AT&T vs. Unlocked

[benhaube]

From what I understand unlocked phones get Operating System updates quicker than carrier's branded phones. Once Motorola (or any other OEM) has a completed update they submit it to the carrier for approval and the carrier sometimes can modify it. On an unlocked phone the update comes straight from the OEM. Keep in mind though thst Motorola and Google have offloaded most things to the play store to be updated independently. This makes full os updates less of a necessity because as long as you are already on a modern version of Android most of the features will come before the new version of Android.

Sent from my XT1060 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[Mark_Venture]

Thats what I was looking for, thanks! The GSM Unlocked and AT&T have the same bands right, so I shouldnt see any difference in quality?

No they do not have the same bands.

The GSM Unlocked, and the GSM Developer Edition are essentially the same phone. Both are XT1053. I say essentially because they are the same hardware, use the same roms, and support the exact same bands. The differences are.. the Dev Edition comes only as black face, woven white back, silver accents (buttons and camera ring), and 32Gig. The GSM Unlocked comes 16 or 32gig, and looks can be customized via Moto Maker. Oh, and unlocking the bootloader on the Dev Edition doesn't void the warranty, where as unlocking the bootloader on the GSM Unlocked one does. (Moto does give out the codes to bootloader unlock on their web site)

The XT1053 is also known as the "T-Mobile version." They are pretty much Bloat free. Updates for all the XT1053 (GSM Unlocked, "T-Mobile version" and Developer Edition) happen on the same schedule. Because its "unlocked" doesn't really make it any faster to get updates.

The ATT X is the XT1058. Its bootloader can't be unlocked (moto does NOT give out the codes for whatever reason). It comes in 16 and 32gig, and can be customized via Moto Maker.

As for bands, the XT1053 supports HSPA/HSPA+ on AWS (T-Mobile's original HSPA network was on AWS. Recently they have been refarming 1900Mhz to HSPA/HSPA+ in some areas), the XT1058 does not. The XT1058 supports 2 extra LTE bands which were initially said to not be used in the USA and only be needed if roaming globally, however more recently it appears ATT is starting to use one of them. So you could see a difference in LTE coverage if you use the XT1053 on ATT. That being said there are many doing so happily today (including my Sister-in-Law).

Another thing to watch out for if you have ATT, is provisioning problems with the XT1053. ATT's database doesn't contain the XT1053 IMEI's, so some have reported provisioning problems where they only get HSPA. Since ATT doesn't have the IMEI's for the XT1053, it gets added as a HSPA only phone, hence the problem. If you can get them to update your account with the IMEI of an LTE compatible phone, OR have another LTE compatible ATT phone active, then can move its SIM to the XT1053 you will be ok.

 

[Mark_Venture]

As for the Verizon Developer Edition....

It too comes only as black face, woven white back, silver accents (buttons and camera ring), and 32Gig.

It is an XT1060, the same as the "retail" and Moto Maker Verizon X. They support the exact same bands, use the same roms and modems, and are the same hardware. They contain the same bloat, and are SIM Unlocked out of the box.

Besides the fact that you can't customize the look of the Dev Edition, and you can use Moto Maker for the other, the only difference is that Motorola gives out the Bootloader Unlock code on their web site for the Verizon Developer Edition, but not for the Verizon Retail or Moto Maker variants. Unlocking the bootloader on the Dev Ed doesn't void the warranty.

Because the XT1060 is SIM unlocked, it can be used on GSM carriers such as T-mobile and ATT supporting Edge, HSPA/HSPA+, and even LTE (depending on the target carrier's frequencies), however you might have to manually enter the correct APN settings for the new carrier, and the phone will still inform you the SIM is from an unknown carrier at boot. You will also have to force the phone to "GSM/UMTS Only" mode. And there are some quirks if you want to use it on T-Mobile.

While the XT1060 and XT1058 support the same GSM and HSPA/HSPA+ bands, their LTE band support differs. The XT1053 supports HSPA/HSPA+ on AWS which the XT1060 lacks (so no HSPA/HSPA+ on T-Mobile with the XT1060 unless you are in an area where T-Mobile refarmed their 1900Mhz spectrum). LTE Band support is slightly different on the XT1060 vs XT1053 as well, but they both do support LTE Band 4, so you could get T-Mobile LTE with the XT1060 and a T-Mobile sim.

Verizon still using CDMA/EVDO for its voice, text and 2G/3G data means that you are stuck using Verizon phones for now. IF/When Verizon gets VoLTE and shuts down CDMA, it might be possible to use a Non-Verizon phone.

 

[dpham00]

From what I understand unlocked phones get Operating System updates quicker than carrier's branded phones. Once Motorola (or any other OEM) has a completed update they submit it to the carrier for approval and the carrier sometimes can modify it. On an unlocked phone the update comes straight from the OEM. Keep in mind though thst Motorola and Google have offloaded most things to the play store to be updated independently. This makes full os updates less of a necessity because as long as you are already on a modern version of Android most of the features will come before the new version of Android.

Sent from my XT1060 using AC Forums mobile app

Just be aware that some places advertise the Verizon version as factory sim unlocked. While this isn't wrong, it might not contain the same bands as a regular unlocked phone, or your carrier specific model

dpham00, Android Central Moderator
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3