Switching from Verizon to TMobile with the Verizon fold 3

[Beth Hahn]

Ok so maybe I'm thinking way too hard on this. But I remember back in the day if you put a non Verizon sim into an unlocked Verizon phone it would work but not well. Like you'd have to change apns and all that crap. I just got my fold thru Verizon and I might be shy of the return window. Now I was reading that any phone is locked out for 60 days from Verizon. Is there a way to when I'm able to flash TMobile firmware on to the phone so everything works as it should? Or is it simply just put new TMobile sim in and you're good to go?

 

[Talderon]

See, this is where things get a little tricky.

T-Mobile and AT&T run GSM Networks (with SIM Cards).

Verizon and (formerly Sprint) are based on CDMA networks. With CDMA Networks, even though you are using a SIM Card, the ESN and IMEI MUST be registered on the network for it to work. Now, taking a CDMA device to GSM is tricky. It MUST be SIM Unlocked and no amount of Firmware Flashing is going to get you around this fact. You have to have it carrier unlocked and even then, there is no guarantee it will work well on a GSM Network...

Now, beware, there is techno-babble incoming...

Most flagship phones now are what are considered "World Phones", meaning they support multiple bands. This saves the manufacturer a lot of money by being able to just make one phone and carrier lock the SIM and just flash Carrier Bloat onto the devices to "brand" them.

Verizon uses the following bands:

4G/LTE: 2, 4, 5, 13, 46, 48 and 66
5G: n40, n261, n260, n2, n5 and n66

T-Mobile uses:

4G/LTE: 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71
5G: n41, n260, n261, n71

The Fold 3 (regardless of carrier version or unlocked) can be used on:

4G/LTE: 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(AWS-1), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700 a), 13(700 c), 14(700 PS), 18(800 Lower), 19(800 Upper), 20(800 DD), 25(1900+), 26(850+), 28(700 APT), 30(2300 WCS), 66(AWS-3), 71(600)
5G: n2, n5, n25, n41, n66, n71, n260, SA, NSA, Sub-6, mmWave

So, in THEORY, SIM Unlock the phone (this is a MUST), pop a new SIM in there and it should work.

As for the Flashing Firmware, that is just to get the carrier specific ROM for your device, and from what I have read around here and on XDA, you can flash any firmware (unlocked or carrier version) on your device AS LONG AS THE DEVICE MODELS MATCH WITH THE ROM!!

Sorry, this may have been more technical that you asked for, but wanted to make sure you had all the info needed to make an informed decision.

 

[Beth Hahn]

See, this is where things get a little tricky.

T-Mobile and AT&T run GSM Networks (with SIM Cards).

Verizon and (formerly Sprint) are based on CDMA networks. With CDMA Networks, even though you are using a SIM Card, the ESN and IMEI MUST be registered on the network for it to work. Now, taking a CDMA device to GSM is tricky. It MUST be SIM Unlocked and no amount of Firmware Flashing is going to get you around this fact. You have to have it carrier unlocked and even then, there is no guarantee it will work well on a GSM Network...

Now, beware, there is techno-babble incoming...

Most flagship phones now are what are considered "World Phones", meaning they support multiple bands. This saves the manufacturer a lot of money by being able to just make one phone and carrier lock the SIM and just flash Carrier Bloat onto the devices to "brand" them.

Verizon uses the following bands:

4G/LTE: 2, 4, 5, 13, 46, 48 and 66
5G: n40, n261, n260, n2, n5 and n66

T-Mobile uses:

4G/LTE: 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71
5G: n41, n260, n261, n71

The Fold 3 (regardless of carrier version or unlocked) can be used on:

4G/LTE: 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(AWS-1), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700 a), 13(700 c), 14(700 PS), 18(800 Lower), 19(800 Upper), 20(800 DD), 25(1900+), 26(850+), 28(700 APT), 30(2300 WCS), 66(AWS-3), 71(600)
5G: n2, n5, n25, n41, n66, n71, n260, SA, NSA, Sub-6, mmWave

So, in THEORY, SIM Unlock the phone (this is a MUST), pop a new SIM in there and it should work.

As for the Flashing Firmware, that is just to get the carrier specific ROM for your device, and from what I have read around here and on XDA, you can flash any firmware (unlocked or carrier version) on your device AS LONG AS THE DEVICE MODELS MATCH WITH THE ROM!!

Sorry, this may have been more technical that you asked for, but wanted to make sure you had all the info needed to make an informed decision.

Thanks I appreciate it. Idk TMO is giving me like up to 800 bucks per line to pay off the phones. Worse case I'll just pay them off and sell them and get TMobile phones or factory unlocked.

 

[jmartin]

I believe the hardware (radios and all) is the same across all US models, including unlocked. As such, once SIM unlocked, flash away.

 

[bkdodger2]

Thanks I appreciate it. Idk TMO is giving me like up to 800 bucks per line to pay off the phones. Worse case I'll just pay them off and sell them and get TMobile phones or factory unlocked.

I thought the phones went to Tmobile when they are giving their promo....

 

[Beth Hahn]

I thought the phones went to Tmobile when they are giving their promo....

I'm doing bring your own device.

 

[bkdodger2]

I'm doing bring your own device.

Oh apologies I misunderstood... So you have it unlocked already...

 

[Beth Hahn]

Oh apologies I misunderstood... So you have it unlocked already...

Well from what I read Verizon unlocks phones after 60 days so all of my phone's should be unlocked except my fold 3 which I'm still in my return window so I'll probably return it and get a TMobile one or just a factory unlocked model

 

[bkdodger2]

Well from what I read Verizon unlocks phones after 60 days so all of my phone's should be unlocked except my fold 3 which I'm still in my return window so I'll probably return it and get a TMobile one or just a factory unlocked model

Awesome you are ready then for Magenta

 

[Toes Up]

See, this is where things get a little tricky.

T-Mobile and AT&T run GSM Networks (with SIM Cards).

Verizon and (formerly Sprint) are based on CDMA networks. With CDMA Networks, even though you are using a SIM Card, the ESN and IMEI MUST be registered on the network for it to work. Now, taking a CDMA device to GSM is tricky. It MUST be SIM Unlocked and no amount of Firmware Flashing is going to get you around this fact. You have to have it carrier unlocked and even then, there is no guarantee it will work well on a GSM Network...

Now, beware, there is techno-babble incoming...

Most flagship phones now are what are considered "World Phones", meaning they support multiple bands. This saves the manufacturer a lot of money by being able to just make one phone and carrier lock the SIM and just flash Carrier Bloat onto the devices to "brand" them.

Verizon uses the following bands:

4G/LTE: 2, 4, 5, 13, 46, 48 and 66
5G: n40, n261, n260, n2, n5 and n66

T-Mobile uses:

4G/LTE: 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71
5G: n41, n260, n261, n71

The Fold 3 (regardless of carrier version or unlocked) can be used on:

4G/LTE: 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(AWS-1), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700 a), 13(700 c), 14(700 PS), 18(800 Lower), 19(800 Upper), 20(800 DD), 25(1900+), 26(850+), 28(700 APT), 30(2300 WCS), 66(AWS-3), 71(600)
5G: n2, n5, n25, n41, n66, n71, n260, SA, NSA, Sub-6, mmWave

So, in THEORY, SIM Unlock the phone (this is a MUST), pop a new SIM in there and it should work.

As for the Flashing Firmware, that is just to get the carrier specific ROM for your device, and from what I have read around here and on XDA, you can flash any firmware (unlocked or carrier version) on your device AS LONG AS THE DEVICE MODELS MATCH WITH THE ROM!!

Sorry, this may have been more technical that you asked for, but wanted to make sure you had all the info needed to make an informed decision.

Very informative post, thanks. Doesn't VZW use mmWave?

 

[buzzy3970]

Thanks I appreciate it. Idk TMO is giving me like up to 800 bucks per line to pay off the phones. Worse case I'll just pay them off and sell them and get TMobile phones or factory unlocked.

Be careful as the fold 3 is not on that list of eligible pay off devices.

 

[Beth Hahn]

Be careful as the fold 3 is not on that list of eligible pay off devices.

Yeah I was able to return my Verizon fold 3 today and ordered a used unlocked one off of Swappa. My other lines have 21 ultras on them

 

[Beth Hahn]

Be careful as the fold 3 is not on that list of eligible pay off devices.

Yeah I was able to return my Verizon fold 3 today and ordered a used unlocked one off of Swappa. My other lines have 21 ultras on them. Tho in all fairness that doesn't show as qualified either.

 

[buzzy3970]

Yeah I was able to return my Verizon fold 3 today and ordered a used unlocked one off of Swappa. My other lines have 21 ultras on them. Tho in all fairness that doesn't show as qualified either.

Sadly no. Don't know why they're quick to update pay offs for the new phones and not the galaxy models which kind of suck.

 

[Beth Hahn]

Sadly no. Don't know why they're quick to update pay offs for the new phones and not the galaxy models which kind of suck.

Yeah I just decided to switch anyways bc I was paying close to 300 with Verizon and now I'm paying 170 with TMobile.

 

[Talderon]

Yeah I just decided to switch anyways bc I was paying close to 300 with Verizon and now I'm paying 170 with TMobile.

It's funny, I was with Sprint then T-Mo acquired them. I just switched to the Magenta Military Max plan and am paying $125/mo... when on Sprint, I was paying over $300/mo.