Database Users

[Q] Switching from Sprint - simple questions

I am switching from Sprint to AT&T, as I already said in the subject, and I am looking for some QUICK opinions.
As most people probably have gone through this when buying their phone, I am debating on the S4 Active or the HTC One.
Upon coming onto here though, I was leaning more toward the HTC One because I like several things about it, more than the normal S4 and S4 Active, and because most of the S4 software features I don't really care about; I'm an EVO 3D owner, so I know how the gimmicks go. Nonetheless there are things that do attract me to the S4 Active over the One
I noticed the difference in activity for the S4 vs the One is SIGNIFICANT. ~13.5k posts for the S4 and ~3.6k posts for the One. Why is this? Are there that many junk postings\ROMs\etc or is it really just THAT active in this community? Is this section the same area to go to for the S4 Active device w/ AT&T?
- How is battery life? This is more geared toward the S4 \ S4 Active veteran users as I don't care how long your battery is lasting after you got your phone just a week ago lol
- How is NORMAL everyday use of the camera\camcorder?
- Are there significant amounts of SOLID daily drivers that are varying in style and operation? (ROMs)
- For the Active, how is call quality (for both sides), are there any other downsides to the Active edition vs regular S4 or HTC One?
Thanks

incarceration said:
I am switching from Sprint to AT&T, as I already said in the subject, and I am looking for some QUICK opinions.
As most people probably have gone through this when buying their phone, I am debating on the S4 Active or the HTC One.
Upon coming onto here though, I was leaning more toward the HTC One because I like several things about it, more than the normal S4 and S4 Active, and because most of the S4 software features I don't really care about; I'm an EVO 3D owner, so I know how the gimmicks go. Nonetheless there are things that do attract me to the S4 Active over the One
I noticed the difference in activity for the S4 vs the One is SIGNIFICANT. ~13.5k posts for the S4 and ~3.6k posts for the One. Why is this? Are there that many junk postings\ROMs\etc or is it really just THAT active in this community? Is this section the same area to go to for the S4 Active device w/ AT&T?
- How is battery life? This is more geared toward the S4 \ S4 Active veteran users as I don't care how long your battery is lasting after you got your phone just a week ago lol
- How is NORMAL everyday use of the camera\camcorder?
- Are there significant amounts of SOLID daily drivers that are varying in style and operation? (ROMs)
- For the Active, how is call quality (for both sides), are there any other downsides to the Active edition vs regular S4 or HTC One?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I'll try to answer most of ur questions there r more posts in the s4 section for two reasons 1 there r two devices using this forum the s4 and the s4 active 2 s4 has sold 20 million devices or so the HTC one about 5 million ( est not exact number from what I read )
Battery close is similar on all 3 devices for a lot of ppl the decidinng factor is the SD card and removable battery which HTC one has neither plus that power button being on top ( u had a evo 3d u mite be used to this )
Daily drivers there is plenty of good ROMs for the s4 and the HTC one
The active is really limited in this aspect since it has yet to acquire custom recovery exploit yet
The s4 has a boot loader exploit so u can use custom recovery as long as u don't update it out of the box mf3 ( plenty of threads on how to freeze att updater )
Out of the total amt of phones sold very few ppl actually flash ROMs a small percent of the android population the galaxy line has always had a lot of devs and ROMs cuz of its awesome specs and likability and ease to root and flash ROMs ( minus boot loader locking which isn't Samsung's fault its the carriers )
Hope this helps u and answers ur questions
sent from my SGH - leet ( i337) using Tapatalk 4 beta

Thanks for the fairly detailed response!
I have a couple other questions for you - is the cartoon-like UI their TouchWiz software?
Not to ruffle any feathers but I don't really like that aspect of it.
Also, when you unlock the bootloader and\or root, do you still get the annoying triangle upon boot? My friend had the S III and he had that problem. It didn't affect functionality but it was a bit tacky\annoying.
Yeah I have found AT&T to be root\unlock Nazis, but it seemed to be select devices they like to lock down. Not sure why, because you still have your plan that limits you lol
Thanks again!

incarceration said:
Thanks for the fairly detailed response!
I have a couple other questions for you - is the cartoon-like UI their TouchWiz software?
Not to ruffle any feathers but I don't really like that aspect of it.
Also, when you unlock the bootloader and\or root, do you still get the annoying triangle upon boot? My friend had the S III and he had that problem. It didn't affect functionality but it was a bit tacky\annoying.
Yeah I have found AT&T to be root\unlock Nazis, but it seemed to be select devices they like to lock down. Not sure why, because you still have your plan that limits you lol
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TW (TouchWhiz) is samsungs launcher and I wouldn't call it cartoon-like, but if you think so there are alternatives such as launchers from the Play Store, or flashing an AOSP ROM for vanilla Android look and feel.
As far as unlocking the bootloader, there are working methods as to remove the triangle on boot, so don't sweat that.

What apps and roms are you looking forward to see on yoyr Note 3?

I'm looking forward to a quick root& recovery. and some speedy stripped down roms
also it would be magical if we could get chainfire3D just think of the tegra chips we could emulate with that cpu power
oh.. I almost forgot..
a swap int sd with ext sd is much appriciated also

A rooted STOCK rom, this is all i need.

All other, like Wanam, Omega etc but
Specially waiting to taste MiniTab roms
Note 3's size is perfect for Pablet+Tablet Ui.....Hope someone would Definitly polt Galaxy Tab 2014 rom to Note 3...buth device has pretty similar hardware specs

only a rooted rom.
everything else will come later

There was a rom for the Note 2 that caught my attention that used a samsung base, but modified AOSP visuals, so you kept all the goodies, but had the nice status bar and google apps as opposed to the TW calendar and stuff.
The slick part about the screenshots for it was the nice theme as well. Instead of the plain black and blue AOSP, it had a nice polished white theme, kind of similar to what you see on MIUI/sense. But it still had multi-window support and full s-pen features.
Of course, the rom had some optimizations as well but that's only icing on the cake.

I will be buying the Note 3 exynos version in India.
I read a lot about developers not supporting the exynos. CM 10.2 was ported to S4 i9500 but it still has bugs. Camera not working.
Will the scene be better for Note 3 by any chance. Or I should consider importing Note 3 snapdragon 800 from outside. ?

For the. Tmobile version Tweaked. Awesome rom and Dev.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2242972
Sent from my Tweaked SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 4

If Miui would get official support for the note 3 I would be very happy! (the note 2 has official support which includes all the features of the s-pen) otherwise just a rooted stock rom would be okay, I can freeze/delete all bloat myself then
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Would love too know will a third party launcher like ADW EX. Work with the spen!

vikas724 said:
I will be buying the Note 3 exynos version in India.
I read a lot about developers not supporting the exynos. CM 10.2 was ported to S4 i9500 but it still has bugs. Camera not working.
Will the scene be better for Note 3 by any chance. Or I should consider importing Note 3 snapdragon 800 from outside. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm from India too..I also think snapdragon is better..but note 3 is already at 50k, importing will cost a fortune.
another point ,as you must be aware is warranty..even if u can get one imported do you have easy access to that country so that in case of an issue you can avail warranty?
if the above two are ok then go for the snapdragon version.
By the way if you do import it could you please just send me the details like price, country and such?

StylishMafia said:
I'm from India too..I also think snapdragon is better..but note 3 is already at 50k, importing will cost a fortune.
another point ,as you must be aware is warranty..even if u can get one imported do you have easy access to that country so that in case of an issue you can avail warranty?
if the above two are ok then go for the snapdragon version.
By the way if you do import it could you please just send me the details like price, country and such?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yh 50k is a lot. But we will be able to get it in 44-45k . There are always coupons available on indiatimes website. I don't think Samsung provides international warranty. In any case it only covers manufacturing defects I guess not accidental insurance. I have had 3 iphones, lumia 920 never had to use the warranty once.
I have friend going to hong kong at the end of this month. Will see what is the price and all, then decide.

Tweaked for Verizon or Rooted Stock Rom, Xposed can handle the rest of my needs.

How long do you reckon it will take for the GN3 to be rooted?

I would love to see Omega Rom come here.

Root on the stock ROM is all I need.

Roms:
PhoeniX
CM
PA

Need whompasaurus!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

the note 4 or the note edge who getting them for dev wise

ok i got a sg5 lte-a prime,i love it but it Korean,their NO dev work on them,but now their 2 notes coming out i would like to know from the devs which one are ya mostly getting,i want a edge but yet want heavy work done on them,i dont wanna stuck on stock roms,i faith ppl going to try to make something outta the edge but who know if the dev just can stick to the note 4
comments if you will?

i
Deezy88 said:
ok i got a sg5 lte-a prime,i love it but it Korean,their NO dev work on them,but now their 2 notes coming out i would like to know from the devs which one are ya mostly getting,i want a edge but yet want heavy work done on them,i dont wanna stuck on stock roms,i faith ppl going to try to make something outta the edge but who know if the dev just can stick to the note 4
comments if you will?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there will be more custom rom for Snapdragon version of Note 4 so cause Note edge will come with snapdragon there may be lots of custom rom
+ New SDK for curved part of display (or better to say second display) make devs to look into it
:good:

Geeks Empire said:
there will be more custom rom for Snapdragon version of Note 4 so cause Note edge will come with snapdragon there may be lots of custom rom
+ New SDK for curved part of display (or better to say second display) make devs to look into it
:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you think roms from the note 4 with work on the edge that the problem i think its wont different resolution

i
Deezy88 said:
do you think roms from the note 4 with work on the edge that the problem i think its wont different resolution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
there is different configuration for each device for roms and kernels
So u cannot install other device roms on another one.
But you can port it.
it s possible to port apps, system apps and ...
But features on note 4 and edge are same except (again) second display features.
so you don't need edge rom on note 4 !
:good:

[Q] The S5 family tree - differences?

It's been like 10+ months since the original S5 was released. Now I am talking about the SM-G900F. Cause there are so many of them, and I m a bit lost as far some of the specs are concerned. Could someone clarify things here a bit? I am a bit surprised this hasn't been discussed already...
I have done some research, and I found the following S5 "variants". I briefly mention the differences from the "base" model, namely "SM-G900F":
Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A SM-G901F (Europe) aka "S5 Plus"
This is one's got 805 SD, Krait 450, Adreno 420 and LTE Cat6
...vs the 801 / 400 / 330 and LTE Cat4 of the base model
Samsung Galaxy S5 Duos SM-G900FD
Same hardware as the based model but with Dual SIM support
My question here is whether the DUOS supports all the video rec modes found in the base model?
e.g. [email protected]?
Also, is the SAR measure based on both SIMS working simultaneously?
Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A G906S
This is shares the same hardware with the G901F (S5 Plus) but it has 3GB of RAM and that incredible 577 ppi from the same size 5.1in screen...right? Supposively exclusive for Korea only, but people say it works fine across Europe at all bands 2G, 3G, LTE...
Samsung Galaxy S5 Active SM-G870F
This one lacks the fingerprint sensor of the base model (which I honestly don't care about) and also hosts the same 16MP camera, but at a slightly less resolution i.e. 3456 x 4608 vs 5312 x 2988
There is an octa-core version of the S5, which I didn't include, as I am not interested in it, as it doesn't support LTE (???!!!)
Now, assuming all these are correct, I m still confused as to which should I chose. The S5 Plus (G901F) is good, but overshadowed by the G906S which has more RAM and a better screen.
I would like to go for the DUOS, but does it have the same camera features of the base model? Is it really as good as the base model in all other areas? Cause its exactly same size/weight, so what gives?
The S5 Active G870F was just released in Europe and it's still too expensive. Otherwise, is the camera as good as the one in the base model?
Or should I just toss everything else and go for the base model G900F, which will also save me some $$ as it's cheaper from the rest?

have a look at the development page see if there is any custom roms and support for each phone.
If you not bothered by that i would like the 3gig ram one please

Thanx juDGEY2k10 (love your avatar btw....)
I m not interested in a custom ROM or rooting the phone at the moment. I just try to make up my mind spec-wise. I too have a slight pref towards the G906S - seems like the best all-rounder
Can I ask - if you have Silent mode ON, does that still mute the camera sounds? (at least in 4.1.2 it did)
juDGEY2k10 said:
have a look at the development page see if there is any custom roms and support for each phone.
If you not bothered by that i would like the 3gig ram one please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Just tested and yes it dose mate no sound at all
jstoner said:
Thanx juDGEY2k10 (love your avatar btw....)
I m not interested in a custom ROM or rooting the phone at the moment. I just try to make up my mind spec-wise. I too have a slight pref towards the G906S - seems like the best all-rounder
Can I ask - if you have Silent mode ON, does that still mute the camera sounds? (at least in 4.1.2 it did)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Cheers mate!
Just to add up to my previous comment regarding the G906S...well it's out of my consideration. It turns out that the uprated CPU/chipset/GPU combo don't do much good to compesate for its remarkable screen, which sucks away it's juice, making it slower even compared to the original S5. OK, I d like to have that screen, but not at that cost - don't you think too?
I d rather have the 'Plus' version (G901F), which lacks the screen and that 1GB of RAM, but still has the same uprated hardware...

Is it worth the extra money ? Not looked myself but maybe the international one would be better overall if you run into any problems when and if u do want to custom it a bit.
Up to u my mate im sure other users will post their opinion
jstoner said:
Cheers mate!
Just to add up to my previous comment regarding the G906S...well it's out of my consideration. It turns out that the uprated CPU/chipset/GPU combo don't do much good to compesate for its remarkable screen, which sucks away it's juice, making it slower even compared to the original S5. OK, I d like to have that screen, but not at that cost - don't you think too?
I d rather have the 'Plus' version (G901F), which lacks the screen and that 1GB of RAM, but still has the same uprated hardware...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Was wondering...some of those phones that come as part of a network upgrade (e.g. from T-Mobile in Germany), carry network branding in the software. Like showing "T-Mobile" at phone start up. If there any way around through this? I m not talking a custom ROM, but if it's possible to get the Samsung factory/retail ROM, so that it won't have any branding or logos. Is that possible?
juDGEY2k10 said:
Is it worth the extra money ? Not looked myself but maybe the international one would be better overall if you run into any problems when and if u do want to custom it a bit.
Up to u my mate im sure other users will post their opinion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

jstoner said:
Was wondering...some of those phones that come as part of a network upgrade (e.g. from T-Mobile in Germany), carry network branding in the software. Like showing "T-Mobile" at phone start up. If there any way around through this? I m not talking a custom ROM, but if it's possible to get the Samsung factory/retail ROM, so that it won't have any branding or logos. Is that possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding the brading issue, I found the following:
1. Download debranded firmware for your phone.
2. Open ODIN, boot your phone into Download mode.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and select the firmware in ODIN on PDA section.
4. Click Start and wait for the firmware to install.
5. Boot your phone into Recovery mode and wipe data and factory reset.
6. Reboot your phone.
OK - branding gone for now. But what happens when a new official firmware is released? Will I be able to flash directly from Samsung? Or would I have to use ODIN again? If not, how does Samsung know that this phone is tied to a specific provider? (IMEI?)

Get a stock rom flash it with odin as long as u dont root it or use a custom recovery u should be able to do OTA updates via samsung. Dont think they track the phone in that way its just down to the phone, if its been customised at all (root bla bla not supported by samsung) But you will not be on their list of people who have messed with their phones or anything like that.
jstoner said:
Regarding the brading issue, I found the following:
1. Download debranded firmware for your phone.
2. Open ODIN, boot your phone into Download mode.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and select the firmware in ODIN on PDA section.
4. Click Start and wait for the firmware to install.
5. Boot your phone into Recovery mode and wipe data and factory reset.
6. Reboot your phone.
OK - branding gone for now. But what happens when a new official firmware is released? Will I be able to flash directly from Samsung? Or would I have to use ODIN again? If not, how does Samsung know that this phone is tied to a specific provider? (IMEI?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Yup. I m only looking for "stock" at the moment, so having OTA update capability is vital for me.
Can anyone confirm this? Someone who tried it on an S5 variant I mean...
juDGEY2k10 said:
Get a stock rom flash it with odin as long as u dont root it or use a custom recovery u should be able to do OTA updates via samsung. Dont think they track the phone in that way its just down to the phone, if its been customised at all (root bla bla not supported by samsung) But you will not be on their list of people who have messed with their phones or anything like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

i9505 vs i9506 - Which one should I buy?

Hello!
I am about to buy a Samsung Galaxy S4, but I have 2 options. For 190€ a normal i9505 (Black Mist) and 215€ for a black edition i9506 (the leather one).
They are both 16GB version so the only difference between them is the model no. and obviously the processor.
Considering the price difference and the hardware, I would buy the i9506 without a doubt! But... there's XDA and development...
I'm not here for that long to be able to tell if the i9506 gets about the same love as the i9505... Performance wise, how they compare to each other?
I want to be able to unlock the bootloader, install recovery, be a flashaholic like I am with my current Galaxy Nexus. I don't need to have like thousands of roms avaiable but I wanted at least the major ones (like CM, Omni, AOSP) to be avaiable and work without a problem. Do I still have that in the i9506? I'm seriously needing help with this, which one should I buy considering this community and kernel+rom avaiability?

diogofd8 said:
Hello!
I am about to buy a Samsung Galaxy S4, but I have 2 options. For 190€ a normal i9505 (Black Mist) and 215€ for a black edition i9506 (the leather one).
They are both 16GB version so the only difference between them is the model no. and obviously the processor.
Considering the price difference and the hardware, I would buy the i9506 without a doubt! But... there's XDA and development...
I'm not here for that long to be able to tell if the i9506 gets about the same love as the i9505... Performance wise, how they compare to each other?
I want to be able to unlock the bootloader, install recovery, be a flashaholic like I am with my current Galaxy Nexus. I don't need to have like thousands of roms avaiable but I wanted at least the major ones (like CM, Omni, AOSP) to be avaiable and work without a problem. Do I still have that in the i9506? I'm seriously needing help with this, which one should I buy considering this community and kernel+rom avaiability?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also had to face this decision. I eventually chose for the 9506 version. On one side because of the major speed difference. But that's something you already know.
It's true that the 9505 version has more support and more roms available. It will probably last longer in terms of "custom support". But the 9506 doesn't fall behind in these terms. It has less roms, but there still are a few good ones. Also lot of new rom threads are opening, who knows where they will be in a few months. The support of the 9506 is at least better then a few other flagships released than and now.
Besides, if you purely like customization and already have an optimized rom, xposed will give you a lot and only needs root (which will always be there).
For me the choice was easy.