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Will the Verizon HTC One M8 work on AT&T/T-Mobile/global networks? [FROM THE FORUMS]

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Earlier this week, we watched as Verizon Wireless became the sole US carrier to offer the HTC One M8 immediately after the phone became official last Tuesday. As one of the most highly anticipated devices of 2014, we watched as our HTC One M8 forum became flooded with new threads about the device. Some general discussion, some looking for feedback from new users, others with just regular ‘ol questions about the phone.

Will Verizon HTC One M8 overseas?

We dived in and found an interesting question from an Android Forums member inquiring about the Verizon Wireless HTC One M8’s “global-readiness.” TectonicPenguin asks:

“Is the Verizon Wireless HTC One (M8) unlocked and global-ready? Meaning if purchased from a Verizon store, will the HTC One (M8) work with any SIM card / GSM carrier in the US as well as other countries?”

We decided to find out for ourselves and after doing a little digging, we came across Verizon Wireless’ “Global-Ready” device page, where sure enough, the HTC One (M8) is listed. According to Verizon, all of their Global-Ready devices can be used overseas without the need to unlock them first. For added measure, we reached out to HTC who assures us the HTC One M8 is, in fact, GSM unlocked and will work fine overseas.

Will Verizon HTC One M8 work on AT&T?

Because Verizon’s 4G LTE devices use SIM cards, that means many of them (the global-ready ones, anyway) are compatible with the regular 3G/2G GSM bands used everywhere else in the world (no LTE, however). When traveling, simply pop in a prepaid SIM card, configure the APN settings with the network you’ll be using the phone on, and boom. You’re up and running on 3G. Same goes for AT&T in the US (again, no LTE because of incompatible bands).

Verizon HTC One M8 on T-Mobile?

T-Mobile is where things get a little tricky, with the phone only receiving 2G Edge data speeds unless your areas is one of T-Mobile’s recently re-farmed 2G areas. These are areas where T-Mobile’s 1900MHz Edge network once lay, If so, then it’s 3G all the way. You can find a good list of cities/areas on T-Mobile’s page here.

So why should this matter to you? Well, the HTC One M8 not only makes a great travel companion, but should you have a family member with an upgrade on Verizon they aren’t going to be using anytime soon, you could technically use the Verizon HTC One M8 on Straight Talk with an AT&T SIM. Neat, huh?

Chris Chavez
I've been obsessed with consumer technology for about as long as I can remember, be it video games, photography, or mobile devices. If you can plug it in, I have to own it. Preparing for the day when Android finally becomes self-aware and I get to welcome our new robot overlords.

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12 Comments

  1. I wonder how the battery life is on the one? One thing my friend who just bought the old one had issues with. Cause the battery life on the S5 is supposedly ungodly. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2689011

      1. That’a good! I told his dumbass too wait for the new One but he didn’t.

    1. its awesome. got mine yesterday, sprint variant, charged it up and have used the hell out of it (activating, installing apps. texting, like an hour of talk. mixed wifi and cell data usage) and its been over 24 hours of usage and i still have 42%.

    2. It’s lasted me all day without any problems, with pretty regularly checking multiple things(9am-2am for me). Hasn’t died on me yet

    3. They both have extreme power saving modes. According to HTC, using extreme power saving mode you have 15 hours on 5% charge and two weeks on 100%. I’m guessing that’s for email, text and talk. Fulll usage though is as indicated by others.

    4. It is insane. I’ve been 38 hours and 24%

  2. I am passing on all the new devices came out and the one will come out soon. I’m sticking to my Note 3.

    1. I think the G3 and the Nexus 6 will change your mind.

      1. All the new devices coming out, 2.5GHz Quad Core and 2 GB RAM and 3GB RAM, which, the Note 3 came out with it six months ago plus the Note has the pen. Non of the new devices has enough features to make me jump the boat yet. The bottom line is that just personal preference that’s all.

  3. Chris – wish you guys would do a port identical for this regarding the soon to be released Xperia Z2 (whether it will work in the US on T Mobile, AT&T, Verizon)

  4. I’m not sure of the specifics of the Verizon variant but if it has AWS LTE capabilities, then it should also pick up T-Mobile LTE where it’s available. It still won’t get AWS HSPA+ in non-refarmed areas but I’ve done this before using a Verizon S4 on T-Mobile so I would think it would be the same way on the M8.

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