Firstly, this disclaimer is for the unintelligent
I DO NOT KNOW HOW LEGITIMATE THIS WEBSITE IS, DO NOT THINK I AM PROMOTING IT
Anyways, how are phones like these, does anyone know better sites?
http://www.dhgate.com/wholesale/sea...tory=&searchkey=android+phone&catalog=#search
I assume these are just chinese knockoff phones. Most seem to model off the s3 but....how are the phones? If there specs don't lie, they seem like very nice pieces of tech for the price! I have my anciet evo 4g because I misplaced my s2 and don't want to pay $600 for a new phone.
If these phones are indeed half way decent, what do I need to look for to obtain a phone compatible with sprint? From what I see nothing advertises wimax, which, I would be slightly sad to lose, but if everything else works on these things just find, I won't mind losing the wimax.
If this topic has been covered, or you have a simple link to address, please just post the link and don't tell me to look harder. I have looked and nothing seemed to fit for a good answer.
Thank you for the help!
Well, I have found this phone so far
http://android-sale.com/star-lt29i-4-5-inch-qhd-1ghz-dual-core-mt6577-5mp-camera-android-phone.html
and it looks like it's the best from what I've poked around....Would this work with Sprint? I will go in there soon and ask their policy on these kinds of phones. It says it supports WCDMA, and I think sprint uses CDMA, and I have no idea how the two related and the internet doesn't seem to help on informing me if sprint could use the device.
Lastly, where would I go for help/tools to root and ROM the device?I assume something like superone click may work, but if I do end up getting one of these phones, I'll ask more about rooting and whatnot in the android section.
Personally, I think they're poor value even if you but one from a maker who isn't lying about the hardware specs.
You're almost certainly not going to be getting any kind of custom development - the sources are most likely not even there to work from and the devices aren't popular enough for it to happen.
You can get something similar when buying a legitimate phone that's popular overseas - development is possible there, but you'd have to look into it.
The lack of support and potential to get something other than puts me off buying such a device - you know how you can buy an SD card that says "32Gb" on it and it's only like 5Mb or whatever ? Think about that - your phone might say it has 32Gb internal memory but you might really have 2Gb or less and you might get 254 or 512 RAM. You might be able to root, might not.
As for network compatibility, just look up what bands Sprint uses, compare, and hope the information is correct.
You might find a "good" clone with good reviews, but you lose the "value" that is development and support. What is that worth in dollars ?
Personally, I'd rather just get a used S2 or something. You can get a used S3 for $400-ish if you're lucky, S2 is $200-ish, I think. I'd go for something like that - something that was popular and had good development and support in its day and likely continues to have some even now. I can't put a cash value on that.
Pennycake said:
Personally, I think they're poor value even if you but one from a maker who isn't lying about the hardware specs.
You're almost certainly not going to be getting any kind of custom development - the sources are most likely not even there to work from and the devices aren't popular enough for it to happen.
You can get something similar when buying a legitimate phone that's popular overseas - development is possible there, but you'd have to look into it.
The lack of support and potential to get something other than puts me off buying such a device - you know how you can buy an SD card that says "32Gb" on it and it's only like 5Mb or whatever ? Think about that - your phone might say it has 32Gb internal memory but you might really have 2Gb or less and you might get 254 or 512 RAM. You might be able to root, might not.
As for network compatibility, just look up what bands Sprint uses, compare, and hope the information is correct.
You might find a "good" clone with good reviews, but you lose the "value" that is development and support. What is that worth in dollars ?
Personally, I'd rather just get a used S2 or something. You can get a used S3 for $400-ish if you're lucky, S2 is $200-ish, I think. I'd go for something like that - something that was popular and had good development and support in its day and likely continues to have some even now. I can't put a cash value on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have any suggestions on a good place to get a used s2? Actually, i may get my old s2 back soon.... Which would be lovely and solve my issues. I am curious though. Maybe later this year I will check some of the knockoff phones, just to test them and review them. I see your point, and it was my concern as well. I've always disliked phone companies and their support, and I assumed I could easily get some working rom and root, but tinkering with experimental builds for daily use is enough risk for me already. Adding a phone with a possibility to fail on me at any moment, probably isn't a good idea. These devices have too little real info sadly
Sent from my KFOT using xda app-developers app
The thing is, even if Samsung isn't giving updates, they've still released enough of their source for people to work with to develop custom ROMs. The companies that sell the clone phones and such don't do this, so making a custom ROM isn't possible. Developers tend to like to either work on projects for their own devices, or ones that will get a large audience for their work, so even if there was material to work from, these wouldn't be very attractive targets for development. Most US phone customers still get their phones from their service providers, for better or worse.
Anyway - eBay, Craigslist, or one of hose sites for specifically selling mobile devices. I think you said you're with Sprint? You have to make sure the ESN is good in that case, is the biggest concern. I've never had to do this since I'm with T-Mobile (uses SIM cards, not ESN), but I'm sure there's advice out there on how to avoid being scammed.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
That header should be put at the top of every post that talks about the "DEVELOPER EDITION" otherwise some sad owner of the Note 4 is going to brick their phone.
doctor-cool said:
That header should be put at the top of every post that talks about the "DEVELOPER EDITION" otherwise some sad owner of the Note 4 is going to brick their phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are they going to brick their phone? With the locked bootloader and no root, there is no recovery to flash anything.
Trying to flash any sort CF Root or custom recovery will indeed brick a Note 4 CE
Also people running out and buying the DE not knowing that the device also only has a 30 day warranty..
deathshead said:
Also people running out and buying the DE not knowing that the device also only has a 30 day warranty..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want you can buy the Samsung Samsung Protection Plus℠ Mobile Elite* for Galaxy Note® 3 and Galaxy Note® 4 for $ 129 2 yr extended warranty coverage from the DOP . http://www.samsung.com/us/owners/protection-plus/mobile-elite/
KennyG123 said:
How are they going to brick their phone? With the locked bootloader and no root, there is no recovery to flash anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KennyG123 I appreciate what you are saying but I need to disagree with the notion that there is not a need to provide a distinction between threads that focus on mods for the retail versions of the Note 4 and those that focus on the Developer Edition of the Note 4. As you know, the Retail version and the Developer Edition of the Note 4 are identical except for one very important element...the bootloader. Mods/hacks etc. designed for one can be very detrimental to the other. They are not compatible in this respect.
I'm sure with your experience and expertise that you have seen many, perhaps hundreds, of inexperienced users, excited about taking advantage of their new Android phone and its potential for modding, do something that bricks their phone because they simply didn't know better. Distinguishing threads intended for Developer Edition phones is not intended to benefit the knowledgeable "crack flasher", developer, coder or themer, it is intended to help the "noob" or less experience user from doing something that will brick their phone or lock their bootloader.
With recovery and root now available for the Developer Edition Note 4 ROMs are not far behind. And, hopefully root and SafeStrap will be available for the retail version soon. With that/those events, the ability for new/inexperienced users (both retail owners and developer edition owners) to separate what's safe to flash and what isn't is going to get very complicated. This is only going to be compounded as OTAs begin to be released and different version of firmware start to show up for users to flash. Having a way to separate or distinguish threads intended for Retail users only or Developer Edition users only makes sense to me. Just saying. No rant intended. Thank you for listening.
Only $129? Wow, what a deal. I'll take 2.
doctor-cool said:
That header should be put at the top of every post that talks about the "DEVELOPER EDITION" otherwise some sad owner of the Note 4 is going to brick their phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I absolutely agree.
doctor-cool said:
That header should be put at the top of every post that talks about the "DEVELOPER EDITION" otherwise some sad owner of the Note 4 is going to brick their phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
people should read. if they dont know that their phone is locked and doesnt have recovery not my problem if they brick their device
Personally I'd rather see a separate forum for all the Developer specific stuff. Drop it all there so there is no confusion... but that's just me.
Chuck_IV said:
Personally I'd rather see a separate forum for all the Developer specific stuff. Drop it all there so there is no confusion... but that's just me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it's not just you. There are many of us forum users, both Retail and Dev Edition users, that agree with you.
jpcalhoun said:
KennyG123 I appreciate what you are saying but I need to disagree with the notion that there is not a need to provide a distinction between threads that focus on mods for the retail versions of the Note 4 and those that focus on the Developer Edition of the Note 4. As you know, the Retail version and the Developer Edition of the Note 4 are identical except for one very important element...the bootloader. Mods/hacks etc. designed for one can be very detrimental to the other. They are not compatible in this respect.
I'm sure with your experience and expertise that you have seen many, perhaps hundreds, of inexperienced users, excited about taking advantage of their new Android phone and its potential for modding, do something that bricks their phone because they simply didn't know better. Distinguishing threads intended for Developer Edition phones is not intended to benefit the knowledgeable "crack flasher", developer, coder or themer, it is intended to help the "noob" or less experience user from doing something that will brick their phone or lock their bootloader.
With recovery and root now available for the Developer Edition Note 4 ROMs are not far behind. And, hopefully root and SafeStrap will be available for the retail version soon. With that/those events, the ability for new/inexperienced users (both retail owners and developer edition owners) to separate what's safe to flash and what isn't is going to get very complicated. This is only going to be compounded as OTAs begin to be released and different version of firmware start to show up for users to flash. Having a way to separate or distinguish threads intended for Retail users only or Developer Edition users only makes sense to me. Just saying. No rant intended. Thank you for listening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only threads that need warnings are those for root and those for recovery. There has been no issue with the S4, S5 or Note 3 sections. Again without recovery nothing will flash and no harm can come to the phones. They are exactly the same devices, just bootloader unlocked. People desperate to root will try anything in spite of the warnings. As far as I have seen on previous devices attempts to install recovery will fail and worse that happened was they had to Odin in Stock tar. As I said, unlocked developers editions are not new. They have been in use for Sammy Verizon for almost 2 years with no need for a separate section. If anything the locked edition should be confined to General and Q&A. With so many variants of the same device people will always use the wrong thing. No amount of warnings has ever stopped that. Read through the Sprint S3 sections and find all the bricks caused by flashing international ROMs. Both sections have warnings posted clearly. So we really don't need "the sky is falling" kind of thing here. We just need people to read. The information is there.
KennyG123 said:
The only threads that need warnings are those for root and those for recovery. There has been no issue with the S4, S5 or Note 3 sections. Again without recovery nothing will flash and no harm can come to the phones. They are exactly the same devices, just bootloader unlocked. People desperate to root will try anything in spite of the warnings. As far as I have seen on previous devices attempts to install recovery will fail and worse that happened was they had to Odin in Stock tar. As I said, unlocked developers editions are not new. They have been in use for Sammy Verizon for almost 2 years with no need for a separate section. If anything the locked edition should be confined to General and Q&A. With so many variants of the same device people will always use the wrong thing. No amount of warnings has ever stopped that. Read through the Sprint S3 sections and find all the bricks caused by flashing international ROMs. Both sections have warnings posted clearly. So we really don't need "the sky is falling" kind of thing here. We just need people to read. The information is there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks KennyG123 for your response. I totally concur, reading and researching what you have and what you want to do is the first step for any user. I came to the Note 4 from the DE5 and thankfully when ROMs started to appear the developer or OPs did specify whether the ROM was for retail or DE users. I hope this will be true for the Note 4.
jpcalhoun said:
Thanks KennyG123 for your response. I totally concur, reading and researching what you have and what you want to do is the first step for any user. I came to the Note 4 from the DE5 and thankfully when ROMs started to appear the developer or OPs did specify whether the ROM was for retail or DE users. I hope this will be true for the Note 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately this lock down of Verizon and AT&T devices has killed development since the S4. This is the other thing to think about... If someone does crack the bootloader or finds a root and SafeStrap like method, suddenly all the DE ROMs will be usable by all.
jpcalhoun said:
KennyG123 I appreciate what you are saying but I need to disagree with the notion that there is not a need to provide a distinction between threads that focus on mods for the retail versions of the Note 4 and those that focus on the Developer Edition of the Note 4. As you know, the Retail version and the Developer Edition of the Note 4 are identical except for one very important element...the bootloader. Mods/hacks etc. designed for one can be very detrimental to the other. They are not compatible in this respect.
I'm sure with your experience and expertise that you have seen many, perhaps hundreds, of inexperienced users, excited about taking advantage of their new Android phone and its potential for modding, do something that bricks their phone because they simply didn't know better. Distinguishing threads intended for Developer Edition phones is not intended to benefit the knowledgeable "crack flasher", developer, coder or themer, it is intended to help the "noob" or less experience user from doing something that will brick their phone or lock their bootloader.
With recovery and root now available for the Developer Edition Note 4 ROMs are not far behind. And, hopefully root and SafeStrap will be available for the retail version soon. With that/those events, the ability for new/inexperienced users (both retail owners and developer edition owners) to separate what's safe to flash and what isn't is going to get very complicated. This is only going to be compounded as OTAs begin to be released and different version of firmware start to show up for users to flash. Having a way to separate or distinguish threads intended for Retail users only or Developer Edition users only makes sense to me. Just saying. No rant intended. Thank you for listening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^ This, thank you.
KennyG123 said:
The only threads that need warnings are those for root and those for recovery. There has been no issue with the S4, S5 or Note 3 sections.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't post much here as I usually find my answers with a little searching, but I'm a daily lurker and have been since the days of OG droid. I strongly disagree with your statement. There has indeed been plenty of confusion in the Note 3 threads. Also a good little bit of drama and some anger over poorly marked threads. Yes, the threads should be more clearly marked "Developer Edition" by the OP, but it doesn't always happen. In the end, I think it just makes more work for you to moderate but that's your choice.
KennyG123 said:
Unfortunately this lock down of Verizon and AT&T devices has killed development since the S4. This is the other thing to think about... If someone does crack the bootloader or finds a root and SafeStrap like method, suddenly all the DE ROMs will be usable by all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you'd think so, but (in the case of the S5 anyway) the number of ROMs available for the retail version out number the number available for the developer edition. You'd think that it would be the other way around. Most developers aren't releasing two versions, one for retail (SafeStrap) and one for DEs. As of last week anyway. Either way, development for the S5, either model, is pretty slim. And, the unified ROMs (AOSP) just don't seem to be ready for prime time. There is always something that just doesn't work right or not at all.
But I have faith. I hope the Note 4 will be blessed with a multitude of ROMs to accommodate a wide range of user wishes and desires...besides it's getting close to Christmas, gotta have faith, right?
jpcalhoun said:
Well, you'd think so, but (in the case of the S5 anyway) the number of ROMs available for the retail version out number the number available for the developer edition. You'd think that it would be the other way around. Most developers aren't releasing two versions, one for retail (SafeStrap) and one for DEs. As of last week anyway. Either way, development for the S5, either model, is pretty slim. And, the unified ROMs (AOSP) just don't seem to be ready for prime time. There is always something that just doesn't work right or not at all.
But I have faith. I hope the Note 4 will be blessed with a multitude of ROMs to accommodate a wide range of user wishes and desires...besides it's getting close to Christmas, gotta have faith, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is because so few of the DE's were sold.
Adding more forums only adds to the risk of someone flashing the wrong thing. Better they see threads like this than assuming all Verizon variants are the same. There are many other variants that have no forums, US Cellular, Metro, Boost, some Chinese knock off... It is ludicrous to make a separate section for every one. Developers have usually been good about properly marking their work.
If people don't read the documentation then the only person at fault is themselves.
deathshead said:
Also people running out and buying the DE not knowing that the device also only has a 30 day warranty..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To those who have bought many the 30 day is well known . Don't have any issue with this. It's also voided the second that the phone is unlocked and rooted. i am buying the phone to void a warranty.
Chuck_IV said:
Personally I'd rather see a separate forum for all the Developer specific stuff. Drop it all there so there is no confusion... but that's just me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I 100% agree with this.
Hi Friends,
Hope you're all having a great new year. So last time I was lurking the S7E forums, we had a leaked Engineering Bootloader that was used to acquire root on all US Snapdragon models, albeit, with a lot performance issues and etc.
I came here to glance as well as all other variant forums for the SD model and now we have Root for every model, with even ROMs being baked like the Echo ROM for Verizon, Sprint, AT&T models, usually the toughest to achieve these things on. I'm trying to read through the forums, but I fear I'm missing the details, that will help me pull the trigger for getting the device or not.
Can one of you very experienced, knowledgeable, and kind members educate me on the latest?
1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
Much appreciate your responses, any and all of them in advance! Thanks!
ProFragger said:
Hi Friends,
Hope you're all having a great new year. So last time I was lurking the S7E forums, we had a leaked Engineering Bootloader that was used to acquire root on all US Snapdragon models, albeit, with a lot performance issues and etc.
I came here to glance as well as all other variant forums for the SD model and now we have Root for every model, with even ROMs being baked like the Echo ROM for Verizon, Sprint, AT&T models, usually the toughest to achieve these things on. I'm trying to read through the forums, but I fear I'm missing the details, that will help me pull the trigger for getting the device or not.
Can one of you very experienced, knowledgeable, and kind members educate me on the latest?
1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
Much appreciate your responses, any and all of them in advance! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely nothing has changed on root (only possible due to ENG kernel) and bootloader unlock (which is not yet possible).
1. No
2. No
3. No
4. No idea about all models. For the t-mobile one, please check: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/guide-installing-xposed-framework-t3414718
You can use the search feature in xda for finding out
CravingMender9 said:
Absolutely nothing has changed on root (only possible due to ENG kernel) and bootloader unlock (which is not yet possible).
1. No
2. No
3. No
4. No idea about all models. For the t-mobile one, please check: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/guide-installing-xposed-framework-t3414718
You can use the search feature in xda for finding out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey bud, thanks for getting the ball rolling on these questions. If you could add some more information, I'd appreciate it :
If we still don't have a way to Root or Unlock bootloader, how are these ROMs (Echo, Tek, and other stock ROMs) available with root? And how are these flashed? Are we somehow bypassing the BL by using FlashFire?
Can you also educate me on the U Firmware and why people install it and is it reverseable?
Lastly, if I got a T-Mobile variant for example, installed these ROMs Tek, Echo, etc, can I return to Stock completely and return to T-Mobile, by any chance for them to take it back? Thank you again!
for the t mobile variant, I was able to flash the U firmware and flash back to stock t mobile. NOTE: I did not flash the U bootloader. I kept the T mobile bootloader just be sure I could flash back to stock t mobile(APK1). I'm sure this method would work with other carriers as well. so what ever variant you have, make sure you stay on that BL and only flash the U firmware CSC and AP. As for the CP(modem) I would flash your carriers latest CP file. That's what worked best for me with the U firmware. Currently I'm using the latest nougat BETA
Thank you very much for your response, bud. One last follow up question: Since all the US variants are rooting based on the ENG Kernel, is there really a benefit of getting one variant over another, for rooting or etc purposes?
P. S. May I ask why you flashed the U Firmware? What are the advantages of it? ?
ProFragger said:
Thank you very much for your response, bud. One last follow up question: Since all the US variants are rooting based on the ENG Kernel, is there really a benefit of getting one variant over another, for rooting or etc purposes?
P. S. May I ask why you flashed the U Firmware? What are the advantages of it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The u firmware basically does not include all of the software that is usually included with the phone. For example.. Tmobile with their software on it, Verizon att etc... Makes the phone a bit snappier especially if you were to root. Even tho I hope for a more stable root still. I am rooted at the moment. Wish they didn't recall the note 7 because the root on that was better
ProFragger said:
Hi Friends,
Hope you're all having a great new year. So last time I was lurking the S7E forums, we had a leaked Engineering Bootloader that was used to acquire root on all US Snapdragon models, albeit, with a lot performance issues and etc.
I came here to glance as well as all other variant forums for the SD model and now we have Root for every model, with even ROMs being baked like the Echo ROM for Verizon, Sprint, AT&T models, usually the toughest to achieve these things on. I'm trying to read through the forums, but I fear I'm missing the details, that will help me pull the trigger for getting the device or not.
Can one of you very experienced, knowledgeable, and kind members educate me on the latest?
1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
Much appreciate your responses, any and all of them in advance! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're confused. At least, you were.
We do not have an "unlocked Bootloader" and we never did. We had an engineering kernel. That engineering kernel allows certain commands that enabled us to acquire root access. But without that kernel, the system (with the original kernel or boot partition) checks for any changes in the /system partition. If any are found it triggers a bootloop. So basically, if you want root we MUST have the engineering kernel. Unless someone else finds another way that's just the way that it is.
Personally, I unrooted and went back to stock. Root was okay at first but with the lack of development, Samsung Pay and the fact that Android 7+ will probably not be seeing root... well... time to accept the fact that Samsung owns the phone even though we bought it. What else can we do?
nitroevo said:
The u firmware basically does not include all of the software that is usually included with the phone. For example.. Tmobile with their software on it, Verizon att etc... Makes the phone a bit snappier especially if you were to root. Even tho I hope for a more stable root still. I am rooted at the moment. Wish they didn't recall the note 7 because the root on that was better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Binary100100 said:
You're confused. At least, you were.
We do not have an "unlocked Bootloader" and we never did. We had an engineering kernel. That engineering kernel allows certain commands that enabled us to acquire root access. But without that kernel, the system (with the original kernel or boot partition) checks for any changes in the /system partition. If any are found it triggers a bootloop. So basically, if you want root we MUST have the engineering kernel. Unless someone else finds another way that's just the way that it is.
Personally, I unrooted and went back to stock. Root was okay at first but with the lack of development, Samsung Pay and the fact that Android 7+ will probably not be seeing root... well... time to accept the fact that Samsung owns the phone even though we bought it. What else can we do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your helpful responses fellas. I understand root is not perfect, but for some folks like me, Xposed seems to be worth the trouble. For Samsung Pay, I intend to use the Gear S3 one day ?.
Final question, since all US Snapdragon models are using the engineering kernel to root and etc... Is there a benefit of getting one carrier variant, over another? For example, Verizon is usually the cheapest. Is it wise to get that, with the U Firmware, to use on AT&T? Thanks!
ProFragger said:
For Samsung Pay, I intend to use the Gear S3 one day .
Final question, since all US Snapdragon models are using the engineering kernel to root and etc... Is there a benefit of getting one carrier variant, over another? For example, Verizon is usually the cheapest. Is it wise to get that, with the U Firmware, to use on AT&T? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me know if that works out for you then.
I just purchased the S2 Classic (on T-Mobile) and use Samsung Pay quite a bit. But I can tell you that it does open Samsung Pay on the phone and if you are rooted, Samsung Pay will not work at all. So I'm not sure if it will work at all for you even with the S3.
In regards to your other inquiry, I haven't tried the U firmware. I read something about data issues, no wifi calling (which is pretty important to me), no hotspot (which is also really important to me) but I heard that it is really fast. Not sure how much of that is still a problem but you should probably read up on it before doing anything first. But the rooting method is all the same between carriers I believe. All require the engineering kernel and breaks Samsung Pay along with a couple of other apps.
Just make back ups, have a stock firmware available to flash with ODIN just in case and remember that it's almost impossible to brick this device (because we don't have an unlocked bootloader.)
Binary100100 said:
Let me know if that works out for you then.
I just purchased the S2 Classic (on T-Mobile) and use Samsung Pay quite a bit. But I can tell you that it does open Samsung Pay on the phone and if you are rooted, Samsung Pay will not work at all. So I'm not sure if it will work at all for you even with the S3.
In regards to your other inquiry, I haven't tried the U firmware. I read something about data issues, no wifi calling (which is pretty important to me), no hotspot (which is also really important to me) but I heard that it is really fast. Not sure how much of that is still a problem but you should probably read up on it before doing anything first. But the rooting method is all the same between carriers I believe. All require the engineering kernel and breaks Samsung Pay along with a couple of other apps.
Just make back ups, have a stock firmware available to flash with ODIN just in case and remember that it's almost impossible to brick this device (because we don't have an unlocked bootloader.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you again for a helpful post. So the S3 has a dedicated MST/NFC chip in it, that allows for Samsung Pay to work from the watch, it's done through the Gear app. That's what I have read.
About the rest of it, again, curious to see if there is one US variant, superior to another in terms of Root capabilities or bands and radios available and etc? Can anyone confirm this for me?
Thanks!
ProFragger said:
Thank you again for a helpful post. So the S3 has a dedicated MST/NFC chip in it, that allows for Samsung Pay to work from the watch, it's done through the Gear app. That's what I have read.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does the S2.
When I was setting up the Samsung Pay on my watch it said that it had to download an update.
Then I went through the setup process through my phone which was from the Samsung Pay app.
You go to "Add card" on your watch and it opens Samsung Pay on your phone.
You click "Next" and it displays your Samsung account information.
Then it takes you to a screen that says "Setup complete" telling you that you're ready to use it and at the bottom says "Add card"
You do that all from the Samsung Pay app on your phone which leads me to suspect that if you root your phone, you won't be able to use Samsung Pay on your watch.
People on this thread that you have to set it all up first, remove the Samsung Pay app on the phone but leave it on the watch. If it's all done correctly then it should work. Just make sure you get it all set up first.
Next thing that I'm going to try is using my watch in "Standalone" with my phone out of bluetooth or wifi range. See if that still works.
ProFragger said:
About the rest of it, again, curious to see if there is one US variant, superior to another in terms of Root capabilities or bands and radios available and etc? Can anyone confirm this for me?
Thanks!
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As far as I know, the U firmware permits use of some other bands that aren't normally used. Not sure which ones though.
Binary100100 said:
So does the S2.
When I was setting up the Samsung Pay on my watch it said that it had to download an update.
Then I went through the setup process through my phone which was from the Samsung Pay app.
You go to "Add card" on your watch and it opens Samsung Pay on your phone.
You click "Next" and it displays your Samsung account information.
Then it takes you to a screen that says "Setup complete" telling you that you're ready to use it and at the bottom says "Add card"
You do that all from the Samsung Pay app on your phone which leads me to suspect that if you root your phone, you won't be able to use Samsung Pay on your watch.
People on this thread that you have to set it all up first, remove the Samsung Pay app on the phone but leave it on the watch. If it's all done correctly then it should work. Just make sure you get it all set up first.
Next thing that I'm going to try is using my watch in "Standalone" with my phone out of bluetooth or wifi range. See if that still works.
As far as I know, the U firmware permits use of some other bands that aren't normally used. Not sure which ones though.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the correction/education on the S2, bud, much appreciated. I wonder if the rooted phone works with the S3, because Samsung has allowed many other non Samsung phones to know work with the S3? But I could be wrong, I thought it was open like that with the S2 as well, no? Looking forward to your testing, hope there is a breakthrough in there! ?
if you want root and customizability and roms, just don't get this phone. you will be very disappointed with the performance once you root and it gets so much worse with Xposed. not worth it at all, you will have better performance and speed from a 4 year old phone that has an unlocked bootloader and strong development. I mean my Nexus 5 (from 2012) had better performance than my rooted S7. it sounds like you do want roms, and if you want roms then AOSP/Cyanogenmod is the way to go. there will probably never be any AOSP or CM ROM on the QC S7/E so you're better off getting an older galaxy model that does have a great development community and unlocked bootloader. or just get a OnePlus or Nexus or something.
xVermicide said:
if you want root and customizability and roms, just don't get this phone. you will be very disappointed with the performance once you root and it gets so much worse with Xposed. not worth it at all, you will have better performance and speed from a 4 year old phone that has an unlocked bootloader and strong development. I mean my Nexus 5 (from 2012) had better performance than my rooted S7. it sounds like you do want roms, and if you want roms then AOSP/Cyanogenmod is the way to go. there will probably never be any AOSP or CM ROM on the QC S7/E so you're better off getting an older galaxy model that does have a great development community and unlocked bootloader. or just get a OnePlus or Nexus or something.
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Or a Exynos S7.
Binary100100 said:
Or a Exynos S7.
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exactly this. except for some reason I thought exynos variants are lacking certain bands/features on American networks. could be wrong.
xVermicide said:
if you want root and customizability and roms, just don't get this phone. you will be very disappointed with the performance once you root and it gets so much worse with Xposed. not worth it at all, you will have better performance and speed from a 4 year old phone that has an unlocked bootloader and strong development. I mean my Nexus 5 (from 2012) had better performance than my rooted S7. it sounds like you do want roms, and if you want roms then AOSP/Cyanogenmod is the way to go. there will probably never be any AOSP or CM ROM on the QC S7/E so you're better off getting an older galaxy model that does have a great development community and unlocked bootloader. or just get a OnePlus or Nexus or something.
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Click to collapse
Binary100100 said:
Or a Exynos S7.
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Click to collapse
xVermicide said:
exactly this. except for some reason I thought exynos variants are lacking certain bands/features on American networks. could be wrong.
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Click to collapse
Very helpful inputs guys, thank you! If I were to be honest with myself, I don't want AOSP/CM/Lineage, especially on a Samsung phone, so unlocked bootloader is not a deal breaker for me. However, I think root is cool for me for doing some SystemUI tweaks, Xposed and etc. Exynos was an option I was exploring, but lack of warranty, no Samsung Pay, and the price are enough to keep me at bay. I think I just need to put my big boy pants on and try to use a phone without rooting it. Something I have yet to do in EVER using an Android phone since about 10 years ago, and I have never ever used or bought an iCrap... I mean... an iPhone !
ProFragger said:
Very helpful inputs guys, thank you! If I were to be honest with myself, I don't want AOSP/CM/Lineage, especially on a Samsung phone, so unlocked bootloader is not a deal breaker for me. However, I think root is cool for me for doing some SystemUI tweaks, Xposed and etc. Exynos was an option I was exploring, but lack of warranty, no Samsung Pay, and the price are enough to keep me at bay. I think I just need to put my big boy pants on and try to use a phone without rooting it. Something I have yet to do in EVER using an Android phone since about 10 years ago, and I have never ever used or bought an iCrap... I mean... an iPhone !
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Get a One+ 3T good development and really nice phone if you want root. Root is dead on Samsung phones and so are ROMs.
So by reading thru this thread, I assume having a T-mobile S7E (G935T) rooting is pointless and really not available the way I'm used to it coming from a Note 4. That's kind of a bummer... I've been using Android and have always had ROOT and all the goodies that come with it. And I recently starting really enjoying my Note 4 with all the cool development in Note 7 ported roms oh well... I wonder if the S7E is enough of an upgrade to keep my interest as stock?
I see there is a G935U firmware, but that seems a bit hit and miss? But I'm just starting to read up on all this... :good:
ShrekOpher said:
Get a One+ 3T good development and really nice phone if you want root. Root is dead on Samsung phones and so are ROMs.
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Believe me bud, if Oneplus 5 or even 3T had an SD Card, I'd already have that phone, but thanks for your wisdom !
Araltd said:
So by reading thru this thread, I assume having a T-mobile S7E (G935T) rooting is pointless and really not available the way I'm used to it coming from a Note 4. That's kind of a bummer... I've been using Android and have always had ROOT and all the goodies that come with it. And I recently starting really enjoying my Note 4 with all the cool development in Note 7 ported roms oh well... I wonder if the S7E is enough of an upgrade to keep my interest as stock?
I see there is a G935U firmware, but that seems a bit hit and miss? But I'm just starting to read up on all this... :good:
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You and I both man... The last few years, I have lived off the mercy of T-Mobile and their BLs being unlocked. But Samsung sure done them all in ! Even the International unlocked ones disable Samsung Pay (forever, mind you!) if Knox is tripped, which I believe it is, when rooted and TWRP'd.
As I understand it,
Android pay / Samsung pay is why they frown on rooting now. I can understand it, though I don't agree with it.
The first time someone's financial information is compromised, and they've ever used one of the "pay" methods, on a rooted device the pr nightmare that would ensue would make the note 7 fiasco look like child's play.
"Samsung unsecured device compromises persons credit card information today, while Apple is still secure" I can see the headline.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7E