Hello friends.. I know this question has been hinted at in other threads, but on the off chance that this may lead to something, I wanted to get a definitive answer.
Like other US customers, I am saddened, insulted, and angered after receiving the final specifications of the X1a and X1i, having endured months of pushed-back release dates by SE, which basically state that I must choose between:
- crap video capture (X1a), or
- crap 3G support in my region (X1i)
Now, all emotions aside, we know that the video situation can't be remedied in the X1a, since this is a limitation of the inferior hardware.
The question is -- will it be POSSIBLE to remedy the 850MHz 3G situation in the X1i via ROM update? Or is this also a hardware limitation?
Any insight would be appreciated, thanks.
poorangus said:
Hello friends.. I know this question has been hinted at in other threads, but on the off chance that this may lead to something, I wanted to get a definitive answer.
Like other US customers, I am saddened, insulted, and angered after receiving the final specifications of the X1a and X1i, having endured months of pushed-back release dates by SE, which basically state that I must choose between:
- crap video capture (X1a), or
- crap 3G support in my region (X1i)
Now, all emotions aside, we know that the video situation can't be remedied in the X1a, since this is a limitation of the inferior hardware.
The question is -- will it be POSSIBLE to remedy the 850MHz 3G situation in the X1i via ROM update? Or is this also a hardware limitation?
Any insight would be appreciated, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And again: X1i has 850 MHz support, at least in Europe in the unbranded UK ROM it is definitely listed as GSM (1900+850) + UMTS (1900+850).
Thanks for the reply, Norti. To the best of my knowledge, it has been determined in numerous forums that what you are seeing is a generic Windows Mobile setting. You need it to switch between 1900/2100, but 850 is not actually supported by the X1i, even though it appears as part of the selection.
See: http://www.xperiax1.net/forum/xperia-x1/977-x1i-3g-umts-bands.html
Thanks.. anyone else?
poorangus said:
Thanks for the reply, Norti. To the best of my knowledge, it has been determined in numerous forums that what you are seeing is a generic Windows Mobile setting. You need it to switch between 1900/2100, but 850 is not actually supported by the X1i, even though it appears as part of the selection.
See: http://www.xperiax1.net/forum/xperia-x1/977-x1i-3g-umts-bands.html
Thanks.. anyone else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK sorry, I was not aware of this. Mobile operators tend to use two frequencies paired in Hungary (900+1800), maybe it's not so in other countries. But that still leaves the 850 MHz question in the X1i open.
Hey guys, I'm an X1i user in Canada faced by this same problem. I am also truly hoping for the possibility to unlock UMTS 850mhz on the X1i via a radio ROM flash from the X1a. I've heard that users of the Touch Diamond/Pro/HD are in a similar situation, but there has been no success yet.
Basically, the X1i DOES support 850mhz on the GSM band, however this will only get you EDGE or GPRS speeds. The X1i does NOT have support for the 3G (UMTS) band on 850mhz. Therefore, it only really half supports our networks over here.
Some users in the USA are lucky as they are in a 1900mhz UMTS zone, and since the X1i does support that 3G/HSDPA band, they are able to get 3G speeds. Problem is for me, 850mhz is predominant in my area, so my phone will always prefer to hop on that frequency, thereby eliminating my chances of connecting to 1900mhz and getting 3G.
Another possibility would be to force the phone to look for and use 1900mhz, even if the 850mhz towers were stronger. I think the possibility of this happening is less than flashing a new ROM to the X1i radio. The latter depends on whether or not the radio hardware can support different bands by a simple firmware change. I wouldn't hold my breath on this either, as I'm sure the two distinctions are made for a reason.
Anyways, I would LOVE to see it, so I can get 3G speeds up here, burn thru my data faster, and pay more money to the ONE GSM provider in Canada *bah*
Post any news in this thread if you hear of it!
The X1a
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Well the x1a does support vga video recording, just thought you would like to know that... besides consider which you would be using more video, or internet?
Yes but the VGA video is only 10 fps.
Both options suck, which is why I hate that SE is putting us to this decision.
Hopefully there is a hack to overcome the 850 prob. My question is only whether such a hack is even possible.
Thanks.
Uhh that sucks
Ok yeah you are definitly correct it is only about 10fpm... is this because of broadcomm patents?
From what I gather, yes.
It has pretty much been answered here; however, I can tell you beyond the shadow of a doubt... The X1i will absolutely not support UMTS Band V (or UMTS850). This is a hardware limitation of that model.
Innoman -- I appreciate your response, and your level of certainty. I am aware that what you say seems to be the consensus.
Can you substantiate your statement in any way? Link to a schematic or paper showing that this is in fact a hardware limitation? Basically, can you please somehow back up what you are saying? Or is this an educated guess?
And assuming you are able to demonstrate this definitively, then next question arises: can the hardware in question be easily swapped?
My fear is that too many people will accept this important limitation without stopping to thoroughly question or understand it. So if you can prove your stance, please do -- and let this thread serve as the definitive answer to this question. (A question which I believe may have only been met with speculation thus far.) Don't forget, in terms of manufacturing, it is cheaper (and very common) to give sibling devices identical hardware, and control features in software. I have not been shown a document explicitly describing radio hardware differences between X1a and X1i -- I have only seen descriptions of differences in how the hardware functions, which could mean anything. (The video, of course, is a different issue). Maybe you can show me a document identifying the radio hardware in X1a and X1i, demonstrating that there is in fact a difference.
Thanks!
poorangus said:
Can you substantiate your statement in any way? Link to a schematic or paper showing that this is in fact a hardware limitation? Basically, can you please somehow back up what you are saying? Or is this an educated guess?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way to achieve the level of certainty you are after is a hardware blueprint from either SE or HTC. Since neither of these organisations will publish this, your best bet is to find the FCC report on the X1i - this may list the actual hardware frequencies.
The Qualcomm Court-ordered permanent injunction is a fact (Case SACV 05-467 JVS RNB 31-12-2007 United States District Court District of California) - you can easily download the Court decision in PDF format. You will also note from this that any Qualcomm "workaround" is also subject to on-going Court examination and determinations.
Since then, HTC have deliberately crippled all their devices to ensure that the 850Mhz UMTS frequency is not available. Both HTC and SE will not state whether this is a hardware or firmware issue. My educated guess is that it is a hardware action as the 850Mhz frequency is still present in the firmware (in the Registry) but does not work. You will also note that the X1a is released well after the X1i - again, my educated guess is that this sequence has been done to test the market popularity of the X1 as against the amount of royalties payable to Broadcomm if the X1a is released in the US.
The Court injunction is only on devices actually sold in the US, but since the US is the main market for 850Mhz devices, countries like South Africa, South America and Australia also miss out.
The release of the X1a in the US and elsewhere, which includes the 850Mhz working frequency, will require Qualcomm to pay royalties to Broadcomm on any devices actually sold in the US. I cannot say whether devices privately imported into the US from elsewhere (say the UK) will be subject to US Customs action - I don't know.
The video fps is also crippled for the same reasons.
If you have flashed the Hard SPL on your X1i, I suggest you try flashing one of Jack Leung's ROM's to test the 850Mhz frequency. This should tell you definitively if it a hardware or firmware issue. (You can then always reflash your existing ROM if you have a copy of it).
The core problem is down to Qualcomm, not SE or HTC. Both of these latter organisations have done whatever they believe they need to do to minimise the impact of Qualcomm's convicted theft. SE UK repeat the line that there is NO X1i, X1 a etc - only an X1 (yes, I have chased this question down to that level). Do I believe them ? NO. I'm in Aus, with an X1 on order from a UK retailer that I am assured has a working 850Mhz frequency ... but if it doesn't, it goes back for a refund.
What is it about Jack Leung's ROM that would make it possible to test for 850? It is "Based on UK official rom (WWE)," so wouldn't it be subject to the same restrictions? (he doesn't claim to have affected frequency availability).
That FCC Report is a bear.
Also, was the crippling of the video a direct action, or a natural consequence of using the different chip (or both)?
@poorangus
"What is it about Jack Leung's ROM that would make it possible to test for 850? It is "Based on UK official rom (WWE)," so wouldn't it be subject to the same restrictions? (he doesn't claim to have affected frequency availability)."
You don't seem to get it - the 850Mhz restriction is limited to sales in the US (do try and read the US Court decision). So the UMTS frequencies for the UK X1 are not limited by law (this frequency is not used in the UK, but not because of the Court decision, so the ROM doesn't turn it off). Therefore if you try Jack's ROM and you still can't access 850Mhz, it is a hardware restriction in your device, not a firmware restriction.
Which is what you want to know. If you demonstrate to your satisfaction that it is hardware, no firmware trick can help.
"That FCC Report is a bear." I'm afraid that's your problem. Qualcomm has removed all hardware specs for the MSMxxx series from their website about 11 months ago.
"Also, was the crippling of the video a direct action, or a natural consequence of using the different chip (or both)?" See the above answer. You will not find a definitive hardware answer to this because Qualcomm will NOT publish it, OK?
Last time, I repeat that Qualcomm is the problem here, not SE or HTC or this sub-forum.
The most interesting aspect of this post has been observing how confrontational everybody (except scar45) feels they need to be in their responses, whether they have anything of substance to add or not. I will not take issue with this fact, preferring instead to sit back and let you continue to look cool or knowledgeable in front of the other forum members, or whatever this nasty approach to conversation currently achieves. It's not amusing, but as I say, it is interesting, so carry on.
Of course, you're only winning the favor of the ignorant, as intellectuals can see right through that aggression to the insecurity and ignorance that drive it. When you unnecessarily phrase your responses as attacks, intellectuals see an ignorant person trying really hard to look smart, and you can imagine how pathetic this winds up appearing after 6 paragraphs. Remember, the record of this conversation will likely outlive you, and future generations will judge you based on it. Do you really want them to look back and see what a sad little man you were? No? Then be nice. Try different ways of explaining things. We are here to promote learning, not to detract people from it.
Getting back to the issue, the obvious flaw in your Jack Leung's ROM logic is that phones shipping with UK official ROM specifically claim to not support 850. So installing this ROM to find that 850 still doesn't work, gives us no new information (since we still don't know if it's being blocked at some software level). And since my X1i already shipped with the UK official ROM, this is sure to be the result.
Plus, your assertion that "this frequency is not used in the UK, but not because of the Court decision, so the ROM doesn't turn it off" is pure speculation and thus equally useless (mis)information.
Lastly, we get it, Qualcomm is the problem. That is very insightful of you to point out, and we all now understand that you are familiar with the court decision, and we are very proud of you. Unfortunately, this is unrelated to the question at hand.
If anyone has anything useful to contribute, please speak up.. maybe someone managed to grab Qualcomm's MSMxxx specs before they were removed? Or maybe someone is familiar with devices using the same chip as the X1a and could comment on the video capture capabilities of these devices, possibly helping us to better understand the implementation of the X1a's restrictions. In any event, we need a better understanding of the radio hardware in X1a and X1i, so let's start piecing it together.
The quest for certainty continues..
850 MHZ HSDPA in Panama
Ok, so I got my SE X1 a few days ago and it's been running on edge most of the time until about 2 days ago, after rebooting the phone it switched to the 3G network, the "E" became an "H" and i could notice the speed increase. Panama uses 850 Mhz band.
rpereira - thanks for the post. This means you have the X1a model (a = Americas). The other distinguishing characteristic of this phone is that it will only shoot VGA video at 10fps. We are trying to determine whether the X1i model (i = International) may be coerced into supporting 850MHz, like your device does.
Poorangus, you're absolutely right. After a second look to my box, it's clearly labled as X1a. Thanks for helping with the clarification .
i have an x1i running touch it xperience pb1 rom. Im in los angeles california and my data icon is H.
dont know if this helps, just thought i'd share.
Bruce bruce - this is also my situation. Fortunately, we are able to use 1900MHz. But I took my X1i for a drive up the coast yesterday, and it dropped to EDGE at least twice. No way of knowing whether 850MHz availability would have affected this.
hi fellow XDA peeps,
Please don't bash me... i did some research but still need a bit of advice....
I am interested in purchasing a Note 5, can someone tell me which version/model of the Note 5 is the best for modding and would most likely be the one with lots of custom roms?
I know it might be a bit early to say this but, I'm hoping that you guys can still give me some advice. I did some research and saw that there is a custom rom or two out right now, especially here on XDA but, i noticed this is specifically for the N920 I/C/G. : http://forum.xda-developers.com/note5/development/n920i-dr-ketan-rom-l1-t3195076
Also, I read that the T-Mobile version comes with an unlocked bootloader. Does the other models come with an unlocked bootloader as well?
I would greatly appreciate your help guys and any other advice concerning Note 5 versions/models, modding, custom roms, unlocked/unlocking bootloaders is most welcomed.
sooooooooo......
1) best version/model for modding and most likely to have most custom roms?
2) which version/model comes with unlocked bootloader/s?
Many thanks in advance,
Ronald
grymmy said:
hi fellow XDA peeps,
Please don't bash me... i did some research but still need a bit of advice....
I am interested in purchasing a Note 5, can someone tell me which version/model of the Note 5 is the best for modding and would most likely be the one with lots of custom roms?
I know it might be a bit early to say this but, I'm hoping that you guys can still give me some advice. I did some research and saw that there is a custom rom or two out right now, especially here on XDA but, i noticed this is specifically for the N920 I/C/G. : http://forum.xda-developers.com/note5/development/n920i-dr-ketan-rom-l1-t3195076
Also, I read that the T-Mobile version comes with an unlocked bootloader. Does the other models come with an unlocked bootloader as well?
I would greatly appreciate your help guys and any other advice concerning Note 5 versions/models, modding, custom roms, unlocked/unlocking bootloaders is most welcomed.
sooooooooo......
1) best version/model for modding and most likely to have most custom roms?
2) which version/model comes with unlocked bootloader/s?
Many thanks in advance,
Ronald
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 6p ?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A
ambervals6 said:
Nexus 6p
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahahaha.....great device as well, but Nexus devices sucks with their camera and quality of pics
EXCELLENT for modding and developments tho :good:
grymmy said:
Please don't bash me... i did some research but still need a bit of advice....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Best for modding" is irrelevant if you can't use the phone for voice/data. So, why not start with telling us where you're physically located and what carrier you have. That may significantly limit your choices.
garyd9 said:
"Best for modding" is irrelevant if you can't use the phone for voice/data. So, why not start with telling us where you're physically located and what carrier you have. That may significantly limit your choices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thx buddy.
I'm located in the Caribbean, we have blazing 4G networks and excellent voice/data services. My present carrier is Digicel but we also have Bmobile (TSTT) here.
I ask "best for modding" because I'm big on installing custom Roms and having full access to the device and what it could do. I could be wrong, but from my understanding devices with unlocked bootloaders are the preferred choices for developers to work on, mod, etc.
thx,
Ronald
Here's the best I can offer you:
Head to this website: http://www.willmyphonework.net/
The following devices have more support on XDA than the others: n920t (tmobile - but they come sim-locked), n920i, n920c. Find the device that works best with your carrier. Eliminate the tmobile choice if needed due to it being sim-locked.
garyd9 said:
Here's the best I can offer you:
Head to this website: http://www.willmyphonework.net/
The following devices have more support on XDA than the others: n920t (tmobile - but they come sim-locked), n920i, n920c. Find the device that works best with your carrier. Eliminate the tmobile choice if needed due to it being sim-locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
garyd9......WOW! EXCELLENT site for checking device network compatibility>>>>WOW!
thanks a million buddy...after all the research i did, i too came up with exactly what you said above........thanks again....cleared up things a lot. Guess i was on the right track, i have an unlocked n920t, n920i and a n920c in my ebay cart. However, i checked and ALL of them resulted in a (X) by the 4G symbol.... ................... All those models will work fine up to 3G network here though not sure if our 4G network is really 4G....lol....long story
if its not too much though, which would you go with?
thx,
Ronald
grymmy said:
if its not too much though, which would you go with?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite honestly, I'd do my homework and whatever google searching required to find out which LTE bands are supported by the carrier or carriers I use. Then I'd make sure that whichever model I got supported those LTE bands.
Quite often, a carrier might still be rolling out support for an LTE band and it doesn't show on that site I linked to. For example, AT&T in the US is rolling out LTE bands 5, 29 and 30 in some regions, but that site knows nothing about them.... (I can excuse band 29 because it's used for downlink only, and band 30 because they JUST started rolling that out in very few areas.)
garyd9 said:
Quite honestly, I'd do my homework and whatever google searching required to find out which LTE bands are supported by the carrier or carriers I use. Then I'd make sure that whichever model I got supported those LTE bands.
Quite often, a carrier might still be rolling out support for an LTE band and it doesn't show on that site I linked to. For example, AT&T in the US is rolling out LTE bands 5, 29 and 30 in some regions, but that site knows nothing about them.... (I can excuse band 29 because it's used for downlink only, and band 30 because they JUST started rolling that out in very few areas.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice nice, thanks for the heads up....this what our networks here runs on:
http://roamtheworldcellphones.com/gsmtrinidadandtobago
http://www.gsmarena.com/network-bands.php3
But, the issue is not really the band/s though, its the version that most likely developers would choose to work on and have lots of custom Roms/developments? whatever model that may be, that is the model i would i like to buy. For now it seems like if i can't obtain an unlocked N920T then the next best variant should be the N920I, then N920C. Correct me if I'm wrong in anyway please..lol
again, many thanks for such informative advice and for taking the time to reply.......thx buddy
grymmy said:
For now it seems like if i can't obtain an unlocked N920T then the next best variant should be the N920I, then N920C.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this instant in time, the 't' seems to have the most attention. The 'i' and 'c' are mixed... I wouldn't be willing to say either gets more attention than the other.
garyd9 said:
At this instant in time, the 't' seems to have the most attention. The 'i' and 'c' are mixed... I wouldn't be willing to say either gets more attention than the other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Figured so, I think I just might get the N920I, just to be safe...lol
In my experience with rooting, installing custom roms etc. I noticed that most international models are the preferred choice for developers to work on, plus, updates are much faster ..... again, correct me if I'm wrong....lol
Greetings.
I plan on getting this version, will it work normally in Serbia? Band20 isn't important to me. Also, is this phone part of the Android One program, and can you install Google Play Store easily as this video states?
youtu.be/ QsP4EkBrgRY
"This unit was imported from China, but Play Store can be installed through the provided App store."
Edit:
I am sorry for editing the link like this, it wouldn't allow me to post it otherwise..
@ivanbass1
For future reference, the model you are interested in is known as the following:
Nokia 7 Plus Dual SIM TD-LTE CN 6GB
I was looking to purchase this myself but if you get the 6GB Chinese variant, you're pretty much limited to 2G (GSM) connectivity.
Here's a URL outlining compatibility with all the countries around the world:
https://www.frequencycheck.com/compatibility/GleKj/nokia-7-plus-dual-sim-td-lte-cn-6gb/countries
Pretty dismal
ivanbass1 said:
Greetings.
I plan on getting this version, will it work normally in Serbia? Band20 isn't important to me. Also, is this phone part of the Android One program, and can you install Google Play Store easily as this video states?
youtu.be/ QsP4EkBrgRY
"This unit was imported from China, but Play Store can be installed through the provided App store."
Edit:
I am sorry for editing the link like this, it wouldn't allow me to post it otherwise..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it will work.
BTW, CN version has LTE Cat 7, 2CA, 300Mbps DL/100Mbps UL while Global version only gets LTE Cat 6.
In the future, once you get unlocked bootloader, you can flash any ROM you like, because Nokia 7 Plus supports Phh treble.
@SUN Huayan
I know you mean well but we can't flash ROMs at random. There has to be interest from a developer standpoint for this specific device.
Secondly Custom ROMs aren't going to unlock bands that the chipset can't support.
https://www.frequencycheck.com/brands/nokia
As far as I can see the European version supports exactly the same frequencies as the Chinese one.
The best I've been able to surmise, is that every model of the X4 has Galileo disabled in the USA. It seems to be a geo-fence lockout, since people have reported that Galileo satellites become usable as they fly over the ocean to Europe. And the opposite occurs when returning to the USA. Motorola does not seem receptive my requests for enabling the feature, even though the FCC made a ruling in December 2018 that Galileo could now be utilized in the USA.
Anyone have any idea where the USA geo-fence for Galileo use is implemented? Would that be hard-wired on the Snapdragon chipset (I'm thinking unlikely), in the radio firmware, or in Android? If in radio or Android, I'm curious if any custom ROMs have this feature enabled?
Thanks for any help.
From another thread on another site, it seems like there is a blacklist setting per GNSS provider (GPS, Glonass, Galileo, Beidou, etc)
Example Link
data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
It's not clear to me if this needs to be changed prior to ROM compile, or can be changed after the ROM is installed.
Curious if any ROM builders or rooted folks would be willing to test this to see if we can get Galileo enabled on the Moto X4 in the USA?
Can anyone confirm they can track Galileo satellites while in the USA with a rooted ROM? If so, which ROM?
You can use the gpstest app to confirm. Look for the dark blue EU flag.
You can read more in this article written by the app author.
ndoggac,
I have the exact same issue / questions you have. I'm in the US. 2020 model Moto G Power. "Supports" Galileo but none seen. So far my questions on Motorola forum have not been replied to.
Looks like we found the same blacklist/whitelist /geofencing info. It also looks like it might be as simple as a change in value in a system variable.
Hoping someone who routinely hacks on androids can offer how involved making a change like this might be.
Also wondering if anyone in the 48 states has any phone that's using Galileo and or Beidou?
I also found and installed "adb" which might be the right path to making the change, but I'm not wanting to brick my phone by screwing around too much!
Good evening folks,
Recently i got vry happy and furious at same time, cause i received mine so expected new RMX1931 butttttt the vendor told me that was the global version and it was not .
Well, until the dispute ends ill use and take the most of this wonderfull phone, so.......
Maybe im wrong but if this phone have a global version, it means that its modem should be the same and like the other rom is capable of accepting the other frequencys/bands of 4G/LTE.
So please, do anyone knows How to enable 4G/LTE - Frequency 28(700MHz)?
I am from Brazil, and here this band is very important, cause it has the better range (not speed) and sums with other bands creating the 4G+ or 4,5G like marketing likes to say (whats really matter is that the range of 4g increases and the speed too, but not toooooo much).
I saw some tutorials of this but with other phones, so i really hope it can be done.
Sry for the long text and the mistakes, its not my first language, and tks for all cause this community and the information here shared and created r priceless. :highfive:
BW
Well i think this is hard one at the moment, right?
So can anyone help telling where i can search for this answer? (other foruns, social midia, apps, etc...)
Ps: You guys hav to re-enable permissions every day? How to solve it? Some apps like Swifly Switch (is like a sidebar) lose the Acessibility Permission and the Top apps permission so i have to do it manually every day.
Have a good day folks
Bw
Up. My Oppo Reno Ace Gundam also lacks the said frequency. And its the same as the realme x2 pro. Specs and design. I live in the Philippines. Range in here is more important.
I have REALME X2 Pro (RMX1931EX) device listed here https://cacombos.com/device?model=RMX1931EX and it support B28.
What is exactly your device model number? Maybe you have different variant so i like to list it to my site. Could you please send to me modem log (instruction: https://mt-tech.fi/en/how-to-get-4g...droid-phone/#OnePlus,_Oppo_and_RealMe_devices) to https://cacombos.com/contribute so i can list your device supported 4G bands and combinations?
I think there is no easy way to enable B28 on your device...