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Differences between the two Nexus 5 models, D820 and D821

Differences between the two Nexus 5 models, D820 and D821

Posted: 01 Nov 2013, 21:00, by Alan F.

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Tags : Android -Android + Wireless service -Wireless service + Google -Google +

Differences between the two Nexus 5 models, D820 and D821

Just like many smartphones, the Nexus 5 actually has two models.There is one version for North America and another for the rest of the world. Both models look the same, and share many of the same specs. The buttons, colors, cameras are the same. The differences are in connectivity, something that you don't see. The radios in each phone are a little different.

The D820 version of the Nexus 5 is designed for North America and will connect to 2G, 3G or LTE on AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. The D821 version of the Nexus 5 is set up to work with the rest of the world. European users should have no problem with a 2G, 3G or LTE connection. But some of the Asian carriers that use different networks could pose a problem. For example, China Mobile uses a proprietary 3G pipeline that has kept the Apple iPhone off the roster of the world's largest carrier.

North America (D820) Nexus 5 model:

GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

CDMA: Band Class: 0/1/10

WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/6/8/19

LTE: Bands: 1/2/4/5/17/19/25/26/41

Outside North America (D821) Nexus 5 model:

GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/6/8

LTE: Bands: 1/3/5/7/8/20

source: AndroidCentral

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58 Comments

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posted on 01 Nov 2013, 21:12

1. MrsPotatoHead (banned) (Posts: 48; Member since: 18 Aug 2013)

Sound like we need some of that Chinese 3g pipeline over here - can ya hear me Sprint?

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 15:27 1

24. dorianb (Posts: 612; Member since: 24 Oct 2012)

SoftBANK, the company that bought Sprint, is Japanese.
*sigh*

posted on 01 Nov 2013, 21:18 3

2. fay99 (Posts: 113; Member since: 16 Mar 2012)

Why does iphonearena open separate posts for the availability of their favorite tablet and phone from each phone carrier? Is it really necessary?

posted on 01 Nov 2013, 21:24

3. Shatter (Posts: 2036; Member since: 29 May 2013)

Google's trying to save a few $ by not giving the international full wireless ranges.

posted on 01 Nov 2013, 21:42

4. virtuallypete (Posts: 7; Member since: 24 Jul 2013)

Wait, no 1700/2100 for t-mobile gsm!?! Am I missing something?

posted on 01 Nov 2013, 22:03

5. PeaceB (Posts: 14; Member since: 22 Nov 2012)

Yes you are.. T-Mo dont use 1700/2100 for GSM.
Thats 1700/2100 for WCDMA

posted on 01 Nov 2013, 22:28 3

6. freebee269 (Posts: 539; Member since: 10 Aug 2012)

t-mobile uses frequency 1700 and band 4 for LTE. they also use the same frequency and band for hspa+ which they call 4G.

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 01:14 2

8. Shatter (Posts: 2036; Member since: 29 May 2013)

WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/6/8/9

Less confusing:

WCDMA Bands:
Band 1 2100 MHz
Band 2 1900 MHz
Band 4 2100 and 1700 MHz
Band 5 850 MHz
Band 6 850 MHz
Band 8 900 MHz

So yes it has full support for Tmobile and AT&T.

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 09:34

20. virtuallypete (Posts: 7; Member since: 24 Jul 2013)

Thanks! I'm getting caught up w/the lingo. Now wondering if the CMDA bands are for Sprint or Verizon and whether I'd get better battery life with the world phone? I do want to be able to use my phone in the EU.

posted on 01 Nov 2013, 22:52

7. vincelongman (Posts: 5068; Member since: 10 Feb 2013)

Does anyone know if the US versions's 3G and 4G LTE would work on Vodafone New Zealand?
We use the 1800 MHz band for 4G LTE and 2100 MHz band for 3G (UMTS)

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 04:13 1

12. devil888 (Posts: 8; Member since: 11 Jan 2010)

1800 MHz is band 3, which is not there in the US version and and 2100 MHz is WCDMA band 1 so you won't get LTE in New Zealand with a US Nexus 5 but you'll get 3G

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 06:35

17. vincelongman (Posts: 5068; Member since: 10 Feb 2013)

Thanks
I guess its not that big of an issue for me since Auckland's 4G LTE coverage is only in the central city at the moment.

posted on 15 Jun 2016, 11:13

58. ahmedcyad (Posts: 1; Member since: 15 Jun 2016)

North America (D820) Nexus 5 model: i have unlocked band 3 lte and now i can get lte speeeds :)

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 01:33

9. ash_arani (Posts: 2; Member since: 02 Nov 2013)

So in UAE, we use 900/1800 MHz. Does that mean I can use voice calls and sms normally here if I buy the D820? I assume it will work normally but LTE will not work due to the use of different bands. I have no problem not using LTE, but I want to be able to use my phone normally. Can anyone comment please?

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 04:24 1

13. devil888 (Posts: 8; Member since: 11 Jan 2010)

I assume you mean 900 for 3G and 1800 for LTE, then yes everything will work apart from LTE

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 02:36

10. jubin.mathai (Posts: 15; Member since: 11 Jun 2013)

Need help!!
I am planing to buy the Nexus 5 16 GB model from US Play Store. So will i get the North American or the International version. I need the international one i guess..... But how can i order that model?

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 04:25 3

14. devil888 (Posts: 8; Member since: 11 Jan 2010)

You will get the US model from US play store and the international model from ANY other play store (e.g. UK, Germany etc)

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 06:24

16. jubin.mathai (Posts: 15; Member since: 11 Jun 2013)

Thanks for the reply.
India uses 900/1800 bands as well. So i suppose we will be able to use the North American version here in India also.

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 12:55

22. ngohad (Posts: 1; Member since: 02 Nov 2013)

India uses 900 and 1800 for GSM and 2100 for 3G. So 3G should work fine.

posted on 10 Nov 2013, 08:25

33. AbhishekGupta792 (Posts: 2; Member since: 10 Nov 2013)

thn it means we will be able to use 3G on the north american version?

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 03:01

11. mc0714 (Posts: 5; Member since: 02 Nov 2013)

Noob here
Will D820 work in Europe?

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 04:27 2

15. devil888 (Posts: 8; Member since: 11 Jan 2010)

LTE won't work (if you have) but everything else is fine

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 06:44 1

19. PhoneArenaUser (Posts: 5498; Member since: 05 Aug 2011)

Yes, D820 will work in Europe.

posted on 11 Dec 2013, 11:05

45. megaturk1977 (Posts: 3; Member since: 11 Dec 2013)

can you pls tell me if the d820 will work in turkıey

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 06:43

18. PhoneArenaUser (Posts: 5498; Member since: 05 Aug 2011)

Here in Europe resellers are selling D820.

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 12:33

21. dnyalexander (Posts: 10; Member since: 03 Sep 2012)

What if I live in Canada? Which one should I get?

posted on 03 Nov 2013, 19:23

25. OldNorseBruin (Posts: 232; Member since: 12 Mar 2013)

...You should get the D820...I believe the CANADIAN LTE bands for ROGERS is the same as ( USA ) AT&T's ...

posted on 02 Nov 2013, 14:48

23. Maikuh (Posts: 1; Member since: 02 Nov 2013)

I got a question, if i wanted to use it on DR with Claro or Orange (Which i read that have the same frequencies as AT&T and T-Mobile) Would it work? Or would it have to be re-unlocked or w.e on one of the companies?

posted on 04 Nov 2013, 08:52

26. kshitijlampardterry (Posts: 1; Member since: 04 Nov 2013)

Will Nexus 5 bought from USA work in India? My uncle who lives in USA is visiting India. Please help.