I'm getting ready to deploy, and I was curious if you can convert the Verizon Nexus to run on GSM/international networks. If yes, how?
sorry
there is no way my friend. i just got back from deployment. I was in the same boat as you. sell that g nex my friend, and get the gsm one. i found one by going on ebay, searching for guys selling one close to me and off to buy it locally so you're not waiting on shipping. or put on craigslists for a trade for the gsm version, u never know.
Yep, what he said was right - you can't convert it over. The Verizon one has a CDMA antenna and all the other networks require the GSM antenna (why couldn't they have both!! probably for this reason..). And even if the other networks used CDMA, they have to specifically accept your phone into their network (some kind of CDMA authentication thing, whereas GSM accepts everything it can talk to).
So flashing a GSM baseband to the CMDA phone will not work?
NO! Do not flash a GSM baseband on your nexus. The VZW nexus doesn't have any of the GSM radios or frequencies and wont work.
Unfortunately the GN only comes with either GSM or CMDA/LTE. It may be worth looking into getting a global phone that supports both CDMA and GSM.
Masoa said:
So flashing a GSM baseband to the CMDA phone will not work?
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As already stated, definitely never do this.
i am about to switch from the note 3 the only android phones i have used were from samsung so i am a total noob when it comes to the htc dev community...i am about to buy an m8 which is from verizon usa but is sim unlocked meaning it can work in my country pakistan...the questions i have are as follows
the phone is from verizon will i be able to flash all the custom roms like PA,CM and other AOSP roms?because in samsungs world there are different roms for tmobile etc.
will flashing roms affect my phones unlocked status?
can i turn my phone into a gpe edition phone?
if there are any other hiccups or bugs which i should check before buying the phone please fill me in folks.
First of you need to look at which bands are used in your country and compare them to the Verizon bands. Which can be found on google as I cannot link to other websites . Most countries outside of the US have carriers that use GSM networks so beware as verizon does not and uses a CDMA network. If you have a carrier in pakistan that uses GSM bands you can look at buying an AT&T version and look if bands coincide.
I would also suggest buying a unlocked phone which would make things much easier, as some custom roms cannot be flashed on the verizon/sprint version. If you want to flash custom roms you do need to unlock the bootloader. As I said above GPE roms usually do not work with verizon/sprint edition of a phone, as far as I know you can flash a GPE rom from phones on other carriers. Still I heavily suggest buying an unlocked phone.
I myself am using an unlocked HTC One M8 and have found no bugs whatoever and use a GPE rom and everything is smooth as silk. It's an amazing phone and worth the last penny but if your phone won't work with the bands in your country it's useless so be carefull!
If you can buy a used model with s-off. It'll save you any potential headaches.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
rodelisdeman said:
First of you need to look at which bands are used in your country and compare them to the Verizon bands. Which can be found on google as I cannot link to other websites . Most countries outside of the US have carriers that use GSM networks so beware as verizon does not and uses a CDMA network. If you have a carrier in pakistan that uses GSM bands you can look at buying an AT&T version and look if bands coincide.
I would also suggest buying a unlocked phone which would make things much easier, as some custom roms cannot be flashed on the verizon/sprint version. If you want to flash custom roms you do need to unlock the bootloader. As I said above GPE roms usually do not work with verizon/sprint edition of a phone, as far as I know you can flash a GPE rom from phones on other carriers. Still I heavily suggest buying an unlocked phone.
I myself am using an unlocked HTC One M8 and have found no bugs whatoever and use a GPE rom and everything is smooth as silk. It's an amazing phone and worth the last penny but if your phone won't work with the bands in your country it's useless so be carefull!
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Click to collapse
thank you for the reply i checked up on the bands and they said it is gsm supported and the bands were alright but i found the verizon thread and there was a very weak number of roms so im holding off .
hii guys ,,
im going to buy the HTC m8 next week
i'v seen many type of version of the phone
like AT&A , Verizone , Sprint , Google Edition
so anyone can tell whats the different between them if there any !!
thank you
I believe the hardware is the same on all M8 variants (apart from the dual SIM ones) so all the differences lie in the software side.
AT&T, Verizon and Sprint will have a few differences to each other due to the bloatware they decide to add in.
The Google Play Edition (GPE) is running vanilla android rather than Sense (the same as Nexus devices). As they're Google devices, they'll get updates quicker than the other M8 variants (just slower than Nexus).
There's the developer edition which runs Sense but comes with an unlocked bootloader and will get updates quicker than the other Sense M8's, but not as quick as the GPE.
Then finally there's the Windows M8. This is simply running Windows 8.1 (I think) instead of Android.
It would help to know what region you are located in.
Some of the US carriers (Verizon, AT&T) have their logo on the phone, so you might not like that. And there is some difference in the colors available (for instance Verizon has red, Sprint Harmon Kardon edition has black back and sides with gold front). Other than those minor cosmetic differences, the hardware is identical, from what I understand.
Band compatibility is different on each carrier version, but is software based and can be changed by installing the proper radio (S-off required, which will probably also require sunshine s-off, which costs $25 US).
And as mentioned, the only other difference is the stock ROM, which for US carriers will have their own carrier branding and (tons of ) bloatware. Again, easily changed with unlocked bootloader or S-off.
redpoint73 said:
It would help to know what region you are located in.
Some of the US carriers (Verizon, AT&T) have their logo on the phone, so you might not like that. And there is some difference in the colors available (for instance Verizon has red, Sprint Harmon Kardon edition has black back and sides with gold front). Other than those minor cosmetic differences, the hardware is identical, from what I understand.
Band compatibility is different on each carrier version, but is software based and can be changed by installing the proper radio (S-off required, which will probably also require sunshine s-off, which costs $25 US).
And as mentioned, the only other difference is the stock ROM, which for US carriers will have their own carrier branding and (tons of ) bloatware. Again, easily changed with unlocked bootloader or S-off.
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Software wise theres carrier bloatware on each device. But hardware wise the Verizon / Sprint ones have an added CDMA chipset and from what ive read they are different from the GSM units hardware wise.
Blowing a GSM rom into a CDMA unit will brick it, or so ive read.
IAmSixNine said:
hardware wise the Verizon / Sprint ones have an added CDMA chipset and from what ive read they are different from the GSM units hardware wise.
Blowing a GSM rom into a CDMA unit will brick it, or so ive read.
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Click to collapse
I thought and had heard the same as well (hardware difference between CDMA and GSM M8's). But several folks here have strongly claimed otherwise, that the radio difference is still in software; and that all M8's are the same hardware-wise aside from the dual SIM M8. So I'm not really sure what to believe.
That being said, the OP should probably get the version offered by their carrier, or intended for their region. Even if it can be "converted" by software, it just makes for less steps and less hassle. Unless there is some strong reason to do otherwise, like a much lower price.
IAmSixNine said:
Software wise theres carrier bloatware on each device. But hardware wise the Verizon / Sprint ones have an added CDMA chipset and from what ive read they are different from the GSM units hardware wise.
Blowing a GSM rom into a CDMA unit will brick it, or so ive read.
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Click to collapse
redpoint73 said:
I thought and had heard the same as well (hardware difference between CDMA and GSM M8's). But several folks here have strongly claimed otherwise, that the radio difference is still in software; and that all M8's are the same hardware-wise aside from the dual SIM M8. So I'm not really sure what to believe.
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I'm not too sure about this either. I've seen a lot of people saying they have the same hardware and seen a lot of people saying CDMA have different hardware.
KidCarter93 said:
I'm not too sure about this either. I've seen a lot of people saying they have the same hardware and seen a lot of people saying CDMA have different hardware.
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And I haven't actually seen any definitive evidence for either case.
Looking at specs, both (GSM and CDMA versions) use the same chipset (Qualcomm MSM8974AB). I would think if there was a difference due to CDMA, it would have a different chipset number. But that's just a guess.
OP should stick to the version that matches their carrier (GSM versus CDMA) to be safe.
redpoint73 said:
And I haven't actually seen any definitive evidence for either case.
Looking at specs, both (GSM and CDMA versions) use the same chipset (Qualcomm MSM8974AB). I would think if there was a difference due to CDMA, it would have a different chipset number. But that's just a guess.
OP should stick to the version that matches their carrier (GSM versus CDMA) to be safe.
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I actually thought the most "obvious" difference in hardware was the actual circuitry itself. They use similar components etc but the way it's "wired" is a bit different, but I don't recall where I got that info from
BerndM14 said:
I actually thought the most "obvious" difference in hardware was the actual circuitry itself. They use similar components etc but the way it's "wired" is a bit different, but I don't recall where I got that info from
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It would be great if you could link the source, it would settle this debate.
So you mean the copper trace/tracks between components on the board are different? I would assume that some of components and/or the layout is also different, otherwise why have different trace paths?
The following teardown shows the layouts of the Verizon PCBs, but I can't find similar into for the GSM version to compare it to:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/HTC+One+%28M8%29+Teardown/23615
Anandtech actually has a great write-up on the differences between the various models.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7893/the-htc-one-m8-review
Specifically, the chart on the supported bands is useful.
Thanks for the help guys
I think all the versions supported here with operator, im located on Israel for now
If there is no hardware different is it possible to flash a firmware from Google edition HTC to another versions?
So I dont have to wait too long for updates
Thanks again
sparxx4 said:
Thanks for the help guys
I think all the versions supported here with operator, im located on Israel for now
If there is no hardware different is it possible to flash a firmware from Google edition HTC to another versions?
So I dont have to wait too long for updates
Thanks again
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Click to collapse
The main difference in GSM version is the frequency/band it uses for 3G/LTE.
Everything about the GSM version is the same except for each have different frequencies enabled.
So find out in Israel what cellular company you will be using and what frequencies their 3G and what LTE band if any. Then you'll be able to pick which m8 is right for you.
jshamlet said:
Anandtech actually has a great write-up on the differences between the various models.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7893/the-htc-one-m8-review
Specifically, the chart on the supported bands is useful.
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what ever model its a amazing phone .
It is amazing indeed
It seem im getting the Gunmetal version
Any ideas about it!?
When an update roll out for HTC Google edtion is it possible to flash it on my phone after unlocking bootloader?
Thanks
sparxx4 said:
It seem im getting the Gunmetal version
Any ideas about it!?
When an update roll out for HTC Google edtion is it possible to flash it on my phone after unlocking bootloader?
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Click to collapse
Gunmetal finish is available for a great many versions/regions, so telling us that alone doesn't say much.
But GPE full conversion is possible with unlocked bootloader and I think S-off also.
Looked around and not sure if this is even possible. Could I get a H/K M8, unlock it and use on T-Mobile's network to receive LTE? Thanks!
Is there a reason why you are looking at the Sprint version?
Its been argued whether the CDMA versions of the M8 are any different in hardware, but I haven't seen anything definitive either way. I'd err on the side of caution, assume the CDMA version is different hardware, and stay away from it. Buy any GSM version and you can convert it to work on T-Mobile (after s-off, unlocking the bootloader, etc.), no question there.
quailallstar said:
Looked around and not sure if this is even possible. Could I get a H/K M8, unlock it and use on T-Mobile's network to receive LTE? Thanks!
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no, Sprint version got some weird **** to it...
redpoint73 said:
Is there a reason why you are looking at the Sprint version?
Its been argued whether the CDMA versions of the M8 are any different in hardware, but I haven't seen anything definitive either way. I'd err on the side of caution, assume the CDMA version is different hardware, and stay away from it. Buy any GSM version and you can convert it to work on T-Mobile (after s-off, unlocking the bootloader, etc.), no question there.
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The only reason I'm looking for the Sprint version is because of the look. I like the dark back metal and gold upfront a lot. Sucks its an exclusive look only to Sprint. I read that you can flash the other non H/K models to have the same software so that is confirmed and all good.
Now I need to find someone who is using this Sprint model and can confirm it has the needed GSM radio(s) for TMO LTE.
quailallstar said:
The only reason I'm looking for the Sprint version is because of the look. I like the dark back metal and gold upfront a lot. Sucks its an exclusive look only to Sprint. I read that you can flash the other non H/K models to have the same software so that is confirmed and all good.
Now I need to find someone who is using this Sprint model and can confirm it has the needed GSM radio(s) for TMO LTE.
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I'm pretty sure that Sprint models are CDMA only. You can't use their phones on GSM networks. I don't think what you are trying to do will work. I may be wrong here, but I really doubt I am.
xunholyx said:
I'm pretty sure that Sprint models are CDMA only. You can't use their phones on GSM networks. I don't think what you are trying to do will work. I may be wrong here, but I really doubt I am.
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This is incorrect (that the Sprint variant does not work on GSM). Both the Verizon and Sprint variants support GSM and CDMA. Folk on here (including myself) tend to refer to them as "CDMA" for simplicity; but they are in fact also compatible with GSM, as well as HSPA, LTE.
http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_(m8)_cdma-6233.php
Now the question is whether the difference between the GSM and "CDMA" variants are purely in software, or there is an actual hardware difference. Its been argued both way, and I haven't seen any proof either way (although my gut tells me the latter is the case). And the question relevant to the OP is whether the T-Mobile LTE bands can be "added" to the Sprint device by software.
I used a verizon LG g2 on T-mobile a few and the phone im writing on now is a verizon iPhone full lte but i dont know aboit the sprint versions
Hey Everyone!
Quick question for you, i just switched to Sprint from T-Mobile and i got the HTC One M8 and i had the same phone from T-Mobile. Is there any Difference between the two cause i noticed on the sprint version that it says Model # 831 amd T-mobiles doesnt say model. Was just curious if there is anything different i donbt there is though
Different hardware, the T-Mobile version does not have the hardware required to work on Sprint's CDMA network.
The Sprint and Verizon versions of the M8 are CDMA, and are the oddballs. All "GSM" versions of the M8 are essentially the same in hardware, and just have different band support determined in software. Exception being the obvious cosmetic differences such as available colors, and some carrier logos on the back of the phone. Other exception being the dual SIM GSM variant.