I'm curious if I have any reasonable options with this phone. The Verizon 545 is a sim phone but I am unable to get reasonable reception with this phone on Tmobile and I believe it is due to the radios as Tmobile uses different frequencies. I am curious if rooting is the only option to gain access to changing these? From what I have read, rooting is still rather complex on this rev. It has 5.0.1. I got stuck with that rev when I bought it.
-
After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.
Verizon S4 on Tmobile. Radios?
- Thread starter cornbob
- Start date
-
- Tags
- samsung galaxy s4
The Verizon Galaxy S4 only has some of the bands used by T-Mobile so reception will not be as good compared to a fully compatible phone.
Rooting will only change the software and wont add extra bands which are hardware.
Rooting will only change the software and wont add extra bands which are hardware.
Thank you! I did not realize as I thought I remembered the I545 being offered by Tmobile? In any case, I was under the impression that the radios were actually software tuned? One point of reference is that when my phone is outside a coverage area where I cannot get signal, I get emergency messages no problem!
From what I remembered (I am not a phone guru and could be wrong) but the modems or radios could be flashed or programmed for whatever frequency is desired?
From what I remembered (I am not a phone guru and could be wrong) but the modems or radios could be flashed or programmed for whatever frequency is desired?
The T-Mobile S4 model is SGH-M919.
On some phones it's possible to enable disabled bands, but only if it's supported by the hardware.
For example your Galaxy S4 was released over a year before T-Mobiles Band 12 went live, I don't think any phone supported Band 12 back then.
Verizon already enabled the AWS Band 4 on the S4:
https://www.engadget.com/2013/10/29/verizon-gs4-android-4.3-update/
A phone will connect to any tower it can for emergency services. Even if you cancel service and remove the SIM you can still dial 911.
On some phones it's possible to enable disabled bands, but only if it's supported by the hardware.
For example your Galaxy S4 was released over a year before T-Mobiles Band 12 went live, I don't think any phone supported Band 12 back then.
Verizon already enabled the AWS Band 4 on the S4:
https://www.engadget.com/2013/10/29/verizon-gs4-android-4.3-update/
A phone will connect to any tower it can for emergency services. Even if you cancel service and remove the SIM you can still dial 911.
Kate, I appreciate your replies. You are speaking sense. Since you obviously know what your talking about in this area, can you answer a few questions as I try to find a replacement phone? There are LOTS of choices and I never buy new or most current, usually an older model or refurb because regardless, these things get destroyed or at least I am hard on them.
I want to stick with the Android OS I think as I simply hate Apple due to the way they like to make everything proprietary and "special". I had looked at the Samsung S5 but bigger phones get harder to carry for people like me. I like having an SD card as if the phone completely brick or breaks, I can usually retrieve the card but I am finding most phones are trying to dump this feature and use "cloud" services that I am NOT a fan of!! That is not a magic cloud, that is someone else's computer that my private files are sent to.
I am open to other brands than the Samsung but I have read they are very good and many people use and like them.
About me. I am NOT a gamer, teen, social star, etc. I use the phone mostly for business. I need reception! I have realized I need that camera more than I thought, and usually for small pics. I don't need to take family portraits, I need to take intricate pics of small things. I don't care that my Inet is not the fastest on the planet, but when I need it, I need it. I am usually standing in a field with something that is broke and need to look something up.
I have been with Tmobile forever. I know they are not the best but their customer service is the best around IMO and I get a decent rate from them. I run a cheap plan with limited data because I just don't need it. I don't need to send videos, I need to check emails.
I am open to change and different but I make decisions carefully. I screwed up buying the S4. I like the phone, but if it won't work with my carrier, even if hacked, it needs to go.
Kate, you seems like you got this area covered well! I value your opinion!
I want to stick with the Android OS I think as I simply hate Apple due to the way they like to make everything proprietary and "special". I had looked at the Samsung S5 but bigger phones get harder to carry for people like me. I like having an SD card as if the phone completely brick or breaks, I can usually retrieve the card but I am finding most phones are trying to dump this feature and use "cloud" services that I am NOT a fan of!! That is not a magic cloud, that is someone else's computer that my private files are sent to.
I am open to other brands than the Samsung but I have read they are very good and many people use and like them.
About me. I am NOT a gamer, teen, social star, etc. I use the phone mostly for business. I need reception! I have realized I need that camera more than I thought, and usually for small pics. I don't need to take family portraits, I need to take intricate pics of small things. I don't care that my Inet is not the fastest on the planet, but when I need it, I need it. I am usually standing in a field with something that is broke and need to look something up.
I have been with Tmobile forever. I know they are not the best but their customer service is the best around IMO and I get a decent rate from them. I run a cheap plan with limited data because I just don't need it. I don't need to send videos, I need to check emails.
I am open to change and different but I make decisions carefully. I screwed up buying the S4. I like the phone, but if it won't work with my carrier, even if hacked, it needs to go.
Kate, you seems like you got this area covered well! I value your opinion!
For T-Mobile internet you'll want a phone with bands 2, 4, and 12. All T-Mobile phones sold in the last 1.5 years should have all three.
I don't really know which phones are good at taking detailed up close pics, but here are some phones with a 5 inch or smaller screen, SD card slot, and T-Mobile bands:
Galaxy S5 Mini
Moto G4 Play
Moto G 3rd gen (2015)
Galaxy J3
I don't really know which phones are good at taking detailed up close pics, but here are some phones with a 5 inch or smaller screen, SD card slot, and T-Mobile bands:
Galaxy S5 Mini
Moto G4 Play
Moto G 3rd gen (2015)
Galaxy J3
Kate, thanks for the reply. Been working on this issue quite a bit today and in talking with several people at Tmobile, I determined that even IF I were able to hack the S4 and add all the needed frequencies, I would still be hosed because Tmobile does not have good coverage in a few of my areas. One being where I am going to move.
After doing some shopping and thinking, I think I am smartest to take my brand new Verizon S4 to Verizon, who has all the coverage I could need, and get a prepaid plan with them. I will end up paying about the same as Tmobile but with more data and actually get service!
I am not quite sure if there is much I would be giving up running an S4 vs a newer phone? Is there reality that Verizon will force updates on your phone? I DO NOT EVER allow auto updates.
I know the S5 and up have a LOT of bands to be considered global phones but I doubt I will take a trip before I have to replace the S4 anyway.
After doing some shopping and thinking, I think I am smartest to take my brand new Verizon S4 to Verizon, who has all the coverage I could need, and get a prepaid plan with them. I will end up paying about the same as Tmobile but with more data and actually get service!
I am not quite sure if there is much I would be giving up running an S4 vs a newer phone? Is there reality that Verizon will force updates on your phone? I DO NOT EVER allow auto updates.
I know the S5 and up have a LOT of bands to be considered global phones but I doubt I will take a trip before I have to replace the S4 anyway.
You could also look into a Verizon MVNO like Page Plus, they might have cheaper plans for you.
The S4 is kind of old to be getting new updates, looks like you're on the newest update at Android 5 Lollipop (the S4 started with 4.2).
The S4 is kind of old to be getting new updates, looks like you're on the newest update at Android 5 Lollipop (the S4 started with 4.2).
I think about the only catch/glitch/feature I need to both check and consider is the priority level of different prepaids. Verizon has their own. From what I understand, that is at tier 2? Any other prepaids would be below that?
I also need to understand what that really means to me. I don't travel all that much but local call dropping would be a big problem as I use this phone for business. Roaming is a bit different and just having some service is most important.
Considering data, I would consider anything above 5mbps fine for what I need to do. I don't sit and watch vids, I download manuals or look at pics for business use. About it. So call dropping might be my only matter to consider just below getting service at all. I understand Verizon is really good with rural areas. When I am in BFE in the middle of the night hauling something and blow a tire, I need phone service at any level.
I also need to understand what that really means to me. I don't travel all that much but local call dropping would be a big problem as I use this phone for business. Roaming is a bit different and just having some service is most important.
Considering data, I would consider anything above 5mbps fine for what I need to do. I don't sit and watch vids, I download manuals or look at pics for business use. About it. So call dropping might be my only matter to consider just below getting service at all. I understand Verizon is really good with rural areas. When I am in BFE in the middle of the night hauling something and blow a tire, I need phone service at any level.