Moto G LTE on T-Mobile?

[Old Stoneface]

G'day All,

Right now my wife and I are using HTC Sensation 4Gs. They're "okay," but I'm longing for something with a bit more... "snap"? Now the original Moto G, as I understand it, was equipped for international GSM, so it would not do better than 2G on TMO in many areas of the country. But now comes the Moto G LTE version. Specs say:

GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
UMTS: 850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz
FDD LTE: 700 (band 17), 850 (band 5), 1700/2100 (band 4), 1900 (band 2) MHz
Data: LTE, HSDPA+ (4G) 21.1 Mbit/s, HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS

So it looks like it will do everything our Sensation 4Gs do, plus LTE?

Only problem: Being a non-TMO-branded device: No WiFi calling. I'm wondering if that might be somewhat offset by the Moto G LTE having a better radio? (And, hopefully, a better GPS receiver. The one in the Sensation 4G leaves much to be desired.) Maybe can revive our Google numbers, or some other SIP service, for a fallback?

What says the collective wisdom? Can't seem to find much about the use of these on TMO's network.

 

[raptir]

First, there are two GSM models of the non-LTE Moto G, Global and US. The US model will work with all of T-Mobile's 2G and 3G bands. The LTE model will work with all of T-Mobile's active bands apart from the new 700MHz LTE.

Motorola is also releasing a 2nd gen Moto G today that has a larger display, front facing speakers, 802.11ac support and a better camera. However, the model that is releasing today does not do LTE, and they haven't announced anything about an LTE model.

Motorola phones do typically have some of the best radios in smartphones today. If you're currently in a situation where you will get, say, one bar with the Sensation you will probably get a reasonably usable signal with the Moto G. But if you are not getting any signal in a certain area and that is forcing you to use WiFI calling you are likely to not see a significant improvement. I would make the decision based around assuming you will get the same signal as on your Sensation and decide if you could live without WiFi calling there. You can then be pleasantly surprised if the Moto G works better.

 

[zorak950]

raptir is right, you're going to get 3G/HSPA+ either way, LTE is the only difference. And if you happen to prefer a smaller screen size, now is the perfect time to buy the last-gen models because they're probably going to be on sale while retailers get rid of inventory. Amazon has $20 off all models right now, including the LTE one. That may not seem significant, but for a $200 device that's a 10% discount.

 

[Old Stoneface]

raptir is right, you're going to get 3G/HSPA+ either way, LTE is the only difference.

That and possibly a better radio. (Well, and more up-to-date hardware. No mgfr/carrier bloatware, updates... etc.)

And if you happen to prefer a smaller screen size,

Indeed I do. As does my wife.

now is the perfect time to buy the last-gen models because they're probably going to be on sale while retailers get rid of inventory.

I wasn't aware there was a new "G" out, too. I don't know, after my wife and I spending about $350 on devices and accessories, just a year ago, that we're going to up and spend $450 on new devices, right now.

I'm kind of surprised the new "G" does not have LTE.

 

[zorak950]

The LTE model will work with all of T-Mobile's active bands apart from the new 700MHz LTE.

This is a potentially important thing to note for the future. Right now it doesn't really matter, but T-Mobile has voiced some real ambitions for that spectrum, so a year or two down the road it could be an issue. The Moto G US LTE version that's out currently (based on the previous generation hardware) supports 700MHz Band 17, but T-Mobile is using 700MHz Band 12.

As a sidebar, it's insane that any normal person should have to make distinctions like that, but such is the market right now.

 

[zorak950]

I'm kind of surprised the new "G" does not have LTE.

I suspect that they'll release one with LTE in a few months with Band 12 support. That's pure speculation on my part, though.