beer :highfive or download it from here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2470551
4. Tap "Region Unlock" in the app
5. Let it do its thing
6. Choose Reboot Later (Thats what I did at least)
7. Turn off the phone and try a non-At&t sim card.
I tried my old T-mobile sim in mine and it pulled up, and we just got back from the MetroPCS store and have his running on that.
tyiphius said:
I bought two At&t Note 3s yesterday. One for me and one for a friend. I'm on At&t and my friend is on MetroPCS. I called At&t for an unlock and they couldnt get me a code, even though one was paid in full price and "qualified" to get unlocked according to them. So this is how I got the phones unlocked.
Reminder: I'm not responsible for any damage you may do to your phone. Proceed at your own risk!
Root is Required!
1. To root your At&t Note 3 follow this guide (Thank You designgears!)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2474422
2. You will need to allow unknown sources to be installed.
Settings>General>Security>Unknown Sources (Make sure its checked)
3. Install Chainfire's RegionLock Away App from Google Play Store (and buy him a beer :highfive or download it from here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2470551
4. Tap "Region Unlock" in the app
5. Let it do its thing
6. Choose Reboot Later (Thats what I did at least)
7. Turn off the phone and try a non-At&t sim card.
I tried my old T-mobile sim in mine and it pulled up, and we just got back from the MetroPCS store and have his running on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow thanks it work never thought it would work like magic
I can confirm that this worked to unlock mine. I tried a T-Mobile SIM and was able to make a call. Thanks.
munnarg said:
I can confirm that this worked to unlock mine. I tried a T-Mobile SIM and was able to make a call. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing.. Is this permanent unlock?
coskevin said:
Thanks for sharing.. Is this permanent unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I've soft bricked my phone, reflashed, stuck in my T mobile sim card without running the app and it pulled up the network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
tyiphius said:
Yes. I've soft bricked my phone, reflashed, stuck in my T mobile sim card without running the app and it pulled up the network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This works! I wonder if this affect the LTE because I think it modifies the modem. Have you notice a difference?
tyiphius said:
Yes. I've soft bricked my phone, reflashed, stuck in my T mobile sim card without running the app and it pulled up the network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same question.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
I have an unlocked note 3 simply I went into the AT&T store where I live and said unlock it or I won't buy it and bam they did it. I have a simple pay as you go T-Mobile card popped it in, input the code and unlocked I was. I had to buy the phone outright so was costly but not at all risky. LTE showed up just fine on the T-Mobile network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
coskevin said:
This works! I wonder if this affect the LTE because I think it modifies the modem. Have you notice a difference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
slidesear said:
Same question.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I havent noticed a difference. Everything is still fast for me.
Whoflungdu said:
I have an unlocked note 3 simply I went into the AT&T store where I live and said unlock it or I won't buy it and bam they did it. I have a simple pay as you go T-Mobile card popped it in, input the code and unlocked I was. I had to buy the phone outright so was costly but not at all risky. LTE showed up just fine on the T-Mobile network.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You lucky mother fu
I asked at&t here about that since i bought one full price and they said, to call customer service. So did the next day and they "couldnt" give me the network code. I honestly dont care about an unlock as I'm on At&t.
The only difference is that you're phone wont be region unlocked. Sim unlock and region unlock are different.
Did you buy your phone full price/off contract?
tyiphius said:
You lucky mother fu
I asked at&t here about that since i bought one full price and they said, to call customer service. So did the next day and they "couldnt" give me the network code. I honestly dont care about an unlock as I'm on At&t.
The only difference is that you're phone wont be region unlocked. Sim unlock and region unlock are different.
Did you buy your phone full price/off contract?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I did buy it full price out of contract. As for the region unlock luckily we still have Chainfires method for that fix.
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Whoflungdu said:
Yeah I did buy it full price out of contract. As for the region unlock luckily we still have Chainfires method for that fix.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats kinda of upsetting. I walked into the store and told them I wanted one full price and they were like "There's no 'full price', its just at&t next and you pay it off all at once if you want". I went online and showed them the option to do full price OR next, and they said they couldn't sell full price in the store. Didn't understand that because my s3 and note 3 were both full price at the store, Plus I've found deals with coupons online and they've matched it before! I hate when I go somewhere and I know more than the person working with me (I think he was just trying to get more commission off me.IDK). : They made me wait longer for the phone than I should've too. Guess my store here just sucks :rolleyes
Kudos to you. Wish that would've happened to me!
tyiphius said:
Thats kinda of upsetting. I walked into the store and told them I wanted one full price and they were like "There's no 'full price', its just at&t next and you pay it off all at once if you want". I went online and showed them the option to do full price OR next, and they said they couldn't sell full price in the store. Didn't understand that because my s3 and note 3 were both full price at the store, Plus I've found deals with coupons online and they've matched it before! I hate when I go somewhere and I know more than the person working with me (I think he was just trying to get more commission off me.IDK). : They made me wait longer for the phone than I should've too. Guess my store here just sucks :rolleyes
Kudos to you. Wish that would've happened to me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had herd a lot of horror stories like this before I went it but I knew my facts as it seems you do too. An I was just very blunt and studdorn, but also polite. I explained I travel to Europe all the time since I am English and I refuse to pay international rates. An I guess I got the 1 guy in all AT&T that was willing to go to bat for me.
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Whoflungdu said:
I had herd a lot of horror stories like this before I went it but I knew my facts as it seems you do too. An I was just very blunt and studdorn, but also polite. I explained I travel to Europe all the time since I am English and I refuse to pay international rates. An I guess I got the 1 guy in all AT&T that was willing to go to bat for me.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too. Going back to London next month, I shall see if the my N900T works there with a local sim card. Any recommendations on what sim to get when out there?
Limeybastard said:
Me too. Going back to London next month, I shall see if the my N900T works there with a local sim card. Any recommendations on what sim to get when out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EE is the largest provider in England but there are also Vodafone, 3, and someone else.
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Whoflungdu said:
EE is the largest provider in England but there are also Vodafone, 3, and someone else.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wasn't EE orange and t mobile joining? I have to verify the lte band support they offer and chose one based on what my unit is compatible with. There is O2 also.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Limeybastard said:
Wasn't EE orange and t mobile joining? I have to verify the lte band support they offer and chose one based on what my unit is compatible with. There is O2 also.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
That's exactly right yeah so you will probably have your best chance with them since your using a T-Mobile device here.
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Whoflungdu said:
That's exactly right yeah so you will probably have your best chance with them since your using a T-Mobile device here.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking Band 7 2600 , according to Wikipedia both EE and Vodaphone support it.
I'm on ATT on a t mobile device.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Limeybastard said:
I'm thinking Band 7 2600 , according to Wikipedia both EE and Vodaphone support it.
I'm on ATT on a t mobile device.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I would say go with EE first cause I have herd mixed results from my mates that are on Vodafone.
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Whoflungdu said:
I would say go with EE first cause I have herd mixed results from my mates that are on Vodafone.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay will do thanks. Going to research sim card prices.
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Limeybastard said:
Okay will do thanks. Going to research sim card prices.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They should cost more than £1 at most if your just after a crap pay as you go. Its up to you what you put on the account.
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