International Versions

[79adam79]

I've been researching for a new phone. When I searched Amazon for the Huawei P10 Lite it listed both the 3gb and 4gb RAM models as International versions. Does this mean they can't be used in the US?

I originally wanted the Moto G5 Plus until I read about it's low max volume and poor quality speaker and microphone.

Thanks.

 

[Morty2264]

Hello, and welcome to Android Central! What US carrier are you with? Google what bands your carrier uses; and then see what bands the specific Honor P10 Lite phone you're wanting to buy has. If it has the same bands or frequencies, its good to go for purchase!

 

[79adam79]

Hello, and welcome to Android Central! What US carrier are you with? Google what bands your carrier uses; and then see what bands the specific Honor P10 Lite phone you're wanting to buy has. If it has the same bands or frequencies, its good to go for purchase!

I posted a question about the frequencies a while back, but never got a response. I have MetroPCS and was comparing the 4G frequencies they use to my current phone, Moto G4 Play. The Moto has none of the MetroPCS compatible frequencies, yet still works.

So you're saying that I can use any phone labeled "International Version" as long as it runs at the same MHz? If that's the case I'm probably gonna buy the HTC Butterfly 3. I didn't think it could work with US carriers.

 

[Morty2264]

I posted a question about the frequencies a while back, but never got a response. I have MetroPCS and was comparing the 4G frequencies they use to my current phone, Moto G4 Play. The Moto has none of the MetroPCS compatible frequencies, yet still works.

So you're saying that I can use any phone labeled "International Version" as long as it runs at the same MHz? If that's the case I'm probably gonna buy the HTC Butterfly 3. I didn't think it could work with US carriers.

I'm so sorry you didn't get a response! To the best of my (limited) knowledge, I feel like the answer to your question is "yes." However, I've sent your question to other more experienced Moderators and Ambassadors, so when we have the answer, we'll let you know!

 

[Golfdriver97]

I was one of the other members @Morty2264 asked to help.

I checked out what Metro PCS bands are from here: https://www.signalbooster.com/pages...quencies-of-cell-phone-carriers-in-usa-canada compared to the phone specs here: https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_p10_lite-8598.php#was-lx3

The LX3 made for the US seems to match the most. If you can get a hold of that one, I would. The others may work on Metro, but there may be limited functionality. The same could be said about the one made for the US, but it is designed for carrier bands here.

 

[dpham00]

I would recommend the l03t as it has lte bands 2,4,and 12. The lx3 lacks lte band 12


HUAWEI P10 lite Smartphone | Mobile Phones | HUAWEI Global

 

[79adam79]

I was one of the other members @Morty2264 asked to help.

I checked out what Metro PCS bands are from here: https://www.signalbooster.com/pages...quencies-of-cell-phone-carriers-in-usa-canada compared to the phone specs here: https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_p10_lite-8598.php#was-lx3

The LX3 made for the US seems to match the most. If you can get a hold of that one, I would. The others may work on Metro, but there may be limited functionality. The same could be said about the one made for the US, but it is designed for carrier bands here.

I'll have to check out the LX3.

So am I not getting full speed from the MetroPCS network with my Moto G4 Play, since it's 4G frequencies don't match Metro's?
Any idea if the HTC Butterfly 3 would work? If I called MetroPCS customer support would they be able to tell me if certain phones will work with their network?

Thanks for the help.

 

[79adam79]

So the 4G specs for the Butterfly 3 are:

LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 28(700), 38(2600), 40(2300), 41(2500)

MetroPCS 4G specs:

700 MHz, Band 17 (LTE). 850 MHz, Band 4 (LTE). 1700/ 2100 AWS MHz, Band 4 (LTE). 1900 PCS MHz, Band 2 (LTE)

How many bands have to match? Both the phone and MetroPCS have 700MHz and 850MHz

 

[dpham00]

So the 4G specs for the Butterfly 3 are:

LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 28(700), 38(2600), 40(2300), 41(2500)

MetroPCS 4G specs:

700 MHz, Band 17 (LTE). 850 MHz, Band 4 (LTE). 1700/ 2100 AWS MHz, Band 4 (LTE). 1900 PCS MHz, Band 2 (LTE)

How many bands have to match? Both the phone and MetroPCS have 700MHz and 850MHz

The butterfly won't work well on tmobile. It doesn't have the main lte bands that metro pcs uses... Lte 2,4,12.

 

[Golfdriver97]

I'll have to check out the LX3.

So am I not getting full speed from the MetroPCS network with my Moto G4 Play, since it's 4G frequencies don't match Metro's?
Any idea if the HTC Butterfly 3 would work? If I called MetroPCS customer support would they be able to tell me if certain phones will work with their network?

Thanks for the help.

I would take the advice @dpham00 gave. I will wholeheartedly admit he is better with cell phone bands than I am.

 

[79adam79]

I would recommend the l03t as it has lte bands 2,4,and 12. The lx3 lacks lte band 12


HUAWEI P10 lite Smartphone | Mobile Phones | HUAWEI Global

I couldn't find the l03t for sale anywhere. I might have to bite the bullet and compromise on a bigger screen size. If I included 5.5" models in my search I'd have alot more options.
Unless you guys can recommend a 5" with equal specs to the G5 Plus and P10 Lite.

 

[79adam79]

The butterfly won't work well on tmobile. It doesn't have the main lte bands that metro pcs uses... Lte 2,4,12.

So it's the bands that are important and not the MHz? The Butterfly 3 has 700Mhz and 850MHz, but they are on different bands than Metro's.

The top phone on the $300 or less link posted is the ZTE Axon 7 Mini. The reviews of their custom UI are terrible, as well as it's overall performance.

I also just noticed that the Samsung Galaxy S6 is in my price range. That thing probably outperforms all the phones discussed so far, no?

 

[dpham00]

So it's the bands that are important and not the MHz? The Butterfly 3 has 700Mhz and 850MHz, but they are on different bands than Metro's.

The top phone on the $300 or less link posted is the ZTE Axon 7 Mini. The reviews of their custom UI are terrible, as well as it's overall performance.

I also just noticed that the Samsung Galaxy S6 is in my price range. That thing probably outperforms all the phones discussed so far, no?

The band is what's important. There can be multiple bands within a certain frequency range, but if your phone doesn't support the band then you are out of luck. I have the honor 8 which performs admirably well and is frequently on sale. Just another option for you to think about.

 

[79adam79]

The band is what's important. There can be multiple bands within a certain frequency range, but if your phone doesn't support the band then you are out of luck. I have the honor 8 which performs admirably well and is frequently on sale. Just another option for you to think about.

Honor 8 is out of my price range; I can't really go any higher than $250.
Just noticed that the Galaxy S6 doesn't even have a SD slot.. I'm not sure that 32GB will be enough (the ones with more storage are over my budget). I wonder how much space you're even left with after all the preloaded apps.

 

[chanchan05]

Honor 8 is out of my price range; I can't really go any higher than $250.
Just noticed that the Galaxy S6 doesn't even have a SD slot.. I'm not sure that 32GB will be enough (the ones with more storage are over my budget). I wonder how much space you're even left with after all the preloaded apps.

While the S6 may outperform the others, you also have to consider that the S6 is outside its update cycle already. At most you get another year of security updates if it's still ongoing, but no more OS updates. The lack of OS updates isn't a big deal but the security updates are a bit more important, considering other options are still in the update cycle.

 

[dpham00]

Honor 8 is out of my price range; I can't really go any higher than $250.
Just noticed that the Galaxy S6 doesn't even have a SD slot.. I'm not sure that 32GB will be enough (the ones with more storage are over my budget). I wonder how much space you're even left with after all the preloaded apps.

Wait for a sale. Probably in the next few weeks. I predict that it will be at $250 or less.

 

[79adam79]

Wait for a sale. Probably in the next few weeks. I predict that it will be at $250 or less.

Hopefully my phone lasts that long, the thing's on it's death bed. What do you think of the battery life? It seems to be the biggest "con" in the reviews I've read. Also, how loud is the speaker? I like to play music thru it during work.

 

[dpham00]

Hopefully my phone lasts that long, the thing's on it's death bed. What do you think of the battery life? It seems to be the biggest "con" in the reviews I've read. Also, how loud is the speaker? I like to play music thru it during work.

Battery was good for me speaker was loud enough but not the best sounding. You can read my thoughts on it here

https://forums.androidcentral.com/honor-8/748280-honor-8-review.html

 

[79adam79]

Battery was good for me speaker was loud enough but not the best sounding. You can read my thoughts on it here

https://forums.androidcentral.com/honor-8/748280-honor-8-review.html

Cool. I'll read it when I get outta work.
The speaker and audio quality is why I'd prefer a HTC; audio is one of the areas they excel. Unfortunately all their good phones have either a giant screen or aren't compatible with Metro.

 

[79adam79]

The butterfly won't work well on tmobile. It doesn't have the main lte bands that metro pcs uses... Lte 2,4,12.

I see bands 2 and 4, but not 12 on Metro's 4G frequency bands.. there is a 17, however.