Different Versions of the Same Cell Phone Model, Frequency Support and Carrier Compatibility
Since the mobile carriers are now requiring subscription to expensive plans, I am now looking to acquire my phone separately and go for uncommitted services. However, it turns out buying a cell phone off the network carrier is more complicated than I thought.
Suppose I am on Fido (same network as Rogers) and I want to buy a Samsung Note 5. There are indeed numerous versions of this phone: SM-N920K, SM-N920V, SM-N920A, SM-N920G, SM-N920I, SM-N920C, SM-N920CD, SM-N9208, SM-N920W8, SM-N920R4, SM-N920F, SM-N920S, SM-N920P, SM-N9200 etc.! Different versions do not support the same frequencies. The website www.frequencycheck.com apparently does a good job of specifying which version covers which frequencies/bandwidths. It even does it based on which wireless carrier is under question. According to this website, certain versions of Note 5 do not support all frequency bandwidths that Fido uses in its LTE network. For example SM-N920P, SM-N920V, SM-N920T and SM-N920L do not cover all Fido's LTE frequencies while SM-N920I, SM-N920A, SM-N9208 and SM-N920W8 cover all frequencies used by Fido.
Now, I see (for example) the version SM-N920P sold in Canada by some third party online vendors who claim this version support Fido network %100; one being the Toronto.Cellular Ebay seller.
Even more confusing, the above mentioned website's disclaimer says: "A matching frequency band does not guarantee coverage. There may be additional network or device software restrictions that prevent a device from connecting on a certain frequency. Additionally, certain bands may only be available regionally within a country. "
Am I correctly understanding this? Or, am I missing something here and the vendor claims is to be trusted. Does for example, the SM-N920P version of Note 5 fully supports Fido's LTE network?
I appreciate if knowledgeable people may share their knowledge.
Suppose I am on Fido (same network as Rogers) and I want to buy a Samsung Note 5. There are indeed numerous versions of this phone: SM-N920K, SM-N920V, SM-N920A, SM-N920G, SM-N920I, SM-N920C, SM-N920CD, SM-N9208, SM-N920W8, SM-N920R4, SM-N920F, SM-N920S, SM-N920P, SM-N9200 etc.! Different versions do not support the same frequencies. The website www.frequencycheck.com apparently does a good job of specifying which version covers which frequencies/bandwidths. It even does it based on which wireless carrier is under question. According to this website, certain versions of Note 5 do not support all frequency bandwidths that Fido uses in its LTE network. For example SM-N920P, SM-N920V, SM-N920T and SM-N920L do not cover all Fido's LTE frequencies while SM-N920I, SM-N920A, SM-N9208 and SM-N920W8 cover all frequencies used by Fido.
Now, I see (for example) the version SM-N920P sold in Canada by some third party online vendors who claim this version support Fido network %100; one being the Toronto.Cellular Ebay seller.
Even more confusing, the above mentioned website's disclaimer says: "A matching frequency band does not guarantee coverage. There may be additional network or device software restrictions that prevent a device from connecting on a certain frequency. Additionally, certain bands may only be available regionally within a country. "
Am I correctly understanding this? Or, am I missing something here and the vendor claims is to be trusted. Does for example, the SM-N920P version of Note 5 fully supports Fido's LTE network?
I appreciate if knowledgeable people may share their knowledge.