Can I buy a phone that a cell carrier does not sell and it will still work. - Page 5
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Thread: Can I buy a phone that a cell carrier does not sell and it will still work.

  1. #61
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    FYI - the newer 5G has been out for almost a year.

  2. #62
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    Steve R Jones I would not know 5G if it hit me upside the head with a 2x4.
    I have no clue what the difference is between 4G and 5G.
    I would think that if my phone was 4G it would be ok on the AT&T network.

    My only concern is even if it is 4G capable I don't know if they have 4G available where I live.

  3. #63
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    You'll have to check with someone from Cricket or ATT about your 4G coverage. We can only guess.

    When you use your data connection, does it show "4G" or "LTE" in the status bar?

    Do you even have LTE enabled? It should be something like this:
    https://videotron.tmtx.ca/en/topic/m...de.html#step=1
    Go to Settings
    Network&Internet
    Mobile Network
    Advanced
    Preferred Network Type: Auto or LTE
    Enhanced 4G LTE Mode: On

    You don't really need 5G right now. It's nice to have, but you may not have coverage in your area yet.

  4. #64
    Join Date
    Feb 2000
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    Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA
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    Cricket info:

    https://clark.com/technology/phones-...reless-review/

    Coverage map:
    https://www.cricketwireless.com/map.html

    Blu phones info:

    https://www.bluproducts.com/devices/g5-plus/index.html

    https://www.bluproducts.com/devices/vivo-x/index.html

    https://www.amazon.com/BLU-Battery-U...dp/B098W3QB3H/

    https://www.bestbuy.com/site/blu-v91...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

    Note: If they shut down the 2G and 3G service in your area, and they do not have 4G or 5G coverage, you would have to switch service providers to one that does have service anyway.

  5. #65
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    Apr 2012
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    midkynte
    At home if I shut off my wifi on my phone I get an "H" next to my signal strength indicator on my status bar. Don't know what that is.
    My phone's preferred network types available are LTE (recommended) 3G and 2G nothing else.

    jdc2000
    as far as a coverage map. Hard to tell where I live. Very spotty service at times even with ATT. In my house (single story small house, no brick or steel in construction). Move 3 feet in one direction a person on the phone can hear you, move 6 feet in the other direction all you hear them saying is "I can't understand you or hear you". I have Cricket ATT and the connection is usually pretty good at my house. I had Verizon and forget about even being able to make /receive a call. Where I work (5 miles from me) if you don't have a phone with ATT service forget about even using your phone.

    Because of this I am thinking then I have to stay with a GSM unlocked phone for the ATT network.

    Thanks for the links for the phones. I have some time to cherry pick a phone I want. Internal storage size and processor speed are the most important to me. Again, most phones that come with service from the carriers are limited to 16 gigs internal. If it ain't 64 gigs or more I'm not interested.

    Ok, now I understand about coverage. I would think if they are shutting down 2 and 3G (which they are telling me) then they would be using 4G at least in my area. I think I may have to call Cricket and ask them. My only concern again is that they will say yes just to keep me as a customer. If I go to a cricket store (25 miles from me) they will try and get me to buy a phone from them.

    But at least now I have a better idea of what is happening and in what direction I will need to go in.

    Thanks jdc2000 and midkynte and spywareDr for your help!

  6. #66
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    H probably means HSPA+, which is different from LTE. It's basically the highest end of 3G. More like 3.5G, than 4G.
    https://www.androidauthority.com/hsp...-better-78120/

    If you had LTE, it would probably say 4G LTE or something similar. You'd need LTE in order for VoLTE (voice over LTE) to work. I'm guessing that you already had LTE (Recommended) selected?

    In any case, talk to the local provider, just to be safe.

  7. #67
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
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    286
    Thank you everyone for your suggestions and explanations.
    I am going to have to study up on this information to get a better idea of what phone I want. I don't want to just pick one out and then not be happy with it.
    The first phone I had the Blu Vivo X was much better than the second phone I now have Moto 7.

    I am going to take some time on this.

    If I have any other questions or need further clarification on something I will let you know.

    Thanks again for your help!!

  8. #68
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    Apr 2012
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    .


    This is getting so frustrating looking for a phone that I want.
    This list is from ATT that was given to me here in this thread that I have been using as a guide and is very helpful - thanks jdc2000.
    List of phones ATT

    My biggest problem is reviewing the listings like on Amazon etc where it does not list the actual model # of the phone, or the RAM, or the processor etc and then I have to go hunting around on the web to find another site that may have the same phone but have more information on it. Also, some are only International versions and no US warranty then. I have to have a warranty.

    I wanted to get a Blu again but read somewhere to the fact that there will be issues between ATT and Blu - I can't remember exactly what it said but crossing off Blu from my list.

    I really don't care so much about the camera ability on a phone and that seems to be what is stressed the most in listings. I also found a list of processors to see what ones I may want in a phone.
    List of processors

    The other problem I have is knowing the exact model of the phone in the listing - example model is Motorola G7 Power but there are two actual Motorola G7 Power G7 Power (XT1955-2) and (XT1955-5). Mine is the -2. But the sites would not list it that way so I don't know if I am buying the proper model.

    Even some of the sites like Target, Walmart etc they list even less information on the phones.

    My wish list:
    4G or even 5G service I read that a 5G phone will work on 4G service.
    4 Gigs Ram (at least and prefer more if possible)
    Very good processor
    At least 64 Gigs internal storage. SD card at least 64Gigs capacity (I know I have to buy a SD card but I have one already on my phone)
    A large screen (even if the phone is larger tha normal), Because of my large fingers and my fingers shake while I type I end up hitting multiple keys at once. I use speech to text when i can :-)

    I am willing to pay in the area of about $200 plus the cost of a warranty for a good phone.


    .

  9. #69
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    I googled-> XT1955-5 compare to XT1955-2

    Motorola Moto G7 Power (XT1955-2 64GB) vs Motorola Moto G7 Power (XT1955-5)
    https://www.phonemore.com/compare/ph...1955-5/9795726

  10. #70
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    4G and 5G use different technologies/bands. There's no guarantee that a 5G phone will use the correct 4G bands you need.

    It's going to be hard to find a 64GB and/or 5G phone in your price range. There aren't many phones that still have an SD card slot now. I'm guessing that's why older phones are coming up in your search.

    There is a 2021 Moto G Power. It's newer than the XT1955-5. The 64GB model is about $250 at Best Buy.
    https://www.bestbuy.com/site/motorol...&skuId=6441178

    The OnePlus Nord N200 5G 64GB is another option.
    https://www.bestbuy.com/site/oneplus...?skuId=6468089

  11. #71
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    Apr 2012
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    .

    Thanks Stever Jones - thanks for the comparison - that was helpful to read.

    Midknyte: Thanks for the links to the phones.
    I looked at both of them. The Moto G Power 2021 seems like something that really interests me. So far this G Power looks like the one I will probably end up getting. It seems to have everything I wanted and I am so tired of searching for a phone online I don't think I will end up with much better than this. I just have to check warranty with Best Buy. They only have "open box" left that are unlocked.

    I was not aware of the fact that a 5G phone may not work on a 4G network - thanks for that notification!


    .

  12. #72
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    Just to clarify, if you have an International phone vs a US phone, they might use different 4G bands. The 5G is on different frequencies than 4G.

    https://www.lifewire.com/5g-vs-4g-4156322

  13. #73
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    I just received my new Motorola G Power 2021 that you suggested Midknyte. It is really nice!! Thanks!! You made my life easier.
    For anyone who reads this in the future this Motorola G Power 2021 is model #XT2117-4. This is on ATTs list as one of the phones that will still work when they shut down 3G service.

    I just realized, the last three phones including this one that I have had in the past 4 years or so I have purchased from suggestions/advise from this thread/post. How about that for a useful thread!! Thanks everyone of you here that has helped me. Some of this techno-stuff goes over my head but you made it easier for me. It is so much appreciated !!!!

    Now I have to buy a nice rigid phone protector for it which I just found on Amazon. It is waterproof also. I know it may not be waterproof to the point of scuba diving but if it drops out of my hand and in water I should be good by the time I grab it out of the water.

    Thanks again for your help everyone!!!!!!!

  14. #74
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    Happy to help. Enjoy your new phone!

  15. #75
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    Feb 2022
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    7
    You can get very good unlocked GSM phones that do not cost what an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy costs. Let us know what price range you are looking at and we can offer some suggestions.

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