T-Mobile Nexus 4 vs Play Store Nexus 4

[Jenny Averly]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

Right. Perhaps I'm wording this wrong. I was told, I also tested, and noticed confirmation from other users on other forums - bought through T-Mobile, the Nexus 4 gave some users connectivity problems while trying to use AT&T SIMs. Personally, I couldn't get the phone to work with an AT&T SIM at all. The store manager also explained that "if I left T-Mobile, after having bought the phone on contract, [they] will need to unlock it for me in order for non-T-Mobile SIMs to work." That's what I was told, and that's the experience I had, and that's what others have claimed as well. I certainly don't know enough about locking/unlocking or firmware all too well. However, I was simply responding to someone who had asked about an on contract experience. I'm not making any of this up. This is my experience. Not trying to confuse anyone.

 

[ChromeJob]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

You are correct - all the phone are the same. That's exactly what I meant when I said "all Nexus 4's are exactly the same". I think you may have misunderstood my note about the phone being locked. As stated by T-Mobile, and confirmed by my own test... You can not buy a Nexus 4 on contract and use a non-T-Mobile SIM. In that sense, it is locked to the carrier. If you want to use the phone on another network, there are instructions from Google and changes T-Mobile has to make to "unlock" the phone. This is fact. Otherwise, only T-Mobile SIMs can be used with the Nexus 4 bought on contract. I hope this clarifies things.

Do you have any online corroboration of this? Like, a link to a T-Mobile support doc?

Right. Perhaps I'm wording this wrong. I was told, I also tested, and noticed confirmation from other users on other forums - bought through T-Mobile, the Nexus 4 gave some users connectivity problems while trying to use AT&T SIMs. Personally, I couldn't get the phone to work with an AT&T SIM at all. The store manager also explained that "if I left T-Mobile, after having bought the phone on contract, [they] will need to unlock it for me in order for non-T-Mobile SIMs to work." That's what I was told, and that's the experience I had, and that's what others have claimed as well. I certainly don't know enough about locking/unlocking or firmware all too well. However, I was simply responding to someone who had asked about an on contract experience. I'm not making any of this up. This is my experience. Not trying to confuse anyone.

Let's be clear. When you booted up the phone with an AT&T SIM, what did the phone do? Did it ask you for an unlock code to continue using the SIM, or did it boot up all the way and then have "connectivity problems."

In my experience, the latter is not an indication of a SIM-locked phone, but of problems on the network, or a SIM card that is specific to a brand/model phone and not compatible with the Nexus 4.

I'm not trying to put you on the spot -- just clarify what your problems were.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

I bought a Nexus 4 from T-Mobile in store on launch day. Only select stores received around 6 total in stock. Since I was already on contract, the $199 price was a steal. The phone is amazing, and works great on T-Mobile's network. However, something to note: Even though all Nexus 4's are exactly the same, the ones bought on contract are indeed "locked". The wake screen shows T-Mobile's name at the very bottom. If I had bought the phone with no contract, it would have been "unlocked", and no branding. Side note: You can't buy the phone on contract for a lower price, then just use a non-T-Mobile SIM - it won't work. Now for those interested to know - I do have the option to cancel the contract and have the phone unlocked. Usually T-Mobile will charge a fee and they suggest printing out the instructions from Google and they will handle it. But, I've been with them for a while, and so they'll waive the fee to unlock the phone should I decide to leave. One last good point to make - Paying $200 (for the phone on contract) + $200 (to cancel my contract and unlock the phone), is only around $13 more than buying from Google directly (phone + shipping + tax). And is much less of a headache than the dreadful checkout hell everyone went through on Google's Play store, and there's no wait, no hassle, and I walked away with a brand new Nexus 4 day one! Good luck to everyone still trying to pick one up - it's a very nice phone

The phone is unlocked. Android 4.x shows the carrier you're connected to in the bottom of the notification bar and lockscreen by default. It changes depending on the SIM you put in, that's not something that's hard-coded into the T-Mobile device... Take that phone and pop an AT&T SIM in it, it'll say "AT&T" at the bottom of the notification bar.

 

[rclifton]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

Right. Perhaps I'm wording this wrong. I was told, I also tested, and noticed confirmation from other users on other forums - bought through T-Mobile, the Nexus 4 gave some users connectivity problems while trying to use AT&T SIMs. Personally, I couldn't get the phone to work with an AT&T SIM at all. The store manager also explained that "if I left T-Mobile, after having bought the phone on contract, [they] will need to unlock it for me in order for non-T-Mobile SIMs to work." That's what I was told, and that's the experience I had, and that's what others have claimed as well. I certainly don't know enough about locking/unlocking or firmware all too well. However, I was simply responding to someone who had asked about an on contract experience. I'm not making any of this up. This is my experience. Not trying to confuse anyone.

Your issue with connectivity problems when using an AT&T sim is almost certainly from not having the correct apn settings. If you would like to try again I'd be glad to walk you through entering the correct info for AT&T.

 

[ChromeJob]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

Your issue with connectivity problems when using an AT&T sim is almost certainly from not having the correct apn settings. If you would like to try again I'd be glad to walk you through entering the correct info for AT&T.

Andrew's got that covered. How to set up the right APN on your Nexus 4 | Android Central

 

[Ziptied]

Jenny seems a tad confused. Andrew looks like he sorted this out so I'll move along, but I lol'd for real.

 

[Jenny Averly]

Jenny seems a tad confused. Andrew looks like he sorted this out so I'll move along, but I lol'd for real.

Not confused. Just going off of my personal experience. Unfortunately, not a universal experience. I apologize for any confusion.

 

[Jenny Averly]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

Do you have any online corroboration of this? Like, a link to a T-Mobile support doc?

I don't. I based my experience on my discussion and personal tests with T-Mobile staff.

Let's be clear. When you booted up the phone with an AT&T SIM, what did the phone do? Did it ask you for an unlock code to continue using the SIM, or did it boot up all the way and then have "connectivity problems."

The latter. It boot up with no problems. But could not place phone calls, nor send/receive messages.

 

[Jenny Averly]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

The phone is unlocked. Android 4.x shows the carrier you're connected to in the bottom of the notification bar and lockscreen by default. It changes depending on the SIM you put in, that's not something that's hard-coded into the T-Mobile device... Take that phone and pop an AT&T SIM in it, it'll say "AT&T" at the bottom of the notification bar.

This is true from what I've seen. Although I did not have luck with another carrier SIM card. Possibly due to to APN issue as others have addressed.

 

[Jenny Averly]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

Seriously, thank you everyone who responded and replied. I've learned a lot and my ultimate goal is to actually find out the real circumstance regarding this issue. I've heard a lot of debate on both sides, and in accordance with my own experience, I have only my own story to report. I hope it helps in some way or another, but never have I intended to mislead anyone looking for a direct answer. Perhaps T-Mobile can explain this further. I literally have nothing else to add. Thanks for the information

 

[ChromeJob]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

... The latter. It boot[ed] up with no problems. But could not place phone calls, nor send/receive messages.

Cool! That confirms your phone is unlocked, otherwise you'd get a "enter unlock code to continue with this network's SIM" (words like that effect) like I did with my locked Amaze when I first booted with an AT&T SIM.

So, hopefully Andrew's article clears up what you need to know next time (or this time if you're still in "can't get data" dilemma). Let us know if you're still stymied in a new thread, 'kay?

 

[Jenny Averly]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

Absolutely! Thanks for clearing this up. I'm OK on T-Mobile's network for now

 

[bkorver]

All I have to go on is personal experience as well. And my personal experience is that I went in to a T-Mo store, bought an N4 at full price, dropped an AT&T Straight Talk Sim in, changed the APN, and have been on cloud 9 ever since.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[shikem]

I purchased my N4 at a Tmobile store as well. They insisted it was locked so we popped in my ATT Sim card to check it out.
Low and behold it actually worked. I did have some issues with data cutting in and out the 1st day but all is well now.
It is definitely unlocked even though the Tmo guys say otherwise.

 

[shikem]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

Your issue with connectivity problems when using an AT&T sim is almost certainly from not having the correct apn settings. If you would like to try again I'd be glad to walk you through entering the correct info for AT&T.

My data speeds went way up after changinging the APN settings.
Its like vodoo magic or something.
While I was able to surf the web etc at what seemed like a reasonable speed for a non LTE phone on ATT I was not able to use the speed test app.
I thought that perhaps it just didn't like the nexus ad it is an unlocked phone.
After changing the APN settings I can use speed test and am seeing about 12 k down with 1.1 up and about 60 for ping.
Now I can definitely live with that.

 

[N3RDKING]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

At this point, I think I'm just going to get my device from T-Mobile. Same difference, and I'm not even on backorder, so Im sure I'd have to wait until 2013 at this point from the playstore.

 

[Phateless]

Re: The Play Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile Nexus 4

I talked to T-Mobile online chat this morning, and here's all I could get out of them.

We don't have any other explanation except that the phone is designed to work perfectly with T-Mobile network. This is not only happening with T-Mobile though. All other carrier's phone are quite higher than those purchased directly from the manufacturer.

I believe the devices are exactly the same, although I would love to know the real reason T-Mobile is charging more, even if it's as simple as profit.

 

[Jnorton2724]

Its the exact same phone you'd get from the play store. If you can't wait for it to get shipped and want to do that down payment thing for it then T-Mobile can make profit off you. Most customers that go in won't know about the difference in the price from the play store so easy profit.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[anon(5719825)]

Its the exact same phone you'd get from the play store. If you can't wait for it to get shipped and want to do that down payment thing for it then T-Mobile can make profit off you. Most customers that go in won't know about the difference in the price from the play store so easy profit.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

Yes it is the same exact phone. It's 100% unlocked. I bought mine when it was free on the T-Mobile site, paid the first months bill and then cancelled the contract. At the time, I still had an iPhone activated on AT&T and I used the sim from the iPhone in the Nexus 4 and it worked without any problems. I am now using it on T-Mobile again because they have the best network out of the other providers in my area.

 

[Th3Myth]

there is one difference I did find... the price tag!!!