Database Users

[Q] Which GSM version is most "hacker friendly"? What are the tradeoffs?

I'm frustrated with the locked bootloader and lack of developer interest and no Ant+ on the latest update so I am going to buy a phone that does not annoy me. Note 3 is my leading choice but I am also considering the Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition.
Right now, I've got more money than time. I have tons of good paying work backed up and I would rather pay for what I want than try to stay one step ahead of some carrier's control issues / bloatware.
I'm on AT&T with a grandfathered unlimited data plan. Don't really need LTE but will take it if it makes no difference. I do want at least HSPDA.
I'm willing to shell out the full cash price for an unlocked phone with an unlocked bootloader. What I really want is a phone that will get timely updates from the manufacturer and won't try to shove a locked bootloader down my throat later. It would also be fantastic if I could get a USA warranty in the deal but I can live without that.
So is there a significant "hacker friendliness" difference between the various models? If I give up AT&T LTE frequencies for the international version, what am I getting in return (besides the obvious international frequencies)?
Thanks for your time,
David

DJ_smooth said:
If I give up AT&T LTE frequencies for the international version, what am I getting in return (besides the obvious international frequencies)?
David
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A limited unlocked bootloader if you choose the N9005. The N9005 has the better development options -
However, the N900w8 (Canadian/Mexican model) has a complete unlocked BL for upgrade/downgrade 4.3/4.4. - Runs most, if not all N9005 ROMS also. - Probably your better option IMO at least -
N900T - T-Mobile similar to the N9005 but BL cannot be downgraded as freely as the N900w8
You will have to sacrifice LTE though, but as you said you aren't fussed about LTE - you should still receive 3G/H+ without issues.

radicalisto said:
A limited unlocked bootloader if you choose the N9005. The N9005 has the better development options -
However, the N900w8 (Canadian/Mexican model) has a complete unlocked BL for upgrade/downgrade 4.3/4.4. - Runs most, if not all N9005 ROMS also. - Probably your better option IMO at least -
N900T - T-Mobile similar to the N9005 but BL cannot be downgraded as freely as the N900w8
You will have to sacrifice LTE though, but as you said you aren't fussed about LTE - you should still receive 3G/H+ without issues.
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Why would you want to downgrade the boot loader, to be able to switch to a rom that depends on an older kernel / bootloader? Or is there some other reason?
Thanks,
David

DJ_smooth said:
Why would you want to downgrade the boot loader, to be able to switch to a rom that depends on an older kernel / bootloader? Or is there some other reason?
Thanks,
David
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At first most wanted to due to CM being incompatible, however now that CM runs on the new bootloader most don't want to. - The few remaining I guess prefer 4.3 due to different errors they have had or problems on/due to 4.4.2

Galaxy S 5 Active, which build no can I buy to root and upgrade the easiest?

This is really confusing. Most of the threads are written such that 'how to root while updating to OF2/OF3'...it doesn't tell me which versions allow rooting in the first place? Any help. Coming from the GS3

As far as I know, the S5 Active is only available as an AT&T phone, which means it will have a locked bootloader and any somewhat newer firmwares will be unrootable. Pre-lollipop builds (Anything below OF2) are rootable but still have a locked bootloader.
Just a word from the wise, don't get an S5 Active, and DEFINITELY don't get an AT&T phone. a GS5 (regular) with a thin case (Spigen slim armor or neo-hybrid/ otterbox commuter) will be WAY more durable anyway, plus it's still waterproof/dustproof.
Get yourself a G900T (T-Mobile variant), or a G900AZ (Cricket wireless variant --Cricket is a subsidiary of at&t--), or even a G900F. Those all have unlocked bootloaders and will allow you to root, install custom recovery, custom roms, whatever you want forever. I personally have a G900T using it on AT&T with no issues, as the G900T supports all the same frequencies (and an extra one!) as the G900A (AT&T model). The G900F doesn't support every single band AT&T uses, so I would pick one of the other two if you want 100% compatibility.
MAKE SURE if you buy a G900T or G900AZ that it is UNLOCKED or you won't be able to use it. And after you get it, you'll have to call AT&T support and give them the new phone's IMEI number in order for LTE to work.
Hope what I said makes sense..
FYI The best place to buy a phone is always (XDA's own..) Swappa!
https://swappa.com/

Sean89us said:
As far as I know, the S5 Active is only available as an AT&T phone, which means it will have a locked bootloader and any somewhat newer firmwares will be unrootable. Pre-lollipop builds (Anything below OF2) are rootable but still have a locked bootloader.
Just a word from the wise, don't get an S5 Active, and DEFINITELY don't get an AT&T phone. a GS5 (regular) with a thin case (Spigen slim armor or neo-hybrid/ otterbox commuter) will be WAY more durable anyway, plus it's still waterproof/dustproof.
Get yourself a G900T (T-Mobile variant), or a G900AZ (Cricket wireless variant --Cricket is a subsidiary of at&t--), or even a G900F. Those all have unlocked bootloaders and will allow you to root, install custom recovery, custom roms, whatever you want forever. I personally have a G900T using it on AT&T with no issues, as the G900T supports all the same frequencies (and an extra one!) as the G900A (AT&T model). The G900F doesn't support every single band AT&T uses, so I would pick one of the other two if you want 100% compatibility.
MAKE SURE if you buy a G900T or G900AZ that it is UNLOCKED or you won't be able to use it. And after you get it, you'll have to call AT&T support and give them the new phone's IMEI number in order for LTE to work.
Hope what I said makes sense..
I habve an at&t variant OC5 phone available on Swappa should I get that or not, because I can't find a rooting guide for OC5
Or are you saying buy unlocked so you can use it on AT&T?
Problem is I can't find the SM-G900AZ anywhere used....might just go with the Zenfone 2 . DISSAPOINTING SAMSUNG and ATT I loved the GS3 and was looking forwar to the GS5
Which frequencies does the T mobile version NOT share?
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zetsui said:
I habve an at&t variant OC5 phone available on Swappa should I get that or not, because I can't find a rooting guide for OC5
Or are you saying buy unlocked so you can use it on AT&T?
Problem is I can't find the SM-G900AZ anywhere used....might just go with the Zenfone 2 . DISSAPOINTING SAMSUNG and ATT I loved the GS3 and was looking forwar to the GS5
Which frequencies does the T mobile version NOT share?
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The T-Mobile version shares all the same frequencies plus includes an additional frequency which AT&T does not use, so therefore the T-Mobile (G900T) retains 100% compatibility with AT&T. Yes, if you want to use a G900T on any carrier besides T-Mobile it will have to be unlocked. Luckily it's not hard to find an unlocked G900T.
Let me make this clear: If it's AT&T and it's a Samsung phone and it's on lollipop, don't expect to be able to root it. Go with a T-Mobile or factory unlocked phone.

Flashing international Firmware

Hello everyone,
yesterday, a family member gifted me an s7 from the USA (SM-G930P). He bought the phone off SPRINT as a SPRINT unlocked version, and, of course, because I live in Europe and want to use the phone with a European SIM card I have the "hands free activation" mark that is sitting on the top left edge of the display. I also noticed some changes, for example the "mobile data" toggle is nowhere to be found and also I don't have the options to choose the network mode (2G/3G/4G). I love the phone and I also would like to keep using it, I only need some answers from you guys.
My first question is, if the phone will actually let me use 4G network with my European SIM card, or will I be limited to 3G?
My second question is, If I can flash an international firmware for another carrier and another country on the phone, and if so, will I have the advantages of that firmware, like the Mobile Data Toggle??
Thank you very much for your answers.

If you install the 'Network' app you might be able to change the network type.
In general you should be able to use an unlocked P variant with a foreign SIM but you may have to activate with a Sprint SIM first.
You can't flash the international version since it's Exynos and the P version is Qualcomm CPU.
I am not sure if this model has Samsung region lock which is another thing to consider.
If I was you I would try to flash the U firmware (US unlocked) as it has the most support for international 4G bands among the Qualcomm US models. It also doesn't have all of the Sprint bloatware on it.

myphone12345 said:
If you install the 'Network' app you might be able to change the network type.
In general you should be able to use an unlocked P variant with a foreign SIM but you may have to activate with a Sprint SIM first.
You can't flash the international version since it's Exynos and the P version is Qualcomm CPU.
I am not sure if this model has Samsung region lock which is another thing to consider.
If I was you I would try to flash the U firmware (US unlocked) as it has the most support for international 4G bands among the Qualcomm US models. It also doesn't have all of the Sprint bloatware on it.
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Thank you for your reply. I am currently using the European Sim from my carrier and I have no problems with it. I managed to get rid of the Bloatware by using Package Disabler Pro, but it still sits there somewhere on my phone. So far, the phone is working very well and other than the bloat sitting on my memory and the lack of LTE, I have no complaints.
Can you tell me if someone has tried to flash the U firmware on a P model with success?

KingFoltest said:
Thank you for your reply. I am currently using the European Sim from my carrier and I have no problems with it. I managed to get rid of the Bloatware by using Package Disabler Pro, but it still sits there somewhere on my phone. So far, the phone is working very well and other than the bloat sitting on my memory and the lack of LTE, I have no complaints.
Can you tell me if someone has tried to flash the U firmware on a P model with success?
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My phone was 930p now it's using 930U it runs significantly better on the 930U variant

vegoja said:
My phone was 930p now it's using 930U it runs significantly better on the 930U variant
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Could you tell me how you did it, or link me a guide??

I had bought an unlocked Sprint galaxy S7 (930P) off ebay which died on me. Got it repaired from the service center and they sent me a locked device instead. The phone is currently on Software Version - G930PVPS4BQC1 and the hardware revision is Rev 0.6. I'll be using the phone in India and have a few questions.
1. I need to get this SIM unlocked from a service online. Does anyone know of a reliable place to do so?
2. If I flash the U Rom on it after unlocking it, will I lose the unlock? (I don't mind downgrading from Nougat to Marshmallow)
3. Should I unlock first then flash the ROM or flash the ROM first and then try to get it unlocked?
4. Will flashing the ROM directly unlock the phone itself?
Please advise.

...
you could try gsm zambia to unlock your phone it works i tried it myself a few days ago, also after my phone got unlocked i flash the U firmware/rom and the unlocked remained. so you should unlock your device first then flash the U firmware :good:
PS. if you one nougat better to downgrade if you can do marshmallow so when you wont have any issues flashing to U firmware. :cool
2kool2btrue said:
I had bought an unlocked Sprint galaxy S7 (930P) off ebay which died on me. Got it repaired from the service center and they sent me a locked device instead. The phone is currently on Software Version - G930PVPS4BQC1 and the hardware revision is Rev 0.6. I'll be using the phone in India and have a few questions.
1. I need to get this SIM unlocked from a service online. Does anyone know of a reliable place to do so?
2. If I flash the U Rom on it after unlocking it, will I lose the unlock? (I don't mind downgrading from Nougat to Marshmallow)
3. Should I unlock first then flash the ROM or flash the ROM first and then try to get it unlocked?
4. Will flashing the ROM directly unlock the phone itself?
Please advise.
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Click to collapse

Can the verizon variant be fully converted to unlocked version?

Hello. I have been on the forum for days searching for answers for the sprint variant, which is hard to find solid proof of it working completely on gsm. Now for the verizon variant. If I buy a verizon variant will it work fully on GSM carriers like at&t?
Plus can it be fully converted? Including radio, to the US unlocked version? I have done it in the past with the at&t m8, converting it to unlocked variant with s-off, cid change, and ruu. I see tutorials saying to flash unlocked version to then reflash verizon radio. Will it work with unlocked radio? Or is it the same as with the sprint variant, where it always needs sprint radio?
Thanks for any help.

liquidzorch said:
Hello. I have been on the forum for days searching for answers for the sprint variant, which is hard to find solid proof of it working completely on gsm. Now for the verizon variant. If I buy a verizon variant will it work fully on GSM carriers like at&t?
Plus can it be fully converted? Including radio, to the US unlocked version? I have done it in the past with the at&t m8, converting it to unlocked variant with s-off, cid change, and ruu. I see tutorials saying to flash unlocked version to then reflash verizon radio. Will it work with unlocked radio? Or is it the same as with the sprint variant, where it always needs sprint radio?
Thanks for any help.
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The unlocked HTC 10 is compatible with AT&T and T‑Mobile Networks.
The verizon variant can be converted to unlocked, read here

kc6wke said:
The unlocked HTC 10 is compatible with AT&T and T‑Mobile Networks.
The verizon variant can be converted to unlocked, read here
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Thanks. I had read that forum, but since the guide posted says to flash verizon radio, I was wondering if you could leave the unlocked radio. After reading various posts afterwards it seems it is posible to not flash the verizon radio (keep the unlocked radio).

liquidzorch said:
Thanks. I had read that forum, but since the guide posted says to flash verizon radio, I was wondering if you could leave the unlocked radio. After reading various posts afterwards it seems it is posible to not flash the verizon radio (keep the unlocked radio).
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Correct, you can fully convert to Unlocked without flashing anything Verizon afterwards. Im using my Vzw 10 on a gsm network, converted to unlocked.

Tarima said:
Correct, you can fully convert to Unlocked without flashing anything Verizon afterwards. Im using my Vzw 10 on a gsm network, converted to unlocked.
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Thanks. I will look into buying the verizon variant. Did you also have to sim unlock? Or will flashing the unlocked version ruu take care of that? I truely doubt it, but I can not find any verizon unlocking service. And the only 10's I can find are locked to verizon.

liquidzorch said:
Thanks. I will look into buying the verizon variant. Did you also have to sim unlock? Or will flashing the unlocked version ruu take care of that? I truely doubt it, but I can not find any verizon unlocking service. And the only 10's I can find are locked to verizon.
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Verizon 10 is not sim locked. You can take it, in stock Verizon form, and insert a gsm sim card and it will work. The real benefit of converting to unlocked is to have direct updates, have access to more lte bands, and best of all not have Verizon's bloated OS.

SM-G935U Locked SIM, really desperate

Hi folks
So i bought an used S7 Edge with sim lock but it says U in the model name. I dont know the carrier but i think its Verizon. Is there any way possible to unlock it. The IMEI is...
Thanks

Ravka90 said:
Hi folks
So i bought an used S7 Edge with sim lock but it says U in the model name. I dont know the carrier but i think its Verizon. Is there any way possible to unlock it. The IMEI is..............
Thanks
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Oh god don't post imei.. You should remove that

crixley said:
Oh god don't post imei.. You should remove that
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Click to collapse
OK thanks for advice

Ravka90 said:
Hi folks
So i bought an used S7 Edge with sim lock but it says U in the model name. I dont know the carrier but i think its Verizon. Is there any way possible to unlock it. The IMEI is...
Thanks
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The seller didn't know either?
Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk

optimummind said:
The seller didn't know either?
Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk
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Nope.
What are my options or steps to take ?

u can try this rom https://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-s7-edge/development/rom-t3603231 select verzion while flashing if it doesn't boot then its surely tmobile or at&t, then goto to tmobile site n check imei status if it fails then its at&t

johngr77 said:
check model number on the back, might be a sprint model G935P flashed with G935U firmware
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Its Verizon.
The model is SM-G935V

I think the only solution is to change the logic board.
I tried almost every 3rd party unlock site, contacted Samsung and Verizon but no luck.

Ummmmmm I think the u firmware is carrier unlocked and nor does Verizon lock there phones so it should be unlocked dude

gurnsey101 said:
Ummmmmm I think the u firmware is carrier unlocked and nor does Verizon lock there phones so it should be unlocked dude
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Its fckd up, i opened the back and on the motherboard it says SM-G935A. So its AT&T but the software on the phone is SM-G935U.

Ravka90 said:
Hi folks
So i bought an used S7 Edge with sim lock but it says U in the model name. I dont know the carrier but i think its Verizon. Is there any way possible to unlock it. The IMEI is...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "U" model is the newer model that Samsung introduced on June 30 of 2016. It is UNLOCKED for North American carriers. It will run all of the big 4 (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, & T-Mo) based on which carrier's sim card you put in it. Samsung introduced similar to some of the Motorola models or the Nexus/Pixel models that can be taken from carrier to carrier. That is ONLY true of the 935U. If it does not say U, it is not the North American unlocked model. It was sold directly from Samsung, Best Buy, and other online electronics resellers. None of the four US carriers sold this model since they sold their own model. Because it is not carrier locked, there is very little bloatware. Now having said all that, the bootloader for the "U" version is absolutely locked by Samsung so it cannot be rooted or flashed at this point. That is everything I know at this point. Good luck. The product is reaching end of life, so you should pick one up soon if you want, but you can take it to any carrier in the US.

hodgestl said:
The "U" model is the newer model that Samsung introduced on June 30 of 2016. It is UNLOCKED for North American carriers. It will run all of the big 4 (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, & T-Mo) based on which carrier's sim card you put in it. Samsung introduced similar to some of the Motorola models or the Nexus/Pixel models that can be taken from carrier to carrier. That is ONLY true of the 935U. If it does not say U, it is not the North American unlocked model. It was sold directly from Samsung, Best Buy, and other online electronics resellers. None of the four US carriers sold this model since they sold their own model. Because it is not carrier locked, there is very little bloatware. Now having said all that, the bootloader for the "U" version is absolutely locked by Samsung so it cannot be rooted or flashed at this point. That is everything I know at this point. Good luck. The product is reaching end of life, so you should pick one up soon if you want, but you can take it to any carrier in the US.
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I opened the phone and it says on the motherboard SM-G935A which is AT&T but it is flashed with SM-G935U and its Sim locked. I will try to unlock it with a code from a third party :/

Ravka90 said:
I opened the phone and it says on the motherboard SM-G935A which is AT&T but it is flashed with SM-G935U and its Sim locked. I will try to unlock it with a code from a third party :/
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Click to collapse
So you are asking about 935U software running on 935A hardware? That doesn't seem to be what the original post says. Everything I told you was about 935U hardware only. In reviewing your original post, it seems you are asking a hardware question. Nevertheless I wish you all the best with whatever device you have. Good luck.

Ravka90 said:
Its fckd up, i opened the back and on the motherboard it says SM-G935A. So its AT&T but the software on the phone is SM-G935U.
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If the motherboard says 935A, you have the AT&T version that was flashed with the unlocked U firmware. The U firmware can be flashed on any of the US carrier versions. Flashing the U firmware removes the carrier bloatware but it won't unlock the phone. If the phone was fully paid for and not blacklisted as lost or stolen, AT&T should unlock it, otherwise a 3rd party unlock service should be able to provided it's not blacklisted and you tell them it's a 935A, not a 935U.

Hi all. its probably T-MOBILE G935, then check out IMEIFIX.com, if not then Sprint G935P check out IMEIGURUS.