• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Nexus 4 on T-mobile, anyone?

namartlu

Member
Nov 7, 2011
87
6
Although the Google event was cancelled/postponed, they announced the Nexus 4 on the web anyway. So, it will be available 11/13. I will get the 16GB version and move to T-mobile with the $30/month plan. Anyone doing the same?

I am now with Virgin Mobile using HTC Evo V 4G. I got pretty bad data speed here in San Diego. No 4G either. The phone is good although a bit thick/heavy, battery kind of lacking.
 
Although the Google event was cancelled/postponed, they announced the Nexus 4 on the web anyway. So, it will be available 11/13. I will get the 16GB version and move to T-mobile with the $30/month plan. Anyone doing the same?

I am now with Virgin Mobile using HTC Evo V 4G. I got pretty bad data speed here in San Diego. No 4G either. The phone is good although a bit thick/heavy, battery kind of lacking.

Well it's not like you'll get 4G with the Nex4 since it doesn't have it.

But this is always a good idea as the T-Mobile plan is probably the most price worthy plan out there, good luck :)
 
Upvote 0
I am ok with hspa+ 21 for now... compared with what I am getting right now... :)

FWIW, I'm getting these speeds on my T-Mo Note 2, in the Balt./DC corridor (slower speeds, test was connecting to west coast due to poor GPS signal):


y8upy4a8.jpg
 
Upvote 0
Although the Google event was cancelled/postponed, they announced the Nexus 4 on the web anyway. So, it will be available 11/13. I will get the 16GB version and move to T-mobile with the $30/month plan. Anyone doing the same?

I am now with Virgin Mobile using HTC Evo V 4G. I got pretty bad data speed here in San Diego. No 4G either. The phone is good although a bit thick/heavy, battery kind of lacking.

I recently switched to T-Mo $30 plan (GSIII) from $35 VM (Evo V) and the data speeds have been fantastic in San Diego. I've ran over dozen speed tests so far in different areas and except for one spot (209 kbps), lowest so far is at 4748 kbps down/1500 up and highest is at 19610 up/3656 down. However, ping is usual around 1000 ms with occasional ~100 ms. Since my device is +42 capable not sure how much impact with +21 device like the Google Play Nexus 4, if any.
 
Upvote 0
So I buy the phone for$299 go to t mobile tell them I want the $30/$50 monthly and that's it?

Buy the phone and order a SIM Card Activation Kit from T-Mobile's website for $0.99. Once you have the SIM, you need to activate it online to get the $30 Walmart plan -- and be sure to select the right $30 plan, as there is another $30 plan that is Voice and text only. If you have any problem activating online, it will show a phone number where you can activate the SIM and, again, make sure they know you are wanting the $30 Walmart plan.




Note: the SIM card kit is free today (10/29), so if you think you might have any interest in moving to T-Mobile order it today. The Kit is good for at least 3 years. Though this is only for the Standard size SIM, the Micro SIM is still 99 cents. Though a standard SIM can be cut down to Micro SIM size.
 
Upvote 0
I recently switched to T-Mo $30 plan (GSIII) from $35 VM (Evo V) and the data speeds have been fantastic in San Diego. I've ran over dozen speed tests so far in different areas and except for one spot (209 kbps), lowest so far is at 4748 kbps down/1500 up and highest is at 19610 up/3656 down. However, ping is usual around 1000 ms with occasional ~100 ms. Since my device is +42 capable not sure how much impact with +21 device like the Google Play Nexus 4, if any.

I have to say, I'm disappointed and don't understand why the Nexus 4 is not HSPA+ 42.

The Nexus will likely see max speeds about 10 Mbps (roughly half the top speed you are seeing). Other than that, speeds may be somewhat slower but in the same range as what you are getting.
 
Upvote 0
I have to say, I'm disappointed and don't understand why the Nexus 4 is not HSPA+ 42.

The Nexus will likely see max speeds about 10 Mbps (roughly half the top speed you are seeing). Other than that, speeds may be somewhat slower but in the same range as what you are getting.

I read that you get HSPA+ 42 Nexus 4 if you buy it from TMo for $599. ;)
 
Upvote 0
I read that you get HSPA+ 42 Nexus 4 if you buy it from TMo for $599. ;)

I am curious to see what differences there are in the T-Mobile Nexus 4 (kind of like with the CDMA versions of the Galaxy Nexus). Of course, the disadvantage to the T-Mobile Nexus will likely be that it has the T-Mobile bloatware, as well as not getting the Android updates directly from Google but having to wait for T-Mobile to release them. It will also be interesting to see how T-Mobile will price the Nexus 4 if you pay full price.
 
Upvote 0
T-Mobile (and many carriers) calls it "Bring your own device". You get a SIM card from them, online is the cheapest way, then activate whatever plan you want, pop it in your phone, and you are in business.

As a note, the SIM Card Activation Kit is currently free (at least for the Standard sized SIM), there is no shipping charge. Typically these sales only last for 24 hours, so if you have any interest in moving to T-Mobile prepaid, then I'd recommend ordering one. The SIM kits are good for at least two years (if not longer), so it doesn't matter if you don't use it right away (or at all, for that matter).
 
  • Like
Reactions: MT Rotor
Upvote 0
As a note, the SIM Card Activation Kit is currently free (at least for the Standard sized SIM), there is no shipping charge. Typically these sales only last for 24 hours, so if you have any interest in moving to T-Mobile prepaid, then I'd recommend ordering one. The SIM kits are good for at least two years (if not longer), so it doesn't matter if you don't use it right away (or at all, for that matter).

Thanks for the heads up,just ordered the kit
 
Upvote 0
I am curious to see what differences there are in the T-Mobile Nexus 4 (kind of like with the CDMA versions of the Galaxy Nexus). Of course, the disadvantage to the T-Mobile Nexus will likely be that it has the T-Mobile bloatware, as well as not getting the Android updates directly from Google but having to wait for T-Mobile to release them. It will also be interesting to see how T-Mobile will price the Nexus 4 if you pay full price.

It'll be $599 since if you look at their value plan for the Nexus 4, it's $199 up front + $20/mo x 20 months. Typically total cost of the value plan is the retail price.

T-Mobile Announces Holiday Smartphone Lineup, “Premier Nexus 4 Partner” | | TmoNewsTmoNews

Also the site confirmed that TMo version does indeed have the HSPA+ 42 unlike the Google Play version.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crashdamage
Upvote 0
What's the difference between $199 version and the Google unlocked version?

If you purchase it from the Play store:

No bloatware
Android OS updates pushed directly from Google as soon as they're released.
The ability to take your phone and move to another GSM carrier (AT&T, Straight Talk etc.). ie; unlocked.

;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: MT Rotor
Upvote 0
I am curious to see what differences there are in the T-Mobile Nexus 4 (kind of like with the CDMA versions of the Galaxy Nexus). Of course, the disadvantage to the T-Mobile Nexus will likely be that it has the T-Mobile bloatware, as well as not getting the Android updates directly from Google but having to wait for T-Mobile to release them. It will also be interesting to see how T-Mobile will price the Nexus 4 if you pay full price.
I don't think they would call it a 'Nexus' if they have bloatware. The only difference is probably hardware, the +42 upgraded radio over the +21 standard Nexus.
 
Upvote 0
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones