Does the lack of LTE Bands on the Moto X Pure Edition bother you?

[BiggAW]

Re: Moto X Pure Edition - LTE Bands

I'm work in NYC, and live just outside the city. I don't anticipate any major problems, but I'm giving the phone a short leash once it arrives. If it doesn't equal my current LTE phone's coverage and speeds, it's going right back.

Moto really should've put hardware differences between Pure + AT&T models front and center when offering model choices in their shop. I thought it was just branding and bloatware I'd be missing, not LTE bands.

You'll be fine, at least for the foreseeable future. NYC is B17/B2. Well, as fine as you can be on AT&T, which is still sort of a disaster in NYC...

 

[oldDummy]

Are the available bands the same for the Pure Edition and the Moto X 2013 unlocked T-Mobile version?

initial 2013 Moto X [XT1053] are different than current 2013 Moto X [1053] being sold. So it's a complicated question.
My belief is that current XT1053 have bands activated that initial ones didn't/don't.
Bought a new XT1053- it has LTE coverage. My old one does not. Same sim, same carrier.
Problem is: Those that know won't say.
We are left with questions but no answers.
Some background info:
https://forums.motorola.com/posts/668bfbb739

It's strictly for improved performance and coverage on T-Mobile. They are planning to use band 4 and band 12 in a MIMO setup similar to how Verizon uses band 4 and band 13. AT&T also plans to use both band 12 and band 17, sometime in the future.

But, more importantly, it allows for wider coverage. Band 12 is related to band 17, as they are both in the lower 700MHz range (band 12 is 700MHz A-block). As this is T-Mobile's first low frequency LTE band, building penetration and overall coverage will increase.

It'd only require a baseband update similar to the XT1060's enabling of band 4 AWS. I don't have an XT1053, but I'd pick up either a new XT1053 or XT1092, as I'm switching to T-Mobile. I can use my XT1060 on T-Mobile, but I'd rather just move to an unlocked GSM device. The leather 2nd gen Moto Xs are tempting.

Different post:

The retail XT1053 Moto X supports band 4 and 17 LTE (and band 2), and has an amplifier for bands 12/17. Band 12 is T-Mobile's newest wide area band that they purchased from Verizon.

You'll need a baseband update to enable co-op band 4 (AWS) LTE and band 12 LTE. Band 12 is currently disabled, but ultimately it's up to Motorola to support it. They currently haven't enabled band 5 LTE on the AT&T Moto X and said they have no plans to do so.

The cat.4 LTE Moto X+1 will likely have band 12 support.

The pentaband amplifier in many Moto Xs supports bands 1,2,4,5,8 (HSPA/LTE), while another chip adds 12 and 17 (HSPA/LTE). So, the hardware is there, but the baseband is rigidly controlled. If the phone were baseband unlocked, you'd see a drastic performance increase over LTE in Dallas.

Think Pure edition has band 12, but it's not listed so can't be sure.
Limitations could be caused by agreements with AT&T; Which bands can be activated when.

 

[Clocks]

Being in Michigan it bothers me. I've decided to hold off for a whole and stick with the nexus. I just need to find a carrier that doesn't drop my calls now that I'm leaving verizon. T-Mobile and go phone are next to try.

 

[someguy01234]

Both the Pure Edition and AT&T use the same radio chip, only the extra LTE bands are locked down on the T-Mobile version. It may be possible to unlock them in the future. But another issue is just because it support a certain band doesn't mean there is a correct antenna for it.

 

[BiggAW]

initial 2013 Moto X [XT1053] are different than current 2013 Moto X [1053] being sold. So it's a complicated question.
My belief is that current XT1053 have bands activated that initial ones didn't/don't.
Bought a new XT1053- it has LTE coverage. My old one does not. Same sim, same carrier.
Problem is: Those that know won't say.
We are left with questions but no answers.

That's interesting.

Limitations could be caused by agreements with AT&T; Which bands can be activated when.

AT&T can only limit their own version. They have no say over what is in the Pure Edition, since they don't sell it.

Being in Michigan it bothers me. I've decided to hold off for a whole and stick with the nexus. I just need to find a carrier that doesn't drop my calls now that I'm leaving verizon. T-Mobile and go phone are next to try.

T-Mobile LOL. There is crummy T-Mo coverage in Northwest Lower and very little 3G/4G. AT&T without B5 would be far better than T-Mo, but still an imperfect solution, given that there are tons of phones that do support AT&T's B5 LTE out there.

Both the Pure Edition and AT&T use the same radio chip, only the extra LTE bands are locked down on the T-Mobile version. It may be possible to unlock them in the future. But another issue is just because it support a certain band doesn't mean there is a correct antenna for it.

Yeah, that's just the thing. The chips support everything under the sun these days, it has a lot to do with the amp, filter, and antenna setups.

 

[Clocks]

That's interesting.



AT&T can only limit their own version. They have no say over what is in the Pure Edition, since they don't sell it.



T-Mobile LOL. There is crummy T-Mo coverage in Northwest Lower and very little 3G/4G. AT&T without B5 would be far better than T-Mo, but still an imperfect solution, given that there are tons of phones that do support AT&T's B5 LTE out there.



Yeah, that's just the thing. The chips support everything under the sun these days, it has a lot to do with the amp, filter, and antenna setups.

Got any experience with gophone (at&t) in Michigan? I'm trying to get off of verizon. I have a nexus 5 just trying to find a carrier. It supports band 5 as far as I know.

 

[mttmks]

That's why I decided to buy the AT&T version. I can live with the crapware for future proofing

 

[BiggAW]

Got any experience with gophone (at&t) in Michigan? I'm trying to get off of verizon. I have a nexus 5 just trying to find a carrier. It supports band 5 as far as I know.

No, but it's the same network, and AT&T works pretty darn well in most parts of MI. Nexus 5 supports B2/4/5/17, so it's a good fit for AT&T. That's a pretty obvious choice, as T-Mo and Sprint have far weaker networks than AT&T in MI. AT&T rules much of MI, with fantastic speeds, and excellent coverage. I've had few issues there. In fact, the only ones I can think of were recently using my SGS III in a B5 LTE area, so I was stuck on HSPA+, using it as my only internet connection for a few days while visiting an area with no land-based internet in Northwest Lower.

 

[oldDummy]

That's interesting.



AT&T can only limit their own version. They have no say over what is in the Pure Edition, since they don't sell it.

.

As stated in the linked post:
AT&T might not be happy if Moto enabled all their bands on a non-AT&T branded phone.
Makes sense, alas, no proof.
I believe they might have influence on Moto beyond their branded phones.

 

[spiff_p239]

I'm working with AT&T right now, but my Pure Edition Moto X will not connect to data (not even HSPA+) here in SE Michigan. I'll update when I figure out what's going on.

 

[cgardnervt]

I'm working with AT&T right now, but my Pure Edition Moto X will not connect to data (not even HSPA+) here in SE Michigan. I'll update when I figure out what's going on.

Any update? Also wit hteh Pure Edition has anyone just stuck their SM card inside and had the att network just work with not APN's needed?

 

[spiff_p239]

Any update? Also wit hteh Pure Edition has anyone just stuck their SM card inside and had the att network just work with not APN's needed?

As of right now, they said that the tower in my area is being worked on and that may be the issue. I'm inclined to believe that that is not the case as I cannot even get HSPA connectivity. My parents each have Lumia 520s and they can get data just fine. As such, I'm thinking that my phone itself is defective but I could be wrong. The Pure Edition supports the exact same GSM and HSPA frequencies as the AT&T version so as long as my phone is working properly I should be able to at least fall back to HSPA, right?

 

[cgardnervt]

As of right now, they said that the tower in my area is being worked on and that may be the issue. I'm inclined to believe that that is not the case as I cannot even get HSPA connectivity. My parents each have Lumia 520s and they can get data just fine. As such, I'm thinking that my phone itself is defective but I could be wrong. The Pure Edition supports the exact same GSM and HSPA frequencies as the AT&T version so as long as my phone is working properly I should be able to at least fall back to HSPA, right?

I would think so. Have you added the APN settings to the phone?

FYI:

1, Go to phone settings —> more… —>mobile networks —>Access Point Names and delete all the existing APNs.

2. Create a new APN using the + icon or related options … then, enter the settings below

Name: ATT Phone
APN: phone
Proxy: Not set
Port: Not set
Username: Not set
Password: Not set
Server: Not set
MMSC: http://mmsc.mobile.att.net
MMS Proxy: proxy.mobile.att.net
MMS port: 80
MCC: 310
MNC: 410
Authentication type: None
APN type: default,mms,supl
APN protocol: IPv4
APN roaming protocol: IPv4
Bearer: Unspecified
Mobile Virtual network operator: Not set

3. Restart phone —

4. Check Internet and MMS Capabilities

 

[drew_sf]

Any update? Also wit hteh Pure Edition has anyone just stuck their SM card inside and had the att network just work with not APN's needed?

Just inserted at&t sim and it all worked. Haven't tried sending or receiving MMS yet.

 

[spiff_p239]

I did not have a chance to add the new APN but reactivated my Lumia 1020. I know I'm spoiled with the 41MP camera, but I can't seem to get the Moto X to take a good picture unless I leave it on HDR mode.

 

[oldDummy]

I did not have a chance to add the new APN but reactivated my Lumia 1020. I know I'm spoiled with the 41MP camera, but I can't seem to get the Moto X to take a good picture unless I leave it on HDR mode.

Nokia was among the best with their camera mojo.
Lumia 1020 is getting a bit long in the tooth.
never heard anything bad about that camera but everything else is low end now.
Wish Moto would have maxed out the SD801 with 20MP snapper.
SD805 supports ~50MP ?[think] THAT would be something.

 

[BiggAW]

As stated in the linked post:
AT&T might not be happy if Moto enabled all their bands on a non-AT&T branded phone.
Makes sense, alas, no proof.
I believe they might have influence on Moto beyond their branded phones.

It's in AT&T's best interest to have the Pure Edition support all of their domestic LTE bands, plus, they make a crapload of money off of global roaming, so even more reason to have 3 and 7 working!

As of right now, they said that the tower in my area is being worked on and that may be the issue. I'm inclined to believe that that is not the case as I cannot even get HSPA connectivity. My parents each have Lumia 520s and they can get data just fine. As such, I'm thinking that my phone itself is defective but I could be wrong. The Pure Edition supports the exact same GSM and HSPA frequencies as the AT&T version so as long as my phone is working properly I should be able to at least fall back to HSPA, right?

Yes. It supports both B2 and B5 HSPA+, as well as B4, and 900/2100 for global roaming.

 

[spiff_p239]

Nokia was among the best with their camera mojo.
Lumia 1020 is getting a bit long in the tooth.
never heard anything bad about that camera but everything else is low end now.
Wish Moto would have maxed out the SD801 with 20MP snapper.
SD805 supports ~50MP ?[think] THAT would be something.

If you take into consideration that the Lumia 1020 is essentially a 920 with upgraded camera and an extra GB of RAM, it's pretty much a 2 year old phone at this point. In certain aspects, its performance is pretty slow (Hungry Sharks Evolution runs MUCH better on the Moto X) but the OS itself is pretty smooth. Motorola definitely did a great job with the X and I actually gave the camera a second chance in HDR mode and it performed better. I'm tempted to keep it as I love the Moto Actions and thinner feel of the X.

 

[globster2000]

Hmm.. I've done research, but I am unsure if this claim is correct. According to several sources, the xt1095 is the same as the xt1097 in terms of internals and bands except of the following:

XT1095 (GSM Unlocked US Pure edition), UMTS Bands (850/900/1700/1900/2100), LTE Bands (2/3/4/5/7/17/29) [Sim unlocked and capatable with most GSM networks including AT&T and T-Mobile; LTE bands software restricted to 2/4/17]

XT1097 (AT&T US, Retail Brazil), UMTS Bands (850,900,1700,1900,2100), LTE Bands (2/3/4/5/7/17/29) [The AT&T doesn't support LTE band 29 (software restricted) and is SIM locked whereas the non-US variants are SIM unlocked]

With all this information we can conclude that it is software restricting the xt1095 to bands 2/4/17 for LTE, and that the xt1097 is restricted to bands 2/3/4/5/7/17 for LTE. As for the actual carriers AT&T and T-Mobile, they use the following bands for LTE:

AT&T: 2, 4, 17
T-Mobile: 2, 4, 12 (seems that band 12 isn't well spread)

As you may notice, bands 3, 5, and 7 are worldwide bands used in other countries, and the new pure edition phone is good enough to cover the at&t and T-Mobile spectrum, except for band 12 which is one of T-Mobile's bands.

From my understanding, the pure edition isn't well fitted for global use unless motorola opens more bands for the 1095 through software.

With all of this said, I am unsure what to go with between the xt1095 or the xt1097. I like the concept of the xt1095, but I would like the 3/5/7 bands. However, I am more curious to see if the xt1092 will be some sort of international pure edition with the LTE bands 2/4/5/12/17/25/26/41. If I am not mistaken, this could work for at&t, sprint, T-Mobile, China mainland, and many other countries, and I wouldn't mind being patient for this baby.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[grayzweb]

I am having issues with my Pure Edition. I can't seem to get any LTE at all. I had to get a new sim from AT&T, and they activated it, but no data at all. Then I changed APN settings to what cgardnervt posted. I now have 4G, but no LTE. My N5 had LTE from my house. AT&T rep said maybe the Moto X doesn't show the LTE icon?

Downloaded the LTE Discovery app, and it says i'm on HSPA+

Anybody else have this problem?