Carrier aggregation/LTE-A CAT11 Verizon model in EU - Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers

Heya,
Anyone here achieved CA with a Verizon model in Europe?
While the bands are all supported, I have a feeling the US version of the phone has a hard time knowing which bands to aggregate in Europe. What are your experiences running the Verizon version on LTE-A?

I have a Google version (not international, not Verizon) and Verizon service. I was told by Verizon I would only get 3g speeds in Europe but that my wife's Verizon S7 would get 4g. Not sure if that helps you any, we have a European trip planned for later and I was asking Verizon rep, that's how I know. I was a little confused since my understanding was that the Pixel XL was able to get all the bands which is why I could take it to any carrier.
Sent from my BTV-W09 using Tapatalk

ahent said:
I have a Google version (not international, not Verizon) and Verizon service. I was told by Verizon I would only get 3g speeds in Europe but that my wife's Verizon S7 would get 4g. Not sure if that helps you any, we have a European trip planned for later and I was asking Verizon rep, that's how I know. I was a little confused since my understanding was that the Pixel XL was able to get all the bands which is why I could take it to any carrier.
Sent from my BTV-W09 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should support B3, B7 and B20 which are used in Europe. As of that LTE will work as expected but the LTE-A band combinations differ and as of that CA may not trigger in europe (thats my theory.). I've been trying to modify some files to get a control over the band combinations, but I've only managed to enable 256QAM at the current moment.

tauio111 said:
but I've only managed to enable 256QAM at the current moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How?
Sent from my Google Pixel XL using XDA Labs

mr-tical said:
How?
Sent from my Google Pixel XL using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
256QAM is only supported on the Australian Telstra config.
/firmware/radio/modem_pr/mcfg/configs/mcfg_sw/generic/aus/telstra/volte/mcfg_sw.mbn used to replace other mcfg_sw.mbn's that you phone uses in the /firmware/radio/modem_pr/mcfg/configs/mcfg_sw/generic/ directory.

Related

Pixel LTE bands - North America and Rest of the world

Hi there,
Looking at Google Pixels page one can see that there is two versions of the product: NA and RoW.
Question is: is there any chance of buying a RoW version in US? Has anyone ever managed to buy the past Nexus International Versions in US before?
Thanks all and regards
Took me a few seconds to figure out what RoW means. I'd like to know this too.
In regards to the N6p I tried to buy an Intl version from the US but it wasn't available.
Had to be bought from Intl market like EU or the Middle East..
Sent from my LG-H818 using Tapatalk
mazroui said:
In regards to the N6p I tried to buy an Intl version from the US but it wasn't available.
Had to be bought from Intl market like EU or the Middle East..
Sent from my LG-H818 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any difference in the UAE? Both versions support LTE Band 3 and UMTS Band 1. Should work fine in the UAE.
I'm using US 6P which also supports LTE B3 and have not had any issues at all.
Abra_Cadabra said:
Is there any difference in the UAE? Both versions support LTE Band 3 and UMTS Band 1. Should work fine in the UAE.
I'm using US 6P which also supports LTE B3 and have not had any issues at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To my understanding of supported LTE, UMTS, and GSM frequencies both Pixel Variants will work in UAE but Carrier Aggregation will probably not work. Not sure if the operators in the UAE support CA (yet) but if/ when they do this will probably something that wouldn't work on the NA variant. The only combination supported by the device for UAE bands is B7+B7, which may or may not work.
Whether this is a deal breaker or not is up to you to decide.
Won't work. There are two different version. One that supports international LTE bands and one that supports the bands in the USA. Just like the Nexus 6, 5x and 6P. If you buy the Pixel in the USA you'd only be able to use 3g speeds in Europe, band 7 (1800mhz) being the only exception.
In short, should you buy the pixel phone in the USA you won't have 4G in Europe and other countries that use the same bands.
mazroui said:
In regards to the N6p I tried to buy an Intl version from the US but it wasn't available.
Had to be bought from Intl market like EU or the Middle East..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same with me. Worse than that, Google does not sell then in my country. So, unfortunately, I may have to buy outside US as well again.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Labs
pauleandro said:
Same with me. Worse than that, Google does not sell then in my country. So, unfortunately, I may have to buy outside US as well again.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that the pixel is out i can't seem to find anything online (N6p H1512 64/128gb) that comes with a warranty, if you do come across one that includes warranty please dm me.
I found out the warranty over here is handled by the retailers and is not international (covered by Google/Huawei).
mazroui said:
Now that the pixel is out i can't seem to find anything online (N6p H1512 64/128gb) that comes with a warranty, if you do come across one that includes warranty please dm me.
I found out the warranty over here is handled by the retailers and is not international (covered by Google/Huawei).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course, no problem. I'll let you know if I find anything.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Labs
I am also looking at this and cannot understand the CA limitations on the US device. Unless I am mistaken the Snapdragon X12 modem supports all combinations of supported frequencies. Yet the phones have different combinations for some reason. I do not know if Google is limiting this via software. Any thoughts?
scandalousk said:
Won't work. There are two different version. One that supports international LTE bands and one that supports the bands in the USA. Just like the Nexus 6, 5x and 6P. If you buy the Pixel in the USA you'd only be able to use 3g speeds in Europe, band 7 (1800mhz) being the only exception.
In short, should you buy the pixel phone in the USA you won't have 4G in Europe and other countries that use the same bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How comes? Both NA & RoW Pixel's tech specs show bands 3 and 20 (beside the band 7 & others) which are the most common bands used in Europe for LTE, so I can't see why the NA model won't have 4G in Europe... Can you please explain?
Lots of overlap
There appears to be quite significant overlap, with the NA version supporting all or almost all LTE bands in most European countries and in many non-European countries as well (including all LTE bands in UAE):
NA version: frequencycheck.com/compatibility/GPQkJ/google-pixel-xl-phone-nexus-m1-td-lte-na-128gb-htc-marlin/countries
RoW version: frequencycheck.com/compatibility/vWPw8/google-pixel-xl-phone-nexus-m1-global-td-lte-128gb-htc-marlin/countries
---------- Post added at 07:15 ---------- Previous post was at 06:52 ----------
Hmm... just noticed that a few European countries that FrequencyCheck lists the NA version as having only partial LTE coverage for are because the site considers the NA version not to support band 8. But, according to Google's own spec page (madeby.google.com/phone/specs/ > Telephony), both the NA and RoW versions support B8. No idea if FrequencyCheck is a generally reliable source of info, as I just discovered the site a few minutes ago. I hope Google's listing for their own phone is correct, but the fact that B8 isn't included anywhere in the LTE 2xCA and 3xCA breakdowns for the NA version as it is for the RoW version makes me wonder...
scandalousk said:
Won't work. There are two different version. One that supports international LTE bands and one that supports the bands in the USA. Just like the Nexus 6, 5x and 6P. If you buy the Pixel in the USA you'd only be able to use 3g speeds in Europe, band 7 (1800mhz) being the only exception.
In short, should you buy the pixel phone in the USA you won't have 4G in Europe and other countries that use the same bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sirda said:
How comes? Both NA & RoW Pixel's tech specs show bands 3 and 20 (beside the band 7 & others) which are the most common bands used in Europe for LTE, so I can't see why the NA model won't have 4G in Europe... Can you please explain?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the main European LTE bands are 3, 7 and 20, so it doesn't matter which version you have as both support all these bands. scandalousk is wrong.
Partially, it'll support 4G. But it won't support LTE-Advanced (4g+)
scandalousk said:
Partially, it'll support 4G. But it won't support LTE-Advanced (4g+)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'll support LTE, but won't support LTE Carrier Aggregation. LTE-Advanced is more than just Carrier Aggregation.

Bands. If i buy directly from Google in USA, will i be able to use 4g in Europe?

Just checked this droid life article about Pixel/XL bands http://www.droid-life.com/2016/10/04/google-pixel-and-pixel-xl-supported-networks-lte-bands/ , and according to it, i'll be able to use 4g in Europe(my carrier use 800MHz (Band 20)) on a unit bought from Google in USA. I know that Nexus 6p had usa and internation variants, i hope they won't do the same with Pixel/xl.
It looks like there are international and US variants for the Pixel as well
http://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel_leaks_new_chipset_revision_android_71_us_version-news-20571.php
jj14 said:
It looks like there are international and US variants for the Pixel as well
http://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel_leaks_new_chipset_revision_android_71_us_version-news-20571.php
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like list with cdma(usa verizon/sprint) still supports band20 ^^
Sent from my m8 using Tapatalk

Does North American Pixel phone work with LTE frequencies in Europe?

NA (North America) Pixel's tech specs show it supports plenty of frequencies, including LTE bands 1, 3, 7, 20 which are the most common ones for LTE in EU (Europe). Despite of that, I found here opinions of this device not working in EU for LTE (unfortunately without explanation or references). So I am confused. Does anyone know more / have experience?
Because not all European carriers have all frequences working in all areas, so it may have issues with some carriers.
jerryhou85 said:
Because not all European carriers have all frequences working in all areas, so it may have issues with some carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... thank you for the reply... but... isn't it obvious, that phones will not work in areas with no coverage? I ques I just understand you wrong...
sirda said:
Well... thank you for the reply... but... isn't it obvious, that phones will not work in areas with no coverage? I ques I just understand you wrong...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the similar question as well: we have same situation in China, some carrier has some bands and the others have the rest. I just ordered one days ago and will test it myself...
jerryhou85 said:
I have the similar question as well: we have same situation in China, some carrier has some bands and the others have the rest. I just ordered one days ago and will test it myself...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you won't have any problems as long as you get the RoW (rest of the world) version. I want a phone I can use in North America and in Europe as well...
http://willmyphonework.net not sure if this will help because it doesn't really differentiate NA version from ROW, but I just put in Denmark and it said the Pixel XL would work with most carriers in Denmark.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
sirda said:
I think you won't have any problems as long as you get the RoW (rest of the world) version. I want a phone I can use in North America and in Europe as well...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got the one from US Play Store, I suppose it is US version.
It seems work with most carriers in China.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
Use the above to see if (or which) carriers in your most visited destinations use the bands that the US Pixel supports.
pTeronaut said:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
Use the above to see if (or which) carriers in your most visited destinations use the bands that the US Pixel supports.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I found out I need LTE frequencies 1, 3, 7, 20. NA Pixel lists all of them in tech specs. It means it will work? Is it really so easy to find out?
jerryhou85 said:
I've got the one from US Play Store, I suppose it is US version.
It seems work with most carriers in China.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are only 3 different pixel builds. Verizon, Europe and rest of world. You would have purchased rest of world from USA google play.
robber said:
There are only 3 different pixel builds. Verizon, Europe and rest of world. You would have purchased rest of world from USA google play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not EU and the rest of world. It is US and the rest of world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel_(smartphone)
And it seems to me like the US version will work with majority of European carriers, even with EU LTE networks (since supporting bands # 3, 7 & 20).
Please correct me if I am wrong.

Band Locking? Engineering Mode?

Hello everyone. I have a rooted Pixel XL on 7.1.1.
I can use the Network Signal Guru app to see the available bands but the locking option is disabled.
The internet told me to go to Engineering/Service Mode/Menu. The app Shortcut Manager Lite shows no such thing. I REALLY want to lock my band to a certain one as my phone always decides to choose the slow one. It's easy on Samsung phone or so I've heard. Did Google block this?
I don't mean the LTE only or CDMA/GSM selection. I mean the specific LTE bands. (For eg. 5,40) No Verizon. International unblocked version.
Cheers. Thanks.
Bump?
Also fun fact, my parents call the Pixel XL The Megapixel. Hehe.
Sorry for bumping.
Had the same issue with the Nexus 6P even after trying different radio versions with Cyanogenmod 13 and Android 7.1.X stock. On the Nexus 5X I didn't have any problems accessing the band locking option but I found this to resolve the issue on the Nexus 6P: http://www.trona-tech.net/network-signal-guru-on-nexus-6p/
I had to flash the "Engineering Radio" that I found using that link...perhaps one needs to flash the equivalent "Engineering Radio" on the Pixel to enable band locking with Network Signal Guru?
If you flash a custom ROM you can get band locking.
Fyi, on one of the official XL builds I was able to do the locking in that app. Haven't been able to in any of the last few builds. I told the developer but he wanted me to test and find what build/radio it was but I ain't got time for that.
GigabitEthernet said:
If you flash a custom ROM you can get band locking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much!!!
I finally got Pure Nexus and can lock bands prefectly!
Again, Thanks a lot!
s1dest3pnate said:
Fyi, on one of the official XL builds I was able to do the locking in that app. Haven't been able to in any of the last few builds. I told the developer but he wanted me to test and find what build/radio it was but I ain't got time for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What a useful post.
GigabitEthernet said:
What a useful post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol it's not useful to know that it worked at one point on a stock rom build? You must not be very bright.
s1dest3pnate said:
Lol it's not useful to know that it worked at one point on a stock rom build? You must not be very bright.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More the fact a developer volunteered to resolve the problem and asked you for some information and you refused to help. You're the worst kind of user.
Great point. So all of us on this forum aren't using our phones as daily drivers and are willing and able to spend hours to flash various builds and radios and do testing and increase risk of bricking?
There are different levels of users on this forum you know.
ASimpleSock said:
Thank you so much!!!
I finally got Pure Nexus and can lock bands prefectly!
Again, Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great to hear! If you don't mind can you share your:
1) PureNexus Version
2) Radio/Baseband Version (perhaps the same radio from 7.1.1 stock?)
3) That you're still using the free version of Network Signal Guru you lock LTE bands?
Thanks!
LS1_01 said:
Great to hear! If you don't mind can you share your:
1) PureNexus Version
2) Radio/Baseband Version (perhaps the same radio from 7.1.1 stock?)
3) That you're still using the free version of Network Signal Guru you lock LTE bands?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just see the screenshot.
1) 7.1.1-20170317-OFFICIAL
2) I got tired typing it. Find it in the image.
3) Yes I'm still using the free version from the Play Store.
Cheers!
Update.
I was in contact with NSG developer, he shared with me RC build, I tested and worked great.
And now update in Play Store ?
Band locking working great out of the box ??
mr-tical said:
Update.
I was in contact with NSG developer, he shared with me RC build, I tested and worked great.
And now update in Play Store
Band locking working great out of the box
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say out of the box, you mean not rooted, right? If so, could you share the app? I really want to lock bands but don't want to root. Any other tips/feedback/suggestions would be appreciated!
mr-tical said:
Update.
I was in contact with NSG developer, he shared with me RC build, I tested and worked great.
And now update in Play Store ?
Band locking working great out of the box ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes could you please share more info...are you using this app on stock rooted 8.1? Name of app? And would you happen to know what are the preferred bands? I'm on metro pcs using a tmobile apn if that matters...
Sent from my Pixel XL using XDA Labs
Out of the box, I mean install application and that's all
Not needed flashing modified radio.img etc..
Network Signal Guru, available in Play Store.
I'm rooted, stock 8.1, all working fine.
Which bands I prefer? It depends on the carrier and country.
Here in Poland (and probably most EU country's) LTE bands are 3, 7, 8, 20.
And the better band is the one that is less loaded and on which I have better speeds.
Just test it.
Sent from my Google Pixel XL using XDA Labs
mr-tical said:
Out of the box, I mean install application and that's all
Not needed flashing modified radio.img etc..
Network Signal Guru, available in Play Store.
I'm rooted, stock 8.1, all working fine.
Which bands I prefer? It depends on the carrier and country.
Here in Poland (and probably most EU country's) LTE bands are 3, 7, 8, 20.
And the better band is the one that is less loaded and on which I have better speeds.
Just test it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome...I hope someone chimes in and tells me the magic bands for my situation..the screenshots from that app look very confusing..if all else fails there's Google I reckon..
Sent from my Pixel XL using XDA Labs
AP2FTW said:
Awesome...I hope someone chimes in and tells me the magic bands for my situation..the screenshots from that app look very confusing..if all else fails there's Google I reckon..
Sent from my Pixel XL using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look..You're in US so you need to look for US band on T-Mobile.
I've found this article:
https://www.phonearena.com/news/Che...on-T-Mobile-and-Sprint-use-in-the-USA_id77933
Based on this, T-Mobile US bands are 2, 4, 12, 66, 71**
**Rolling out in 2017.
T-Mobile
Finally, T-Mobile has been the loudest and arguably the fastest growing 4G LTE network, especially in the big cities.
2017 Update: T-Mobile has won a big 30MHz chunk of spectrum in an auction held this summer. The frequencies that it is now allowed to operate are in the low-band, 600MHz band, and are referred to as 4G LTE band 71. The new band 71 is rolling out to cities in Wyoming, Northwest Oregon, West Texas, Southwest Kansas, the Oklahoma panhandle, Western North Dakota, Maine, Coastal North Carolina, Central Pennsylvania, Central Virginia and Eastern Washington by the end of 2017. This is expected to boost its coverage by 6 million people to a total of 321 million Americans.
Currently, T-Mobile's main band is still band 4 (AWS) in the 1700 MHz range. Band 2 is used in markets where band 4 is not available, but the two are also aggregated for better coverage in markets, where both are available.
Band 12, on the other hand, is where a lot of T-Mobile's growth happens. While at the beginning of the roll-out in late 2014, few phones supported band 12, currently, most popular phones do and the increased penetration of the lower-frequency band makes it preferable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But, I don't know if this tech spec is current.
Someone else from T-Mobile US need to confirm.
For example EU bands are not current, because based on this, in Poland we have bands 3, 7, 20 (1800, 2600, 800) but we stating to use LTE900 (band8) and also slowly starting LTE2100 (I don't remember which band it is).
So best for you is to test downloads speeds on your every band, just uncheck all in Network Signal Guru, leave only one, save and test download speed with some speed test app, back to NSG, select different band, save and test again and again and again...
Look for best band for your needs.

Will a USA bought pixel 3a/xl work in the Uk

Hi all, I did have a look through the forum but couldn’t find a tread that could answer my question.
Basically, I’m going to the USA for a family wedding and was hoping to pick up the pixel 3a xl to use on the UK. Would the pixel be compatible in terms of 4g data speeds or would the frequency but limited and only get 3g?
Many thanks
ace3di said:
Hi all, I did have a look through the forum but couldn’t find a tread that could answer my question.
Basically, I’m going to the USA for a family wedding and was hoping to pick up the pixel 3a xl to use on the UK. Would the pixel be compatible in terms of 4g data speeds or would the frequency but limited and only get 3g?
Many thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to check the bands devices in the USA support and compare them to devices in the UK. If it helps, I'm pretty sure my 3a xl is a US Verizon model and it works flawlessly in Australia.
Sent from my Google Pixel 3a XL using XDA Labs
I've got mine in the USA, and it works without issues in Europe. I have 4g, though it says LTE instead, but it works, I get speeds up to 400 Mbps. Main question is which 4g bands your Telecom provider uses, if it doesn't use same bands you could have issues, but you can change radio band in *#*#4636#*#* menu. I didn't have to, it works automatically.
You'll have to buy charger adapter for UK though, because they only have models with US chargers, but they are dirt cheap there (I got mine for under 1 euro)...
Skittles9823 said:
You should be able to check the bands devices in the USA support and compare them to devices in the UK. If it helps, I'm pretty sure my 3a xl is a US Verizon model and it works flawlessly in Australia.
Sent from my Google Pixel 3a XL using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for the information. I will look into the bands used by network operators in the UK.

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