VoLTE on Pixel 3a in Canada
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Hi all-
I have been using UT on my Pixel 3a as my daily phone here in Canada for a few years. However, 3G coverage is slowly being phased out and i'm worried i'll be stuck without being able to make calls soon.
What is the exact status of VoLTE functionality on the Pixel 3a? I see that another update to UT has come out recently (24.04-1.2, i've not updated yet). I know people have been working on it, but i can't tell if there is any functional version of it yet (either development or stable).
If VoLTE on the Pixel 3a is not an option anytime soon, i may need to consider changing my phone. In that case, what options do i have?
Thanks much!
-Fizz
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@Fizz Somebody might know more than me, but my impression is that it might not be wise to count on VoLTE on Pixel 3a.
And yeah, 3G has gotten pretty patchy here, hasn't it.Cheapest option, with best network coverage, is probably Oneplus Nord N10. VoLTE is working well for me on Lucky Mobile (Bell network). It's pretty new having VoLTE on this device. Huge cudos to Ruben, the maintainer.
There area few for sale on kijiji.
Most N10s here should be ok to unlock, but sometimes one of floats up here tied to a USA network, and with those you need an unlock token from Oneplus, which people are struggling to get, depending on if you have a receipt from an "official vendor".
The BE2026 models can just be unlocked, no fuss. Downgrading android is a bit tricky, but doable.A couple Xiaomi phones have VoLTE - Poco X3 NFC and Redmi Note 9 Pro (and related Miatoll devices), but aren't ideal for Canadan network bands. I was trying to get a Redmi Note 9 Pro working, but to unlock bootloader, Xiaomi was requiring things that involved receiving short-code SMS, and they just wouldn't come through on any Canadian network. Multiple conversations with cell carriers and Xiaomi later, still can't get it unlocked.. and network coverage turned out to be kinda bad in my area.
I've heard of people using Fairphones in Canada. But usually can't find one except from overseas and it's a lot of money when the $%£$ networks won't guarantee they'll "whitelist it" and as such allow phone calls.
Other ports are coming along, but I guess the short of it is Oneplus N10 (or also N100, which lacks 5g) is your best bet.
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@Fizz said in VoLTE on Pixel 3a in Canada:
What is the exact status of VoLTE functionality on the Pixel 3a?
The exact status is that it's not working but someone with porting skills has expressed the intent to look into it if they can get a device, and someone else has expressed the willingness to send them a spare device. That's all I know.
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Interesting, i'll look into the OnePlus. It looks like they are facing privacy scutiny the way Huawei has. I've no idea if true, but is a mild concern.
Also, thanks for the mention of Lucky- i've been on Virgin Mobile but they are again trying to raise my rate, so i may switch carriers. If your experience has been good i will check them out.
Is there a list of phones that support VoLTE under UT? You mentioned some others, but they seem to have concerns. Or is the OnePlus the only option for me in Canada?
Thanks for the feedback.
-Fizz
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@Fizz said in VoLTE on Pixel 3a in Canada:
Is there a list of phones that support VoLTE under UT?
Since everything is in flux, this is the closest thing to that list:
https://forums.ubports.com/topic/10889/working-volte-reports-share-your-experience