UPDATE: Check out our latest updated list explaining the differences in more detail
I have had quite a few readers ask me what I mean when we point out specific model numbers for the BlackBerry Z10. Most of you are probably aware that there are four different BlackBerry Z10 model builds. They are made with and without LTE along with support for the frequencies in specific countries or carriers. You can always check the version of your BlackBerry Z10 by typing “myver” anywhere in an email or other text field and hitting the spacebar. The model of your Z10 is specified as STL100-X where “X” is the version. Here is a simple breakdown of the four different BlackBerry Z10 models based on the bands they support:
BlackBerry Z10 STL100-1 (aka R072): (Started in UAE but now in many other countries)
- Quad Band EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
- Quad-Band HSPA+ 1, 2, 5/6, 8 (850/900/1900/2100 MHz) with support for 21Mbps HSPA+
BlackBerry Z10 STL100-2 (aka R086): (UK version and other carriers)
- Quad Band EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
- Tri Band HSPA+ 1, 5/6, 8 (2100/850/900 MHz)
- Quad Band LTE 3, 7, 8, 20 (1800/2600/900/700 MHz)
BlackBerry Z10 STL100-3 (aka R070): (AT&T and many other carriers)
- Quad Band EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
- Quad-band HSPA+ support: UMTS 800/850, UMTS 1700, UMTS 1900, UMTS 2100 MHz band (800/850/1700/1900/2100)
- Quad Band LTE 2, 5, 4, 17 (700/850/1900/1700 MHz)
BlackBerry Z10 STL100-4 (aka R069): (Verizon Wireless)
- CDMA/PCS (850/1900 MHz)
- WCDMA Band 1 & 8 (900/2100 MHz)
- Quad Band GSM/EDGE (850/900/1900/1800 MHz)
- LTE Band-13 (700MHz)
Let me know if I got any of them wrong!
Ricky Lakeit ( View Profile) - Posts: 844
Posted: March 13, 2013 at 10:19 AM EST
great to see this finally explained!
Great Job Ronen
Garias ( View Profile) - Posts: 4
Posted: March 13, 2013 at 11:44 AM EST
Great info! but to take it one step further how can someone check which version it is. In most eshops there is no info ..just Z10 black or white…
thanks,
PLTM Not Registered
Posted: March 13, 2013 at 11:53 AM EST
Im so tempted to pre-order the z10 on AT&T but based on the information above, will I be able to use the phone on T-Mobile on speed higher than EDGE/2G possibly LTE when tmobile makes it available?
From the info above it seems that the phone on AT&T will be the same exact phone on T-Mobile. Am I correct to assume this?
AT&T site says band 4 and 17 for LTE, but your info above is saying the phone will support Quad Band LTE 2, 5, 4, 17 (700/850/1900/1700 MHz). Is it safe to assume that while AT&T is only mentioning 4 & 17 the phone will also support band 2 & 5 if those are the bands T-Mobile is using or the phone will only support the bands for that specific carrier?
Huseyin ( View Profile) - Posts: 70
Posted: March 13, 2013 at 12:55 PM EST
Which bands do T-Mobile use?
Above is like a riddle, think about it if T-Mo uses HSPA+ from UK version and LTE from AT&T version, that means you will have to get either HSPA or LTE versions, if your area does not have LTE, you will be stuck at 3G speeds. Is it really that difficult to make just two device one supporting CDMA and other strictly GSM, I wonder how much more it costs them to cram these frequencies in to the chipset.. I don’t think BB has any concerns over controlled release like Apple has with their outrageous prices overseas.
Ronen Halevy ( View Profile) - Posts: 3318
Posted: March 13, 2013 at 1:04 PM EST
T-Mobile uses LTE Band 4 which is what the STL-100-3 supports which is the AT&T version. I can confirm HSPA works on T-Mobile with the STL-100-3 that BlackBerry gave us at the launch party but since T-Mobile has yet to turn on LTE I cannot confirm if it will work. Luis is using a STL-100-3 on T-Mobile so feel free to ask him!
Diego Nei, MBA, PMP ( View Profile) - Posts: 267
Posted: March 13, 2013 at 2:24 PM EST
Ronen, how about an UK Z10 on a 2.500 gHz band? Or are you guys telling me I’ll have to buy another Z10 once it’s released in Brasil?
(700mhz for LTE will be available here in the near future, but analog tv is still hogging to that band for the moment).
Ronen Halevy ( View Profile) - Posts: 3318
Posted: March 13, 2013 at 2:52 PM EST
Are you sure you mean the 2500 band? I have never heard of it before. There is a 2600…
Diego Nei, MBA, PMP ( View Profile) - Posts: 267
Posted: March 13, 2013 at 2:54 PM EST
Yes, quite sure. That’s all I can do to help you understand the mess 4G is in Brasil:
I hope you can read through it. You know google translator’s results…
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=en&tl=pt&js=n&prev=_t&hl=pt-BR&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.teleco.com.br%2F4g_freq.asp&act=url
Ronen Halevy ( View Profile) - Posts: 3318
Posted: March 13, 2013 at 3:23 PM EST
Yeah you will need the Z10 STL100-2 Since that supports the 2600 band. As you can see on WikiPedia that is what they have planned in Brazil:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
Diego Nei, MBA, PMP ( View Profile) - Posts: 267
Posted: March 13, 2013 at 3:44 PM EST
All is well then. Just a week or two now till the device gets here. ^^
Fernando Not Registered
Posted: April 18, 2013 at 6:25 PM EST
Hello dear friend Diego Nei, Are you sure that the Z10 model that Works in Brazil is the STL 100-2? Where Didi you get it? I wouls like to buy one of these…Will appreciate your help.
Thank you.
Kyle Not Registered
Posted: March 25, 2013 at 12:34 AM EST
This same question has plagued the Canadian users on the crack site: “So it seems someone has flashed their z10 with a newer firmware version from another carrier than what their own carrier has made available. I’ve also realized that an unlocked RFF91LW WILL work as a RFK-121LW utilizing all (including 1700/2100) HSPA+ bands. So they are essentially te same phone. Will this also work on a White Verizon STL-100-4 Z10? If this method actually works, would it mean all LTE bands will be unlocked along with all other bands the STL-100-3 Z10 provides?”
DavidB ( View Profile) - Posts: 1791
Posted: March 13, 2013 at 7:12 PM EST
I hope the -4 can do Band 4 with a software upgrade. That is supposedly the AWS spectrum that Verizon will start deploying this summer to fill in and enhance their already sizable LET coverage lead.
Kyle Not Registered
Posted: March 25, 2013 at 12:39 AM EST
The Z10 however needs to be sim factory unlocked before being able to be flashed with another carrier’s firmware, which supports the bands of the STL100-3 Z10.
Kyle Not Registered
Posted: March 25, 2013 at 12:49 AM EST
Or you can try flashing with another carrier’s firmware without being unlocked and let us know if it actually works
Part of the issue here with Blackberry camp is that we haven’t seen the level hacking as we do with the iOS.
Much exploring is needed. Another theory now is whether the Verizon Z10 STL100-4, if flashed w/ a STL100-3, can still utilize the stock Verizon LTE 700 MHz band…if not, it would mean flashing back to stock STL100-4 firmware is needed.
anar Not Registered
Posted: March 23, 2013 at 6:43 PM EST from my BlackBerry Z10 | OS 10.0.9.2372
Will i be able to use my stl100-3 with Azercell? I mean BBM mainly?
Azercell Azerbaijan 1800
Ron Not Registered
Posted: April 14, 2013 at 10:33 PM EST
O’kay, My wife and I moved to Panama but, travel back to the USA as well as some other countries around the world from time to time. Our Storm-2 have been working very well here and most everywhere else. We’re finally looking at the possibility of up-grading ourselves to the new Z10 for we also are running our BlackBerry Playbooks and the 10 will greatly enhance our useage of both. (note: -2 OK but, with limitations….thus Z10 S/B mucho better) Comments please
Which unlocked international, Quad or not should we purchase ??
Thomas Jefferson Not Registered
Posted: April 15, 2013 at 12:53 AM EST from my BlackBerry Z10 | OS 10.0.10.684
Panama is central America and South America may be using a different band LTE.
Stay away from stl-100-1 as it doesn’t have LTE as well as stl100-4 since that’s Verizon with only 1 LTE band.
So your choices are either stl-100-2 or better yet stl-100-3 whereas the -3 has quad Band 3G and 4G. -2 is for Europe. You’re better off with stl100-3
Jose Not Registered
Posted: April 22, 2013 at 11:16 PM EST
Is there any way to change the Verizon frequency to 850 ?
Thomas jefferson Not Registered
Posted: April 22, 2013 at 11:19 PM EST from my BlackBerry Z10 | OS 10.0.10.822
Very possible because the radio chip are all identical except for stl-100-1.
However there is no hack which will allow flashing/reprogramming of the baseband. It may as well involve another level of hackery.
Jose Not Registered
Posted: April 22, 2013 at 11:22 PM EST
So you mean that we cannot with software hacking, we need like hardware hacking?
Thomas jefferson Not Registered
Posted: April 23, 2013 at 12:26 PM EST from my BlackBerry Z10 | OS 10.0.10.822
Still software are hacking.
Thamer Not Registered
Posted: May 3, 2013 at 11:30 AM EST
I get confused about which one will work better with me -2 or -3.
Because I need the model can work in Saudi Arabia and USA at the same time, please tell what do you think it will be the best for my case -2 or -3.
James Madison Not Registered
Posted: May 3, 2013 at 11:42 AM EST from my BlackBerry Z10 | OS 10.1.0.1483
USA get Stl-100-3