Related
[UPDATE:] Confirmed to work!
Without going into too much detail here (you can check out the full post in the AT&T Note II dev section here), my theory described below does in fact work as I postulated. However, it doesn't seem to work when using PC Odin (Mobile Odin may be a different story).
The basic process goes something like this though:
1. Download CWM/TWRP flashable stock N7105 firmware here.
2. Download the AT&T/Rogers modem from here.
3. Use custom recovery to flash the N7105 firmware. Confirmed to work with TWRP and CWM.
4. Flash the modem.
5. Profit!
[/UPDATE]
So, correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding of the differences between the international N7100 and the AT&T Note 2 (whatever model number that ends up being), is that the AT&T version has an LTE modem compatible with 700/1700 mhz LTE, but apart from that, the rest of the device is exactly the same as the international version. In other words, they are both Exynos devices with separate LTE chips, unlike the first generation where the international unlocked Note was an Exynos device, and the AT&T version was a Qualcomm device for LTE compatibility.
So, with that in mind, what's the betting that the international firmware is 100% compatible with the AT&T Note 2 (minus the modem)? Kinda like how the original Galaxy Tab 7" international firmware was 100% compatible with AT&T's re-branded Galaxy Tab.
So, what I'm really hoping is possible, is to be able to flash the firmware for the International/Unlocked Note 2 (no AT&T bloatware, plus quicker updates), and then flash the modem.bin from the AT&T firmware (so that LTE will work). Best of all worlds! International firmware AND LTE?
Normally I buy imports, because they're usually better in general. However, if what I mention above is possible, I wouldn't really mind owning an AT&T branded Note 2, while rocking an international/unlocked frankenfirmware.
What do you guys think? Is this a sound theory? Or am I just hoping for the impossible...
Ultimately, I'm just looking forward to the day that OEM's begin making unlocked multi-band LTE devices with compatibility for both Europe and America/Canada (and Asia). But that may never happen...
EDIT: The following is a response from another thread which more clearly illustrates what I hope we can accomplish here.
Scythe024 said:
so you CAN run a international rom then just flash a at&t modem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure yet. That's why I started that other thread. It's my theory and hope that you can flash international firmware onto (some) of the domestic North American Note 2's (including Canadian versions).
Just as an example, and I think I may have briefly touched on this in the other thread, take a look at the original Galaxy Tab (7 inch).
The international version of that device, available everywhere else around the world, was able to function as a GSM phone right out of the box.
The domestic carrier versions of the same device did not offer phone functionality at all, and were basically locked down, pay-as-you-go only, data-only, worthless (but expensive) pieces of crap! Unfortunately, if you had a CDMA version (Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, etc.), you were totally out of luck, because the chipsets were different (or at least the modem firmware), and not compatible with the international firmware. However, the GSM US models were an exception, especially the AT&T version, and here's why:
With the very slight exception of the T-Mobile version (which used a custom UMTS modem for its own 1700mhz AWS band), the North American GSM Galaxy Tab's had -exactly- the same hardware, transistor for transistor. As such, if you bought an AT&T branded Tab (as I did), and you didn't like your carrier dictating to you what features you could or couldn't have on your device (which I didn't), you could give them a big fat middle finger by simply flashing the international firmware in all its unlocked feature-full glory.
With the T-Mobile version, it was slightly different due to the custom modem. If you simply flashed the international firmware and just left it at that, phone functionality would work fine, but you wouldn't have 3G functionality (because the international firmware didn't support 1700mhz AWS), so you'd be stuck on EDGE. However, if you wanted 3G, all you had to do was use Mobile Odin to flash the T-Mobile specific modem.bin, and off you went (minus working phone functionality). You had to flip flop between two modems, depending on your needs, but it was an OK workaround.
So anyway, this all gets me back to the Note 2 of today. As I mention in the other thread, seeing as how the North American Note 2's are almost identical to their international counterparts, with the major exceptions being the radio hardware and modem firmware, shouldn't it then be possible to get international firmware working on a domestic version?
The first step would be to see if you could even flash international firmware onto a domestic Note 2 and get the thing to even boot up.
Assuming that's possible, and say you have limited cellular functionality (if any at all!), with perhaps only WiFi working or something, then the next step would be to extract the modem.bin from the carrier-specific firmware, and then flash that over the international firmware.
Hopefully, theoretically, that should get you up and running!
So to break it down, here's what I would plan to do:
WARNING!!! The following is just an idea for an experiment! Unless you know what you are doing, and are curious about testing this for yourself, DO NOT perform these steps unless you want a nice new brick!
I plan to use an AT&T Note 2 due to the fact that it bears the closest hardware resemblance to the international N7105. The only difference between the two, afaik, are the LTE radios and firmware.
1. Obtain firmware image of AT&T Note 2, probably from somewhere like Sammobile.
2. Extract modem.bin from carrier firmware and create CWM flashable .zip
3. Use Odin to flash stock N7105 international firmware.
4. Assuming step 3 works, and you're able to boot up fully, it's likely that most (if not all) wireless connectivity will not be working. WiFi might still work. So, if we make it to this step, the next step would be use the Note 2 Toolkit to root and flash CWM recovery.
5. Once CWM is installed, flash the custom .zip with the AT&T modem.bin inside of it.
6. Assuming this all works, profit! You now have an international N7105 Note 2, with all the development support of the international community, no AT&T bloatware, and working domestic LTE!
At least, that's the hope...
Please, developers, I'd like your input on this if you think this seems legit, or if it's even possible.
Chances are, you will have to root to do that... If you root then why bother? More than likely you will get the updates from here and don't have to worry about it...
Tidbits said:
Chances are, you will have to root to do that... If you root then why bother? More than likely you will get the updates from here and don't have to worry about it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always root. I have never owned an Android device that I haven't rooted.
Besides, going the root method, and then deleting bloat can get messy. I prefer to just start with a clean slate in the first place, hence the int'l firmware flash.
This is what I'm leaning/hoping for as well. I like tbr support of international note better than the att note but the s3 changed it... plus if both get lte I bet the international would be better at turning on/lte when needed
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Above all else, I'm hoping that this will bring the development community together more than anything else. I mean, historically it's been, you have the international (rest of the world) development, and then you have the North American development. Inevitably, the international development has been WAY bigger and received WAY more community support.
With any luck, if the AT&T and international version of the Note 2 differ only in their modem hardware, their firmware (and thus development) should be interchangeable! That would be awesome!
whats the lte situation with gs3? its probably the same with note
---------- Post added at 06:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:53 PM ----------
bobyboby said:
whats the lte situation with gs3? its probably the same with note
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
never mind, the domestic gs3 has dual core snapdragon, just checked
ONLY advantage of getting Itl version to me is I get my grubby hands on it a month or so earlier...depending on when Sprint drops.
Right when I'm about to give up, I find this thread and know that there was a person who's in the same interest as I am.
I started another thread days ago asking about this, but it's not of the major interests in the forum seemingly.
Anyway, with much more info we have now compared to when it was Spet, do we have more or less hope in this possibility? If it is a viable operation, getting T-mobile's Note II is even a better idea because it's more versatile band-wise, given that people believe that T889 supports AT&T's UMTS bands as well as AT&T's LTE bands. Of course, this doesn't matter if you are gonna use AT&T majorly and wants the subsidized price from ATT.
Hopefully we can keep this thread alive and wait to see if anyone's gonna be able to flash N7100 rom on to i-317. Actually, since T889 is on sale now already, someone might be trying to do this on the TMO's version of Note 2!
We need to keep this thread alive very interesting op . I to was wondering if this possible if so thats worth a nice donation to whoever figures it out first.
Apple needs to take 2 take Notes!
Uhhh, the N7100 doesn't even have an LTE antenna...
That's the N7105..
exparanoia said:
Uhhh, the N7100 doesn't even have an LTE antenna...
That's the N7105..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very tasteful perception and insight.
exparanoia said:
Uhhh, the N7100 doesn't even have an LTE antenna...
That's the N7105..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read my OP more carefully... I know/own the N7100 doesn't have LTE, and I know/don't own the N7105 is the one with the LTE hardware.
My whole point with this thread wasn't to see whether flashing N7100 firmware onto a domestic GSM/LTE would work or not.
The point was to see if flashing N7105 firmware was possible, and then separately flashing the proper modem.bin from a domestic GSM/LTE would possibly get it fully functional.
Effectively, theoretically, hopefully, this would be like having an unlocked N7105 with domestic North American GSM/LTE support.
Zero carrier bloat and 100% international dev support.
As far as anyone can really tell at this point (correct me if I'm wrong), all versions of the Note 2, whether GSM/HSPA+, GSM/LTE, or CDMA/LTE, are all identical to each other from a hardware standpoint, with the exceptions of their radios. As such, from a software/firmware standpoint, theoretically all different firmware builds should be interchangeable from one device to another; the only thing that you would have to flash separately as an additional step, is the modem.bin specific to whichever device you happen to have.
I was also told so. But as I dig deeper, I discovered another hardware difference. Looks like domestic (US) note 2's do not have pre-installed wireless charging pins. It might seem to be minor difference but i think it means a lot. Because I assume wireless charging requires software support, and you can see in that wireless charging DIY thread, when you put a modified N7100 onto charger, the OS pops up wireless charging confirmation. If domestic Note 2's do not have this pre-installed pin, it's very likely that they are not natively supporting Wireless Charging feature, and that should require some modification to the OS.
Yes they do have wireless charging pins.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
The att note will have the awful awful carrier logo in the notification bar that the International version thankfully doesn't have. That's reason enough for me.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Tidbits said:
Yes they do have wireless charging pins.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not any of the two Sprint version I've seen so far.
This one does but it's a T-Mobile version.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
LTE needs a LTE chip to be functional. It's not something software can handle.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Leechoonhwee said:
LTE needs a LTE chip to be functional. It's not something software can handle.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I know that. You're missing the point. Read the first post again carefully.
*bump* Anyone with further insights?
so I'm on wind but have found out that wind is carrying the exynos version of the note 3....now I'm not sure I don't want it, I simply want yr one that will have the most dev support, having a phone that can use lte for the future would sure be nice but if the exynos has the dev support them so be it. obviously I also care hugely about the cache coherency being broken or not and if hmp is to be implemented from release. I guess we will know more when they actually get released
but what I'm really wondering is, could I just go to Rogers or bell and buy the new note and bring it to wind like you see able to with the new iCrap phone? or is the note not going to be as universal?
then what about ordering the T-Mobile version? T-Mobile is selling the Snapdragon version while wind is not, but should the T-Mobile note be compatible with the wind aws network even though the T-Mobile network is an lte network? am I missing something here?
I'm looking for an inexpensive, quality tablet that I can use with a pay-as-you-go SIM from Lycamobile. I'd prefer android 4.1+, capacitive buttons on the bezel, a decent display, and an SD card slot; The original G Tab seems like the perfect and least-expensive tablet which meets all of these requirements. After searching and reading the forums for a while, I'm still unsure as to whether I should go with the P1000 model or if I can simply unlock an AT&T or T-Mobile model. Are there any pitfalls to the carrier-locked models other than that I'll have to manually unlock them? Can I use any of these models with android 4.1+, data, and voice, all in one working package without bugs or trade-offs?
Thanks for any input!
depends on where you and which network you are with.
for USA AT&T, to get 3G data, you can only use the AT&T model or the equivalent one (Telstra, Canada Bell, or Mexico?)
Same deal witt T-Mo.
P1000 is the safest bet.
A T-Mo one should also work in Europe/Asia. It has extra band but still has the usual bands.
The Android 4.1+ is non Samsung stock. Samsung only has official ROM up to 2.3
Make sure you get the unlocked model. Unlocking via meddling with the EFS is risky and not always working.
priyana said:
depends on where you and which network you are with.
for USA AT&T, to get 3G data, you can only use the AT&T model or the equivalent one (Telstra, Canada Bell, or Mexico?)
Same deal witt T-Mo.
P1000 is the safest bet.
A T-Mo one should also work in Europe/Asia. It has extra band but still has the usual bands.
The Android 4.1+ is non Samsung stock. Samsung only has official ROM up to 2.3
Make sure you get the unlocked model. Unlocking via meddling with the EFS is risky and not always working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll do that then, thank you
Edit:
Have you guys seen the new Dell Venue 8 and 11 Pro models? They're insane! The 8 Pro is a little 8" x86 quad-core tablet and the 11 Pro is a full i5 machine, complete with Transformer-style keyboard dock (with integrated battery). I might just replace my laptop entirely and forget about buying an Android tablet, killing two birds with one stone.
I'm looking to buy a new phone but don't want/need the latest and greatest. I'm happy with the performance of my HTC One Mini, my work HTC One X/XL and my wife's S4 Active, all AT&T phones used in the U.S. My One Mini just suffered a horrible mountain bike crash which busted the screen up pretty bad, then too, my old eyes are tired of that tiny screen. I've also had bad luck with the built in battery and lack of SD card slot. So I was thinking S4 would be ok by me. Asking on the device forum I've gotten 50-11 answers some of which are conflicting answers. I was thinking the i9505 would be the right phone until someone piped up stating it wouldn't work on LTE here. From all I've seen it looks to me like that senior member don't know what they're talking about. Here's my criteria:
1. 4.5" to 5" screen
2. Unlocked/unlockable and can easily accept custom ROMs
3. Prefer to stick with a Kit Kat Rom as it gets along with my Do Not Disturb app better than Lollipop due to the built-in app on Lollipop
4. Removable battery
5. SD Slot
6. LTE service on AT&T/T-Mobile and Caribbean and South American Countries
7. Custom ROM must allow hotspot w/o AT&T controlling my use (I have unlimited internet on my plan and want to make use of it)
Background: I'm almost green having only installed a custom ROM on my work phone an HTC One X/XL from AT&T. Apparently it's one of the harder phones to unlock the bootloader and permanent Root is impossible I think. I 1st installed CM12.1 on the HTC ONE X and ran into conflicts and buggy operations. After a few weeks of testing I backed it up, wiped it and installed CM11 which I truly like. No experience or much understanding of KNOX, ODIN or ODEX. I only read bits and pieces on those while trying to figure out which S4 variant will fit my need. Lastly, were can I get a new phone off contract? Anybody purchased from www.Cell2Get.com? I was about to buy this phone prior to the member claiming it wouldn't work on AT&T.
http://www.cell2get.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-i9505-16gb-unlocked-gsm-android-cell-phone-p-5122.html
IRBent said:
I'm looking to buy a new phone but don't want/need the latest and greatest. I'm happy with the performance of my HTC One Mini, my work HTC One X/XL and my wife's S4 Active, all AT&T phones used in the U.S. My One Mini just suffered a horrible mountain bike crash which busted the screen up pretty bad, then too, my old eyes are tired of that tiny screen. I've also had bad luck with the built in battery and lack of SD card slot. So I was thinking S4 would be ok by me. Asking on the device forum I've gotten 50-11 answers some of which are conflicting answers. I was thinking the i9505 would be the right phone until someone piped up stating it wouldn't work on LTE here. From all I've seen it looks to me like that senior member don't know what they're talking about. Here's my criteria:
1. 4.5" to 5" screen
2. Unlocked/unlockable and can easily accept custom ROMs
3. Prefer to stick with a Kit Kat Rom as it gets along with my Do Not Disturb app better than Lollipop due to the built-in app on Lollipop
4. Removable battery
5. SD Slot
6. LTE service on AT&T/T-Mobile and Caribbean and South American Countries
7. Custom ROM must allow hotspot w/o AT&T controlling my use (I have unlimited internet on my plan and want to make use of it)
Background: I'm almost green having only installed a custom ROM on my work phone an HTC One X/XL from AT&T. Apparently it's one of the harder phones to unlock the bootloader and permanent Root is impossible I think. I 1st installed CM12.1 on the HTC ONE X and ran into conflicts and buggy operations. After a few weeks of testing I backed it up, wiped it and installed CM11 which I truly like. No experience or much understanding of KNOX, ODIN or ODEX. I only read bits and pieces on those while trying to figure out which S4 variant will fit my need. Lastly, were can I get a new phone off contract? Anybody purchased from www.Cell2Get.com? I was about to buy this phone prior to the member claiming it wouldn't work on AT&T.
http://www.cell2get.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-i9505-16gb-unlocked-gsm-android-cell-phone-p-5122.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- AT&T has it's own variant of the S4. It's called the "SGH-I337".
- The I9505 will not work with LTE on the AT&T network. It support different bands. So the member was correct. You can see it here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S4#Model_variants
- The "SGH-I337" has a locked bootloader and cannot be unlocked. Only some old devices will have an unlocked bootloader because they never upgraded their software. Thus you cannot use custom roms like CM.
Lennyz1988 said:
- AT&T has it's own variant of the S4. It's called the "SGH-I337".
- The I9505 will not work with LTE on the AT&T network. It support different bands. So the member was correct. You can see it here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S4#Model_variants
- The "SGH-I337" has a locked bootloader and cannot be unlocked. Only some old devices will have an unlocked bootloader because they never upgraded their software. Thus you cannot use custom roms like CM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is the GT-I9505G the preferred phone to have and to mod and if so, can I buy new one without getting a fake?
"Google Play Edition
At the Google I/O 2013 keynote, Samsung and Google revealed that an edition of the U.S. S4 would be released on June 26, 2013 through Google Play, initially featuring stock Android 4.2.2, later updated to 4.4.4, with Samsung provided updates; it has an unlockable bootloader (similar to Nexus devices) and supports LTE on AT&T and T-Mobile's networks. The model number is GT-I9505G."
I'm likely "that member", because I have an I9505 (not I9505G) running on Straight Talk, which is a US MVNO that rents bandwidth from all the major US carriers. The I9505 will not work on LTE here in the US because the LTE frequencies used worldwide (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20) are not the frequencies used by the carriers here in the US. The I9505G is a different story. It has the LTE frequencies needed to work here in the US, and does not have Touchwiz as it uses stock Android.
You can't purchase one new because they've been discontinued for some time now. You may want to check out Swappa (link at the top of the page) and see if they have a used one you can purchase.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I'm likely "that member", because I have an I9505 (not I9505G) running on Straight Talk, which is a US MVNO that rents bandwidth from all the major US carriers. The I9505 will not work on LTE here in the US because the LTE frequencies used worldwide (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20) are not the frequencies used by the carriers here in the US. The I9505G is a different story. It has the LTE frequencies needed to work here in the US, and does not have Touchwiz as it uses stock Android.
You can't purchase one new because they've been discontinued for some time now. You may want to check out Swappa (link at the top of the page) and see if they have a used one you can purchase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really good and interesting reply. Being new to this stuff and having not kept up with cellphone technology, some of the things you guys just know, I'm having to try to understand. At first I assumed all 9505's were the same, but apparently I was wrong there. Then I also thought that since most cellphone review sites showed a plethora of Freq. and bands, with at least on or two being those that AT&T and most other North American GSM carriers use, I assume that meant I could get that model of phone. little did I know that those two lines of freqs and bands were for different versions of that same model, one for here and being a carrier locked phone and the other line being and international phone without the proper band for use here. So now after learning that difference it appears to me that there may be now way possible to purchase a new S4 and turn it into a custom ROM phone. So if I understand you and the carrier stuff correctly, you're using a plain 9505 and piggybacking off AT&T by way of StraightTalk like so many of us do. However since your phone is an international version you don't have LTE, is that right? One last thing I've yet to read or learn about but saw when I was putting CM11 and 12.1 on my HTC One X/XL (AT&T), I kept seeing stuff about "the radio". The way it read made me think they were NOT talking about an FM radio for music, but the freqs the phone itself uses. I think I recall them flashing "radios" which I assume they meant they were able to change the original freqs/bands that the model came with to one more useful here. Is that something that truly exists and can be done even on an S4 variant? My assumption is that it CANNOT be done or else you'd have done so already on your i9505.
IRBent said:
So if I understand you and the carrier stuff correctly, you're using a plain 9505 and piggybacking off AT&T by way of StraightTalk like so many of us do. However since your phone is an international version you don't have LTE, is that right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct.
IRBent said:
My assumption is that it CANNOT be done or else you'd have done so already on your i9505.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again correct. With Samsung, their firmware loading software, Odin, actually checks and makes sure the parts of the firmware match the model of the S4 connected to the PC. If they don't match, Odin will instantly fail. The only way to try and enable LTE on the I9505 is to delve into the low-level firmware for the LTE chip and attempt to rewrite it so it can see the added frequencies. However, I don't recommend it. Not only is it a very intricate process compared to something like rooting, it's also quite possible that you could render the LTE chip non-functional. I tried it, and nearly lost the ability to use my phone at all due to having my phone's SIM lock restored.
If you do decide to get an S4, an I9505G is likely your best bet. Not only does it have the AT&T frequencies, it's also got an unlocked bootloader (unlike the AT&T model) and is also carrier unlocked right out of the box. That last means you can use it on T-Mobile and carriers which use GSM SIM cards. Other choices would be the T-Mobile S4 (SGH-M919) or the North American S4 (SGH-I337M). All these phones include the AT&T frequencies and also have an unlocked bootloader so customization is easier.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
If you do decide to get an S4, an I9505G is likely your best bet. Not only does it have the AT&T frequencies, it's also got an unlocked bootloader (unlike the AT&T model) and is also carrier unlocked right out of the box. That last means you can use it on T-Mobile and carriers which use GSM SIM cards. Other choices would be the T-Mobile S4 (SGH-M919) or the North American S4 (SGH-I337M). All these phones include the AT&T frequencies and also have an unlocked bootloader so customization is easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thank you so much sir. This answer is direct and explains exactly what I wanted to know. I only wish it were possible to purchase one of those models new so I could ensure years of use void of glitches due to possible abuse by the previous owner. If I can't find one of the above models I will probably be looking for some other make/model, preferably a new phone not used. Do you know if it's possible to get a new phone that meets the criteria below?
1. Unlocked bootloader or one that can be unlocked
2. Removable battery
3. 4.7" - 5" screen
4. SD card
5. Capable of being used as a hotspot ( I have unlimited internet but need to thwart AT&T from controlling my use)
6. Rootable and custom ROM capable
7. Can be used in U.S, South America and Caribbean (I think most of those places all use the same freqs/bands as U.S.)
That is why on Swappa you search for the ones labeled Mint or New. My device was Mint off Swappa, and the main reasons were that it was always in a case, and had a tempered glass screen protector installed.
For a current flagship-level device, looking at your laundry list, I believe you need to adjust your expectations. Not because of the software, but because of the hardware. LG is perhaps the only manufacturer still offering both removable batteries and MicroSD card slots, but their flagship device has a larger screen than you want. Motorola doesn't have removable batteries. Google provides neither, just like Samsung. Sony is an unknown, but their devices are not common here in the US.
Your best option is to go with a larger screen size and get an LG G4. If you absolutely MUST have the smaller screen, then you want a used Galaxy S4 or S5, so long as they aren't AT&T devices.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
For a current flagship-level device, looking at your laundry list, I believe you need to adjust your expectations. Not because of the software, but because of the hardware. LG is perhaps the only manufacturer still offering both removable batteries and MicroSD card slots, but their flagship device has a larger screen than you want. Motorola doesn't have removable batteries. Google provides neither, just like Samsung. Sony is an unknown, but their devices are not common here in the US.
Your best option is to go with a larger screen size and get an LG G4. If you absolutely MUST have the smaller screen, then you want a used Galaxy S4 or S5, so long as they aren't AT&T devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I should have made it clear too that flagships, latest and greatest wasn't necessary. I'm happy with the speeds my older HTC ONE X and HTC ONE Mini supply. But closing in on 50 years old, my eyes and the Mini's screen don't get along so well anymore.
If you have bad eyesight, a bigger screen can be a godsend.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
If you have bad eyesight, a bigger screen can be a godsend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. I need a bigger screen but a smaller phone because my hands can't reach around my HTC ONE Mini. Sometimes it sucks being 5'4". LOL
IRBent said:
Exactly. I need a bigger screen but a smaller phone because my hands can't reach around my HTC ONE Mini. Sometimes it sucks being 5'4". LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would not recommend someone buying the S4 anymore. It was and still is a great phone, but newer models are just way better. The battery life is to short with the standard battery.
Based on your preferences I would recommend one of the following:
- LG Nexus 5
- Oneplus one
- Motorola X Play
But then again, maybe they are to big for you. The LG is the smallest but doesn't have a sd slot.
Lennyz1988 said:
Based on your preferences I would recommend one of the following:
- LG Nexus 5
- Oneplus one
- Motorola X Play
But then again, maybe they are to big for you. The LG is the smallest but doesn't have a sd slot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazing discovery by me just now. Yes, I've seen folks here talk about the brand OnePlus but I didn't know who or what OnePlus was until just now. I used to keep up with all things electronics related, reading review sites and forums like this. 10 years ago or so a DVD manufacturer named OPPO was the talk. Excellent brand but unheard of. I just learned that OnePlus is a company started by an OPPO founder. I'm so out of the loop.
Looking at the FCC docs for what appears to be the S7, it seems like Samsung will finally make just a single hardware variant for the US, FCC ID A3LSMG935US, with the different carrier models' features and bands being enabled/disabled solely in software or firmware.
Assuming this observation is correct, this will mark a sea change in Samsung's approach which in the past meant creating a plethora of hardware variants for the US market.
This may also mean that at some point we might see an unlocked model with broad support for multiple US carriers.
FINALLY! A single hardware variant for all US carriers
myphone12345 said:
Looking at the FCC docs for what appears to be the S7, it seems like Samsung will finally make just a single hardware variant for the US, FCC ID A3LSMG935US, with the different carrier models' features and bands being enabled/disabled solely in software or firmware.
Assuming this observation is correct, this will mark a sea change in Samsung's approach which in the past meant creating a plethora of hardware variants for the US market.
This may also mean that at some point we might see an unlocked model with broad support for multiple US carriers.
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Hope this will come true
haldi15 said:
GayT&T and Verizon will still lock the bootloaders on their versions
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Probably true but since most of us will have to buy the phone outright now due to no carrier subsidies, couldn't we just buy a T-Mobile version and active whatever bands are needed for lets say Verizon? I have always heard that T-Mobile phones are easier to deal with as far as a Sammy BL goes. I may be way off on my thinking but it was my thought as this was a way around Verizon and AT&T locking down the equipment that we own.
t_house said:
Probably true but since most of us will have to buy the phone outright now due to no carrier subsidies, couldn't we just buy a T-Mobile version and active whatever bands are needed for lets say Verizon? I have always heard that T-Mobile phones are easier to deal with as far as a Sammy BL goes. I may be way off on my thinking but it was my thought as this was a way around Verizon and AT&T locking down the equipment that we own.
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correct both US and canadian users already do this, you can either hex edit the modem or just flash a modem that carries the support already as many users have done.
t_house said:
Probably true but since most of us will have to buy the phone outright now due to no carrier subsidies, couldn't we just buy a T-Mobile version and active whatever bands are needed for lets say Verizon? I have always heard that T-Mobile phones are easier to deal with as far as a Sammy BL goes. I may be way off on my thinking but it was my thought as this was a way around Verizon and AT&T locking down the equipment that we own.
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Been using TMOBILE Phones on ATT Network for 5 years. S4- S5-Note 3, 4 and 5, S6 - etc.
Perhaps this coincides with the rumored Samsung leasing program and one unlocked phone for all carriers.
Only recently has Verizon started activating unlocked phones ie Nexus.
My 2 cents
Solace50 said:
correct both US and canadian users already do this, you can either hex edit the modem or just flash a modem that carries the support already as many users have done.
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Is it really expected to be that easy to use a T-Mobile S7 on Verizon? T-Mobile leaves them unlocked so you can flash Verizon radios and are good to go?
Redflea said:
Is it really expected to be that easy to use a T-Mobile S7 on Verizon? T-Mobile leaves them unlocked so you can flash Verizon radios and are good to go?
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I know in the past you could always take a Verizon S7 and use it on T-Mobile or AT&T, but the problem has been a lack of band support since Verizon only seems to include at most bands 2, 4, 5, and 13. Here's hoping the S7 changes this.
geoff5093 said:
I know in the past you could always take a Verizon S7 and use it on T-Mobile or AT&T, but the problem has been a lack of band support since Verizon only seems to include at most bands 2, 4, 5, and 13. Here's hoping the S7 changes this.
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I'm more interested in the other direction, T-Mobile S7 Edge on Verizon. If that's doable, that would be nice.
Redflea said:
I'm more interested in the other direction, T-Mobile S7 Edge on Verizon. If that's doable, that would be nice.
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I really hope so. In the past only the Verizon model could work on Verizon, but I think it's about time Samsung changes this and follows the route of the Nexus, iPhone, and Moto direction of one phone that works on all carriers.
I have a Verizon S5 and I can easily activate any band I need by changing settings in the IOT Hidden Menu and/or Service Mode. It's been a minute since I last played around with my phone in that capacity but I know I can do it. Obviously root access is a must to do any of this so I guess we will see if Sammy bastardizes the S7 like they did the S6 Edge and Edge+ with no options at all for root. That really is a deal breaker for me. I'll keep my S5 and see what the 2016 versions of the Nexus phones are like.
t_house said:
I have a Verizon S5 and I can easily activate any band I need by changing settings in the IOT Hidden Menu and/or Service Mode. It's been a minute since I last played around with my phone in that capacity but I know I can do it. Obviously root access is a must to do any of this so I guess we will see if Sammy bastardizes the S7 like they did the S6 Edge and Edge+ with no options at all for root. That really is a deal breaker for me. I'll keep my S5 and see what the 2016 versions of the Nexus phones are like.
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No, you can't activate any band you need. You may be able to activate certain unlocked bands, but it still lacks many of the bands that are in use today by other carriers.
It has come to my attention that the Straight Talk version of the Galaxy S5 comes with an unlocked bootloader and is practically identical to the Verizon version. Cyanogenmod and TWRP can be loaded on to it. You would treat it as a developer model S5.
Sent from my rooted SM-G900V
t_house said:
It has come to my attention that the Straight Talk version of the Galaxy S5 comes with an unlocked bootloader and is practically identical to the Verizon version. Cyanogenmod and TWRP can be loaded on to it. You would treat it as a developer model S5.
Sent from my rooted SM-G900V
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That's awesome if true. Have you actually done this yourself? Or do you have a source?
Apparently AT&T will be offering an off-contract phone but still unsure if it will be unlocked or not. Does anyone have experience with AT&T and their off-contract phones.
Redflea said:
Is it really expected to be that easy to use a T-Mobile S7 on Verizon? T-Mobile leaves them unlocked so you can flash Verizon radios and are good to go?
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That seems to be what OP is implying, though I'm not as optimistic. If that's confirmed true then I'll be getting an S7 on day one.
Unlimited data keeps us on Verizon, but I'm so sick and tired of their locked down devices.
myphone12345 said:
Looking at the FCC docs for what appears to be the S7, it seems like Samsung will finally make just a single hardware variant for the US, FCC ID A3LSMG935US, with the different carrier models' features and bands being enabled/disabled solely in software or firmware.
Assuming this observation is correct, this will mark a sea change in Samsung's approach which in the past meant creating a plethora of hardware variants for the US market.
This may also mean that at some point we might see an unlocked model with broad support for multiple US carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently not:
G930F (Global); G930A (AT&T, Cricket); G930P (Sprint, Boost, Virgin Mobile); G930V (Verizon); G930T (T-Mobile, Metro PCS); G930R (US Cellular)
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Source
I think OP was referring to this image. Notice the middle model.
jal3223 said:
I think OP was referring to this image. Notice the middle model.
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Very interesting. But...
No VoLTE on that model means no simultaneous voice and data on Verizon, as voice will always be CDMA (assuming they don't try and pitch a hissy fit about activating on their network in the first place). Also no wifi calling on that model.
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
So the T-Mobile site says it supports LTE band 13. I wonder if it could be used on Verizon, even if only in LTE mode?