Help Nexus 6 will work on all major US carriers

[trophynuts]

Raise your hand if you had the last Nexus phone on VZW..... #handraised #butthurt


I recently switched to Tmo. One of the reasons is that it gives me more freedom to try new nexus devices when they come out and play around on them. ....i've always been a fan of Moto hardware specifically the signal strength...but 6 inch screen???? 600+ price tag? ....the price tag alone waters the Nexus program down. One of the cool things about Nexus phones was that they were always fairly cheap at retail for what you got. I understand specs cost money...but holy moly. Does Moto/Google actually think this phone will sell? I realize it doesn't matter probably. They don't market it as a seller, its for the nerds like us and that is it.

 

[zipred]

I wouldn't be surprised to see AT&T offer the Nexus 6 on a 2 yr contract for $299. Or offer it on the Next program for $34.00 per month.

They're giving more choices to the customer when purchasing phones, so as to ramp up their revenue since it's not as robust as they're looking for. We should know their pricing soon.

 

[jkc120]

Well, I'm back and out from the shadows. I tried to go with the Nexus 5 last year on AT&T, but the coverage in my town was simply nowhere near as good as Verizon. And to make things worse, they lit a tower a mile from my house as I was testing the N5 and my wife was pulling 60 Mbps LTE while I was stuck on HSPA+ (if I was lucky) or HSPA. So I went back to Verizon, and it was soon enough that they didn't take away my unlimited data.

Wow, am I glad I did that. I am not in love with the idea of a giant phone, and would much prefer it to be 5-5.2", but a Nexus on Verizon with unlimited data and awesome coverage? YES PLEASE!

I'll get used to the size (I hope heh).

As to whether VZW will somehow screw this up, I don't see how they can if there is one US model. So I wouldn't worry too much about the Verizon version not getting timely updates. And since it's a Nexus, you always have the option of unlocking the bootloader, installing a custom recovery, and flashing before OTAs roll out or just going with CM or AOKP, etc.

As to the price, I've heard complaints but I am rather glad. I'd rather pay another $200 and have a premium device and good quality control. I had issues with the gnex (purple tinted screen or dropping radios or both) and the N5 had light bleed, vibration motor issues for me. So hopefully the higher price tag for a more premium device (both in terms of specs and build quality) is worth it.

Anyway, TL;DR - I'm pre-ordering this sucker to replace my MDK Galaxy S4 (cm11) which is annoyingly flakely lately (BT issues, "sleep of death", compass orientation borked, etc).

I think I'm going to rock the N6 stock rooted for a while.

 

[zipred]

Well, I'm back and out from the shadows. I tried to go with the Nexus 5 last year on AT&T, but the coverage in my town was simply nowhere near as good as Verizon. And to make things worse, they lit a tower a mile from my house as I was testing the N5 and my wife was pulling 60 Mbps LTE while I was stuck on HSPA+ (if I was lucky) or HSPA. So I went back to Verizon, and it was soon enough that they didn't take away my unlimited data.

Wow, am I glad I did that. I am not in love with the idea of a giant phone, and would much prefer it to be 5-5.2", but a Nexus on Verizon with unlimited data and awesome coverage? YES PLEASE!

I'll get used to the size (I hope heh).

As to whether VZW will somehow screw this up, I don't see how they can if there is one US model. So I wouldn't worry too much about the Verizon version not getting timely updates. And since it's a Nexus, you always have the option of unlocking the bootloader, installing a custom recovery, and flashing before OTAs roll out or just going with CM or AOKP, etc.

As to the price, I've heard complaints but I am rather glad. I'd rather pay another $200 and have a premium device and good quality control. I had issues with the gnex (purple tinted screen or dropping radios or both) and the N5 had light bleed, vibration motor issues for me. So hopefully the higher price tag for a more premium device (both in terms of specs and build quality) is worth it.

Anyway, TL;DR - I'm pre-ordering this sucker to replace my MDK Galaxy S4 (cm11) which is annoyingly flakely lately (BT issues, "sleep of death", compass orientation borked, etc).

I think I'm going to rock the N6 stock rooted for a while.

Welcome back

I have a very good feeling about the Nexus 6.

However I'm very irritated at all the articles that said this is a "Giant Phone" or words to that effect. Not once did they put the iPhone 6 Plus down for its size and it's larger than a 5.7"display Note 3 when the iPhone only has a 5.5 display with huge end bezels.

Check this out :


6.0" display 159.2 x 82.9 x 10.0 Nexus 6
5.5"________ 158.1 x 77.8 x 7.10 iPhone 6+
5.7"________ 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.50 Note 4
5.5"________ 152.9 x 75.9 x 8.90 OnePlus 1
5.5"________ 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.90 LG G3



Nexus 6 site
http://www.google.com/nexus/6/

 

[halon]

So will we be able to buy this thru Google Play/Moto to use on Verizon since there is only one version for the US?

 

[jkc120]

So will we be able to buy this thru Google Play/Moto to use on Verizon since there is only one version for the US?

That's what I'm thinking. If there's only one US SKU, then at the most Verizon can pre-install some apps in the ones they sell. I know you could buy the play store N5 and use it on Sprint, so I'd imagine the same for Verizon.

If by some stupidly ******** move on Verizon's part you have to buy it through them (ala the GNex), I will pass on it probably and see if the next HTC device gets s-off I guess. :/

 

[jhawkkw]

As to whether VZW will somehow screw this up, I don't see how they can if there is one US model. So I wouldn't worry too much about the Verizon version not getting timely updates. And since it's a Nexus, you always have the option of unlocking the bootloader, installing a custom recovery, and flashing before OTAs roll out or just going with CM or AOKP, etc.

Obviously everything in my post above is one way they can screw it up, but another way they can screw it up is by not allowing you to activate it on their network with a new sim card. This is exactly what they did with the LTE Nexus 7 last year. The LTE Nexus 7 launched on Google Play on September 9th 2013 and Verizon didn't start activating new sim cards on it until February 8th 2014. What made it worse is that the LTE Nexus 7 didn't have any CDMA radios in it and was protected by the C-block regulations of Verizon's LTE and Verizon still screwed with it. The Nexus 6 will have CDMA radios in it and thus can give them even more power about activation on their network.

 

[ktriebol]

No IR blaster?

 

[jkc120]

Obviously everything in my post above is one way they can screw it up, but another way they can screw it up is by not allowing you to activate it on their network with a new sim card. This is exactly what they did with the LTE Nexus 7 last year. The LTE Nexus 7 launched on Google Play on September 9th 2013 and Verizon didn't start activating new sim cards on it until February 8th 2014. What made it worse is that the LTE Nexus 7 didn't have any CDMA radios in it and was protected by the C-block regulations of Verizon's LTE and Verizon still screwed with it. The Nexus 6 will have CDMA radios in it and thus can give them even more power about activation on their network.

That's true, but what would be the point? And most people would be upgrading an existing phone so it's just a matter of popping your sim card into it. It doesn't mame sense for Google to announce Verizon support if they hadn't already negotiated with Verizon. I guess time will tell.

 

[kate]

It's possible Verizon could force you to buy it through them by blacklisting the MEID/IMEI of Nexus 6 phones sold from the Google Play Store.

 

[rhray]

I got burned by the verizon in my experience with the GNEX. They lost me as a customer. Never again, Verizon, NEVER AGAIN!

I think a valid point was brought up by:

While that is true. I am curious as to how they will handle things like WiFi calling on TMoblie when doing updates. Each carrier has little things different from each....

I don't understand the wifi handoff protocol or how it all works will enough to know if this is something that can be automatically programmed (just like cell towers and APN's can be programmed over the air when you throw a new sim card in an unlocked phone). Or if it's something where you must get the N6 from T-Mobile to get the wifi calling and if you got it from the playstore unlocked wifi calling won't work.

I'm interested to know this because I'm ironically someone who would suffer more from wifi calling than not!

 

[jj14x]

While that is true. I am curious as to how they will handle things like WiFi calling on TMoblie when doing updates. Each carrier has little things different from each....

I think WiFi calling is going to similar to a network profile or PRL (roaming list) update that Sprint does. It is not an OS update, but basically is providing additional access point instructions to the radio to connect to - which would include a WiFi router.

 

[jhawkkw]

That's true, but what would be the point? And most people would be upgrading an existing phone so it's just a matter of popping your sim card into it. It doesn't mame sense for Google to announce Verizon support if they hadn't already negotiated with Verizon. I guess time will tell.

You would think, but that's what they did with the LTE Nexus 7. During the July presentation where they announced it they said it works on Verizon and when it launched you could put an already activated sim card in but wouldn't activate a new sim card for it because it wasn't "certified". You would think Google would learn and have already worked this out, but I suppose we'll see. If not, it might be a while after launch for the rest of the carriers that you can buy it in a Verizon store and thus get it on EDGE or subsidized pricing. I hope everything goes smoothly though.

 

[rizzer]

So is the Nexus 6 'amoled' display worse than Samsungs Note 4 'samoled' display? or are they the same-ish

 

[Geese1]

You would think, but that's what they did with the LTE Nexus 7. During the July presentation where they announced it they said it works on Verizon and when it launched you could put an already activated sim card in but wouldn't activate a new sim card for it because it wasn't "certified". You would think Google would learn and have already worked this out, but I suppose we'll see. If not, it might be a while after launch for the rest of the carriers that you can buy it in a Verizon store and thus get it on EDGE or subsidized pricing. I hope everything goes smoothly though.

Yeah, I'm still not convinced Verizon will let this go smoothly. Their past ventures with Nexus devices (phones and tablets) haven't inspired any confidence.

And while having my unlimited data is nice, I hardly use any of it any more ever since I got my Nexus 7 (2013) tablet - I much prefer to read, browse the web, watch YouTube videos, etc. while lying in bed with that over using my Galaxy SIII. So I could quite easily move to another carrier, which has the additional benefit of saving me in monthly costs over what I pay to Verizon.

So while I'm pretty sure I'll end up getting the phone, I'm not sure who I'm going to be using it with at this point.

 

[rivera02]

I would be shocked if the 6 on Verizon didn't have vzw bloat apps and was able to have updates pushed directly from Google in a timely manner. I
It would be awesome if they proved me wrong though..

 

[jkc120]

I know everyone is still pissed about the GNex, but let's see what happens and give Google the benefit of the doubt.

Since there is ONE US version, if you don't want to worry about Verizon nonsense (and don't mind paying full retail), go buy it at Best Buy or the Play Store.

If they truly do something stupid like block the IMEI then the crapstorm that will ensue will be EPIC. I really don't think they'd do that, but we'll see.

It's all moot for me, I have a sim card that works on my S4 and I can pop it into the Nexus 6 when I buy it, which will probably be from Best Buy anyway.

 

[rivera02]

I know everyone is still pissed about the GNex, but let's see what happens and give Google the benefit of the doubt.

Since there is ONE US version, if you don't want to worry about Verizon nonsense (and don't mind paying full retail), go buy it at Best Buy or the Play Store.

If they truly do something stupid like block the IMEI then the crapstorm that will ensue will be EPIC. I really don't think they'd do that, but we'll see.

It's all moot for me, I have a sim card that works on my S4 and I can pop it into the Nexus 6 when I buy it, which will probably be from Best Buy anyway.

As far as I know, buying it through best buy still goes through Verizon though. Do they sell unlocked phones?

 

[jkc120]

As far as I know, buying it through best buy still goes through Verizon though. Do they sell unlocked phones?

Meaning you have to tell them what carrier you're buying it for? How was the Nexus 5 handled? Could you buy it there for any carrier?

 

[rivera02]

Meaning you have to tell them what carrier you're buying it for? How was the Nexus 5 handled? Could you buy it there for any carrier?

I've bought phones through them but I was using carrier upgrades so I'm really not sure if you could buy the nexus there unlocked and pop a Verizon SIM into it. I have little faith that Verizon would make it that easy though lol

 

[jkc120]

The Nexus 5 had only one factory image for all US variants, so unless they make one specifically for VZW, I am hopeful we won't have to go through VZW for updates.

 

[WuBoy]

I don't think Verizon will mess with the Nexus 6. They are releasing the Turbo in similar time frame. I'm betting that will be like a smaller Nexus 6 with more Verizon bloat.

 

[jkc120]

I don't think Verizon will mess with the Nexus 6. They are releasing the Turbo in similar time frame. I'm betting that will be like a smaller Nexus 6 with more Verizon bloat.

I sure hope so, but it's theoretically possible for them to force you to buy it through them. I don't know how they'd preinstall bloat on them, it's not like they can power them up, install crap, then power them off and put them back in the box. So I'm hopeful.

But all that said, there was the 2013 Nexus 7 fiasco and this has CDMA/1x in it so they could potentially allow only whitelisted IMEIs. They do this with the iPhone 5/5s, allowing only VZW iPhone 5s on their network

 

[aawshads]

I read on another board that since the N6 has different radio chipsets in it, the carriers will be allowed to update the radios for the N6, but that google only will handle the android updates, which assure us of getting timely updates.

"I am fairly confident the phones will be identical. This particular SoC, the 805, unlike all the other Qualcomm kits has discreet radio hardware not on the SoC. All of the 800/801 before it and the 808/810 after it have integrated radio hardware. I think this was an intentional agreement that Motorola/Google brokered with Qualcomm/Carriers. This way they can all sell one identical handset but the carriers will only push radio/modem updates to keep things working on their networks, but they will tell us that all software/OS updates will come from Google directly."

 

[halon]

I read on another board that since the N6 has different radio chipsets in it, the carriers will be allowed to update the radios for the N6, but that google only will handle the android updates, which assure us of getting timely updates.

"I am fairly confident the phones will be identical. This particular SoC, the 805, unlike all the other Qualcomm kits has discreet radio hardware not on the SoC. All of the 800/801 before it and the 808/810 after it have integrated radio hardware. I think this was an intentional agreement that Motorola/Google brokered with Qualcomm/Carriers. This way they can all sell one identical handset but the carriers will only push radio/modem updates to keep things working on their networks, but they will tell us that all software/OS updates will come from Google directly."

And where is this from?