Best android phone for ST on AT&T network

**New ST user** · 08-07-2012, 12:39 PM

Does the BYOD sim work with any AT&T phone? I am thinking of getting one of the new HTC One X phones. Will this work with this sim/plan? If so, I would have to believe that is about the best phone out right now with AT&T, correct?

**New ST user** · 08-07-2012, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by New ST user

Does the BYOD sim work with any AT&T phone? I am thinking of getting one of the new HTC One X phones. Will this work with this sim/plan? If so, I would have to believe that is about the best phone out right now with AT&T, correct?

Nevermind, I found out: http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...hlight=htc+one

**paroots** · 08-07-2012, 04:53 PM

As mentioned, I'm looking for an Android phone that works on the AT&T network. For future flexibility it might be nice if the phone would also work on TMO. Can someone list the bands that are required for each of these networks? Of course, I want to be sure to achieve the best data rates available on each.
Pete

**TheCellphoneGuy** · 08-07-2012, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by paroots

As mentioned, I'm looking for an Android phone that works on the AT&T network. For future flexibility it might be nice if the phone would also work on TMO. Can someone list the bands that are required for each of these networks? Of course, I want to be sure to achieve the best data rates available on each.
Pete

AT&T uses the 850MHz band for 2G (EDGE) and 3G (UMTS/HSPA+), they also use 1900MHz for 3G.

T-Mobile currently uses 1900MHz for 2G (EDGE) and 1700MHz for 4G (HSPA+). They are also in the process of refarming their 1900MHz spectrum for their 4G(UMTS/HSPA+) network, so that phones such as the iPhone can work with it, but that is not yet available everywhere.

If you wanted to get the best possible data speeds, you would need to buy a T-Mobile phone that supports AT&T bands. I say T-Mobile, because they sell HSPA+42 mbps phones. AT&T only sells HSPA+21mbps (that will work on the HSPA+ network that Straight Talk uses).

So what does that mean? Even though AT&T only has their markets up to HSPA+21,you will see higher speeds when testing side by side with someone that only has a HSPA+21mbps phone versus your HSPA+42mbps phone. The reason for that would be your HSPA+42mbps phone being more spectrum efficient.

**paroots** · 08-07-2012, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by TheCellphoneGuy

AT&T uses the 850MHz band for 2G (EDGE) and 3G (UMTS/HSPA+), they also use 1900MHz for 3G.

T-Mobile currently uses 1900MHz for 2G (EDGE) and 1700MHz for 4G (HSPA+). They are also in the process of refarming their 1900MHz spectrum for their 4G(UMTS/HSPA+) network, so that phones such as the iPhone can work with it, but that is not yet available everywhere.

If you wanted to get the possible data speeds, you would need to buy a T-Mobile phone that supports AT&T bands. I say T-Mobile, because they sell HSPA42 mbps phones. AT&T only sells HSPA+21mbps (that will work on the HSPA+ network that Straight Talk uses).

So what does that mean? Even though AT&T only has their markets up to HSPA+21,you will see higher speeds when testing side by side with someone that only has a HSPA+21mbps phone versus your HSPA+42mbps phone. The reason for that would be your HSPA+42mbps phone being more spectrum efficient.

Thanks. Can you list a couple Android phones that would be good examples of working well on both networks. I will then study their specs to see how they differ from others.
Pete

**Elpidio** · 08-07-2012, 05:42 PM

all the info you'd be looking for are at http://www.gsmarena.com

**TheCellphoneGuy** · 08-07-2012, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by paroots

Thanks. Can you list a couple Android phones that would be good examples of working well on both networks. I will then study their specs to see how they differ from others.
Pete

Sure, check this thread out. I answered a question that was similar to yours in it.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1773016

**paroots** · 08-07-2012, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by TheCellphoneGuy

Sure, check this thread out. I answered a question that was similar to yours in it.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1773016

Thanks. I think I found the reference where you list:

Samsung Exhibit II 4G
Samsung Galaxy S2
Samsung Galaxy S3
Samsung Galaxy S3 Blaze 4G
HTC Amaze 4G
Huawei Prism

I take it these are T-mobile phones that would work well on AT&T as well. I'm assuming they would need to be unlocked for that to happen
Pete

**TheCellphoneGuy** · 08-07-2012, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by paroots

Thanks. I think I found the reference where you list:

Samsung Exhibit II 4G
Samsung Galaxy S2
Samsung Galaxy S3
Samsung Galaxy S3 Blaze 4G
HTC Amaze 4G
Huawei Prism

I take it these are T-mobile phones that would work well on AT&T as well. I'm assuming they would need to be unlocked for that to happen
Pete

Correct; not all of them are HSPA+42 though, so keep that in mind.

**paroots** · 08-08-2012, 03:41 AM

Originally Posted by TheCellphoneGuy

Correct; not all of them are HSPA+42 though, so keep that in mind.

How does one know from the specs if it supports HSPA+42mbps? I'm assuming from what you've said that this would be the preferred choice for max data speed and future flexibility?

Here are a few sample I looked at:
Exhibit II 4g

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 2100 / 1900

Samsung Galaxy S III T999

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100

HTC Amaze 4g

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 1700 / 2100 or HSDPA 1700 / 1900 / 2100

HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100

T-mobile Prism

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100

I just don't see anyway to check for HSPA+42mbps?
Pete

**ChazzMatt** · 08-08-2012, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by paroots

Thanks. I think I found the reference where you list:

Samsung Exhibit II 4G
Samsung Galaxy S2
Samsung Galaxy S3
Samsung Galaxy S3 Blaze 4G
HTC Amaze 4G
Huawei Prism

I take it these are T-mobile phones that would work well on AT&T as well. I'm assuming they would need to be unlocked for that to happen
Pete

The international Galaxy Nexus works well on both networks. It is a pentaband phone that works world wide. I got it so that it would hit HSPA+ speeds on both AT&T and T-Mobile on Straight Talk.

**paroots** · 08-08-2012, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by ChazzMatt

The international Galaxy Nexus works well on both networks. It is a pentaband phone that works world wide. I got it so that it would hit HSPA+ speeds on both AT&T and T-Mobile on Straight Talk.

Thanks. I found more data on the above list with speed spec listed:
Exhibit II 4g

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 2100 / 1900
Speed HSDPA 14.4 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps

Samsung Galaxy S III T999

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100
Speed HSDPA, 42 Mbps; HSUPA

HTC Amaze 4g

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 1700 / 2100 or HSDPA 1700 / 1900 / 2100

HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100

Speed HSDPA, 42 Mbps; HSUPA

T-mobile Prism

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100
Speed HSDPA

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100
Speed HSDPA, 21 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps

**lsutigers03** · 08-09-2012, 04:39 PM

I've used the Galaxy Nexus from the Google Play store and an Atrix and both worked flawlessly with ST. Yesterday I got an international S3 and I'm having a ton of issues with data. After a few Google searches I see that a lot of people are having the same issue. I may sell my S3 for the AT&T version or for a different phone.

**New ST user** · 08-09-2012, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by lsutigers03

I've used the Galaxy Nexus from the Google Play store and an Atrix and both worked flawlessly with ST. Yesterday I got an international S3 and I'm having a ton of issues with data. After a few Google searches I see that a lot of people are having the same issue. I may sell my S3 for the AT&T version or for a different phone.

What are the issues with data? What carrier is the phone for, and are the issues caused by it not being an AT&T phone?

I just picked up an HTC One X and just waiting for the new sim card. Are there any issues with data on this phone?

I will report back when I have it going.

**lsutigers03** · 08-09-2012, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by New ST user

What are the issues with data? What carrier is the phone for, and are the issues caused by it not being an AT&T phone?

I just picked up an HTC One X and just waiting for the new sim card. Are there any issues with data on this phone?

I will report back when I have it going.

Not sure about the One X when I had it I was on AT&T. My S3 doesn't have any carrier branding on it. My data works whenever it feels like it. One second it'll be great with no issues then the next second I'll get errors and nothing will load. It's very annoying. I'm going to test my ST sim in my friend's AT&T S3 and see if there's a difference in data performance.