[Q] - Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

hey everyone; want to buy a gently used samsung s5 for use here in south america and eventually the states.
few questions:
1) does the verizon version have all the GSM bands for att/tmobile as well as outside the USA?
2) do all versions tmobile/att/verizon have the ability to be SIM unlocked? is this expensive?
3) same question but boot unlocked?
4) where to buy? swappa? thanks!
=david

arooni said:
hey everyone; want to buy a gently used samsung s5 for use here in south america and eventually the states.
few questions:
1) does the verizon version have all the GSM bands for att/tmobile as well as outside the USA?
2) do all versions tmobile/att/verizon have the ability to be SIM unlocked? is this expensive?
3) same question but boot unlocked?
4) where to buy? swappa? thanks!
=david
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Verizon is CDMA, not GSM.
Swappa is a very good place to buy.
Sent from my SM-G900H using Tapatalk

Related

[Q] Is the Verizon variant internationally locked?

Hi,
Does anyone know if this model comes internationally unlocked from the provider?
I'm looking for a Note 3 to use outside of the US.. I bought a Sprint variant on ebay and found that it has to be unlocked by the carrier for international use, so it's just sitting as a paper weight for the last couple months.
Does the Verizon model have the same issue?
Thanks.
Puff1911 said:
Hi,
Does anyone know if this model comes internationally unlocked from the provider?
I'm looking for a Note 3 to use outside of the US.. I bought a Sprint variant on ebay and found that it has to be unlocked by the carrier for international use, so it's just sitting as a paper weight for the last couple months.
Does the Verizon model have the same issue?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The verizon note 3 is globally unlocked to any carrier and any country that supports it's bands. I believe you need to call verizon so they can turn on the global feature on your account when you're traveling.

[Q] Which s5 model suits my needs?

I'm looking to get an s5 for use in north america. My sim card is using AT&T towers. I want a bootloader that allows unlocking using "fastboot oem unlock" or a similar command; no workarounds like loki. I will be buying outright, not carrier subsidizing for 2 years. Given these criteria, which model numbers should I be considering?
I've heard that the t-mobile one has the unlockable bootloader. Does it support all the bands to use AT&T towers?
I've seen more than one model number for international units. Are all the bootloaders unlockable? What's the deal with the region-locking? Will some of them work better for me than the others?
gianptune said:
I'm looking to get an s5 for use in north america. My sim card is using AT&T towers. I want a bootloader that allows unlocking using "fastboot oem unlock" or a similar command; no workarounds like loki. I will be buying outright, not carrier subsidizing for 2 years. Given these criteria, which model numbers should I be considering?
I've heard that the t-mobile one has the unlockable bootloader. Does it support all the bands to use AT&T towers?
I've seen more than one model number for international units. Are all the bootloaders unlockable? What's the deal with the region-locking? Will some of them work better for me than the others?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no unlocking of bootloaders. It's either unlocked, or locked from the factory.
To answer your question, get the G900T (the tmobile version). You can get this at costco, best buy, target, .... and of course a tmobile store itself. It supports all of AT&T's bands and more.
aooga said:
There is no unlocking of bootloaders. It's either unlocked, or locked from the factory.
To answer your question, get the G900T (the tmobile version). You can get this at costco, best buy, target, .... and of course a tmobile store itself. It supports all of AT&T's bands and more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best Buy doesn't carry T Mobile phones except I prepaid, so they can't buy it there.
joshua.justice said:
Best Buy doesn't carry T Mobile phones except I prepaid, so they can't buy it there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought the g900t and have been using it on att networks. I bought the phone unlocked but new beside that on ebay. I did have to play with some different apns to get it to take on different towers. I had some issues while traveling in different cities that I wouldn't get data. But I think I got the issue fixed. Just took the 133mb ota, hoping that it doesn't mess with the cell unlock or keep me from rooting. Well so far it hasn't messed with the carrier unlock
joshua.justice said:
Best Buy doesn't carry T Mobile phones except I prepaid, so they can't buy it there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird. Mine did. Just buy it at Costco or a tmo store. I just bought it from a tmobile store. Went through really easily.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
aooga said:
Weird. Mine did. Just buy it at Costco or a tmo store. I just bought it from a tmobile store. Went through really easily.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the tmobile store told me that they would not unlock a new phone like this for at least 6 months even if you buy it outright. So if you do that plan on unlocking it with one of the many websites that do it
aklbeach said:
the tmobile store told me that they would not unlock a new phone like this for at least 6 months even if you buy it outright. So if you do that plan on unlocking it with one of the many websites that do it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i'm on tmobile so I didn't need them to unlock anything, but you're right, they won't unlock it so the OP will need to use some unlocking site to use it on ATT.

[Q] Which Version To Buy?

Hi Guy hope all is well. Will try to keep this as short as possible.
I have ATT service, looking to buy the best note I can. I have 3 options..... 1) Att 2) Tmobile 3) International
I am currently overseas and can pick up the international version if I want. I know the ATT version will be 100% compatible. I know the Tmobile version has an unlocked bootloader.
1) If I buy the International Version or the TMobile version, will I still have all the LTE bands required by ATT to get the best possible signal?
Help me decide. Thanks.
Exynos
97prelude said:
Hi Guy hope all is well. Will trExynostoExynoskeep this as short as possible.
I have ATT service, looking to buy the best note I can. I have 3 options..... 1) Att 2) Tmobile 3) International
I am currently overseas and can pick up the international version if I want. I know the ATT version will be 100% compatible. I know the Tmobile version has an unlocked bootloader.
1) If I buy the International Version or the TMobile version, will I still have all the LTE bands required by ATT to get the best possible signal?
Help me decide. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it depend on what kind of cpu ! I woupd suggest that u look exynos and the che k if its supports your telecom carrier bands as in nake sure it will support 4g ! Its all depends on you region mate

[Q] Which Version of Galaxy s4 (except Int'l one) has the most development?

I'm planning to buy a second hand Galaxy s4 from Craigslist. Which one should I buy for use in India? Besides the International version, which version should I get from a development standpoint? (Verizon, Sprint, T-mobile, At&T). I'll be using a GSM network in India but I think any of these will work on GSM network assuming they have been unlocked from their carriers.
Thanks.
why dont you buy an international one?
random45 said:
why dont you buy an international one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's much more expensive.
Buy it off ebay it costed me about $250
Sent from my GT-i9505(rooted) Android 4.4.2

Activate Band 71 by Firmware Switch?

Hi there, I'm looking at buying an S10+ on eBay, and I see quite a few from AT&T (unlocked) that don't support Band 71. I'm on T-Mobile, and was wondering if I can install the T-Mobile firmware, since all of the G975U models supposedly support all the US firmwares, correct? If I do install the T-Mobile firmware on one of the AT&T unlocked models, will it activate Band 71? I live in a city and don't really need Band 71, but I do travel frequently and was just recently in an area of Band 71 coverage that my current phone LG G6 couldn't support, so I'm curious.
I'm using the following page for reference on which firmwares/phone models support which bands:
https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-s10-plus-model-number-sm-g975-differences/
Thanks!
gwbyrd said:
Hi there, I'm looking at buying an S10+ on eBay, and I see quite a few from AT&T (unlocked) that don't support Band 71. I'm on T-Mobile, and was wondering if I can install the T-Mobile firmware, since all of the G975U models supposedly support all the US firmwares, correct? If I do install the T-Mobile firmware on one of the AT&T unlocked models, will it activate Band 71? I live in a city and don't really need Band 71, but I do travel frequently and was just recently in an area of Band 71 coverage that my current phone LG G6 couldn't support, so I'm curious.
I'm using the following page for reference on which firmwares/phone models support which bands:
https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-s10-plus-model-number-sm-g975-differences/
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'f you flash to t.mobile firmware then you should be good to go.
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
Thanks, LimeyBastard. So just to confirm I understand this correctly, all of the Snapdragon/US based models have the exact same hardware, which supports Band 71, but only Tmobile and US Cellular activate Band 71 support in the firmware? Therefore, simply flashing the tmobile firmware onto any G975U unit will result in a phone that can use Band 71?
The ATT phones for sale seem considerably cheaper than the tmobile ones for some reason, so this seems like a good way to save money.
gwbyrd said:
Thanks, LimeyBastard. So just to confirm I understand this correctly, all of the Snapdragon/US based models have the exact same hardware, which supports Band 71, but only Tmobile and US Cellular activate Band 71 support in the firmware? Therefore, simply flashing the tmobile firmware onto any G975U unit will result in a phone that can use Band 71?
The ATT phones for sale seem considerably cheaper than the tmobile ones for some reason, so this seems like a good way to save money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct.
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
Excellent, thank you! As it turns out, there's also a flamingo pink phone that is only sold by AT&T. I'd love to use that on T-Mobile. Of course, I can without Band 71, but now if I find myself stuck somewhere in the country, I might be able to have a pink phone to ward off the wolves! Haha. Now I just have to see if it's easy to unlock an AT&T carrier locked phone.
gwbyrd said:
Excellent, thank you! As it turns out, there's also a flamingo pink phone that is only sold by AT&T. I'd love to use that on T-Mobile. Of course, I can without Band 71, but now if I find myself stuck somewhere in the country, I might be able to have a pink phone to ward off the wolves! Haha. Now I just have to see if it's easy to unlock an AT&T carrier locked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You remind me of me, likes to go unique colors if possible [emoji106]
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
gwbyrd said:
Excellent, thank you! As it turns out, there's also a flamingo pink phone that is only sold by AT&T. I'd love to use that on T-Mobile. Of course, I can without Band 71, but now if I find myself stuck somewhere in the country, I might be able to have a pink phone to ward off the wolves! Haha. Now I just have to see if it's easy to unlock an AT&T carrier locked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The U1 S10s have B71. Why do you want to bother with the ATT variant?
Ace42 said:
The U1 S10s have B71. Why do you want to bother with the ATT variant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He or she said its because they can get hold of this variant at a better price.
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
Ace42 said:
The U1 S10s have B71. Why do you want to bother with the ATT variant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Ace42! I don't need the ATT variant, it just so happened the cheapest model I found on eBay was an ATT variant, so I thought I could save money that way. I'd be perfectly happy if I could find a U1 variant, or at this stage any of the unlocked carrier variants. It seems unlocking these phones isn't a guaranteed thing yet? There are some really cheap ones from Sprint.
On this subject, does anyone know if these 3rd party unlock services are reliable/safe? I hate to spend money to unlock my phone, but if it costs $25 and I can use my phone on another network, I suppose it's worth it. I believe I can request an unlock from the carrier in many cases, but if they turn me down, I don't want to spend money on a phone I can't use, as there isn't currently a DIY method to unlock the G975U, correct?
gwbyrd said:
On this subject, does anyone know if these 3rd party unlock services are reliable/safe? I hate to spend money to unlock my phone, but if it costs $25 and I can use my phone on another network, I suppose it's worth it. I believe I can request an unlock from the carrier in many cases, but if they turn me down, I don't want to spend money on a phone I can't use, as there isn't currently a DIY method to unlock the G975U, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can only go by who I've used in the past. Cellunlocker net. Used them twice.
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
Limeybastard said:
He or she said its because they can get hold of this variant at a better price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, makes sense! SIM unlocking ATT phones is the annoying bit so I generally keep my distance.
gwbyrd said:
Hi Ace42! I don't need the ATT variant, it just so happened the cheapest model I found on eBay was an ATT variant, so I thought I could save money that way. I'd be perfectly happy if I could find a U1 variant, or at this stage any of the unlocked carrier variants. It seems unlocking these phones isn't a guaranteed thing yet? There are some really cheap ones from Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used ATT's device unlock multiple times in the past. The only issue is that requests are denied for no reason, which means resubmitting your request. You don't have to be an ATT subscriber (T-Mobile user).
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
I know this is an old thread, but were you ever successful in enabling band 71 on the S10?
I am curious as to doing the same thing on an S10e - which also has a US and an international version. My main reason for wanting to do it is not cost, but the fact that the S10e comes with dual-SIM support, whereas for some insane reason, the US version does not. It seems to be that many of Samsung's US phones drop 2-SIM support.

Categories

Resources