Is the unlocked HTC U11 Verizon compatible?

[Fred98TJ]

Verizon is the pits, using CDMA still. They need to catch up with the majority of the rest of the world. At least ATT and T-Mobile are GSM

 

[cert15z]

Verizon is the pits, using CDMA still. They need to catch up with the majority of the rest of the world. At least ATT and T-Mobile are GSM

CDMA and GSM are both old tech. LTE is the future.

 

[flyingtiger]

Source on this? AC's own reviewer has indicated the HTC U11 will work on Verizon CDMA in the comments section (link).

I have spoken with three HTC reps and all were certain that the Unlocked U11 will work on VZW, but there is a catch: it ONLY works on the LTE bands (4G) and does not have radios for CDMA/EV-DO. If you check the web site, they list the frequencies covered: HTC U11 Unlocked | HTC United States

Today, I learned that the VZW version also LACKS VZW CDMA/EV-DO coverage. I live in a big city and there are many times on major streets where LTE drops and 3G pops up. Unless the U11 has such great LTE reception that such a thing will never happen, there will have to be more dropped calls. It is a huge disappointment for me, on my 3rd HTC phone and a big fan, but this seems to be a terrible technical failure. I suggested to the HTC chat rep that they should clearly disclose the lack of 2G/3G coverage and the rep said, "I have made the same suggestion."

And there are many areas of the country - probably a small percentage of the population - that have only 3G coverage around the house or office. They will have no service at all. How can such things happen?

 

[Alcarnor14]

Source on this? AC's own reviewer has indicated the HTC U11 will work on Verizon CDMA in the comments section (link).

The source? HTC's spec page for the U11. If you look at the HTC 10's spec page, it clearly lists CDMA bands. The U11 doesn't. I've never not seen a Verizon/sprint voice-capable device not list the CDMA bands.

 

[mfreeland]

The source? HTC's spec page for the U11. If you look at the HTC 10's spec page, it clearly lists CDMA bands. The U11 doesn't. I've never not seen a Verizon/sprint voice-capable device not list the CDMA bands.

Sprint wouldn't sell a phone that doesn't do CDMA...Not even a question in my mind. Verizon? Not as sure....

 

[ckupsco]

I DM Jeff Gordon (global marketing from HTC) and I got back that the Verizon version IS the unlocked version and it is LTE Only.

 

[Ben_70]

Hi All. First post here. I had to join this forum after coming across this thread since I ordered the u11 a few days ago (Verizon, silver). I've always used moto phones but wanted to give htc a try after viewing all the glowing reviews of this phone on youtube. I'm very concerned about what I'm reading here. Am I correct in understanding that if this phone loses the 4G signal and drops down to 3G that calls will drop due to there not being a CDMA band? Did I make a mistake in ordering the u11? Should I cancel my order?

 

[ckupsco]

Read this from AC just posted https://www.androidcentral.com/us-u...-support-verizons-cdma-network-and-thats-okay

 

[mfreeland]

Hi All. First post here. I had to join this forum after coming across this thread since I ordered the u11 a few days ago (Verizon, silver). I've always used moto phones but wanted to give htc a try after viewing all the glowing reviews of this phone on youtube. I'm very concerned about what I'm reading here. Am I correct in understanding that if this phone loses the 4G signal and drops down to 3G that calls will drop due to there not being a CDMA band? Did I make a mistake in ordering the u11? Should I cancel my order?

Read the article. It's actually Verizon Certified. I'm guessing it would hand off and roam in the times you would normally switch to CDMA, which is getting rare on Verizon, according to the article...

 

[Ben_70]

Read this from AC just posted https://www.androidcentral.com/us-u...-support-verizons-cdma-network-and-thats-okay

Thanks very much for this link. Sounds like I'm OK keeping my preorder.

 

[Rumblee1]

Over on xda , they are talking as if the unlocked and Verizon version are one in the same...so I'm confused at what to order..also wondering if I should wait until the phone gets in hand of someone using a Verizon sim..

Yes, it's been verified that the unlocked u11 will work flawlessly on Verizon.

 

[dennis246]

Anyone who buys the unlocked HTC U11 and and has Verizon please report how the U11 receives 4G signals compared to previous phones. Does it drop between 4G and "no signal". Is the 4G signal strong. Any information on how the HTC U11 performs on the Verizon network will be greatly appreciated.

I respect some reviews saying all will be fine but there is nothing better than reports in the field from owners.

 

[bytheriver]

I second this, I am also waiting and watching....I would appreciate any Verizon users posting their thoughts...

 

[HTCU11User]

I joined to share my experience today.

I pre-ordered the phone around May 16 and I'm on Verizon. I assumed since the Verizon logo is plastered all over the HTC site when you order that it would be compatible, no problems.

The phone arrived today and I went to the Verizon store. It is a reseller not an official store, if that matters, but they were very helpful. After entering the IMEI into the Verizon system they couldn’t identify the phone. He tried again and nothing. He then called Verizon and they couldn’t find it either.

He then handed me the phone and I talked with the lady who said this phone was GSM and would not be compatible. I explained that can't be possible since the HTC site clearly shows it as an option. Certainly, HTC can't just advertise compatibility when it's not. She then went to the website and was surprised as well. She asked around and no one has even heard of the HTC U11.

The Verizon rep then 3 way called HTC with me on the line. The V rep explained this would not work. HTC said sure it will. They went back and forth and V said well if we can’t identify the phone with the IMEI then we can't activate it. HTC put us on hold and came back and forth a few times and said well the HTC and V systems haven't synced up that's why they can't see it. HTC said wait 24 hours and try again. If that doesn't work, buy a new sim card and try again.

I’m not super in touch with all the technical details but the HTC rep did mention the VLTE, voice over LTE. So, it sounds like that’s the only way the phone functions. You guys can dig in or explain more on that I’m sure.

At this point I told the HTC rep to call me when the HTC and V systems syncs up as I’m sure they have that information available. She agreed and is going to call me back at 1pm EST tomorrow. The V lady was very nice but still extremely skeptical this is going to work. She is going to call me back at 1:30 tomorrow for a follow up.

Has anyone else had an experience like this? My mind is blown that there doesn’t seem to be any communication between the companies. I just can’t imagine that’s even possible.

 

[BigDinCA]

Does VZW really need the ESN if you're just using LTE? It's a GSM technology so it should just be about the SIM, right? I just switched to T-Mobile last week after being on Sprint for about 14 years so I'm new to the whole "pop in your SIM and go” thing.

Because this device isn't going to be on their CDMA network anyway, correct?

 

[sangs]

Yes, it's been verified that the unlocked u11 will work flawlessly on Verizon.

I don't know who "verified" this, but as a new U11 owner using Verizon, I can assure you it DOES NOT work flawlessly on Verizon. No WiFi calling, no 3G (or lower) reception, no Visual Voicemail, no Caller ID, no HD Voice. There is Voice Over LTE. Now, maybe it will take a couple days for the U11 to officially be recognized by Verizon and all these features will begin working, but as of now, they do not and I would not recommend this as your main phone if you rely on those services.

As to the poster above having activation issues, I just swapped my SIM card from my iPhone into the U11 and it activated without issue.

EDIT - Also, the U11 doesn't even display on my Verizon account page. Just my phone number and a generic phone outline as the included image. No model name or photo. With the following messages in my Verizon notifications:

x Your SIM card is loaded on a device not recognized by Verizon Wireless. Some services & features may not perform as expected.

 

[Hyperspace13]

I don't know who "verified" this, but as a new U11 owner using Verizon, I can assure you it DOES NOT work flawlessly on Verizon. No WiFi calling, no 3G (or lower) reception, no Visual Voicemail, no Caller ID, no HD Voice. There is Voice Over LTE. Now, maybe it will take a couple days for the U11 to officially be recognized by Verizon and all these features will begin working, but as of now, they do not and I would not recommend this as your main phone if you rely on those services.

As to the poster above having activation issues, I just swapped my SIM card from my iPhone into the U11 and it activated without issue.

EDIT - Also, the U11 doesn't even display on my Verizon account page. Just my phone number and a generic phone outline as the included image. No model name or photo. With the following messages in my Verizon notifications:

x Your SIM card is loaded on a device not recognized by Verizon Wireless. Some services & features may not perform as expected.

I posted that not everything on the unlocked model would work on Version but after I posted that people started claiming everything would work. Sounds like they were wrong. I'm glad I ordered the Verizon version.

 

[Ben_70]

I posted the not everything on the unlocked model would work on Version but after I posted that people started claiming everything would work. Sounds like they were wrong. I'm glad I ordered the Verizon version.

I'm confused...I thought that the unlocked and the "Verizon" version were the same phone. I actually ordered the Verizon version i.e. my order says, "Amazing silver - Verizon". Will it have the usual V apps like VM, cloud, caller ID, etc.? I'm set to get my phone on Tuesday.

 

[sangs]

I posted the not everything on the unlocked model would work on Version but after I posted that people started claiming everything would work. Sounds like they were wrong. I'm glad I ordered the Verizon version.

The Verizon version and the unlocked version are reportedly the same phone. Let us know otherwise once you receive it please. Thanks.

 

[Hyperspace13]

The Verizon version and the unlocked version are reportedly the same phone. Let us know otherwise once you receive it please. Thanks.

From what I understood they are the same phone. It's the Verizon software that makes the difference and not all of Verizon's software is in the Play Store. That's how it was with the HTC 10 too.