Greetings everyone!
I was going to post this in the "Ask any question" thread, but as it got longer I figured I'd make a new thread. Perhaps it will help others who are also looking to buy a Moto X.
I've been a long time considering a Moto X but I've been scared off previously by the difficulties many people seem to have with sim unlocking, bootloader unlocking, and rooting. I'm spoiled because I started with a Samsung Captivate which is unbrickable and can be coerced into running just about anything (now on CyanAOSP 4.0). Currently my main phone is a CDMA (yuck) version of the Galaxy S3 which was given to me. I'd like to go back to a GSM phone and I am again looking at the Moto X.
Given the difficulties with sim unlocking, bootloader unlocking and rooting, my questions are these:
1. Which version(s) of the phone (1058, 1060, etc) should I look at buying for ease of unlocking? I'll be using a T-Mobile (likely) or AT&T (less likely) reseller for a provider. 1058 and 1053 are obvious choices, what about others?
2. Are there versions of the phone, or versions of Android that I should avoid which may be harder to unlock and root than others?
The following are things to take into consideration when selecting a phone:
1. It has to be able to be sim unlocked.
2. I don't care about, or want OTA updates.
3. I don't care about using an older Android OS, such as 4.2.2. but I'm also not opposed to a newer OS.
4. I'd like to be able to use a custom rom, but I could live with a factory rooted rom. (This is the case with my S3)
5. I can't afford a developer edition. $100-110 ish is about my limit.
I've read it's much harder, or impossible to unlock the bootloader on a 4.4.4 phone, if I get one of them, I wouldn't mind downgrading it to 4.2.2 if it would make for an easier time unlocking the bootloader.
You might ask, what's wrong with my S3? The answer is nothing. I like it very much, but I don't like that it's CDMA. That makes it much harder to change providers (currently on Boost). Also if I happen to drop it in the toilet, I have to go without a phone until the Boost store opens, then run to them and purchase a temporary replacement. With a GSM phone, I'd just dry off the sim card and put it in my Captivate, or my Nokia feature phone, or my Sony Ericsson, etc.
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
first 4.4.4 cant be downgrade with out significant risk, second save a little more and get the xt1053 dev edition which will answer all your questions and needs
Thanks for the reply. I will remove downgrading from the list of options and keep that in mind as I'm shopping. I would really like to have a 1053, but they seem to go for $200+, which is double what I can afford. I'm on an uber strict budget and I'm not willing to wait another three or four months. I'm likely going to ditch Boost tonight, so I'll be back on my four year old Captivate till I buy another phone.
Then buy the xt1058 but not at&T because there's no bootloader unlock. If you can get your hands on a Rogers xt1058, go for it
I haven't come across a non-AT&T 1058, but I've got a line on a cheap, unbranded 1050 which I may try to pick up. I understand they're nearly identical to the 1060 except for maybe(?) a different CDMA band, which I don't care about. The specs show the GSM bands of the 1060 and the 1050 to be identical. Since people have decent success with the 1060 on TMO, I would imagine I'd have the same results with a 1050 on TMO given that their GSM radios are the same. I know that LTE may not work depending on my area and provider, but I'm not concerned with LTE. I'm on wifi 95% of the time, so 3G/4G on the UTMS(?) band would be perfectly acceptable.
What I don't know for sure is if the bootloader can be unlocked on the 1050. According to this guy, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52949525&postcount=352 it can. Any input from the gurus on this possible purchase?
I just realized one other thing. According to Wikipedia, the 1050 uses CDMA 800 where the 1060 uses CDMA 850. I read that one of the CDMA bands that Verizon uses prevents them from sim locking their phones, something to do with FCC rules. Would that be the 850 band? If so, there's a moderate chance this phone is sim locked and I can't find anything about specifically sim unlocking a 1050.
I ended up buying a 1053 Developers Edition on eBay for $70 with a dirty, chipped rear cover. I figured who cares about the rear cover because it's going in a case, right? Got it in the mail today and there's a quarter inch crack in the screen on the lower right corner that wasn't in the description. The camera also gives an error and crashes when it tries to load. Ugh! Other than that I really like it.
Related
I'm definitely a noob here, but I've been lurking for over a year, researching, and finally made an account.
I'm stuck with AT&T for awhile. Like most other sensible people on the planet, I want a Droid 3. I thought all hope was lost until I just recently heard that someone finally cracked (rooted) the thing and there are already several custom ROMs out, to my understanding..? Like the Steel Droid ROM at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1278056
Does the Steel ROM allow a Droid 3 to work on AT&T networks?
I also read that Negri Electronics is selling custom Droid 3's that work on AT&T's 3G networks, but it's $600.
Is there any hope of getting a D3 with AT&T, or do I have to stick with my beat-up (but still functional) old Tilt 2?
And Yes I searched, but the Droid 3 Root thing is so new there's not much info on it yet.
I have heard of people successfully using a D3 on AT&T, I think you need to unlock the SIM for US networks somehow. Loading a rom like Steel Droid won't make any changes that will allow you to use it on AT&T though.
Androidsims said:
I have heard of people successfully using a D3 on AT&T, I think you need to unlock the SIM for US networks somehow. Loading a rom like Steel Droid won't make any changes that will allow you to use it on AT&T though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hrm... Crap. So currently the only way to get one for AT&T is via Negri Electronics? No one has heard of any other way? 0.o
I don't suppose there's any other phone that can compete with the D3 as far as specs and a full QWERTY keyboard, huh? Bummer, big time
I'm coming from a VZW TP2 and i know people used it on Tmobile and other GSM networks by unlocking the SIM. The way I did it was by calling Verizon and telling them I was going out of the country and they did it for free on the phone, I'm not sure how to do it if you're already on another network or don't activate it with Verizon first (For free). But that's definitely what you should look for, once the SIM is unlocked it should work anywhere as long as you enable roaming.
kern417 said:
I'm coming from a VZW TP2 and i know people used it on Tmobile and other GSM networks by unlocking the SIM. The way I did it was by calling Verizon and telling them I was going out of the country and they did it for free on the phone, I'm not sure how to do it if you're already on another network or don't activate it with Verizon first (For free). But that's definitely what you should look for, once the SIM is unlocked it should work anywhere as long as you enable roaming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simlock or not you can use the droid 3 anywhere in the world but not in the us.
No matter if you use the verizon sim or any other sim.
To do it you need the so called band unlocking which is currently unavailable for the droid 3 and when and if will be, will require a good amount of money.
In short if you need the phone buy a milestone 3/Xt860
...but keep in mind, that while root and recovery are a go for the XT860, there's no custom ROMs working as of yet.
It'll come though.
The Solutor said:
Simlock or not you can use the droid 3 anywhere in the world but not in the us.
No matter if you use the verizon sim or any other sim.
To do it you need the so called band unlocking which is currently unavailable for the droid 3 and when and if will be, will require a good amount of money.
In short if you need the phone buy a milestone 3/Xt860
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did a little research, but just to be clear, the Milestone 3 (aka the XT860) is the Canadian version of the D3, released by Bell, correct?
And since it already works in North America, could I simply buy one and use it on AT&T as-is? Or would it also need some sort of unlocking?
Correct
Given the price should be an unlocked phone, ready to be used anywhere in the world US included.
Thanks, I almost bought an XT883 a few days ago, that would have been terrible. Stupid Verizon and their locked-down phones.
[UPDATE]
Alright. Thanks to you guys' help and support, I averted a financial disaster and a raft of headaches/psychological meltdowns. I just ordered:
Brand new, unlocked with 2-year warranty:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180734574619?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Genuine Motorola 1930mAh Extended Battery w/Cover:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290617184513?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Can't wait to get my hands on a D3! My first truly new phone since I bought my Motorola SLVR 5 years ago, with its amazing, first-of-its-kind ability to play up to a whopping 100 iTunes songs on its giant 512mb MicroSD card.
I'm in Hawaii, waiting on a phone being shipped from Canada though, so it'll be a couple days
Thanks again for your patience guys, especially Solutor, your advice really made a difference. I clicked the Thanks button for you.
Savior
You are welcome.
Hello everyone,
First time signing up to XDA (I love this site). I've been waiting to buy a new phone for a while now. And I did have my eyes set on a Nexus 5. But I'm ultimately deciding to get a Moto X. Cause it would be the best for me at the moment due to pricing.
I plan on buying it on the extended Cyber Monday sale day(s) through MotoMaker, fully customized and so forth. And I was wondering if I buy the Verizon version of the Moto X. Will it be GSM Unlocked worldwide? I've seen threads and I'm not to clear on it. Do take note I do not live in the US but in the Caribbean. My carrier bands support GSM 850 and 1900 MHz frequency & HSPA+ 850MHz for mobile data. Just wanting to know if I can pop in my GSM sim and everything will work fine and dandy?
Or will I have to buy a carrier locked Moto X from either AT&T or T-Mobile from MotoMaker and buy an unlock code from an unlocking website?
(If this is my only option, do you suggest any unlocking website that would be best?)
Thank you for taking the time to read and help.
Have a nice day.
RenSoAbrupt said:
Hello everyone,
First time signing up to XDA (I love this site). I've been waiting to buy a new phone for a while now. And I did have my eyes set on a Nexus 5. But I'm ultimately deciding to get a Moto X. Cause it would be the best for me at the moment due to pricing.
I plan on buying it on the extended Cyber Monday sale day(s) through MotoMaker, fully customized and so forth. And I was wondering if I buy the Verizon version of the Moto X. Will it be GSM Unlocked worldwide? I've seen threads and I'm not to clear on it. Do take note I do not live in the US but in the Caribbean. My carrier bands support GSM 850 and 1900 MHz frequency & HSPA+ 850MHz for mobile data. Just wanting to know if I can pop in my GSM sim and everything will work fine and dandy?
Or will I have to buy a carrier locked Moto X from either AT&T or T-Mobile from MotoMaker and buy an unlock code from an unlocking website?
(If this is my only option, do you suggest any unlocking website that would be best?)
Thank you for taking the time to read and help.
Have a nice day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if the Verizon version will do GSM, I'd assume not. You also cannot unlock a Verizon Moto x unless it is the dev edition.
The T-Mobile one is the one that you can unlock for free on the motorola website, so if that is what you want, I'd suggest that.
RenSoAbrupt said:
Hello everyone,
First time signing up to XDA (I love this site). I've been waiting to buy a new phone for a while now. And I did have my eyes set on a Nexus 5. But I'm ultimately deciding to get a Moto X. Cause it would be the best for me at the moment due to pricing.
I plan on buying it on the extended Cyber Monday sale day(s) through MotoMaker, fully customized and so forth. And I was wondering if I buy the Verizon version of the Moto X. Will it be GSM Unlocked worldwide? I've seen threads and I'm not to clear on it. Do take note I do not live in the US but in the Caribbean. My carrier bands support GSM 850 and 1900 MHz frequency & HSPA+ 850MHz for mobile data. Just wanting to know if I can pop in my GSM sim and everything will work fine and dandy?
Or will I have to buy a carrier locked Moto X from either AT&T or T-Mobile from MotoMaker and buy an unlock code from an unlocking website?
(If this is my only option, do you suggest any unlocking website that would be best?)
Thank you for taking the time to read and help.
Have a nice day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon uses the CDMA network.
via my slapped KIT KAT moto X
All Verizon 4G LTE phones are Sim unlocked. That includes the VZW Moto X. While you can put a non-Verizon GSM sim in there, the phone will tell you the sim is unsupported, and you'll need to enter your carrier's APN settings manually in order to get data, sms, and mms.
Per Moto's web site, the Verizon version supports...
GSM/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
3G UMTS/HSPA: 850/900/1900/2100 MHz with HSPA+ up to 42 Mbps (B5/B8/B2/B1)
LTE: 750Mhz (B13)... 700 Mhz Band 4 is supposed to be supported too.
IF your carrier is GSM and supports those bands, the VZW Moto X will work after you put the APN settings in manually.
That being said... since the Moto Maker Verizon Moto X has a locked boot loader, and supports CDMA bands that your GSM carrier likely wont use, I have to question why you would want the Verizon version of the phone.
The T-Mobile or GSM Developer Edition would be better suited for your needs if you have a GSM carrier. They are both SIM unlocked, and both can have their boot loaders unlocked. Unfortunately, if you buy the T-Mobile version unlocking the boot loader does void the warranty, where as unlocking the boot loader on the Dev Edition doesn't.
The ATT version is also an option as it supports two LTE bands which are not used in the USA. Not sure if those bands will be helpful for you or not. The ATT version also doesn't support HSPA on AWS(1700mhz) that T-Mobile uses in the USA, the boot loader can not be unlocked, and I believe it is sim locked out of the box. The only reason to go with the ATT version over the T-Mobile is IF you need those two LTE bands the ATT model has, that the T-Mobile model lacks, and your carrier doesn't do 3G on AWS(1700).
Thank you so much for your input. The reason I initially wanted to get the VZW X because I've read I would of been able to put my sim in and it would work. Defeating the purpose of buying an unlock code.
But I did not know Tmobile MotoMaker X comes sim unlocked.
I will customise and purchase the Tmobile version. You saved me. Really appreciated kind sir.
Sent from my SGH-I927 using xda app-developers app
There is some additional info on the ATT version vs T-Mo version vs GSM DE version in this thread -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2546466
In short, similar to what I said, the T-Mo and GSM Dev Edition are the same, both SIM unlocked and unbranded, except unlocking the bootloader on the T-Mo version voids the warranty, where as it doesn't on the Dev Edition.
The ATT version is like the T-Mo version, EXCEPT it is sim locked, includes carrier branding and bloat, can not unlock the boot loader. While the ATT X includes LTE bands 5 & 7 (which are not used in USA), it lacks support for 1700mhz(aws) HSPA support which T-Mobile USA uses.
KidJoe said:
There is some additional info on the ATT version vs T-Mo version vs GSM DE version in this thread -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2546466
In short, similar to what I said, the T-Mo and GSM Dev Edition are the same, both SIM unlocked and unbranded, except unlocking the bootloader on the T-Mo version voids the warranty, where as it doesn't on the Dev Edition.
The ATT version is like the T-Mo version, EXCEPT it is sim locked, includes carrier branding and bloat, can not unlock the boot loader. While the ATT X includes LTE bands 5 & 7 (which are not used in USA), it lacks support for 1700mhz(aws) HSPA support which T-Mobile USA uses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah thank you. I'll get the TMob X. My country is launching LTE this month, I'll contact asking which bands they are going to use. But I don't really mind for it. Thank you again KidJoe.
RenSoAbrupt said:
Hello everyone,
First time signing up to XDA (I love this site). I've been waiting to buy a new phone for a while now. And I did have my eyes set on a Nexus 5. But I'm ultimately deciding to get a Moto X. Cause it would be the best for me at the moment due to pricing.
I plan on buying it on the extended Cyber Monday sale day(s) through MotoMaker, fully customized and so forth. And I was wondering if I buy the Verizon version of the Moto X. Will it be GSM Unlocked worldwide? I've seen threads and I'm not to clear on it. Do take note I do not live in the US but in the Caribbean. My carrier bands support GSM 850 and 1900 MHz frequency & HSPA+ 850MHz for mobile data. Just wanting to know if I can pop in my GSM sim and everything will work fine and dandy?
Or will I have to buy a carrier locked Moto X from either AT&T or T-Mobile from MotoMaker and buy an unlock code from an unlocking website?
(If this is my only option, do you suggest any unlocking website that would be best?)
Thank you for taking the time to read and help.
Have a nice day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I put a T-mobile SIM in my stock 16GB Verizon Moto x. Here is what works and doesn't.
First off, 4G works! in the South Jersey area and it is Blistering fast, I have exceeded 40MB speed test downloads twice, Several in the high 30s and I am avg in mid 20s. Uploads are averaging 20+/- . Compared to Verizon this is like comparing Fios to 1999 era dial up. the best I ever got on Verizon 4G was 14 download but average between 4 and 9 !
The Network notification switches a lot between 4G, "H" mode, whatever that is, just bars and another which I didn't catch quick enough to read ?
Battery has been amazing compared to my galaxy Nexus, I got 7.5 hours of Actual "Screen on Time" which included some GPS use and an hour of music streaming total phone up time was 34+ hours. How long it will perform like this is anyone's guess, today i got about 6.5 of Screen on time. I hope this inst a trend
Now for the bad news - Using it as a Phone. Incoming calls are fine but, making outgoing is a Pain in the A$$.
When I dial a number, (which is a hassle on this KitKat dialer) it often goes to the home screen or back to the dialer. The Call Fails. I am not sure if my dialer is buggy or its a compatibility problem. the KitKat Dialer on the Moto X is an exorcise in futility. Google are you listening? Why reinvent the wheel. All I want in my Dialer is a Number Pad! and a phone book.
When I Open dialer I see Recent calls up top, the whole middle section says all contacts and is otherwise blank, the bottom has the number pad icon, History and settings dots.
Clicking the number pad icon enlarges the bottom section, which then goes all white and removes the three icons. I have to then click the back arrow and re-click the number pad icon to bring it up the actual dialer. .
At this time I can dial. and then the call always fails on the first attempt. Sometimes it takes several attempts to go through.
When I click send on the dialer the 4G disappears and I am left with just the bars. they come back when call is done but sometimes take a few minutes to do so.
If you Kill the dialer app or swipe it away, coming back to it you will have the same issues when trying to get the number pad (two attempts) if you dont, the number pad will open on first attempt. but the calls will still fail on the first try.
I also cant use the internet when in a call, whether WiFi is on or off. Is this a T-mobile problem? I could use the net in Verizon when in a call when on 4G or WiFi
The Data is set to global mode but I have tried both the other settings. On boot up I get a warning saying the SIM is not recognized which I just swipe away.
I am also having this problem. After making a call, the music player and the phones "volume" aspects cease to work., Meaning, I get no sound out of the phone, Music, notifications alarms etc.. This happens almost every time and the only fix is a reboot
I disabled all Verizon Bloat and a lot of Moto Bloat as well This could be causing some of the bugs? But i have tested several different configurations all with the same outcomes.
Hope this helps and puts an end to the - Will it work or not questions. There seem to be a lot of Net Know it all's that flat out say a Verizon Moto x wont work with a T-Mobile SIM or some other undocumented "fact"
Nice insight, sure it will be useful for those who need it. But I've had the phone since late November.
Sent from my Moto X
RenSoAbrupt said:
Nice insight, sure it will be useful for those who need it. But I've had the phone since late November.
Sent from my Moto X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Condolences.
Hope you didn't over pay to badly
Not too much I'd say.
Sent from my Moto X
Hi.
I'm going abroad on Jan 1 for 12 months and want to get the GSM version Moto X to bring it with me, but I don't know if this can be done.
The options are AT&T and T-Mobile. AT&T requires 6 months usage before they unlock, and T-Mobile requires 40 days, of which the last 7 must be in the US. So these are not options.
I then read about various "unlock" services online, but don't know how reliable these are. What are the odds they can unlock my phone, either AT&T or T-Mobile? This link: http: //www .technobuffalo.com/2013/11/14/att-unlock-changes-putting-resellers-out-of-business/ for example claims that there was a change just 1-2 months ago so that it's virtually impossible to unlock AT&T for 3rd parties now. If I buy this phone, I need to be almost 100% certain it's possible to unlock it, or it's not worth taking the risk.
Finally, would it be possible to unlock the phone by rooting it? I understand the bootloader for the T-Mobile version can be unlocked, but have no idea if, and if so how, this helps me.
Thanks in advance.
mxx2 said:
Hi.
I'm going abroad on Jan 1 for 12 months and want to get the GSM version Moto X to bring it with me, but I don't know if this can be done.
The options are AT&T and T-Mobile. AT&T requires 6 months usage before they unlock, and T-Mobile requires 40 days, of which the last 7 must be in the US. So these are not options.
I then read about various "unlock" services online, but don't know how reliable these are. What are the odds they can unlock my phone, either AT&T or T-Mobile? This link: http: //www .technobuffalo.com/2013/11/14/att-unlock-changes-putting-resellers-out-of-business/ for example claims that there was a change just 1-2 months ago so that it's virtually impossible to unlock AT&T for 3rd parties now. If I buy this phone, I need to be almost 100% certain it's possible to unlock it, or it's not worth taking the risk.
Finally, would it be possible to unlock the phone by rooting it? I understand the bootloader for the T-Mobile version can be unlocked, but have no idea if, and if so how, this helps me.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many including me have unlocked their phones. I myself had the AT&T model. Sites such as cellunlocker, unlockcode247 get you the code within a couple of days 99% of the time. The 6 months/ 40 days usage only applies if you talk to the carrier CS for the code.
If you dont want to go that route, you could always get the T-Mobile version. Comes SIM unlocked OOTB. So does the DEV Ed.
Rooting does not unlock your phone. Unlocking the BL comes handy if you do a lot of flashing.
I know this doesn't answer your question (since the post above mine does) but the Nexus 5 and Moto G are two nice smartphones that come unlocked. N5 will run you 349, Moto G 179. No contract, unlocked. I prefer the Moto X, but if you want a 100% guarantee, buy an unlocked phone.
anirudh412 said:
Many including me have unlocked their phones. I myself had the AT&T model. Sites such as cellunlocker, unlockcode247 get you the code within a couple of days 99% of the time. The 6 months/ 40 days usage only applies if you talk to the carrier CS for the code.
If you dont want to go that route, you could always get the T-Mobile version. Comes SIM unlocked OOTB. So does the DEV Ed.
Rooting does not unlock your phone. Unlocking the BL comes handy if you do a lot of flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks anirudh!
Are you saying that the T-Mobile Moto X without contract is NOT SIM locked to T-Mobile? It would be fantastic if that's the case. Is there an official source? I checked with Motorola a few days ago, and they told me that whatever phone I buy will be SIM locked to the operator, but they might be incorrect?
(Also, when did you unlock your AT&T phone? The article I linked says it became considerably more difficult/impossible just last month, which made me worried.)
BaconDrips said:
the Nexus 5 and Moto G are two nice smartphones that come unlocked. N5 will run you 349, Moto G 179. No contract, unlocked. I prefer the Moto X, but if you want a 100% guarantee, buy an unlocked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Bacon. Yeah, I'll fall back to the Nexus 5 if the Moto X doesn't work out.
mxx2 said:
Thanks anirudh!
Are you saying that the T-Mobile Moto X without contract is NOT SIM locked to T-Mobile? It would be fantastic if that's the case. Is there an official source? I checked with Motorola a few days ago, and they told me that whatever phone I buy will be SIM locked to the operator, but they might be incorrect?
(Also, when did you unlock your AT&T phone? The article I linked says it became considerably more difficult/impossible just last month, which made me worried.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mxx2 said:
Thanks Bacon. Yeah, I'll fall back to the Nexus 5 if the Moto X doesn't work out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moto X WILL work out. Even though the N5 is a great phone, I hate the 'bigger is better' race we have going on today. Phones like watches are tools. They go everywhere you do. The X is so much more handy than the N5. Removing the Nav Bar and using LMT makes it even better. This is EXACTLY the phone I was looking to get for so many years.
As for unlocking, I got mine unlocked a week ago. So did plenty of others. There are several threads in the Q&A/ General section on this. If however, you dont want to go that route, get the Dev Edition which comes unlocked. Also the T-Mobile edition. And dont base your decision based on what the CS says. There dont know squat about the X. They told me theres no way T-Mobile BL can be unlocked.
mxx2 said:
Thanks anirudh!
Are you saying that the T-Mobile Moto X without contract is NOT SIM locked to T-Mobile? It would be fantastic if that's the case. Is there an official source? I checked with Motorola a few days ago, and they told me that whatever phone I buy will be SIM locked to the operator, but they might be incorrect?
(Also, when did you unlock your AT&T phone? The article I linked says it became considerably more difficult/impossible just last month, which made me worried.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK, the Verizon and T-Mobile versions are SIM unlocked. The system version for the T-Mobile version is ghost_row.retail (not ghost_att.ATT or ghost_verizon.Verizon), so there's actually no carrier in the the system version. So, the T-Mobile variant is just a retail version of the phone that has all of the available US GSM bands unlocked. Obviously, some carrier specific LTE bands may not be available, like Verizon's upper 700MHz band 13. It does support AT&T's lower 700MHz band 17 LTE, and of course T-Mobile, Verizon's AWS band 4 LTE though.
I am getting ready to order a couple of X's for my wife and me. I have a couple of questions....
We are with at&t. Is there a difference between the at&t branded ones and the GSM dev models? I have Googled this, but I am still confused as to whether there are hardware differences which would make the dev model less useful on at&t and whether there is bloat on the at&t model....
We have a SG4 and an iPhone 5 which still under contract which we will keep as spares for the family. I assume that we can buy the X at&t branded through Moto Maker without a contract? and just stay on the plan?
Thank you. I have spent hours on this and I am still confused, probably because it keeps changing....
I would like to know to. I'm getting ready to buy a moto x also
Sent from my One X using Tapatalk
AlbertoM said:
I am getting ready to order a couple of X's for my wife and me. I have a couple of questions....
We are with at&t. Is there a difference between the at&t branded ones and the GSM dev models? I have Googled this, but I am still confused as to whether there are hardware differences which would make the dev model less useful on at&t and whether there is bloat on the at&t model....
We have a SG4 and an iPhone 5 which still under contract which we will keep as spares for the family. I assume that we can buy the X at&t branded through Moto Maker without a contract? and just stay on the plan?
Thank you. I have spent hours on this and I am still confused, probably because it keeps changing....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the developer edition are unlocked and u can unlock ur bootloader without losing ur warranty
being unlocked u can use with other carriers
if u buy at&t u can use only with at&t
if u want a phone that u can use with gsm carriers and with other carriers take or a developer edition or a unlockable one without contract
I got the T-Mobile unlockable (and unbranded!) version from Motomaker off-contract. Works great on AT&T and it beat paying the extra dough for a developer edition, since it's practically the same damn thing! (I also don't care about voiding warranty having unlocked my bootloader. I take care of my phone. If warranty is something you desire, then go dev edition or stick with your current carrier's version).
shkrmkr said:
I got the T-Mobile unlockable (and unbranded!) version from Motomaker off-contract. Works great on AT&T and it beat paying the extra dough for a developer edition, since it's practically the same damn thing! (I also don't care about voiding warranty having unlocked my bootloader. I take care of my phone. If warranty is something you desire, then go dev edition or stick with your current carrier's version).
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I'm pretty sure the developer edition is the same price as the moto maker version so it won't cost any "extra dough." And it doesn't matter how well you care for your phone. That's not what a warranty is for. It covers failures NOT caused by the user. You could wrap your phone in bubble wrap, never flash a third party app, and only use it under tightly controlled environmental conditions, insuring the phone is never exposed to any abuse, and a part could still fail, thus necessitating the use of the warranty. Which you voided by unlocking the boot loader on a non-developer edition.
You can pick either the AT&T branded one, the T-Mobile variant, or the unlocked. The T-mobile is actually unbranded, SIM unlocked and has no carrier apps.
I'm in the same boat still in contract with AT&T and purchased the T-Mobile one to leave my options open to switch to T-Mobile later and be able to purchase SIM cards for use abroad without having to fight the death star to get an unlock code.
Mr. Orange 645 said:
I'm pretty sure the developer edition is the same price as the moto maker version so it won't cost any "extra dough." And it doesn't matter how well you care for your phone. That's not what a warranty is for. It covers failures NOT caused by the user. You could wrap your phone in bubble wrap, never flash a third party app, and only use it under tightly controlled environmental conditions, insuring the phone is never exposed to any abuse, and a part could still fail, thus necessitating the use of the warranty. Which you voided by unlocking the boot loader on a non-developer edition.
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If I could've bought the developer version easily I certainly would have.
But to me...I'll risk the 400 bucks to unlock..root..etc. I have on every device I've owned. LOL. I need my customization, battery life control..etc etc.
Sent from my Moto X cellular telephone...
Buy the unlocked one. Works just fine with att. I'm in the middle of my contract and just had to go to a store and pick up a new sim
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
i think it is a good mob
so if you get it feed us back
Is there a way to unlock the Moto G6 without getting the code from a database?
Is there a way to read the unlock code from the phone itself?
What other methods could be used to unlock it?
Mine is locked to Tracfone and they do not give out the codes.
Thanks for your help.
I'm not very programming savvy, I'd appreciate if you could keep it simple.
Unfortunately, I don't believe there is a network unlock for the Tracfone variant.
Tracfone variants of phones have always been notoriously... difficult with this stuff, and I doubt the Moto G6 is one of the few exceptions.
You can always do a data backup, and sell the phone to buy an unlocked one.
Ever since I first got tired of the carrier locking crap, that oftentimes makes not only unlocking more difficult, if not impossible, but also has a history of making any sort of exploitability quite a bit harder, or impossible, eslecially with older devices. Some Tracfone variant devices are extremely lucky to have a working root exploit.
Some Tracfone variant devices are unbelievably lucky to even recieve software updates at all! I have a ZTE Max Duo from Tracfone, that is running the release Android 6.0 firmware, with no regard for even basic security updates. The other variants of this phone, as I remember, at least got updated to 6.0.1, with a few security patches later on.
With everything I've said in mind, I've only ever purchased carrier unlocked phones since I got tired of the whole shebang, and I highly recommend the same to anyone else; No carrier apps, no difficulties, almost always better software support, and more. In fact, my current phone is an unlocked G6, and the one before that an unlocked G5s Plus. Both have been great phones, and when the G8 releases, hopefully having overcome notch city, and ignored pinhole palace, I might have to buy one of those as well, because not only have the phones themselves been great, but the reasons I listed off have definitely shown, and IMHO, improved the user experience immensely.
Sorry I wasn't able to offer help in the way you wanted, but at least I was able to share my experiences, which will hopefully help you in the long run.
TL;DR A phone with the three ring Tracfone logo printed on it is definitely going to be hard to carrier unlock, and probably going to be harder to root or rom, depending on the phone.