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Sprint's Galaxy Note 4 "All you need is scented candles, massage oil, and Barry White. Write that down."


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by Cedric Owens

Sprint 4G Rollout Updates

Friday, October 3, 2014 - 2:30 PM MDT

 

A year ago, S4GRU brought you a great breakdown article titled after the Three Dog Night hit - "One is the loneliest number". Unfortunately, this great article brought news that none of us Sprint Samsung phablet owners wanted to hear. One band of LTE. "No Tri-band For You!"

 

Well, Samsung and Sprint officially announced on September 3, 2014 that the wait for the "King of Phablets" having Sprint Spark was finally over. Okay, maybe not over, but a little over a month away.

 

So with the announcement from Apple September 9th, 2014, that they are getting into the phablet market with the iPhone 6 Plus and with the rumored announcement from Google and Motorola about a 5.92" beast of their own on the horizon, does the Sprint variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 have enough to remain on top of the throne?

 

Let's take a look at what was found over at the good ol' FCC Office of Engineering & Technology for FCC ID: A3LSMN910P.

 

Three Bands Short of Being One of Your Favorite CCA/RRPP Rock Concerts

 

If you were hoping for band 4 LTE 1700+2100, band 12 LTE 700 and band 17 LTE 700, you're going to have to find a new rock tour to follow for a fully compliant Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) and Rural Roaming Preferred Program (RRPP) device.

 

Sprint announced March 26, 2014, that they were moving to include CCA band support on devices by end of the year, but the Note 4 missed the mark this time around. One would have thought that that would have included the Note 4, but just as last year when Sprint made the announcement about Sprint Spark in every device going forward and Samsung went rogue, it appears they are deciding to do the same this year with bands 4, 12 and 17.

 

Without these additional LTE bands, Note 4 Sprint customers may be limited in the amount of pseudo native coverage gained when Sprint's CCA LTE roaming starts to go live, in the places where bands 25/26/41 are not present. So the "King of Phablets" will once again be missing out on something that "America's Newest Network" is offering. This Note 4 is capable of using LTE deployed on Band 2 and 5 though, if some of these members are using that spectrum. So the news is not the best for Sprint LTE roaming with CCA partners, but it is "Note"worthy that it will still be able to pick up bands 25/26/41 that their RRPP partners are overlaying on their own networks.

 

Back in July, S4GRU's own Robert went into more detail of the CCA/RRPP Partnerships

 

ERP/EIRP numbers to help anticipate RF performance

 

Below find the maximum ERP/EIRP Numbers for the LTE Bands relevant to the Sprint variant:

 

Band 25

  • 5 MHz FDD channels: max EIRP 22.45dBm
  • 20 MHz FDD channels: max EIRP 22.75dBm
  • 15 MHz FDD channels: max EIRP 22.78dBm
  • 10 MHz FDD channels: max EIRP 22.58dBm
  • 3 MHZ FDD channels: max EIRP 22.09dBm
  • 1.4 MHZ FDD channels: max EIRP 21.27dBm

Band 26

  • 5 MHz FDD channels: max ERP 18.89dBm
  • 10 MHz FDD channels: max ERP 18.92dBm
  • 3 MHz FDD channels: max ERP 18.96dBm
  • 1.4 MHz FDD channels: max ERP 18.54dBm

Band 41 (Spark)

  • 20 MHz TDD channels: max EIRP 22.44dBm
  • 15 MHz TDD channels: max EIRP 22.84dBm
  • 10 MHz TDD channels: max EIRP 22.52dBm
  • 5 MHz TDD channels: max EIRP 22.69dBm

NOTE: This is using the better antenna, on the best channel in the band, and with robust QPSK modulation. Although Sprint currently does not use B25 1.4MHz, 3MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz or 20MHz channels, nor B26 1.4MHz, 3MHz or 10MHz channels, nor B41 5, 10 or 15MHz channels, they were included for interest as it is plausible that Sprint could use these in the future at some point.

 

Simultaneous Voice/Data, VoLTE, Domestic WiFi Calling and Carrier Aggregation

 

No... (Enough said)

 

D0PGXsG.jpg

 

BtdUqRC.jpg

 

The Wrap-up

 

After deciphering through all the FCC data, the released specifications and considering the phablet options out there... So what's my take? I give it a "Kanye Shrug". The EIRP results indicate that Band 25 and Band 41 are what's to be expected, and Band 26 is surprising less robust. One caveat though is that the Band 25 EIRP numbers are similar to the Note II, so we'll have to wait for real world results before making the final verdict on RF performance.

 

The Note series may no longer be the beast of a device it used to be. Apple has released a very competitive device in this category. Google/Motorola are supposedly releasing a 5.92" Nexus phablet and who are you trying to fool LG, HTC and Samsung with these flagship device screen sizes you all have been releasing lately?

 

At one point the Note series offered something you couldn't get on other devices, including Samsung, but it's now clear that Samsung intends to release its flagship device every Spring and if you want it in a bigger size, you'll have to wait until the Fall.

 

So, here's to another year of waiting for the "latest and greatest" Samsung Galaxy Note to catch up to the latest and greatest network from Sprint. *Cough* Carrier Aggregation *Cough*

 

Thanks everyone for reading my 1st Wall article. Hope you enjoyed it. :tu:

 

Additional Specs

 

Model: SM-N910P

  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 APQ8084
  • RAM: 3GB
  • Rear Facing Camera: 16-megapixel with Optical Image Stabilization (Take that iPhone 6 Plus)
  • Front Facing Camera: 3.7-megapixel (Selfie Heaven)

LOxo9Ca.jpg

 

Sprint Specifications said:
  • Android 4.4 (Kit Kat)
  • 3220 mAh Lithium Ion Battery
  • Talk time: Up to 35 hours
  • Dimensions: 6.0" x 3.1” x 0.3"
  • Display: 5.7” Quad HD Super AMOLED (2560 X 1440)
  • Weight: 6.2 oz
  • 2.7 GHz Quad-core processor – Qualcomm Snapdagon
  • 32GB internal memory(ROM)/3GB (RAM) /supports up to 128GB Micro SD (sold separately)
  • Bluetooth profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, GAVDP, HFP 1.6, PBAP, HSP, HID, GOEP, SPP, MAP, PAN, OPP, DI, HOGP
  • HD Voice
  • International WiFi Calling
  • Sprint® Direct Connect® Now

Sources

FCC

Sprint.com

  • Like 18

31 Comments


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Good article Coz. I know the Note 4 doesn't have the roaming bands in it, which disappoints some, but there's always something better on the horizon. I have my preorder in and will be picking mine up on release day. :) 

  • Like 2
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Yes, Great article. I think you put the nail in the coffin for me on this device. I think i'll wait it out for the devices next year. Thanks Coz!

  • Like 1
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Yes, Great article. I think you put the nail in the coffin for me on this device. I think i'll wait it out for the devices next year. Thanks Coz!

 

So you're saying, don't push you, because you're close to the Edge?  :lol:

 

Hopefully, it will bring more of what we want.

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Im torn on this phone . But will any phone this year support carrier aggreation?

Three possible devices.

 

-Nexus 5 (2014)/Nexus 6

-One Max M8 (Speculation)

-Galaxy Mega 2 (Speculation)

 

But Spring 2015 will be the Sprint year of CA.

 

Note Edge may be the answer.

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If I recall, Robert also pointed out in one of the threads, that due to the time-frame in which Samsung unveils the Note series every year, the devices are more likely to not include the latest changes imposed by Sprint. Last year it was Spark/Tri-Band, this year its CA, not full CCA/ RRPP, etc. Its always something with the Notes. At least this time around it is a Sparks phone.

 

btw, A+ on the article.

 

TS

  • Like 2
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Hopefully all 2015 Sprint LTE phones are CCA/RRPP compliant.  Since I have an upgrade available in 2015, I am hoping to pick up a CCA/RRPP compliant and who knows maybe the Galaxy Note 5 will include B4, B12 and B17 LTE bands.

  • Like 1
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Very well written article. Thank you for including ERP/EIRP numbers.

 

I give it a shrug as well. I want rural roaming frequencies included in my next device.

 

Thanks for taking the time to write this article.

  • Like 1
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I can't believe Wi-Fi calling is international only. The original press release says Wi-Fi calling and doesn't say anything about it being just international.

This seems like an attempt to take away a feature initially to put the iPhone on better footing.

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To me, "CCA support" means essentially moving OEMs towards single-SKU devices per geographical region. Given Samsung's particular fondness for releasing umpteen different sub-variants of every device, probably more than any other manufacturer, it doesn't surprise me that the Note 4 doesn't include CCA support. Hopefully the S6 will. Watch Samsung release it though on like February 10, a day before which Sprint committed to eventually unlocking its phones to other carriers, which, now that CCA support will be included, would actually be fully compatible with almost everyone else's networks.

 

 

If released after February 11, CCA capable phones would become more valuable on the resale market. Nowadays Sprint phones are generally sold at a discount compared to other carriers' variants.

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Can you do wifi calling over Sprint on the Note 3? My friend say he does..

 

Why will the Note 4 not do it ? If the 3 does?

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For anyone that pre-ordered the Note 4 on Sprint's site for $349, note that they have decreased the price to $299 (w/ 2 yr contract). They will not automatically refund you the difference. You need to call or webchat them and let them know you'd like a refund. Try to do so early, before your phone ships, so you have a little more leverage. 

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Can you do wifi calling over Sprint on the Note 3? My friend say he does..

 

Why will the Note 4 not do it ? If the 3 does?

 

It can always be done on Google Hangouts over WiFi.

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It can always be done on Google Hangouts over WiFi.

 

Do you know what outgoing number shows up on caller ID when you do this? Can you recive incoming calls or texts to your Sprint number via this method?

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I got 2 confirmations fron sprint that "International Wifi calling" does include the US. It's just a PR term. If for some reason it didn't, mine would be going back.

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Do you know what outgoing number shows up on caller ID when you do this? Can you recive incoming calls or texts to your Sprint number via this method?

 

It shows as Unknown on recipient Caller ID with outgoing calls.  Texting only works via Hangouts, which requires both subscribers to have a Gmail address and Hangouts installed (AFAIK).  I have not toyed with it except to prove concept a few days ago, so I'm unsire about receiving calls.

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I got 2 confirmations fron sprint that "International Wifi calling" does include the US. It's just a PR term. If for some reason it didn't, mine would be going back.

 

Once you receive your Note 4, please let us know over in the Note 4 Users thread. We'll update at that time if you're able to make US WiFi Calls.

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