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What if I got a i9505 board

What if I replaced my i337 board with one out of a i9505 s4. Would I have a unlocked bootloader meaning would it make it a i9505? I'm having problems with my s4 and I'm going to have to get a warranty replacement. Would this work? I'd rather get a parts phone and have a i9505 then send my phone in and have them send it back to me with mf3. Idk what I'd do if couldnt flash Roms with Loki.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I'm thinking that would not work just because the parts etc would not be compatible with each other. However if someone had different input, go ahead.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

Seeing how close the two are I wouldn't see why not. Would be a worth while hard ware mod if it works.

Just get a s2 skyrocket and flash away. Cheaper than an s4 board and just about as fast.

goobieracing said:
Idk what I'd do if couldnt flash Roms with Loki.
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LOL.....you would probably use Safestrap or sign up for AA or NA.

goobieracing said:
What if I replaced my i337 board with one out of a i9505 s4. Would I have a unlocked bootloader meaning would it make it a i9505? I'm having problems with my s4 and I'm going to have to get a warranty replacement. Would this work? I'd rather get a parts phone and have a i9505 then send my phone in and have them send it back to me with mf3. Idk what I'd do if couldnt flash Roms with Loki.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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I don't see why you won't be able to do this. The frame for the international version compared to the AT&T version should be the exact same. All the connections will be at the same place and all the parts should work. The only thing that is different is frequency. You won't get LTE but HSPA+.

The i9505 has LTE the only difference I know is the bootloader. Otherwise I don't believe there is any difference in hardware at all please correct me if I'm wrong.
With safestrap can I flash the HTC one port? This it's really the only reason I continue to keep using this phone in this condition (buying a HTC or any other phone is out the question)
Thanks guys BTW!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

After reading in hear the OP sparked my search on Google for I9505 motherboard to purchase to install or have one installed. I came across the link below were this company does repairs of the I9505 model phone daily.its a pretty penny after you convert US$ into UK$ but still worth it . However after 6 emails back and forth between me and this company they insist that the phone is completely different and it will not work. I still think they are full of it.i dont see SAMSUNG making the motherboards different in shape to suit a different variant.
http://www.mobiledeviceworkshop.co....ard-main-board-replacement-service-1991-p.asp
Same specs across the board. Snapdragon 600.
Also the rep at the above company said thats like trying to mix the parts up between a I9505 and a I9500.
My research shows the I9500 has the snapdragon 800 and most definitely wouldn't work.duh
sent from a I337 MF3 S4

It has to do with the antenna and antenna connections between the motherboard and back casing. They are different. You would be lucky to get any signal and even luckier to not short out your board.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

graydiggy said:
It has to do with the antenna and antenna connections between the motherboard and back casing. They are different. You would be lucky to get any signal and even luckier to not short out your board.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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From where do you have this information?
I have a i337 from AT&T but my display broke some months ago. So I ordered a new one and I think the display was for the i9505 because when I opened it and looked on it from the back, on the right up corner, there was not enough space for the i337 motherboard.
The i337 motherboard has an (additional?) piece, which didn't fit into the display case.
On this picture, it's on the right side next to the "antenna contacts"
http://blog.brokenlcds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/S4-antenna-contacts-coil-external-antenna.jpg
So I cut of the plastic from the display case and then it fitted and went well for a while with great signal.
But now for some days, I have a lot of singal loss and can hardly get more than 2 bars and I think it has to do something with these contacts.
Does anyone has a suggestion what I could do?
(more info: http://blog.brokenlcds.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-network-problem/ )

Sprint to Verizon (motherboard swap?)

Question In summary:
Has anyone swapped their Verizon motherboard to a sprint model or vise versa and got it to work?
In detail:
Ok so, got my Verizon note 4 wet few weeks back. Didn't realize how wet it got and started it back up too soon, worked fine for about 5 min and then the screen shorted out. After completely drying it still boots, still freaks out from all the messages etc pooring in from it being off, was also able to access from my computer to pull off data.
I was able to locate a mint condition sprint version for a reasonable price, my theory is that I can simply swap my mobo from the old phone to the new sprint one and be good to go. I tore it apart last night and soaked it in rubbing alcohol to clean off any remaining deposits,I'm trying to source a sonic cleaner to do a better job if possible.
Any reason this won't work? Any possibility I could damage the good screen with a bad mobo from the Verizon? Anything else you can think of that I haven't addressed? I suppose I could sell the sprint version and fund an actual Verizon replacement from the sale but if this will work...

bump, looks like i might be the guinea pig...

wspepsilon said:
bump, looks like i might be the guinea pig...
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Why not just get the Sprint phone, unlock it, and just use it on Verizon????
You'll be buying a mint condition phone anyway. Why tear it apart when you can use it on Verizon if unlocked?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

I was under the impression that sprint and Verizon run different tech for their networks. If they don't, or if the phone has the hardware to use either, then yes, I'd much prefer to unlock it and go that route. If anyone can confirm that'd be great. I had done a bit of googling on that earlier but everything I found basically said they were not compatible.

wspepsilon said:
I was under the impression that sprint and Verizon run different tech for their networks. If they don't, or if the phone has the hardware to use either, then yes, I'd much prefer to unlock it and go that route. If anyone can confirm that'd be great. I had done a bit of googling on that earlier but everything I found basically said they were not compatible.
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Ok, I just researched it and found 2 things:
1) Verizon won't activate any device not bought from Verizon. (According to a forum)
2) Sprint and Verizon use different IMEI types, so one carrier's phone won't work on the other's network.
So I guess you can't actually just use the new phone.
This now brings up the question of how swapping the mobo will affect the IMEI. If using a Sprint mobo will make the phone now have a Sprint IMEI, then you won't be able to get the fixed phone to register on the Verizon network. And, Verizon may not register the device anyway.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[Q] Switching out the motherboard in the i337

Hi everyone! I have a bit of a dilemma.
I bought two AT&T S4's from a seller on eBay. One for my Mom, and one for me. Now, the listing says that the phones are guaranteed to have a clean ESN and IMEI, are activation ready, and all that good stuff! So I get the phones yesterday and check both IMEI numbers and they check out. I went a step further to see if I could get them unlocked, because hey, why not? No dice. One phone's service contract hasn't been completed, and the other phone's Next payment plan hasn't been paid off. So I'm sitting here like . . . . okay, so will they both eventually get blacklisted? I sent the seller an e-mail about it. I could care less about unlocking the phone, but I do care about having the IMEI blacklisted some day out of the blue and not being able to use the phone, but that's another story for another day.
If the seller gives me some push back and things don't work out, I was thinking about switching the motherboard's out. I know another i337 motherboard would work just fine, but what about an M919 motherboard. Are they interchangeable? Just wanted to know! Thanks

merlise said:
Hi everyone! I have a bit of a dilemma.
I bought two AT&T S4's from a seller on eBay. One for my Mom, and one for me. Now, the listing says that the phones are guaranteed to have a clean ESN and IMEI, are activation ready, and all that good stuff! So I get the phones yesterday and check both IMEI numbers and they check out. I went a step further to see if I could get them unlocked, because hey, why not? No dice. One phone's service contract hasn't been completed, and the other phone's Next payment plan hasn't been paid off. So I'm sitting here like . . . . okay, so will they both eventually get blacklisted? I sent the seller an e-mail about it. I could care less about unlocking the phone, but I do care about having the IMEI blacklisted some day out of the blue and not being able to use the phone, but that's another story for another day.
If the seller gives me some push back and things don't work out, I was thinking about switching the motherboard's out. I know another i337 motherboard would work just fine, but what about an M919 motherboard. Are they interchangeable? Just wanted to know! Thanks
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Looking at both of them, I don't see any differences that should prevent it from working. The only thing I'm aware of that prevents some mobo's from working is the frame on the screen and the screen's cable. The connection for the cable is in different places and the frames differ slightly so they don't fit other mobo's (learned that when i had to fix my screen) but the I337 and M919 screens appear to be the same. Beyond just fitting in there and connecting, dunno.

merlise said:
If the seller gives me some push back and things don't work out, I was thinking about switching the motherboard's out. I know another i337 motherboard would work just fine, but what about an M919 motherboard. Are they interchangeable? Just wanted to know! Thanks
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It'll fit right in, it's the exact same board.

DeadlySin9 said:
Looking at both of them, I don't see any differences that should prevent it from working. The only thing I'm aware of that prevents some mobo's from working is the frame on the screen and the screen's cable. The connection for the cable is in different places and the frames differ slightly so they don't fit other mobo's (learned that when i had to fix my screen) but the I337 and M919 screens appear to be the same. Beyond just fitting in there and connecting, dunno.
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~wolverine~ said:
It'll fit right in, it's the exact same board.
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Thank you both for responding! This info is good to know I'll probably end up getting the M919 mother board if need be

Swap T-Mobile Mobo into ATT

Just a question, wondering if anyone has had an experience with this. I bought a water damaged ATT Note 3 for cheap and the only damaged part inside was the logic board. I know since it has a locked bootloader its a PIA to get root and such. So I was thinking of just swapping in a T-Mobile board. They look the same with connections in the same spots. This would save me a lot of effort. Anyone know about this ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Just a follow up. Parts swap in perfectly! For anyone interested make sure to replace the radio module at the bottom end of the phone when replacing the logic board. For anyone wanting to rid themselves of a locked bootloader, find yourself a busted Note 3 on the cheap and swap it in.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

V20 Motherboard Swap

Ok. Here's the situation. I own 2 V20s (buy one get one at launch).
One was never used. The other is my primary daily driver phone. Well... I dropped it and the screen is dead, but the motherboard is in perfect condition and still works.
Here's my question, can I simply just take my daily driver motherboard and swap it into my secondary V20 that was never used? Basically put my everyday motherboard into the phone casing from the never used V20? Will there be any complications (ESN, camera, force closes, etc)?
And if that's not possible, can a direct nand backup be flashed over without complication?
I ask this because I have done numerous hours of custom development for my own personal use that I REFUSE to loose.
Thank you so much to whomever can answer and help me.
EDIT
The casing on the daily phone was also slightly damaged, hence why I'm trying to do a full swap and not just the LCD.

PREMATURE BUMP
From the teardown videos I've watched, it appears that the radio/modem and motherboard are all one piece. So that will eliminate the ESN issues. Anything else that I should worry about?

I'm confused by the numerous hours of development statement in the same post as can I swap identical mother boards or do a NAND backup from one device to a identical device. Not trying or meaning to be rude just think about your post.....
The serial number will be the only difference regardless.
Personal choice. NAND backup then restore to the other device, unless you are 100% sure there is nothing wrong with the current motherboard, in which hot swap.
I'm assuming they are identical since it was BOGO as you stated. Don't know any place that would offer that and say give you a H918 V20 with a LS 997 V20.

I did same thing. I cracked my main screen on T-Mobile variant. I bought a bootlooped V10 on eBay that was Verizon. All parts in good condition, just a dead phone. Took them both apart and placed the tmobile motherboard into the verzon model. All went easy as pie. Only negative is that the one I picked up has lousy image retention. But otherwise perfect condition screen cosmetically.
Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk

I think you will be fine but i recommend swapping over as many parts as possible to the new V20 or just take the screen off the new V20 and swap it with the cracked one. That's the safest option imo.

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. I know some phones don't like MoBo swaps unless you swap almost all the other parts also (S4 anyone?).
@DarkestSpawn Only reason I suggested the MoBo is because I was not sure if a NAND backup between phones would actually work correctly, considering different serial numbers. Never had attempted that before. Also, I do not have access to a PC right now. So the NAND backup would take some time. Trying for no downtime, hence the MoBo idea.

533y4 said:
Thanks guys. Much appreciated. I know some phones don't like MoBo swaps unless you swap almost all the other parts also (S4 anyone?).
@DarkestSpawn Only reason I suggested the MoBo is because I was not sure if a NAND backup between phones would actually work correctly, considering different serial numbers. Never had attempted that before. Also, I do not have access to a PC right now. So the NAND backup would take some time. Trying for no downtime, hence the MoBo idea.
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Did you ever swap it? How did it go?

Maliciousintent279 said:
Did you ever swap it? How did it go?
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Believe it or not, my local verizon wireless had an amazing offer going on. They paid all termination fees and gave two free phones if you had good credit and switch service that day (one day flash sale), so I swapped service and got a Pixel XL instead. Unlimited photo storage ftw. :highfive: