When Google announced their new Nexus 4 smartphone, the device did not come with 4G LTE, although an LTE chip has been found inside the handset. This discovery led to speculation and experimentation among tech enthusiasts. Now, it would appear that the device can indeed run on some LTE networks with a few tweaks.
The guys over at the XDA Developers have shown the new Google Nexus 4 running on a 4G LTE network. Have a look at the video of it in action below.
Technical Details and Compatibility
It looks like the Nexus 4 can be run on the LTE Band 4, which is the 1700MHz band used by Telus and Rogers in Canada. This band is also known as AWS (Advanced Wireless Services). The device may also possibly run on AT&T as they are licensed for the same band as well. This opens up a range of possibilities for users who are looking to take advantage of faster network speeds without having to switch devices.
The process to enable LTE on the Nexus 4 involves accessing the phone’s hidden settings menu and making specific changes. This is not officially supported by Google, and users should proceed with caution as it may void warranties or cause other issues.
Implications for Nexus 4 Users
For Nexus 4 users, this discovery is significant. It means that with a bit of technical know-how, they can unlock faster data speeds that were not originally advertised as a feature of the device. This can be particularly beneficial for users in areas where LTE coverage is robust and where the 3G networks are congested or slow.
However, there are some caveats. The LTE functionality on the Nexus 4 is not as fully integrated as it is on devices that officially support LTE. This means that users might experience inconsistent performance or other technical issues. Additionally, because this is an unofficial modification, there is no guarantee of support or updates from Google or the carriers.
Despite these potential drawbacks, the ability to enable LTE on the Nexus 4 is a testament to the ingenuity of the tech community. It also highlights the importance of hardware capabilities that may not be fully utilized by manufacturers, either due to marketing decisions or other strategic reasons.
Source Brief Mobile
Video Credit: TekGadg / YouTube
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