So, I'm torn between getting an unlocked version or paying full price for one from ATT (done with contracts). My reasoning is updates/firmware wait time. Also, chance ATT with remove/gimp features. But, on the other hand they are the only carrier supporting WP in the US. So, buying from them would support the cause. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Unlocked 830 or ATT version: which is better?
- Thread starter nallWhite
- Start date
Blkacesvf41
New member
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
Kinda in the same boat myself. But I think I'll go with the AT&T version. Like you said, they're supporting the platform and that AT&T NEXT looks like a decent deal.
Kinda in the same boat myself. But I think I'll go with the AT&T version. Like you said, they're supporting the platform and that AT&T NEXT looks like a decent deal.
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
Yeah, I'm thinking att also. They are getting the black version. Want that over the silver.
Yeah, I'm thinking att also. They are getting the black version. Want that over the silver.
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
I believe the AT&T version supports Carrier Aggregation. I think you'll want that if you're on AT&T. It will combine the downlinks for two different frequency bands so you'll have one big pipe for downloading.
It'll help on AT&T. While AT&T has a decent amount of spectrum, their spectrum portfolio is split up between a bunch of different frequency bands, and you can only use one frequency band at a time. So while they usually have enough capacity, their peak download speeds generally aren't as high as Verizon's or T-Mobile's.
For example, let's pretend both AT&T and T-Mobile each have 15 Mhz assigned to the downlink for LTE. Let's also assume they have the same number of customers downloading the same amount of data.T-Mobile has one contiguous block of spectrum, and if you run a speed test, you get 15 Mbps down. AT&T has the same amount of spectrum assigned to LTE, but unfortunately it's split between Band 4 and Band 17. 5 Mhz to Band 4 and 10 Mhz to Band 17. You can only connect to one at a time, so let's say you connect to Band 4, then run a speed test and get 5 Mbps down. Then you switch over to Band 17 and get 10 Mbps down. So AT&T still has the same capacity, and the speeds are still decent (assuming the customers are spread appropriately across the two frequency bands), but your peak download speeds aren't as high as on T-Mobile because you can't access all 15 Mhz at once. Carrier aggregation basically fixes that, so you can access all 15 Mhz of LTE at once. I don't know if it'll add up perfectly (10 Mbps + 5 Mbps = 15 Mbps?), but you'll definitely get better speeds than just using a single frequency by itself. Also, note that this only works for downloads, for uploads you're still limited to only one frequency band at a time.
I made those numbers up, but hopefully you get the point.
I believe the AT&T version supports Carrier Aggregation. I think you'll want that if you're on AT&T. It will combine the downlinks for two different frequency bands so you'll have one big pipe for downloading.
It'll help on AT&T. While AT&T has a decent amount of spectrum, their spectrum portfolio is split up between a bunch of different frequency bands, and you can only use one frequency band at a time. So while they usually have enough capacity, their peak download speeds generally aren't as high as Verizon's or T-Mobile's.
For example, let's pretend both AT&T and T-Mobile each have 15 Mhz assigned to the downlink for LTE. Let's also assume they have the same number of customers downloading the same amount of data.T-Mobile has one contiguous block of spectrum, and if you run a speed test, you get 15 Mbps down. AT&T has the same amount of spectrum assigned to LTE, but unfortunately it's split between Band 4 and Band 17. 5 Mhz to Band 4 and 10 Mhz to Band 17. You can only connect to one at a time, so let's say you connect to Band 4, then run a speed test and get 5 Mbps down. Then you switch over to Band 17 and get 10 Mbps down. So AT&T still has the same capacity, and the speeds are still decent (assuming the customers are spread appropriately across the two frequency bands), but your peak download speeds aren't as high as on T-Mobile because you can't access all 15 Mhz at once. Carrier aggregation basically fixes that, so you can access all 15 Mhz of LTE at once. I don't know if it'll add up perfectly (10 Mbps + 5 Mbps = 15 Mbps?), but you'll definitely get better speeds than just using a single frequency by itself. Also, note that this only works for downloads, for uploads you're still limited to only one frequency band at a time.
I made those numbers up, but hopefully you get the point.
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
It seems like paying $299 for the off contract AT&T version will be the way to go, with the reduced monthly bill that enables. The rumor is both Qi and PMA will be supported out of the box (and may include both backs in the box), so I don't see much room for AT&T to gimp the phone. All 830s seem to be 16GB so this shouldn't be like the 1520 situation was.
It seems like paying $299 for the off contract AT&T version will be the way to go, with the reduced monthly bill that enables. The rumor is both Qi and PMA will be supported out of the box (and may include both backs in the box), so I don't see much room for AT&T to gimp the phone. All 830s seem to be 16GB so this shouldn't be like the 1520 situation was.
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
Are there unlocked versions that will support AT&T LTE? I don't want to give up LTE but also want the silver band version (not the black that AT&T is getting) so definitely a bit torn...
Are there unlocked versions that will support AT&T LTE? I don't want to give up LTE but also want the silver band version (not the black that AT&T is getting) so definitely a bit torn...
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
Yes, the RM-985. You won't get the carrier aggregation, but it still supports AT&T LTE.
Yes, the RM-985. You won't get the carrier aggregation, but it still supports AT&T LTE.
Blkacesvf41
New member
It's shown in the AT&T press release: http://about.att.com/story/att_to_carry_the_nokia_lumia_830.html
Also stated in Daniel's story on Qi and PMA: http://m.windowscentral.com/att-lumia-830-comes-two-dual-pma-qi-covers
"Observe that the AT&T Lumia 830 use the black metal frame instead of the silver/grey one, contrasting nicely with the green back cover."
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
Ah thanks. I didn't realize it was confirmed to support AT&T LTE. From earlier in this thread it didn't sound promising.
http://forums.windowscentral.com/nokia-lumia-830/315989-t-rm-985-lack-lte.html
Still don't really want to wrestle with AT&T database to get it working though. I guess we'll see what the prices look like on the 7th. If it is cheap enough directly from AT&T I may just live with the black.
Ah thanks. I didn't realize it was confirmed to support AT&T LTE. From earlier in this thread it didn't sound promising.
http://forums.windowscentral.com/nokia-lumia-830/315989-t-rm-985-lack-lte.html
Still don't really want to wrestle with AT&T database to get it working though. I guess we'll see what the prices look like on the 7th. If it is cheap enough directly from AT&T I may just live with the black.
Aresjr21
New member
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
Well do you plan on leaving AT&T with the unlocked device? If not I think the carrier version would be fine for you to have and no fuss to set up to work with the network coverage.
Well do you plan on leaving AT&T with the unlocked device? If not I think the carrier version would be fine for you to have and no fuss to set up to work with the network coverage.
Blkacesvf41
New member
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
Ok cool. I do like that one. This thread has proven to be very informative.
Ok cool. I do like that one. This thread has proven to be very informative.
hasasimo
New member
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
I decided against getting the AT&T version way back on the day AT&T announced it was getting the phone, unfortunately. Only getting the dark variant was a deal-breaker.
I decided against getting the AT&T version way back on the day AT&T announced it was getting the phone, unfortunately. Only getting the dark variant was a deal-breaker.
mhc48
New member
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
I've been torn between getting an unlocked phone and buying the ATT version at full price for a while now. Some of the reasons (i.e., less international travel; and less coverage problems with AT&T) have pushed me to thinking that I might as well just buy the ATT version at full price. But what I've never been able to figure out is exactly how doing that can result in lower monthly charges or what other benefits might accrue. What cheaper phone + data options are available with AT&T monthly or off a 2 year contract?
I've been torn between getting an unlocked phone and buying the ATT version at full price for a while now. Some of the reasons (i.e., less international travel; and less coverage problems with AT&T) have pushed me to thinking that I might as well just buy the ATT version at full price. But what I've never been able to figure out is exactly how doing that can result in lower monthly charges or what other benefits might accrue. What cheaper phone + data options are available with AT&T monthly or off a 2 year contract?
mhc48
New member
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
I believe the 983 is the AT&T variant.
New Lumia 830 & Lumia 735 variants seen at FCC with AT&T / T-Mobile LTE bands | NPU
I believe the 983 is the AT&T variant.
New Lumia 830 & Lumia 735 variants seen at FCC with AT&T / T-Mobile LTE bands | NPU
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
I think they had the green version listed on their website as well.
I think they had the green version listed on their website as well.
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
Not really sure it makes a difference if you put an case on the phone.
Not really sure it makes a difference if you put an case on the phone.
Blkacesvf41
New member
Just go to their website and go over your options, which will be depending on how much data you need. That AT&T NEXT looks like a decent deal. Once the 830 is available on the website, we'll see what the monthly payment for it will be. I'm going to hold off till the holidays and see what kinda promotions are they gonna have then.
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
The AT&T Prepaid programs are less expensive (I've been using that for over a year on one of my phones) for more, overall, features than the AT&T contact plans, by far.
Also the AT&T mvno's like Net10 are even less expensive. I'm using Net10 (AT&T SIM) on my other phone, $45.00 per month.
Fred
The AT&T Prepaid programs are less expensive (I've been using that for over a year on one of my phones) for more, overall, features than the AT&T contact plans, by far.
Also the AT&T mvno's like Net10 are even less expensive. I'm using Net10 (AT&T SIM) on my other phone, $45.00 per month.
Fred
Re: Unlocked 830 or ATT version
To give you an example - I moved my family (4 lines) over to a "Mobile Share Value Plan" with 10GB of data. We ended up saving $100 per month. That adds up to $2400, or $600 per line over a 2 year contract. So, you really would need to buy a top end phone to get your money's worth on the subsidy which is why I think cheaper phones like the 830 are going to start to be really attractive.
To give you an example - I moved my family (4 lines) over to a "Mobile Share Value Plan" with 10GB of data. We ended up saving $100 per month. That adds up to $2400, or $600 per line over a 2 year contract. So, you really would need to buy a top end phone to get your money's worth on the subsidy which is why I think cheaper phones like the 830 are going to start to be really attractive.
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