• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Help Does unlocked Samsung Galaxy S4 i9500 version support 4g (LTE) in the USA?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Android Question
  • Start date Start date
A

Android Question

Guest
I need some clarifications, I ordered an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S4 i9500 and I kept seeing people say it only supports 3g and some others say it also supports 4g. When I searched, I got a definite answer for the i9505 saying that it supports 4g LTE, but no definite answer for i9500.

So again, does unlocked Samsung Galaxy S4 i9500 support 4G LTE in USA (NYC) from small carriers like MetroPCS, H2O, Lyka and big ones like T-Mobile.
 
WOOOOW!

So should I cancel my order and order the other one?

And @Crashdamage I searched both i9505 and i9500 and checked different carries and both says they support 2g and 3g but not 4g LTE?

So now I'm a bit more confused.
 
So one more thing, which phone should I buy then?

i9505: http://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-GT-i9...30845&sr=8-1&keywords=samsung+galaxy+s4+i9505

i9500: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BV1MVJ0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1



I ordered the second one but it hasn't been shipped yet.

I just want to know which version is best for me since they both cost almost same and I am in New York and plan to use it with one of the smaller carrier (Lyca, MetroPCS, Simple Mobile, etc.)

Since price is almost the same I'd rather get the one with 4g LTE capabilities than just 3g, but I am still not sure which one is better overall.

Please help me decide quick as Ionly have today to cancel the order I believe.

Thanks.
 
The I9505 should work on T-Mobile/Metro PCS LTE since it supports LTE Bands 2 and 4. However, it does not support Band 12, which is T-Mobile's 700MHz A-Block spectrum and the more effective at penetrating walls, etc than Bands 2 or 4. IOW, LTE will work, but not on the most effective frequency. Not having Band 12 is not that bad, you can probably live without it ok.

I think WillMyPhoneWork.net mistakenly (sort of) says that the i9505 will not work with T-Mobile LTE because it lacks Band 12.

You want the i9505 for 4G LTE. It would work with T-Mobile, Metro PCS and their MVNO partners, or AT&T and its MVNO partners. The i9500 is 3G only.
 
Last edited:
The I9505 should work on T-Mobile/Metro PCS LTE since it supports LTE Bands 2 and 4. However, it does not support Band 12, which is T-Mobile's 700MHz A-Block spectrum and the more effective at penetrating walls, etc than Bands 2 or 4. IOW, LTE will work, but not on the most effective frequency.

I think WillMyPhoneWork.net mistakenly (sort of) says that the i9505 will not work with T-Mobile LTE because it lacks Band 12.

Thanks for the help so far, but would you mind please telling me which model of Galaxy S4 would be best fit for me as I said above.

Both cost the same, so i'm getting the hint that i9505 would be much better since it has 4g lte capabilities and i9500 doesn't.

I just waant to be assured before i cancel my order and order the i9505.
 
T-Mo/Metro is only now beginning to roll out Band 12, and not in all areas. Most of their current devices don't have it although newer ones that are introduced going forward probably will. So while having it is nice if it's active in your area, it's not essential.
 
Yeah, like I said, not having Band 12 isn't so bad. My wife's Nexus 6 doesn't have Band 12 (yet, it will) and LTE works just fine. My Nexus 5 doesn't either. No big deal.
 
Back
Top Bottom