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Downward trend on development with AT&T Galaxy S phones? Share your thoughts

I'm trying to decide if I'm going to own the AT&T galaxy s7 edge. This is just my observation, but it seems that there are fewer root options and less custom user development with each new model of the Samsung Galaxy S phones from AT&T. This seems to be more with with AT&T versions because they seem to be trying to do everything in their power to limit users from rooting their phones. This may go further than AT&T, but that's where my experience is limited to. I'd go with another carrier or buy an unlocked one, but I just can't justify the cost when my job pays for the phone and the bill. Worst case scenario is that I'll just stop rooting my phone rather than buy one somewhere else, but I love the flexibility and options it gives me. There are many custom functions I enjoy on my phone made possible by rooting it.
So my question to the community is this, and please share your thoughts even if you disagree:
Do you too also see a decline in the root options and custom development effort in AT&T Galaxy S phones over the years? Do you think this is going to change? And are there other phones you feel are better to own with comparable functionality to the Galaxy S series that receive much more custom user development support? Thank you all!

There is no question that development has fallen away on ATT phones - primarly because of the locked bootloader that ATT started back with the S4 - is has only gotten worse since then.
I am on ATT and I stopped buying ATT phones after the S4. The flexibility and options that are open to me using a TMobile phone on ATT are worth whatever additional cost to me so I just deal with it. I am fortunate, I have a good job and my wife doesn't bi..ch too much.
Custom Rom Developoment on the S6 and Note 5 for all carriers seemed to be less overall than I remember on the Note 4 and the S5 before that - maybe because Samsung pissed everyone off when they didn't include an External SD Card and they elminated the removal battery. The Exynos Processor probably played a big role too - I hope we see more on the S7 and S7 edge....

It's probably not a good idea if you want to use CM on ATT S7. And I would recommend you to get oneplus or nexus if you want to use CM or other custom ROMs.
Edited: I am also considering getting tmobile S7 for att use. Just don't know if that gonna work.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I have had to stick with ATT since it is the only signal to penetrate the building I am in. My S4 was a T-Mobile model which was all unlocked with good amount of development. My s5 is w8 Canadian model also with pretty good development. I actually considered getting an ATT s7 but I'm sure I would soon be dissatisfied with stock only. Plus 30 months of $26 extra bill for device would be terrible. So I am going to wait and buy another international one when available for less than 6 or 7 hundred bucks.

I left ATT for one of these reasons, got so sick and tired of their Nazi BS crappy way of doing things the past couple of years. I used to LOL at Verizon for being the worst, well ATT has far surpassed them for the worst carrier in the U.S. ( Not talking network )
Back in the day, the ATT Note 2 was AWESOME, and tons of XDA development available for that phone, and then the Note 3 things started to change, and only got worse. The S4 was a disaster, at first it was rootable and had development, then ATT passed an update, and totally locked down that phone.
Plus their billing sucks, my monthly bill was never consistent, even though I was on a good plan. Every month my bill was a little higher, or way higher, but never exactly what it should be.
Fast forward to last Summer, My wife and I moved to T-Mobile at the launch of the Note 5, pick up the T-Mobile Note 5, and both are rooted running a great ROM. And T-Mobile's monthly bill, for seven months straight, been exactly the same, no funny business.

I'm with AT&T for the past two years. Two years ago AT&T kicked T-Mobile off all their cell towers in my area, and my signal became nonexistent. I ordered an S7 Edge through T-Mobile. Once the phone is unlocked, works fine on AT&T network. I won't buy another AT&T phone. I was lucky with my S5. I used the Towel Root exploit, and was lucky to have not updated.....

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the feedback! Since work will buy the phone, I'm thinking about getting the AT&T S7 Edge, selling it, then getting a T-Mobile version with the money I sell it for maybe make a little or lose a little, but it shouldn't be a huge difference.

It is not only ATT Samsung phones that have seen a decrease in development - pretty much all phones have seen a decrease in development. Reason? Android is much better than it used to be! I had the S6 Edge+ (928G) unlocked and liked it, but eventually sold it. After a month or two I missed it and go a good deal on the ATT version. Man, the battery and signal strength are MUCH better than the 928G I had. There was bloat, but 99% of it can be disabled or uninstalled. I have gotten quite used to Samsung Pay and Android Pay and you can not use those with root.

madgalaxy said:
It is not only ATT Samsung phones that have seen a decrease in development - pretty much all phones have seen a decrease in development. Reason? Android is much better than it used to be! I had the S6 Edge+ (928G) unlocked and liked it, but eventually sold it. After a month or two I missed it and go a good deal on the ATT version. Man, the battery and signal strength are MUCH better than the 928G I had. There was bloat, but 99% of it can be disabled or uninstalled. I have gotten quite used to Samsung Pay and Android Pay and you can not use those with root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I simply cannot use a phone without AdAway, so I must root it. I hate ads/spam more than people hated Hitler.

I haven't felt a desire to unlock and root my phone. I have a Moto X Pure. I did have a Note 4 ATT variant and if it just came with Samsung bloat, I would have been fine but it's that ****ty at&t bloat that made me frustrated.

We went from a Note 3 to a Note Edge... Note 3 wasn't too bad and I did have it rooted with towelroot I think.
Note Edge didn't gain enough popularirty and nobody really cared to do anything with it anyways. We skipped the Note 5 and now going with a S7 Edge. I realized I didn't need to root or load a custom ROM on my Edge and I've been fine... Might stay that way with the S7 Edge we'll see...
that being said, I have a Gear S and that is locked down with ATT too.
Thought about going to T-Mobile, but our service is real good with AT&T so we didn't wanna change... I wouldn't mind trying T-Mobile though.

razorseal said:
We went from a Note 3 to a Note Edge... Note 3 wasn't too bad and I did have it rooted with towelroot I think.
Note Edge didn't gain enough popularirty and nobody really cared to do anything with it anyways. We skipped the Note 5 and now going with a S7 Edge. I realized I didn't need to root or load a custom ROM on my Edge and I've been fine... Might stay that way with the S7 Edge we'll see...
that being said, I have a Gear S and that is locked down with ATT too.
Thought about going to T-Mobile, but our service is real good with AT&T so we didn't wanna change... I wouldn't mind trying T-Mobile though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking about switching to tmobile but I was wondering if there is any way to test for tmobile signal in my building?

Ublock Origin works wonders
schn1tt3r said:
I simply cannot use a phone without AdAway, so I must root it. I hate ads/spam more than people hated Hitler.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ublock Origin > Firefox Mobile
Just adding (maybe not for you) but there are options out there for people that want Android/Samsung Pay and won't have root.

My honest openion, avoid AT&T, get a unlocked varient, You will thank me later.

I wish unlocked variations of phones worked on Verizon because that's what i would do. Verizon has the same issue with development going down the hill and also all the bloat ware, late updates...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How is development for Verizon galaxy devices?

Does the T-Mobile variant have the same bands as at&t? Can I get the free Samsung gear vr? Can't seem to find the answers to these anywhere.

I also agree that development across all devices has went down allot.
The way I look at it, from Samsung stand point, if u want features like Gear VR and Samsung Pay, it's best not to root anyway since most of the root breaks those features.
Without those features you might as well get a non feature packed Android such as a Nexus.
Now days before making a device purchase, it's pretty obvious which device has the better dev community. If u go dev route and get a Nexus you loose luxury features such as Samsung Pay Gear VR etc....
Android is so powerful now days, the need for root and custom Roms just ain't needed anymore.
The G1 and HTC Evo and Samsung Vibrant (old school devices) days are a different story.

Just a warning for anybody who wants to use a non AT&T phone on their network. They will not allow it to use VoLTE at all.

spankmatic22 said:
I was thinking about switching to tmobile but I was wondering if there is any way to test for tmobile signal in my building?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll be sorry if you switch.... I left T-Mobile two years ago because of signal problems in the financial capital of the world. NYC... and they are still having the same problems two years later since AT&T kicked them off their cell towers.....
http://callingouttmobile.com/
---------- Post added at 12:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 PM ----------
lordloki77 said:
Does the T-Mobile variant have the same bands as at&t? Can I get the free Samsung gear vr? Can't seem to find the answers to these anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was with T-Mobile for 15 years up until two years ago when I switched to AT&T.... I had mad signal problems in my house.... I've had no problem since I moved. I order only T-Mobile phones because they are easier to root, and I unlock them.... and use them on AT&T....
---------- Post added at 12:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:51 PM ----------
lordloki77 said:
Does the T-Mobile variant have the same bands as at&t? Can I get the free Samsung gear vr? Can't seem to find the answers to these anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was with T-Mobile for 15 years up until two years ago when I switched to AT&T.... I had mad signal problems in my house.... I've had no problem since I moved. I order only T-Mobile phones because they are easier to root, and I unlock them.... and use them on AT&T....

Samsung Pay on G930F / G935F (International Variant)

Hi, anybody got Samsung Pay working on the International Variant of the S7 / S7 Edge (G930F / G935F) in USA.
I flashed mine with UK firmware:- PDA (G935FXXU1APB4), CSC (G935FVIR1APB3)
Sideloaded :-
Samsung Pay Framework 2.1.06 (http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/samsun...ng-pay-framework-2-1-06-android-apk-download/)
Samsung Pay 1.7.04 (http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/samsun...ease/samsung-pay-1-7-04-android-apk-download/)
But I get this message :- "Failed to connect to server. Try again later."
Google Play says :- "This app is incompatible with all of your devices." (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.android.spay)
Note: I am using T-mobile with my phone.
Sorry if this is a duplicate post.
Thanks

If I install both .apk files it lets me get all the way up until the add card screen and once I take a picture it just infinitely loads.
Edit: I got past that by going into settings and giving Samsung Pay and Samsung Pay Framework all permissions asked. When I get to the screen where it's validating the card after the TOA it just gives me the server error.
Also if I try to use my fingerprint it just takes me back to the pin option screen, I can't proceed unless I use a pin
Note: I am using an AT&T MVNO (cricket)

It's not out yet in the UK and no card issuer currently supports it, it won't work until then.

So even though I am in US, I cannot use Samsung Pay.
I am feeling a little bit restricted here Samsung, as far as I knew, Samsung was not Apple. But now, its hard to say.

Zyxxeil said:
If I install both .apk files it lets me get all the way up until the add card screen and once I take a picture it just infinitely loads.
Edit: I got past that by going into settings and giving Samsung Pay and Samsung Pay Framework all permissions asked. When I get to the screen where it's validating the card after the TOA it just gives me the server error.
Also if I try to use my fingerprint it just takes me back to the pin option screen, I can't proceed unless I use a pin
Note: I am using an AT&T MVNO (cricket)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using international variant of S7

Yes

Yeah that's what I though. Wait until Samsung pay releases in the UK and then add my cards after. But it's sucks. It shouldn't be firmware attached. Oh Samsung.. Now debating if I should wait or just root and enjoy a rooted s7 edge
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

For me, Samsung Pay is worth the wait

So I was about to buy an international Galaxy S7 Edge G935F to use with my AT&T line... but after checking here and there I couldn't find an answer for the Samsung Pay..even the customer support for the Samsung Pay said that they are only trained to answer questions for US vairants S7 only but they told me I can try install the app and see if it will work or not as it still only support in the US only, but they mentioned an update to come later but to certain markets..my biggest fear is that if it didn't reach the international version at all!!

osmosizzz said:
Yeah that's what I though. Wait until Samsung pay releases in the UK and then add my cards after. But it's sucks. It shouldn't be firmware attached. Oh Samsung.. Now debating if I should wait or just root and enjoy a rooted s7 edge
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember people saying this exact same thing with the international S6... and those people are still waiting LOL.
Root your device, I highly doubt samsung pay will be coming anytime soon.

Yes it sucks but you can still use Android pay in US.. That is widely supported by banks!!

Goronok said:
I remember people saying this exact same thing with the international S6... and those people are still waiting LOL.
Root your device, I highly doubt samsung pay will be coming anytime soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I'm thinking Yeah.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 03:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:49 PM ----------
mikereyes01 said:
Yes it sucks but you can still use Android pay in US.. That is widely supported by banks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I can true. So fixated in Samsung pay, I forgot about android pay. I guess that's something
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Same issue here - no Samsung Pay on SMg935f
I've searched multiple forums and looks like we have to wait for an international firmware that Samsung opens up Pay on. Sigh

Flash tmobile firmware
Out of curiosity, would it be possible to flash the tmobile official firmware on an international s7 edge and be able to use samsung pay?

Mod Edit
Thread cleaned.
Please stay on the topic of this thread , which is Samsung Pay
Thank you
malybru
Forum Moderator

expired_retired said:
Out of curiosity, would it be possible to flash the tmobile official firmware on an international s7 edge and be able to use samsung pay?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. The tmobile firmware has the snapdragon variant. We have the exynos. And even so, without root, Odin most likely wouldn't let us flash the tmobile firmware on an international device. US carriers think their versions of the phones firmware is sacred. Wish Samsung used it's size and just went the apple way. One variant, all carriers. One software the model no matter where it's sold
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

osmosizzz said:
No. The tmobile firmware has the snapdragon variant. We have the exynos. And even so, without root, Odin most likely wouldn't let us flash the tmobile firmware on an international device. US carriers think their versions of the phones firmware is sacred. Wish Samsung used it's size and just went the apple way. One variant, all carriers. One software the model no matter where it's sold
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even with root you won't be able to run the T-Mobile firmware on it. Think of it as using a whole different architecture.
Envoyé de mon SM-G935F en utilisant Tapatalk

Here in Brazil it's being sold the SM-G935F model but i got mine S7 on Canada (model SM-G935W8 ) ... so i'm guessing when the service debut here i'll have to wait to be also working on Canada?
That's stupid as ****, if you ask me. God damn samsung....
And by the way, i coudln't find 1 single diference in hardware betwen the SM-G935F and the SM-G935W8, so why the hell can't I flash the internacional model G935F on my phone?

I've never used these mobile payment apps but I've been interested in trying them out. I don't have an S7 yet but Samsung Pay was one of the things I was looking forward to.
Any thoughts on how Samsung Pay would compare to Android Pay? Do I lose a lot by using Android Pay over Samsung Pay?

johnusesandroid said:
I've never used these mobile payment apps but I've been interested in trying them out. I don't have an S7 yet but Samsung Pay was one of the things I was looking forward to.
Any thoughts on how Samsung Pay would compare to Android Pay? Do I lose a lot by using Android Pay over Samsung Pay?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only difference is that you lose the MST capability.

sprint S7E on cricket. best way for root and clean rom?

Hello
I have a Sprint varient Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. I paid a company a couple months back $15 to Sim Unlock the device (android doctor i believe the company was named). they did a great job!
well, now I rooted my device with the simple ODIN developer flash, and root is successful too!
so now I am running a Sprint Varient Unlocked Galaxy S7 Edge on Cricket (GSM, ATT).
my question is, I want to get rid of all the bloatware and Sprint crap, what is the best way to do that? I want it removed not disabled. i just want a clean rom to use

Yeah that's what I'm doing too, same deal. Like to change the sprint boot up too but just starting on s7e. Looks like you can't put a custom recovery on it but can use flashfire for zips and whatnot. Coming from nexus n not used to this bs Lol anyway if you figure it out lmk know and I'll do likewise.

Android doctor ripped me off just for future references of anyone coming thru here make sure you Google them
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Franzferdinan51 said:
Android doctor ripped me off just for future references of anyone coming thru here make sure you Google them
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did they ever contact you again? Just paid them 20 to unlock my S7 Edge but never got any replies?

Should i get a note 7 from at&t?

The Galaxy Note Edge still to this day does not have Root. I was wondering if it was worth it getting the Note 7 from At&t or should I get an unlocked one. What do you guys think?

I had the At&t Note 4 as well, which also never got root. I recently sold mine for over $200 on eBay and I found a T-Mobile Note 3 that I rooted and ROM'd and it is nearly as fast as the Note 5. I've already pre-ordered the Note 7 through At&t only because I've used the S7 Edge and it is fast enough to not really need root. But to be fair the S7 and S7 Edge do have root so it may be possible for the Note 7 to be rooted in a similar fashion. Now the bootloader is a whole nother story!
Sent from my SM-T700 using XDA-Developers mobile app

whmgreen said:
I had the At&t Note 4 as well, which also never got root. I recently sold mine for over $200 on eBay and I found a T-Mobile Note 3 that I rooted and ROM'd and it is nearly as fast as the Note 5. I've already pre-ordered the Note 7 through At&t only because I've used the S7 Edge and it is fast enough to not really need root. But to be fair the S7 and S7 Edge do have root so it may be possible for the Note 7 to be rooted in a similar fashion. Now the bootloader is a whole nother story!
Sent from my SM-T700 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems to really depend on the popularity of the phone, whether it gets root or not. The Note 4 Edge was a great phone, but was not that popular with the general public. With all the excitement generated for the Note 7, I think we will get root. I do really wish they had put the snapdragon 821 & 6GB of ram, like the rumors had said. Then it really would of been an iphone killer. Btw, I also Pre-ordered a Note 7.

whmgreen said:
I had the At&t Note 4 as well, which also never got root. I recently sold mine for over $200 on eBay and I found a T-Mobile Note 3 that I rooted and ROM'd and it is nearly as fast as the Note 5. I've already pre-ordered the Note 7 through At&t only because I've used the S7 Edge and it is fast enough to not really need root. But to be fair the S7 and S7 Edge do have root so it may be possible for the Note 7 to be rooted in a similar fashion. Now the bootloader is a whole nother story!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We do have root, what are you talking about lol. S7 edge Verizon rooted

I'm gonna also pre-order and I have AT&T. But I'm gonna go to best buy and out right buy the unlocked no plan version. AT&T can kiss my rear end, if it weren't for my wife not wanting to leave them I would have dumped them way back when bootloader got locked.

Reinaldo33897 said:
I'm gonna also pre-order and I have AT&T. But I'm gonna go to best buy and out right buy the unlocked no plan version. AT&T can kiss my rear end, if it weren't for my wife not wanting to leave them I would have dumped them way back when bootloader got locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont buy it from best buy, they upcharge. They wont carry a sim unlocked one anyways. Buy on amazon. For me as much as I used to like sammy I cant deal with locked bootloaders and the price tag is too high. If anything id consider a international exynos model s7 from amazon. Theres at least stable root and development.

fix-this! said:
Dont buy it from best buy, they upcharge. They wont carry a sim unlocked one anyways. Buy on amazon. For me as much as I used to like sammy I cant deal with locked bootloaders and the price tag is too high. If anything id consider a international exynos model s7 from amazon. Theres at least stable root and development.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good advise, I went to best buy and asked if they were taking pre-orders for the unlocked version. She looked at me like I was talking some alien language. Gave me a weird expression and walked away.

You shouldn't support ANY carriers - including AT&T.
Buy unlocked and do what you want with YOUR device!

TechBSwift said:
We do have root, what are you talking about lol. S7 edge Verizon rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm...can you read? I said S7 and S7 Edge CAN be rooted!!

HNIC215 said:
You shouldn't support ANY carriers - including AT&T.
Buy unlocked and do what you want with YOUR device!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What model version is unlocked? Will it be possible to unlock the bootloader on this version as well? Thanks in advance
Sent from my SGH-I337 using XDA-Developers mobile app

awakener777 said:
What model version is unlocked? Will it be possible to unlock the bootloader on this version as well? Thanks in advance [/URL]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
N930F (Europe); N930G (India)
I think both of these models come unlocked and I think there are also dual sim variants that come unlocked as well. Not sure.
I always go for the F variant - N930F - which is usually the international unlocked version.
Yes, it should be possible to unlock the bootloader and root - at least it was on the S7 Edge I used to own.
Keep in mind, the international model uses the Exynos processor as opposed to the SD820 the US version uses.
They both have pros and cons - do your research before you purchase. Especially if you are planning to root, use Samsung Pay etc...
I prefer international for less bloat/carrier restrictions, better battery life, root etc...
P.S. -> if you root then no Samsung Pay

HNIC215 said:
N930F (Europe); N930G (India)
I think both of these models come unlocked and I think there are also dual sim variants that come unlocked as well. Not sure.
I always go for the F variant - N930F - which is usually the international unlocked version.
Yes, it should be possible to unlock the bootloader and root - at least it was on the S7 Edge I used to own.
Keep in mind, the international model uses the Exynos processor as opposed to the SD820 the US version uses.
They both have pros and cons - do your research before you purchase. Especially if you are planning to root, use Samsung Pay etc...
I prefer international for less bloat/carrier restrictions, better battery life, root etc...
P.S. -> if you root then no Samsung Pay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your input! Can't do a phone without unlockable BL. I don't even know what Samsung pay is so that's okay.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using XDA-Developers mobile app

Don't the unlocked phones use different frequencies/channels compare to US carriers and might not get full potential of US LTE network?
Even between US carriers the frequencies/channels are different. For example my Note 3 T-mob doesn't use some channels that Att uses and I can't get full LTE speeds on ATT network because of that.

[email protected] said:
Don't the unlocked phones use different frequencies/channels compare to US carriers and might not get full potential of US LTE network?
Even between US carriers the frequencies/channels are different. For example my Note 3 T-mob doesn't use some channels that Att uses and I can't get full LTE speeds on ATT network because of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not anymore, Almost all unlocked variants work perfect with all US carriers..I have international Note5 on AT&T
Sent from my SM-N920S using Tapatalk

will I be able to flash Indian firmware on a note7 purchased from Dubai? The models in India and Dubai are same. SM-N930FD
Sent from SM-N910G on Dr. Ketan's L16

rajat_delhi said:
will I be able to flash Indian firmware on a note7 purchased from Dubai? The models in India and Dubai are same. SM-N930FD
Sent from SM-N910G on Dr. Ketan's L16
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as model numbers are same, you can...
Sent from my SM-N920S using Tapatalk

thinking about s7 edge - newb questions

Hey All!
I'm currently using the s5 active, and I'm looking for an upgrade. I'm looking for a phone with a great camera, so obviously s7 edge has come up.
I'm planning on using this phone primarily in Vietnam, so I wanted to ask a few questions about which variant you all suggest.
1. Are all versions sim unlocked? I read online that verizon is, but I also read that some other ones I need to buy codes. Is it relatively easy to unlock the other variants (without paying money)? I'm not shy about flashing and odin things so if it's complicated that's fine too, as long as it's possible.
2. Hows the unified development? I love flashing roms and trying out new ones, if you were to buy a new s7 edge and didn't care about carrier, is there one that you would recommend over the others? I'm on the ATT s5 active now, and locked bootloader sucks. So I'm hoping to avoid that if I can.

If you can buy the exynos version, it's SIM unlock and easily rootable. All USA version are based on Qualcomm and with locked boot loader so no development for it.

G935 exynos is your choice, but I'd wait for S8

Anik49 said:
If you can buy the exynos version, it's SIM unlock and easily rootable. All USA version are based on Qualcomm and with locked boot loader so no development for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah okay. Maybe I'll check out some other phones then. Thanks!
yaro666 said:
G935 exynos is your choice, but I'd wait for S8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! haha, but since I'm not on any US plan, I figured I'd buy a used one instead. Although, if I wait till the s8 comes out, I'm sure there will be a nice price drop for a used s7.
Although now I gotta think if I want to look into HTC or LG for my development needs =D

Ah. One more question. People are generally saying touchwiz now isn't terrible. So if carriers have OTA updates, are they easily flashed in other countries? With my att sg5, it was pretty difficult to get updates abroad.