[Q] Does flashing International D821 modem to US D820 (Nexus5) enable D821 LTE bands?

[ameer456]

Hi
I'm planning to purchase US version of nexus 5 from playstore because it is much cheaper than the international one
But what stopping me right now is that it doesn't support 1800 MHz LTE (Band 3), so for me it will be only on HSDPA+

If I flash the modem firmware of the international version to US one, Does it enable the international bands?
I'm supposed that the 2 models share the same internal.

 

[gee2012]

Hi
I'm planning to purchase US version of nexus 5 from playstore because it is much cheaper than the international one
But what stopping me right now is that it doesn't support 1800 MHz LTE (Band 3), so for me it will be only on HSDPA+

If I flash the modem firmware of the international version to US one, Does it enable the international bands?
I'm supposed that the 2 models share the same internal.

Was wondering about this also, i ordered a 32GB N5 from the US through a friend but it supports different LTE bands. If i had the phone i would certainly try to flash the radio and let you know.

 

[ameer456]

According to leaked manual (that for D820 international one) The chip that handle LTE bands are: WTR1605L (Qualcomm) which support 7 bands
What I thought, is that google did choose 7 bands for US , and another 7 for the rest of the world:

LG-D820 (North American Model): LTE bands 2/4/5/17/25/26/41
LG-D821 (International Model): LTE bands 1/3/5/7/8/20/41

But the question, is that a change on a system level or at hardware level?

 

[gee2012]

According to leaked manual (that for D820 international one) The chip that handle LTE bands are: WTR1605L (Qualcomm) which support 7 bands
What I thought, is that google did choose 7 bands for US , and another 7 for the rest of the world:

LG-D820 (North American Model): LTE bands 2/4/5/17/25/26/41
LG-D821 (International Model): LTE bands 1/3/5/7/8/20/41

But the question, is that a change on a system level or at hardware level?

I think its a hardware level and the bands are predetermined cause the Google factory images are the same afaik. So changing LTE bands support is probably not possible.

 

[obsanity]

If this was possible Google would just have one model. The fact that they had to split phones to cover most of the world is obviously a hardware limitation.

Sent from my Nexus 4

 

[mickey.shehata]

Chipset problems

Nexus 4 Transceiver chipset is Qualcom WTR1605L, same as Nexus 5 and it still DID NOT support all LTE bands.

Apparently you need PAs (Power Amplifiers) for certain bands accompanied with modems too. This shall increase battery consumption in return, this is why Google couldn't support all LTE bands on their D820 editions.

The Avago ACPM-7251 chipset is the PA of the Nexus 4, supported two UCMTS/LTE bands 1 & 5 - this is how some users were able to flash Nexus 4 devices and lock on LTE bands in Canada - and It totally depends on the PA of the D820, which we still don't know what it's going to be.

Please check the tear-down of the Nexus 4.

Conclusion: It's a hardware problem and CAN NOT be simply fixed by flashing the ROM; but we still have to wait and see the new PA of the device.

 

[AndiTails]

Hi
I'm planning to purchase US version of nexus 5 from playstore because it is much cheaper than the international one

Slightly off topic, but how is it cheaper? You'll have to pay import tax on the US one if you ship it internationally, so it ends up more expensive...?

Seems you're making it a lot harder for yourself. Just buy the right one for your region as it'll cost the same and you'll have a valid warranty.

 

[gee2012]

Slightly off topic, but how is it cheaper? You'll have to pay import tax on the US one if you ship it internationally, so it ends up more expensive...?

Seems you're making it a lot harder for yourself. Just buy the right one for your region as it'll cost the same and you'll have a valid warranty.

Not quite true, a 16GB N5 costs 399 euro`s in the Netherlands and i ordered a US 32GB model by a friend wich will cost me 370 euro`s total including shipping.

 

[AndiTails]

But you've only achieved that price by evading import tax into the EU by going via your friend.
You could've got it for nothing if you stole it.. doesn't mean it's the 'cheapest' way

 

[qwerty warrior]

Nexus 4 Transceiver chipset is Qualcom WTR1605L, same as Nexus 5 and it still DID NOT support all LTE bands.

Apparently you need PAs (Power Amplifiers) for certain bands accompanied with modems too. This shall increase battery consumption in return, this is why Google couldn't support all LTE bands on their D820 editions.

The Avago ACPM-7251 chipset is the PA of the Nexus 4, supported two UCMTS/LTE bands 1 & 5 - this is how some users were able to flash Nexus 4 devices and lock on LTE bands in Canada - and It totally depends on the PA of the D820, which we still don't know what it's going to be.

Please check the tear-down of the Nexus 4.

Conclusion: It's a hardware problem and CAN NOT be simply fixed by flashing the ROM; but we still have to wait and see the new PA of the device.

i thought PAs were for different frequencies not bands

 

[gee2012]

But you've only achieved that price by evading import tax into the EU by going via your friend.
You could've got it for nothing if you stole it.. doesn't mean it's the 'cheapest' way

My heart is bleeding for the Dutch Revenue Service The second sentence in your post is just plain nonsense.

 

[mickey.shehata]

Correction

i thought PAs were for different frequencies not bands

Sorry, frequencies within the bands.

 

[ameer456]

Slightly off topic, but how is it cheaper? You'll have to pay import tax on the US one if you ship it internationally, so it ends up more expensive...?

Seems you're making it a lot harder for yourself. Just buy the right one for your region as it'll cost the same and you'll have a valid warranty.

Not quite true, a 16GB N5 costs 399 euro`s in the Netherlands and i ordered a US 32GB model by a friend wich will cost me 370 euro`s total including shipping.

Actually, I always purchase devices from US playstore shipping to Delaware (no tax from online stores when shipping to this state) and using a forwarding shipment (about 14$/KG) to ship it to my country
So, in case of nexus 5 (32GB) the cost will be = 399$ + (shipping to delaware) + 14$ (shipping to Saudi Arabia) = 425$ (about 267 British pound or 314 euro)
UK playstore = 339 GBP (including £58.16 VAT) + £10 shipping + 14$ shipping to KSA = 358£ (573$) (418 euro)

573$-425$= Saving 148$ when purchasing from US

Now, if I could refund the VAT (since I'm not from UK) the difference in cost between UK & US = 148$ - (£58.16) 93$ = 55$
Not that much but I don't know how to refund VAT

 

[zorbakun]

Actually, I always purchase devices from US playstore shipping to Delaware (no tax from online stores when shipping to this state) and using a forwarding shipment (about 14$/KG) to ship it to my country
So, in case of nexus 5 (32GB) the cost will be = 399$ + (shipping to delaware) + 14$ (shipping to Saudi Arabia) = 425$ (about 267 British pound or 314 euro)
UK playstore = 339 GBP (including £58.16 VAT) + £10 shipping + 14$ shipping to KSA = 358£ (573$) (418 euro)

573$-425$= Saving 148$ when purchasing from US

Now, if I could refund the VAT (since I'm not from UK) the difference in cost between UK & US = 148$ - (£58.16) 93$ = 55$
Not that much but I don't know how to refund VAT

What shipping forwarding company are you using?

 

[ameer456]

What shipping forwarding company are you using?

Our local post made some agreement with a US shipping company (iparcel) so it can forward the parcels from USA to KSA as a middle company, unfortunately it will apply only to the local people who have a valid home address, they are very slow by the way but cheaper than any other alternatives.

 

[PhilipL]

Hi

Nexus 4 Transceiver chipset is Qualcom WTR1605L, same as Nexus 5 and it still DID NOT support all LTE bands.

Apparently you need PAs (Power Amplifiers) for certain bands accompanied with modems too. This shall increase battery consumption in return, this is why Google couldn't support all LTE bands on their D820 editions.

The Avago ACPM-7251 chipset is the PA of the Nexus 4, supported two UCMTS/LTE bands 1 & 5 - this is how some users were able to flash Nexus 4 devices and lock on LTE bands in Canada - and It totally depends on the PA of the D820, which we still don't know what it's going to be.

Please check the tear-down of the Nexus 4.

Conclusion: It's a hardware problem and CAN NOT be simply fixed by flashing the ROM; but we still have to wait and see the new PA of the device.

The chip is the ACPM 7600 according to the service manual. Can't seem to find any info on this.

Regards

Phil

 

[mickey.shehata]

Nexus 4 teardown

Hi




The chip is the ACPM 7600 according to the service manual. Can't seem to find any info on this. This means that it is locked through the firmware.

Regards

Phil

The 7600 was used on the Galaxy Note 3, supported both 3G and LTE bands.

The 7251 is used on Nexus 4, I have attached a photo for your reference too and outlined the chip on the mother board of the nexus 4.

 

[Spl4tt]

Eh, I also ordered a 32gig n5 from the US because they only sell 16 gig versions here in switzerland. So I won't be able to use lte here? **** >.<

Sent from my Nexus7.

 

[mo976]

Not quite true, a 16GB N5 costs 399 euro`s in the Netherlands and i ordered a US 32GB model by a friend wich will cost me 370 euro`s total including shipping.

But you've only achieved that price by evading import tax into the EU by going via your friend.
You could've got it for nothing if you stole it.. doesn't mean it's the 'cheapest' way

Here in Israel the N5 16gb (D821) costs $800... LTE is a pipe dream anyhow due to fights between the carriers and Min. of Communications over band allocation... With tax and shipping to NYC its $390... I think I'm OK with evading the import tax $125 (35%) and $275 premium for a two year warranty? for a new phone which I generally get every year... by ordering and sending it with my sister who comes next month...

 

[gee2012]

Eh, I also ordered a 32gig n5 from the US because they only sell 16 gig versions here in switzerland. So I won't be able to use lte here? **** >.<

Sent from my Nexus7.

Thats correct, no Euro LTE (D821) on a US device (D820) The only common band on both devices is Band 5 which isn`t used in Europe afaik.