Is the S5 a good fit for T-Mo today?

[dannykewl]

Is an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S5 still a good match to use on T-Mo today? I know may
be missing a band or 2 that T-Mo is now adding (600/700 mhz), but looks like those not
yet rolled out in SW Florida where I hope to relocate to soon. Still want a removable
battery which is getting tougher to find. One site I looked at (B&H Photo) noted that even
the T-Mo branded S5, sm-g900t, is only partially compatible with T-Mo's 4G LTE service,
but fully compatible with AT&T's. Is that due to the 600/700Mhz bands missing or
something else? Can't afford more than $200 for a phone (need to replace Sammy Galaxy Core Prime, getting too slow), and the S5, even though older, seems to have pretty much all the features I want other than the missing bands. If any other recommendations for a compatible phone under $200-$250 will consider as well. Thanks much.

 

[ironass]

Whilst I still have my trusty, 4.5 year old, Galaxy S5 phone it is now showing its age, spec's wise. It has now reached EoL support, (End of Life), from Samsung and T-Mobile have not issued an update or Android Security patch for over 1.5 years and it has been left on Android 6.0.1.

I would recommend a refurbished, 1.5 year old, OnePlus 3T, N. American model. It has a larger screen, a much bigger battery and with 6GB of RAM, 3 times that of the S5. See a comparison of the 2 models, here.

Perhaps the biggest bonus for the OnePlus 3T is that it is still supported and is due to receive Android P...

The OnePlus 3/3T will skip Android 8.1 and get Android P

Prices on eBay start at around $230...

https://www.ebay.com/p/OnePlus-3T-64GB-Gunmetal-Unlocked-Smartphone/232081710

 

[Kiriakos_GR]

sm-g900t, is only partially compatible with T-Mo's 4G LTE service

As far I know 4G this is all about higher possible download/upload bandwidth.
Necessary 4G systems requiring millions of dollars investment and benefits will never received at 100% of signal (area) coverage.
In simple English... Just for coverage of 50 square blocks in the city, necessary info-structure required this is huge.
For additional coverage of another 50 square blocks necessary info-structure required it should be another one copy of the first one.

According my views as electronics expert, 4G because of complexity and cost about required info-structure, will never used in full, and last thing that someone has to worry about this is 4G LTE compatibility of his own phone.
I am born open-minded, if you discover specific application which your phone limits you, feel free to inform us.

My S5 this is European unlocked G900F which I consider as 100% ready for 4G LTE service.
I am aware that specific S5 for specific countries was sold with out 4G capability, but as long one S5 this includes hardware for 4G, I can not think any limiting caused by 4G system compatibility.

 

[dannykewl]

Thanks for your replies ironass and kiriakos_GR. I'll try to get a T-Mo branded S5 from eBay, has same bands as my present Sammy Galaxy Core Prime which works well enough signal wise here in Cleveland. Right now I badly need another phone as this one is getting so slow. Don't want to take apps out until I get the S5 which at least has double the memory. I still want to get another phone again in the relatively near future. The OnePlus 3T seems to be VZ only, looked at the link provided as well as others an Amazon and eBay, all VZ. When I relocate early next year hopefully will use the network that works then, not sure which city yet. I can put my free Freedompop SIM in my current phone which uses AT&T, in case T-Mo doesn't work, will have something at least, and get one of VZ's deals they often have at the dollar stores/Wally World where you can get a cheapie smart phone and a $40 card for $64-$74, and I should be covered by the Top 3 for a while. I'll hopefully be able to use T-Mo's DIGITS to send my number to the other phone as well. Plus I have a Magic Jack at home and can use the app on the smart phones. I won't even consider Sprint as the weakest coverage. Interestingly read people who spent good money on the newest iPhone won't have access to 600 mhz either, and maybe 700 mhz as well?

 

[ironass]

The OnePlus 3T seems to be VZ only, looked at the link provided as well as others an Amazon and eBay, all VZ.

I do not know what gives you that idea!

The OnePlus 3T North American model of phone is compatible with most U.S. networks, including T-Mobile and AT&T. It is only partially compatible with Verizon. See, Will My Phone Work?

Also, you mention that your existing Galaxy S5 is slowing down and therefore the OnePlus 3T's upgraded CPU and GPU combined with 3 times more RAM, 6GB, than the S5, makes more sense than expecting a much older and lower spec phone to run today's upgraded and increasingly hungry apps that are designed for more recent phones hardware.

 

[Xavier Black]

Good choice!, §5 as of 2018 is and will be the way to go!!!

Now, one thing I will advice you is DO NOT go into T-Mobile nor AT&T..if I were you I would get in business with Cricket..you won't regret it, reasons why:

T-Mobile is one of the worse and weakest networks(I've been there)..

Cricket is the same network as AT&T(fastest network)..but much much much less expensive..

And the Cricket bands are ask good..it will show 3g but that isn't accurate..it's realistically talking 4g..

 

[PitCarver]

Sorry to be late to the party, but I'm on my 2nd S5. My first died late last year, and I found an unlocked, NIB for $129.00.
I have simple needs, so the latest and greatest didn't sway me.
Replaceable battery and external storage did.

 

[dannykewl]

Whilst I still have my trusty, 4.5 year old, Galaxy S5 phone it is now showing its age, spec's wise. It has now reached EoL support, (End of Life), from Samsung and T-Mobile have not issued an update or Android Security patch for over 1.5 years and it has been left on Android 6.0.1.

I would recommend a refurbished, 1.5 year old, OnePlus 3T, N. American model. It has a larger screen, a much bigger battery and with 6GB of RAM, 3 times that of the S5. See a comparison of the 2 models, here.

Perhaps the biggest bonus for the OnePlus 3T is that it is still supported and is due to receive Android P...

The OnePlus 3/3T will skip Android 8.1 and get Android P

Prices on eBay start at around $230...

https://www.ebay.com/p/OnePlus-3T-64GB-Gunmetal-Unlocked-Smartphone/232081710

I do not know what gives you that idea!

The OnePlus 3T North American model of phone is compatible with most U.S. networks, including T-Mobile and AT&T. It is only partially compatible with Verizon. See, Will My Phone Work?

Also, you mention that your existing Galaxy S5 is slowing down and therefore the OnePlus 3T's upgraded CPU and GPU combined with 3 times more RAM, 6GB, than the S5, makes more sense than expecting a much older and lower spec phone to run today's upgraded and increasingly hungry apps that are designed for more recent phones hardware.

I used the eBay link provided and all the OnePlus phones offered state "Network Technology CDMA / EVDO, FDD-LTE, WCDMA (UMTS)". I don't see any GSM. All the phones are $275 or more, about double that I want to pay at this time. Good specs though, maybe at this point something just to temporarily tide me over till relocated and go from there what's best in my new location. Thanks!

 

[dannykewl]

Good choice!, §5 as of 2018 is and will be the way to go!!!

Now, one thing I will advice you is DO NOT go into T-Mobile nor AT&T..if I were you I would get in business with Cricket..you won't regret it, reasons why:

T-Mobile is one of the worse and weakest networks(I've been there)..

Cricket is the same network as AT&T(fastest network)..but much much much less expensive..

And the Cricket bands are ask good..it will show 3g but that isn't accurate..it's realistically talking 4g..

Thanks! Cool on knowing I can still use the S5, back to eBay to get one. T-Mo has all the plan features I want right now, may consider CC after I relocate, my brother and his wife has them and likes them. Always heard Sprint was the worst as far as coverage. Will decide when I relocate which network best there, in the mean time will travel, with at the time, Freedompop free service which now uses an AT&T SIM on my current phone, put T-Mo SIM on the S5, and also buy a VZ deal that the dollar stores and Wally World run where you get a $30 el cheapo smart phone and buy a $40 air time card with it. Except for Sprint, I should be covered, as my final relation destination is unknown yet, somewhere in FL.

 

[dannykewl]

Sorry to be late to the party, but I'm on my 2nd S5. My first died late last year, and I found an unlocked, NIB for $129.00.
I have simple needs, so the latest and greatest didn't sway me.
Replaceable battery and external storage did.

Cool, thanks, hope I can find the same deal that you got, would rather get new over refurb or used. Do you still have the seller? I read the specs on the S5 and seems to have it pretty much all. Stuff like NFC, OTG, TV out, compass (my GCP don't even support a compass, my old Sensation did). Drive mode, etc.

 

[dannykewl]

One more question, thanks all for your help so far. On the S5, and since I plan to stay with T-Mo at least for the short term, I assume I should go for an unlocked T-Mo S5 over an AT&T version? When I relocate, I may want to go to AT&T, Cricket or Consumer Cellular given they have the best signal. Or would AT&T bands better suit me even on T-Mo? I think AT&T is missing one main band T-Mo uses? Thanks much!

EDIT: I see now after some research, need an T-Mo phone for Wifi calling which I sometimes need, and also Visual VM may be a pain to install on an AT&T branded phone.