GoWireless

I think right now they are only listing specs for the "pure" edition (FCC ID IHDT56UC2). As they get closer to release they'll probably also list the other variant (FCC ID IHDT56UC1) too. That one has band 26.

I find it a little odd that with the poor sales of the Nexus 6 which were mostly due to its enormous size, Motorola would take a risk on another giant device. I like the overall specs of the devices but both are a pass for me. I only get ones I can use single handedly, which means no larger than 5.2" (which BTW was the size of last year's X).

I might give that a shot. Last time I tried to integrate my Sprint number with GV a couple years ago I had all sorts of problems, maybe it's better now.

I am still using an older Galaxy S4 mainly because I occasionally need data while I am on a call. I really hope they work out something soon. The other networks have had it for a while already.

Looking at the overall device dimensions in the FCC filings, one can rather positively deduce a screen size of 5.5". That's too bad. Not sure why companies insist on making these giant phones nowadays. You'd think after Moto's experience with the Nexus 6 they'd know better. Sigh. I guess the Nexus 5 2015 is pretty much the only hope left for a decently-sized Android flagship device for the rest of the year.

Yeah, I'm afraid they might increase the screen size to 5.5" which if true then I would pass on this device. I won't buy a device that I can't use with one hand. This would be too bad because I find the current size of the X to be pretty good (albeit at the top of the range size-wise for single handed use phones).

I'm hoping they'll sell the UC1 variant unlocked too, like the Nexus 6.

Looks very nice! I am looking forward to this device as well as the upcoming Nexus 5 2015 would should have similar multi-band support. As you indicated, I wish that the C1 variant would have included support for band 29 which will be an important CA band for AT&T.

Yes, there is already... band 27. However, unlike band 26, it doesn't encompass the cellular band (band 5). Band 27 devices without specific support for band 26 should be able to use band 26 if Sprint deployed MFBI.

I believe band 26 only applies to rebranded SMR, meaning it's unique to the U.S. Mexico probably uses the entire original SMR band, meaning that band 26 doesn't fully cover it.

Nice workup but I feel like they should have also included the two carrier-owned/captive MVNOs (MetroPCS and Cricket [auto-pay prices]). Compared to these Project FI isn't all that from a price prespective.

Yes, it can be unlocked for intl' use.

The Note 4 was released before the "magic" February date so it cannot be unlocked for domestic use. Note also that if you are still under contract then I don't think they will let you domestic unlock any device you put on your account, even if you paid for it in full/got it on eBay/etc.

I am hoping LG releases a highly-spec'ed non-phablet device to compete with the M9 and S6. I find that devices larger than say 5.2" are too large for single handed use and therefore I personally (and I suspect many others) won't consider purchasing them.

I was looking forward to the G4 myself before making a decision. However, the latest rumors indicate a screen size of 5.6" - too big for single handed operation in my opinion and therefore not a device I would personally consider. Heck, at that size, I wouldn't even consider it a competitor to the M9 or S6, rather to the iPhone 6+, Note 4 or other phablets.

The Sprint variant is supposed to support all of T-Mobile's LTE bands and all of AT&T's current LTE bands (once MFBI is fully deployed on their network, it's already available in many places). However, the Sprint variant doesn't support AT&T's upcoming band 29 LTE (though I don't think AT&T has released any phones yet which support this band) and probably doesn't support VoLTE either (at least not in the initial firmware). So, on the face of it, this is a good unit to operate on AT&T or TMO if unlocked. That said, I don't think Sprint has clarified yet if they will domestic unlock devices that are paid in full but while the associated subscriber is still under contract or making payments or a lease for another device. Might be an issue for some people and Sprint is still not clear on this.

Hmmm... what if he gives his phone to someone who isn't a Sprint customer?

Yeah, the markup on the additional memory is far more than the overall markup for the device as a whole which is why not providing expandable storage is a major disadvantage for a given device. Consider that most flagships usually sell at about 2.5x unit production cost. However, the markup on the extra $100 for substituting a 64GB instead of a 32GB module probably results in a markup of 6x or more for the manufacturer for the extra memory. It's kind of like options on a car, where the car maker makes a whole lot more profit percentage-wise on the $1,700 "navigation package" than they do on the base price of the car.

Thanks for a great article, as always. I think personally, I am going to wait and see what the LG G4 will look like before I decide which of this year's flagships I might get. While I like the new look of the S6, the lack of expandable storage and the indications of possibly so-so reception are significant disadvantages.

Yes, and hopefully Sprint will also enable VoLTE in the phone's firmware in the future.

OK, thanks for the correction though regardless, the concept still stands... because of the legacy 5Mhz BW device limitation you couldn't use an adjacent frequency to deploy a 10Mhz (or wider) block including the G block without supplying some other 5Mhz block in B25.

Yes, except that for the best of my knowledge, Sprint doesn't intend to include the M8 in the pool of devices eligible for a domestic unlock. Also, even if you could unlock it then because (and unlike the iPhone or devices coming out this month or later) previous Sprint devices had very limited support for other carriers' LTE bands, meaning your experience on other carriers might not be that great.

A couple of things... If by 10x10 you mean combine 5Mhz in the F block and 5Mhz in the G block to form a 10Mhz wide block, well, I don't think that would work (at least not without deploying another 5Mhz LTE block somewhere else in A-E). The reason being that I believe some of Sprint's earlier handsets could only do 5Mhz BW on LTE and if there isn't a 5Mhz block deployed somewhere in B25 then those handsets couldn't do LTE on B25 at all. As for the ePenis measuring contests... You are absolutely correct. The vast vast majority of people out there care about their overall experience, not max throughput. Assuming reasonable latency, for most folks, 3-4Mbps for web browsing and 5-6Mbps for video is plenty sufficient.

OK, you're right, they are still deploying but they are moving very fast. I talked to someone a couple weeks back who said it's already deployed in many places all over the country and they are moving quickly. They are also turning it on independent of their VoLTE rollout. The quicker they can get it turned on the quicker they can accept band 12 devices from other providers on their network.

Not only has AT&T begun implementing it, but they will soon start selling band 12 devices themselves as part of their lower 700 band interoperability agreement with the FCC. AT&T's GS6 is actually a band 12 device! I suppose with these new devices it will even be technically possible for Sprint to roam on AT&T or TMO LTE, especially if they can implement some kind of VoLTE with these carriers.