I love my Samsung Epic 4G Touch and I would LOVE to benefit from the new upgrades Sprint's doing by upgrading from 4G WiMax to 4G LTE.
Here's where i get confused. I was told by the salesman who sold me the E4GT that this phone is compatible with both 4G WiMax and 4G LTE. It sounded odd to me so i had him elaborate and this is what he said:
"The phone has the hardware necessary already built in in order to it to use both types of 4G (LTE+WiMax). You will most likely have to do an OTA update or something like that, then, in the update message it should say something like "come in the store so we can perform a hardware upgrade" or something like that .... Sounds odd to me, have u guys ever taken a phone in to do something like this??
He also stated:
"When major changes like this occur, it's a little easier to get early upgrades and discounts on phones because people miss out on certain features. To work it a little bit, You could say "Oh, my 4G WiMax is getting affected by the new LTE updates you guys did" and they'd eventually get you a newer, 4G capable phone sent to you.
SOOOOO.....
What do you guys think? Do you think the Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch has the hardware needed to use 4G LTE? I've done my research and i don't even know what to look for so, here i am asking.
Also, Do you think that customer service will be more willing to provide people early upgrade options if they bought a phone fairly recently that is not compatible to be used with the 4G LTE?
What would you guys do in this situation?
ANY input as to how and get 4G LTE on this phone (or by getting an early upgrade/cheap new Nexus2) is greatly appreciated.
I love my Samsung Epic 4G Touch and I would LOVE to benefit from the new upgrades Sprint's doing by upgrading from 4G WiMax to 4G LTE.
Here's where i get confused. I was told by the salesman who sold me the E4GT that this phone is compatible with both 4G WiMax and 4G LTE. It sounded odd to me so i had him elaborate and this is what he said:
"The phone has the hardware necessary already built in in order to it to use both types of 4G (LTE+WiMax). You will most likely have to do an OTA update or something like that, then, in the update message it should say something like "come in the store so we can perform a hardware upgrade" or something like that .... Sounds odd to me, have u guys ever taken a phone in to do something like this??
He also stated:
"When major changes like this occur, it's a little easier to get early upgrades and discounts on phones because people miss out on certain features. To work it a little bit, You could say "Oh, my 4G WiMax is getting affected by the new LTE updates you guys did" and they'd eventually get you a newer, 4G capable phone sent to you.
SOOOOO.....
What do you guys think? Do you think the Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch has the hardware needed to use 4G LTE? I've done my research and i don't even know what to look for so, here i am asking.
Also, Do you think that customer service will be more willing to provide people early upgrade options if they bought a phone fairly recently that is not compatible to be used with the 4G LTE?
What would you guys do in this situation?
ANY input as to how and get 4G LTE on this phone (or by getting an early upgrade/cheap new Nexus2) is greatly appreciated.
It will absolutely NOT work with LTE! I work for Sprint and I am 100% positive. The handset has to be LTE compatible and the 4G Touch is not. Sorry.
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It will absolutely NOT work with LTE! I work for Sprint and I am 100% positive. The handset has to be LTE compatible and the 4G Touch is not. Sorry.
I hate knowing that i will be missing out on like TWICE or maybe even THREE times the speed but paying the SAME price ... All because a sales rep gave me bad info. Which is my fault COMPLETELY. Especially since i consider myself a tinkerer with androids, gadgets, etc.
So what do you think about the customer service aspect of it?
Do you think customer service will be lenient on this issue and offer an early upgrade or something like a discounted price since the phone is top of the line, and bought fairly recently, but can't be used LTE?? Do they offer these kind of things at all?
I know ill never get "OFFICIAL" answers when it comes to what i'm asking (unless your a official sprint employee that knows his stuff) so what i'm really asking for are educated opinions related to this specific topic.
Last edited by exitprogram; February 25th, 2012 at 01:58 AM.
me personally just got a Epic 4G Touch, but I looked at it this way, there is no guarantee that LTE will be in my area before my contract is up so I went ahead and went with my new upgrade anyway, it might be atleast a year or two before LTE is even available in my area, so by that time I will be ready to upgrade anyway even if I have to pay Sprint a few dollars for an early upgrade like I have before
It will absolutely NOT work with LTE! I work for Sprint and I am 100% positive. The handset has to be LTE compatible and the 4G Touch is not. Sorry.
So... Are we stuck with our phones and out of luck? or will Sprint be able to strike a deal or an exchange for us since we were not forwarned??
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I just talked with a local CSR... He said that it will absolutelly not matter that Sprint is going with LTE 4G, that we'll still be able to use WiMax... Which is still a shitty proposition since LTE is a better 4G network configuration...But at least I don't have to throw my phone in the garbage..
THINKING! for a change: We already pay $10.00 for the 4G stuff.. I will fight them to the tooth when they upgrade to LTE and not be able to go along with the flow... I just purchased my phone a week and a half ago...
Last edited by godsdragon; February 25th, 2012 at 11:14 AM.
Reason: adding info
So... Are we stuck with our phones and out of luck? or will Sprint be able to strike a deal or an exchange for us since we were not forwarned??
As far anyone should be concerned, current 4G devices never promised anything to do with LTE. It is 4G-ish with Clearwire's WiMax. LTE is just a better 4G data solution. Not to mention that the confusion over what 4G is to some people. Verizon, if nothing else, brands its products well. Daily people ask for Droid when they mean Android or LTE when they mean 4G.
WiMax will still be available for those that use it (its run seperate from Sprint, though Sprint owns a chunk of that company) and if you are looking for LTE specifically, think about all those people that never even got WiMax but bought an HTC Evo 2+ years ago.
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When I bought my E4GT last year, I knew it wasn't LTE compatible, but barely gave it a thought ... my upgrade time will be close enough by the time LTE really rolls out. As LTE gets closer to reality, it's certainly more of a consideration, but even now I think the E4GT is still a fine option if you need/want a new phone. The very first LTE cities won't be online until later this year, and WiMax will almost certainly be available for the next couple of years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by godsdragon
I just talked with a local CSR... He said that it will absolutelly not matter that Sprint is going with LTE 4G, that we'll still be able to use WiMax... Which is still a shitty proposition since LTE is a better 4G network configuration...But at least I don't have to throw my phone in the garbage..
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When I bought my E4GT last year, I knew it wasn't LTE compatible, but barely gave it a thought ... my upgrade time will be close enough by the time LTE really rolls out. As LTE gets closer to reality, it's certainly more of a consideration, but even now I think the E4GT is still a fine option if you need/want a new phone. The very first LTE cities won't be online until later this year, and WiMax will almost certainly be available for the next couple of years.
Thank you. Sounds encouraging... And by that time I too will be elegible for upgrade.. I hope...
Just upgraded 2 handsets 2 weeks ago, with the understanding that early upgrade eligibility would be offered when LTE launches. The Galaxy S3 should be out by then. I fully intend to hold Sprint to their sale's rep's promise of an early handset upgrade.
Just upgraded 2 handsets 2 weeks ago, with the understanding that early upgrade eligibility would be offered when LTE launches. The Galaxy S3 should be out by then. I fully intend to hold Sprint to their sale's rep's promise of an early handset upgrade.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news..... buy just because a sales Rep told you something does not make it true.
I really don't see sprint offering early upgrades when Lte launches.
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Well just to inform ya'll.... it IS a possibility that we will get a diferent MODEL of this phone that is LTE compatible.... I think its the one with the 1.5GHz processor, something about it being compatible with LTE.
Anyway. I was just discussing our possibilites as for as upgrades an what not go.
They say they will do something for RECENT buyers of the 2 latest phones, the Photon and the Epic4GT.
Will They? Who knows.... But they better do something!
Two things to consider:
1. LTE is completely different and will not be compatible with Sprint's current 4G phones. They will market them specifically as LTE and not 4G to prevent confusion (even though there is no set standard for either).
2. The "4G" on your Galaxy is WiMax which is run by Clearwire, who will continue to develop their own network. It is possible that they will expand the network but I wouldn't bank on it considering that Sprint is no longer looking to dump money their way.
@Exitprogram - Sprint will be releasing the Galaxy Nexus that DOES have LTE around the time that they activate the first LTE towers. Sprint has begun training its sales reps on LTE so its really close to turning on at least one tower.
I have asked before but I am not sure on the answer. Will Sprint allow free roaming onto someone else's LTE the way they offer it on Verizon's 3G network? I have no idea but that would make a lot of people a lot more happy. It will come down to which spectrum is being used I guess.
The Samsung Epic 4G Touch is Sprint's Galaxy S II device. Originally said to be named the Samsung Within, the Samsung Epic 4G Touch is a continuance of the name of Sprint's original Galaxy S phone, the Samsung Epic 4G. The Epic 4G Touch wil... Read More
Epic4GTouch 4GLTE Compatible at ALL ???
I just talked with a local CSR... He said that it will absolutelly not matter that Sprint is going with LTE 4G, that we'll still be able to use WiMax... Which is still a shitty proposition since LTE is a better 4G network configuration...But at least I don't have to throw my phone in the garbage..
