Best ROM?

[dlalonde]

It's a strange question and maybe I'm completely off track or if it even applies to this phone but, is there a ROM that has the most LTE bands enabled and which could allow an upgrade to WM10 without using the insider app? In other words, a ROM that is still supported by the carrier and that has the most options available for the phone?

Thanks

 

[worldspy99]

Ask Moderator pankaj981 via PM. He is probably the most knowledgeable about this kind of stuff.

 

[pankaj981]

You can flash to the following ROMs and still retain your LTE bands.

059X227 - RM-1073 VAR LTA AR CV SKD >> This is Argentina CV
059X153 - RM-1073 VAR LTA 7R CV >> This is Mexico CV

 

[dlalonde]

You can flash to the following ROMs and still retain your LTE bands.

059X227 - RM-1073 VAR LTA AR CV SKD >> This is Argentina CV
059X153 - RM-1073 VAR LTA 7R CV >> This is Mexico CV

Thanks!

What do they offer that's better than the T-Mobile ROM? And is there a difference between those two?

 

[xandros9]

Thanks!

What do they offer that's better than the T-Mobile ROM? And is there a difference between those two?

Can't answer the latter, but as for the former, they aren't tied to T-Mobile I believe and can connect direct to Microsoft for various firmware happenings.

 

[pankaj981]

What do they offer that's better than the T-Mobile ROM? And is there a difference between those two?

Whats better in the T-Mobile ROM?
1) WiFi calling for T-Mobile network
2) Band 12 LTE

What's better in the other 2 ROMs?
1) Direct updates from Micrsoft
2) Unbranded, so no carrier bloatware

You can flash anyone of those ROMs and they should work. English US is not available (other English locals are available) during OOBE setup on the Argentina ROM but you can always download the language later.

 

[dlalonde]

Awesome I'll try those (and hope my language, French Canada, is available)

 

[dlalonde]

Tried both and none of them had any LTE, never mind band 12, nor did they have 4G. So I'm going back to T-Mobile for now!

Weren't there any unbranded unlocked Lumia 640 sold directly by Microsoft like there is a 640 XL?

 

[libra89]

Weren't there any unbranded unlocked Lumia 640 sold directly by Microsoft like there is a 640 XL?

Nope.

 

[dlalonde]

Nope.

Alright, T-Mobile it is then!

Thanks

 

[dlalonde]

Whats better in the T-Mobile ROM?
1) WiFi calling for T-Mobile network
2) Band 12 LTE

What's better in the other 2 ROMs?
1) Direct updates from Micrsoft
2) Unbranded, so no carrier bloatware

You can flash anyone of those ROMs and they should work. English US is not available (other English locals are available) during OOBE setup on the Argentina ROM but you can always download the language later.

One more question please. What about firmware? I know MS will not update them and will leave those to the carriers. But given T-Mobile has pretty much abandonned the 640 (MetroPCS and the two codes you gave me have a more recent firmware than T-Mobile) will that be a problem in the long run?

 

[Zachary Boddy]

One more question please. What about firmware? I know MS will not update them and will leave those to the carriers. But given T-Mobile has pretty much abandonned the 640 (MetroPCS and the two codes you gave me have a more recent firmware than T-Mobile) will that be a problem in the long run?

It really shouldn't be an issue at all. Also, you could try contacting AT&T and finding out if they'll unlock a Lumia 640 for you as they've been known to do this. Usually they only do it for previous customers but you could try your luck at it. You could also shop around and see if you can find someone selling AT&T unlock codes that you can use with a Lumia 640. Once you've unlocked the phone you can take it anywhere but you're not going to get T-Mobile specific features unfortunately.

 

[dlalonde]

It really shouldn't be an issue at all. Also, you could try contacting AT&T and finding out if they'll unlock a Lumia 640 for you as they've been known to do this. Usually they only do it for previous customers but you could try your luck at it. You could also shop around and see if you can find someone selling AT&T unlock codes that you can use with a Lumia 640. Once you've unlocked the phone you can take it anywhere but you're not going to get T-Mobile specific features unfortunately.

Oh that's fine it's already unlocked. Thanks

 

[Zachary Boddy]

No problem.

 

[jamssx]

The T-Mobile and MetroPCS have the 'same' firmware level 15203, which is a higher version than the other RM-1073 variants. Note the last 5 digits are the variant not the level. Virtually all the others are 15184. There is virtually no bloat in the T-Mobile version unlike the ATT versions. The issue with the T-Mobile version is until they approve the fix for IMS (wifi calling and VoLTE issues) you're not getting Windows 10 without insider.

 

[pankaj981]

The T-Mobile and MetroPCS have the 'same' firmware level 15203, which is a higher version than the other RM-1073 variants.

The Argentina CV has a higher firmware version, something in 16xxx branch.

Tried both and none of them had any LTE, never mind band 12, nor did they have 4G.

What do you mean by no LTE? They have LTE and HSPA+

 

[dlalonde]

The Argentina CV has a higher firmware version, something in 16xxx branch.


What do you mean by no LTE? They have LTE and HSPA+

The highest available speed was 4G and the fastest speed I got was 3G. I had no LTE option available and ##3282# didn't work.

 

[jamssx]

On the MS servers AR CV is 02177.00000.15184.36002 Not that it really makes much difference if you're not using wifi calling.

 

[pankaj981]

On the MS servers AR CV is 02177.00000.15184.36002 Not that it really makes much difference if you're not using wifi calling.

You will get an OTA after that. If you need proof then I will post a screenshot if that matters.

The highest available speed was 4G and the fastest speed I got was 3G. I had no LTE option available and ##3282# didn't work.

You getting 4G/LTE or 3G really depends on your network and coverage. It does work on AT&T and T-Mobile's LTE bands. Field Test mode doesn't work on most of the Latin American ROMs.

 

[dlalonde]

You will get an OTA after that. If you need proof then I will post a screenshot if that matters.

You getting 4G/LTE or 3G really depends on your network and coverage. It does work on AT&T and T-Mobile's LTE bands. Field Test mode doesn't work on most of the Latin American ROMs.

That's what's strange. On T-Mobile ROM I have the option for LTE and I generally get 4G. But with those two ROMs I got 3G only and didn't have the option for LTE.