Network Selection

ItnStln511 · Mar 20, 2017

Are you able to disable LTE on the Google Pixel and fall back to HSPA+ like on the Nexus 6? Can this be done on both the Verizon and Google versions? My reason for asking is I live in an area with poor LTE reception but perfect HSPA+ reception so the ability to use HSPA+ will save my battery since it won't be searching for LTE constantly.

codesplice · Mar 20, 2017

Hi @ItnStln511,

You should be able to go to Settings > More > Cellular networks > Preferred network type and choose 3G instead of LTE to tell the phone to stick with 3G as much as it can.

That should work no matter where you purchase the device from, but that ability may be limited based on the carrier you're using. Verizon, in particular, is a CDMA network while HSPA+ is a GSM technology; a Verizon phone won't be able to fall back to HSPA+. None of the options within the Preferred network type were able to disable LTE on my coworker's Pixel XL on Verizon.

(On a related note, this menu is entirely absent on a device using a Project Fi SIM, as all the network settings are managed by the Fi app.)

ItnStln511 · Mar 20, 2017

codesplice said:
Hi @ItnStln511,

You should be able to go to Settings > More > Cellular networks > Preferred network type and choose 3G instead of LTE to tell the phone to stick with 3G as much as it can.

That should work no matter where you purchase the device from, but that ability may be limited based on the carrier you're using. Verizon, in particular, is a CDMA network while HSPA+ is a GSM technology; a Verizon phone won't be able to fall back to HSPA+. None of the options within the Preferred network type were able to disable LTE on my coworker's Pixel XL on Verizon.

(On a related note, this menu is entirely absent on a device using a Project Fi SIM, as all the network settings are managed by the Fi app.)

I'm going to be using it on at&t, but I noticed that the Verizon version is cheaper than the Google version. On my Nexus 6 I can disable LTE and use HSPA+ which helps with my battery a lot. When I have a day off I will go to the Verizon store and attempt to pop my at&t SIM Card in a Pixel and see what happens.

codesplice · Mar 20, 2017

The VZW Pixels are carrier-unlocked, so you should be able to pop in an AT&T SIM and use it just fine. The Preferred network type menu should then change to let you choose LTE, 3G, or 2G. Let us know how it goes.

ItnStln511 · Mar 20, 2017

codesplice said:
The VZW Pixels are carrier-unlocked, so you should be able to pop in an AT&T SIM and use it just fine. The Preferred network type menu should then change to let you choose LTE, 3G, or 2G. Let us know how it goes.

I went to a Verizon store and using my at&t SIM Card let me disable LTE. Now the question is do I get a Pixel or a Pixel XL.

SwiffTee · Mar 24, 2017

ItnStln511 said:
I went to a Verizon store and using my at&t SIM Card let me disable LTE. Now the question is do I get a Pixel or a Pixel XL.

Having the Pixel myself, I wish I would've got the XL. . . I hope that helps. lol

codesplice · Mar 24, 2017

My current device is a 6P... I'd probably go for the smaller Pixel.

It's good to have two size options with nearly identical hardware.

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