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Hi all,
I have been trying to figure out what are the differences between the I9505 and the SGH-I337M. Even though I have been searching the internet and different forums for details, I have not been able to get a straight answer.
As far as I can tell these are the differences:
Different radios (bands)
Bloatware (Carrier specific content and apps)
Encryption keys
Unlocked bootloader
Is there any other differences that people know about? Can anyone confirm those differences? Are any of these actual hardware differences, or only firmware/software?
Thank you for sharing what you know.
and different contract?:laugh:
LOL, just a joke.
i think you figure out all of them.
tommykim1987 said:
and different contract?:laugh:
LOL, just a joke.
i think you figure out all of them.
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Yeah, crazy canadian contracts. I mean, 20$ less a month for a 3-year contract is 720$ (30$ x 36 = 1080!), better be sure that the 500$ they take off the price of a device does not make you take a plan too expensive for your needs. I still have my original samsung galaxy S Captivate which I unlocked. I have used it in Canada, New Zealand and Australia, I really hate these artificial locking and contract.
Anyways, thanks for answering!
I think all NA LTE model even i9505 have the same hardware...
But different COT. base on the model.
model,sbl1, sbl2....
and different radio.
niceppl said:
I think all NA LTE model even i9505 have the same hardware...
But different COT. base on the model.
model,sbl1, sbl2....
and different radio.
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Click to collapse
So ... different radio means different hardware? or the same hardware just with some things disabled?
Also, I am new around here, what does COT means? (Could only find Cannibal Open Touch, so that does not sound right).
Cheers!
Hello guys, I bought a I9505 from Europe a while ago and I'm using it in US, the carrier is AT&T.
The signal outside is OK. but when I in the school building, it's really bad.
So I am wonder if can flash a i337 modem or maybe a I9505G(google edition) Modem to it.
If I can, will it do any help?
Thank you
Of course you cannot do that. It are totally different models.
Lennyz1988 said:
Of course you cannot do that. It are totally different models.
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but according to gsmarena the hardware is the same !
GSMArena is a bad primary source.
The hardware is not the same. An I337 motherboard has a different design from that of an I9505 so they can't be swapped. The major difference between the two boards is in the LTE antenna. You can try flashing an AT&T modem if you want, but even if you do it won't magically enable LTE. The band support is coded into the LTE chip itself and cannot be changed. I would know, as I've tried it myself.
I'm looking to buy a new phone but don't want/need the latest and greatest. I'm happy with the performance of my HTC One Mini, my work HTC One X/XL and my wife's S4 Active, all AT&T phones used in the U.S. My One Mini just suffered a horrible mountain bike crash which busted the screen up pretty bad, then too, my old eyes are tired of that tiny screen. I've also had bad luck with the built in battery and lack of SD card slot. So I was thinking S4 would be ok by me. Asking on the device forum I've gotten 50-11 answers some of which are conflicting answers. I was thinking the i9505 would be the right phone until someone piped up stating it wouldn't work on LTE here. From all I've seen it looks to me like that senior member don't know what they're talking about. Here's my criteria:
1. 4.5" to 5" screen
2. Unlocked/unlockable and can easily accept custom ROMs
3. Prefer to stick with a Kit Kat Rom as it gets along with my Do Not Disturb app better than Lollipop due to the built-in app on Lollipop
4. Removable battery
5. SD Slot
6. LTE service on AT&T/T-Mobile and Caribbean and South American Countries
7. Custom ROM must allow hotspot w/o AT&T controlling my use (I have unlimited internet on my plan and want to make use of it)
Background: I'm almost green having only installed a custom ROM on my work phone an HTC One X/XL from AT&T. Apparently it's one of the harder phones to unlock the bootloader and permanent Root is impossible I think. I 1st installed CM12.1 on the HTC ONE X and ran into conflicts and buggy operations. After a few weeks of testing I backed it up, wiped it and installed CM11 which I truly like. No experience or much understanding of KNOX, ODIN or ODEX. I only read bits and pieces on those while trying to figure out which S4 variant will fit my need. Lastly, were can I get a new phone off contract? Anybody purchased from www.Cell2Get.com? I was about to buy this phone prior to the member claiming it wouldn't work on AT&T.
http://www.cell2get.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-i9505-16gb-unlocked-gsm-android-cell-phone-p-5122.html
IRBent said:
I'm looking to buy a new phone but don't want/need the latest and greatest. I'm happy with the performance of my HTC One Mini, my work HTC One X/XL and my wife's S4 Active, all AT&T phones used in the U.S. My One Mini just suffered a horrible mountain bike crash which busted the screen up pretty bad, then too, my old eyes are tired of that tiny screen. I've also had bad luck with the built in battery and lack of SD card slot. So I was thinking S4 would be ok by me. Asking on the device forum I've gotten 50-11 answers some of which are conflicting answers. I was thinking the i9505 would be the right phone until someone piped up stating it wouldn't work on LTE here. From all I've seen it looks to me like that senior member don't know what they're talking about. Here's my criteria:
1. 4.5" to 5" screen
2. Unlocked/unlockable and can easily accept custom ROMs
3. Prefer to stick with a Kit Kat Rom as it gets along with my Do Not Disturb app better than Lollipop due to the built-in app on Lollipop
4. Removable battery
5. SD Slot
6. LTE service on AT&T/T-Mobile and Caribbean and South American Countries
7. Custom ROM must allow hotspot w/o AT&T controlling my use (I have unlimited internet on my plan and want to make use of it)
Background: I'm almost green having only installed a custom ROM on my work phone an HTC One X/XL from AT&T. Apparently it's one of the harder phones to unlock the bootloader and permanent Root is impossible I think. I 1st installed CM12.1 on the HTC ONE X and ran into conflicts and buggy operations. After a few weeks of testing I backed it up, wiped it and installed CM11 which I truly like. No experience or much understanding of KNOX, ODIN or ODEX. I only read bits and pieces on those while trying to figure out which S4 variant will fit my need. Lastly, were can I get a new phone off contract? Anybody purchased from www.Cell2Get.com? I was about to buy this phone prior to the member claiming it wouldn't work on AT&T.
http://www.cell2get.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-i9505-16gb-unlocked-gsm-android-cell-phone-p-5122.html
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- AT&T has it's own variant of the S4. It's called the "SGH-I337".
- The I9505 will not work with LTE on the AT&T network. It support different bands. So the member was correct. You can see it here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S4#Model_variants
- The "SGH-I337" has a locked bootloader and cannot be unlocked. Only some old devices will have an unlocked bootloader because they never upgraded their software. Thus you cannot use custom roms like CM.
Lennyz1988 said:
- AT&T has it's own variant of the S4. It's called the "SGH-I337".
- The I9505 will not work with LTE on the AT&T network. It support different bands. So the member was correct. You can see it here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S4#Model_variants
- The "SGH-I337" has a locked bootloader and cannot be unlocked. Only some old devices will have an unlocked bootloader because they never upgraded their software. Thus you cannot use custom roms like CM.
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So is the GT-I9505G the preferred phone to have and to mod and if so, can I buy new one without getting a fake?
"Google Play Edition
At the Google I/O 2013 keynote, Samsung and Google revealed that an edition of the U.S. S4 would be released on June 26, 2013 through Google Play, initially featuring stock Android 4.2.2, later updated to 4.4.4, with Samsung provided updates; it has an unlockable bootloader (similar to Nexus devices) and supports LTE on AT&T and T-Mobile's networks. The model number is GT-I9505G."
I'm likely "that member", because I have an I9505 (not I9505G) running on Straight Talk, which is a US MVNO that rents bandwidth from all the major US carriers. The I9505 will not work on LTE here in the US because the LTE frequencies used worldwide (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20) are not the frequencies used by the carriers here in the US. The I9505G is a different story. It has the LTE frequencies needed to work here in the US, and does not have Touchwiz as it uses stock Android.
You can't purchase one new because they've been discontinued for some time now. You may want to check out Swappa (link at the top of the page) and see if they have a used one you can purchase.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I'm likely "that member", because I have an I9505 (not I9505G) running on Straight Talk, which is a US MVNO that rents bandwidth from all the major US carriers. The I9505 will not work on LTE here in the US because the LTE frequencies used worldwide (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20) are not the frequencies used by the carriers here in the US. The I9505G is a different story. It has the LTE frequencies needed to work here in the US, and does not have Touchwiz as it uses stock Android.
You can't purchase one new because they've been discontinued for some time now. You may want to check out Swappa (link at the top of the page) and see if they have a used one you can purchase.
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Really good and interesting reply. Being new to this stuff and having not kept up with cellphone technology, some of the things you guys just know, I'm having to try to understand. At first I assumed all 9505's were the same, but apparently I was wrong there. Then I also thought that since most cellphone review sites showed a plethora of Freq. and bands, with at least on or two being those that AT&T and most other North American GSM carriers use, I assume that meant I could get that model of phone. little did I know that those two lines of freqs and bands were for different versions of that same model, one for here and being a carrier locked phone and the other line being and international phone without the proper band for use here. So now after learning that difference it appears to me that there may be now way possible to purchase a new S4 and turn it into a custom ROM phone. So if I understand you and the carrier stuff correctly, you're using a plain 9505 and piggybacking off AT&T by way of StraightTalk like so many of us do. However since your phone is an international version you don't have LTE, is that right? One last thing I've yet to read or learn about but saw when I was putting CM11 and 12.1 on my HTC One X/XL (AT&T), I kept seeing stuff about "the radio". The way it read made me think they were NOT talking about an FM radio for music, but the freqs the phone itself uses. I think I recall them flashing "radios" which I assume they meant they were able to change the original freqs/bands that the model came with to one more useful here. Is that something that truly exists and can be done even on an S4 variant? My assumption is that it CANNOT be done or else you'd have done so already on your i9505.
IRBent said:
So if I understand you and the carrier stuff correctly, you're using a plain 9505 and piggybacking off AT&T by way of StraightTalk like so many of us do. However since your phone is an international version you don't have LTE, is that right?
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Click to collapse
Correct.
IRBent said:
My assumption is that it CANNOT be done or else you'd have done so already on your i9505.
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Again correct. With Samsung, their firmware loading software, Odin, actually checks and makes sure the parts of the firmware match the model of the S4 connected to the PC. If they don't match, Odin will instantly fail. The only way to try and enable LTE on the I9505 is to delve into the low-level firmware for the LTE chip and attempt to rewrite it so it can see the added frequencies. However, I don't recommend it. Not only is it a very intricate process compared to something like rooting, it's also quite possible that you could render the LTE chip non-functional. I tried it, and nearly lost the ability to use my phone at all due to having my phone's SIM lock restored.
If you do decide to get an S4, an I9505G is likely your best bet. Not only does it have the AT&T frequencies, it's also got an unlocked bootloader (unlike the AT&T model) and is also carrier unlocked right out of the box. That last means you can use it on T-Mobile and carriers which use GSM SIM cards. Other choices would be the T-Mobile S4 (SGH-M919) or the North American S4 (SGH-I337M). All these phones include the AT&T frequencies and also have an unlocked bootloader so customization is easier.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
If you do decide to get an S4, an I9505G is likely your best bet. Not only does it have the AT&T frequencies, it's also got an unlocked bootloader (unlike the AT&T model) and is also carrier unlocked right out of the box. That last means you can use it on T-Mobile and carriers which use GSM SIM cards. Other choices would be the T-Mobile S4 (SGH-M919) or the North American S4 (SGH-I337M). All these phones include the AT&T frequencies and also have an unlocked bootloader so customization is easier.
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I thank you so much sir. This answer is direct and explains exactly what I wanted to know. I only wish it were possible to purchase one of those models new so I could ensure years of use void of glitches due to possible abuse by the previous owner. If I can't find one of the above models I will probably be looking for some other make/model, preferably a new phone not used. Do you know if it's possible to get a new phone that meets the criteria below?
1. Unlocked bootloader or one that can be unlocked
2. Removable battery
3. 4.7" - 5" screen
4. SD card
5. Capable of being used as a hotspot ( I have unlimited internet but need to thwart AT&T from controlling my use)
6. Rootable and custom ROM capable
7. Can be used in U.S, South America and Caribbean (I think most of those places all use the same freqs/bands as U.S.)
That is why on Swappa you search for the ones labeled Mint or New. My device was Mint off Swappa, and the main reasons were that it was always in a case, and had a tempered glass screen protector installed.
For a current flagship-level device, looking at your laundry list, I believe you need to adjust your expectations. Not because of the software, but because of the hardware. LG is perhaps the only manufacturer still offering both removable batteries and MicroSD card slots, but their flagship device has a larger screen than you want. Motorola doesn't have removable batteries. Google provides neither, just like Samsung. Sony is an unknown, but their devices are not common here in the US.
Your best option is to go with a larger screen size and get an LG G4. If you absolutely MUST have the smaller screen, then you want a used Galaxy S4 or S5, so long as they aren't AT&T devices.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
For a current flagship-level device, looking at your laundry list, I believe you need to adjust your expectations. Not because of the software, but because of the hardware. LG is perhaps the only manufacturer still offering both removable batteries and MicroSD card slots, but their flagship device has a larger screen than you want. Motorola doesn't have removable batteries. Google provides neither, just like Samsung. Sony is an unknown, but their devices are not common here in the US.
Your best option is to go with a larger screen size and get an LG G4. If you absolutely MUST have the smaller screen, then you want a used Galaxy S4 or S5, so long as they aren't AT&T devices.
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I guess I should have made it clear too that flagships, latest and greatest wasn't necessary. I'm happy with the speeds my older HTC ONE X and HTC ONE Mini supply. But closing in on 50 years old, my eyes and the Mini's screen don't get along so well anymore.
If you have bad eyesight, a bigger screen can be a godsend.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
If you have bad eyesight, a bigger screen can be a godsend.
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Exactly. I need a bigger screen but a smaller phone because my hands can't reach around my HTC ONE Mini. Sometimes it sucks being 5'4". LOL
IRBent said:
Exactly. I need a bigger screen but a smaller phone because my hands can't reach around my HTC ONE Mini. Sometimes it sucks being 5'4". LOL
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I would not recommend someone buying the S4 anymore. It was and still is a great phone, but newer models are just way better. The battery life is to short with the standard battery.
Based on your preferences I would recommend one of the following:
- LG Nexus 5
- Oneplus one
- Motorola X Play
But then again, maybe they are to big for you. The LG is the smallest but doesn't have a sd slot.
Lennyz1988 said:
Based on your preferences I would recommend one of the following:
- LG Nexus 5
- Oneplus one
- Motorola X Play
But then again, maybe they are to big for you. The LG is the smallest but doesn't have a sd slot.
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Amazing discovery by me just now. Yes, I've seen folks here talk about the brand OnePlus but I didn't know who or what OnePlus was until just now. I used to keep up with all things electronics related, reading review sites and forums like this. 10 years ago or so a DVD manufacturer named OPPO was the talk. Excellent brand but unheard of. I just learned that OnePlus is a company started by an OPPO founder. I'm so out of the loop.
Hey folks. Just got my S4 I337M back from sending it away with Rogers for repair. I was foolish and didn't think about how I flashed it previously, so it got sent back not fixed, with the paperwork claiming mainboard failure. I'm more than happy to fix this privately, but I'd like to shop around for the part myself. Problem is that the price is very inconsistent between provider brandings. Is there a difference between them at all, so long as it isn't a mini or value edition or whatever other branding? I just want to get the cheapest fix available for this thing so I can cost out the difference to just getting a new phone. Thanks for any info.
Then you are better off buying a phone with a busted screen and just replace the motherboard.
Do take into account that some providers lock the bootloaders. Also take into account that the S4 variants all not all the same, so not every motherboard might fit in perfectly.
GDReaper said:
Then you are better off buying a phone with a busted screen and just replace the motherboard.
Do take into account that some providers lock the bootloaders. Also take into account that the S4 variants all not all the same, so not every motherboard might fit in perfectly.
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Not to be ungrateful, but this only rephrases my initial question. I'm aware that there are several variants and that there are several methods of acquiring the board, either new or from a busted phone. My question is which boards wouldn't be compatible with the I337M variant.
JavaMac said:
Not to be ungrateful, but this only rephrases my initial question. I'm aware that there are several variants and that there are several methods of acquiring the board, either new or from a busted phone. My question is which boards wouldn't be compatible with the I337M variant.
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Click to collapse
You are changing the whole board, not just one small part from the board. This includes the ram, processor, internal memory and such, right?
So the only incompatibility issues there may be are the frame and board sizes. Theoretically you can put any other S4 board in there (as long as you change the whole motherboard and daughter board).
But I doubt there is any way to tell which fits in what, unless you try it.
Just get one from another I337M is my suggestion. Hope this is somewhat more clearer now.
There are two options for an s4 from a Canadian carrier: sgh-i337m (Telus, Rogers, Bell) or sgh-m919 (Wind, Videotron).
For the i337m, it does not matter which carrier sold the phone as the hardware is identical and ROMs from sammobile.com for the i337m can be cross flashed among carriers. The only difference is the pre-installed apps. I have a Telus s4 (came with 4.4.2) that I flashed with Bell 5.01 firmware. Same applies to the Wind/Videotron version of the s4.
In the i337m and m919, there are connections for USB flex cable, cameras, headphone jack, LCD, and wi-fi cable. No other boards that I noticed.
If you want a motherboard with a busted screen, check out Kijiji or craigslist. Just make sure the imei has not been blacklisted, and the wifi and sim reader work.
GDReaper said:
You are changing the whole board, not just one small part from the board. This includes the ram, processor, internal memory and such, right?
So the only incompatibility issues there may be are the frame and board sizes. Theoretically you can put any other S4 board in there (as long as you change the whole motherboard and daughter board).
But I doubt there is any way to tell which fits in what, unless you try it.
Just get one from another I337M is my suggestion. Hope this is somewhat more clearer now.
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There's plenty of ways to tell, like asking someone with a working knowledge of these devices, which is why I'm on this forum. To learn and apply. Speculation isn't useful.
audit13 said:
There are two options for an s4 from a Canadian carrier: sgh-i337m (Telus, Rogers, Bell) or sgh-m919 (Wind, Videotron).
For the i337m, it does not matter which carrier sold the phone as the hardware is identical and ROMs from sammobile.com for the i337m can be cross flashed among carriers. The only difference is the pre-installed apps. I have a Telus s4 (came with 4.4.2) that I flashed with Bell 5.01 firmware. Same applies to the Wind/Videotron version of the s4.
In the i337m and m919, there are connections for USB flex cable, cameras, headphone jack, LCD, and wi-fi cable. No other boards that I noticed.
If you want a motherboard with a busted screen, check out Kijiji or craigslist. Just make sure the imei has not been blacklisted, and the wifi and sim reader work.
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Awesome. Thanks for the info here.
So my motherboard is toast (yes, I'm positive) and I'm shopping around for a used one. Since I'm pretty sure all versions of the S8 use the same internal layout & connectors I can probably put any version motherboard in as its replacement.
That being said, which model motherboard would be my best bet for the following:
-Must support T Mobile USA (all the bands they utilize) if unlocked
-Has the best ROM support
a third bonus would be having great worldwide band support since I travel, given it's already covered my first requirement (having all t mo band support).
Thanks.
Well your kinda hindered a little bit because you have to go for the snapdragon variant of the board.
There is root but there are issues with it, and as far as I know not many people are developing roms for the snapdragon variant.
Also the snapdragon variant probably isn't going to work world wide, just like the exynos version doesn't support American bands, the US variant won't work in European countries
sofir786 said:
Well your kinda hindered a little bit because you have to go for the snapdragon variant of the board.
There is root but there are issues with it, and as far as I know not many people are developing roms for the snapdragon variant.
Also the snapdragon variant probably isn't going to work world wide, just like the exynos version doesn't support American bands, the US variant won't work in European countries
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Are you sure they aren't pin compatible? I'd be somewhat surprised if Samsung actually had two board produced (but maybe). If this is confirmed by teardown or whatever then thanks for the info
Hello motherboard issue here
I have a s8+ G955FD international version, apparently my motherboard died when i was charging my phone, somebody told me that i have to replace the motherboard but looking online the "FD" version it's very hard to find and also very expensive, any recomendations that i can do, can i replace it with a diferent version of the motherboard or i have to stay with the "FD" version?
alex010911 said:
I have a s8+ G955FD international version, apparently my motherboard died when i was charging my phone, somebody told me that i have to replace the motherboard but looking online the "FD" version it's very hard to find and also very expensive, any recomendations that i can do, can i replace it with a diferent version of the motherboard or i have to stay with the "FD" version?
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I have a bad S8 plus board and my friend has a working one but it's S8 not Plus....can I use S8 board to replace S8 plus ?