Just broke my loathsome old Note 9 and need to upgrade. Have my eye on a 5a but I'm looking to emigrate to the US from Aus in the next few months and I was wondering if it would be compatible on US networks. It'll be unlocked.
I would think here it depends on the carrier, mine works on T-Mobile the only carrier here worth a ****, I'd just check with whatever carrier you plan on mate. It's a great phone for the $ I love mine.
this website will probably help answer a lot of questions
Will Google Pixel 5a work in Australia?
In this page we are going to show you the compatibility of Google Pixel 5a with the mobile networks of Australia and with the telephony operators that provide service in Australia.
www.kimovil.com
you can change countries and phones to check to see what phone works where.
At least initially the 5a was only sold in the U.S. and Japan, so it works in those countries. If it works in Oz and you can get one there you will be happy here. I second the recommendation for T-mobile as a network provider. They were the first to bin the required 2 year contract with phone upgrade; their plans are very flexible. If you are looking for an economy provider then consider Metro, which is the economy label for T-mobile and uses their network. T-mobile has a pretty extensive 5G network.
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Right now I have a choice between original HTC Diamond or the US version but I am not sure which one to pick. Can anyone please shed some light on this? Thank you in advance!
it would help if you were to mention where you live (US vs. Europe) and travel to, and other things factoring into your decision. if you're in the US (e.g., live here) go with the US version because it has the correct 3G radio; high-speed internet access on your phone AND 850 band which provides better signal..
Sorry, I live in US and on T-Mobile network.
Main difference between the EU and US models lies in the 3G/HSDPA data connections. While serious doubts/uncertainties on the use of EU model for 3G on T-Mobile (only 26 cities in the US so far) have been raised (details can be found in this thread), the US model will allow you to use the 3G/HSDPA data connection should you decide to switch to AT&T in the future. Second, the EU model has a front camera for video conferencing, but I was told neither T-Mobile nor AT&T would make this option available to their phone customers at this time. There are software available through Wifi for video conferencing as I learned from this thread, and you would need the EU model to do it if it works (I haven't tried). Google Maps, third, is not installed in the EU model, but there is a CAB file to be downloaded from this thread or the google website. Price wise, at last, the US model is a little cheaper than the EU model by $10-$20 USD (may due to the lack of the front camera?). There have been reports in this thread about yellow/green/wash-out background in the US model. This may be something you want to check closely if you want to consider the US model.
I read some other thread here which points out that the Euro version has the yellow spots and yellow tint problem, not the US version.
tzour said:
Main difference between the EU and US models lies in the 3G/HSDPA data connections. While serious doubts/uncertainties on the use of EU model for 3G on T-Mobile (only 26 cities in the US so far) have been raised (details can be found in this thread), the US model will allow you to use the 3G/HSDPA data connection should you decide to switch to AT&T in the future. Second, the EU model has a front camera for video conferencing, but I was told neither T-Mobile nor AT&T would make this option available to their phone customers at this time. There are software available through Wifi for video conferencing as I learned from this thread, and you would need the EU model to do it if it works (I haven't tried). Google Maps, third, is not installed in the EU model, but there is a CAB file to be downloaded from this thread or the google website. Price wise, at last, the US model is a little cheaper than the EU model by $10-$20 USD (may due to the lack of the front camera?). There have been reports in this thread about yellow/green/wash-out background in the US model. This may be something you want to check closely if you want to consider the US model.
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good clarification on the 3G network; T-Mobile uses, I believe, the 1700 3G band in the US and att uses the 850/1900 3G band. also, if you weren't aware, the US version of the Diamond is available at Best Buy Mobile, typically located in Best Buy stoes.
datzent83 said:
I read some other thread here which points out that the Euro version has the yellow spots and yellow tint problem, not the US version.
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Then probably yellow tints/stripes are found for both models:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=426319&page=10, which is for the US 3G Diamond.. sigh
@cortez.i: Thank you for confirming the complicated 3G issues
The US version is also more easily returned and exchanged by just going into a Best Buy and it will be better covered under the warranty from HTC. HTC is not pleased that companies like Expansys sell Euro HTC phones to customers in the US and says it won't fully cover those phones. You can't use either model on 3G on T-Mobile USA, so for you the main difference would be the warranty.
Which variant of the Note 4 should I buy? I live in the states, but don't use the LTE coverage, but would be great to future-proof my device. I travel around the globe at times. I would rather have the warranty in the states than having a warranty belonging to some other country that I never travel to. If I had to go between the T-Mobile and AT&T version (obviously Unlocking these devices will incur an additional fee), which one should I buy? What about the International version? What are your thoughts. Please let me know. Thank you.
arjun90 said:
Which variant of the Note 4 should I buy? I live in the states, but don't use the LTE coverage, but would be great to future-proof my device. I travel around the globe at times. I would rather have the warranty in the states than having a warranty belonging to some other country that I never travel to. If I had to go between the T-Mobile and AT&T version (obviously Unlocking these devices will incur an additional fee), which one should I buy? What about the International version? What are your thoughts. Please let me know. Thank you.
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T-Mobile give you free Wifi calling, international texts and data, $.20 international calls if you can't get on Wifi, plus free texts and voicemail in the air through Go-Go. That's why I'm getting it.
Thanks for the information. I too am considering T-mobile and just signed up for their test-drive phone.
JimSmith94 said:
T-Mobile give you free Wifi calling, international texts and data, $.20 international calls if you can't get on Wifi, plus free texts and voicemail in the air through Go-Go. That's why I'm getting it.
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arjun90 said:
Which variant of the Note 4 should I buy? I live in the states, but don't use the LTE coverage, but would be great to future-proof my device. I travel around the globe at times. I would rather have the warranty in the states than having a warranty belonging to some other country that I never travel to. If I had to go between the T-Mobile and AT&T version (obviously Unlocking these devices will incur an additional fee), which one should I buy? What about the International version? What are your thoughts. Please let me know. Thank you.
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The previous answers seem to be talking about using a T-Mobile Note 4 and getting T-Mobile service. Your question's about which device would be the most versatile used both in the U.S. and overseas. Definitely go with international version. Samsung's UK site shows it supports both AT&T and T-Mobile's LTE bands as well as additional international bands neither of the U.S. phones support.
While you may be able to use a AT&T Note 4 on T-Mobile and vice versa their radios are optimized for the networks they are designed to be used on. I'm in an AT&T VoLTE market and can use it on my Note 3. A friend here using a T-Mobile N3 on AT&T can't using the same APN.
My current Note 3 is my first carrier phone out of a half dozen over four years so I have a lot of Samsung international device experience. I've only used them on AT&T and have no interest in T-Mobile as a carrier. They've performed fine on AT&T. But none of them got the same level of connectivity and data speeds as friends with AT&T phones when tested from the exact same locations. In the year I've had my AT&T Note 3 I've never had a network connectivity problem. With my international phones they'd occasionally lose connectivity and I'd have to reboot them to get them back on the network. Like when turning them on when landing at destination after a flight; they couldn't find the network on their own when moving from one AT&T network design (they're different by region through acquisition) to another.
I'm typing this on an international 3G N10.1-14. 90+% of the time I have no network issues and it works brilliantly overseas. Going with an international device is always safer than a carrier device because Samsung's international radios are generic. Every carrier's device has its radio optimized for their specific network. If you read the forums where people are using T-Mobile (and even Canadian phones) on AT&T it's not all peaches and cream. My recommendation is to go with an EU international Note 4 because of its generic support for a ton of global bands. I'd avoid Asian phones because their bands are very different as is the pre-installed s/w.
Good luck.
Thanks for a very careful and thorough explanation. Are there any ebay sellers selling the UK Note 4 version? How should I go about adding warranty? Squaretrade?
BarryH_GEG said:
The previous answers seem to be talking about using a T-Mobile Note 4 and getting T-Mobile service. Your question's about which device would be the most versatile used both in the U.S. and overseas. Definitely go with international version. Samsung's UK site shows it supports both AT&T and T-Mobile's LTE bands as well as additional international bands neither of the U.S. phones support.
While you may be able to use a AT&T Note 4 on T-Mobile and vice versa their radios are optimized for the networks they are designed to be used on. I'm in an AT&T VoLTE market and can use it on my Note 3. A friend here using a T-Mobile N3 on AT&T can't using the same APN.
My current Note 3 is my first carrier phone out of a half dozen over four years so I have a lot of Samsung international device experience. I've only used them on AT&T and have no interest in T-Mobile as a carrier. They've performed fine on AT&T. But none of them got the same level of connectivity and data speeds as friends with AT&T phones when tested from the exact same locations. In the year I've had my AT&T Note 3 I've never had a network connectivity problem. With my international phones they'd occasionally lose connectivity and I'd have to reboot them to get them back on the network. Like when turning them on when landing at destination after a flight; they couldn't find the network on their own when moving from one AT&T network design (they're different by region through acquisition) to another.
I'm typing this on an international 3G N10.1-14. 90+% of the time I have no network issues and it works brilliantly overseas. Going with an international device is always safer than a carrier device because Samsung's international radios are generic. Every carrier's device has its radio optimized for their specific network. If you read the forums where people are using T-Mobile (and even Canadian phones) on AT&T it's not all peaches and cream. My recommendation is to go with an EU international Note 4 because of its generic support for a ton of global bands. I'd avoid Asian phones because their bands are very different as is the pre-installed s/w.
Good luck.
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arjun90 said:
Are there any ebay sellers selling the UK Note 4 version? How should I go about adding warranty? Squaretrade?
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I'd stay away from eBay. Most LTE Samsung devices sold there are Asian. The dollar's exceptionally strong right now. I'd buy it from handtec.co.uk if I were you. In fact, if I wasn't getting the Note 4 for free because I'm on Next I'd buy my Note 4 from Handtec too. You can even get it in bronze and be the first on your block. Converted from GBP it's currently $806 including two-day FedEx shipping; that's cheaper than AT&T's $826 without tax. Because you're buying a UK phone in the UK Samsung's 24 month UK warranty is intact. You'll have to pay to send it there if it needs service but it's better than nothing. I had a UK SGS2 that had a cracked bezel and Samsung UK was very accommodating in repairing it. I'd get SquareTrade anyway and they'll cover an imported UK phone. The UK is also one of the first region's to receive updates so that's a plus too.
Seems like Clove is able to take off the region-lock whereas Handtec is unable to. Do the UK LTE Note 4's support T-Mobile's Band 12. Seems like I just want as many bands as possible as you never know when you want to switch to another US Carrier.
I'm currently using an MVNO (PureTalk) that relies on AT&T's network; currently using an unlocked T-Mobile Note 2 in Mint Condition, soon to be sold.
I do see how the European Model N910F is more versatile and at the same time, most expensive if purchased in the states (~$1300) compared to the Korean LTE Variants and Hong Kong Exynos (910U) Variant. The T-Mobile units are available online for $~750.
JimSmith94 said:
T-Mobile give you free Wifi calling, international texts and data, $.20 international calls if you can't get on Wifi, plus free texts and voicemail in the air through Go-Go. That's why I'm getting it.
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Just to confirm, does Samsung consider the N910F to be an international unlocked Note 4?
I can't seem to tell what is the official International Unlocked version
http://www.clove.co.uk/samsung-galaxy-note-4
Would you go for the 910'F' or 910'C'?
Greetings,
I think I posted this in the wrong forum last time. Anyway, I'm a long time iOS user who's looking to switch to Android while I'm stationed in Japan (US Navy) for the next two years. That said, I'm presently visiting Korea and have an opportunity to purchase a Note 5 (unlocked) and bring it back to Japan with me. Unfortuantely, I can't seem to find a good breakdown of compatibilty to see if it'll be as effective and easy to use as if I were to just get a S6straight from one of the Japanese carriers.
I'm requesting assistance from the experts here to see:
1. Will an unlocked Note 5 work on all the LTE bands in Japan, specifically DoCoMo.
2. How easy is it to take a phone that's unlocked and start a new contract in Japan (bought new/from the company when I was last here).
Thank you in advance!
I was considering that too as I just returned to the USA from a 3 week trip to Korea. I believe you're fine for using it in Japan, but I had to order a USA model because the LTE bands that the Korean phone supports didn't include band 4 which my provider here in the states uses.
I am 90% sure NTT DoCoMo will be fine with the Korean model of the Note 5
As far as starting a contract I have no idea about Japanese companies but I don't imagine they would have a problem with just setting you up with an account and SIM card.
Question 1. Is the bootloader unlockable on the UW version if purchased from google.com
Question 2. Will the 4a 5g (non UW version) still be fully supported on Verizon. **I don't care about 5g at this point in time
In other words... What I'm really trying to find out is if Verizon will "force" me into buying the UW version and refuse to activate the non UW version
Yes, Verizon's version will have the UW band and they will make you buy that one if you want that feature on it. No the bootloader is LOCKED.
https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/veri...pixel-4a-5g-again-reveals-the-millimeter-wave
My understanding though is that any unlocked pixel will work on Verizon but will not have the above-mentioned 5G UW support. Based on reading on previous devices like the One Plus 6 and higher you will have to take an extra step or 2 to get VZW to certify the device but it will work.
I have said goodbye to Verizon after 15+ years in October. I was convinced that they had the best coverage but I just couldn't continue to pay anymore. I should have switched years ago. I have Google Fi and have ZERO regrets. Not only do I have a bootloader unlocked device, if you act soon you can get the deals mentioned in the other parts of this forum if you want to switch.
*My Shameless plug and referral link to receive $20 Fi credit!
I have the unlocked model working on Verizon. Nothing special needed. Just put in your sim and off you go. I didn’t order the Verizon version because I don’t need that extra 5g band at this point.
I just got Google Fi deal 4a 5g which doesn't have UW. eSIM for my personal Fi, physical for my work Verizon sim, dual standby works wonder. Don't care about 5G anyway.
Hi, sorry if this post don't goes here. But lately aliexpress doesn't ship to USA, already it has been like 5 months this problem, i don't know why. Because of that i am searchin for a new website reliable in europe or china but with shippin to USA. I need good prices because some units i intended to sales them.
Thanks, mate.
Kenshin1870 said:
Hi, sorry if this post don't goes here. But lately aliexpress doesn't ship to USA, already it has been like 5 months this problem, i don't know why. Because of that i am searchin for a new website reliable in europe or china but with shippin to USA. I need good prices because some units i intended to sales them.
Thanks, mate.
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I ordered my phone from Giztop (Gizmodo's sister site) but in your case, you're probably looking for something like GearBest. The pool has kind of dried for them to the U.S. Xiaomi has stopped selling directly to the U.S due to a "ban" here. It's kind of a weird ordeal.
On that note, it is a pain to use Xiaomi devices in the U.S now because they don't add the important cellular bands that are needed for here because the devices aren't meant for the U.S market. I'm not just talking about CDMA bands, I mean GSM Bands as well. I've been using Mint Mobile on my Mi 11 but funnily enough, T-Mobile doesn't support the Mi 11(the network Mint Mobile uses). It is only missing the B71 band (4G) and only supports one 5G band on GSM, then missing just one (B13) for 4G with the same 5G support of 1 of 5 bands for CDMA -- but that's enough to have the majority of carriers not support the device AND leave you with no signal if you're not in a big city.
Any problem in Europe, like @iamrance.asa said, it's only a USA problem.