using a Google Nexus 5 in Thailand , any issues

[oldcarguy]

I was thinking of getting a used Google Nexus 5 off Ebay for around $100 ,

 

it will probably be the USA Version , and I will mostly be using it for Internet , plus it fits in my pocket where a 7 inch tablet does not !

 

any issues other than the wrong LTE bands ?

 

or is there another older model 5-6 tablet thats around $100

 

I will end up breaking it anyway so want to stay on the cheap side :)    THANKS

 

Google Nexus
Compatible networks	2G/3G/4G LTE GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz Model LG-D820 (North America) 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

[wimpy]

I have used the US Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 with AIS without issues. Not sure about 4G, as we don't have it here yet.

[Froggybanrai]

Bought mine at Lazada's 6 months ago, perfectly happy with it, no prb whatsoever including 4G

[yankee99]

USA 6p wont get 4g in Thailand not sure about the 5 but I think u need 2100 and 2300

[KhunBENQ]

7 minutes ago, yankee99 said:

USA 6p wont get 4g in Thailand not sure about the 5 but I think u need 2100 and 2300

For full use on all operators 2100 is needed.

But I don't have an overview which operators use which band.

 

AIS:

Quote

with the best LTE ADVANCED technology to deliver the superbly fast 4G on both 1800MHz and 2100MHz bandwidths.

 

dtac:

Quote

dtac SUPER 4G on the 2100 MHz spectrum will cover all 878 districts nationwide by the third quarter of 2016.

 

Truemove also seems to offer on 1800 and 2100.

 

So dtac LTE/4G would be the only problem.

[yankee99]

Just because its available if you're not in that specific area you will be reduced to 3g. In my experience if your phone is set to lte and the 2100 is only available then you will not have coverage.  The only solution is setting it to 3g for continuous coverage.  I learned this the hard way USA phones dont play well in Thailand or internationally for that matter 

[rjwill01]

Brought mine from the States 18 months ago and worked fine until I dropped it. Took one time to Tukcom but no one would work on it because it was a US phone. But it did work great with no problems.  AIS

[oldcarguy]

THanks for the info ,

 

does the battery last all day at least ?

 

and is 16GB enough or do I need the 32GB model ?

 

mostly going to use it for internet  searches,  google maps , check email  and 2-3GB of MP3 music , but  I have a laptop in my room so its not the only internet devise I have to use

[jacko45k]

As you say some LTE bands are different so will 4G work?

Also some USA providers lock the phone from Hotspot and USB internet and radio functions. I actually believe Google Nexus is OK here but am not certain.

CDMA is of no use here or many other places.

I once bought an exUSA Verizon phone and wished I hadn't!.

 

The battery was also shot!

Edited December 30, 2016 by jacko45k

[Jdietz]

LTE in Bangkok working fine. 4G in the provinces working fine. Phone itself has great features for the price but build quality is crap. Don't sneeze at it, it will break immediately. 

[oldcarguy]

what breaks on them ?

 

does it just need a good case or ?????

[wimpy]

8 hours ago, oldcarguy said:

THanks for the info ,

 

does the battery last all day at least ?

 

and is 16GB enough or do I need the 32GB model ?

 

mostly going to use it for internet  searches,  google maps , check email  and 2-3GB of MP3 music , but  I have a laptop in my room so its not the only internet devise I have to use

 

Depends how much you use it. I would say battery life is average. Nothing special. I have the 16GB model, which is fine for me. I don't store a lot of music or video. Had to replace the battery once after the phone started to look pregnant. Battery was easily found on ebay and installed by a local tech.

[wimpy]

I think it is a nice phone. I actually almost bought another one, but it appeared it wouldn't support all the Thai 4G bands, so I went with a Hong Kong model LG G4. Also quite nice, with an excellent camera.

[Langsuan Man]

I purchased the Nexus 5X from Lazada a year ago and it has worked flawlessly both here in Thailand with DTAC and in the US with TracFone SIMS

 

http://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?q=Nexus 5X

 

I would encourage you to get the 32 GB model since there is no external memory support and the non removable battery has never let me down in daily use 

 

Only caveat on the 5X and above models is that they now use the Type-C 1.0 reversible connector

[wimpy]

I thought he was asking about the Nexus 5. The 5X is a completely different phone, isn't it? And much more $ than a used 5.

[wimpy]

By the way, you can get a new 5 from these people in HK for less than $150 free shipping. I have bought my last 4 phones from them. Never a problem, and never had to pay any duty.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-White-16-32GB-LG-Google-Nexus-5-D820-Unlocked-GSM-Android-Smartphone-/142002073209?var=&hash=item210ffbae79:m:mtwG0y-3e3v8mQF5RuWw38A

[DrTuner]

Almost 3 years with my Nexus 5 now. I'm going to use it until the wheels fall off, just put a custom ROM to get Android 7 in it. Had to change the battery once, otherwise flawless. Great piece of hardware.

[Langsuan Man]

23 hours ago, wimpy said:

I thought he was asking about the Nexus 5. The 5X is a completely different phone, isn't it? And much more $ than a used 5.

 

Yes, and I gave  him a good reason to upgrade to a 5X instead of a 5.  If he really wants to save some money then he should go for a used Nexus 4, that would really be cheap;  but like most things in life, you get what you pay for  

[oldcarguy]

5 minutes ago, Langsuan Man said:

 

Yes, and I gave  him a good reason to upgrade to a 5X instead of a 5.  If he really wants to save some money then he should go for a used Nexus 4, that would really be cheap;  but like most things in life, you get what you pay for  

I was asking about the original Nexus 5 , yes because its CHEAP , less than $100 on Ebay used and as posted above $150 new from Hong Kong ,

 

I just  broke my Nexus 4 screen a couple weeks ago.......probably not worth fixing......

as far as get what you pay for , I break things....often........and buying a $500 phone that will break like a $100 phone does not seem smart ,

Plus I do not live on my phone , I am not on Facebook or Line so do not have to read comments from 100s of "friends" I do not know .

 

I might check my email , or use Maps  etc  but do not get on the BTS and pull out my phone for the whole ride ,

  and my eyes are getting old and a Nexus 5 will have a bigger screen too :)

 

If there is something else with 5 inch screen worth buying for $100 or so please let me know

 

Thanks and Happy New Year

 

 

[wimpy]

In that price range, I would also look at the HTC One M7. HTC's  flagship phone from 2013. Can still be bought new for about $130 from HK. Or the LG G2 even cheaper.

[RichCor]

Bumping the Manifesto post I made in January 2016...

 

 

Technologies:

2G: GSM (Voice) ; GPRS/EDGE 384Kbps (Data)

3G: UMTS/W-CDMA; HSDPA/HSUPA; HSPA+ and DC-HSPA+ Dual Carrrier (dual frequency/band coupling for higher data rates)

4G: LTE -Advanced, multi-band aggregation possible for increased data speeds

 

Radio Frequencies MHz [bands]

Current: 850 [band 5], 900 [band 8], 1800 [band 3], 2100 [band 1]   (with 2100 being used by all Thai mobile carriers)

Future?: 450 [band LTE 450], 700 [band 28; 12,13,14,17], 2300 [band 40, TDD], 2600 [band 41 ,TDD]

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

So with the latest auction results as of 2015 December, [and the 2016 May re-auction] the current provider/network offerings in Thailand are:

 

 

AIS (subsidiaries AWN 3G/4G and former DPC 2G)

 

2G 900MHz [17.5 MHz bandwidth] previous 2G/3G spectrum lost in 2015 DEC auction bid

      900MHz [10MHz bandwidth, unknown slice] won in re-auction following JAS Mobile default of license, allows AIS
                       to continue serving the remaining 2G 900MHz-only device owners  on its network

1800MHz [12.5MHz bandwidth] previous 2G DPC spectrum lost to refarming, now 4G

1800MHz [ 5MHz of 15MHz bandwidth] (new license, expires 2033) proposed to serve existing 2G customers [005]

 

3G 900MHz [17.5 MHz bandwidth] previous 2G/3G spectrum lost in 2015 DEC auction bid

      900MHz [10MHz bandwidth, unknown slice]  won in re-auction following JAS Mobile default of license

2100MHz [15MHz bandwidth] license expires 2027

** 2100MHz [15MHz additional ] AIS has agreed to build-out & rent 80% of TOT 2100 under a 3-year partnership [010]

 

4G  900MHz [10MHz bandwidth, unknown slice]  won in re-auction following JAS Mobile default of license.

     1800MHz [15MHz bandwidth] (new license, expires 2033) reduction to 10MHz proposed to serve 2G [005]

 

 

CAT (subsidiary my by CAT)

** 850MHz 25MHz bandwidth is licensed to CAT till 2025

850MHz [10MHz bandwidth] fully concessioned to DTAC (expires 2018)

3G 850MHz [15MHz bandwidth] used and also wholesaled to TrueMove H

 

CAT unallocated DTAC concession

4G 1800MHz [20MHz] now available for 4G development (with partnership DTAC)

previously unused 25MHz of a 50MHz CAT concession to DTAC, (concession expires 2018). [020]

 

 

DTAC and subsidiary DTAC TriNet (DTN) [030]

 

2G 1800MHz [15MHz of 25MHz] under concession from CAT till 2018

** most non-metro towers are configured for 1800 2G

 

3G 850MHz [10MHz bandwidth] under concession from CAT till 2018

2100MHz [10MHz of 15MHz bandwidth] license expires 2027

 

4G 1800MHz [10MHz of 25MHz bandwidth] concession expires 2018

** only some metro towers provide 2G/4G service

1800MHz [20MHz additional] now available for 4G development (in partnerthip with CAT)

previously unused 25MHz of a 50MHz concession to DTAC, (concession expires 2018). [020]

2100MHz [ 5MHz of 15MHz bandwidth] license expires 2027

** combined 15MHz aggregated spectrum allows up to 150Mbit/s download LTE

** combined 35MHz aggregated spectrum allows up to 350Mbit/s download LTE

 

 

TOT (subsidiary TOT 3G)

900MHz previous spectrum control returned to government for 2015 auction

3G 2100MHz [15MHz bandwidth] license expires 2025

** TOT 3G also licenses this spectrum to many MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operator).

TOT controlled or currently unused/unallocated

1500MHz [91MHz bandwidth] future refarm for mobile

2300MHz TDD [64MHz bandwidth] open for development with potential partner AIS first in line. [005]

 

 

True (subsidiaries True Move H Universal Communication (TMC, TUC), TrueMove 2G, RealMove, et al)

 

2G 1800MHz [12.5MHz bandwidth] concession from CAT expired 2013

** NBTC extended 2G operations till the 1800 auction winner claimed the space on 23 Dec 2015.

900MHz [ 5MHz or 10MHz of 10MHz bandwidth] (new license, expires 2030) proposed

1800MHz [ 5MHz of 15MHz bandwidth] (new license, expires 2033) proposed to serve existing 2G [040]

** True has stated a desire to continue serving 2G customers through 2016. 
900/1800 2G service is proposed, specifically on 900 as there are very few 900 4G/LTE handsets available. [040]

 

3G 850MHz [15MHz] wholesale lease from CAT expires 2025

900MHz [ 5MHz of 10MHz] (new license, expires 2030) proposed

2100MHz [ 5MHZ or 10MHz of 15MHz] proposed, license expires 2027

** True wants to refarm 850 from 3G to 4G/LTE by 3rd QTR 2016

 

4G 900MHz [ 5MHz or 10MHz of 10Mhz] (new license, expires 2030) proposed (as there are very few 900 4G handsets)

1800MHz [15MHz of 15MHz bandwidth], may be reduced to 10MHz to serve 2G (new license, expires 2033)

2100MHz [ 5MHz or 10MHz of 15MHz] license expires 2027

** conflicting news stories regarding their 2G/3G/4G MHz slot assignments (re 5 or 10MHz usage slots).

** combined 25MHz aggregated spectrum allows up to 150Mbit/s download LTE

** combined 30MHz aggregated spectrum allows up to 225Mbit/s download LTE

 

 

Jas Mobile

 

4G 900MHz [10MHz bandwidth] (new license, expires 2030)  

[Default on payment, license returned to government, re-auction winner was AIS ]

see reference article [120]

 

 

...also

Future Development, potential frequency spectrum for refarming for wireless broadband: [100]

450MHz [20MHz bandwidth]

700MHz [92MHz bandwidth] under concessioned to TV operators till 2023 (channel 7)

850MHz [10MHz bandwidth] currently under concession with DTAC and True will expire 2018

1500MHz [91MHz bandwidth] currently controlled by TOT and Chevron, proposed refarming in 4 years

1800MHz [25MHz bandwidth] currently under concession with DTAC will expire in 2018

2300MHz [60MHz bandwidth] controlled by TOT, with AIS negotiating to develop

2600MHz [190MHz bandwidth] controlled by MCOT & other government agencies

** [60MHz out of 144MHz bandwidth returned to governement by MCOT]

a 2600MHz mobile spectrum auction is expected to take place in 2016

 

 

Articles referenced

 

[005]

Who are real winners of 900MHz auction?

THE NATION | USANEE MONGKOLPORN, SIRIVISH TOOMGUM | 21 December 2015

 

[010]

Advanced Info Service

The Nation | Bualuang Securities | 23 December 2015

AIS gets ready for 3G battle Chief says 4G will be mainstream in 2017

BP | SRISAMORN PHOOSUPHANUSORN | 25 Dec 2015

 

[020]

CAT, DTAC plan joint upgrade of 1,800MHz for 4G

THE NATION | * | 26 December 2015

 

[030]

DTAC Website http://www.dtac.co.th/en/4g/

DTAC Website http://www.dtac.co.th/en/network/coverage.html

 

[040]

True reaches terms with CAT to continue 2G services for another year

TeleGeography.com | 9 Dec 2015

 

[100]

NBTC plans to reassign part of 1500MHz spectrum

THE NATION | USANEE MONGKOLPORN | 11 December 2015

 

[110]

Jasmine CEO reveals reason for Thai 4G licence default

 

[120]

AIS wins uncontested 900MHz re-auction at USD2.11bn

[mtls2005]

The LG D820 variant will work fine here, band 1/LTE and 3G will be more the sufficient. 3G speeds here are 30/3 so probably OK for most applications save VoLTE.

 

I still run a D820 as a back-up.

 

If you can source a D821 that might be better (for Thailand, but not the U.S.).

 

That said, this model is getting a bit long in the tooth. 16 GB can be tight. The battery can be replaced; I've done it twice, so am on my 3rd battery.

[oldcarguy]

12 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

The LG D820 variant will work fine here, band 1/LTE and 3G will be more the sufficient. 3G speeds here are 30/3 so probably OK for most applications save VoLTE.......

 

 

I just bought one on Ebay yesterday for $75 ,  I had one a couple years ago until it got "liberated" , I liked it then ,

 

I am not too worried about speed ,  3G is fine , 

 

is there an APP that will tell you how good your battery is ?

How long will a fresh battery run the phone ?   it might be worth plannin on putting a fresh on in it anyway ,

 

thanks

[mtls2005]

is there an APP that will tell you how good your battery is ? There are a ton of apps which do this, some require root access.

 

 

How long will a fresh battery run the phone ?  How long is a piece of string? Seriously, a open-ended question like this cannot be answered, but on a second-hand phone, maybe and hour or two assuming the battery has not been replaced. I'd buy one or two replacement kits, although those might also be out of date. The replacement process is relatively simple but does require some patience,

[RichCor]

9 hours ago, oldcarguy said:

is there an APP that will tell you how good your battery is ?

How long will a fresh battery run the phone ?   it might be worth plannin on putting a fresh on in it anyway 

 

As mtls2005 alludes to, daily battery life depends on many variables...  from how far you are from the tower, how much Mobile or WiFi Data gets being transmitted/received, how active the user is with the phone, social network apps left running in the background listening to your friends post selfies and food pics, the screen brightness and how long it stays lit...     may have well asked how expensive living in Thailand will be.

 

Google's latest OS in the Settings menu for the battery will have a graph estimating how long your battery will hold out given the most recent activity and conditions. My battery life mostly lasts 4-5 days, but that's just connected to WiFi waiting for email. As soon as I start making phone calls, accessing the Internet, or playing some stupid game the time available will nose dive towards 2 hours.

 

Oh, and good luck getting actual good condition batteries for your phone.  The only way I've ever gotten a battery here in Asia that still had good charge capacity was the one that came with buying a new phone.  Some stock just sits on the shelf too long, or was never new to begin with. 

[oldcarguy]

I know  you cannot tell how long a battery will last because of useage ,  hopefully it will last  12-15 hours so you do not have to recharge during the day ,

 

I was going to buy a battery off ebay or Amazon , hopefully they are fresher than one sitting on a shelve at a small shop,

 

I normally turn off all the Apps updating data automatically , and do not do social network stuff , so i might have a chance to get a full day use

[mtls2005]

If you don't use your phone the battery will last 5 - 9 days.

 

Replacing the battery may be a bit more complex than you imagine, although it is relatively straight-forward. Is it easy to <deleted>-up? Yes. Will the battery kit have a "new-ish" battery? Probably not on a 4 year old unit.

 

 

[ozmeldo]

I have a 5x, wife a 6p both Intl versions no issues.

[ozmeldo]

On 12/30/2016 at 9:12 PM, yankee99 said:

USA 6p wont get 4g in Thailand not sure about the 5 but I think u need 2100 and 2300

 

My wife has 6P Intl phone bought in states,  it gets LTE.

[oldcarguy]

got a  used Nexus 5 off ebay for $75 buy it now,

 

so far all is well,  battery level in settings says 94% - 20 hours left , but I have no idea if that is correct

I have many Apps running and screen is on bright

 

I  am only on the phone less than 1 hour a day  when I am outside so it will last a day or 2 which is more than enough

 

someday I   will try a real life battery check and play youtube videos starting with a full battery until it shuts off

 

I think I will look for a good used Nexus 6  for my next phone/tablet  since it looks like it will fit in my front pants  pocket and a 7 inch phone/tablet is just too big 

 

Cheers