T-mobile version network capabilities vs unlocked

[strikeIII]

From what I've been reading with the Note 8 and S8 forums it seems like unlocked Samsung devices seem to lag behind on updates vs. carrier variants. I'm on AT&T and they definitely don't play nice with unlocked devices but have been pretty good with updates.

 

[Extremevl]

Hey guys,

I am not very knowledgeable in this, but the spectrumgateway website states the the unlocked S9 will have TMO Band 71.

600 MHz spectrum - Spectrum Gateway

Someone that is an expert hopefully can chime in more.

My main concern is reception as with TMO - I don't get the best in certain places.

Looks like the unlocked model won't be able to use the 600MHz Band 71 frequency -

https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-s9-sm-g960-g965-model-number-differences/

 

[Extremevl]

Thanks for the links. Much more helpful than just some person I don't know disseminating information. I didn't necessarily expect the companies to come out and state this information (although, they really should). But solid test results are certainly not a bad way either. The reddit threads are compelling, but with all the tools available on our platform, I'm surprised I didn't see screenshots showing connection types and the like within them. I will say the XDA thread didn't really address connections I was referring to.



I actually tried to search through google as well but didn't really find anything worthwhile. Too much noise turns up with the search parameters I used. I realize you are trying to help, but I was pretty clear up front that I was looking for credible sources of information. Part of the reason for that is to try and avoid ending up with a lengthy thread of questionable information.



But how does one who doesn't frequent these forums all the time distinguish who is credible and who is not? Every forum has knowledgeable people and not so knowledgeable people. And some of the latter sound like the former.



Sure. I placed my order for the T-Mobile version to make sure as well, but I was trying to see if I can confirm what, if any, limitations would exist with the unlocked version before the pre-orders opened. Either way, I appreciate your effort.

No problem! I hate not having official information from wireless carriers or phone manufactures but I know that's not realistic either.

Also I found this information about the all the S9/S9+ versions and it's states the unlocked S9/S9+ won't even have the T-Mobile 600MHz Band 71 frequency -

https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-s9-sm-g960-g965-model-number-differences/

 

[CKwik240]

No problem! I hate not having official information from wireless carriers or phone manufactures but I know that's not realistic either.

Also I found this information about the all the S9/S9+ versions and it's states the unlocked S9/S9+ won't even have the T-Mobile 600MHz Band 71 frequency -

https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-s9-sm-g960-g965-model-number-differences/

This was in the comments at the bottom of that page:

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...id=iZpmwirNeCdRpxZDqp7ksg==&fcc_id=A3LSMG960U

The LTE Test Report 1 is pretty interesting.

The T-Mobile model#'s:

SM-G960UZKATMB (Midnight Black)

SM-G960UZBATMB (Coral Blue)

SM-G960UZPATMB (Lilac Purple)


Unlocked Version Model#'s
SM-G960UZKAXAA (Midnight Black)

SM-G960UZBAXAA (Coral Blue)

SM-G960UZPAXAA (Lilac Purple)

Need to confirm what the last 6 of the model#'s mean, but both versions share the model# up until the last 5. And if both are a part of that same test, it list Band 71 in it. Its definitely curious. The guy who posted it seems to think Band 71 should be included in the Unlocked version specs.

 

[Extremevl]

This was in the comments at the bottom of that page:

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...id=iZpmwirNeCdRpxZDqp7ksg==&fcc_id=A3LSMG960U

The LTE Test Report 1 is pretty interesting.

The T-Mobile model#'s:

SM-G960UZKATMB (Midnight Black)

SM-G960UZBATMB (Coral Blue)

SM-G960UZPATMB (Lilac Purple)


Unlocked Version Model#'s
SM-G960UZKAXAA (Midnight Black)

SM-G960UZBAXAA (Coral Blue)

SM-G960UZPAXAA (Lilac Purple)

Need to confirm what the last 6 of the model#'s mean, but both versions share the model# up until the last 5. And if both are a part of that same test, it list Band 71 in it. Its definitely curious. The guy who posted it seems to think Band 71 should be included in the Unlocked version specs.

It may be included, if so I'm sure T-Mobile would block any phones from using that band unless it's running their software.

US wireless carriers love to do software blocks, how many phones come from the manufacture with hardware to listen to radio stations, software to allow tethering and so on but the wireless carrier software blocks or outright removes it...

It's business at the end of the day, if you want all the features on T-Mobile's network then you have to run T-Mobile's software which means you're buying T-Mobile's
version of that phone. I know every carrier does this and Verizon seems to be the worst at it but they all do it.

 

[anon(5709734)]

That logic makes no sense. If i have a T Mobile SIM in the phone it should use all T Mobile bands if capable.

In the attestment letter from samsung to the FTC it says

"this device must be capable of operating on all frequencies in the 600 Mhz band" and it's signed by Samsung.

 

[Extremevl]

That logic makes no sense. If i have a T Mobile SIM in the phone it should use all T Mobile bands if capable.

In the attestment letter from samsung to the FTC it says

"this device must be capable of operating on all frequencies in the 600 Mhz band" and it's signed by Samsung.

A SIM card isn't the only factor in being able to use certain wireless carrier network features (i.e. frequency bands, etc) on an unlocked device even if it has the required hardware, it may also need to meet software requirements (i.e. carrier software).

That Samsung statement to the FTC means that any device that is listed as being able to use the 600 MHz Band 71 frequency will have the actual ability to utilize it out of the box. That doesn't mean a wireless carrier has to allow it to work on it's network by default, it's still up to each wireless carrier.

Factory unlocked devices aren't sold through wireless carriers so wireless carriers have a lot of control over certain network specific features that can or can't be used on their network by those unlocked devices.

This is exactly the reason why Samsung has this posted on their website for their unlocked devices (showing the S8/S8+ here) - http://forums.androidcentral.com/e?l...token=DQerol1I
(Read - Support for certain features and services may vary by wireless service provider)

 

[CKwik240]

It may be included, if so I'm sure T-Mobile would block any phones from using that band unless it's running their software.

US wireless carriers love to do software blocks, how many phones come from the manufacture with hardware to listen to radio stations, software to allow tethering and so on but the wireless carrier software blocks or outright removes it...

It's business at the end of the day, if you want all the features on T-Mobile's network then you have to run T-Mobile's software which means you're buying T-Mobile's
version of that phone. I know every carrier does this and Verizon seems to be the worst at it but they all do it.

On the other hand, my international unlocked Sony Z5 Compact had the exact same network functionality as my T-Mobile Z3. The answer here is we don't know.

 

[TheGeekNextDoor]

It doesn't state that at all. It shows the unlocked Snapdragon version having band 71 (600mhz). You just have to go to the bottom of the list. If anything it shows the unlocked version supporting more bands.

I still got the T-Mobile version because I don't want any issues doing anything cool on T-Mobile and they don't put boo for bloatware on there. The stuff they put on is removable.

 

[Extremevl]

It doesn't state that at all. It shows the unlocked Snapdragon version having band 71 (600mhz). You just have to go to the bottom of the list. If anything it shows the unlocked version supporting more bands.

I still got the T-Mobile version because I don't want any issues doing anything cool on T-Mobile and they don't put boo for bloatware on there. The stuff they put on is removable.

We know the unlocked version had the 600 MHz Band 71 frequency but that doesn't mean it's going to work out the box on T-Mobile's network. Wireless carriers have a lot of control over what they allow unlocked devices access to on their network.

That's why S8/S8+ unlocked devices can't use T-Mobile's 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM technologies even though the hardware is in the phone. The unlocked devices need T-Mobile's firmware to use those features.

That's why Samsung puts these statements on their website about their unlocked devices,
(showing the S8/S8+ here) - http://forums.androidcentral.com/e?l...token=DQerol1I
(Read - Support for certain features and services may vary by wireless service provider)

 

[CKwik240]

That's why Samsung puts these statements on their website about their unlocked devices,
(showing the S8/S8+ here) - http://forums.androidcentral.com/e?l...token=DQerol1I
(Read - Support for certain features and services may vary by wireless service provider)

That's just a broad legal disclaimer and can be interpreted different ways. I can easily apply it to a carrier that simply doesn't have a certain band available. It doesn't speak to this specific issue. I don't know why you keep pushing this as absolute. We still don't know anything one way or the other...

 

[Extremevl]

That's just a broad legal disclaimer and can be interpreted different ways. I can easily apply it to a carrier that simply doesn't have a certain band available. It doesn't speak to this specific issue. I don't know why you keep pushing this as absolute. We still don't know anything one way or the other...

I never pushed it as absolute, I'm just saying that some people are saying that because the unlocked models come with a certain band frequency and the necessary hardware that it's just going to work out the box and I'm saying that may not be true based off what I stated and other evidence like with the unlocked S8/S8+ devices for example.

I just don't want someone to buy the unlocked model thinking they will be able to use certain network features, frequency bands, etc and they can't. Look at the all the upset people (over at XDA-Delevopers) that bought the unlocked S8/S8+ thinking they could use T-Mobile's 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM technologies because those devices have the necessary hardware only to find out they can't because they aren't using T-Mobile's firmware.

Also yes I know that's a broad legal disclaimer but it's there for a reason. It provides Samsung with a way out of any legal issues if a wireless carrier doesn't allow all the hardware/features in their unlocked phones to work on a network which is exactly what happened in the past and what we're also talking about now.

Until someone uses an unlocked S9/S9+ in an area that uses the 600 MHz Band 71 frequency you're right we won't know...

 

[CKwik240]

I never pushed it as absolute, I'm just saying that some people are saying that because the unlocked models come with a certain band frequency and the necessary hardware that it's just going to work out the box and I'm saying that may not be true based off what I stated and other evidence like with the unlocked S8/S8+ devices for example.

Read over your statements over multiple threads on this subject. Your statements have not been conducive of uncertainty. In fact, in this thread, your first post was a clearly edited copy/paste. You forgot to delete the word "would" when you tried to replace it with "could".

The point of this thread was to have this discussion and I asked for references and citations to try and cut out the noise.

I just don't want someone to buy the unlocked model thinking they will be able to use certain network features, frequency bands, etc and they can't. Look at the all the upset people (over at XDA-Delevopers) that bought the unlocked S8/S8+ thinking they could use T-Mobile's 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM technologies because those devices have the necessary hardware only to find out they can't because they aren't using T-Mobile's firmware.

And how does saying you don't know not achieve that goal?

Also yes I know that's a broad legal disclaimer but it's there for a reason. It provides Samsung with a way out of any legal issues if a wireless carrier doesn't allow all the hardware/features in their unlocked phones to work on a network which is exactly what happened in the past and what we're also talking about now.

My point is it isn't proof of what you're claiming.

Until someone uses an unlocked S9/S9+ in an area that uses the 600 MHz Band 71 frequency you're right we won't know...

So unless new information surfaces, how about we leave it at that?

 

[Extremevl]

Read over your statements over multiple threads on this subject. Your statements have not been conducive of uncertainty. In fact, in this thread, your first post was a clearly edited copy/paste. You forgot to delete the word "would" when you tried to replace it with "could".

The point of this thread was to have this discussion and I asked for references and citations to try and cut out the noise.



And how does saying you don't know not achieve that goal?



My point is it isn't proof of what you're claiming.



So unless new information surfaces, how about we leave it at that?

Alright I can leave it at that until some verified evidence from reviewers comes out since I assume Samsung or T-Mobile won't release this information.

 

[DEMETRIUS ROYSTER]

I posted this is another thread -


Downsides of buying unlocked version and using it on T-Mobile's Network would could be losing some or all of these network features/options -

1. No RCS/Advanced Messaging

2. No 4x4 MIMO

3. No 256 QAM Technology

4. Carrier Aggregation

5. No 600Mhz Band 71 LTE Frequency

***Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+ are the first phones on T-Mobile to use the Band 71 frequency.

Since the unlocked models are made to be used on multiple carriers then it probably won't have this band since that's only unique to T-Mobile.

That's why unlocked models of any phone tend to only have primary bands that all carriers in that country/region use and not carrier specific bands.

Wireless carriers in America ALWAYS lock certain network features to their carrier software, since the unlocked models don't come with carrier software you can't get these features even if your unlocked phone has the hardware.

i have to disagree I have always had a unloved note 7 8 galaxy s7 8 9 and no e ot those problems exist the lower band works great on the s9 si idk what phones has all those problems it wouldn't be worth buying if all that existed ijs tho

 

[Milt K]

I don't understand all the grief here. Just use Odin to flash the Tmobile firmware on your unlocked phone. All the Tmobile network bands and functionality would then be enabled and you'll be ready to go.

 

[keithr1475]

Can you point me in the right direction for doing this?

 

[Milt K]

Can you point me in the right direction for doing this?

https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s9/how-to/official-firmware-thread-regions-t3765015

 

[CKwik240]

I don't understand all the grief here. Just use Odin to flash the Tmobile firmware on your unlocked phone. All the Tmobile network bands and functionality would then be enabled and you'll be ready to go.

I would imagine it would come with all the bloatware as well though. I've heard of people adding certain parts of the engine software into the unlocked software and making it work on the s8, but it would still be nice to hear from someone who is on tinkle with the unlocked phone and software chime in on functionality.

 

[Milt K]

I would imagine it would come with all the bloatware as well though. I've heard of people adding certain parts of the engine software into the unlocked software and making it work on the s8, but it would still be nice to hear from someone who is on tinkle with the unlocked phone and software chime in on functionality.

I would seriously sacrifice a couple of bloatware apps (T-Mobile doesn't have much and runs pretty lean on bloatware) for full network functionality. Besides, all carrier bloatware that is not uninstallable resides in the system partition so it's not like you can reclaim the space for anything else unless you're rooted. That is the fallacy of the bloatware argument...you never get that space back anyway and disabling the apps works just as well (frees up system resources).