Verizon Nationwide low band 5G just got turned on today

[KPMcClave]

I can confirm that the Verizon FE version clearly shows UW listed on the box. The unlocked version does not.

I think "Ultra Wideband" may be a Verizon marketing term. Does anyone know for sure? Is it a term used more generally for mmWave 5G?

That would explain it being on the VZW box and not the unlocked, even if the unlocked does support the tech.

Is there any way to check the available radio bands on a phone from the phone itself? A code? An app?

I think Verizon uses n261 for 5G UW?

 

[Mooncatt]

I think "Ultra Wideband" may be a Verizon marketing term. Does anyone know for sure? Is it a term used more generally for mmWave 5G?

My understanding that UW is for the mmWave bands, which are currently a Verizon exclusive. My V60 is listed with UW as a suffix to the name, but it's the only version with it. Other V60's are not compatible and don't have the suffix.

 

[KPMcClave]

My understanding that UW is for the mmWave bands, which are currently a Verizon exclusive. My V60 is listed with UW as a suffix to the name, but it's the only version with it. Other V60's are not compatible and don't have the suffix.

UW is definitely for the mmWave bands only. I'm asking if the term "Ultra Wideband" is a general term or one specifically used only by Verizon for marketing. The unlocked version of the S20 FE not having UW on the box doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't support mmWave 5G *if* "Ultra Wideband" is a Verizon copyrighted term. I assume your V60 is the Verizon variant?

 

[Mooncatt]

UW is definitely for the mmWave bands only. I'm asking if the term "Ultra Wideband" is a general term or one specifically used only by Verizon for marketing. The unlocked version of the S20 FE not having UW on the box doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't support mmWave 5G *if* "Ultra Wideband" is a Verizon copyrighted term. I assume your V60 is the Verizon variant?

Yes, my V60 is the Verizon variant.

According to this article, Verizon's "Ultra Wideband" is just a marketing name specific to them. AT&T calls their millimeter wave "5G+" and TMO is just "5G" regardless of the bands used.

 

[Mike Dee]

I can confirm that the Verizon FE version clearly shows UW listed on the box. The unlocked version does not.

That doesn't confirm a difference in actual hardware

 

[Mike Dee]

I think "Ultra Wideband" may be a Verizon marketing term. Does anyone know for sure? Is it a term used more generally for mmWave 5G?

That would explain it being on the VZW box and not the unlocked, even if the unlocked does support the tech.

Is there any way to check the available radio bands on a phone from the phone itself? A code? An app?

I think Verizon uses n261 for 5G UW?

There should be a spec somewhere that lists the bands for the unlocked model. There was for the Ultra model.

 

[KPMcClave]

Yes, my V60 is the Verizon variant.

According to this article, Verizon's "Ultra Wideband" is just a marketing name specific to them. AT&T calls their millimeter wave "5G+" and TMO is just "5G" regardless of the bands used.

Thanks. As I thought, so the unlocked phones not having UW at the end of the model name doesn't mean anything WRT whether or not they will work on Verizon's mmWave 5G.

 

[KPMcClave]

There should be a spec somewhere that lists the bands for the unlocked model. There was for the Ultra model.

There was on the B&H entry for the unlocked model when we were discussing this around launch. That's the only place I found that info, including Samsung's own site.

The B&H listing *did not* list Verizon's mmWave band. I figure for something that specific it had to come from somewhere. I just haven't seen it anywhere else.

 

[msross]

Just checked again with samsung tech spy and they confirmed that the unlocked s20 fe does not support the high speed 5G Verizon network. They said that there will be firmware update some time on the future to support it......no timetable for this
I am returning my unlocked phone and getting the Verizon locked version

 

[KPMcClave]

Just checked again with samsung tech spy and they confirmed that the unlocked s20 fe does not support the high speed 5G Verizon network. They said that there will be firmware update some time on the future to support it......no timetable for this
I am returning my unlocked phone and getting the Verizon locked version

See, contradicting what other CS reps have told you. It's ridiculous.

And I think the future firmware update is bogus, too. Although, there is a (near) future firmware update that will activate VZW's nationwide 5G. The Verizon version has received that already.

As I understand it, the actual hardware is different for the mmWave 5G. it's why the S20 for Verizon had different hardware (no SD card, etc.) than the unlocked S20 and other carrier S20s had. The mmWave 5G antenna supposedly takes up more space and adds cost.

The Verizon S20 FE does not have hardware sacrifices as the original Verizon S20 variant did, but the full price is $50 more than the other versions.

So, I don't think it's even possible for firmware to give mmWave 5G access to the other non-Verizon variants.

As I've said before, this isn't something any of us should have to be guessing about, but here we are.

 

[KPMcClave]

Is there any way to check the available radio bands on a phone from the phone itself? A code? An app?

I think Verizon uses n261 for 5G UW?

Ah-ha! Turns out there is a way on the phone itself.

See post #6 (currently the last one) in this XDA thread:

https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s20-fe/help/unlocked-red-version-support-mmwave-t4170015

Anyone with the unlocked S20 FE please check yours for the 260 and 261 bands.

My Verizon S20 FE returns:

 

[Mooncatt]

Ah-ha! Turns out there is a way on the phone itself.

See post #6 (currently the last one) in this XDA thread:

https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s20-fe/help/unlocked-red-version-support-mmwave-t4170015

Anyone with the unlocked S20 FE please check yours for the 260 and 261 bands.

My Verizon S20 FE returns:

View attachment 328392

Oh great. I wonder how many "The NSA hacked my phone!!!" posts we'll get now.

 

[VidJunky]

Oh great. I wonder how many "The NSA hacked my phone!!!" posts we'll get now.

Given the number of "Help, I've been hacked" posts I already see because they think the screen flickered or some com.xyz appeared in their activity I'd say if this gets out, there will be stupid numbers of posts like that.

 

[buzzy3970]

Seeing that they regular S20 lacked UWB not really surprising that the cheaper version of it does as well. Right now Verizon is the only carrier pushing it.

See, contradicting what other CS reps have told you. It's ridiculous.

And I think the future firmware update is bogus, too. Although, there is a (near) future firmware update that will activate VZW's nationwide 5G. The Verizon version has received that already.

As I understand it, the actual hardware is different for the mmWave 5G. it's why the S20 for Verizon had different hardware (no SD card, etc.) than the unlocked S20 and other carrier S20s had. The mmWave 5G antenna supposedly takes up more space and adds cost.

The Verizon S20 FE does not have hardware sacrifices as the original Verizon S20 variant did, but the full price is $50 more than the other versions.

So, I don't think it's even possible for firmware to give mmWave 5G access to the other non-Verizon variants.

As I've said before, this isn't something any of us should have to be guessing about, but here we are.

 

[Rose4uKY]

So on the S21 I guess it's too soon to tell but I am guessing the S21/30 Plus and Ultra or even all 3 will have that UWB and I know it's been discussed about whether to get unlocked or Verizon but I am doing Verizon this time. My last 3 phones have been unlocked. I love Verizon it's just my phone and hardware having sign al problems cause my husband don't and he got the new motherboard. I never sent mine in.

 

[msross]

Ok, Just returned my unlocked s20 FE and purchased the Verizon locked version and The locked version picked ip the 5G signal where I live. The unlocked version on the Verizon network on picks up LTE network

 

[KPMcClave]

Ok, Just returned my unlocked s20 FE and purchased the Verizon locked version and The locked version picked ip the 5G signal where I live. The unlocked version on the Verizon network on picks up LTE network

The Verizon version has received the firmware update to activate the slower "nationwide 5G." The unlocked version hasn't received that update yet.

Are you receiving their mmWave "Ultra Wideband" 5G? If you run a speed test there should be no question which 5G flavor you have.

Receiving the slower 5G isn't a big deal, because they flipped the switch for that recently and we know all the variants of the S20 FE can access it (with the firmware update on Verizon's network).

If you're getting the Ultra Wideband 5G, that's definitely very helpful info, and the first actual user/usage confirmtion that the unlocked S20 FE does not support UW 5G.

 

[Mike Dee]

Ok, Just returned my unlocked s20 FE and purchased the Verizon locked version and The locked version picked ip the 5G signal where I live. The unlocked version on the Verizon network on picks up LTE network

That may have because the unlocked version probably requires an update which isn't out yet for unlocked models. At least that's the way it is with other S20 models.

 

[KPMcClave]

That may have because the unlocked version probably requires an update which isn't out yet for unlocked models. At least that's the way it is with other S20 models.

And the UW 5G doesn't require the update.

 

[buzzy3970]

Correct

And the UW 5G doesn't require the update.