Database Users

[Q] About different N3 models

Hey people,
I'm planning on getting a galaxy note 3, but I'm kind of confused about the different model numbers (n9000, n9005, etc). I have read this post and it did help, but I'm still unsure of which model to get.
I will buy the phone in USA and bring it to Brazil to use it over here, so it seems the N9005 would be the best since it is the only one to support the 4G frequency used in Brazil.
However, it is written there that the N900W8 has a 'happy' bootloader (what exactly does that mean?), and I think I saw somewhere that the N900T was the best version for hacking. I'm more worried about having the best version to play with than 4G compatibility, but if the difference between models is not that big I will get the N9005.
So, what exactly are the differences between N9005, N900W8 and N900T and which version is the best one to hack around? Do all of them have an unlocked/unlockable bootloader?
I'm also worried about region lock, but if I'm not mistaken even if I do get a model that is region locked, it is quite easy to remove the lock and use it anywhere right?

dp_alvarez said:
Hey people,
I'm planning on getting a galaxy note 3, but I'm kind of confused about the different model numbers (n9000, n9005, etc). I have read this post and it did help, but I'm still unsure of which model to get.
I will buy the phone in USA and bring it to Brazil to use it over here, so it seems the N9005 would be the best since it is the only one to support the 4G frequency used in Brazil.
However, it is written there that the N900W8 has a 'happy' bootloader (what exactly does that mean?), and I think I saw somewhere that the N900T was the best version for hacking. I'm more worried about having the best version to play with than 4G compatibility, but if the difference between models is not that big I will get the N9005.
So, what exactly are the differences between N9005, N900W8 and N900T and which version is the best one to hack around? Do all of them have an unlocked/unlockable bootloader?
I'm also worried about region lock, but if I'm not mistaken even if I do get a model that is region locked, it is quite easy to remove the lock and use it anywhere right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not an expert so this is my best understanding, but not solid certainty:
N9000 = no 4G/LTE. I believe they've managed to reverse Knox on this one.
N9002 = dual sim card support. Haven't heard much else about this one.
N900W8 = I actually have no idea what distinguishes this model... I haven't really heard of it except for reading that yes it can be downgraded from 4.4 back to 4.3 apparently.
N900P/N900A/N900T/etc = Different versions of the N9005 as far as I understand. Be warned that they support different 4G frequencies, and the N900P (Sprint) only supports 1 band in 4G. Check this before you buy. Frustratingly, the N900P is also the only version of the Note 3 that has a real, old-school, FM tuner built in.
N9005 = Seems to be the best/default that everyone goes for, but I might be wrong.

dp_alvarez said:
...
So, what exactly are the differences between N9005, N900W8 and N900T and which version is the best one to hack around? Do all of them have an unlocked/unlockable bootloader?
I'm also worried about region lock, but if I'm not mistaken even if I do get a model that is region locked, it is quite easy to remove the lock and use it anywhere right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think N9005 is the only one that will get LTE in Brazil. N900W8 is friendlier to hacking (knox can be easily fooled and downgrade 4.4 -> 4.3 is possible). N900T is more usable inside US on T-Mobile and AT&T.
The region lock might be a problem under certain scenarios - I think that RegionLockAway (needs root) might only work with older baseband (but I have not tested personally).

As a holder of an N900W8, I can tell you about the "happy" bootloader.
It is the only phone with an untrippable KNOX counter when trying to root or custom ROM on the latest firmware. Now you have to be on the Canadian version (not the Mexican version) and not attempt to downgrade the firmware or else you will trip it, but anything else would allow for rooting or flashing without breaking your warranty.
Hence this is the best for hacking. It has identical specs with N900T but that has a trippable bootloader.
They all have an unlocked bootloader except N900A or other American variants. You should look for a variant closer to your country so you don't have to worry about unlocking the SIM.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

So it pretty much comes down to either the N9005 or the N900W8.
I don't really care about tripping KNOX since I will buy the phone with no warranty, is there any other downside to tripping KNOX than loosing the warranty?
Also, the N900W8 is better for hacking for now, but that is not because it is inherently better, it just happens to be better for now because someone found a exploit for that particular model, is that right? Or it is fundamentally different in a way that it will probably always be the most hackable model?

dp_alvarez said:
So it pretty much comes down to either the N9005 or the N900W8.
I don't really care about tripping KNOX since I will buy the phone with no warranty, is there any other downside to tripping KNOX than loosing the warranty?
Also, the N900W8 is better for hacking for now, but that is not because it is inherently better, it just happens to be better for now because someone found a exploit for that particular model, is that right? Or it is fundamentally different in a way that it will probably always be the most hackable model?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then the knox-friendliness of the W8 is not so relevant to you.
The N9005 has LTE in Brazil, W8 does not.
IMHO to make the best decision you must investigate the region-locking and unlocking on both. I believe there is actually an N9005 that is supposed to be for the region of Brazil (so it needs no region-unlocking) but it might be only sold by specific carriers with LTE there.

I looked around and the N9005 is the version used in Brazil, and USA is in the same region as Brazil. So if it works in USA it should work here in Brazil too.
N9005 america region is it then, thanks a lot everyone.

How to use AT&T S4 on International Network??

Hi guys one of my friends bought a S4 in the US, It's AT&T locked SGH-I337 so can't use it with sim in our country (South Africa)We have two models of S4 here, the I9500&I9505. Was wondering what the right steps is to get the phone working? Must I root the phone and flash custom Rom & kernel or just unlock sim card? I'm not new to Rooting or flashing Roms but haven't fidled with carrier locked phones before [emoji3] [emoji2]
Send from my UNBENDABLE NOTE 3 ?

Leonidas300 said:
Hi guys one of my friends bought a S4 in the US, It's AT&T locked SGH-I337 so can't use it with sim in our country (South Africa)We have two models of S4 here, the I9500&I9505. Was wondering what the right steps is to get the phone working? Must I root the phone and flash custom Rom & kernel or just unlock sim card? I'm not new to Rooting or flashing Roms but haven't fidled with carrier locked phones before [emoji3] [emoji2]
Send from my UNBENDABLE NOTE 3 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock it
There us a guide out there . just google it
"If someone helps, never forget to hit thanks ? "

Planning to buy NOTE3 - Which Carrier has unlock bootloader ? Please help !

hi I am planning to buy note 3 .. There are several Carrier phone here like
sprint
at&t
verizon
tmobile
etc
which one i should but .. i want to unlock bootloader / then flash recovery / & use custom rom for my daily driver ?

International N9005 .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2481255

JJEgan said:
International N9005 .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2481255
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here all mobiles are converted means its really hard to get international cell in my country !
they are changing firmware to make sprint / tmobile / verizon as International in all popular hand sets

i checked 1 at & t phone and it was rooted - i checked via root checker app ?
what do you think
which carrier is unlockable ?

Planning to buy S4 - Which Carrier has unlock bootloader ? Please help !

hi I am planning to buy S4 .. There are several Carrier phone here like
sprint
at&t
verizon
tmobile
etc
which one i should but .. i want to unlock bootloader / then flash recovery / & use custom rom for my daily driver ?

fadyrox said:
hi I am planning to buy S4 .. There are several Carrier phone here like
sprint
at&t
verizon
tmobile
etc
which one i should but .. i want to unlock bootloader / then flash recovery / & use custom rom for my daily driver ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T and Verizon have locked bootloaders.
All the others are unlocked.
Also, make sure you get the quad core S4, it has the best custom rom support of all the S4 models.

MEans i can purchase sprint or tmobile ? & what about docomo ???
what do you mean by Quad core ??
how would i check that phone is quad core or not ?

I mean the I9505 model.
Don't they display the hardware info of the device?

fadyrox said:
MEans i can purchase sprint or tmobile ? & what about docomo ???
what do you mean by Quad core ??
how would i check that phone is quad core or not ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most i9505 ROMs don't support docomo variant. Slightly different hardware (even if it's still using same SoC).
Sent from my ASUS_Z00A using XDA Labs

Market is selling international version of popular smart phones .. but if you check model in bootloader you will find logo model numbers means i checked 1 phone .. market sale person was saying that mobile is international version but when i checked in recovery .. it was sprint !
they flashed firmware of international version to sales phone on higher price !

What's the right variant to buy, PLEASE HELP!

Dear Friends,
I live in the US, using AT&T US, but would like to have the option to move to T-Mobile US or perhaps even Verizon.
Question is, what is the best S7 Edge variant for me to get, if I have the option to buy 935F and 935FD (I believe this EXACTLY the same as 935F except Dual-SIM or it's got extra bands I could use in the US?)
Here are my important requirements that would help you make a recommendation:
1. Root Support (I guess with little trouble as possible, I am seeing nightmares on people finally being able to root the US variants with the Engineering bootloader - Over heating, slowness, data issues, bricks, etc)
2. Xposed
3. TWRP for Nandroids, if possible?
4. Performance, Battery life
5. Samsung Pay (on a rooted device) if possible in the US?
6. Warranty - These are expensive devices, is it impossible to get Samsung support in the US with the 935F and 935FD model?
Thank you for your advice, help in advance, looking to make the decision in the next day or two. Thanks!

935F and 935FD are the exact same, except the FD has the dual sim - no other difference (4).
That being said you will want to make sure you know what carrier you are going to end up with before purchasing. Verizon's CDMA network is not supported by the international variants.
In terms of your important requirements - you cannot use Samsung Pay on a rooted device (since root trips KNOX). It's Samsung Pay or rooted phone, your choice (1,2,3,5). International devices don't get US warranty (6).
My suggestion is to go for the cheaper one. I bought an FD gold model on Amazon for $625 (and free 1-day shipping), which was about $50+ less than the F model. I could have gone on ebay and saved another $30 or bought a used phone, but not a bad price.

shyam09 said:
935F and 935FD are the exact same, except the FD has the dual sim - no other difference (4).
That being said you will want to make sure you know what carrier you are going to end up with before purchasing. Verizon's CDMA network is not supported by the international variants.
In terms of your important requirements - you cannot use Samsung Pay on a rooted device (since root trips KNOX). It's Samsung Pay or rooted phone, your choice (1,2,3,5). International devices don't get US warranty (6).
My suggestion is to go for the cheaper one. I bought an FD gold model on Amazon for $625 (and free 1-day shipping), which was about $50+ less than the F model. I could have gone on ebay and saved another $30 or bought a used phone, but not a bad price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@shyam09 Thanks for the education bud, some follow up questions:
1. Does the FD model have less Custom Development/ROM support, compared regular F?
2. Is it true the FD has ALL bands possible, and F doesn't for LTE, GSM use?
3. Is it true FD has both the Exynos AND Snapdragon versions? What's the difference, why?
4. NO American variant is able to be rooted, WITHOUT the Engineering BL, correct?
5. NO unlocked Bootloader model has warranty in the US?
6. NO version works on Verizon AND has an unlocked Bootloader, correct?
7. Once rooted, Knox tripped, that phone can NEVER use Samsung Pay right?
8. Not possible to have Systemless Root or Root cloak to use Samsung Pay?
Thank you so so much for your help in advance! What's making me nervous is the no warranty and almost every other thread in the Q&A section is about bricking :'(!

ProFragger said:
@shyam09 Thanks for the education bud, some follow up questions:
1. Does the FD model have less Custom Development/ROM support, compared regular F?
2. Is it true the FD has ALL bands possible, and F doesn't for LTE, GSM use?
3. Is it true FD has both the Exynos AND Snapdragon versions? What's the difference, why?
4. NO American variant is able to be rooted, WITHOUT the Engineering BL, correct?
5. NO unlocked Bootloader model has warranty in the US?
6. NO version works on Verizon AND has an unlocked Bootloader, correct?
7. Once rooted, Knox tripped, that phone can NEVER use Samsung Pay right?
8. Not possible to have Systemless Root or Root cloak to use Samsung Pay?
Thank you so so much for your help in advance! What's making me nervous is the no warranty and almost every other thread in the Q&A section is about bricking :'(!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*BUMP*... Anyone? ?

I'm pretty sure you can still use samsung pay even with rooting a phone. However while rooted you can not use samsung pay. The root method here does not trip Knox. I used it on my phone and Knox is still in tact. But like I said you have to unroot for Samsung pay to work again. I wish I had more information for you on the topic but I'm still fairly new to the s7 edge. Also the unlocked bootloader isn't possible as of right now.
Edit: hard brick is impossible because stock firmware is available to flash if anything goes wrong.

shyam09 said:
935F and 935FD are the exact same, except the FD has the dual sim - no other difference (4).
That being said you will want to make sure you know what carrier you are going to end up with before purchasing. Verizon's CDMA network is not supported by the international variants.
In terms of your important requirements - you cannot use Samsung Pay on a rooted device (since root trips KNOX). It's Samsung Pay or rooted phone, your choice (1,2,3,5). International devices don't get US warranty (6).
My suggestion is to go for the cheaper one. I bought an FD gold model on Amazon for $625 (and free 1-day shipping), which was about $50+ less than the F model. I could have gone on ebay and saved another $30 or bought a used phone, but not a bad price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get the F model from B and H. They provide a one year warranty. Done. The other answers can be found on the interwebs.

ProFragger said:
@shyam09 Thanks for the education bud, some follow up questions:
1. Does the FD model have less Custom Development/ROM support, compared regular F?
2. Is it true the FD has ALL bands possible, and F doesn't for LTE, GSM use?
3. Is it true FD has both the Exynos AND Snapdragon versions? What's the difference, why?
4. NO American variant is able to be rooted, WITHOUT the Engineering BL, correct?
5. NO unlocked Bootloader model has warranty in the US?
6. NO version works on Verizon AND has an unlocked Bootloader, correct?
7. Once rooted, Knox tripped, that phone can NEVER use Samsung Pay right?
8. Not possible to have Systemless Root or Root cloak to use Samsung Pay?
Thank you so so much for your help in advance! What's making me nervous is the no warranty and almost every other thread in the Q&A section is about bricking :'(!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bconte88 said:
I'm pretty sure you can still use samsung pay even with rooting a phone. However while rooted you can not use samsung pay. The root method here does not trip Knox. I used it on my phone and Knox is still in tact. But like I said you have to unroot for Samsung pay to work again. I wish I had more information for you on the topic but I'm still fairly new to the s7 edge. Also the unlocked bootloader isn't possible as of right now.
Edit: hard brick is impossible because stock firmware is available to flash if anything goes wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
moSess said:
Get the F model from B and H. They provide a one year warranty. Done. The other answers can be found on the interwebs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guys, thank you for your responses.
If I'm not mistaken aren't the Exynos variants F and FD both Bootloader unlocked?
Anyone know if F has more development than the FD model or can they share all ROMs radios and etc?
No variant that works on a CDMA network in the US has an unlocked Bootloader, correct?
Finally, possibly may have a choice of getting the Note 7, would you guys think the Exynos models F and FD come with unlocked Bootloaders for better rooting and custom ROM options?
Thanks again guys!