Hi
i have had a search and can find plenty of USA bootloader questions regarding The Note 4. these usually deviate into US Carrier bashing and Samsung hating.
My query is specific to UK release of the Note 4. I am thinking of getting one but would like to know, from anyone who can verify, is the boot loader locked/unlocked? Are the sim free ones unlocked.
i fancy one however would rather not void my warranty on day one. Option 2 is looking at getting hold of a developer edition note 4 however they are not available here yet.
if you are in UK and can help or know id be greatful
many thanks
wookey
No UK models, the n910f have locked bootloaders. The only models that have locked bootloader are at&t and verizon but they are locked by the carrier. Sim free ones won't be carrier or bootloader locked but might well be region locked ie an American variant may be locked to America and a European locked to Europe etc.
You will however probably lose your warranty when you root although eu law states rooting shouldn't void your warranty for a hardware defect
I have never minded restoring my phone back to stock when sending in for warranty repair. so might be enough not to void it if unlocked?
Once you root you will trip knox and that can't be reset. That's the same on all new Sammy phones. But most Sammy centres don't actually check for knox in the UK
Related
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.
Hey, just a quick question. I'm thinking of getting the N910F after formatting my N910C's efs partition (;_ and I'm a bit reluctant since it's sold out in all of my country's stores BUT it's available through my carrier. What I'm asking is, if I buy the phone from them (just the phone, no contract since I already have one) is there a chance the bootloader will be locked and if it is, will there be a way to unlock it? Also, will it be sim-locked? If you don't know, how could I ask?(This isn't a local branch of t-mobile, verizon, sprint, etc. etc. large US carrier. It's a domestic government owned company so I don't know about that on my own).
-As far as i know Only Verizon and at&t have locked bootloaders (You wont be able to flash anything)
-Now a days samsung has started partially locking bootloaders on all its devices (910C + 910F) Any note 4 running COJ5 rom has a partially locked bootloader, which means you can not downgrade to 5.0.1 or 4.4.4 but you are still able to root and Flash coj5 based custom roms, recovery etc.
-If you buy a phone from local carrier you can turn it on at the shop go to settings>about> Check if the baseband version is COJ5 or COL or anything newer if it is then you wont be able to downgrade to earlier versions of stockrom but you can still root and do stuff.
- you can ask the company reps if the phone is locked to work on their carrier only (you can pay them to sim-unlock the phone)
I am coming from the Samsung line, Note 4 to be exact. I know I will be purchasing the v20, as it is the spiritual successor to the Note 4, to me.
I have been browsing the forums here and doing some reading, I see that the v20 is in it's infancy with root/developers breaking into nougat.
I try to find some answers, and I am unable to fully relinquish all my questions.
From what I understand the American models have unlocked bootloaders via Dirty Santa method, and two korean models if I am correct.
My questions are, which model should I buy? I want to have the model that has the MOST developer support. As I have the Exynos Korean model of my Note 4, and the development/custom roms and the like for my model are pretty non-existent, and it sucks.
From what I've read so far, if you want root, unlocked bootloader and the like, to steer clear of Dual Sim v20's. If this is true, what is the reason?
I was looking on the LG site and saw they are offering the US996 (unlocked) with a 200gb SD card.
(http://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-US996-Unlocked-v20-titan)
Does 'unlocked' mean that it is SIM unlocked or Bootloader unlocked?
If it's just SIM unlocked, is there ANY model that has Bootloader unlocked from the factory? (and will it have the support of developers, with custom roms and the like?)
Or is the US996 my best bet at unlocked and most widely supported v20.
Lastly, I see there will be a Turkey model release, international sim.
Should I wait around for these other v20's to pop up before purchasing? (I am in no rush to upgrade from note 4, but excited for new v20.)
Thank you everyone for your time in reading this.
I hope this thread helps all newcomers who want to hop on the v20 train.
TL;DR - What is the best model phone to purchase, that will have most DEV support?
The US996 model can be bootloader-unlocked directly from LG.
RichBordoni said:
The US996 model can be bootloader-unlocked directly from LG.
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Click to collapse
Right, I saw that! It says it voids manufacturers warranty though. So what if I purchased another variant and unlocked bootloader and sent it in if I messed it up. Would it be a possible gamble of them fixing it vs them knowing my phone is bootloader unlocked because I officially unlocked it via website?
Or should I just purchase based 3rd party warranty, (such as square trade) and not worry about it?
Hello all,
So I'm tempted to buy a Tim-branded S8 on Amazon.it because it's crazy cheap currently. I'm not in Italy but from what I've gathered online (and confirmed by a review on the product's page on Amazon), branding in Italy doesn't mean sim-locking so it should be usable with my local carrier. I'm in Europe anyway.
The only major difference with an unlocked phone (since it doesn't seem to have any hardware trace of the carrier) will be the software : potential TIM-related bloatware, delays for updates, etc.
My question would be : could it be possible to flash an official "clean" image, without affecting the phone and its warranty ? If so, which reference should I use ?
Thank you very much !
Yes, was going to ask if it was also sim locked.?
What county are you in and what sim do you use?
Out the box, if sim unlocked, it will work anyway.
Unless you want any advanced features.
Fw wise it's not a problem. I went the other way though, flashing EE ( UK) firmware into an unbranded unlocked BTU version to get VoLTE to work. It caused no issues.
Belgium but I guess European models pretty much have all bands available across Europe...
Thanks for the feedback !
I have the tim s8 here in the UK, flashed the h3g firmware and have WiFi calling and volte functioning without issue.
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
hi
Im also interested in buying a tim branded phone (https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B071RSVYSH/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A11IL2PNWYJU7H&psc=1) and was hoping if someone who has one could answer me couple of questions.
1) Does the phone have universal warranty? I mean if something was wrong with it and it needed any repair, could I just take it to a local Samsung store?
2) The model number on amazon site is G950, is that different from G950F? i couldn't find any reliable info on this..
Thanks in advance!
If the phone is designed for the European market then warranty applies regardless where you are (within Europe).
All European models are F-models.
You can flash an unbranded ROM through Odin to get rid of any branding which does not trigger Knox.
I have a question. If I bought this phone outright, and sprint basically locked rooting it via boot loader version 5+, could another carrier flash it with "something special" to get it on the carriers firmware? If I own this, and Sprint locked a feature on me, wouldn't that make them liable for damages?
tonysak said:
I have a question. If I bought this phone outright, and sprint basically locked rooting it via boot loader version 5+, could another carrier flash it with "something special" to get it on the carriers firmware? If I own this, and Sprint locked a feature on me, wouldn't that make them liable for damages?
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Click to collapse
Not really. You bought the phone to use specially on Sprint as a Sprint phone. When it came out, no one knew about the u firmware or using it on other carriers. There is a post on here about unlocking additional lte bands. If the phone is carrier unlocked, you will get some service on all carriers, but not all the bands will be unlocked.