Nexus 5 Google Play vs T-Mobile version what is the difference?

[zrxoa1]

Re: Nexus 5 Google Play vs T-Mobile version

The Nexus 4 also was sold new for as low as $199 from the Play Store in 2013. You paid about $600 for that iPhone 4S through being over charged by your Service carrier so the Nexus 4 was still better value since you lost $300 in value with the 4S. BTW, you can't buy a 5S for $300 so all you have done is got a new 2 year contract where you are being over charged every month of service to pay for that subsidized 5S. Go ahead and cancel that service contract to move to a cheaper services provider and see the real cost of that 5S.

I've noticed that you never have anything positive to add to any thread you post in. You are nothing but a trouble maker. Why don't you just go away?

To the OP, my apologies for my non relevent post, but I have tired of reading Shilohcane's trash all over AC!



Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

 

[yfan]

Re: Nexus 5 Google Play vs T-Mobile version

I'm new to this forum and don't agree with your math...correct me if I'm wrong. I know I'm paying more with AT&T then a cheaper provider like you mentioned. However this is issue...I use about 4-5 gb of data per month. I am on the grandfathered "unlimited" data plan w AT&T. I also use a lot of minutes. What cheaper option would you recommend to me?

How much are you paying a month? How many minutes do you need? If you don't talk on the phone much, T-Mobile's $30 a month plan gives you 5 gigs of data, unlimited texts, and 100 minutes. Heck, even AT&T will take $15 off your bill if your phone is paid off or if you buy off contract.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[sapm]

Re: Nexus 5 Google Play vs T-Mobile version

Hello, people. I have a Nexus 5 that is seeing serious battery drain on T-mobile LTE network, where my Galaxy S4 has no problem, this is the second N5 I received as a replacement, does anyone else has problem with LTE battery drain? Even with standby, the battery goes from full to empty in about 16 hour on standby only. No wifi, no GPS, no any kind of syncing. It's frustrating as one HSDPA network, it works fine. Does anyone else have that problem on Tmo? I've check APN setting, turned off, uninstalled all the 3rd party apps. Any my #1 battery drainer is "Phone Idel" which is ironic. Anyone else having this issue. Android 4.4.2 with N5 one Tmo LTE network. Two N5, both brand new, both does the same thing.

 

[brentonbrenton]

Re: Nexus 5 Google Play vs T-Mobile version

Is there a difference between the Nexus 5 sold by Google vs the Nexus 5 that T-Mobile sells?

There is only one version sold in North America (other than different storage sizes). Play store, Sprint and T-Mobile all sell the same exact phone.

Unfortunately, there is a difference. Maybe the software/hardware is identical, but what network you can use the phone on comes into play.

Some carriers won't let the phone in on their network. I got a Nexus 5 that's from T-Mobile and tried to activate it on Ting, but you can't use T-Mobile Nexus 5 on Ting, (see ting.com/byod/find) you have to get it directly from the Play Store or Sprint.

My advice is figure out what prepaid carrier you want to use first, then buy a phone that's compatible.

 

[LeoRex]

Re: Nexus 5 Google Play vs T-Mobile version

I understood that the T-Mobile version has the wifi calling app unique to tmobile phones. I do not know if this is true, or if it is the only difference between a tmobile version, and a play store version.

I can say with 100% certainty that the Nexus 5 lacked the Wi-Fi calling ability. It's carrier added function that requires changes to the core software and hooks into the phone and messaging applications. Google doesn't allow carriers to open it up and touch anything... no system changes, no carrier apps... nothing....And it must be a royal pain in the **** to integrate as Wi-Fi Calling hasn't even shown up in any of the custom Nexus ROMs for that matter. I was hoping all along that someone figured out a way to port it from the LG G2 (which the Nexus 5 was forked from), but it never came to be.

It's a shame that they couldn't somehow work a way to get it on the 5.... it's a pretty slick feature and actually saves a little bit of power since it turns off the phone radio completely once the Wi-Fi Calling gets enabled.... if you're in an area with a weak signal and the phone has to crank up the power on the radio to maintain its connection, it can make a fairly big difference. Not to mention extending T-Mobile's 'range' a bit.

 

[jj14x]

Re: Nexus 5 Google Play vs T-Mobile version

Unfortunately, there is a difference. Maybe the software/hardware is identical, but what network you can use the phone on comes into play.

Some carriers won't let the phone in on their network. I got a Nexus 5 that's from T-Mobile and tried to activate it on Ting, but you can't use T-Mobile Nexus 5 on Ting, (see ting.com/byod/find) you have to get it directly from the Play Store or Sprint.

Good point. But do realize that this 'restriction' is done only by Ting - not due to technical issues, but to prevent stolen (or still-on-contract) devices from T-mo/Sprint from being activated on Ting (might be part of the agreement between Ting and Sprint, since Ting uses their network).

 

[foxbat121]

Re: Nexus 5 Google Play vs T-Mobile version

Exactly. CDMA carriers have the final say which phone can be used on their network because it has to have phone's ESN in their database. The phones are still the same, hardware and software wise. The difference is simply whether or not the CDMA carrier of your choice (why choose ANY CMDA carrier in the first place?) allows them (controlled via ESN). You can use the phone on any GSM carriers and they don't give a damn or even care to block you.