Root [MetroPCS] S4 for Metro same as T-Mobile?

[Rooqy]

I dont know if anyone knows this but I was wondering would there be any difference if I was to buy a T-Mobile S4 and get it on MetroPCS vs just buying a Metro S4. I called Metro customer service and omg they just for some reason did not understand my question :/

What I mean by difference is the signal, 4g and ota updates etc. I know they use the same towers but I just have no idea about anything else.

 

[noirelion]

The MetroPCS GSM based 919 version of the Galaxy S4- seems to be extraordinarily similar to the TMobile version...(I've run ten T-mobile roms so far- and found them all compatible).
Only had my Metro Galaxy S4 a week- but so far its looking like the same thing.

The only trouble I have had- is buying the Sandisk 64GB (it uses exFat file system).... and I had trouble finding roms with all I wanted -in options....and would read my exFat 64gb sdcard (twrp/clockwork -recoveries- neither read my sdcard exFat- or whatever the rom I used that reformatted it...

I settled on AOSP rom called StockDroid.

 

[ARocker]

I dont know if anyone knows this but I was wondering would there be any difference if I was to buy a T-Mobile S4 and get it on MetroPCS vs just buying a Metro S4. I called Metro customer service and omg they just for some reason did not understand my question :/

What I mean by difference is the signal, 4g and ota updates etc. I know they use the same towers but I just have no idea about anything else.

EDIT: Looks like noirelion beat me to the punch Here's my long winded version anyway

Signal should be the same because as you already know, they use the same towers and i assume the radios in the phones are the same but don't know for certain. If Tmo service is lacking in your area then you'll have bad service with either phone and forget about using Metro towers, the neither model will connect to those.

I cant comment on ota updates as i haven't experienced one on the Metro/Tmo network yet. I remember that Metro was pretty good when it came to updates on their Galaxy S3, releasing them faster than some big carriers. Take from that what you will.

However I've read that while Samsung has released the stock firmware from the Tmo model to the public, the Metro stock firmware has yet to be released for download for some reason. There are users looking and waiting for it as i write this. I understand that the phones are so similar that the Tmo stock firmware works with the Metro model. In fact most roms that run on the Tmo M919 will also run on the Metro M919N. Perhaps that's why they have yet to release the Metro firmware???

Its weird, I dont understand the reason for having two different phones that are essentially the same when you only needed to offer one from the begining. Why cant metro just sell the Tmo version? Is it just about branding and crapware apps?

This is a good situation for crafty consumers though because (i think this is what you want to do) if you can find a lightly used Tmobile M919 S4 for sale, you can buy it for less than the $570 Metro is selling theirs for and go to Metro to connect it, saving you big time in the end.

Either way, they are both great phones.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[Rooqy]

EDIT: Looks like noirelion beat me to the punch Here's my long winded version anyway

Signal should be the same because as you already know, they use the same towers and i assume the radios in the phones are the same but don't know for certain. If Tmo service is lacking in your area then you'll have bad service with either phone and forget about using Metro towers, the neither model will connect to those.

I cant comment on ota updates as i haven't experienced one on the Metro/Tmo network yet. I remember that Metro was pretty good when it came to updates on their Galaxy S3, releasing them faster than some big carriers. Take from that what you will.

However I've read that while Samsung has released the stock firmware from the Tmo model to the public, the Metro stock firmware has yet to be released for download for some reason. There are users looking and waiting for it as i write this. I understand that the phones are so similar that the Tmo stock firmware works with the Metro model. In fact most roms that run on the Tmo M919 will also run on the Metro M919N. Perhaps that's why they have yet to release the Metro firmware???

Its weird, I dont understand the reason for having two different phones that are essentially the same when you only needed to offer one from the begining. Why cant metro just sell the Tmo version? Is it just about branding and crapware apps?

This is a good situation for crafty consumers though because (i think this is what you want to do) if you can find a lightly used Tmobile M919 S4 for sale, you can buy it for less than the $570 Metro is selling theirs for and go to Metro to connect it, saving you big time in the end.

Either way, they are both great phones.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Hahah yeah I was just thinking if there wont be a difference in the service whether you have the Tmo or the Metro version why not save a couple bucks and get a Tmo S4 and get it on Metro.

Thanks for the explanation guys! those were were my guesses too i just wanted to make sure haha. Sounds like there wont be a noticeable difference between the two (in terms of Metro service).. but I am still curios about the ota and if there will even be any minor non-important difference with the service though.


Thanks again guys!

 

[ARocker]

...but I am still curios about the ota...

Join the club lol

 

[Shabbypenguin]

as far as ota's go sprint and tmobile are always first.

 

[Rooqy]

as far as ota's go sprint and tmobile are always first.

So if a T-Mobile S4 is on Metro it will still get otas??

 

[ARocker]

So if a T-Mobile S4 is on Metro it will still get otas??

I don't think you'd get it "over the air"... but there's no reason you wouldn't be able to update it yourself not long after its released. I'm pretty sure some helpful person will post it somewhere.

Fact is, I haven't read or heard anyone actually taking a Tmo S4 and get a Metro plan for it. I've heard that it should be able to but haven't heard anyone that has. I guess I'm saying, be cautious. In your first post you wrote that you called Metro customer service and they just did not understand your question "for some reason". Is it me or does that sound funny? Maybe their playing dumb. Maybe you just got the Metro Dooface that day.

Id try calling them again or perhaps go to a store. Tell them you HAVE a tmobile S4 and you want to put it on Metro. See what they say.....

 

[Rooqy]

I don't think you'd get it "over the air"... but there's no reason you wouldn't be able to update it yourself not long after its released. I'm pretty sure some helpful person will post it somewhere.

Fact is, I haven't read or heard anyone actually taking a Tmo S4 and get a Metro plan for it. I've heard that it should be able to but haven't heard anyone that has. I guess I'm saying, be cautious. In your first post you wrote that you called Metro customer service and they just did not understand your question "for some reason". Is it me or does that sound funny? Maybe their playing dumb. Maybe you just got the Metro Dooface that day.

Id try calling them again or perhaps go to a store. Tell them you HAVE a tmobile S4 and you want to put it on Metro. See what they say.....

Yeah defiantly agree that that would be the best thing to do. Thanks and if I learn anything new or different I'll defiantly let you guys know!

 

[Shabbypenguin]

So if a T-Mobile S4 is on Metro it will still get otas??

any device that gets OTA's normally can get them over wifi or any form of cell service. i say any phone because some updates are kies only, or like lg uses computer based tools for their stuff etc etc.

 

[bsquirrell]

Hi, everyone, I have been looking at the specs for the Metro S4, I travel to the Uk a lot, and it looks like the 4g wont work over there,or am I mistaken? I am comparing it to the international version which is the one they have over there.
.

 

[ARocker]

Hi, everyone, I have been looking at the specs for the Metro S4, I travel to the Uk a lot, and it looks like the 4g wont work over there,or am I mistaken? I am comparing it to the international version which is the one they have over there.
.

Hmm...Idk bsquirrell. Doesn't the UK and Europe use GSM networks?

 

[Rxpert83]

Hmm...Idk bsquirrell. Doesn't the UK and Europe use GSM networks?

Yup, usually

 

[ARocker]

Hmm...Idk bsquirrell. Doesn't the UK and Europe use GSM networks?

Yup, usually

I thought so...but that doesn't answer whether 4g will work. Do they have 4G over there? Again, idk.

MetroPCS customer service should be able to answer your question. If not, try calling Tmobile customer service.

 

[dcap0187]

Most of Europe has only 3g capabilities. There are just plans to start with a lte network if any over most of Europe. which is why the lg nexus 4 was only 3g capable. T mobile has a decent international network being part of Deutsche Telekom. Here is more about this Fourth generation networks in Europe: a rollout at different speeds | Internet Policy Review

 

[bsquirrell]

I know they have 4g there my son in law has the international version of s4 I9505,although only very recently, and not all networks have it. I was looking at the comparisons on the chart in this forum, the specs are different on the 4 g part UK 800,850 gsm, 1800 mhz, imt, imt-E. The specs of the metro pcs galaxy for 4g are 700 mhz,(band 17) clr. aws, pcs, imt imt-e. I dont even pretend to understand any of the above , other than they appear to be different. I need much wiser heads than mine. Other than that the phones are essentially the same.

 

[danyvw]

Talking about specs, everybody said that the Metro S4 is the same as T-Mobile, I'm not an expert but according to Samsung website they have different LTE and HSPA+/UMTS bands, could somebody explain that to me, please?
Metro
LTE: Bands 1/4/7/17; HSPA+/UMTS: 850/1900/2100MHz;
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
T-Mobile
LTE: Bands 1/2/4/5/7/17; HSPA+/UMTS: 850/AWS/1900/2100MHz;
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz

 

[gromit0010]

danyvw
Although Samsung might list different bands I think it comes down to the radio hardware. This is what I do know. My MetroPCS S4 was able to get 4GLTE with MetroPCS service and also with a friends T-mob sim card both pulling around 13Mps down and 9Mps up at the time, sometimes more at night for some reason. After I messed up my MetroPCS 4.2.2 stock ROM from flashing back and forth I had to flash the T-mob FW to my phone. Running the stock T-mob 4.2.2 my MetroPCS service still worked or I should say still works with 4GLTE as there is no stock recovery FW for the Metro S4 yet. I don't know spec wise what exactly Samsung says but I do know LTE works with MetroPCS service when my phone was a SGH-919N and now that it is a SGH-919.

Another interesting point I found was that some custom ROMS allow you to change the radio frequencies easily which is needed for ATT S4's to work with LTE on T-mob. From what I have found I think its more about the hardware then the ROM for FW. Personally the Metro S4 is cheaper and you can use it on T-mob or MetroPCS with ease.

 

[Zleach]

Does anyone know if the Galaxy S4 display 4G HSPA+ on the screen or 4G LTE ?

 

[mike28]

Does anyone know if the Galaxy S4 display 4G HSPA+ on the screen or 4G LTE ?

When it displays 4g it means that you are in hspa+ zone, once you are in an lte area the lte icon will come up

 

[Zleach]

When it displays 4g it means that you are in hspa+ zone, once you are in an lte area the lte icon will come up

Can you show me a screenshot on how it looks for 4g hspa+ and 4G lte.

And also do you or others know any other phones thats 4g hspa+ and 4G lte

I know theres the Galaxy S4 + Galaxy Note 3

 

[mike28]

Can you show me a screenshot on how it looks for 4g hspa+ and 4G lte.

And also do you or others know any other phones thats 4g hspa+ and 4G lte

I know theres the Galaxy S4 + Galaxy Note 3

Right now I have 4G lte so the icon looks like this when not in lte is just an 4g icon by itself

 

[dcap0187]

here is how the two look.

 

[basem_antonios]

I Think so cause I flashed my SGH-M919 to get SGH-M919N and everything work just fine and I believe you do the opposite too.

 

[nix82]

Please direct me to the right forum if this isn't it...

I'm planning on purchasing the metro s4 and then switching to tmo's $30 prepaid plan after 3 months when I can get it unlocked.

The prepaid plan doesn't have roaming so I'll have to rely on a strong tmo signal.

Would I have any issues if the metro model is missing AWS (1700 I think) and LTE band 2/5?

I live in San Diego and should have good LTE coverage, but if I'm on the outskirts and LTE isn't as strong, hopefully I could pick up HSPA+.

I have a basic understanding of how the bands/LTE/HSPA+ work, but confused as to how tmo/metro overlap and how important any particular band is. I've read tmo uses AWS for HSPA+ but is switching it to LTE, would a lack of AWS mean no HSPA+ for the metro model?

Just wondering if the missing bands will have any effect or if I should be fine.

*edit*

After some more searching, it seems HSPA+ has been moved to 1900 in San Diego and AWS shouldn't be needed and the 2 missing LTE bands are for countries I won't be visiting anytime soon. Unless I'm mistaken, looks like I should be good to go. If anyone has anything to add, I would appreciate it.