Differences between the two Nexus 5 models, D820 and D821

posted by Alan F. / Nov 01, 2013, 9:00 PM

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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Display 5.0" 1080 x 1920 pixels

Camera 8 MP / 1.3 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, Quad-core, 2260 MHz

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58 Comments

1. MrsPotatoHead

Posts: 48; Member since: Aug 18, 2013

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

posted on Nov 01, 2013, 9:12 PM 0

24. dorianb

Posts: 617; Member since: Oct 24, 2012

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

posted on Nov 02, 2013, 3:27 PM 1

2. fay99

Posts: 118; Member since: Mar 16, 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 Nov 01, 2013, 9:18 PM 3

3. Shatter

Posts: 2036; Member since: May 29, 2013

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

posted on Nov 01, 2013, 9:24 PM 0

4. virtuallypete

Posts: 7; Member since: Jul 24, 2013

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

posted on Nov 01, 2013, 9:42 PM 0

5. PeaceB

Posts: 14; Member since: Nov 22, 2012

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

posted on Nov 01, 2013, 10:03 PM 0

6. freebee269

Posts: 541; Member since: Aug 10, 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 Nov 01, 2013, 10:28 PM 3

8. Shatter

Posts: 2036; Member since: May 29, 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 Nov 02, 2013, 1:14 AM 2

20. virtuallypete

Posts: 7; Member since: Jul 24, 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 Nov 02, 2013, 9:34 AM 0

7. vincelongman

Posts: 5611; Member since: Feb 10, 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 Nov 01, 2013, 10:52 PM 0

12. devil888

Posts: 8; Member since: Jan 11, 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 Nov 02, 2013, 4:13 AM 1

17. vincelongman

Posts: 5611; Member since: Feb 10, 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 Nov 02, 2013, 6:35 AM 0

58. ahmedcyad

Posts: 1; Member since: Jun 15, 2016

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

posted on Jun 15, 2016, 11:13 AM 0

9. ash_arani

Posts: 2; Member since: Nov 02, 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 Nov 02, 2013, 1:33 AM 0

13. devil888

Posts: 8; Member since: Jan 11, 2010

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

posted on Nov 02, 2013, 4:24 AM 1

10. jubin.mathai

Posts: 15; Member since: Jun 11, 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 Nov 02, 2013, 2:36 AM 0

14. devil888

Posts: 8; Member since: Jan 11, 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 Nov 02, 2013, 4:25 AM 3

16. jubin.mathai

Posts: 15; Member since: Jun 11, 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 Nov 02, 2013, 6:24 AM 0

22. ngohad

Posts: 1; Member since: Nov 02, 2013

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

posted on Nov 02, 2013, 12:55 PM 0

33. AbhishekGupta792

Posts: 2; Member since: Nov 10, 2013

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

posted on Nov 10, 2013, 8:25 AM 0

11. mc0714

Posts: 5; Member since: Nov 02, 2013

Noob here Will D820 work in Europe?

posted on Nov 02, 2013, 3:01 AM 0

15. devil888

Posts: 8; Member since: Jan 11, 2010

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

posted on Nov 02, 2013, 4:27 AM 2

19. PhoneArenaUser

Posts: 5498; Member since: Aug 05, 2011

Yes, D820 will work in Europe.

posted on Nov 02, 2013, 6:44 AM 1

45. megaturk1977

Posts: 3; Member since: Dec 11, 2013

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

posted on Dec 11, 2013, 11:05 AM 0

18. PhoneArenaUser

Posts: 5498; Member since: Aug 05, 2011

Here in Europe resellers are selling D820.

posted on Nov 02, 2013, 6:43 AM 0

21. dnyalexander

Posts: 10; Member since: Sep 03, 2012

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

posted on Nov 02, 2013, 12:33 PM 0

25. OldNorseBruin

Posts: 235; Member since: Mar 12, 2013

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

posted on Nov 03, 2013, 7:23 PM 0

23. Maikuh

Posts: 1; Member since: Nov 02, 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?