AT&T & T-Mobile - interchangeable phones?

[rbk123]

Will an unlocked AT&T phone work with T-mobile (and vice-versa), with the same performance? Or are there potential differences like certain bands one phone version of the phone will have that the other won't?

I'm looking to replace my Moto X first gen ideally with another as I dropped it and mega-cracked the screen. I see AT&T versions out there that also mention T-Mobile but am wondering if there is a difference between the AT&T and T-Mobile version of this phone or other phones for future purposes.

 

[kaerflog]

Since you had the Moto x 2013 this is your best bet.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorola-XT...efaultDomain_0&hash=item2c9cefe982&rmvSB=true
This is the XT1092 version which is compatible with everything even T-Mobile band 12 LTE.
It was at $289 but $299 is a good deal.

 

[s44]

LTE bands.

Both use bands 2 (1900 aka PCS) and 4 (1700/2100 aka AWS). AT&T also uses 5 (850 aka the original "cellular"), though a lot of US phones have that or can be modded to add it, since it's a primary 3G band too.

The main difference is in the low (~700mhz) bands. AT&T uses 17 and has begun using 29, while T-Mo is quickly bringing band 12 online.

12 and 17 are supposed to sort of merge, but while AT&T has progressed on letting 12 devices work on 17, I don't think older 17 devices will work on 12.

Neither version of the original X had band 12, but you should look into getting a device that does. As it's T-Mo's only low-frequency LTE, having it will really improve building penetration and out-of-city fast data coverage.

 

[paperwastage]

Don't forget about volte/WiFi calling support

Only T-Mobile phones (and iPhone 5s/6/6+, and nexus 6) have WiFi calling. Some att phones could attain WiFi calling via flashing ROM(eg lg g2) but not guaranteed

Same for volte. Volte is supposed to be a standard, but there are carrier specific settings/tweaks(think about data apns, and more complicated), dunno if an att phone will get volte on T-Mobile(other than iPhone or nexus )

 

[rbk123]

Good info - exactly what I was looking for - thank you for the help.

 

[postmortemIA]

I have a unlocked phone meant for T-mobile USA... on ATT everything works but LTE. Max I get is HSPA+.