We’ve been writing plenty of posts about the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (Note II) and one of the last regions to see a release is the US. It has now released on T-Mobile USA though and if you already purchased one you might be pleased to learn that in the future a software update to support T-Mobile LTE looks as though it will be possible, even though T-Mobile didn’t plug the phone as being LTE-equipped.
A couple of days ago we told readers of the T-Mobile availability for the Galaxy Note 2 and it has also just become available on Sprint, although AT&T and Verizon customers will have to wait a bit longer yet. Of course, customers on T-Mobile who have purchased the phone or are just about to may not even have considered LTE, as T-Mobile’s LTE network is not set to launch until late in 2013. However it seems that the T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 that is being supplied does have the necessary hardware support for LTE.
The Verge tells how Anand Tech notes the T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 has the same basic hardware as AT&T’s version and T-Mobile have now clarified the situation regarding LTE. T-Mobile confirms that while the Galaxy Note 2 that it’s selling won’t automatically update to LTE when its LTE network is launched, the handset does have the hardware capability for HSPA+42 and LTE. The carrier goes on to say that it will issue further information on LTE support for the Galaxy Note 2 when the network launches.
This certainly suggests that T-Mobile will be able to update the Galaxy Note 2 for its LTE network with a software update when the time comes, though for now the focus will very much be on getting the LTE network active. T-Mobile anticipates that its LTE network will be accessible to over 200 million Americans by the end of next year so for those who are purchasing the Galaxy Note 2 on the carrier it will be a real plus point to know that it will be able to be used with the future T-Mobile LTE service.
If you have already purchased a Galaxy Note 2 on T-Mobile did you even consider whether it would support the LTE network further down the line? If you assumed it wouldn’t are you pleased to hear this latest news? Maybe you planned to wait to purchase a handset that T-Mobile advertised as LTE before spending on a new smartphone but may be tempted to the Galaxy Note 2 now? Let us have your comments on this.