Database Develop

[Q] Unlocked for USA

For context let me say that I live in the US, currently on Verizon, but not on contract. I have been waiting since February for a device worthy of upgrading from my Droid Incredible. This is the phone for me.
Given that the US carriers seem incapable of getting new high-end hardware (7 months for SGSII to launch here is the US!!!), and that there has been no announcement of this phone on any US carrier, I am planning for the worst.
I am unfamiliar with GSM networks, having been on Verizon's CDMA for 10+years. My understanding is that I simply need a SIM card from a GSM carrier, say AT&T, and an "unlocked" GSNote from the UK. Is there any risk this won't work? I would hate to spend a ton of money for a phone I can't use.
Any news on a US release.

The galaxy note selling right now is unlock and the 3G band will work on AT&T USA 850/1900 bands and get edge on tmobile.
Sent from my note

3G > Edge?
Does it use standard SIM or the new Micro SIM?
Any suggestions on where / who to buy from in UK? Reputable seller.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

Seth Turner said:
3G > Edge?
Does it use standard SIM or the new Micro SIM?
Any suggestions on where / who to buy from in UK? Reputable seller.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, 3G > EDGE. EDGE is the GSM equivalent to 1x.

The biggest benefit of GSM network is the ability to swap phones around by just swapping the sim card as long the phone is network unlocked.
GNote from europe is network unlocked.
All you have to do is visit and att store, get a sim and a plan.
Once u get a sim and a number, u can put it in any gsm phone and use it .

Seth Turner said:
3G > Edge?
Does it use standard SIM or the new Micro SIM?
Any suggestions on where / who to buy from in UK? Reputable seller.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im using AT&T and I order the device from mobilecotyonline.com but no ETA but negrielectronics have instock also in the US the two retailers sell the unlock device with AT&T 3G bands and regular SIM Card.

Buy an unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note. Put it on Straight Talk Mobile prepaid for $45/month which uses AT&T's network. You would have to buy a refurbed Nokia E71 phone for $99 to do it and put the sim card in the Note with some settings changes. You get unlimited talk/text/data with no contract using AT&T's 3G network.

I too must have this device. My contract with verizon ends in a couple of weeks and i was planning to renew and get the galaxy nexus but after seeing the galaxy note, well....anyway i'd like to wait for the korean release of the note since it's supposed to have lte. will that model work on verizon or do i need to switch to at&t no matter what? if the lte note will work on verizon, i was thinking getting the nexus with contract renewal and then selling it to get the note.

Seth - I can recommend Expansys.co.uk
Received mine the day after they got it in stock.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

leaverus said:
I too must have this device. My contract with verizon ends in a couple of weeks and i was planning to renew and get the galaxy nexus but after seeing the galaxy note, well....anyway i'd like to wait for the korean release of the note since it's supposed to have lte. will that model work on verizon or do i need to switch to at&t no matter what? if the lte note will work on verizon, i was thinking getting the nexus with contract renewal and then selling it to get the note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon uses CDMA which is not compatible if the Korean version is GSM. Only way is if it was released as a world phone with both CDMA and GSM built in.

What about speeds?
It sounds like getting a European version will limit the data speeds here in the US due to compatibility of data technology faster than 3G. I don't know if T-Mobile or AT&T have anything faster than 3G, but the CDMA carriers (Sprint and Verizon) have 4G (WiMax/LTE) data.
So I could wait for any US carrier to offer it, but it seems only Sprint or Verizon would provide high speed data. If only T-Mobile or AT&T carry it I would do better to get one from UK to get it earlier.
Of course all these issues would go away if US carriers would get decent f'ing hardware!!!
Why is it that all the good stuff launches in Europe first anyway?

Seth Turner said:
It sounds like getting a European version will limit the data speeds here in the US due to compatibility of data technology faster than 3G. I don't know if T-Mobile or AT&T have anything faster than 3G, but the CDMA carriers (Sprint and Verizon) have 4G (WiMax/LTE) data.
So I could wait for any US carrier to offer it, but it seems only Sprint or Verizon would provide high speed data. If only T-Mobile or AT&T carry it I would do better to get one from UK to get it earlier.
Of course all these issues would go away if US carriers would get decent f'ing hardware!!!
Why is it that all the good stuff launches in Europe first anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I almost sure for thi syear non US carrier launch the Note,You can wait to see but if you like a carrier have this device remember just AT&T 3G?HSPA+ version pass the FCC till the moment and I think is because they know users in the US sure buy this device and they test to skip future problems not because a carrier in the US have this.

I am a bit confused. Would it have faster than 3G data if it was released on T-Mobile or AT&T as opposed to importing one from Europe?

Seth Turner said:
I am a bit confused. Would it have faster than 3G data if it was released on T-Mobile or AT&T as opposed to importing one from Europe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The speed of your device is influence by your carrier the device is ready to run like from 28 to 40 M,sorry don‘t be more specific but you can check the database of the device.

OP, if you leave Verizon for AT&T you'll get HSPA+ speeds (aka: fake 4G). You can typically expect 3MBish down in areas where AT&T hasn't upgraded their backhaul and 6-8MB down where they have. Anybody that uses a non-AWS device on T-Mobile is nuts.
Because the device isn't recognized on AT&T's network you can save a bunch of money on voice and data. You can get a $39.99 450 minute voice plan (900 = $59.99) with 5,000 nights and weekends minutes (900 = unlimited). Add unlimited messaging with mobile to any mobile calling (any mobile on any carrier) for $20 and you can add unlimited data for $10 on the data for non-Smartphones plan. So you're close to a truly unlimited plan for $69.99 a month. Also, if you bring your own equipment (tell them you're using a Moto Krzr) you can go contract-less and leave any time you want. I did this in May coming from T-Mobile when I got my ISGS2. I don't know if you travel internationally but, if you do, having AT&T and an unlocked phone is a joy. They have great international data roaming plans and you can also buy a pay-as-you-go plan in any country you visit and just pop the SIM in to the Note. If you want to go the route I described you have to do it over the phone, it can't be done online.
---------- Post added at 05:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:16 PM ----------
Seth Turner said:
I am a bit confused. Would it have faster than 3G data if it was released on T-Mobile or AT&T as opposed to importing one from Europe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, HSPA+ is the fastest speed you can get on AT&T short of LTE. The ASGS2 and ISGS2 get the same speeds on AT&T's network with a theoretical max of 21MB down. If AT&T introduces an LTE version of the Note then yes, that would be faster. T-Mobile's a non-starter because: A) they use funky bands that aren't typically supported by international devices, and B) they'll probably be gone soon anyway.

BarryH_GEG said:
OP, if you leave Verizon for AT&T you'll get HSPA+ speeds (aka: fake 4G). You can typically expect 3MBish down in areas where AT&T hasn't upgraded their backhaul and 6-8MB down where they have. Anybody that uses a non-AWS device on T-Mobile is nuts.
Because the device isn't recognized on AT&T's network you can save a bunch of money on voice and data. You can get a $39.99 450 minute voice plan (900 = $59.99) with 5,000 nights and weekends minutes (900 = unlimited). Add unlimited messaging with mobile to any mobile calling (any mobile on any carrier) for $20 and you can add unlimited data for $10 on the data for non-Smartphones plan. So you're close to a truly unlimited plan for $69.99 a month. Also, if you bring your own equipment (tell them you're using a Moto Krzr) you can go contract-less and leave any time you want. I did this in May coming from T-Mobile when I got my ISGS2. I don't know if you travel internationally but, if you do, having AT&T and an unlocked phone is a joy. They have great international data roaming plans and you can also buy a pay-as-you-go plan in any country you visit and just pop the SIM in to the Note. If you want to go the route I described you have to do it over the phone, it can't be done online
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thnx, this is probably exactly what i'll do since i'm coming from verizon as well. but i think i'm gonna wait for the release of the lte version in korea and import that. will at&t send me a sim card with new service??

BarryH_GEG said:
OP, if you leave Verizon for AT&T you'll get HSPA+ speeds (aka: fake 4G). You can typically expect 3MBish down in areas where AT&T hasn't upgraded their backhaul and 6-8MB down where they have. Anybody that uses a non-AWS device on T-Mobile is nuts.
Because the device isn't recognized on AT&T's network you can save a bunch of money on voice and data. You can get a $39.99 450 minute voice plan (900 = $59.99) with 5,000 nights and weekends minutes (900 = unlimited). Add unlimited messaging with mobile to any mobile calling (any mobile on any carrier) for $20 and you can add unlimited data for $10 on the data for non-Smartphones plan. So you're close to a truly unlimited plan for $69.99 a month. Also, if you bring your own equipment (tell them you're using a Moto Krzr) you can go contract-less and leave any time you want. I did this in May coming from T-Mobile when I got my ISGS2. I don't know if you travel internationally but, if you do, having AT&T and an unlocked phone is a joy. They have great international data roaming plans and you can also buy a pay-as-you-go plan in any country you visit and just pop the SIM in to the Note. If you want to go the route I described you have to do it over the phone, it can't be done online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this suggestion. I am coming from T-mobile and I will switch over to AT&T because I need fast internet speed for the Note.

BarryH_GEG said:
Because the device isn't recognized on AT&T's network you can save a bunch of money on voice and data.
Also, if you bring your own equipment (tell them you're using a Moto Krzr) you can go contract-less and leave any time you want. I did this in May coming from T-Mobile when I got my ISGS2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
once the ISGS2 got released on AT&T, don't they notice? or they still don't because it's a different model number?
- Frank

leaverus said:
thnx, this is probably exactly what i'll do since i'm coming from verizon as well. but i think i'm gonna wait for the release of the lte version in korea and import that. will at&t send me a sim card with new service??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two things. The Korean versions of Samsung products are optimized for the two Korean carriers. They are tri-band, not quad-band like the rest of the world and don't support AT&T's bands. Also, LTE is a moving target. There are over a dozen different spectrums in use worldwide so there's no assurance a device designated LTE will work with a specific carrier. VZW and AT&T both use the 700 series bands yet their devices are incompatible.
---------- Post added at 07:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:22 PM ----------
ChodTheWacko said:
once the ISGS2 got released on AT&T, don't they notice? or they still don't because it's a different model number?
- Frank
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can detect a phone's model based on its IMEI. They don't have the IMEI's for international phones in their database. The exception being Google phones (including the new Galaxy Nexus) because Google makes that data available to them. So they can't identify an ISGS2 as a smartphone. The ASGS2 is both a different model number and they have the IMEIs for all of those models produced.

Might suggest sticking with Verizon buy the phone out right and get the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot then use that as your data and if you need to talk VOIP / SIP never worry about min. Benefit you can use the MIFI on your laptop and any other Wifi enabled devices. Other benefit is the price a heck of a lot cheaper than those Cell contracts. Just an idea..

Running the S4 Active on T-Mobile, anything else I should do?

Hi all.
I have been using my AT&T S4 Active on T-Mobile for the past week. I got it unlocked via an eBay seller and everything has been working great thus far. I had a question though regarding bands and whether or not all the bands available to me are unlocked. Right now where I live I pick up 4G/LTE (although not as strong in my apartment and cuts in and out periodically). I had read that when you unlock a phone via the code it automatically unlocks the bands that were previously not available (when locked to AT&T). Another thread I read that the user has to still unlock those bands. I was hoping someone could clarify this and point me in the right direction! Thanks guys!

jdminpdx said:
Hi all.
I have been using my AT&T S4 Active on T-Mobile for the past week. I got it unlocked via an eBay seller and everything has been working great thus far. I had a question though regarding bands and whether or not all the bands available to me are unlocked. Right now where I live I pick up 4G/LTE (although not as strong in my apartment and cuts in and out periodically). I had read that when you unlock a phone via the code it automatically unlocks the bands that were previously not available (when locked to AT&T). Another thread I read that the user has to still unlock those bands. I was hoping someone could clarify this and point me in the right direction! Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you able to use mobile data with only unlocking the phone? I am about to buy this phone but i heard after unlocking only call/sms will work and not data.
I read here that for data we need to do other stuff

This phone says " LTE Bands 2, 4, 5 and 17" on AT&T website and I'm wondering if this phone will work on other carriers LTE network(T-Mobile, Verizon, or others?)? I know Verizon is CDMA and at&t and T-Mobile are GSM but can anyone answer this?
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda premium

Works on T-Mobile LTE
cyrusalmighty said:
This phone says " LTE Bands 2, 4, 5 and 17" on AT&T website and I'm wondering if this phone will work on other carriers LTE network(T-Mobile, Verizon, or others?)? I know Verizon is CDMA and at&t and T-Mobile are GSM but can anyone answer this?
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the AT&T SGH-i537 model. Pay $15 to have it unlock. Now using it with T-mobile. I got LTE. In some area, I got 23mbps download and 3.6mbps upload. It doubled my Galaxy Nexus speed. The device status info said I am on LTE:14
However, my mobile tethering is disabled. Need to find a way to enable that. Stupid AT&T lock it.

As long as you have the correct setting input into your phone your data will work ( assuming you have a data plan). I remember when the original Iphone came out I unlocked it for T-mobile and had internet on it even though it was branded AT&T only. (EDGE lol 56kb speed) but still it worked...

Root

I unlocked mine with ATT and used it with TMobile while I was in Hawaii. I only had to put my SIM in and I got pretty fast speeds (around 22mbps from what I remember) I don't know if that's the normal speed but compared to the crappy speeds on Guam it was lightening speeds to me! No root or anything needed, no difference after rooting either.

i can confirm it works minus teathering due to att

This is interesting as I thought ATT phones cannot receive Tmobiles LTE.
Sent from my HP SlateBook 10 x2 PC using Tapatalk 4

Does this phone get T Mobiles HSPA+?
Sent from my Samsung S4 Active using Tapatalk 2

Avail211 said:
I unlocked mine with ATT and used it with TMobile while I was in Hawaii. I only had to put my SIM in and I got pretty fast speeds (around 22mbps from what I remember) I don't know if that's the normal speed but compared to the crappy speeds on Guam it was lightening speeds to me! No root or anything needed, no difference after rooting either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tmobile hspa + can get up to 42mbps so that sounds about right.
Sent from my HP SlateBook 10 x2 PC using Tapatalk 4

[Q] HELP - Stay with AT&T or switch to T-Mobile

Hello Everyone,
Long time view, first time poster.
Let me start with, I'm so damn confused on what to do now...
I've recently (yesterday) upgraded (using AT&T Next) to get the Galaxy S5 (awesome phone, btw) and immediately starting looking into Rooting and Custom Recovery. Through all my searching, I find the same info, AT&T with it's locked BootLoader and no Root as of yet. I originally had the AT&T S4 that I rooted as soon as I got it, which had the unlocked BootLoader, so LOKI was awesome and I didn't get hit with the OTA upgrade to a locked BootLoader, so this is all new today. I know the SafeStrap stuff for the upgraded S4 but never had to experience that.
Now I have the S5. The dev's are awesome, so I'm sure there will be a way to root the S5 at some point, but it sucks looking on the forums every hour, hoping, but seeing the same CFAUTOROOT's for all the other versions, like T-Mobile, which brings me to my main question.
SHOULD I RETURN THE AT&T SAMSUNG GALAXY S5 AND GO WITH T-MOBILE???
Details:
I've already sold my awesome S4. I have 14 days to return the S5, but would have to link another phone to my account due to contact (till 10/2015), which is fine because I still have a Note and Iphone 3GS. I also see that T-Mobile will pay the cancellation fee for switching to them. The plan that I have with AT&T and the plan that T-Mobile is offering are roughly the same in specs and price, T-Mobile may even be *slightly* cheaper.
BUT...
Is it worth it to do this, just for the S5 with an unlocked BootLoader, that already has a Root method and Custom Recovery available, right now, as I type this...
I know, ultimately, I'm the only one that can answer this question; depends on how badly I want to root my phone.
I guess I'm just looking to see if other people are in the same boat as me and what their thoughts are on it, and what they are doing...
Any advise, comments, recommendations or in-sight is greatly appreciated.
THANKS!!!

If TMO has a good rep in your area then I would switch. Absolutely. Tbe S6 on ATT will even worse im sure.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

CZ Eddie said:
If TMO has a good rep in your area then I would switch. Absolutely. Tbe S6 on ATT will even worse im sure.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good point, and one I didn't even think about.

I have a prepaid $70 unlimited everything sim from T-Mobile. I find them to be good, not great. I live in Northwest, Indiana (suburb of Chicago). In my experience I find T-Mobile's LTE LTE signal to be pretty weak in general. Most likely due to the AWS frequency. The HSPA+ signal seems fine. I have also noticed that the LTE is not very fast (despite their claims). If you turn if off, the HSPA+ performs just as good, or if not better. I do not travel at all. But I like having a peace of mind with guaranteed HSPA+ coverage on AT&T. T-Mobile only gives me EDGE at home. It's 100% useless. I haven't tried out the wifi calling recently, but I wonder if you can send MMS over that.
I just returned my AT&T S5 for a defective headphone jack. I was going to exchange it, until it hit me that $700 is not worth it for a locked down device. I loved to flash custom roms and modify everything. AT&T has stopped that. Despite excellent coverage, I too am contemplating switching to TMO permanently. I like that they don't modify their devices. Maybe AT&T's system loosing my unlimited data plan today was the final straw.
Gonna look into options.

MattMJB0188 said:
I have a prepaid $70 unlimited everything sim from T-Mobile. I find them to be good, not great. I live in Northwest, Indiana (suburb of Chicago). In my experience I find T-Mobile's LTE LTE signal to be pretty weak in general. Most likely due to the AWS frequency. The HSPA+ signal seems fine. I have also noticed that the LTE is not very fast (despite their claims). If you turn if off, the HSPA+ performs just as good, or if not better. I do not travel at all. But I like having a peace of mind with guaranteed HSPA+ coverage on AT&T. T-Mobile only gives me EDGE at home. It's 100% useless. I haven't tried out the wifi calling recently, but I wonder if you can send MMS over that.
I just returned my AT&T S5 for a defective headphone jack. I was going to exchange it, until it hit me that $700 is not worth it for a locked down device. I loved to flash custom roms and modify everything. AT&T has stopped that. Despite excellent coverage, I too am contemplating switching to TMO permanently. I like that they don't modify their devices. Maybe AT&T's system loosing my unlimited data plan today was the final straw.
Gonna look into options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understate why did you do this for. T-mobile Samsung galaxy S5 have lock bootloader too : http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/67380

norbarb said:
I don't understate why did you do this for. T-mobile Samsung galaxy S5 have lock bootloader too : http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/67380
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not locked, people are rooting and installing custom recoveries and flashing ROMs already.

norbarb said:
I don't understate why did you do this for. T-mobile Samsung galaxy S5 have lock bootloader too : http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/67380
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not locked. They wouldn't have root if it was.

MattMJB0188 said:
It's not locked. They wouldn't have root if it was.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They had root for galaxy S4 from AT&T and bootloader is lock. Root is not proof.

If you check the tmobile forum you will see that they have rooted the S5, installed a custom recovery and some tmobile owners have even flashed and installed Indies rom from the International forum.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using xda app-developers app

Ok some people need some education here, so here goes.
The ATT S4 Bootloader was technically LOCKED when it shipped. There was however a bootloader exploit that allowed custom roms and recoveries, this exploit was known as LOKI. Loki is not a true bootloader unlock, it is a bypass. It intercepts instructions during the boot process that allows unsigned code to be run. This exploit was patched in later updates by Samsung, and all current Samsung's are no longer vulnerable to the LOKI exploit.
The S5 on tmobile is BOOTLOADER UNLOCKED. This is confirmed. To those saying TMO is locked you are mistaken. I will enlighten you as to why. The root method used to obtain root on the TMO S5 requires an Unlocked BL to be successful. CF Auto Root by Chainfire works by modifying the stock recovery partition and then using ODIN to flash the TAR file. Odin flashes this modified stock recovery which then pushes SU binary which then flashes the Stock S5 firmware over. This only works if the BL is unlocked. 1 of 3 outcomes will happen if trying to flash on a locked BL. First if the BL is locked Odin will error out saying that the modified recovery image is not official/signed (end of story thats it), this is the most likely scenario. If somehow the modified image flashes onto a locked BL, the phone will not boot. Worst case scenario it flashes and you end up with a brick.
CF has already stated his root method won't work on the ATT S5 or VZW S5 because of the BL, worse is that modifying system to get root is not possible according to CF. This was used to root the S4 and Note 3 orginally. The only way the ATT or VZW S5 gets rooted is if a dev is able to find an exploit for Kit Kat.
In short TMO S5 has an unlocked BL and ATT is locked, stop being in denial. Class over.

djkinetic said:
Ok some people need some education here, so here goes.
The ATT S4 Bootloader was technically LOCKED when it shipped. There was however a bootloader exploit that allowed custom roms and recoveries, this exploit was known as LOKI. Loki is not a true bootloader unlock, it is a bypass. It intercepts instructions during the boot process that allows unsigned code to be run. This exploit was patched in later updates by Samsung, and all current Samsung's are no longer vulnerable to the LOKI exploit.
The S5 on tmobile is BOOTLOADER UNLOCKED. This is confirmed. To those saying TMO is locked you are mistaken. I will enlighten you as to why. The root method used to obtain root on the TMO S5 requires an Unlocked BL to be successful. CF Auto Root by Chainfire works by modifying the stock recovery partition and then using ODIN to flash the TAR file. Odin flashes this modified stock recovery which then pushes SU binary which then flashes the Stock S5 firmware over. This only works if the BL is unlocked. 1 of 3 outcomes will happen if trying to flash on a locked BL. First if the BL is locked Odin will error out saying that the modified recovery image is not official/signed (end of story thats it), this is the most likely scenario. If somehow the modified image flashes onto a locked BL, the phone will not boot. Worst case scenario it flashes and you end up with a brick.
CF has already stated his root method won't work on the ATT S5 or VZW S5 because of the BL, worse is that modifying system to get root is not possible according to CF. This was used to root the S4 and Note 3 orginally. The only way the ATT or VZW S5 gets rooted is if a dev is able to find an exploit for Kit Kat.
In short TMO S5 has an unlocked BL and ATT is locked, stop being in denial. Class over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an awesome explanation! Thanks! So technically, my S4 didn't have an Unlocked BootLoader, there was just an exploit Jellybean (LOKI) that was able to gain root (that I used) prior to Samsung patching. And that same patch (or "fix") is applied to the S5, right out the gate. :crying:

I'd, switch and all of us here that can't switch should let them know that because they locked their bootloaders. That we will all be switching carriers due to them locking the bootloader. If we can find the right place to tell them that they will be losing many customers then maybe they will change the way they do things or send us a unlocked update.
I had to call them yesterday with a problem with my sim. It was coming up not registered on a network. When talking with AT&T I told them when upgrade time comes I am switching to T-Mobile due to them locking the boot loader. That it should be my choice what I do with and to my phone that I paid for. Then today while doing a servay about the call. I told them again, at the end when they asked if there was anything else. After telling them again, the response was. Thanks again for your time and feedback. Your comments will help us continue to improve our service.
Now this is probably just a general response that's given at the end of the servay. But if we can find the right place in AT&T and threaten them with the loss of many consumers. Then maybe they will change some things. Just think T-Mobile in One year or Two seeing the trend of more and more At&t and Verizon consumers jumping ship to them. They will have no choice but to make T-Mobile better than the others, in all aspects.

Honestly, I am thinking of either going back to my Note 3 or doing the T-Mobile but I am not sure that the S5 offers enough new stuff to support the added expense over the Note 3.

Hi
Earthdog said:
Honestly, I am thinking of either going back to my Note 3 or doing the T-Mobile but I am not sure that the S5 offers enough new stuff to support the added expense over the Note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I'm also thinking about going to T Mobile especially because they
will pay your ETF for the switch. Just not sure about their coverage,
that's the only thing holding me back right now,
Ken

Or you could go with the HTC one m8 it's unlocked,rooted with a custom recovery and s-off.I had never owned an HTC device always had Samsung.but after handling the phone and how dev friendly HTC it's I'm glad I went with them still have my s4 anyway with Loki.
Second choice buy an s5 from t mobile unlock it and use it on AT&T , people have said that lte and reception is excellent on AT&T with the tmo s5.
I hate the fact that AT&T is going the Verizon rout but lays face tmo network is no where near AT&T .I've used both .hope this helps.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using xda app-developers app

Thank you everyone for your responses!
I finally did it and made the move to T-Mobile.
LTE on T-Mobile is soooo much faster than AT&T. On LTE I went from between 10-20 MB/s to a minimum of 25 MB/s on TMO, and most of the time a solid 30 MB/s.
HOWEVER, I did notice that places where I would normally have LTE with AT&T, I only sometimes get LTE with TMO; otherwise it's just 4G, which knocks the speed down to between 8-18 MB/s from using speedtest, but still not a huge deal.
I do find myself 'waiting' for websites to load a little longer on TMO, probably slow DNS servers, so gotta look in to that to see if I can change the DNS servers used when using Cell DATA (not Wifi).
All in all, I couldn't be happier with the same exact phone, but that has an unlocked bootloader and already rooted and custom recovery. I was nervous about switching since AT&T did have GREAT service (and by service, I mean reception, lol) but glad I did.
So, if you have AT&T and the S5 and want/need root and are tired of looking for a Root and keep seeing the CF-Auto-Root available for TMO, take the plunge and switch... just check out service reviews in your area first.
Thanks again everyone!!

kharrison83 said:
Thank you everyone for your responses!
I finally did it and made the move to T-Mobile.
LTE on T-Mobile is soooo much faster than AT&T. On LTE I went from between 10-20 MB/s to a minimum of 25 MB/s on TMO, and most of the time a solid 30 MB/s.
HOWEVER, I did notice that places where I would normally have LTE with AT&T, I only sometimes get LTE with TMO; otherwise it's just 4G, which knocks the speed down to between 8-18 MB/s from using speedtest, but still not a huge deal.
I do find myself 'waiting' for websites to load a little longer on TMO, probably slow DNS servers, so gotta look in to that to see if I can change the DNS servers used when using Cell DATA (not Wifi).
All in all, I couldn't be happier with the same exact phone, but that has an unlocked bootloader and already rooted and custom recovery. I was nervous about switching since AT&T did have GREAT service (and by service, I mean reception, lol) but glad I did.
So, if you have AT&T and the S5 and want/need root and are tired of looking for a Root and keep seeing the CF-Auto-Root available for TMO, take the plunge and switch... just check out service reviews in your area first.
Thanks again everyone!!
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This is exactly what I will be doing when they get reception in my area. The people that voted stay with At&t either work for them or have high hopes. As there most likely will never be root for At&t's S5 unless they give it up and that most likely is not going to happen. So in all reality their votes don't count as there won't be root.

Thought I'd add my two cents here. I just recently tried out T-Mobile (again) and the more I used their service, the more I hated it. Of course this is subjective because not everyone lives in my area. After having AT&T LTE for years, you get use to it. When driving AT&T's LTE signal was stable. It would never drop to E or 4G. If your driving and streaming something with T-Mobile, FORGET IT. The LTE signal is EXTREMELY weak. In my area AT&T & TMO share towers. My AT&T LTE phone would show a -90dbm signal, while T-Mobile would show a -110 signal.
In my area they need low bandwidth spectrum to cover it. They will never get it here. I can't have my phone signal bouncing all over the place. Its annoying and drains the hell out of your battery.
I also found their LTE to be slow. Much slower than AT&T's (in my area). So anyone who switches to TMO and has great service, I envy you. For me, it wasn't what I thought it was, after a few days of use.

At&t note 3 on cricket wireless / aio

I'm planning on buying a note 3 at&t branded because I'd be using it on at&ts network but through cricket wireless. Does anyone have any exp in doing this? Does everything work? And LTE?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

I think you'll be one of the first to test this. Cricket use to be cdma style communication whereas at&t is gsm. I believe at&t just merged aio wireless and cricket thus changing cricket from cdma to gsm. If this is true you won't have any problems whatsoever. Just pop in the SIM and it will probably update the apn settings automatically. You can find the apn settings on crickets website and enter them yourself if it doesn't.

Just to clarify I am already using aio/cricket for months on this device. All will work fine if you have been reading up on aio and cricket merger you would know att is killing off crickets cdma line and will be using GSM, op just make sure you let SM-N900A is UNLOCKED and that you get a sim card and you should be fine. As per 4g/4g lte you may as well go elsewhere you will get 4g/4g lte where available but remember AIO/CRICKET is throttled data, so no matter what you will be limited to a lower speed. If you need any help let me know I've been on aio for months (pre merger to the point I have an aio sim but cricket in the top left).

I'm from the Pittsburgh area but now I'm in savanna Georgia and I've had lte almost the whole way..... I'm on cricket wireless also and I've had no problems with them.... I get lte almost everywhere I go
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Free mobile app

Why to go with "Criplet" if you can have this with AT$T Note 3 on $30 T-M prepaid (the radio chip is much better than T-M original)

jondoe27 said:
Why to go with "Criplet" if you can have this with AT$T Note 3 on $30 T-M prepaid (the radio chip is much better than T-M original)
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Not to he offensive but tmobile sucks. Tmobile only has coverage (4g/4g lte) in major cities, aio/cricket runs off of AT&T network so you already get better coverage. Speeds may be throttled but I can do everything off it on these speeds, youtube, milk music, pandora no problems. When I had tmobile I was constantly on "edge"/2g, but on aio/cricket 75% of the time I'm on 4g lte and the rest I'm on 4g. OP unless you plan on never leaving a major city, just get aio/cricket.

I was on AIO for about a month, and now am on the merged Cricket with an Unlocked Note 3 (for another month). The 4g LTE data speed is capped at 8mbps. I have no problem streaming whatever I want. I had Verizon and most of the time I only got around that speed anyway. I looked at about every MNVO and provider for a cheaper way to do smartphones, and for 3 smartphones, I am at only $115 a month total with 2.5gb per line. I put out about $700 on a Note 3 and 2 S4 phones, and am saving about $115 a month on what it would cost me with AT&T or Verizon. The coverage for AT&T in my area is excellent. I have also found that the online chat is very quick and helpful with any questions. So far I am very pleased.
AT&T basically threw out Cricket and merely put the brand onto their existing AIO wireless. Given that there are so many more Cricket stores, it makes sense.

I am looking to purchase a note 4 either with T-Mobile, Verizon, or Att Wireless and use it on Cricket Wireless since you guys have done this with the Note 3. Will I be able to pop the Cricket sim card in and let it update by air or will I have to unlock all of these phones for this to work.. Also any suggestions for mms .. 4g LTE..etc will be appreciated..
Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using XDA Free mobile app

zhable said:
Not to he offensive but tmobile sucks. Tmobile only has coverage (4g/4g lte) in major cities, aio/cricket runs off of AT&T network so you already get better coverage. Speeds may be throttled but I can do everything off it on these speeds, youtube, milk music, pandora no problems. When I had tmobile I was constantly on "edge"/2g, but on aio/cricket 75% of the time I'm on 4g lte and the rest I'm on 4g. OP unless you plan on never leaving a major city, just get aio/cricket.
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Click to collapse
They have nicer phones
Sent from my SM-N900A using XDA Free mobile app

vicdamon1001 said:
I am looking to purchase a note 4 either with T-Mobile, Verizon, or Att Wireless and use it on Cricket Wireless since you guys have done this with the Note 3. Will I be able to pop the Cricket sim card in and let it update by air or will I have to unlock all of these phones for this to work.. Also any suggestions for mms .. 4g LTE..etc will be appreciated..
Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you get the N4 AT&T branded phone and plan to use cricket, you just put in SIM. Within minutes, you will get the configuration message, install and you're ready to go. No unlocking needed. With the Verizon and T-Mobile phones, you'll have to unlock. However, with any phone, unless you are on that branded phones service, you will not get OTA to new OS versions. This is not that big of a deal since you are already on xda, you can just go to your forum and more than likely find a flashable. [emoji3]

Im also doing the same now, just got a ATT note 3 to use it on cricket.. i have a note 3 on sprint but i just switched jobs and dont have reception at all, im trying it and if it works i might go to ATT later on, or who knows i might stay at cricket.. is way cheaper and 8mps is good for what i use it.. 55 per month with 10 GB thats a hell of a deal, I use about 8 to 10 on sprint right now

Wow...
Ctfu, yeah, give me a sweet device with crappy coverage... That makes SOOO much sense? AT&T/Cricket/AIO all they way! Funny stuff, keep it comin'!
optimusv45 said:
They have nicer phones
Sent from my SM-N900A using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

zhable said:
Just to clarify I am already using aio/cricket for months on this device. All will work fine if you have been reading up on aio and cricket merger you would know att is killing off crickets cdma line and will be using GSM, op just make sure you let SM-N900A is UNLOCKED and that you get a sim card and you should be fine. As per 4g/4g lte you may as well go elsewhere you will get 4g/4g lte where available but remember AIO/CRICKET is throttled data, so no matter what you will be limited to a lower speed. If you need any help let me know I've been on aio for months (pre merger to the point I have an aio sim but cricket in the top left).
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Click to collapse
How does one unlock their phone?

vicdamon1001 said:
I am looking to purchase a note 4 either with T-Mobile, Verizon, or Att Wireless and use it on Cricket Wireless since you guys have done this with the Note 3. Will I be able to pop the Cricket sim card in and let it update by air or will I have to unlock all of these phones for this to work.. Also any suggestions for mms .. 4g LTE..etc will be appreciated..
Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
I'm not too much of a phone geek, but I just started using my ATT Note 3 on Cricket. My APN settings didn't automatically set with the Cricket SIM, but that was an easy change.
I'd suggest the ATT N4 just because ATT bought Cricket, and they're using the same towers now. All things the same, I think it would be the path of least resistance.
BTW, I was paying $120/mo. for Unlimited everything with a 20% corporate discount with ATT. I was only using an average of 1.8GB per month. That also included a partially subsidized phone every 2 years with a new contract.
Now my bill is $35/mo but I'll have to buy my next phone. I'm only on day 2 of the change, but it's a big deal for me after 14yrs with the same company.
-Kevin

I am currently using a AT&T branded Note 3 on Cricket, switched from Tmobile months ago. No need to unlock a AT&T branded phone or at least I didn't have to with my 3.
You can just put a SIM in and change the APN settings to Cricket's which are available on their website.
I've never had issues with dropped calls or losing data with Cricket. I'm paying 150 a month for 3 lines unlimited calls, texts and 10g data on each line.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

[Q] Samsung Note 4(T-Mobile off Contract) and StraightTalk(AT&T)

Currently with T-Mobile, have used Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T, in pinch AT&T or Verizon is usually best signal nationwide(FL, PA, NJ, NY, DC), I'd like to use AT&T towers/service(AT&T LTE) on Straight Talk. Want to avoid locked bootloaders so planning on staying away from Verizon and AT&T smartphones all together, will I have issues using a StraightTalk microsim on the new T-Mobile Note 4 Variant. Is there a difference on the bands they'll be able to use, particularly the LTE bands on either the AT&T vs the T-Mobile Note 4 Variant.

Wanting to Move to Straight Talk
I checked the Straight Talk website the other day to see if my T-Mobile Note 4 would be compatible. Their phone checker said it was compatible. The only thing is, my phone is rooted. I want to move to straight talk because of the low monthly cost. I'm not sure if my phone would still work on straight talk because of it's being rooted.

blade7840 said:
I checked the Straight Talk website the other day to see if my T-Mobile Note 4 would be compatible. Their phone checker said it was compatible. The only thing is, my phone is rooted. I want to move to straight talk because of the low monthly cost. I'm not sure if my phone would still work on straight talk because of it's being rooted.
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I run a rooted N3 on straight talk no issues
note 3 4.4.2 stock rooted N900T

You will be fine I sold 3 sir kits today and the people had tmobile note 4 you can choose att or tmobile sim fine

macgyver40 said:
I run a rooted N3 on straight talk no issues
note 3 4.4.2 stock rooted N900T
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CheesyNutz said:
You will be fine I sold 3 sir kits today and the people had tmobile note 4 you can choose att or tmobile sim fine
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Click to collapse
Thanks! I will make the move to straight talk.

If you have not done it yet. I,am using a n910T with straight talk AT&T Sim no issues
sent from my GN4 N910T 4.4.4 stock rooted

Using N910T on AT&T without no problems. Can't see their being problems with Straight Talk.