yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
I'm assuming you got the 53010BDL model - if not, please tell us the model number. What LTE bands does it have enabled? Either product box, or documentation that came with it should say that. I'm trying to figure out if this model is equivalent to SHT-AL09, listed on Huawei US website as the one, having LTE+GSM radios.

---------- Post added at 12:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:32 AM ----------

For US folks, who are like me, wondering if European 8.4" LTE version with GSM radio supports US LTE bands for T-Mobile and AT&T: I don't know how accurate this information is (perhaps someone, who owns this 53010BDL version can confirm?), but this site lists the available LTE bands for this model: https://www.conrad.com/ce/en/produc...G-LTE4G-Grey-Octa-Core-Android-80-Oreo-2560-x

According to the above, only FDD-LTE band 5 (850Mhz), used by T-Mobile, is overlapping with US carriers. There are no LTE bands, supported by AT&T.

This one however, lists different bands: https://www.centralpoint.nl/tablets...d-m5-8-lte-4gb-32gb-art-53010bdl-num-8253117/ and according to this site, B5 is not supported.

Another one without any US bands https://www.quickstore.it/ReadyIceC...ean=6901443213603&langCode=it&productID=85281

We really need clarity from someone who owns it :confused::confused:
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] stag74:
My European model is SHT-AL09, and the documentation quick start guide states on page 8:

GSM 900

GSM 1800

WCDMA 900, 2100

LTE Bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 40

Hope that helps!

Edit, don't think it covers any US frequency/bands?
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
You're absolutely right - unfortunately, it does not. T-Mobile uses FDD LTE B2,B4,B5,B12 and AT&T uses B2,B4,B5,B17
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] stag74:
It can be frustrating, a year ago I bought a LG Watch Sport while in New York from AT&T, at the time, information available suggested it would work back home in Europe. It didn't. North American bands only.

Fortunately managed to buy an import from South Korea, the 'international version', that did, and also managed to sell on my US version at the same time.

So you do have to be careful before buying!
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
End of April. Confirmed directly with Huawei live chat, and phone support. However, the availability of SHT-AL09 model for US (the only one that has GSM radio) has not been confirmed by Huawei HQ. Support supervisor told me they've sent an inquiry to HQ about SHT-AL09 for US, but have not received a reply yet. Unfortunately, I think at least at launch time, there will be no LTE models of M5 sold in US (10 or 8.4 inch). This is an educated guess, based on regulatory approvals, or rather lack thereof. As you can see here - Huawei filed for FCC approval so far only for 4 SHT-W09 models, which are WiFi only. They cannot sell wireless equipment in any country without prior testing and approval from regulatory body of that country (FCC in US)
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] XmanBoston:
Aliexpress.com is selling the 64GB LTE version

FYI, I got a M5 8.4 32GB LTE from Germany last Friday. I switched my AT&T SIM into it and everything works great as my daily phone so far, though no LTE only 4G. 4G data speed tested is around 25Mbps. I am in Boston. I used to have a M3 for a month before I sole it last month. Also Aliexpress.com is selling the 64GB LTE version, which is the version I really like but too late for me.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
Informative Apo11on.aww

Just as I thought. The US consumer will be screwed yet again. I don't know why Huawei doesn't just make an international version with US bands open to sell outside the US. Phone sales are pretty much international now anyway. I mean we all have a media pad that was never released in the US. Huawei must know that US consumers are purchasing their phones through E Bay and Alibaba. Why not feed that market?
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
When you say "sell outside the US" - do you mean the place it would be formally sold from is like the moon? Because if it's sold from a country on *this* planet - as I mentioned earlier, in order to sell Huawei has to obtain approval from that country's regulatory body to sell wireless equipment with specific radio bands. And if none of the carriers of that sales country "X" support US LTE bands - the regulatory body of country X will have a lot of questions for Huawei, why they are trying to certify in country X a device, which operates on frequencies, not supported in the country. Of course, skipping the approval process altogether would be illegal and sales of unauthorized wireless equipment is guaranteed to set Huawei back a few billion dollars in fines.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
Actually, no you didn't. You mentioned the FCC and the U.S. regulatory process. How would I know about the regulatory process in China or every other country on the globe for that matter? But, I guess you do.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
Actually, I did. My post is right there, just few posts before yours. The last sentence of my posts reads "They cannot sell wireless equipment in any country without prior testing and approval from regulatory body of that country".
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
So, when a world phone is produced they need to apply to EVERY country that happens to use any band that is open on the phone?
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
Let's not hijack this thread for a 101 class on wireless equipment basics - it's not meant for that. I'm not going to spend time educating you on this - this info is very basic, and readily available through any search engine. Do some reading, it doesn't take long to understand how this works.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
Says the same guy who is on my thread speculating as to whether the Chinese version has US bands. Good job.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
Since you're a junior member who is new around here - I'm going to give you a free advice. Your bickering and confrontational attitude over nothing are becoming annoying and a distraction from the topic of this thread - other members shouldn't have to read this. Please read XDA forum rules and take my advice going forward:

Unless you need help, or have a question to ask, or something constructive to contribute - refrain from posting. You don't have to have the last word in every conversation.

If you chose to ignore this advice - next off-topic reply, continuing down this path will be reported to forum moderators.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] JadamsJ:
I have been following this model for sometime - but between the lack of earphone and no USA LTE bands - its just a hard sell. My Mediapad X2 is perfectly good at this point. Mi max 3 is supposed to be 7" but too narrow.

Ah well..
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
Chinese version appears to have all US LTE bands, besides band 2. This link from large Chinese online retailer has LTE bands listed in the Specifications section (you have to select LTE variant next to device picture and do NOT use Ad Blocker) , and the list appears to match what Aliexpress sellers put up on their product pages. One of them even told me he verified these bands are accurate with Huawei support in China. I chose to believe him, so when Chinese model I ordered gets here - I'll post if this is true.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
I

Sort of in the same boat as you but realize your X2 has a limited shelf life for use in the USA. T mobile has already "refarmed" most of their towers, eliminating support for HSPA+ connection. And ATT may not be far behind (according to a sales associate) as both companies make way for 5G.

I also see the M5 as a big compromise (no pun intended) but if the Chinese version does indeed support 4G in this region, I'm a buyer. At least this way way I will be able to use a large phone for the foreseeable future as no one else seems to think there is a market for these in the US. I await details about the Chinese version.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] JadamsJ:
Appreciate your investment which can benefit all of us who are reading. I had posted on a different thread about a similar find about the bands, to which a notable member said the bands aren't always legitimately documented.

[MENTION=6755271]steveyal[/MENTION] - I also saw your threads about the demise of H+ and your phone becoming a 2G brick. I recognize this is a real issue but it hasn't hit my area YET. Hoping I can find a real option as opposed to a life raft.

There are 6.5" options - Iphone X / Samsung Galaxy S9+ for a very large cost. :eek:
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
All the best to you. iPhone does look interesting....
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
Aliexpress seller told me he called Huawei tech support to confirm bands. It's a big store, and has good feedback score, so it wasn't just documentation. As for the 6.5" screen size - my former Xiaomi Mi Mix had 6.4" screen, and my current Samsung Note 8 has 6.36" - those just don't do it for me anymore. I can't see the damn ball on 6.5 incher, when trying to watch a tennis match or watching Steph Curry drain 3-pointers.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
As promised. I hope this will answer some of the questions people are having about US LTE from Chinese model. Just so you know, the sim used for the speed test is currently deprioratized, because I've already consumed more than 50GB for the billing cycle, so those are my "slow" speeds. When it's under 50GB, I expect to get 70-80Mbps down, as I usually do with my regular phone.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] JadamsJ:
Amazing and thank you very much. Would you mind posting the link you made the purchase from or a PM if needed. Assuming you used the standard TMO APN settings?
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
Outstanding. Is that with T Mo or ATT? Also interested in a link to the seller if possible. How's the battery? Are you feeling like it's too big? Any issues thus far? Thanks in advance.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
Both of my screenshots I posted earlier have a carrier related information in the upper left corner - did you happen to notice what it says? Here is another screenshot for you.

As for the question about if it's too big - that's subjective, depends on the size of your hands, the pockets of the clothes you wear and a bunch of other things. I can hold it in one hand, and it fits the back pocket of all the pants I own - that's good enough for me. Yes, it's a bit large, but that minor inconvenience pales comparing to what you gain with that gorgeous 8.4" 2k screen.

I've had it foo too short of period of a time, to draw conclusions about the battery, but the drain rate seems slow - I speculate it would like at least 8 hours with heave use, and double that with light usage. Oreo's power management is also vastly superior to previous android OS, so it turns off background services, closes off background apps you dont use and even shots off your hotspot, if no clients connected for a period of time.

Here is direct link to the product and seller I bought from. The only issue I've noticed so far is with Huawei pre-installed bloatware. You don't have to open or use it, but if you do - each of their app's license requires you to consent to storing pretty much all your phone content on their cloud. They wanna backup you, your parents and your children and grandchildren to Huawei cloud. You don't have to accept that license agreement, of course.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
First paragraph summarizes it well https://www.xda-developers.com/introducing-the-thanks-button-on-xda/
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] mzisman4:
Does the Chinese model come with google services installed?
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] purple lady:
If you have AT&T this may not work for you. My phone uses band 2 a lot more than any other bands. It depends on what bands are used in your area.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
Ha interesting. I do have ATT....but not because I want to. I switched when T Mo ceased supporting HSPA in my area. I'm basically month to month so I should have no problem switching back to T Mo if necessary...and I'd be glad to do so. Right now, I'm debating waiting on it a few months to see if the price goes down. I found a Chinese seller o.n Ebay that has the LTE for $560 shipped...but that still feels like a lot. I think when more distributors have it the price will drive down...at least that's what I'm hoping
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
No

---------- Post added at 05:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:41 PM ----------

AT&T uses bands 2,4,5,17 and supports T-Mo's band 12 due to FCC's roaming support requirement. Bands 4,5,12,17 are all among supported bands on M5 - I'd say it's a VERY safe bet it'll work just fine on AT&T.

---------- Post added at 06:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:57 PM ----------

You'll find at least 3-4 sellers on Aliexpress in the exact same price range, and the price will NOT go down for at least 6 months. It's a brand new flagship device, which was only released in China literally 5 days ago, and hasn't even been released in US. Upon launch, US will not even have LTE version, and it will take several months until LTE version is officially sold in US. Unless you're willing to wait like a year for a price drop - you're wasting your time.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] mzisman4:
Do you have a gapps workaround or are we waiting for a twrp release? For me gapps are a necessity.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
Google Play Services and all other Google apps are readily available for download from Play Store - there is no need for any workarounds. I had no issues getting or installing any Google apps I want. TWRP requires unlocked bootloader, and I'm not sure of the bootloader lock status on this device - haven't bothered to check. There is not even root out yet.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] rdfry:
I believe you can unlock the bootloader through the Hauwei website
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] 5m4r7ph0n36uru:
No that's no longer possible. You got to PM them on Twitter to request an unlock code. They sent you one via mail if you do so.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Obveron:
I grabbed the wifi version from amazon.de, shipped to Canada!
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] AsItLies:
So, the wifi version is sht-w09, if I bought one on ebay (shipped from China), is that the version I would get? I mean, is that the only version?

Sorry, probably not wording this correctly, but I think you guys understand. The listing on Ebay doesn't specify. I can't find if other versions even exist. I'm not interested in LTE and getting tired of waiting for the M5 to show up on amazon. Heck, it might not even make it to amazon! Probably will though.

What do you guys think? any reason not to get (wifi) one from China to use in US?

Oh and btw, it might be wise to follow this thread to get the unlock code, I'm guessing it will work for the M5 as well.

https://xdaforums.com/honor-7x/how-to/how-to-unlock-huawei-bootloader-removal-t3780903
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Obveron:
I got shtw09 in my hands, free shipping from Amazon.de. The site said it wouldn't ship to Canada, but I put it in the cart and paid for it. Three weeks later it arrived.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] JadamsJ:
Guys - need your help on sourcing a chinese LTE model. The ALIexpress link was a hurdle that I wasn't comfortable with. They wanted too much extra info to validate a cc order. And by hurdle I mean copies of my state DL and bank account statement.

Anyone else have a source for the chinese LTE mediapad?

TIA!

EDIT - Ebay is another source for this. Thanks and hope it helps someone.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/152989620950
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Bukem75:
Damnit, USA... Just let me buy this tablet. I might have to try this in a few days. I logged into A.DE's site and it sure looks like they want to sell it to me.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] JadamsJ:
I purchased mine on ebay. Will report back with my findings. Wanted to say thanks again to all the members here.

Plan on using airpods to make this a usable phone. Tried them out the other day - highly suggest them. Anyone have another other suggestions? Don't mean to hijack the thread.

Looking forward to the high res screen, bigger storage and overall design updates.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Zbig9:
Does the SHT-AL09 with LTE also have WIFI? I'm a bit confused because a review of this device I read said there were versions with WIFI only, LTE only, and one with both WIFI and LTE.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
Don't have any first hand info but it would be very hard to believe there is any model this day and age that does not support wifi. Besides, I have not seen an LTE ONLY version advertised for sale anywhere.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
Okey dokey. Just ordered model SHT-AL09 from a US seller in my state for only $430 on Ebay. Waiting a week saved me well over $150 bucks. Even better news is I'm getting it faster than if I had ordered China last week. Ad says its the international version. Fingers crossed. If not, the seller has hassle free returns.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] AsItLies:
Yeah it looks like they might be finally available in the States? Just canceled my order from the UK. I can wait a little longer. As [MENTION=6755271]steveyal[/MENTION] mentions in US on ebay, that wasn't there the other day.

Amazing all the issues Huawei is running into. Just read about them developing an OS to replace Android? This all seems to be getting crazy. They make great hardware, love my mate se.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] JadamsJ:
Guys - need your help. I received my Chinese model fairly quickly. Used my tmob sim and fired it up. Phone is lightning fast in comparison to my X2 but the dsl speed test shows 2.5 mbps. You guys are talking about 25mbps - way beyond me. Did I miss something? Phone does show 4G connection.

Did you make any changes to the APN settings? Any help is appreciated.

More reviews to come, but wanting to see the 4G connection I invested in.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
You can google T-Mo APN settings - there are literally thousands of sites, which have it posted, including T-Mo official support pages. It could be that you got temporarily unlucky and got connected to slow tower and/or slow band. Install LTE Discovery app from Play Store - it will show you what band you're connected to and what bands/towers are available in your area. For example, in my area band 12 is really slow, and whenever I get connected to it I also get like 2-3mpbs. Then I just disable and re-enable mobile data through status bar or Settings app, or reboot all together. Once the phablet connects to band 4 in my area - I'm good. I posted screen shots of my speed earlier, and I've gotten as fast as 50mpbs with this device.

Also, you don't want to use dsl speed test with T-Mo - it consumes your monthly data quota. I'm referring to 50GB limit before deprioratization. Use ookla's speedtest app, or speedtest.net (same guys) - T-Mo has agreement with them and speed test against their servers don't count against your data consumption.

---------- Post added at 08:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:22 PM ----------

If you need WiFi only model - you're good either way, but if you're looking for LTE one with phone function - don't expect it to be sold in US any time soon - it has not been submitted to or passed FCC. Also, if you're looking for LTE model - the UK version does not have North American LTE bands.

P.S. I will be posting root guide later tonight :D
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] rdfry:
mine is shipping from Germany. Tracking says it is on the way. I had to go this route as it is not avaiavle in the US. I am replacing my TabPro 8.4 with this.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] Apo11on:
No, you didnt - see my reply above to [MENTION=2129545]AsItLies[/MENTION]

Once again - all Euro sold models dont have North American LTE bands, and if you're looking for WiFi only - that one will be sold in US literally any day now. Huawei was planning to start selling here end of April, and fell a little behind.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] JadamsJ:
Solid post. FYI - I made some changes and saw significant increases. First change 3 - 9 - 12.. Then while in a long drive thru I tested 25/35 speeds.

I'll try out the app you suggested. So overall I'm relieved and ready to move on.

thanks again!
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
This would seem to indicate that I did, in fact, purchase a Chinese variant with US LTE bands through a U.S. seller here in Jersey for 430 bucks.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] rdfry:
it is still ok with me. but thanks for looking out for people.

[QIUOTE=Apo11on;76425914]No, you didnt - see my reply above to [MENTION=2129545]AsItLies[/MENTION]

Once again - all Euro sold models dont have North American LTE bands, and if you're looking for WiFi only - that one will be sold in US literally any day now. Huawei was planning to start selling here end of April, and fell a little behind.[/QUOTE]
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] thref23:
If you can confirm, could you link to the eBay seller you bought from?

I had seen some listings from Jersey sellers, but I assumed it was the Euro variant or there was some other catch. Jersey sellers had a ~98% positive feedback rate vs. a Chinese seller with 100% positive feedback. But I'd rather pay $430 than $560.

Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3crFCodZVY
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] steveyal:
Sorry thref,

Just checked my buying history. The guy started with three pieces and they are all gone.

Anyhow, it's not all good. I was getting the LTE with my wife's sim from her Galaxy Note 4. When I went to ATT, and they actually made me a sim for the M5 based on the IMEI number of the tab, I was no longer getting LTE. I had to switch the APN settings to the one I used to use with my X2 in order to get H+.

I think the posters here who are getting LTE probably just switched sim cards from another LTE phones so they didn't encounter the IMEI issue. As it stands now, the case was moved to AT&T second tier tech support and I'm waiting to see if they can do anything to fix this; but as of right now, I am no longer getting LTE...unless I borrow my wife's sim : (

Ultimately, I guess I can buy a cheap US LTE phone on E Bay and have a sim made for that device. ..but it seems like a lot of work and will of course, wind up costing me cost more in the long run.
[Huawei MediaPad M5  Questions & Answers] thref23:
Yeah all the NJ listings seem to be gone all of a sudden, that sucks. Congrats on getting an awesome deal. I'll keep looking for now (or will eventually bite the bullet).

According to a screenshot you posted above though - you are getting LTE (on band 17, which I think would prove you do have the Chinese variant) - it was just displayed in your status bar as 4G . Or, you were getting LTE?

It sounds like AT&T maybe made you a bad sim, because they didn't have accurate data associated with the IMEI.

I already have a sim and will be using mine with Mint (T-Mo), I really just need to verify that the right bands are present and that it's an international model that'll work as a phone (Chinese variant has bands 4 & 12 and makes calls, which is perfect).