[Q] T-Mobile Z3 or Unlocked Z3

[jonshipman]

T-Mobile Z3:

Cons:
One Color (blk)
Carrier Crapware
Potential bootloader locked (all the other Tmo Xperia were)

Pro:
32GB of storage

Unlocked Z3:

Cons:
16GB of Storage

Pro:
Colors!
Unlockable through Sony Dev


My current dilemma is trying to decide which version to go with. Sony international devices have more support and in general get updates before carrier versions. The only reason the Tmobile version is an option is the 32GB of storage. I play a lot of games and right now I have to juggle with adb backup as quite a few are above 1GB ( Baldur's Gate is 3GB+ by its lonesome). That said, I could titanium backup a game to the sdcard on the go, but that would be a potential PITA.

Anyone make a similar decision with the Z1s and have regretted it or vice versa?

 

[bbot3k]

I'm definitely getting the unlocked version. I'll just buy a high quality 64/128 GB micro sd card.

 

[Heinous]

T-Mobile Z3:

Cons:
One Color (blk)
Carrier Crapware
Potential bootloader locked (all the other Tmo Xperia were)

Pro:
32GB of storage

Unlocked Z3:

Cons:
16GB of Storage

Pro:
Colors!
Unlockable through Sony Dev


My current dilemma is trying to decide which version to go with. Sony international devices have more support and in general get updates before carrier versions. The only reason the Tmobile version is an option is the 32GB of storage. I play a lot of games and right now I have to juggle with adb backup as quite a few are above 1GB ( Baldur's Gate is 3GB+ by its lonesome). That said, I could titanium backup a game to the sdcard on the go, but that would be a potential PITA.

Anyone make a similar decision with the Z1s and have regretted it or vice versa?

Are you sure that T Mobile will only have black? The Z came in black, white, and purple...

 

[dany20mh]

Yes, T-Mobile Z3 is only in the black , you can go and check the Z3 white paper and it's only in black and 32 Gb

There is a different also about it and that is this version of phone support band 12 and that is the new frequency that T-Mobile bought from Verizon ( 750mhz ), I'm sure about the coverage of it, but that would be a big deal cause T-Mobile is really advertise on that specific band for end of this year to increase the LTE ...

So if anybody else has any information regard of this let us know.

 

[s1dest3pnate]

The "bloatware" on the T-Mobile version should not be considered an issue. The 32GB of internal storage makes up for that, and T-Mobile "bloatware" is more function than anything else.

If you want WiFi calling, the best LTE performance, 32GB internal storage, etc on T-Mobile, buy the T-Mobile version (D6616).

The only con in my eyes to buying the T-Mobile version is lack of color options. Oh well, I'll get over it and be happy with the black.

 

[Heinous]

Damn. I was looking forward to a green one.

 

[jonshipman]

I think the biggest con on the Tmo version is the carrier update cycle. Typically you're months behind on Android updates compared to OEMs.

Locked bootloaders are another big negative as it's useful for development.

 

[Jfree3000]

That's any carrier, now the bootloader is what I'm waiting to hear about.

 

[se1000]

Ulockable bootloader = no buy. At least for me.

 

[bbot3k]

International vs. T-Mobile: FREQUENCY BANDS

http://dl-developer.sonymobile.com/...ria_Z3_D6603_D6633_D6643_D6653_D6616_WP_1.pdf

http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/77773

This is important: aside from whether boot loader will be locked or not, or whether getting 16 or 32 GB internal storage is a big or not, WHAT ABOUT THE FREQUENCY BANDS?

I assume that most people looking to get the T-Mobile model D6616 have T-Mobile as their carrier, and would prefer to have the proper frequency bands supported for LTE.

Can anybody elucidate what the implications are for a T-Mobile user getting: 1) the international unlocked version, or 2) the T-Mobile version?

 

[brokenchains]

http://dl-developer.sonymobile.com/...ria_Z3_D6603_D6633_D6643_D6653_D6616_WP_1.pdf

http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/77773

This is important: aside from whether boot loader will be locked or not, or whether getting 16 or 32 GB internal storage is a big or not, WHAT ABOUT THE FREQUENCY BANDS?

I assume that most people looking to get the T-Mobile model D6616 have T-Mobile as their carrier, and would prefer to have the proper frequency bands supported for LTE.

Can anybody elucidate what the implications are for a T-Mobile user getting: 1) the international unlocked version, or 2) the T-Mobile version?

This is what I wanna know, I really want the green color, and my thought is that I'll get the international because I don't mind the lack of 32gb. The international has every frequency the US one does except band 12 and my current GS4 doesn't have that anyway. I don't feel like I'd miss it. I'm not sure what it does anyway or if it would even affect me in MN/WI.

I would like to keep Wi-Fi calling though, and I'm assuming it would be possible to install the T-Mobile ROM on the international model. Is this right?

 

[bbot3k]

This is what I wanna know, I really want the green color, and my thought is that I'll get the international because I don't mind the lack of 32gb. The international has every frequency the US one does except band 12 and my current GS4 doesn't have that anyway. I don't feel like I'd miss it. I'm not sure what it does anyway or if it would even affect me in MN/WI.

I would like to keep Wi-Fi calling though, and I'm assuming it would be possible to install the T-Mobile ROM on the international model. Is this right?

Hmm, I would think that installing T-Mobile ROM ought to be possible. Whenever I flashed ROMs on Nexus 4 or HD2, there was always a way to restore factory ROM settings.

 

[Jiyeon90]

International version is the wise choice

Sent from my Xperia Z2

 

[jonshipman]

http://dl-developer.sonymobile.com/...ria_Z3_D6603_D6633_D6643_D6653_D6616_WP_1.pdf

http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/77773

This is important: aside from whether boot loader will be locked or not, or whether getting 16 or 32 GB internal storage is a big or not, WHAT ABOUT THE FREQUENCY BANDS?

I assume that most people looking to get the T-Mobile model D6616 have T-Mobile as their carrier, and would prefer to have the proper frequency bands supported for LTE.

Can anybody elucidate what the implications are for a T-Mobile user getting: 1) the international unlocked version, or 2) the T-Mobile version?

I assume the international version will be the D6643, has all the LTE of D6616 and then some. The other two might be Pacific/Japanese versions.

 

[se1000]

http://dl-developer.sonymobile.com/...ria_Z3_D6603_D6633_D6643_D6653_D6616_WP_1.pdf

http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/77773

This is important: aside from whether boot loader will be locked or not, or whether getting 16 or 32 GB internal storage is a big or not, WHAT ABOUT THE FREQUENCY BANDS?

I assume that most people looking to get the T-Mobile model D6616 have T-Mobile as their carrier, and would prefer to have the proper frequency bands supported for LTE.

Can anybody elucidate what the implications are for a T-Mobile user getting: 1) the international unlocked version, or 2) the T-Mobile version?

You will not have the future Band 12 but all other Bands are there

You will also not be able to take advantage of WiFi calling, VoLTE (I think)

 

[dany20mh]

I assume the international version will be the D6643, has all the LTE of D6616 and then some. The other two might be Pacific/Japanese versions.

D6603 is the International version of the phone.

 

[iconoclastnet]

Ulockable bootloader = no buy. At least for me.

Funny, but I see it the other way around.
Locked bootloader = no buy. At least for me.

 

[se1000]

Funny, but I see it the other way around.
Locked bootloader = no buy. At least for me.

DOH!!! That's what I meant!

 

[GoyoNeuff]

Wait...

So you guys are saying that there is not a "Sony" version for the US for the Z3 as it is for the Z2? I mean, you can buy the Z2 on Sony web or retailers, and it is pretty much the international version but works great in the US... So, are you saying that only a T-Mobile (and yes maybe Verizon, Sprint, etc, etc) will be available in the US and not just the "Sony" version?

 

[wolf0491]

Wait...

So you guys are saying that there is not a "Sony" version for the US for the Z3 as it is for the Z2? I mean, you can buy the Z2 on Sony web or retailers, and it is pretty much the international version but works great in the US... So, are you saying that only a T-Mobile (and yes maybe Verizon, Sprint, etc, etc) will be available in the US and not just the "Sony" version?

maybe wait because...
http://www.xperiablog.net/2014/09/25/sony-planning-us-xperia-z3-event-for-9-october/