Database Develop

Best/cheapest way to use the Note in the USA?

So I'm thinking of buying a Note but I'm wondering what's the best way to use it in the USA.
I hear using it on T-Mobile only provides EDGE-level speeds but using it on AT&T Straight Talk or whatever gets you 3G speeds (maybe even 4G HSPA+?).

correct, went from tmobile to straight talk, getting HSPA+ speeds

PolishDude said:
correct, went from tmobile to straight talk, getting HSPA+ speeds
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Click to collapse
Nice.
How do you use it with straight talk btw?

Would it be possible to just buy a sim card like this:
http://www.amazon.com/AT-3G-SIM-Card-Unactivated/dp/B001ONWGMC
Activate it through the ATT site, choose plan and then have it work on my Note?
The straight talk thing seems very cool but I don't have the money to shell out for a $250 phone.

I bought a refurbished E71 for 100 bucks shipped straight from straight talk, activated straight talk using the e71 then just took the sim card out of the e71 and put it into my note...thats it, super easy. You do have to keep the e71 since the sim is registered with the phone so if you sold it and someone tried to get a new sim card for straighttalk it would disconnect your sim card but honestly I am now paying $45 bucks a month versus $85 a month so the savings more then makes up for it

Where did you purchase the Note?

okstate95 said:
Where did you purchase the Note?
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Click to collapse
I bought mine through Expansysusa.com. It was pricey.
I am disappointed with AT&T. There are no HSPA or 4G towers within 25 miles of my house so I am getting smail pace data connection. I get 3 of 4 bars signal strength, but the slowest data, and yes I setup the APN like it should be using "phone". Even my wife's Galaxy S II Skyrocket which is LTE is so slowwwww, so know it is not just my Note.

Straightalk SIM only purchase announcement
If case no one knows. Straight Talk Wireless announced on Feb 7 a SIM only purchase plan for their $45 unlimited talk, text and data. No Straighttalk phone needed to activate.
Check it out.
StraightTalk SIM Purchase Plan

access.denied said:
If case no one knows. Straight Talk Wireless announced on Feb 7 a SIM only purchase plan for their $45 unlimited talk, text and data. No Straighttalk phone needed to activate.
Check it out.
StraightTalk SIM Purchase Plan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I did. I missed the delivery of my Sim card Friday so will have to get it tomorrow. My International Note should be here late this week or early next week.

EndlessMike133 said:
Would it be possible to just buy a sim card like this:
http://www.amazon.com/AT-3G-SIM-Card-Unactivated/dp/B001ONWGMC
Activate it through the ATT site, choose plan and then have it work on my Note?
The straight talk thing seems very cool but I don't have the money to shell out for a $250 phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Straight talk now had a "bring your own phone" online selection. It ill just cost you like 15 for the SIM and then 45 for unlimited data, talk, text! Check out the website! No need to buy a phone!
EDIT: I did not see the posts above... sorry for the double or triple post on Straight talk!

Is the ST plan faster than the t-mobile I'm on now? If so I'm Gona switch
From the Beast : Galaxy Note

sprintuser1977 said:
Is the ST plan faster than the t-mobile I'm on now? If so I'm Gona switch
From the Beast : Galaxy Note
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are getting edge for data, yes ST will be faster.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA App

What is the speed in and around NYC using Straight Talk, please post the speed test?
Do they throttle after 2gb, 5gb or it is really unlimited?
Any call disconnect like in AT&T. I am with T-mobile Unlimited Even More Plus Plan. They don't offer this anymore. I don't want to switch if Straight Talk sucks. Straight Talk allows number porting?

On ATT my speedtest scores really vary here in Chicago (2500-11,000kbps)...but I probably average 4000.
Do you see average scores likethat on straight talk...seriously.
If consider switching if this generally was the case. I've heard differently.
Thanks
][/B]
PolishDude said:
correct, went from tmobile to straight talk, getting HSPA+ speeds
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(

Moved To Q&A​
All questions belong in the Q&A section!​

$50 unlimited everything- ATT gophone
may want to check this thread i just created. it's working good for me.

AT&T and galaxy nexus

Okay so I have a 4s with a micro sim. Can I take my gnex in att and get a new sim card for it. Or would I have to lie and say I'm using a different phone?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Get an adapter. I'll be cheaper. Last time I needed a new sim from ATT they charged me $25. I did lose mine though.

jaszek said:
Get an adapter. I'll be cheaper. Last time I needed a new sim from ATT they charged me $25. I did lose mine though.
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What!? I never paid for mine and went through maybe 20 of em.

Yes mine are free.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

boborone said:
What!? I never paid for mine and went through maybe 20 of em.
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Click to collapse
Maybe because I don't have any actual AT&T stores here, and only authorized retailers. lol. And I didn't feel like waiting for a card to be shipped. And I was able to roam on my Polish SIM but I had no money on that account so couldn't make calls or text lol. And stupid me lost it in Ireland when drinking a Guinness.

Straight Talk - Sim Cards Not At (at least all) Walmarts

Anyone who is thinking that they'll swing by Walmart and grab a Straighttalk sim card/activation kit once their Nexus arrives: they don't appear to sell them, or at least not at mine. There was every permutation of everything else they sell there, but no sim cards, so order now!
Although I did find a promo code to get the sim free online, so I guess it wasn't a total lost trip.
That's what I get for putting it off. Now I might have a nexus that isn't a phone for a day. Oh, the humanity.

For those that don't know, using the promo code SIMSAVE on the $45 monthly plan will give you a free SIM card!

I won't be buying the Nexus 4 right away, probably a month after release once the kinks are worked out, but can anyone explain why the straight talk coverage has two seperate coverage maps?
One is for non-android (and the coverage is great)
Another is for android (and the coverage is barren)
http://www.straighttalk.com/Coverage
Also does Straight Talk use T-mobiles network? I thought it was just ATT but it says right on there website here : http://www.straighttalksim.com/ : that you can "Bring your T-Mobile compatible 4G phone and keep your 4G service" Of course the Nexus 4 is pentaband, but thats a rarity and not all phones are so how would they give other T-mobile phones 4G service?

ap3604 said:
I won't be buying the Nexus 4 right away, probably a month after release once the kinks are worked out, but can anyone explain why the straight talk coverage has two seperate coverage maps?
One is for non-android (and the coverage is great)
Another is for android (and the coverage is barren)
http://www.straighttalk.com/Coverage
Also does Straight Talk use T-mobiles network? I thought it was just ATT but it says right on there website here : http://www.straighttalksim.com/ : that you can "Bring your T-Mobile compatible 4G phone and keep your 4G service"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Straight talk will use whomever is best in your area. Be in AT&T or T-Mobile. The reason the maps are so different is that the Non-Android one is for voice/2G the Android is 3G+. Basicly it is saying Basic coverage is almost everywhere, but data isnt.

You choose either an at&t or T-Mobile sim card at checkout.

Or you can pick up a net 10 sim kit at best buy. Kit costs $15 and you get 3 Sims (at&t normal size, at&t micro, and T-Mobile normal) all with seperate activation codes. They have the exact same unlimited plans straight talk does but there $50 a month. Just putting another option out there
Sent from my A100 using xda app-developers app

vita10gy said:
Anyone who is thinking that they'll swing by Walmart and grab a Straighttalk sim card/activation kit once their Nexus arrives: they don't appear to sell them, or at least not at mine. There was every permutation of everything else they sell there, but no sim cards, so order now!
Although I did find a promo code to get the sim free online, so I guess it wasn't a total lost trip.
That's what I get for putting it off. Now I might have a nexus that isn't a phone for a day. Oh, the humanity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. Buy it online. Ships in a few days.

lowrider262 said:
Or you can pick up a net 10 sim kit at best buy. Kit costs $15 and you get 3 Sims (at&t normal size, at&t micro, and T-Mobile normal) all with seperate activation codes. They have the exact same unlimited plans straight talk does but there $50 a month. Just putting another option out there
Sent from my A100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking a bit online net10 seems like the way to go! Why am I just now hearing about it? I was getting nervous from straight talk horror stories...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

v3rk said:
Looking a bit online net10 seems like the way to go! Why am I just now hearing about it? I was getting nervous from straight talk horror stories...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Though be advised that net10 is owned by the same company as straight talk. I personally have straight talk and can attest that their cs sucks more than att. But I've only had to call them once. Never had an issue with throttling but I stay under that hush hush of 2gb a month

I never heard about them in the bring your own phone game either until last week, I was going to every store trying to buy a straight talk sim for my nephews at&t phone, then I ran across this at best buy. Best part is the 3 Sims, you can try one service and if you don't like it, you could switch the same day:thumbup:
Sent from my A100 using xda app-developers app

coverage maps
ap3604 said:
I won't be buying the Nexus 4 right away, probably a month after release once the kinks are worked out, but can anyone explain why the straight talk coverage has two seperate coverage maps?
One is for non-android (and the coverage is great)
Another is for android (and the coverage is barren)
http://www.straighttalk.com/Coverage
Also does Straight Talk use T-mobiles network? I thought it was just ATT but it says right on there website here : http://www.straighttalksim.com/ : that you can "Bring your T-Mobile compatible 4G phone and keep your 4G service" Of course the Nexus 4 is pentaband, but thats a rarity and not all phones are so how would they give other T-mobile phones 4G service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding Coverage and providers, you get to pick which Service Provider to use, as in T-Mobile or AT&T, it ultimately depends on where you live. You may not get the option for both depending on coverage and your location. I did not get the option to choose T-Mobile when I got my Straight-Talk Sim and Plan. However I am sure you could plug in a different Zip Code and get the Service of your choosing.
You can look at a Carrier's Coverage map for areas they SHOULD cover. During my Evaluation of T-mobile and AT&T, I found using the Root Metrics Coverage Map and the Sensorly Map helped out quite a bit. Many times I ended up using the apps to record coverage in areas I or my Family frequented.
http://www.rootmetrics.com/
http://sensorly.com/map

Have a few months left on my AT&T contract so I am going to pop into an official brick and mortar store and ask for a micro sim. Will I run into any troubles?

dcarpenter85 said:
Have a few months left on my AT&T contract so I am going to pop into an official brick and mortar store and ask for a micro sim. Will I run into any troubles?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They really don't sell ST SIMs in Walmarts. Only with phones. So just buy it online...

Straight Talk doesn't offer T-Mobile micro Sims...just fyi.

ap3604 said:
I won't be buying the Nexus 4 right away, probably a month after release once the kinks are worked out, but can anyone explain why the straight talk coverage has two seperate coverage maps?
One is for non-android (and the coverage is great)
Another is for android (and the coverage is barren)
http://www.straighttalk.com/Coverage
Also does Straight Talk use T-mobiles network? I thought it was just ATT but it says right on there website here : http://www.straighttalksim.com/ : that you can "Bring your T-Mobile compatible 4G phone and keep your 4G service" Of course the Nexus 4 is pentaband, but thats a rarity and not all phones are so how would they give other T-mobile phones 4G service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those coverage maps are for straight talk's own phones. The non-Android map you see is Verizon's coverage which their cdma non-android phones use. The android map is for sprint which the majority of their android phones use, they actually have a few android phones that use Verizon's network now. Again, those maps are for their own branded phones, if you bring your own phone obviously those maps don't apply

T-Mobile $30 monthly 4g Howto plus NET10 comparison

1. Go into a TMobile store and buy the SIM prepaid activation kit They are not supposed to sell these without selling you a plan at the same time but my local mgr offered. Beg for one or order one online. If you are super desperate, buy a prepaid TMo phone and use the activation #, SIM # and the NEXUS 4 IMEI. Sell the $29 crap phone on craigslist. Cut the SIM or go into TMobile and get a new microsim for free. You could return the crap phone since they only deactivate the IMEI but thats unethical and you still need a new microsim as they must have the SIM to return the phone.
2. Activate your SIM with the $30/mo 100 minute 5GB data. You can use TMobile refill cards or credit
3. Check APN settings and enjoy
I also have a Net10 (ATT) $50/month plan w/ unlimited everything (no official details on data cap, cust service said there wasn't info or a cap).
Speed tests are around 5mbs for both providers. T-Mobile should be faster depending on the area due to network. I've seen up to 10mbs for T-Mobile. For t-mo voice use GrooveIP/Google Voice.
As for me, I'm getting a second TMo prepaid kit and paying $60 for two lines; one for Nexus 4 and one for ATT AWS modded Note 2.
Enjoy!

rockerrock said:
1. Go into a TMobile store and buy the SIM prepaid activation kit They are not supposed to sell these without selling you a plan at the same time but my local mgr offered. Beg for one or order one online. If you are super desperate, buy a prepaid TMo phone and use the activation #, SIM # and the NEXUS 4 IMEI. Sell the $29 crap phone on craigslist. Cut the SIM or go into TMobile and get a new microsim for free. You could return the crap phone since they only deactivate the IMEI but thats unethical and you still need a new microsim as they must have the SIM to return the phone.
2. Activate your SIM with the $30/mo 100 minute 5GB data. You can use TMobile refill cards or credit
3. Check APN settings and enjoy
I also have a Net10 (ATT) $50/month plan w/ unlimited everything (no official details on data cap, cust service said there wasn't info or a cap).
Speed tests are around 5mbs for both providers. T-Mobile should be faster depending on the area due to network. I've seen up to 10mbs for T-Mobile. For t-mo voice use GrooveIP/Google Voice.
As for me, I'm getting a second TMo prepaid kit and paying $60 for two lines; one for Nexus 4 and one for ATT AWS modded Note 2.
Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Net10 and Straight Talk are essentially the same company. If you call N10 support ST will answer. Figure that you will be throttled at 2GB after your first month. When you do get throttled, don't waste your time calling customer support, 45 minutes and they still don't unthrottle you. Post in the NET10 forums about slow data and you will get a response from an employee to PM them your imei and they will unthrottle you, usually in less then 10 minutes after you PM them during business hours.
Also for the TMobile sims without a contract try the prepaid webpage. You can use these for the $30/month plan.
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phones/prepaid-sim-cards

Any difference between this and what theyre doing in this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2001290

rockerrock said:
1. Go into a TMobile store and buy the SIM prepaid activation kit They are not supposed to sell these without selling you a plan at the same time but my local mgr offered. Beg for one or order one online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good on the store manager. I wasnt that lucky. Finally ordered it online.

Grr, t-mobile EDGE only in my hicktown, very fast in the state capitol. It's so cheap I think I'll keep Net10 in the Nexus4 and Tmo in the Note 2.

crachel said:
Any difference between this and what theyre doing in this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2001290
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Click to collapse
I was so incredibly frustrated on failing to get a SIM locally that I explored other options. My first success was buying a prepaid phone and cutting the sim, second was the T-Mobile store whom informed me that he would sell the SIM solo which is not common.

crachel said:
Any difference between this and what theyre doing in this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2001290
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope doesn't look like it. Do we need 2 threads?

woody296 said:
nope doesn't look like it. Do we need 2 threads?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
crachel said:
Any difference between this and what theyre doing in this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2001290
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know right..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2084063

[Q] Buying note 4 outright...

Sooo just went to a T-Mobile store to buy a note outright to use on ATT but the sales person I got said they no longer allow buying the phone without at least a prepaid plan. Anyone else come across this?
Going to check out other retailers to see if I can get by without paying for 2 months of T-Mobile service on top of ATT :/

Try best buy.

Swappa.com and save some cash while your at it. A lot of XDA guys selling their stuff there.

Yeah looks like swappa+an unlock code would still be cheaper in most cases.
Seems that best buy only carries sprint Verizon and att?

vicariouscheese said:
Sooo just went to a T-Mobile store to buy a note outright to use on ATT but the sales person I got said they no longer allow buying the phone without at least a prepaid plan. Anyone else come across this?
Going to check out other retailers to see if I can get by without paying for 2 months of T-Mobile service on top of ATT :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to sign up and just cancel if you have no other options. The fine print reads that if you are using the Electronic Installment Plan and you cancel then the remaining balance on the phone immediately becomes due. Does it say there are some other fees you incur if you cancel early?

I'm selling my Tmobile unlocked Note 4 ..Message me

vicariouscheese said:
Sooo just went to a T-Mobile store to buy a note outright to use on ATT but the sales person I got said they no longer allow buying the phone without at least a prepaid plan. Anyone else come across this?
Going to check out other retailers to see if I can get by without paying for 2 months of T-Mobile service on top of ATT :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm always amazed by this lol, do you go in and say I just want a Note 4 or do you go tell them all your business?
I just think it depends on other factors, but idk I didn't have this issue but I heard others have.
I just told them i'm here to buy a Note I already had a plan. Activate a pay as you go for what $15 from Wal-Mart then go into store with the active line/account then they can't say no
Sent from my: SM-N910T / SQC100-4 with Tapatalk : PIN 2BFBBCE3: T-Mobile 4G LTE

bipoler said:
I'm always amazed by this lol, do you go in and say I just want a Note 4 or do you go tell them all your business?
I just think it depends on other factors, but idk I didn't have this issue but I heard others have.
I just told them i'm here to buy a Note I already had a plan. Activate a pay as you go for what $15 from Wal-Mart then go into store with the active line/account then they can't say no
Sent from my: SM-N910T / SQC100-4 with Tapatalk : PIN 2BFBBCE3: T-Mobile 4G LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much what i do

CheesyNutz said:
Pretty much what i do
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Click to collapse
My store asked no question, I think it's a combination of who's asking and whose selling. I don't say any more than I need too
Sent from my: SM-N910T / SQC100-4 with Tapatalk : PIN 2BFBBCE3 : T-Mobile 4G LTE
Facebook.com/UnFazedRebel

bipoler said:
My store asked no question, I think it's a combination of who's asking and whose selling. I don't say any more than I need too
Sent from my: SM-N910T / SQC100-4 with Tapatalk : PIN 2BFBBCE3 : T-Mobile 4G LTE
Facebook.com/UnFazedRebel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly

Fidelio_o said:
Swappa.com and save some cash while your at it. A lot of XDA guys selling their stuff there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. That is how I acquired my T-Mobile Note 4. Will eventually be putting up my "Excellent Condition" Verizon Note 4 as soon as the ETF get's billed and I either get it payed off via payments and/or my 6-8 week T-Mobile "debit" card comes to cover the costs. :good: