Database Users

[Q] Buying a Samsung Galaxy S 4 Duos (i9502) from China to be used in Europe

I would really love getting the dual SIM version of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 as it would allow me to carry one less phone with me. But in the end I'm not sure if the pros outweight the cons.
Pros:
- Able to use two SIMs in the same phone
- Exynos 5 Octa, which will see very limited availability in Europe
Cons:
- China Unicom specific version
- No international warranty outside of China
- UI may not be available in English?
- Will be stuck with the stock Chinese firmware as the ROMs for i9500 / i9505 will not work on this
Is anyone else considering buying an i9502 to be used outside of China?

liviuv said:
I would really love getting the dual SIM version of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 as it would allow me to carry one less phone with me. But in the end I'm not sure if the pros outweight the cons.
Pros:
- Able to use two SIMs in the same phone
- Exynos 5 Octa, which will see very limited availability in Europe
Cons:
- China Unicom specific version
- No international warranty outside of China
- UI may not be available in English?
- Will be stuck with the stock Chinese firmware as the ROMs for i9500 / i9505 will not work on this
Is anyone else considering buying an i9502 to be used outside of China?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to have i9502 and I have the same questions and worrying about the warranty outside of China. I'm gonna wait till it is available on eBay. I hope that some companies could give at least 12 months international warranty for this device.

I am thinking of buying one for use world wide. I assume no one will be developing a custom ROM for this version.
Is there a way to install the Play Store and Gapps?

As the S4 should be highly popular, we might see more developing for the exynos chipset. Once they come out with the aosp base for it, developing for the variants should be easier.
Since i9502 is China based, we should see a MIUI Rom for it soon
Sent from my IM-A860K using xda premium

I thought samsung released their official rom for this phone? Doesn't it therefore mean that we can root this without any bugs? I remember the Note 2 dual sim custom rom had bugs on the map and caller id.
Can someone verify that once using the official rom, play store and Google apps will be available?

http://www.hotfile.com/dl/204614115/9393a40/I9502ZNUAMDG_I9502CHUAMDG_CHU.zip.html
Looks like there is one out there

paulsalem said:
I am thinking of buying one for use world wide. I assume no one will be developing a custom ROM for this version.
Is there a way to install the Play Store and Gapps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way to install Play Store and Google apps is to root the phone. Unfortunately, there's no available rooting method yet for Galaxy I9502. But I'm hopeful that it will be available in the future. Like the Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7102 Dual Sim variant, a working rooting procedure was eventually made available.
I have ordered my Galaxy I9502 and can't wait to get my hands on it.

[email protected] said:
I have ordered my Galaxy I9502 and can't wait to get my hands on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you order it from?

liviuv said:
Where did you order it from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
China. ..
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

nniicckkss said:
China. ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant to ask from which website you've ordered it. Thanks in advance!

liviuv said:
Where did you order it from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ordered from taobao.com thru an agent in my country. Just need to choose a trustworthy seller. Or you can order from etotalk.com but the price is a little higher and payment method is not safe.
---------- Post added at 09:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:33 AM ----------
nniicckkss said:
China. ..
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately that's the only place to get it from right now. But hey, it's legit and dual sim. I'm happy

[email protected] said:
Unfortunately that's the only place to get it from right now. But hey, it's legit and dual sim. I'm happy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're gonna live with the fact that you don't have Play Store? Or do you have a work around?

merkava74 said:
So you're gonna live with the fact that you don't have Play Store? Or do you have a work around?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I'm optimistic a rooting tool will be available once this phone is released.

[email protected] said:
I ordered from taobao.com thru an agent in my country. Just need to choose a trustworthy seller. Or you can order from etotalk.com but the price is a little higher and payment method is not safe.
---------- Post added at 09:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:33 AM ----------
Unfortunately that's the only place to get it from right now. But hey, it's legit and dual sim. I'm happy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey there. would u mind saying, where do u live?! are u sure that china version is gonna work in your country?
I live in europe and really curious if i can use it here...

asheg said:
hey there. would u mind saying, where do u live?! are u sure that china version is gonna work in your country?
I live in europe and really curious if i can use it here...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on offical specs, I'm very sure an unlocked SGS4 I9502 will work in my country and Europe too.
Here's why:
SGS4 I9502 Supported Network Frequency:
WCDMA 850/900/1,900/2100MHz
GSM 850/900/1,800/1900MHz
GSM Coverage:
GSM 900 / GSM 1800 MHz are used in most parts of the world: Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East, Africa.
Reference: www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html
3G Coverage:
In general, the various UMTS bands are deployed as follows:
Band I (W-CDMA 2100) in Europe, India, Africa, Israel (Cellcom, Orange, Pelephone[4]) Asia, Australia (metropolitan Optus and Vodafone), New Zealand (ITU Region 1, 2degrees Vodafone NZ), Thailand (TOT (Thailand)), and Brazil (part of ITU Region 2)
Band II (W-CDMA 1900) in North America and South America (ITU Region 2).
Band IV (W-CDMA 1700 or Advanced Wireless Services) in the United States (T-Mobile USA), Canada (WIND Mobile, Mobilicity, SaskTel, Vidéotron) and Chile (VTR Movil, Nextel Chile)
Band V (W-CDMA 850) in Australia (Telstra NextG, Vodafone), Hong Kong (SmarTone), Thailand (True move and DTAC), New Zealand (XT Mobile Network), Brazil, Canada, the USA, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic (Claro),Venezuela, other parts of South America, Israel (Pelephone,[4] Cellcom[5]), parts of Asia (ITU Region 2 and ITU Region 3), Poland (Sferia)
Band VIII (W-CDMA 900) in Europe, Asia, Australia (Optus and Vodafone regional/country 3G networks), New Zealand (2degrees, Vodafone NZ), Thailand (Advanced Info Service), Dominican Republic (Orange Dominicana), Venezuela (Digitel GSM), Poland (Play and Aero2 HSPA+ Internet only[6])
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands

I bought mine in China and used it with China Mobile and my US T-Mobile SIM cards installed at the same time. When I landed back on US soil, it automatically switched to use my T-Mobile SIM. I haven't had any problems so far.

Does that mean you have Google apps and play store?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2

liviuv said:
I would really love getting the dual SIM version of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 as it would allow me to carry one less phone with me. But in the end I'm not sure if the pros outweight the cons.
Pros:
- Able to use two SIMs in the same phone
- Exynos 5 Octa, which will see very limited availability in Europe
Cons:
- China Unicom specific version
- No international warranty outside of China
- UI may not be available in English?
- Will be stuck with the stock Chinese firmware as the ROMs for i9500 / i9505 will not work on this
Is anyone else considering buying an i9502 to be used outside of China?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The UI is available in Chinese, Korean and English on the i9502.

Mindbeats said:
I haven't had any problems so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I ask if you have Play Store working?

merkava74 said:
Can I ask if you have Play Store working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm working on that now. Stock there was go Gapps; you get the Chinese version of their app store 沃商店.

Note 4 from handtec

They write need to put European sim to make it sim free.
Have some unlcoked for it??
I want order

morell2 said:
They write need to put European sim to make it sim free.
Have some unlcoked for it??
I want order
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the N910C, works fine with my three sim, they only difference is N910C is exynos with a wolfson dac the N910F being snapdragon 805.
Apart from that they should be the same.
The phone comes sim free and unlocked, so put in whatever micro sim you have.

Sure is unlocked? I will use micro sim of no European countries

morell2 said:
Sure is unlocked? I will use micro sim of no European countries
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sure is unlocked.... all they mean is that every galaxy note is region locked... this means that the first sim you HAVE to put in it should be one from a European carrier. I don't know carriers from the rest of Europe, but in the UK that means just put ANY sim in from Three, O2, EE, Vodafone, Orange or T-mobile
I received my 910-C from handtec today, popped my three sim in and all is well. Since then, its also had a visit from an EE, and O2 sim, all working just fine

dannstarr said:
It sure is unlocked.... all they mean is that every galaxy note is region locked... this means that the first sim you HAVE to put in it should be one from a European carrier. I don't know carriers from the rest of Europe, but in the UK that means just put ANY sim in from Three, O2, EE, Vodafone, Orange or T-mobile
I received my 910-C from handtec today, popped my three sim in and all is well. Since then, its also had a visit from an EE, and O2 sim, all working just fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but i dont have one of this sim

morell2 said:
but i dont have one of this sim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... If you ask handtec, im sure they would open one for you and activate it with a uk sim... It will then ne able to be used where ever you are, with a sim of your choice
Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk

Has anyone actually seen a exynos version against a snapdragon. Can the better sound and camera sensor in the exynos really be identified, can any difference in speed be seen either?

S5 Duos (G900FD) - OK to use in the UK?

I live in the UK and am hoping to buy an S5 Duos to use on Vodafone 3G/4G. Has anyone used this phone in the UK and can confirm that both SIM's will work fine here?
Also, I've seen Lollipop is available for the duos via Sammobile but there's no UK or USA version. Can anyone confirm that one of the Lollipop firmwares has English as an installed language?

Anyone? There must someone using this phone in the UK? :good:

can confirm ok
Hello I just got my middle eastern s5 duos off eBay for about £300.00. I have an ee broadband 4G in sim slot 1 and a three sim in sim slot 2. It originally came with kit kat and I was informed of an update to lollipop tho it did mentire I would loose about 970 mb of sforage space. Works like a charm and the fd version is comparable with all 4G UK signals too. Also yes it's got English language too. Only thing to note is Samsung will probably not honour the warranty as it's meant for the use not uk

fkmeitscold said:
Hello I just got my middle eastern s5 duos off eBay for about £300.00. I have an ee broadband 4G in sim slot 1 and a three sim in sim slot 2. It originally came with kit kat and I was informed of an update to lollipop tho it did mentire I would loose about 970 mb of sforage space. Works like a charm and the fd version is comparable with all 4G UK signals too. Also yes it's got English language too. Only thing to note is Samsung will probably not honour the warranty as it's meant for the use not uk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great, thanks for the info. Have now ordered an FD from Hong Kong, expect it will take some time to get here!
Cheers :good:

S7 Edge Models

Anyone know what the different models of the S7 Edge are going to be? If precise information (bands, capacity, dual sim, etc..) can be shown this could be useful.
Thanks

SAO said:
Anyone know what the different models of the S7 Edge are going to be? If precise information (bands, capacity, dual sim, etc..) can be shown this could be useful.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main difference is in the CPU/GPU and different radio chips i presume. The America`s will have the SD 820 cpu and Europe and maybe the rest of the world the Exynos 8890.

gee2012 said:
The main difference is in the CPU/GPU and different radio chips i presume. The America`s will have the SD 820 cpu and Europe and maybe the rest of the world the Exynos 8890.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. But i would like to have more info. Like the note 5 has so many variants. N920I / C / CD / 9200 / G / K / T etc...
The US, EU and Asians don't have the same bands it could be tricky for the buyer who is in a hurry to buy the wrong one.
I can't seem to find the different models online.

SAO said:
Agreed. But i would like to have more info. Like the note 5 has so many variants. N920I / C / CD / 9200 / G / K / T etc...
The US, EU and Asians don't have the same bands it could be tricky for the buyer who is in a hurry to buy the wrong one.
I can't seem to find the different models online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think its too early atm for this kind of info, maybe this or next week more details will be published.

gee2012 said:
I think its too early atm for this kind of info, maybe this or next week more details will be published.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the only info i found for the moment :
SM-G935F, SM-G935W8, SM-G9350, SM-G935K, SM-G935L, SM-G935S, SM-G935AZ, SM-G935A, SM-G935T1, SM-G935R6, SM-G935R7, SM-G935P, SM-G935T, SM-G935R4, SM-G935V, SM-G935FD

SAO said:
Anyone know what the different models of the S7 Edge are going to be? If precise information (bands, capacity, dual sim, etc..) can be shown this could be useful.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 Edge model list
http://choimobile.vn/threads/danh-s...e-samsung-galaxy-s7-s7-edge-model-list.63973/

Manh_IT said:
Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 Edge model list
http://choimobile.vn/threads/danh-s...e-samsung-galaxy-s7-s7-edge-model-list.63973/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great list! which means that the G935FD would be the European Dual Sim variant... for once Europe might just get a good dual sim galaxy.

SAO said:
Great list! which means that the G935FD would be the European Dual Sim variant... for once Europe might just get a good dual sim galaxy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see that variant listed. Where did you find it?
---------- Post added at 22:22 ---------- Previous post was at 22:19 ----------
SAO said:
Great list! which means that the G935FD would be the European Dual Sim variant... for once Europe might just get a good dual sim galaxy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, you are extrapolating from your list above. It is promising. I am also looking for a European dual sim variant.

spanielhead said:
Ah, you are extrapolating from your list above. It is promising. I am also looking for a European dual sim variant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check eBay if you are in a hurry, there is I think 1 more for grabs of the g935fd. Apparently the second SIM slot can also be used for sdcard in case you don't need the second SIM.... But that is still to be checked.

SAO said:
Anyone know what the different models of the S7 Edge are going to be? If precise information (bands, capacity, dual sim, etc..) can be shown this could be useful.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SAO said:
Great list! which means that the G935FD would be the European Dual Sim variant... for once Europe might just get a good dual sim galaxy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All S7/S7 edge is Dual Sim variant

SAO said:
Check eBay if you are in a hurry, there is I think 1 more for grabs of the g935fd. Apparently the second SIM slot can also be used for sdcard in case you don't need the second SIM.... But that is still to be checked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can definitely be used as SD if you wish. Go to samsung.com and switch to Indonesia. Find out more on s7 and edge, click on hardware and scroll down, and you will see dual sim.
I have tried the same with a few European countries and yet to find one with dual sim.

More preciso
spanielhead said:
It can definitely be used as SD if you wish. Go to samsung.com and switch to Indonesia. Find out more on s7 and edge, click on hardware and scroll down, and you will see dual sim.
I have tried the same with a few European countries and yet to find one with dual sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's indeed funny that the Swiss site only shows the SD and doesn't mention the dual sim (i'm from CH like you).
I just called Swisscom, and they had no idea if it was possible...So i contacted Samsung Switzerland and they told me that the phones sold in Switzerland will only have the possibility of having 1 sim and 1 SD (G935F EUR model), and that the second slot will not be able to take an extra SIM (they could be wrong). So the G935FD is going to be a rare beast...
the G935F is going to host the Exynos (which we all knew i guess)

I've been reading a lot about dual Sim phones recently. Correct me if I'm wrong but to my understanding it is not enough that is is hardware-ready, it needs 2 IMEIs as well.
Let's take the recent Galaxy A series for example, they all have a hybrid tray SIM1 + SIM2/SDCard but they are being restricted here in Germany (and probably elsewhere). Being sold as single SIM capable
If we take the previous Galaxys like the S5 Duos (G900FD) and the Note 5 (N920CD) for reference, the SM-G935FD will most probably be sold in the UAE and will support Europeans LTE Bands 3, 7 and 20.

Are all these international phones locked to local carriers? You can't buy a UK 935f and pop a US AT&T sim in it, right?

JasonS6Edge said:
Are all these international phones locked to local carriers? You can't buy a UK 935f and pop a US AT&T sim in it, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The European ones are generally unlocked. They will have different radios to US ones so your reception and battery life may not be as good as a US version.

G935F- 1SIM Chip CPU Exynos 8890
G935FD-2SIM Chip CPU Exynos 8890
G935T- 1SIM Chip CPU Snapdragon 820
G935A- 1SIM Chip CPU Snapdragon 820

Manh_IT said:
All S7/S7 edge is Dual Sim variant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only these are suppose to be dual sim:
Model numbers SM 9350 and SM 9300 for China and HK
Model numbers SM 935FD and SM 930FD for SE Asia

SJUAE said:
Only these are suppose to be dual sim:
Model numbers SM 9350 and SM 9300 for China and HK
Model numbers SM 935FD and SM 930FD for SE Asia
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
935F and 930F are models made for the EU. Got confirmation from samsung and operators in the EU. So the D would logically be the dual on these models. Right?

SAO said:
935F and 930F are models made for the EU. Got confirmation from samsung and operators in the EU. So the D would logically be the dual on these models. Right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's certainly how I read and have seen it listed in model no postings

S10 Plus G9750 Chinese to Global ROM

Hi! I just recieved my G9750 Snapdragon 855 S10 Plus, which turned out to be a chinese one. Is it any way to install any non-chinese/global ROM onto it? Like a USA ROM, which is also a Snapdragon one? I live in the UK, but I wanted one with the Snapdragon chipset. Thanks for any help.

Also in the same situation

Ditto - imported to UK.

danikollar said:
Hi! I just recieved my G9750 Snapdragon 855 S10 Plus, which turned out to be a chinese one. Is it any way to install any non-chinese/global ROM onto it? Like a USA ROM, which is also a Snapdragon one? I live in the UK, but I wanted one with the Snapdragon chipset. Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by "which turned out to be a Chinese one"? Can't you set it to English? I have the G-9750 and everything is English.

lexi250 said:
What do you mean by "which turned out to be a Chinese one"? Can't you set it to English? I have the G-9750 and everything is English.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it's include all languages, english also, but G9750 is for the Chinese market, so as the ROM is chinese. For example the Samsung Pay is Hong Kong specific one, with promotions from there. Etc....

So you wanted the G-9750 for the dual SIM functionality? I'm using the G-9750 in Canada, and Samsung Pay works. Did you try registering your CC?

All the S10's are dual SIM. I wanted the Snapdragon 855 version, cause it has better battery life compared to the Exynos version. I know that for sure, cause I had one at launch. And almost full support for the GCAM.

danikollar said:
All the S10's are dual SIM. I wanted the Snapdragon 855 version, cause it has better battery life compared to the Exynos version. I know that for sure, cause I had one at launch. And almost full support for the GCAM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Snapdragon has better battery life for screen on runtime. There is no international ROM for Chinese variant. You have to use the Hong Kong firmware by changing language to English. Samsung Pay works as well, just different ads from Hong Kong when you use it.

VICosPhi said:
Yes Snapdragon has better battery life for screen on runtime. There is no international ROM for Chinese variant. You have to use the Hong Kong firmware by changing language to English. Samsung Pay works as well, just different ads from Hong Kong when you use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And no not all S10's are dual sim.

Iain_S said:
And no not all S10's are dual sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, can't believe Samsung didn't follow Apple's suit here
Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

Iain_S said:
And no not all S10's are dual sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My UK 512GB S10+ Plus was!

danikollar said:
My UK 512GB S10+ Plus was!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes UK has all dual SIM models. US and Canada does not
Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

Yeah to be honest after a day with the phone - the only thing that makes it feel Chinese/HK is Samsung Pay... and I'm not entirely sure i'll be using it over GPay.
Looks like we have an unlocked bootloader though so will personally its just a matter of time until I brick my phone

lexi250 said:
What do you mean by "which turned out to be a Chinese one"? Can't you set it to English? I have the G-9750 and everything is English.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ssjgesus said:
Yeah to be honest after a day with the phone - the only thing that makes it feel Chinese/HK is Samsung Pay... and I'm not entirely sure i'll be using it over GPay.
Looks like we have an unlocked bootloader though so will personally its just a matter of time until I brick my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you find out it has an unlocked bootloader? The Snapdragon ones should be with the locked bootloader.

danikollar said:
How did you find out it has an unlocked bootloader? The Snapdragon ones should be with the locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Chinese Smapdragon devices have an unlocked bootloader.

lexi250 said:
So you wanted the G-9750 for the dual SIM functionality? I'm using the G-9750 in Canada, and Samsung Pay works. Did you try registering your CC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, if I may ask that have you linked your Canadian cards to the G9750 and it works with Samsung Pay? I am planning to buy one but the Samsung Pay is very important to me...

adding to the same question , i have a HongKong variant (SM-G9750) with Unlocked bootloader (u get the option to unlock in developer mode) , i m using it in india with Jio & Vodafone (network providers).. when i was on roaming i saw my phone not picking up network that well compared to my friends on the same network diff phones. i guess thats coz their CSC is Indian and mine is Hong kong ( i can be wrong in this , correct if i am) in that case is there a way to flash Indian CSC or Multi CSC on my device.

hi everybody , i have s10 plus hong kong, it has a problem with battery, cell standby higher than 15% on mobile network 4g and 3g, is there any way to solve this problem ? while s10 5g cell standby only has 1%

v1k1ngc0d3 said:
adding to the same question , i have a HongKong variant (SM-G9750) with Unlocked bootloader (u get the option to unlock in developer mode) , i m using it in india with Jio & Vodafone (network providers).. when i was on roaming i saw my phone not picking up network that well compared to my friends on the same network diff phones. i guess thats coz their CSC is Indian and mine is Hong kong ( i can be wrong in this , correct if i am) in that case is there a way to flash Indian CSC or Multi CSC on my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also waiting for this... as i need auto call recording feature too..
Sent from my SM-G9750 using Tapatalk

Just adding to the discussion here....I'm living in mainland China, not Hong Kong, and am using a Chinese sim card in my S7 that i brought with me from North America. It works fine with the apps i had installed when I came over. This includes VPN services, the Google play store and all its goodies. I just purchased the S10+ G9750 here in mainland China (not in Hong Kong). I don't have it in my hand yet, but when I get it I expect it to be full of Chinese software and restricting type soft/bloatware that could potentially limit both my access to VPN and the Google play store (FWIW, i have heard many expats here who have bought local xiaomi's and huawei's and have tried to put a VPN on them on to have it magically disappear from their phones a few days/weeks afterwards...I assume there is some sort of setting or software that does this as VPN services are not "legal" in China. I have also heard of people having problems with certain western APKs when installing them on these same Chinese phones).
That said...I have a few questions....hopefully this is the correct place to ask them...
1) Is there a difference between a Hong Kong G9750 and a mainland China one?
2) Based on what I have read, my G9750 does have an unlockable bootloader....if so...
3) what am i able to do with an unlockable bootloader? It seems that people interchangeably use "rooting" and bootloading a new rom on to an international phone so i'm confused af. Flashing the firmware???
Ultimately, i would like to completely wash this Chinese phone of any potential BS Chinese software and install a western ROM (i.e., Canada or US) that will still make it work in China, but will still offer me all the Google play store and other western app functionality as I have currently with my s7.
Thoughts?