Android

OnePlus X US users will likely get patchy LTE signal

posted by Florin T. / Nov 04, 2015, 10:36 PM

OnePlus X US users will likely get patchy LTE signal

The OnePlus X is launching tomorrow, November 5, in Europe, and on November 19 in the US, coming as OnePlus' third smartphone to date - after the OnePlus One and the OnePlus 2.

Before deciding if they want to buy the new handset, US customers should know that they might be having trouble with LTE connectivity. More exactly, the OnePlus X supports the following LTE bands: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8. This doesn't completely cover the LTE bands of AT&T (2, 4, 17) and T-Mobile (2, 4, 12) - these being the only major US carriers that you can use the OnePlus X on, since we're talking about a GSM device here.

According to Droid-life, OnePlus does not plan to add support for additional LTE bands on its smartphone, so you won't be getting complete LTE coverage. In fact, AT&T's and T-Mobile's LTE networks heavily rely on bands 17 and 12, so you'll likely be without LTE coverage quite often.

LTE issues aside, if you're willing to buy the OnePlus X in the US (where it's going to cost $249 unlocked), you'll need an invite (at least in the first month of availability). To find out more about the new smartphone, check out our OnePlus X hands-on.

OnePlus X

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source: Droid-life

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17 Comments

1. Furbal unregistered

Completely dumb move to not include those two bands. Particularly band 17 for att, that is easily through most used band for them and all their mvnos

posted on Nov 04, 2015, 10:55 PM 2

9. Tizo101

Posts: 540; Member since: Jun 05, 2015

remember the world is huge and this would work perfectly everywhere else

posted on Nov 05, 2015, 3:27 AM 0

13. Istok

Posts: 3; Member since: Nov 05, 2015

Not really. The phone has no band 3 which is huge in Eurasia.

posted on Nov 05, 2015, 10:52 AM 0

2. promise7

Posts: 894; Member since: Jul 03, 2013

I think OnePlus is shifting focus overseas now, primarily India, so they're subtly aren't going all in on US support with small details like this. If size isn't a differentiating factor for the shopper I would look into the Nexus 6 which I see go anywhere from $270-$299 every now and then.

posted on Nov 04, 2015, 10:55 PM 1

3. EC112987

Posts: 1215; Member since: Nov 10, 2014

What kills them is the invite system crap. I tried buying one last year and by the time I got my invite I had a better phone. My Brother has the Nexus and I must say it's simply amazing

posted on Nov 04, 2015, 11:01 PM 0

4. zeeBomb

Posts: 2318; Member since: Aug 14, 2014

Anyone got invites?

posted on Nov 04, 2015, 11:06 PM 0

8. cyborg009

Posts: 119; Member since: Sep 17, 2011

yupa... got it on the next day of launch. It's valid till 7th I guess. Not going to use.

posted on Nov 05, 2015, 12:14 AM 0

5. Napalm_3nema

Posts: 2236; Member since: Jun 14, 2013

Looks like my OPT will remain an only child.

6. Planterz

Posts: 2120; Member since: Apr 30, 2012

T-Mobile doesn't rely heavily on band 12. Not yet anyway, as many areas where T-Mobile has LTE doesn't have band 12 yet because it's in the works, because sales are awaiting FCC approval (which means a couple years), or aren't possible at all (like Chicago - a rather large city from what I hear). Just because band 12 isn't available doesn't mean LTE isn't - there's still bands 2 and 4. Same with AT&T. If band 17 isn't available, there's still 2 and 4. I get LTE from both companies on my Nexus 4 with band 4.

posted on Nov 04, 2015, 11:14 PM 3

7. murron

Posts: 162; Member since: Jun 10, 2014

It's a bit of a stretch to say that tmo "heavily" relies on band 12. They only started deploying it last year I believe. Their main band is band 4. AT&T however, uses band 17 as their main LTE band in most of their markets and band 5 for the rest.

posted on Nov 04, 2015, 11:38 PM 0

10. shoman94

Posts: 25; Member since: Oct 16, 2015

Here in Maine and New Hampshire its band 17(main) and band 4 and 2. I have not seen band 5 LTE here. I agree though.... Oneplus made a mistake for the US customers.... again. Thankfully I have moved on....

posted on Nov 05, 2015, 6:45 AM 0

11. Planterz

It's my understanding that band 5 is a US Cellular band, but AT&T phones have band 5 as part of roaming partnerships.

posted on Nov 05, 2015, 10:10 AM 0

14. shoman94

AT&T also uses Band 5 .... currently its only being used for HSPA in this area.

posted on Nov 05, 2015, 11:22 AM 0

12. isprobi

Posts: 797; Member since: May 30, 2011

What a crappy phone. Even the BlackBerry Priv supports more bands than that. This is why these little companies fail to gain traction.

posted on Nov 05, 2015, 10:40 AM 0

15. Istok

17 is only in use in north North America- like Canada and US. Tmob uses 2,4 and 12. 2,4 fine but 12 is new and they only deployed it in north North America. So markets like Asia or EU that run on 7 and/or 8 are actually a better choice for One Plus and offer a larger market. Don't blame the handset maker, blame the carriers who are perpetually trying to keep you locked into contracts by using obscure frequencies.