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Why don't quad-band phones also support international UMTS/3G frequency bands?

I'm trying to buy an Android phone that would support AT&T's 3G in North America, but for some reason they all only support T-Mobile's 3G frequencies. What's up?
So pretty much every smartphone nowadays is quad-band, GSM 850/900/1800/1900, and works pretty much anywhere in the world.
Why don't phones also support international 3G frequencies: 850/1900 as well as 900, 1700 and 2100 Mhz?

That should be a rule in all modern devices
100% all communication in all the world!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad-band#3G
if you look at the population in the various places
and add the extra cost it seems to currently offer
feature you request it would most likely
not be worth it for htc and other manufacturers
but maybe in time as first we had dualband phones then triband and now quadband 2g
of cause with 4g starting to take off some places maybe it will be absolute before
universal 3g chips get cheap enough

How do the current business travelers manage?
orb3000 said:
That should be a rule in all modern devices
100% all communication in all the world!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The area lot of business people who travel all over the world. How do they manage data access? Do they carry more than one phone all the time?

but as I state the only large user groups of 850 3g is in america
like CDMA is also only supported there
it all comes down to if the inc in cost is enough to justify the inc in
revenue
business people from the rest of the world don't have those issues
people here have also been requesting htc phones which does both cmda and gsm

it' all about GREED!
do you know how many channels your radio or TV receives?
those HTC fools just discriminate against USA users! (my opinion)

Q
I would really like to know how much "more" its going to cost to make a quadband, and 5 band UMTS phone. . . . .

think only qualcomm can answer that question

Rudegar said:
think only qualcomm can answer that question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesnt matter how much! i'm sure qualcomm 1G snapdragon cpu is more expensive than 528mzh cpu, that doesnt stop toshiba or Acer from using it!
it' all about GREED!
htc wants to make it with the cheapst parts, and sell it at the highest price possible! (my opinion)

well yes
even if greed is a negative word for the general capitalism which drive all these company's
it's not like htc are the only ones on that ship :S

Quad band UMTS are rare indeed. Blackberry and Apple have them. Nokia has a quint band unit coming out in about 3 weeks, N8-00 (I have one on pre-order).
The Galaxy S Captivate is a tri band unit that will work in most of the world. It is missing the 900 MHz band. I can't recommend it because GPS is broken while awaiting a software patch and AT&T refuses to unlock the sim for 10 months. There is no known way to unlock the phone at the present time.

netnerd said:
it doesnt matter how much! i'm sure qualcomm 1G snapdragon cpu is more expensive than 528mzh cpu, that doesnt stop toshiba or Acer from using it!
it' all about GREED!
htc wants to make it with the cheapst parts, and sell it at the highest price possible! (my opinion)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't be so hard on the manufacturers (please, note that HTC isn't the only phone manufacturer in the world...) AT&T only just started selling Android phones. Why would Android phone manufacturers make a phone that supports AT&T bands if AT&T won't support them in return? With the delays in so many phone shipments, I'm sure the companies don't need that much more business than they already have. Now that AT&T has decided to play ball, however, I'm sure there'll be a reciprocal increase in the number of Android phones with AT&T 3G bands

ua549 said:
Quad band UMTS are rare indeed. Blackberry and Apple have them. Nokia has a quint band unit coming out in about 3 weeks, N8-00 (I have one on pre-order).
The Galaxy S Captivate is a tri band unit that will work in most of the world. It is missing the 900 MHz band. I can't recommend it because GPS is broken while awaiting a software patch and AT&T refuses to unlock the sim for 10 months. There is no known way to unlock the phone at the present time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy an unlock code for like $25 .

[Q] Buying an Atrix 4G, difference?

Hi all,
Im thinking of buying this phone but from what i have read there isnt much difference between the Atrix and the Atrix 4g.
How will I be able to tell which is which? specs are almost the same.
Should add that I am buying used. Also, I am in the UK.
Look forward to your replies!

They are the same phone!
I'm also in the UK, really like my atrix, but coming from a modded android to a locked phone is a bit difficult...

streuli999 said:
They are the same phone!
I'm also in the UK, really like my atrix, but coming from a modded android to a locked phone is a bit difficult...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your sure? i read somewhere that the first atrix has 5mp cam which has been upped to 8mp in the new version.
Maybe im mistaken.
Yes ive heard about Moto not playing nice with rooting!

It is the Atrix 4g and the Atrix 2. And the Atrix 4g has a 5 MP camera and the Atrix 2 has a 8 MP camera. The most noticeable thing I saw in the looks of the 2 phones was the Atrix 4g has the speaker on the back at the bottom and the Atrix 2 has the speaker on the front at the top.

blingmaster said:
It is the Atrix 4g and the Atrix 2. And the Atrix 4g has a 5 MP camera and the Atrix 2 has a 8 MP camera. The most noticeable thing I saw in the looks of the 2 phones was the Atrix 4g has the speaker on the back at the bottom and the Atrix 2 has the speaker on the front at the top.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah that's right... looking at the specs on motorola website, seems that's the only difference!

cool, now i know what to look out for!!!

atrix(4g) is not a locked phone, is it? If you follow the guide, you can unlock the bootloader and flash different ROMs on it.
Another difference between atrix(4g) and atrix 2 is the fingerprint scanner. atrix 2 doesn't have it.

Since you are in the UK you will probably want the "Motorola Atrix" since it has the 900MHz UMTS band needed for some UK carriers like Vodafone and O2.
The "Motorola Atrix 4G" is the title used for the Atrix line that is used in North America for carriers like AT&T and Bell.
Look at these two links and you will see that the main difference is the bands used for their 3G networks. AT&T and Bell use 850/1900 and Vodafone and O2 use 900/2100.
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_atrix-3709.php
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_atrix_4g-3708.php
I could be wrong but this is what I can gather from your question. Also, you might be able to use the "4G" branded one because it still uses the 2100MHz band (if unlocked) but you might experience reduced coverage (slower speeds).
The difference in cameras is between the Atrix(4G) and Atrix 2.
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_atrix_2-4199.php
Which also does not use the 900MHz band.
EDIT: I would also like to point out that they do all use the same "Quad-band GSM" but that is for the 2G(EDGE) network, and not 3G(UMTS/HSPA)
jman316 said:
Hi all,
Im thinking of buying this phone but from what i have read there isnt much difference between the Atrix and the Atrix 4g.
How will I be able to tell which is which? specs are almost the same.
Should add that I am buying used. Also, I am in the UK.
Look forward to your replies!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Some suggested the only difference between atrix and atrix 4g is the firmware. But I don't know how true it is.
I have a Bell (canadian) atrix 4G, and I am currently in UK on O2. Is there any way to tell if I can use UMTS900 or not?
If there is a way to tell, and I manage to connect to UMTS900, then I will say there is no difference between atrix and atrix4G.

Right, an unlocked Bell/AT&T Atrix will work on almost all of the UK networks but it will be restricted to the 2100MHz band for 3G(HSPA) or quad-band GSM for 2G(EDGE).
You don't need to try "to tell" if your Bell Atrix is using the 900MHz band for 3G(UMTS/HSPA) because it cannot. It's in the specs, it just doesn't have the capability.
http://www.bell.ca/Mobility/Products/Motorola_Atrix_4G/Specifications.tab
Just to clarify, I'm not saying you can't use an unlocked AT&T/Bell Atrix in the UK, all I'm saying is it will not be able to use the 900MHz band for 3G. It will, however, be able to use it on EDGE/2G. I'm fairly certain it's a hardware thing.
ken218 said:
Some suggested the only difference between atrix and atrix 4g is the firmware. But I don't know how true it is.
I have a Bell (canadian) atrix 4G, and I am currently in UK on O2. Is there any way to tell if I can use UMTS900 or not?
If there is a way to tell, and I manage to connect to UMTS900, then I will say there is no difference between atrix and atrix4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

People seems to be either pretty certain it is only a firmware difference, or pretty certain it is a hardware difference. But no one can confirm which one is correct...
I do agree, based on the spec from motorola, US/CA atrix doesn't support UMTS900.

ken218 said:
People seems to be either pretty certain it is only a firmware difference, or pretty certain it is a hardware difference. But no one can confirm which one is correct...
I do agree, based on the spec from motorola, US/CA atrix doesn't support UMTS900.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same result I've had. I've posted a question thread on the modems here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1442350
Its annoying me because if its just a software limitation, what is there to stop us from giving it 900mhz umts support? The "workaround" just needs discovering by a developer (I've been mooching around, but i'm not dev!)
O2 UK has UMTS on 900MHz now, and one local to me so I want to use it without replacing it for a UK atrix lol.
What we need is an international/uk user to be brave and strip their phone down and find out for us!
My gut feeling is its something in the kernel/drivers/boot loader provided for the AT&T Atrix. On samsungs there is a secret menu for turning bands on and off.. but none of those codes will work on the Atrix of course (even the generic test ones built into android don't work!)

If you know anywhere close to London where o2 has UMTS900 coverage, but no UMTS2100 coverage, then I will try it out.
If I can get 3G at that location, then my Bell Atrix with UK baseband works with UMTS900. If not, then it is more than likely to be hardware.

ken218 said:
If you know anywhere close to London where o2 has UMTS900 coverage, but no UMTS2100 coverage, then I will try it out.
If I can get 3G at that location, then my Bell Atrix with UK baseband works with UMTS900. If not, then it is more than likely to be hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can come down to Solent Business Park/Whiteley you'll have it there on 900mhz. They were digging up the road a few weeks ago right by the mast (which is pretty much line of sight with my office), and I took my Nokia N900 (on GiffGaff as its a spare!) which supports UMTS 900 and it had full 3G signal (atrix had full 2g), which it could never get before. The nearest 2100mhz mast is like 2 miles away. The atrix will pick the 2100 mast up rarely down there, and when it does, it has 1 bar if that.
I tried a few different base bands while at work, none seem to provide positive results on my AT&T Atrix.

When it comes to the differences of the Atrix and the Atrix 4G, it is the 900MHz UMTS band. The Intl version has it but the AT&T/Bell version does not.
While the OP (@jman316) was looking for the differences between these two versions, you seem to be trying to figure out how to access that band on the AT&T version, which is not possible.
GSM and UMTS are not compatible. UMTS is an evolution of GSM but they are not the same. So, going back to your dilemma, you have stated in your other thread that you currently have an AT&T version. Based on that, you cannot use the 900MHz band on 3G/UMTS/HSPA. Only 2G/GSM/EDGE.
http://etutorials.org/Mobile+device...eral+Packet+Radio+Service+and+UMTS+PS+Domain/
http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-gsm-and-umts/
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_umts_and_gsm
To reiterate, quad-band GSM is not the same thing as UMTS/HSPA The AT&T Atrix can only use the 900MHz band on EDGE/2G, not 3G/UMTS/HSPA.
I apologize if I seem derisive on the matter, I just feel that the facts are right there.
tehrules said:
Same result I've had. I've posted a question thread on the modems here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1442350
Its annoying me because if its just a software limitation, what is there to stop us from giving it 900mhz umts support? The "workaround" just needs discovering by a developer (I've been mooching around, but i'm not dev!)
O2 UK has UMTS on 900MHz now, and one local to me so I want to use it without replacing it for a UK atrix lol.
What we need is an international/uk user to be brave and strip their phone down and find out for us!
My gut feeling is its something in the kernel/drivers/boot loader provided for the AT&T Atrix. On samsungs there is a secret menu for turning bands on and off.. but none of those codes will work on the Atrix of course (even the generic test ones built into android don't work!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

live4nyy said:
When it comes to the differences of the Atrix and the Atrix 4G, it is the 900MHz UMTS band. The Intl version has it but the AT&T/Bell version does not.
While the OP (@jman316) was looking for the differences between these two versions, you seem to be trying to figure out how to access that band on the AT&T version, which is not possible.
GSM and UMTS are not compatible. UMTS is an evolution of GSM but they are not the same. So, going back to your dilemma, you have stated in your other thread that you currently have an AT&T version. Based on that, you cannot use the 900MHz band on 3G/UMTS/HSPA. Only 2G/GSM/EDGE.
http://etutorials.org/Mobile+device...eral+Packet+Radio+Service+and+UMTS+PS+Domain/
http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-gsm-and-umts/
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_umts_and_gsm
To reiterate, quad-band GSM is not the same thing as UMTS/HSPA The AT&T Atrix can only use the 900MHz band on EDGE/2G, not 3G/UMTS/HSPA.
I apologize if I seem derisive on the matter, I just feel that the facts are right there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm very aware of the differences in the technology. I don't know where your comparison of GSM/UMTS and the links relevant here. Its a quad band gsm and quad band UTMS/WCDMA/3G phone with one band disabled be it through a hardware modification to the chip or by software.
What we are trying to drill down to is this:
1. Is it the same cellular modem chip used in both AT&T/Bell and the international versions?
If yes then,
2. Why is it not possible to enable the disabled band?
Has anyone really done any research into either of these? No. If had a spare pool of money I'd buy a UK phone, and strip it down, and prove once and for all what difference there is, and we could then say, oh so the chips are different models so that explains that or go, oh its the same chip/part number, lets hack the software a bit.

Also Atrix 2 uses normal tft lcd instead of pentile as in original atrix.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

el_venga said:
Also Atrix 2 uses normal tft lcd instead of pentile as in original atrix.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We are not on about the Atrix 2, we are on about Atrix 4G (US) vs Atrix (UK/EU/World)
What I have quoted above about 3G on 900mhz should be possible, here is a little pointer (evidence perhaps?) as to why it should work...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1334674
http://www.option.com/en/products/p...ons/lgamodulegtm601-609/specifications/#start
http://www.m2msearch.com/node/128
http://www.att.com/media/en_US/docs/edo/ATT_Approved_Modules.xls
http://www.scribd.com/doc/54154049/...odem-Device-Specification-Advance-Information

I have done a lot of research into the matter and from what I have gathered the chips/modules responsible for the compatible frequencies can be tailored to specs according to the customer's (AT&T) requests. Which, from my understanding, would be a hardware issue. So, even if they have the same chip, it wouldn't matter, since AT&T can have it custom made to just use the frequencies they approve. Which actually sounds a lot like something AT&T would do, given their track record.
I also found this thread where others are pretty certain it is not possible:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1233097
tehrules said:
I'm very aware of the differences in the technology. I don't know where your comparison of GSM/UMTS and the links relevant here. Its a quad band gsm and quad band UTMS/WCDMA/3G phone with one band disabled be it through a hardware modification to the chip or by software.
What we are trying to drill down to is this:
1. Is it the same cellular modem chip used in both AT&T/Bell and the international versions?
If yes then,
2. Why is it not possible to enable the disabled band?
Has anyone really done any research into either of these? No. If had a spare pool of money I'd buy a UK phone, and strip it down, and prove once and for all what difference there is, and we could then say, oh so the chips are different models so that explains that or go, oh its the same chip/part number, lets hack the software a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Ok this is all confusing now !
Will i be able to get 3g speeds in the Uk with the Atrix or is it limited to 2G!?

No LTE for Germany

Hey guys,
today i saw that the S3 for germany will not support LTE.... i really dont get it.. why the hell is samsung doing this ? its completly nonsense... On every other location they will ship a LTE version.. Of course Germany does not have a complete support for LTE, but it is growing very fast.
It really sucks to have many different types of the S3 like the Samsung Galaxy S, Vibrant, Bell and so on.... Does someone know if they are only 2 different types or more ?
They cant be serious, and of course, the want for the S3 with LTE around 600€ and without the same price....
I really hope, that they think again about this decision and ship every S3 with, wether the country supports LTE or not...
What do you guys think about that ?

I won't miss it as much as many will becoz LTE isn't really supported here in Germany as in e.g. the USA...
(Dafür müsste ich zu Vodafone oder so mit Knebelvertrag )
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA

Hmm you are right mate. But the problem is that many devs come from London, USA and other countrys where LTE is supported so they get other device and our device won't support the roms they develop.. that will be horrible :/

I think as long as there aren't more phones with LTE, providers won't support it more..
I am from austria and also a bit upset that there won't be an LTE version because at least in vienna LTE is already growing.

saphirrot said:
Hmm you are right mate. But the problem is that many devs come from London, USA and other countrys where LTE is supported so they get other device and our device won't support the roms they develop.. that will be horrible :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, we will get the same international device. We won't just be able to use LTE because it's set to the wrong frequecies and cannot be changed as far as I know.
Same with the iPad 3.

Does LTE really have speeds and the data plans to make it worth it over HSPA+? I mean I download hella fast on Three over here in the UK and it has Unlimited data. I've never thought the internet on the phone was too slow, it's faster than my mates broadband and I can stream BBC iPlayer desktop site and Netflix just fine.
I could just imagine coverage being crap as it's just been adopted and if your companies are like what they are here in the UK they'll give you 500mb which you'll hit the limit within 5 mins.

No, we will get the same international device. We won't just be able to use LTE because it's set to the wrong frequecies and cannot be changed as far as I know.
Same with the iPad 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, that mean that we get the 100% same phone with same hardware and with LTE support for America and other countrys ?

saphirrot said:
So, that mean that we get the 100% same phone with same hardware and with LTE support for America and other countrys ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
We will get the version that was demoed a week ago with the quad-core exynos, that version will not support "4G", and not only because of frequency bands but because the "4G"(3G-LTE) being rolled out in Europe is not "true" 4G like in the US.
The US version will probably get the Snapdragon S4 as that is currently the best SoC out there that has 4G-LTE built-in, unless Samsung actually has a Exynos SoC with 4G-LTE.
But if they start rolling out 4G-LTE in Europe then frequency bands may also be an issue.

saphirrot said:
So, that mean that we get the 100% same phone with same hardware and with LTE support for America and other countrys ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and no.
The so called 4G (LTE) in Europe is nothing more than HSPA+ and it's basically only an enhanced version of 3G. Most people are calling it 3.5G+ but it's capable of delivering "true" 4G lte speed. America's providers Sprint/Verizon/AT&T are providing the real 4G technology which the S3 won't be able to achieve due to different frequencies. But from what I know T-Mobile and AT&T are also providing HSPA+ speed as some providers in Europe.
That's completely nonsense that Germany won't get the international version which does indeed supports HSPA+. But the other question would be if your provider do offer it.
http://samsung-galaxy-s3.net/rumors/galaxy-s3-will-have-4g-lte-support-in-europe
LTE SGS3 which will be released this summer in america will feature a completely different chipset because exynos is not capable for these frequencies.

FISKER_Q said:
No.
We will get the version that was demoed a week ago with the quad-core exynos, that version will not support "4G", and not only because of frequency bands but because the "4G"(3G-LTE) being rolled out in Europe is not "true" 4G like in the US.
The US version will probably get the Snapdragon S4 as that is currently the best SoC out there that has 4G-LTE built-in, unless Samsung actually has a Exynos SoC with 4G-LTE.
But if they start rolling out 4G-LTE in Europe then frequency bands may also be an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
m8tix said:
Yes and no.
The so called 4G (LTE) in Europe is nothing more than HSPA+ and it's basically only an enhanced version of 3G. Most people are calling it 3.5G+ but it's capable of delivering "true" 4G lte speed. America's providers Sprint/Verizon/AT&T are providing the real 4G technology which the S3 won't be able to achieve due to different frequencies. But from what I know T-Mobile and AT&T are also providing HSPA+ speed as some providers in Europe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are people still spreading this nonsense, i.e. that there is no "true" LTE in Europe?
Germany does have "true" LTE, the same as is used in the U.S. (but on different bands). Deutsche Telekom is offering up to 100 Mbit/s in their tariffs.
And the network isn't as small as some people make it out to be (and fast growing):
t-mobile.de/funkversorgung/inland/
vodafone.de/privat/hilfe-support/netzabdeckung.html
(I can't post links yet, you have to copy&paste them)
It's true that they offer 42 Mbit/s HSPA+ - but they also have LTE on top of that.

m8tix said:
Yes and no.
The so called 4G (LTE) in Europe is nothing more than HSPA+ and it's basically only an enhanced version of 3G. Most people are calling it 3.5G+ but it's capable of delivering "true" 4G lte speed. America's providers Sprint/Verizon/AT&T are providing the real 4G technology which the S3 won't be able to achieve due to different frequencies. But from what I know T-Mobile and AT&T are also providing HSPA+ speed as some providers in Europe.
That's completely nonsense that Germany won't get the international version which does indeed supports HSPA+. But the other question would be if your provider do offer it.
http://samsung-galaxy-s3.net/rumors/galaxy-s3-will-have-4g-lte-support-in-europe
LTE SGS3 which will be released this summer in america will feature a completely different chipset because exynos is not capable for these frequencies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's funny you say "true" 4g speeds, no network on this planet offers "true" 4g speeds.
No American carrier even gets upto a tenth of what true 4g is.
The LTE out now is 3.9G and carriers don't even offer that fully.

Mike Blitz said:
It's funny you say "true" 4g speeds, no network on this planet offers "true" 4g speeds.
No American carrier even gets upto a tenth of what true 4g is.
The LTE out now is 3.9G and carriers don't even offer that fully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is directed more at the OP than anything, but I own both versions of the phone and have access to LTE networks that regularly get 40-50 mb/s down. In day to day use yes it's faster, but when I use the s4 stateside version browsing the internet literally chunks my battery down by 20 percent points over 20-30 minutes. Streaming video is even more of a joke you might get 2 hours before the phone dies. the HSPA speeds are more than enough for me and I get more than double the battery life just by not using LTE networks. Hope this helps, you shouldn't feel like you're getting ripped off both versions of the phone are good, but I prefer the international version as well as most of the community would agree.

News has it that both Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone will be offering the Galaxy S3 LTE starting mid-october. It will have a quad-core, like the UMTS version.
heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Samsungs-Galaxy-S3-LTE-kommt-nach-Deutschland-1675044.html

Same in the UK man... While LTE will be rolled out this and next year, I've already bought my S3, so I don't have the correct chip... which kinda annoys me! But even if I had the South Korean or US version, the frequencies are different. Sadly, there are no definitive standards for this stuff, so each country, and even each network just pics whatever works for them. Kinda sux!
To add insult to injury though, I can't even get DC-HSPA! Every network in the UK are doing it EXCEPT Vodafone. Not sure why, but they won't do it. My S3 supports it and all, but Voda are being annoying.
Ahh well, in another 2 years I'll have a 4G phone I guess

The German and the Korean Version might be the same, if I'm not mistaken, since Germany needs 800/1800/2600 and Korea 800/1800. From what I've heard the UK will start off with re-farmed 1800 and later add 800/2600, so they would likely be compatible. Not entirely sure.

seeafish said:
Same in the UK man... While LTE will be rolled out this and next year, I've already bought my S3, so I don't have the correct chip... which kinda annoys me! But even if I had the South Korean or US version, the frequencies are different. Sadly, there are no definitive standards for this stuff, so each country, and even each network just pics whatever works for them. Kinda sux!
To add insult to injury though, I can't even get DC-HSPA! Every network in the UK are doing it EXCEPT Vodafone. Not sure why, but they won't do it. My S3 supports it and all, but Voda are being annoying.
Ahh well, in another 2 years I'll have a 4G phone I guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the Samsung UK website, for the S3, it lists the data speed spec as HSPA+21 , which is not DC-HSPA. Does that mean there needs to be a radio update or something before these speeds can be used, or Samsung's website is wrong....?

[Q] Bunch of questions I couldn't find answers to! A little help.

Hi!
I've been using an international Note 2 for the last 2 and a half years and am planning to upgrade to a Note 4 soon. I won't be buying it in India since it costs quite a lot more, and I'd prefer the Exynos version.
I'm quite confused with regard to the bands, I'm leaning towards getting the N910H and am not sure if it supports all the bands in use in India. LTE isn't really important to me. I have read that not having some bands will affect battery life negatively as the phone needs to search more, will this be the case for me with the N910H?
The Samsung India website doesn't list which model they sell, but it is a Snapdragon version since it mentions 2.7GHz on the spec page. It apparently supports the following bands:
2.5G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) : 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
3G (HSPA＋ 42Mbps): 850/900/1900/2100 MHz
4G (LTE Cat.6 300/50Mbps)
"May differ by country and carrier"?
Bands the N910H supports
2.5G (EDGE, GSM/GPRS ) MHz:850, 900, 1800, 1900
3.5G (HSPA+, UMTS/WCDMA ) MHz:850, 900, 1900, 2100
> According to a different website: Cellular Networks: GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS850 (B5), UMTS900 (B8), UMTS1900 (B2), UMTS2100 (B1)
Bands the Note 2 supports:
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
Bands used in India, according to GSMarena
2G capabilities
GSM 900, GSM 1800
3G capabilities
UMTS 2100
4G capabilities
LTE 2300
I'm quite confused as to what the different versions are supposed to do, are all Snapdragons the same? Are all Exynos versions the same? Why so many variants?
There is an exynos version with LTE support, which version is this?
Is it worth switching to the Note 4 from my Note 2? I am quite happy with my phone, the screen is fine too. Are the new features worth it? Or are they just something to use for a week and then fade into oblivion?
Also :
Does the Note 4 support air view with a finger instead of the S-Pen like the Note 3/S4 did?
Is using hover wake up faster than tapping the home button?
Does it support tapping the screen to wake?
Does it have a dedicated pedometer, rather than using the accelerometer to count steps?
Dedicated chip for always on listening like the Moto X has? I've heard the snapdragon version supports always on listening for 'OK Google' , and have seen someone using a command to open S-Voice with the screen off. Does the Exynos version have this chip?
Does region matter? Can a n910h use a n910x if they are both exynos devices?
I'd appreciate any insight please, thanks!
Cheers!

Ok I will start answering:
Yes, any INTERNATIONAL Note 4 will work just fine in India (N910C, N910H, N910F and N910U). There are two Exynos models that have LTE capabilities: the N910C (which is the device I own) and the N910U. The last one is less known and I really don't know what differences have with the N910C other than it have an Intel Modem. If you want an Exynos device with LTE support, buy the N910C. If you want a Snapdragon version with LTE, get the N910F. Both are known to work fine in the place where you live.
Now the other questions:
1. Yes, it (partially) support finger Airview. It's hidden in the Settings app but it can be enabled with a Play Store app.
2. It can support double tap to wake, with the proper application. This is a workaround since it only enables the Touch support when the device is locked (which results in a battery drain since it disables deep-sleep function). if the question is "Does it have a proper sensor like the LG G3 which supports double tap to wake" then the answer is NO.
3. Yes, the Note 4 features an inbuilt pedometer, just like the S5 had. It's really accurate.
4. Yes, the Note 4 (Exynos and Snapdragon) support the "always on" feature for both Google Now and S-Voice. In S-Voice you can even customize the command and use any phrase you want to wake it up. About Google Now, I'm not sure if it supports Indian language yet (this doesnt have anything to do with the Note 4 anyway, it's just Google fault)
5. Yes, Region and CHIPS matter if you want to use a rom from a different device. If you own a N910H and you want a N910C rom, you have to delete the modem to get it perfectly working. That's because I recommend you the N910C since it supports LTE and it's international. Anyway, if the rom IS MADE for your device, then the region doesn't matter. It will just work fine.
I hope that this will help you. If you have any other question feel free to tell me. Cheers!

Really helps, thank you!
A few more if I may :
I used one in the store today, it seemed quite slow. Loading the camera or multitasking menu wasn't much faster (if at all) than my current phone, is there a fix?
Is the software good enough to not need a custom rom? I've almost always been rooted though.
Do apps need to reload when multitasking? I saw a video on youtube where games needed to reload once minimised, it wasn't recent so I'm wondering if it is still the case.
Is it worth buying for the equivalent of about 550USD? over a phone like the Zenfone 2 for about 250? Which would you get personally? Is it a worthy upgrade to something over the Note 2 for basic usage? (Clash of clans, Reddit , WhatsApp )
How many hours of screen on time do you get on average?
Thank you! I just realised your ID is galaxynote2, have you switched from it?

csmiler said:
Really helps, thank you!
A few more if I may :
I used one in the store today, it seemed quite slow. Loading the camera or multitasking menu wasn't much faster (if at all) than my current phone, is there a fix?
Is the software good enough to not need a custom rom? I've almost always been rooted though.
Do apps need to reload when multitasking? I saw a video on youtube where games needed to reload once minimised, it wasn't recent so I'm wondering if it is still the case.
Is it worth buying for the equivalent of about 550USD? over a phone like the Zenfone 2 for about 250? Which would you get personally? Is it a worthy upgrade to something over the Note 2 for basic usage? (Clash of clans, Reddit , WhatsApp )
How many hours of screen on time do you get on average?
Thank you! I just realised your ID is galaxynote2, have you switched from it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.The camera loads fast enough, don't worry about it.
2.The software is good, it could use some optimization but it's good enough.
3.Depends on the game and the time you were out of the game.So basically, yes.
4.I would say that it is much more worth buying the note 4, $550 is a good price for it.And yes, it is a good upgrade over the note 2 in every aspect.

Ashatar said:
1.The camera loads fast enough, don't worry about it.
2.The software is good, it could use some optimization but it's good enough.
3.Depends on the game and the time you were out of the game.So basically, yes.
4.I would say that it is much more worth buying the note 4, $550 is a good price for it.And yes, it is a good upgrade over the note 2 in every aspect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again. Could you look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st0eS2NeLQE and tell me if the performance is supposed to be this way? The multitasking lag and relative price are the only things that keep me doubtful, i'm sorry for the bother!

csmiler said:
Thanks again. Could you look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st0eS2NeLQE and tell me if the performance is supposed to be this way? The multitasking lag and relative price are the only things that keep me doubtful, i'm sorry for the bother!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's really not that much of a lag on the note 4, it performs very good and it's ok for that price.I would go for the note 4 over the Zenfone 2.Or, you can always get the S6 which is a better performer than both of them

The s6 is quite a bit out of my price range, and doesn't have the battery life the Note offers!
Important question, I've decided to go for the N910c like you mentioned. The website I'm buying from lists an N910 with LTE and the exynos chip in it, is there any other way to check which variant it is? (I.e international (c) or some other region specific variant?)
Apparently there are a few regions which have both LTE and the exynos chipset, they sell a bunch of versions but this is the only one without a letter mentioned. Any telltale sign?

Ashatar said:
It's really not that much of a lag on the note 4, it performs very good and it's ok for that price.I would go for the note 4 over the Zenfone 2.Or, you can always get the S6 which is a better performer than both of them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The s6 is quite a bit out of my price range, and doesn't have the battery life the Note offers!
Important question, I've decided to go for the N910c like you mentioned. The website I'm buying from lists an N910 with LTE and the exynos chip in it, is there any other way to check which variant it is? (I.e international (c) or some other region specific variant?)
Apparently there are a few regions which have both LTE and the exynos chipset, they sell a bunch of versions but this is the only one without a letter mentioned. Any telltale sign?

csmiler said:
The s6 is quite a bit out of my price range, and doesn't have the battery life the Note offers!
Important question, I've decided to go for the N910c like you mentioned. The website I'm buying from lists an N910 with LTE and the exynos chip in it, is there any other way to check which variant it is? (I.e international (c) or some other region specific variant?)
Apparently there are a few regions which have both LTE and the exynos chipset, they sell a bunch of versions but this is the only one without a letter mentioned. Any telltale sign?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way you could really check the device is if you go and see it for yourself.Send a link for the site where you're buying your note 4.

Hi Ashatar, I've sent to you as a message

AT&T Snapdragon or Xynos

I currently own the AT&T Snapdragon and overall very happy with the phone.
Unfortunately, I always want the best and fastest.
Is the Xynos S8 that much better?
Do I lose anything by going Xynos in comparison to AT&T Snapdragon version.
I'm still within return policy so need to make a decision soon.
Thanks.
Sent from my SM-G950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app

It is not much better/faster, you will likely not notice any speed difference in normal use. You would however notice the much slower mobile connectivity of the Xynos by not being able to connect to LTE.

And no band 30.

I was debating on the same thing. I decided to keep my AT&T for LTE and US warranty.

whoamanwtf said:
It is not much better/faster, you will likely not notice any speed difference in normal use. You would however notice the much slower mobile connectivity of the Xynos by not being able to connect to LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why wouldn't it be able to connect to LTE? Just because it's missing one band?

U wouldldnt reap the benefits of band 30 which really isn't a big deal, I would just miss hdvoice for the time being until someone to figures out how to enable

So it will still have LTE on ATT? I'm debating between this or waiting for the Pixel 2. No LTE would be a dealbreaker.

Of course you'll still have LTE but not volte

Go Xynos if you want to root your phone

From performance stand point Snapdragon 835 is better overall than Exynos 8895. There is anandtech article about it.

If you want performance yea I'd say snapdragon is a little better but if you're looking for more customization go with Exynos do to the bootloader being unlocked