If you want to buy Redmi Note 7 or Redmi Go for LTE band 28(700) support, read this first

If you want to buy Redmi Note 7, Redmi Go, and likely any other Redmi phone, for use on a 4G LTE network that runs on LTE band 28(700), there is something you need to know before you take the plunge.

Both the Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Go, as well as a number of other Redmi smartphones, are listed as supporting the LTE band 28(700) – also known as B28. But it appears that this is a regional thing. In other words, models sold in some countries do not support that 4G LTE band. It seems that the band is supported only in models sold in certain countries.

When I have reviewed the Redmi Note 7 earlier, I popped in a Glo 4G SIM card to test if indeed it supports that network [1]. But the phone would not connect to 4G but rather defaulted to a 3G connection. I tried it out with different Glo 4G SIM cards and at different locations just to be sure. But the verdict was clear: the Redmi Note 7 version sold here in the country does not support LTE band 28(700).

I am currently reviewing the entry-level Redmi Go, which is also listed as supporting LTE band 28(700). But, again, on inserting a Glo 4G SIM card into it, all I get is a 3G connection. Clearly, like its bigger, more capable sibling, the Redmi Go version sold here does not support that network.

There is no clear statement about which versions support LTE band 28 or in which countries that support is available. I checked Xiaomi’s global website and found small print on the Redmi Go page that says “Availability may vary between markets” for LTE band 28. That is it. There is no way to tell which specific markets get what.

I dived further to examine Xiaomi’s Indian website and found that band 28 is not listed there for LTE support [2]. So it is safe to say that like Nigeria, India does not get band 28 either. There is a chance that we are getting the same version that is being sold in India.

Which countries get the versions with LTE band 28(700)? I have no idea. What is clear at this time is that if you want to buy the Redmi Note 7 to use with Glo 4G or with any other network that uses LTE band 28, you are on a long thing. They work well on MTN 4G, Airtel 4G, and 9mobile 4G, but not on Glo, which uses band 28.

Other than this unclear band 28 issue, both the Redmi Go and Redmi Note 7 are best in-class smartphones for anyone looking for good value for money.

Updated Info: Where to buy Redmi Note 7 with LTE band 28(700) support

Thanks to information provided by David Ajayi in the comments section, we now have more info on the specific versions to look out for, as follows:

• Global version (without Band 28): M1901F7G is the version sold globally. The version that works with Glo 4g B28 is
• The version that supports LTE band 28 is M1901F7H. This version is said to work with Glo 4G and can be purchased from B&H and have it shipped to you wherever you are.

Thanks, David!

References

1. Redmi Note 7 review.
2. Source.

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Author: Mister Mobility

Master storyteller and founder of Mobility Nigeria, Mister Mobility, has used and reviewed hundreds of mobile phones since 2001.