S5 Purchase Recomendation - Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey guys,
On a s4 now, and it has been acting up (aka random shutoff) and insurance said I should replace it. They are cutting me a check and I need to purchase one today. I researched the heck out of the ATT and TMOBILE variants, but I cannot find where the best place to get it is (aka COST). Also, I am not the best with technology, so how hard is it to use the TMOBILE on the ATT and does the carrier aggregation stuff matter?
Thank you sooooooooo much,
Brad

Related

Can an AT&T or T-Mobile S4 be used on Verizon

I got a Galaxy S4 for AT&T cheap so cheap I just bought to play with. Any way to make it work on my provider verizon? Can I reflash the modem, rom, activate it change the sim or something to make it work? Or should I just turn it in to a small tablet for my son. lol
hunterboy2011 said:
I got a Galaxy S4 for AT&T cheap so cheap I just bought to play with. Any way to make it work on my provider verizon? Can I reflash the modem, rom, activate it change the sim or something to make it work? Or should I just turn it in to a small tablet for my son. lol
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I dont think u can use that as verizon is CDMA and at&t is gsm
That is correct. CDMA phones and GSM phones are not interchangeable. Neither will work on the other network. If there is nothing wrong with the phone, you could always just sell it on eBay or somewhere, and given the going rate for the S4 now, you should be able to get enough money to buy a Verizon one easily. That would be a very expensive "mini-tablet" for your son. :silly:
shuddle13 said:
That is correct. CDMA phones and GSM phones are not interchangeable. Neither will work on the other network. If there is nothing wrong with the phone, you could always just sell it on eBay or somewhere, and given the going rate for the S4 now, you should be able to get enough money to buy a Verizon one easily. That would be a very expensive "mini-tablet" for your son. :silly:
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Partially true. You can use a Verizon GS3/Note 2/iPhone 5 on GSM with some simple mods. To the |OP|, I would recommend putting it on swappa.com, XDA's official marketplace. Good, honest members are willing to pay top dollar for a clean phone.
I wasn't aware of that - in regards to the GS3/Note 2/iPhone 5. Thanks for clarifying!
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[Q] Tmobile or Rogers or Stock Android s4 that will work on LTE in the US & Canada

[Q] Tmobile or Rogers or Stock Android s4 that will work on LTE in the US & Canada
I'm in the market for a massive cell phone upgrade. I'm currently on a BB 9000 that still works as well as the day it was made.
I spend considerable time in Canada (Rogers Network) however I am from NY (T-Mobile). I am looking to get a an s4 that will run on LTE in both countries. I will just swap sim cards when needed.
I will be buying the phone outright. Should I get the Google Edition GT-I9505G which after taxes is just over $700 or should I get the discounted locked T-mobile S4 (SGH-M919) for just over $600.
Rogers also sells the (SGH-I337M) variant with an unlocked boot loader for 700.
Ultimately,I don't mind unlocking and rooting the device I get .
What would you guys recommend ? What would you do ?
Thanks in advance,
John
Hey John,
Considering you don't mind unlocking or rooting, I suggest you get the Google Edition. It costs less, it'll save you the trouble of getting it unlocked, and you won't have to deal with the cellphone companies. As a canadian, I've heard enough horror stories with Rogers, to advise you to avoid any hassle with them. Then again, it's very YMMV, some have great customer service with Rogers and will never leave them.
As for me, considering where I'm from, I don't have the option to purchase it through the Google Store, unless I have an amerifriend or through family in the US. So I don't have the choice you have. Even if I did, I would still get it through a carrier, simply because I really love what Samsung did with the S4 and am not really into rooting (although considering it more and more lately). I don't really use the "gimmicky" features (air gesture, smart scroll, etc.) but what they've done with the camera is great and I see myself using the different modes more than I thought.

[Q] Prospective buyer, ?'s on the variant options

Hi everyone -
Have been on here quite frequently for my SGSIIE4GT, but it's been a while since I've posted. I'm in the market for a new phone, and I think I will be going with the Note 3. However, boy am I confused on which model is the right fit for me. I could really use some help and a little insight, as the reps at AT&T, TMO, VZN, and Samsung Live Chat haven't been able to answer my questions.
I'm currently with Sprint, and looking to leave. I would be using the Note 3 near San Francisco 90-95% of the time, but I do travel 6-7x/yr to Asia, Canada, UK, and South America. I'm pretty sure I will buy the phone on no contract and use with TMO, AT&T, Straight Talk, or AIO. I've been reading some issues with "region locks" though that scare me a bit, not sure if this is still an issue with the models sold in the US.
From what I can see, ATT, TMO, VZN, and Sprint all have their own "versions" of the phone. ATT and TMO obviously use the same cell tech (GSM), so I don't understand why they have different versions. The VZN and Sprint versions would run on CDMA, which as I understand, won't do me any good if I travel overseas due to no CDMA elsewhere. Then there's the int'l unlocked versions, and the Developer edition. But then I heard just yesterday that the VZN Note 3 works on GSM (somehow, haven't figured that out though).....is there a SIM card slot in that version? After all that, I guess what I'm looking for is this which I could use some insight on:
Want to use the phone:
-with LTE using ATT/TMO/ST/AIO/VZN here in the U.S.
-want to buy off contract
-do not want bloatware...so do I need to buy unlocked?
-need to have it functional still if I go out of the country and purchase a local SIM card (some people ask me exactly which service I use overseas, and I don't have an answer b/c I haven't done this yet, my Sprint phone didn't even give me the option)
Which model is appropriate for that type of use? I read on Amazon that TMO's version is the best one out there b/c the ATT model doesn't work on TMO, but TMO's works on TMO and ATT.....
Thanks so much for your time. Samsung has really confused me with this phone, and could really just use some suggestions. Thanks again!
Chris
chrisingrassia said:
Hi everyone -
Have been on here quite frequently for my SGSIIE4GT, but it's been a while since I've posted. I'm in the market for a new phone, and I think I will be going with the Note 3. However, boy am I confused on which model is the right fit for me. I could really use some help and a little insight, as the reps at AT&T, TMO, VZN, and Samsung Live Chat haven't been able to answer my questions.
I'm currently with Sprint, and looking to leave. I would be using the Note 3 near San Francisco 90-95% of the time, but I do travel 6-7x/yr to Asia, Canada, UK, and South America. I'm pretty sure I will buy the phone on no contract and use with TMO, AT&T, Straight Talk, or AIO. I've been reading some issues with "region locks" though that scare me a bit, not sure if this is still an issue with the models sold in the US.
From what I can see, ATT, TMO, VZN, and Sprint all have their own "versions" of the phone. ATT and TMO obviously use the same cell tech (GSM), so I don't understand why they have different versions. The VZN and Sprint versions would run on CDMA, which as I understand, won't do me any good if I travel overseas due to no CDMA elsewhere. Then there's the int'l unlocked versions, and the Developer edition. But then I heard just yesterday that the VZN Note 3 works on GSM (somehow, haven't figured that out though).....is there a SIM card slot in that version? After all that, I guess what I'm looking for is this which I could use some insight on:
Want to use the phone:
-with LTE using ATT/TMO/ST/AIO/VZN here in the U.S.
-want to buy off contract
-do not want bloatware...so do I need to buy unlocked?
-need to have it functional still if I go out of the country and purchase a local SIM card (some people ask me exactly which service I use overseas, and I don't have an answer b/c I haven't done this yet, my Sprint phone didn't even give me the option)
Which model is appropriate for that type of use? I read on Amazon that TMO's version is the best one out there b/c the ATT model doesn't work on TMO, but TMO's works on TMO and ATT.....
Thanks so much for your time. Samsung has really confused me with this phone, and could really just use some suggestions. Thanks again!
Chris
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Click to collapse
I would think international n9005 would be the one for you i know it will cover all Europe and i know it works on u.s t mobile, so have a look into that one
Hope that helps a bit
The 9005 will work in all other countries pretty much.
In the US it might work on tmobile as stated above but I'm not sure about the others.
jaythenut said:
I would think international n9005 would be the one for you i know it will cover all Europe and i know it works on u.s t mobile, so have a look into that one
Hope that helps a bit
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Skander1998 said:
The 9005 will work in all other countries pretty much.
In the US it might work on tmobile as stated above but I'm not sure about the others.
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Click to collapse
Thanks guys. I have seen the N9005 tossed around a few times as well. I think the constant question I keep having is I see this phone made with the SD800 or the Exynos chip....but not which models have which chipset. I found the 9005 on Negiri in 32gb and the SD800....but if it works on tmobile why wouldn't it work on ATT? I thought they run the exact same tech.....no?
chrisingrassia said:
Thanks guys. I have seen the N9005 tossed around a few times as well. I think the constant question I keep having is I see this phone made with the SD800 or the Exynos chip....but not which models have which chipset. I found the 9005 on Negiri in 32gb and the SD800....but if it works on tmobile why wouldn't it work on ATT? I thought they run the exact same tech.....no?
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International has a snapdragon 800 and lte
jaythenut said:
International has a snapdragon 800 and lte
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Click to collapse
Awesome news, thanks.
Do you know if the Note 3 Developer Edition for Verizon, which works on their LTE network, comes with a SIM card slot that I can utilize if I go overseas? Boy, that would be ideal. I checked out the manual (http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/co...ual_MI9_F5.pdf) and it shows a SIM slot for the phone, no?
I was told by one of the writers at Droid Life that the Verizon N3 can be used on GSM. I thought that was impossible.
I seriously apologize if these are elementary questions, I truly do appreciate any insight. Just don't want to make a huge financial mistake.
Does anyone knows how to activate ltr on my note 3 ?? It is on by default and cannot access it from the settings thank you
---------- Post added at 12:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:23 AM ----------
]Does anyone knows how to activate ltr on my note 3 ?? It is on by default and cannot access it from the settings thank you
N900T. That's if your in the USA 90% of time .
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Thanks for the input guys/gals. Really appreciate it. I went to Best Buy after work last night and talked with the Samsung tech rep. Turns out, the VZN Note 3 comes factory unlocked (per FCC law), and it has a sim card slot so I can use it on GSM if I travel overseas. One and done. I already put my name on the backorder list for the developer edition from Samsung so I can be sure to have functionality to remove bloatware. Wouldn't it be cool if the Note 3 could just come with 4.3 and Samsung's additions, but not any of Verizon's garbage??? I know, pipe dream.
chrisingrassia said:
Thanks for the input guys/gals. Really appreciate it. I went to Best Buy after work last night and talked with the Samsung tech rep. Turns out, the VZN Note 3 comes factory unlocked (per FCC law), and it has a sim card slot so I can use it on GSM if I travel overseas. One and done. I already put my name on the backorder list for the developer edition from Samsung so I can be sure to have functionality to remove bloatware. Wouldn't it be cool if the Note 3 could just come with 4.3 and Samsung's additions, but not any of Verizon's garbage??? I know, pipe dream.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoa, so it's a good thing I didn't buy the DE Note 3 yet and just on backorder. Just read - Verizon doesn't allow 4G phones to go prepaid? That makes no sense, because then the DE Note 3 would then be nothing but a paperweight since it must be purchased at full price (meaning, you could only then use it prepaid, no?). I do value Verizon's network, but their prices are just absurd compared to competitors.
Is there any difference whatsoever between the TMO and AT&T variants of the Note 3? I can't seem to spot a single difference.

Taking Sprint S4 to Verizon? Other Carriers?

Greetings, I can't seem to find a definite answer or guide to this. I have a sprint galaxy s4 and once my contract was up I was looking to get off sprint and onto another contract, looking at verizon as my friends happen with them. I know they both use cdma. If I have them unlock the phone, can it be brought over and used that easily? If not, what must I do? Custom root? Find a verizon s4 motherboard with clean esn? I'm willing to do it to not spend a few hundred bucks on a new phone. I'd liketo give it to my mother and get the s6 for myself when it comes out.
Man, I'm 0 for 2 here. Anything?
bump?
Another bump. Can anyone help me?
94 views, not a peep. I thought these forums were active and helpful? Perhaps not?
All of my research leads me to believe I'd need to get a verizon logicboard with a clean esn. Maybe I can trade for one, but I would like some confirmation before I spend the 80 bucks or so. Thanks.
Dabba87 said:
Greetings, I can't seem to find a definite answer or guide to this. I have a sprint galaxy s4 and once my contract was up I was looking to get off sprint and onto another contract, looking at verizon as my friends happen with them. I know they both use cdma. If I have them unlock the phone, can it be brought over and used that easily? If not, what must I do? Custom root? Find a verizon s4 motherboard with clean esn? I'm willing to do it to not spend a few hundred bucks on a new phone. I'd liketo give it to my mother and get the s6 for myself when it comes out.
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is your phone still locked on sprint?
xDroidZz said:
is your phone still locked on sprint?
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Hello DroidZ,
It is. I was planning to have them unlock it. But I heard that though both are CDMA, I wouldnt have full 4g with it. I was contemplating buying a verizon (or any other carrier's logic board that I would switch to) and sell my sprint board.
Of course I'd need a clean esn right?
Another bump. Does the lack of responses mean it's harder than a logical board swap?
bump again
Bump
You can use the Sprint S4 on Verizon, assuming it's possible for you to unlock it from Sprint's network, but LTE will never work. Verizon uses standard LTE frequencies (750 & 1700MHz) while Sprint uses "Extended PCS", i.e. Spark. Totally different technologies.
You'll need a new phone to take full advantage of Verizon infrastructure, which unfortunately means dealing with an encrypted (locked) bootloader.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
You can use the Sprint S4 on Verizon, assuming it's possible for you to unlock it from Sprint's network, but LTE will never work. Verizon uses standard LTE frequencies (750 & 1700MHz) while Sprint uses "Extended PCS", i.e. Spark. Totally different technologies.
You'll need a new phone to take full advantage of Verizon infrastructure, which unfortunately means dealing with an encrypted (locked) bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greetings,
Does that mean swapping the logic board with a verizon version won't fix the LTE problem? So I'd get normal 4g? I suppose I could try it. Couldnt deal with 3G. I guess I'm asking if there are any parts I could swap out to fix the problem or if I'm just screwed.
Thanks man.
Dabba
If you have a Sprint phone, you cannot simply purchase a Verizon motherboard and replace the Sprint motherboard with it. Why it won't work is because the design of the two motherboards is sufficiently different that if you tried it the Verizon motherboard wouldn't fit in the midframe.
In simpler language, you're screwed. You need a new phone if you want LTE. Whether that is a new phone from Verizon or a used device off Swappa is irrelevant, so long as the MEID is clear.
Hmm, I didnt know the motherboards were actually different. That sucks, I assumed they were more like computers. Oh well, thanks for the info though, now I know!
Again, thanks a bunch

Two part question about buying an unlocked Samsung S5 , help please

Ok, I hope this isn't a totally stupid question, but here goes. My trusty old Galaxy S Blaze is, well, getting old, and I've decided after much research that I want a Galaxy S5. I'm also thinking to switch my carrier from Tmobile to Straight Talk, but would like to piggyback off the Verizon network as I've heard many good things about them. Tmobile is driving me nuts with dropped calls, coverage that sucks, etc.
Soooo....
Part One: can I use my Blaze's sim card in an new unlocked Verizon S5 that I may buy through ebay?
Part Two: Can I then take said new phone and hook up with Straight Talk? I'm just unsure because of the whole GSM/CDMA thing.
Thank you in advance!
-uesay

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