Is "LTE+" on AT&T an indicator of HD Voice capability?

[anon(7901790)]

I've been looking around and I can't seem to find anything about HD Working with an unlocked S8/8+.

Edit: On AT&T.

 

[Jnorton2724]

I have the option for VoLTE on my unlocked S8+ using TMobile. It's under mobile networks.

 

[PaulQ]

I'm going to wait until Samsung clears up my IMEI. Then, I'm going to AT&T to get a new SIM. I'll see what they have to say about this but I rarely get good techincal help in the store. Then, I'll try AT&T tech support again.

Then... I'll give up.

I'll come back and let you guys know what happened.

In the meantime, anyone who is reading this with an unlocked model on AT&T, let me know if your settings are different.

 

[anon(5719825)]

I have a T-Mobile sim PLUS a AT&T sim and I tried each one in my unlocked S8+. Below are the screenshots. With T-Mobile, have the Voice over LTE option under Connections/Mobile Networks.

Using my AT&T sim, I don't have any option whatsoever to use Voice over LTE and I do not have an Advanced calling section anywhere on my phone. I hate AT&T though because you see my reception at home is almost non existent and I do not have LTE at home so that is why I have always used T-Mobile over the last 5-6 years.

 

[PaulQ]

Thanks for posting that. Interesting. I'll tell them that when I talk to them. I don't have high hopes.

 

[pankaj981]

If you're really in need of VoLTE then you can flash the AT&T firmware on your device. I'm in a similar boat but on Cricket Wireless (AT&T MVNO). VoLTE is enabled on iOS and Cricket Wireless/AT&T firmware/phones but not on unlocked variants. Every other feature works as expected, or better IMO.

 

[jsgiv]

For ATT the setting is called "Enhanced LTE Services".

Path is: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Enhanced LTE Services

If you don't have this - odds are its locked out for your unlocked device.

I had this same situation for my Google pixel.

There's no way for ATT reps to enable this for an unlocked device. If I had to guess it's blocking at IMEI.

Ultimately it depends on the service you want versus the device you want.

Switching back to an ATT S8+ from the unlocked Pixel (temporary holdover from the N7 debacle) showed me a few things missing (most notably HD voice but there are other small nuances where the device is treated like a second class citizen on ATTs network ).

HD voice is notably better but requires another device that you are calling to use it. Data Connections are also noticeably better - especially during calls

Some people like to have less bloatware and control over what is loaded on their devices.

I think some carriers (TMobile) will actually enable HD services on unlocked devices. I'm fairly certain Verizon and ATT do not.

 

[DamianP]

I'm going to wait until Samsung clears up my IMEI. Then, I'm going to AT&T to get a new SIM. I'll see what they have to say about this but I rarely get good techincal help in the store. Then, I'll try AT&T tech support again.

Then... I'll give up.

I'll come back and let you guys know what happened.

In the meantime, anyone who is reading this with an unlocked model on AT&T, let me know if your settings are different.

I have the unlocked on ATT as well. I know I wouldn't get the advanced features but find more value in less bloat. Every ATT branded phone seems to have had issues for Samsung and LG devices with lag. This is the first Samsung I can say is lag free.

 

[Almeuit]

Thanks for posting that. Interesting. I'll tell them that when I talk to them. I don't have high hopes.

Ah sorry saw you asked me something but went to bed .. I see NexusGirl handled it though .

Yeah I wouldn't have high hopes. The reps at the store have no control over it really. AT&T really wants you to buy their bloat / more pricey version versus unlocked.

 

[PaulQ]

As a general response to the posts since last night....

First, thanks everyone for all your feedback. I learned a lot.

I am not really desperate to have the advanced calling features (essentially HD Voice). This all started when I was researching something else and HD Voice came up. I thought I would be eligible for it now that I have a mainstream phone.

The higher level tech support guy did do something with my IMEI in this process then had me reboot the phone.

I'm going to try the SIM swap. I know it's a long, long shot but I am using the same SIM I have used for the past 2 years.

There is also the issue that my IMEI is not showing up in Samsung's database and my phone remains listed as "out of warranty." AT&T also found this anomaly. Samsung said they would fix it by tonight. I haven't heard back. This little twist could also be playing a role.

Also, since last night, I discovered that the $200 gift card I got at Best Buy when I bought this phone only applies to the unlocked version so I would never have gotten the AT&T one anyway. Besides, like you all have said, bloat is bad. I have been rid of it since my Nexus and I don't want to go back.

Thanks all!

 

[TylerLV76]

As a general response to the posts since last night....

First, thanks everyone for all your feedback. I learned a lot.

I am not really desperate to have the advanced calling features (essentially HD Voice). This all started when I was researching something else and HD Voice came up. I thought I would be eligible for it now that I have a mainstream phone.

The higher level tech support guy did do something with my IMEI in this process then had me reboot the phone.

I'm going to try the SIM swap. I know it's a long, long shot but I am using the same SIM I have used for the past 2 years.

There is also the issue that my IMEI is not showing up in Samsung's database and my phone remains listed as "out of warranty." AT&T also found this anomaly. Samsung said they would fix it by tonight. I haven't heard back. This little twist could also be playing a role.

Also, since last night, I discovered that the $200 gift card I got at Best Buy when I bought this phone only applies to the unlocked version so I would never have gotten the AT&T one anyway. Besides, like you all have said, bloat is bad. I have been rid of it since my Nexus and I don't want to go back.

Thanks all!

At&t blocks VoLTE on all phones that arent At&t phones. You had the Mate 9 also right? It was the same for the Mate 9. T-mobile allows VoLTE for unlocked phones which is why they are a great option for T-Mobile but not so much At&t.

No sim swap, or resets will get you VoLTE (HD Voice) on At&t and there is nothing the reps can do to enable it. At&t would have to open this option up to its customers and they wont because it forces you to buy from them.

The only reason to have an unlocked phone on At&t is to avoid bloat or if At&t doesnt offer that device (like the Mate 9). If you want these features you either have to swap to an At&t phone or flash the At&t firmware on the unlocked one.

 

[Dconn1975]

I got my S8 through sprint and there is a specific setting for wifi calling and the first call I made it automatically as if I wanted to enable it. I did so but it's kind bad in a way. I left my house while on a call and once my wifi dropped my call dropped. I then had to call them back as I guess it doesn't transfer automatically from wifi to carrier usage. There maybe a setting for that though in developer options. I'll have to enable and check. I've only had my S8 since yesterday.

 

[TylerLV76]

I got my S8 through sprint and there is a specific setting for wifi calling and the first call I made it automatically as if I wanted to enable it. I did so but it's kind bad in a way. I left my house while on a call and once my wifi dropped my call dropped. I then had to call them back as I guess it doesn't transfer automatically from wifi to carrier usage. There maybe a setting for that though in developer options. I'll have to enable and check. I've only had my S8 since yesterday.

Wifi calling isnt great and seems to drain the battery. Id only use it if absolutely necessary. Ive had the same dropped calls on handovers and its one of the reasons I disable it. If you're in an area with no service but have wifi then absolutely use it, otherwise its pointless.

 

[Almeuit]

I got my S8 through sprint and there is a specific setting for wifi calling and the first call I made it automatically as if I wanted to enable it. I did so but it's kind bad in a way. I left my house while on a call and once my wifi dropped my call dropped. I then had to call them back as I guess it doesn't transfer automatically from wifi to carrier usage. There maybe a setting for that though in developer options. I'll have to enable and check. I've only had my S8 since yesterday.

Yeah Sprint is behind on the VoLTE / WiFi calling front (as in no VoLTE). Most other carriers will transfer from Wifi to VoLTE without issue.

 

[Almeuit]

Wifi calling isnt great and seems to drain the battery. Id only use it if absolutely necessary. Ive had the same dropped calls on handovers and its one of the reasons I disable it. If you're in an area with no service but have wifi then absolutely use it, otherwise its pointless.

Yeah that is usually the only point -- to get service when you don't have it. I have service with Verizon at home so I have it disabled and VoLTE works just fine.

 

[Fathertime]

Where can I flash the AT&T firmware?

 

[PaulQ]

No sim swap, or resets will get you VoLTE (HD Voice) on At&t and there is nothing the reps can do to enable it. At&t would have to open this option up to its customers and they wont because it forces you to buy from them.

The only reason to have an unlocked phone on At&t is to avoid bloat or if At&t doesnt offer that device (like the Mate 9). If you want these features you either have to swap to an At&t phone or flash the At&t firmware on the unlocked one.

Ok, then I am not going to waste my time at AT&T. I haven't had VoLTE before and didn't miss it (although I don't know what I was missing).

The other reason to get an unlocked phone... Best Buy offers a deal I would take on only the unlocked one. That's why I went unlocked. The deal on the AT&T version was signing up for a payment plan, blah, blah.

 

[Almeuit]

Ok, then I am not going to waste my time at AT&T. I haven't had VoLTE before and didn't miss it (although I don't know what I was missing).

The other reason to get an unlocked phone... Best Buy offers a deal I would take on only the unlocked one. That's why I went unlocked. The deal on the AT&T version was signing up for a payment plan, blah, blah.

Yeah VoLTE isn't as big of a deal on AT&T as it is for someone on Verizon to be honest. AT&T can drop back to HSPA and use voice/data at the same time whereas new Verizon phones will drop down to CDMA but only have one radio so it will only allow a voice call OR data (not at the same time). With VoLTE this was solved since it routes the call through LTE so the call/data can work together across the LTE network.

 

[Lepa79]

For ATT the setting is called "Enhanced LTE Services".

Path is: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Enhanced LTE Services

If you don't have this - odds are its locked out for your unlocked device.

Yep, this.

I have the AT&T version and it is called Enhanced LTE Services. I however have never seen LTE+ on my phone.

There is also another feature and that's WiFi calling. I have that enabled and it helps tons at home from calling perspective.

 

[Almeuit]

Yep, this.

I have the AT&T version and it is called Enhanced LTE Services. I however have never seen LTE+ on my phone.

There is also another feature and that's WiFi calling. I have that enabled and it helps tons at home from calling perspective.

Yeah you won't see LTE+ on your phone. AT&T replaces it with their 4G LTE symbol.