I Got Scammed? - Galaxy Note 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

so i bought a samsung note4 from a online company. long story short i tried to root it and it got stuck in a bootloop, i took it to a repair shop and they said they cantfix it cause they cant find the S/N, i told them that its behind the battery and they said its an invalid s/n, its too short, so i checked imei.info and it turns out that its a samsung galaxy s3, i checked multiple sites and all with the same results. and another problem with the phone was the menu button and return button, you would have to put pressure on itin order for it to work unlike other phones where a slight touch would trigger it.
what surprises me is that on the box it says SM-N910F and when i go on download mode it says SM-N910V and when i check imei its a samsung galaxy s3, with a whole different model number..........
Did i really get scammed or imei websites are fake?

just an note 4 whit other imei, just changed whit an BOX

"so i checked imei.info and it turns out that its a samsung galaxy s3, i checked multiple sites and all with the same results."
According to my experiences, even if the info tells that you´ve got an S3, it still can be a Note4. Happened to me too, i just checked my definitely original SM-N910F, on three different sites out of curiousity, and one of them showed that I´ve got a Note2, which i obviously don´t.

tompika72 said:
"so i checked imei.info and it turns out that its a samsung galaxy s3, i checked multiple sites and all with the same results."
According to my experiences, even if the info tells that you´ve got an S3, it still can be a Note4. Happened to me too, i just checked my definitely original SM-N910F, on three different sites out of curiousity, and one of them showed that I´ve got a Note2, which i obviously don´t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont know man, but in odin mode it says SM-N910V when the package says SM-N910F and plus behind the battery there isnt even a serial number....

Well, i didn´t say that you bought an original SM-910F, it looks like there´s something not right with it. SM-N910V is the Verizon (USA) version, as far as i know. I just said that whatever these IMEI check sites tell, don´t care about it, your phone is still a Note4. Or i should say it can be, but because the market is full of cheap chinese knock-offs, most likely you bought one of these.

If it is a N910V then that explains why you can't Root. AFAIK, US Carrier Samsungs are not Rootable.
via Galaxy Note 4 +128GB MicroSDXC

POLO_i780 said:
If it is a N910V then that explains why you can't Root. AFAIK, US Carrier Samsungs are not Rootable.
via Galaxy Note 4 +128GB MicroSDXC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got 2 US Carrier Note 4's, 1 from Sprint and 1 from Verizon both rooted and twrp'd running 6.0.1. All you have to do is search how to root bla bla bla in Google. Just thought I'd let ya'll know. Not that it really matters anymore.

proking2144 said:
so i bought a samsung note4 from a online company. long story short i tried to root it and it got stuck in a bootloop, i took it to a repair shop and they said they cantfix it cause they cant find the S/N, i told them that its behind the battery and they said its an invalid s/n, its too short, so i checked imei.info and it turns out that its a samsung galaxy s3, i checked multiple sites and all with the same results. and another problem with the phone was the menu button and return button, you would have to put pressure on itin order for it to work unlike other phones where a slight touch would trigger it.
what surprises me is that on the box it says SM-N910F and when i go on download mode it says SM-N910V and when i check imei its a samsung galaxy s3, with a whole different model number..........
Did i really get scammed or imei websites are fake?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just updated my app, AndroIDentity, that will help you find out what is the real hardware you have. It will check some signatures of the hardware and compare it agains a database of over 12,700 devices and tell you what it really is. It's at the Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alxdroiddev.gs3identity
Another thing: please never, EVER!, let these sites know what your IMEI is. For your security, please keep your IMEI to yourself and yourself only.

There are stores around that buy blacklisted phones. So I'm betting this was probably a lost or stolen blacklisted phone. So they change there imei number.
If Odin says it's 910v you can probably flash that firmware. Goto Verizon thread. I think there's ways to unlock bootloader now. Don't quote me. Just check it out.
---------- Post added at 09:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:14 PM ----------
proking2144 said:
so i bought a samsung note4 from a online company. long story short i tried to root it and it got stuck in a bootloop, i took it to a repair shop and they said they cantfix it cause they cant find the S/N, i told them that its behind the battery and they said its an invalid s/n, its too short, so i checked imei.info and it turns out that its a samsung galaxy s3, i checked multiple sites and all with the same results. and another problem with the phone was the menu button and return button, you would have to put pressure on itin order for it to work unlike other phones where a slight touch would trigger it.
what surprises me is that on the box it says SM-N910F and when i go on download mode it says SM-N910V and when i check imei its a samsung galaxy s3, with a whole different model number..........
Did i really get scammed or imei websites are fake?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You get it working?

proking2144 said:
so i bought a samsung note4 from a online company. long story short i tried to root it and it got stuck in a bootloop, i took it to a repair shop and they said they cantfix it cause they cant find the S/N, i told them that its behind the battery and they said its an invalid s/n, its too short, so i checked imei.info and it turns out that its a samsung galaxy s3, i checked multiple sites and all with the same results. and another problem with the phone was the menu button and return button, you would have to put pressure on itin order for it to work unlike other phones where a slight touch would trigger it.
what surprises me is that on the box it says SM-N910F and when i go on download mode it says SM-N910V and when i check imei its a samsung galaxy s3, with a whole different model number..........
Did i really get scammed or imei websites are fake?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pardon me if I missed something while scanning over the thread. But shouldn't it be night and day difference at figuring out whether you have a note 4 or s3?
1. note 4 has finger print scanner
2. note 4 has stylus built in
3. note 4 is much bigger.
4. if you do have an s-pen with the phone hold the stylus near the screen and click the button. Does it pop up the air commands? if so then it's a note 4 not an s3
5. s3 to my knowledge doesn't have slow motion video recording so look for that option in the camera settings.
I could go on but you get the idea.

phonepie said:
Pardon me if I missed something while scanning over the thread. But shouldn't it be night and day difference at figuring out whether you have a note 4 or s3?
1. note 4 has finger print scanner
2. note 4 has stylus built in
3. note 4 is much bigger.
4. if you do have an s-pen with the phone hold the stylus near the screen and click the button. Does it pop up the air commands? if so then it's a note 4 not an s3
5. s3 to my knowledge doesn't have slow motion video recording so look for that option in the camera settings.
I could go on but you get the idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i understand where your coming from, but my phone dosnt even have s/n on the back. and i cant find the correct firmware. the phone is soft-bricked.
i cant access recovery mode either. and when i check the imei on imei.info it shows a samsung s3.

proking2144 said:
yeah i understand where your coming from, but my phone dosnt even have s/n on the back. and i cant find the correct firmware. the phone is soft-bricked.
i cant access recovery mode either. and when i check the imei on imei.info it shows a samsung s3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the serial number aside does the phone have a built in stylus? If so then my guess is you got a knockoff phone possibly built with s3 parts. I included two pictures. Which one looks like your phone. I also circled the stylus on the note 4 in orange.

phonepie said:
With the serial number aside does the phone have a built in stylus? If so then my guess is you got a knockoff phone possibly built with s3 parts. I included two pictures. Which one looks like your phone. I also circled the stylus on the note 4 in orange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it does have the stylus, when the phone was working i could use the stylus, air commands would pop up.
but i dont understand why there isnt a serial behind the battery, im trying to find a 3rd party software that could show such information but no luck.

Most probably your phone got "rebuild" in China...I have read story's online where people flashing their note 4's thinking its a F model while in reality they have an P model. These "rebuilders" are sticking even false ident stickers on the back of the phone. Its big business now rebuilding phones. It does not have to be a negative thing if they use original parts - after all, all the parts are manufactured in China anyway - and if the price reflect its a rebuild. Sure, you will find less "honest" people like in your case.
I bought an Note 2 in Central Africa and while I was concerned whether it was a real Samsung or a fake I did not realize I bought an "new" rebuild phone...Later on I was talking to some local friends who are in the "phone" business and they explained me about these rebuild phones and how you can easily spot them...In my case it did have a small green sticker under the battery cover identifying the shop who (re)build the phone. Also the boot-loader is in Chinese...

proking2144 said:
it does have the stylus, when the phone was working i could use the stylus, air commands would pop up.
but i dont understand why there isnt a serial behind the battery, im trying to find a 3rd party software that could show such information but no luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you dialed the number *#06# to have it show you the IMEI? If you do that it should show the real one even if the surface version is false. Then take that IMEI number and google IMEI check. There is one or more sites that will reverse that IMEI and tell you what phone it is.

phonepie said:
Pardon me if I missed something while scanning over the thread. But shouldn't it be night and day difference at figuring out whether you have a note 4 or s3?
1. note 4 has finger print scanner
2. note 4 has stylus built in
3. note 4 is much bigger.
4. if you do have an s-pen with the phone hold the stylus near the screen and click the button. Does it pop up the air commands? if so then it's a note 4 not an s3
5. s3 to my knowledge doesn't have slow motion video recording so look for that option in the camera settings.
I could go on but you get the idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sir are a legend! Its been along time since a post round here cracked me up, thank you
Absolute legend. If I ever bump in to you IRL I'll buy you a pint.

snowblind2142 said:
You sir are a legend! Its been along time since a post round here cracked me up, thank you
Absolute legend. If I ever bump in to you IRL I'll buy you a pint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, Thanks, If I ever had the money The UK is on one of my top places to visit. But haven't hit the lottery just yet :laugh: Or I'd already be there taking you up on the offer.

Related

[Q] Galaxy S5 fake/international/broken - I am at loss

I have a galaxy S5 that I have purchased from someone on Craigslist (been doing this for years, never had a bad experience).
But I am completely at loss about this device.
The box and the battery labels have one kind of a EMEI and the phone SW in the "about" section a completely different one.
Prior to purchasing the phone, I have asked the owner for the EMEI, I have called the ATT store and they said it's unlocked. (this is the one on the back of the device under the battery and the box). After I have purchased the phone (because I am a fool) and realized there is something wrong with it, I have called Samsung US customer service. I have given them both EMEI numbers from under the battery and in the menu, but they were not able to find anything. They said that if it is an international device, they would not have any information on this device. Which makes sense, but doesn't help at all.
I have downloaded an info app to get the exact model number because if I click on the model in the menu, it pops up and I can change it to anything I want.(wtf???) The info app says its a SM900S version, the SSN number on the back says its a G900G SMH version.(The model no. is simply SM-G900). The sticker says a certain serial number, the inside SW in about section says 123456789ABCD. This phone is a joke.
Battery drains like crazy, the display seems to be something like a 240p resolution when taking videos or pictures.
Watching youtube videos is laggy and washed out. I thought it's the fake Galaxy S5, but the finger scanner works, heartbeat sensor works as well (these would not work on the fake ones as far as I understand it correctly). By now I figured this is not an American version but a unlocked version (works with ATT on H speed and T-Mobile on Edge and uses roaming for a European version). The info app shows that there is a 801 processor in it and that all CPU's are running. GPU is 330.
What puzzles me is the screen resolution and the horrible quality of the picture/videos on the screen and camera. I have reset the phone to see if it helps, but it doesn't. I don't feel great about reselling it knowing that there are these issues there. I wanted to see if it is even possible to burn a ROM on this device and see if it helps, but since the label and SW version show a different model, I have no clue which version, or whether I can install a ROM in the first place.
For the love of God, can anyone think of something here. Please do not go into "don't buy of Craigslist" thing.
I really need help with this piece of ****e
I live in DC, MD, VA area. I am willing to meet with someone in the DMV or PA area if you would be willing to take a look at this phone.
emanko111 said:
I have a galaxy S5 that I purchased from a Craigslist owner (been doing this for years, never had a bad experience).
But I am completely at loss about this device.
The box and the battery labels have one kind of a EMEI and the phone SW in the "about" section a completely different one.
Prior to purchasing the phone, I have asked the owner for the EMEI, I have called the ATT store and they said it's unlocked. (this is the one on the back of the device under the battery and the box). After I have purchased the phone (because I am a fool) and realized there is something wrong with it, I have called Samsung US customer service. I have given them both EMEI numbers from under the battery and in the menu, but they were not able to find anything. They said that if it is an international device, they would not have any information on this device. Which makes sense, but doesn't help at all.
I have downloaded an info app to get the exact model number because if I click on the model in the menu, it pops up and I can change it to anything I want.(wtf???) The info app says its a SM900S version, the SSN number on the back says its a G900G SMH version.(The model no. is simply SM-G900). The sticker says a certain serial number, the inside SW in about section says 123456789ABCD. This phone is a joke.
Battery drains like crazy, the display seems to be something like a 240p resolution when taking videos or pictures.
Watching youtube videos is laggy and washed out. I thought it's the fake Galaxy S5, but the finger scanner works, heartbeat sensor works as well (these would not work on the fake ones as far as I understand it correctly). By now I figured this is not an American version but a unlocked version (works with ATT on H speed and T-Mobile on Edge and uses roaming for a European version). The info app shows that there is a 801 processor in it and that all CPU's are running. GPU is 330.
What puzzles me is the screen resolution and the horrible quality of the picture/videos on the screen and camera. I have reset the phone to see if it helps, but it doesn't. I don't feel great about reselling it knowing that there are these issues there. I wanted to see if it is even possible to burn a ROM on this device and see if it helps, but since the label and SW version show a different model, I have no clue which version, or whether I can install a ROM in the first place.
For the love of God, can anyone think of something here. Please do not go into "don't buy of Craigslist" thing.
I really need help with this piece of ****e
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you bought the device with a creditcard you should be able to get your money back because of fraude. Or contact the seller and see if he reverses the sale, if he will not do that file a police report for fraude and give them as much details/info as you can. Thats about it mate you can do imo, good luck mate
gee2012 said:
If you bought the device with a creditcard you should be able to get your money back because of fraude. Or contact the seller and see if he reverses the sale, if he will not do that file a police report for fraude and give them as much details/info as you can. Thats about it mate you can do imo, good luck mate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Of courseI have paid cash, it's hard not to with CS stuff. (he went down from $480 to $420 bc I was willing to meet him the PM hours).
I will contact the police although from what I heard, they don't give a damn about "fraud" cases such as these.
Also, I wonder how can I prove that I have purchased a device from him, if I have no receipt?
emanko111 said:
Thanks.
Of courseI have paid cash, it's hard not to with CS stuff. (he went down from $480 to $420 bc I was willing to meet him the PM hours).
I will contact the police although from what I heard, they don't give a damn about "fraud" cases such as these.
Also, I wonder how can I prove that I have purchased a device from him, if I have no receipt?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless there we`re witnesses present during the sale you can`t prove anything.
Its impossible to prove who a seller is through the ad so legally the police can't do anything, And you didn't pay with credit card so basically you are completely stuffed and your only 2 choices are to track him down and beat the **** out of him or just take this as a life lesson and spend a bit more next time from a reputable seller.
Michael_P said:
Its impossible to prove who a seller is through the ad so legally the police can't do anything, And you didn't pay with credit card so basically you are completely stuffed and your only 2 choices are to track him down and beat the **** out of him or just take this as a life lesson and spend a bit more next time from a reputable seller.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
But does anyone have an idea about whats going on with the phone?
I have the same model, but I was aware beforehand that it was a fake. My question is this: Has anyone found the correct way to hard reset this model SM-G900 (G900SMH) ? I can get to the factory reset screen, with the android guy saying "no command". I need help on this one, if anybody has the correct sequence of button presses?

Screen burn in or broken screen?

Hey all,
My friend just got a brand new galaxy s4 on Friday the 8th of January this year. She's had multiple software problems on lollipop, many force closes and heavy battery drain for the last few days. It's been plagued with issues. Now her screen is messing up, there's a clear line of some sort of app imprinted on the screen, she also says a time has been imprinted on the screen where it shows in the notification bar. Is her phone just a defect or is it just lollipop?
Last night she dropped it from about one and a half feet onto the screen, its got a tempered glass screen protector on it but now the screen has those imprints. I've attached the photo. Looks to me like burn in but she said she thinks she noticed it since she dropped it. Surely the S4 couldnt be that bad? What do you think of it? Any way to fix it?
Thanks,
Lachy
http://i.imgur.com/pWb3IH9.jpg
Are you sure it's a genuine phone? I doubt new phone would have such problems.
GDReaper said:
Are you sure it's a genuine phone? I doubt new phone would have such problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it has a download mode (not just recovery), it should be a real S4.
Humm.....
Looks like a refurbished or used phone..... Burn-ins shouldn't appear this fast, as a S4 owner myself I didn't notice any burn-in in my 2 year old phone.
Try installing Phone INFO from Play Store and do a refurbish test or something like that in the menu section.
GDReaper said:
Are you sure it's a genuine phone? I doubt new phone would have such problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, all of the features are working, air view, infared sender etc. Runs pretty smooth, feels like a legit phone. No scratches or anything. I'll get her to get that app. Thanks!
EDIT: Has a download mode
CHIN3S3_N00B said:
Looks like a refurbished or used phone..... Burn-ins shouldn't appear this fast, as a S4 owner myself I didn't notice any burn-in in my 2 year old phone.
Try installing Phone INFO from Play Store and do a refurbish test or something like that in the menu section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you, surely something like this couldn't have been from a drop at two feet though? I'll get her to download that app you mentioned and report back
News
Okay hey everyone got some things to report back. The phone has a download mode, so it is a legit version. I got her to download the phone info app and I have pasted the screenshots below. It was bought at an electronics expo in Singapore advertised as a new Galaxy S4 GT-i9500 for $239. Something weird I have found is that the samsung info app states it is a SPH-L720T, which after I googled saw it was the Sprint LTE version. All of the other apps, including about phone in settings state it is the GT-i9500. One thing to note is that she is on a holiday in Singapore, but has a prepaid card from Starhub (I don't think the LTE bands match up though) and is apparently getting 4g on her phone (tried switching to 3g but to no avail), but doesn't want to check because she'll waste her credit. I find this weird because the apps state different things. It didn't look refurbished to me and I didn't notice the streaks across the lines. What do you guys make of this?
http://imgur.com/a/9YO2l
Thanks heaps!
Lachy
EDIT: She noticed three more lines running through the screen. But now they're more obvious, looks like it's getting worse. Not a great experience for a brand new phone
SECOND EDIT: Her sisters phone also has the line in the middle, albeit much much feinter. Are both of these defective?
It is definately refurbished.
It probably has been repaired with parts from different S4 models and then sold as refurbished. That's why there is no match between the phone model info. This might also be the reason for the various problems.
Edit: If it really is brand new she can take it back to the store for warranty service. Every store offers warranty with brand new products. Refurbished phones also have some sort of warranty I think.
Edit2: The screen might need to be replaced. As for the app problems, check the phone model in download mode and flash a rom (stock rom) for that model. Apps can be fooled, download mode not so easily.
GDReaper said:
It is definately refurbished.
It probably has been repaired with parts from different S4 models and then sold as refurbished. That's why there is no match between the phone model info. This might also be the reason for the various problems.
Edit: If it really is brand new she can take it back to the store for warranty service. Every store offers warranty with brand new products. Refurbished phones also have some sort of warranty I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was sold as brand new. Her sisters states black as the colour in that phone info app, when it is white. And also has 4g. But unlike this one the model number is GT-i9500. On the box I remember it said American version only, for use with american sims only. But then it worked with the one from Singapore. This is super weird :/
toobywedge said:
It was sold as brand new. Her sisters states black as the colour in that phone info app, when it is white. And also has 4g. But unlike this one the model number is GT-i9500. On the box I remember it said American version only, for use with american sims only. But then it worked with the one from Singapore. This is super weird :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do they have warranty? If yes, send the phones to service. If no, the store is not legit and they got hustled.
As I said, brand new products have a warranty, generally for a 2 year period.
---------- Post added at 02:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:35 AM ----------
The L720 model is a I9505 from Sprint.
I doubt Samsung would mix parts together..
I'm telling you, those phones are clearly not factory new. They have been repaired with spare parts from various S4 models.
GDReaper said:
Do they have warranty? If yes, send the phones to service. If no, the store is not legit and they got hustled.
As I said, brand new products have a warranty, generally for a 2 year period.
---------- Post added at 02:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:35 AM ----------
The L720 model is a I9505 from Sprint.
I doubt Samsung would mix parts together..
I'm telling you, those phones are clearly not factory new. They have been repaired with spare parts from various S4 models.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks about right. Her sisters phone was also meant to be a GT-i9500 but by the IMEI it says it's a SGH-1337 which is the AT&T 4G LTE. I guess both of these phones were false advertised as the GT-i9500 (even on the box) and as brand new. Looking like they're definitely replaced parts or something?
Yea. The original phones might have had their screen broken so they took the motherboards and put them into other frames. I like to call them frankenphones.
I don't think Samsung would do that. So somebody else repaired them. Factory new phones don't come with mixed parts and used screens.
toobywedge said:
Looks about right. Her sisters phone was also meant to be a GT-i9500 but by the IMEI it says it's a SGH-1337 which is the AT&T 4G LTE. I guess both of these phones were false advertised as the GT-i9500 (even on the box) and as brand new. Looking like they're definitely replaced parts or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yap, agree with @GDReaper , they just assembled those phones with parts that they could find and didn't at least try to flash a new firmware for Singapore before they sell it. And that product name... I think the nomenclature used is jflte for all Qualcom variants and the two or three last words are to specify which like jfltexx for international LTE(GT-i9505) jflteatt for AT&T(SGH-I337) but jfltefreshspr... of which spr is code for Sprint.... but that fresh which means refreshed?????
In my opinion give back those phones and order a refund if possible, if not you'll have to change those screens which where I'm living now still has a nasty price of 130 euro (the touchscreen and the AMOLED one are bundled together) Which will cost almost the cost of the phone....
EDIT1: They probably grabbed some i9500 box or made some with cardboard and covered it with printed exterior and also replaced the broken safety anti-tamper seals for them to look authentic and genuine which they are not.
Other thing is that they just cosmetically replaced those models with i9500, that like i said before they didn't even try to flash a new firmware as they are afraid bricking those devices.
My mother has an S3 which also has the same kind of burn in problems you describe, so clearly this is a problem with Samsung screens, I have never seen this on any other screen except my pals old plasma flat-screen TV....
tommern said:
My mother has an S3 which also has the same kind of burn in problems you describe, so clearly this is a problem with Samsung screens, I have never seen this on any other screen except my pals old plasma flat-screen TV....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well. It's not Samsung's fault it's the natural degradation of AMOLED matrix due to heavy use or prolongued static image display.
The drop did it. I know this because someone I know has a same problem, and I saw this a several times. Also sadly, there is no way to fix this problem ;(
Sent from my E300K, jaltektt - CM 12.1

Want to buy Note 4 T Mobile but really confused !!!

I am really confused with all those T Mobile phones on sale. What is the difference between phone with original "samsung" sticker and the phone with those different stickers located at the back of the phone. Pictures attached.
Also when I check the IMEI with those funky stickers many times shows that this is SM-N910C (SM-910T) phone. I really dont understand it. Is it safe to buy those phones? so they work as original one?
Thanks for help
netgar said:
I am really confused with all those T Mobile phones on sale. What is the difference between phone with original "samsung" sticker and the phone with those different stickers located at the back of the phone. Pictures attached.
Also when I check the IMEI with those funky stickers many times shows that this is SM-N910C (SM-910T) phone. I really dont understand it. Is it safe to buy those phones? so they work as original one?
Thanks for help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, IMO, I wouldn't run any risks getting the phones with the second sticker at all. in fact, you should only buy a phone used or refurbished from a trusted reseller. I use Swappa myself, but be warned about the Note 4's. Some of the phones have an issue with the motherboard which gives them weird boot issues and emmc read fails. I would be very careful about getting one used. I got my Note 4 from Swappa and started getting these mmc_read fails. Thinking about returning it.
EDIT: Didn't read the second sticker too well. The IMEI can't be traced to a device however, it isn't blacklisted though. If it is a T-Mobile phone though, there should at least be a samsung logo on the sticker, some cheap replicas don't bother with the sticker though. Honestly, that looks kind of sketchy, which site are you looking on?
There are two different stickers from two different note 4.
There is no second sticker on top of the other. Just single sticker but how much different from original one. I used swappa.
What sticker do u have?

Refurbished Galaxy S7's

Hey everyone,
Not sure exactly how to start this thread, but this is not only going to include a few questions from me, but also discussion on how this is possible, have you seen anything like it, and why its done?
So to start off, a few weeks ago my dad dropped his Galaxy A5 and broke the screen, long story short, got him a new phone, was a brand new flat Galaxy S7 from a local store in Pakistan.
The seller was very persistent in saying that it's a 100% genuine and even has warranty, albeit not one that applies in Pakistan, but it does have 'foreign warranty'.
Now I have to mention here that there are normally 3 types of phones available here:
-Sold officially through an authorized distributor / retailer. An official Samsung Galaxy S7 goes for about 620 USD with 1 year warranty and accidental coverage in Pakistan.
-Smuggled / imported illegally from abroad. Usually still sealed, you can tell because of the foreign languages on the instruction booklet, and/or a European CSC. A smuggled Galaxy S7 would go for about 550 - 570 USD.
-American variants of flagship phones, more commonly known as 'kit' phones. Imported in bulk, wrapped in bubble wrap, and shipped as is. No box, no accessories. Just the phone itself. A 'kit' T-Mobile Galaxy S7 (G930T) for example, would be around 400 - 420 USD depending on the seller.
I chose for option 2, the smuggled / imported one, for the sole reason that the official retailer for Samsung did not have a flat GS7 in stock, there was a 2 week waiting period. So I went for the smuggled one, since it was raining heavily that night, I was in a hurry to get home, so I didn't even open the phone in the shop, I just picked up what I thought was a 'brand new' phone and went on my way. The box said G930F, and Silver Titanium on it. It also had a suspicious 'Smart Care 24 month warranty' sticker on the top left corner of the box.
ALSO, I needed a Dual SIM phone, so I assumed the box would say G930FD, but it didn't, again, I noticed all this stuff when I got home.
See here:
As I started noticing these little things, I instantly noticed the sticker on the front of the box said:
SM-G9300FZKAXSG
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now, the G9300 model means it's the Chinese / HK variant, with the Snapdragon 820, rather than the Exynos 8890.
However, the 'FZKAXSG' part was obviously fake, because the first few letters refer to the device colour and storage or something, and the 'XSG' part refers to the UAE CSC, which is impossible, since the G9300 is exclusive to HK and China.
I was hesitant to open the box, but I still went ahead with it, since fake boxes are also common here, I reluctantly cut the seal, and pulled out the phone, which at first glance, did not look silver AT ALL, in fact it looked nothing like my Silver Titanium S7 edge. It looked more 'Gold' to me than anything else, but I could be wrong.
In fact, it seems as if it's a mix of both Silver and Gold.
Excuse the fingerprints and air bubbles, I had actually put the plastic back on, after checking the phone, this picture was taken after I was done with the phone.
Turn the phone around, and there's the ordinary Samsung DUOS branding, underneath is where the sh*t begins. The font in which the IMEI, S/N, and country of origin are written looked 100% fake and again, nothing like the way it's written on my S7 Edge.
Furthermore, it said G930F on the back, which it definitely wasn't.
The sticker on the back that should've said G930FD if it actually was a Dual SIM, said G9300 instead. The IMEIs check out to be clean, but do not belong to an S7, you can check online.
Unsurprisingly, the accessories are also upside down, on my S7 Edge box, the headphones are on top, and the charger and cable are below it.
Now, I turned the phone on, went through the setup process, this is where I just wanted to punch myself and the seller.
Settings > About > Model Number: SM-G9300
It was Android 6.0.1, with a security patch of June 2016.
There was no Software update button anywhere in the settings app.
I downloaded the Phone Info app, and installed it. It said 0x0 KNOX, model number SM-G9300. Manufacturing date was March 2016, and the Colour / Internal Storage tab says 'Gold / 32GB'.
I checked the firmware tab, where the Bootloader, PDA and Baseband showed that of a G9300, but the CSC code said 'G9350ZZH1ABP9', which is that of an S7 Edge.
CSC code itself said 'TGY' which is a Hong Kong CSC, which I assume was done to get Google Play Services installed on the phone, since the G9300 has only one firmware available on SamMobile, which has a CHC CSC, which is Chinese, which means no Google Apps installed.
And just to confirm any remaining doubts I had, the Phone Info app confirmed it was a Snapdragon 820, and not the Exynos 8890.
So, this has fake IMEIs, a strange ROM with parts of the flat S7 and the S7 edge, a fake back cover, and probably because of the fake back cover, the camera hump and the chrome ring around the heart beat sensor and flash is protruding a lot more than it should be.
I then went back to the seller, where there was another guy already arguing with him, he had sold the same G9300 phone to that guy who was complaining that the phone would FC a lot, and was getting extremely warm.
I knew this seller, so I asked him to cut the bull**** and give me a 'real' brand new Galaxy S7. He handed me another shady looking S7 box, with G930FD on the back, took the phone out and it checks out to be a 930FD, hardware wise at least. Works like one, looks like one, has an Exynos chipset. BUT, NO Serial Number and IMEIs of a G930A? WTF
I then asked him about that again, where he goes to say, 'all the S7s coming to Pakistan are like this'. In the same location, there were a few other shops selling S7s and sadly, they were all like this. Fake back covers, fake IMEIs, fake boxes, and no serial numbers. They all work fine though.
Here is a Gold Platinum GS7 that I got from him, that works fine as well, but just has the weird protruding camera hump and the fake back cover that has the fake font and no Serial number written on it.
Sorry for the extremely long post, just wanted to create this thread for discussion purposes and to express how saddening it is to see this sort of crap happening, only in Pakistan as far as I know.
Let me know if you've seen anything like this before, and if so, where? Also, how do they manage to pull it off? Flashing different IMEIs, and why do the phones not have a Serial Number in the settings app? It just comes up as a bunch of random numbers, rather than starting with Rxxxxxxx and Phone Info detects no S/N at all.
However, all the phones have 0x0 KNOX and work perfectly fine as well. In fact, I even flashed 7.0 Nougat on it, and there's nothing wrong with it.
Cheers,
murtaza02
murtaza02 said:
Hey everyone,
Not sure exactly how to start this thread, but this is not only going to include a few questions from me, but also discussion on how this is possible, have you seen anything like it, and why its done?
So to start off, a few weeks ago my dad dropped his Galaxy A5 and broke the screen, long story short, got him a new phone, was a brand new flat Galaxy S7 from a local store in Pakistan.
The seller was very persistent in saying that it's a 100% genuine and even has warranty, albeit not one that applies in Pakistan, but it does have 'foreign warranty'.
Now I have to mention here that there are normally 3 types of phones available here:
-Sold officially through an authorized distributor / retailer. An official Samsung Galaxy S7 goes for about 620 USD with 1 year warranty and accidental coverage in Pakistan.
-Smuggled / imported illegally from abroad. Usually still sealed, you can tell because of the foreign languages on the instruction booklet, and/or a European CSC. A smuggled Galaxy S7 would go for about 550 - 570 USD.
-American variants of flagship phones, more commonly known as 'kit' phones. Imported in bulk, wrapped in bubble wrap, and shipped as is. No box, no accessories. Just the phone itself. A 'kit' T-Mobile Galaxy S7 (G930T) for example, would be around 400 - 420 USD depending on the seller.
I chose for option 2, the smuggled / imported one, for the sole reason that the official retailer for Samsung did not have a flat GS7 in stock, there was a 2 week waiting period. So I went for the smuggled one, since it was raining heavily that night, I was in a hurry to get home, so I didn't even open the phone in the shop, I just picked up what I thought was a 'brand new' phone and went on my way. The box said G930F, and Silver Titanium on it. It also had a suspicious 'Smart Care 24 month warranty' sticker on the top left corner of the box.
ALSO, I needed a Dual SIM phone, so I assumed the box would say G930FD, but it didn't, again, I noticed all this stuff when I got home.
See here:
As I started noticing these little things, I instantly noticed the sticker on the front of the box said:
Now, the G9300 model means it's the Chinese / HK variant, with the Snapdragon 820, rather than the Exynos 8890.
However, the 'FZKAXSG' part was obviously fake, because the first few letters refer to the device colour and storage or something, and the 'XSG' part refers to the UAE CSC, which is impossible, since the G9300 is exclusive to HK and China.
I was hesitant to open the box, but I still went ahead with it, since fake boxes are also common here, I reluctantly cut the seal, and pulled out the phone, which at first glance, did not look silver AT ALL, in fact it looked nothing like my Silver Titanium S7 edge. It looked more 'Gold' to me than anything else, but I could be wrong.
In fact, it seems as if it's a mix of both Silver and Gold.
Excuse the fingerprints and air bubbles, I had actually put the plastic back on, after checking the phone, this picture was taken after I was done with the phone.
Turn the phone around, and there's the ordinary Samsung DUOS branding, underneath is where the sh*t begins. The font in which the IMEI, S/N, and country of origin are written looked 100% fake and again, nothing like the way it's written on my S7 Edge.
Furthermore, it said G930F on the back, which it definitely wasn't.
The sticker on the back that should've said G930FD if it actually was a Dual SIM, said G9300 instead. The IMEIs check out to be clean, but do not belong to an S7, you can check online.
Unsurprisingly, the accessories are also upside down, on my S7 Edge box, the headphones are on top, and the charger and cable are below it.
Now, I turned the phone on, went through the setup process, this is where I just wanted to punch myself and the seller.
Settings > About > Model Number: SM-G9300
It was Android 6.0.1, with a security patch of June 2016.
There was no Software update button anywhere in the settings app.
I downloaded the Phone Info app, and installed it. It said 0x0 KNOX, model number SM-G9300. Manufacturing date was March 2016, and the Colour / Internal Storage tab says 'Gold / 32GB'.
I checked the firmware tab, where the Bootloader, PDA and Baseband showed that of a G9300, but the CSC code said 'G9350ZZH1ABP9', which is that of an S7 Edge.
CSC code itself said 'TGY' which is a Hong Kong CSC, which I assume was done to get Google Play Services installed on the phone, since the G9300 has only one firmware available on SamMobile, which has a CHC CSC, which is Chinese, which means no Google Apps installed.
And just to confirm any remaining doubts I had, the Phone Info app confirmed it was a Snapdragon 820, and not the Exynos 8890.
So, this has fake IMEIs, a strange ROM with parts of the flat S7 and the S7 edge, a fake back cover, and probably because of the fake back cover, the camera hump and the chrome ring around the heart beat sensor and flash is protruding a lot more than it should be.
I then went back to the seller, where there was another guy already arguing with him, he had sold the same G9300 phone to that guy who was complaining that the phone would FC a lot, and was getting extremely warm.
I knew this seller, so I asked him to cut the bull**** and give me a 'real' brand new Galaxy S7. He handed me another shady looking S7 box, with G930FD on the back, took the phone out and it checks out to be a 930FD, hardware wise at least. Works like one, looks like one, has an Exynos chipset. BUT, NO Serial Number and IMEIs of a G930A? WTF
I then asked him about that again, where he goes to say, 'all the S7s coming to Pakistan are like this'. In the same location, there were a few other shops selling S7s and sadly, they were all like this. Fake back covers, fake IMEIs, fake boxes, and no serial numbers. They all work fine though.
Here is a Gold Platinum GS7 that I got from him, that works fine as well, but just has the weird protruding camera hump and the fake back cover that has the fake font and no Serial number written on it.
Sorry for the extremely long post, just wanted to create this thread for discussion purposes and to express how saddening it is to see this sort of crap happening, only in Pakistan as far as I know.
Let me know if you've seen anything like this before, and if so, where? Also, how do they manage to pull it off? Flashing different IMEIs, and why do the phones not have a Serial Number in the settings app? It just comes up as a bunch of random numbers, rather than starting with Rxxxxxxx and Phone Info detects no S/N at all.
However, all the phones have 0x0 KNOX and work perfectly fine as well. In fact, I even flashed 7.0 Nougat on it, and there's nothing wrong with it.
Cheers,
murtaza02
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, the option you selected was the worst of all three. Purchasing a new boxed pack phone without local warranty is a very risky idea. I have bought a Note 4 Exynos, an S6 and an S7 during the last couple of years.
The Note 4 was N910C version in used condition with box and all accessories.
S6 was box packed without warranty or you can say with international warranty.
S7 was a verizon kit.
Guess what? The S6 proved to be my worst purchase ever. After a couple of months its charger stopped working and again after few days the handsfree also broke. While the Note 4 worked perfectly with all its accessories through out my holding period. Currently the S7 is also working perfectly and even its pressure sensor is showing the correct readings which shows it is still water proof sealed.
So always remember that in Pakistani markets, buying a new phone without local warranty is just like buying a refurbished phone and is 99% of the times, a waste of money.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Pretty sure these devices are stolen/reported stolen/bad imei devices bought from another country. IMEI's have then been changed and serial numbers removed (not sure how they did that) so that they cannot be traced back. Boxes can be original or fake.
Also, your seller is shady, very shady. Pretty sure he knows what he's selling , else he would go after his distributor for selling him fake phones, but he aint. So, he very well knows what phone he's selling.
If I were in your position, I would have waited 2 weeks and got one from Samsung authorized seller.
sirius_gamer said:
To be honest, the option you selected was the worst of all three. Purchasing a new boxed pack phone without local warranty is a very risky idea. I have bought a Note 4 Exynos, an S6 and an S7 during the last couple of years.
The Note 4 was N910C version in used condition with box and all accessories.
S6 was box packed without warranty or you can say with international warranty.
S7 was a verizon kit.
Guess what? The S6 proved to be my worst purchase ever. After a couple of months its charger stopped working and again after few days the handsfree also broke. While the Note 4 worked perfectly with all its accessories through out my holding period. Currently the S7 is also working perfectly and even its pressure sensor is showing the correct readings which shows it is still water proof sealed.
So always remember that in Pakistani markets, buying a new phone without local warranty is just like buying a refurbished phone and is 99% of the times, a waste of money.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might know you from another forum, PG.
Tbh, Karachi is a way different market than the crap you get here in Rawalpindi. There's way more variety there than there is here.
The things you mentioned with the S6, only the accessories died, which meant the phone was okay I guess?
Same for the S7, I'm not using the provided charger, I'm using my own that I got from Dubai.
Haven't tried the headphones.
Other than that however, the phone works perfectly.
I haven't had an issue before like this, most of the brand new phones I do buy are without local warranties, I don't fancy paying 10-15k extra for something I'll never use.
And believe me, thankfully, I've never had the need for a warranty.
The exception being my current S7 edge, which I've bought with the local warranty and insurance because the other ones weren't available.
Appreciate the post though, and the advice. After this I'm kinda spooked, so I'll probably stick to local warranties then, even though they're unreasonably expensive.
Cheers buddy, nice to see Pakistanis on XDA.
Sent from my SM-G935F
munchy_cool said:
Pretty sure these devices are stolen/reported stolen/bad imei devices bought from another country. IMEI's have then been changed and serial numbers removed (not sure how they did that) so that they cannot be traced back. Boxes can be original or fake.
Also, your seller is shady, very shady. Pretty sure he knows what he's selling , else he would go after his distributor for selling him fake phones, but he aint. So, he very well knows what phone he's selling.
If I were in your position, I would have waited 2 weeks and got one from Samsung authorized seller.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The original IMEIs were probably bad, hence them being changed to those of different phones, makes sense.
I myself didn't know that erasing or changing serials and IMEIs on Exynos phones was possible.
Sadly, the shady seller thing is true, all sellers know what they're selling, but each one will react differently when asked about it. Some will eventually crack and be honest, some will be stubborn d*cks and not admit it, and some will be so scared of the authorities that they'll offer you some form of compensation.
Advice taken though, and definitely will be used for the next purchase. I was looking forward to getting an imported Galaxy S8 then, but after this experience, I'll probably just settle for the officially sold one with a legit warranty.
Sent from my SM-G935F
murtaza02 said:
The original IMEIs were probably bad, hence them being changed to those of different phones, makes sense.
I myself didn't know that erasing or changing serials and IMEIs on Exynos phones was possible.
Sadly, the shady seller thing is true, all sellers know what they're selling, but each one will react differently when asked about it. Some will eventually crack and be honest, some will be stubborn d*cks and not admit it, and some will be so scared of the authorities that they'll offer you some form of compensation.
Advice taken though, and definitely will be used for the next purchase. I was looking forward to getting an imported Galaxy S8 then, but after this experience, I'll probably just settle for the officially sold one with a legit warranty.
Sent from my SM-G935F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung Service box is what they would have used I guess, same hardware as that at official Samsung repair center.
Also, because you are technically sound/tech sayvy you found that the first one was fake. Someone who is not technically sound would never have found that out and kept using it assuming it's the real thing.
munchy_cool said:
Samsung Service box is what they would have used I guess, same hardware as that at official Samsung repair center.
Also, because you are technically sound/tech sayvy you found that the first one was fake. Someone who is not technically sound would never have found that out and kept using it assuming it's the real thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All tips and tricks I've learnt from XDA. I honestly wouldn't be able to tell at all, if I hadn't read so much stuff here.
Another thing I wonder is if the refurbishment or tampering was done inside Pakistan, or somewhere abroad and then the boxes get repacked and sent here?
Because it's really inconsistent how the boxes are so well copied, they look exactly like real ones, but then the IMEI stickers, the different font on the back cover, the protruding camera lens is where they lack the finesse, and their shoddy workmanship starts to show.
Sent from my SM-G935F
murtaza02 said:
All tips and tricks I've learnt from XDA. I honestly wouldn't be able to tell at all, if I hadn't read so much stuff here.
Another thing I wonder is if the refurbishment or tampering was done inside Pakistan, or somewhere abroad and then the boxes get repacked and sent here?
Because it's really inconsistent how the boxes are so well copied, they look exactly like real ones, but then the IMEI stickers, the different font on the back cover, the protruding camera lens is where they lack the finesse, and their shoddy workmanship starts to show.
Sent from my SM-G935F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No clue on that.. Would be profitable to do it inside your own country though...
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
I have seen similar things but your case is unique. You should return the phone and ask for full refund from your seller and then buy phone from Samsung store.
We can't say for sure about that other shops or market is selling same phones. May be it is just your guy.
Sent from my Note
Guys, could you with 930F and FD confirm if the serial number is printed on the back cover of your phones?
Sent from my SM-G935F
murtaza02 said:
Guys, could you with 930F and FD confirm if the serial number is printed on the back cover of your phones?
Sent from my SM-G935F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, G930F laid out like this
IMEI xxxxxx/xxxxx/xxxx. SN xxxxxxxxxx
*Detection* said:
Yep, G930F laid out like this
IMEI xxxxxx/xxxxx/xxxx. SN xxxxxxxxxx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Much appreciated.
Country of origin mentioned as well?
Actually I'm going out tomorrow to return the refurbished ones to the seller and get a refund.
Gonna show him this thread just to prove him wrong. Idiot keeps insisting that S/N isn't printed on the S7, but it is on the S7 edge.
Sent from my SM-G935F
murtaza02 said:
Much appreciated.
Country of origin mentioned as well?
Actually I'm going out tomorrow to return the refurbished ones to the seller and get a refund.
Gonna show him this thread just to prove him wrong. Idiot keeps insisting that S/N isn't printed on the S7, but it is on the S7 edge.
Sent from my SM-G935F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CE0168 (!) (Not to be disposed in bins symbol here)
G930F SAMSUNG, YATELEY, GU46 6GG, UK
DESIGNED & ENGINEERED BY SAMSUNG
IMEI: XXXXXX/XX/XXXXXX/X S/N: XXXXXXXXXX
That's everything it says at the bottom of the back panel of the G930F S7 Flat
*Detection* said:
CE0168 (!) (Not to be disposed in bins symbol here)
G930F SAMSUNG, YATELEY, GU46 6GG, UK
DESIGNED & ENGINEERED BY SAMSUNG
IMEI: XXXXXX/XX/XXXXXX/X S/N: XXXXXXXXXX
That's everything it says at the bottom of the back panel of the G930F S7 Flat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly how it is on my S7 edge as well.
Thanks for confirming.
Sent from my SM-G935F
murtaza02 said:
That's exactly how it is on my S7 edge as well.
Thanks for confirming.
Sent from my SM-G935F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No probs, good luck with the refund
How do you know the phone is even genuine samsung hardware, not fake imitations that china manufacturers are pumping out?
The stolen IMEI is possible but why would changing that number require a new fake back cover to be put in place? Seems very odd.
Also regarding dodgy sellers knowing what they selling usually by their reaction you can tell if they aware, e.g. I brought 2 western digital hard drives from amazon about 6 months ago from a 3rd party selller, I noticed odd behaviour with the drives so started checking details of the firmware etc. and then someone gave me a tip to check the serial numbers on western digital's website, sure enough the serials were invalid and that confirmed they were fake's. It turned out the seller was in my city, so I paid him a visit, he wasnt there but I spoke to him on the phone, and he was giving me excuses like they HP OEM drives not using WD warranty, for sure I knew then he knew what he was selling, as otherwise he would have been in shock, thank me for the discovery and pulled his product of the amazon website. In the end he refunded me and I purchased them again directly from amazon.
I live in the UK which shows this stuff isnt limited to eastern countries.
murtaza02 said:
Guys, could you with 930F and FD confirm if the serial number is printed on the back cover of your phones?
Sent from my SM-G935F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. The back says "SM G930FD. DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED BY SAMSUNG. MANUFACTURED IN INDIA. IMEI 1/2 and then the S/N"
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
chrcol said:
How do you know the phone is even genuine samsung hardware, not fake imitations that china manufacturers are pumping out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know man. Phone Info claimed the phone was genuine but was missing a valid Samsung S/N.
It showed Exynos 8890 and everything seemed okay, it even accepted a G930F Odin file and I flashed it to Nougat.
IMEIs belonged to some budget AT&T phones from the US, the quality of the back cover was horrendous, you could tell the font was wrong, and don't even get me started on the box. It was so poorly copied, I just hate myself for not checking while I was at the store.
Anyway, I did eventually go back and get a refund from him, and I'm sure as hell not going back to that guy again.
He was so stubborn, he refused to admit they were refurbished / fakes and kept insisting they were brand new.
Sent from my SM-G935F
djpeesh said:
Yes. The back says "SM G930FD. DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED BY SAMSUNG. MANUFACTURED IN INDIA. IMEI 1/2 and then the S/N"
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fake didn't say anything about being engineered by Samsung.
It was like:
SM-G930F SAMSUNG YATELEY GU46 6GG UK
MADE BY SAMSUNG
IMEI 1: IMEI 2:
No S/N and no country of origin either. Also, none of the phones said G930FD regardless of being Dual SIM.
Sent from my SM-G935F
murtaza02 said:
I don't know man. Phone Info claimed the phone was genuine but was missing a valid Samsung S/N.
It showed Exynos 8890 and everything seemed okay, it even accepted a G930F Odin file and I flashed it to Nougat.
IMEIs belonged to some budget AT&T phones from the US, the quality of the back cover was horrendous, you could tell the font was wrong, and don't even get me started on the box. It was so poorly copied, I just hate myself for not checking while I was at the store.
Anyway, I did eventually go back and get a refund from him, and I'm sure as hell not going back to that guy again.
He was so stubborn, he refused to admit they were refurbished / fakes and kept insisting they were brand new.
Sent from my SM-G935F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have a market here in Bombay where you get almost perfect knockoff phones. They're so perfect that you can't figure out what's real and what's not.
My regular phonewalla was telling me about how he got scammed by someone who exchanged a fake S7 (somehow they don't seem to have S7 edge fakes) for 25k rupees and bought some other phone. He only found out when he sold that phone to another customer and that customer took it to the service center for some issue.
He's now started making sure that people's numbers are actually their own and asking for address proof whilst exchanging phones.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Samsung Support and Repair Services

I had an issue recently that required that I send my phone in for what I thought would be Warranty Repairs.
To be honest, the issue I had is a bizarre story in itself and worthy of a separate thread so suffice it to say, I needed Samsung to return my phone to full stock, ATT Note 20 Ultra. (when flashing an update recently, my phone was somehow switched from a Locked ATT Note 20 Ultra to a Locked Samsung Note 20 Ultra and I was not able to switch it back no matter what I did - as a result, I lost WiFi Calling and HD Voice Calls.)
Anyway - I created a Warranty claim and returned my phone following the usual protocols. After a couple of days I was contacted by Samsung saying that my phone required a repair to the Back Camera Lens (Discovered during their inspection) and because the broken lens was the result of a drop or something, I had to pay $120 for repairs) For what it's worth, the camera was fine when I sent it in - in fact the lens was covered with a Glass Screen Protector since the day I received the phone. I never dropped it or had any accidents and I really could not believe the Lens was broken. I decided to go ahead and pay for the repair despite the fact that the camera was fine when I sent it in. (I almost wonder if they removed or broke the glass screen protector on the camera during their inspection and because of that thought the Lens had broken)
In any event, Samsung is now repairing the Lens but I am still waiting to hear what the prognosis is regarding the issue I sent the phone in for in the first place. I need the phone to be fully Att Stock so I can use WiFi calling (not possible on Samsung Devices that are not branded to ATT) and Like I said earlier, there was nothing I could do to fix it, so I wait...and wait... Hopefully I will hear something from them this week.
Sounds shady AF. Hope it works out for ya
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
Geekser said:
I had an issue recently that required that I send my phone in for what I thought would be Warranty Repairs.
To be honest, the issue I had is a bizarre story in itself and worthy of a separate thread so suffice it to say, I needed Samsung to return my phone to full stock, ATT Note 20 Ultra. (when flashing an update recently, my phone was somehow switched from a Locked ATT Note 20 Ultra to a Locked Samsung Note 20 Ultra and I was not able to switch it back no matter what I did - as a result, I lost WiFi Calling and HD Voice Calls.)
Anyway - I created a Warranty claim and returned my phone following the usual protocols. After a couple of days I was contacted by Samsung saying that my phone required a repair to the Back Camera Lens (Discovered during their inspection) and because the broken lens was the result of a drop or something, I had to pay $120 for repairs) For what it's worth, the camera was fine when I sent it in - in fact the lens was covered with a Glass Screen Protector since the day I received the phone. I never dropped it or had any accidents and I really could not believe the Lens was broken. I decided to go ahead and pay for the repair despite the fact that the camera was fine when I sent it in. (I almost wonder if they removed or broke the glass screen protector on the camera during their inspection and because of that thought the Lens had broken)
In any event, Samsung is now repairing the Lens but I am still waiting to hear what the prognosis is regarding the issue I sent the phone in for in the first place. I need the phone to be fully Att Stock so I can use WiFi calling (not possible on Samsung Devices that are not branded to ATT) and Like I said earlier, there was nothing I could do to fix it, so I wait...and wait... Hopefully I will hear something from them this week.
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""my phone was somehow switched from a Locked ATT Note 20 Ultra to a Locked Samsung Note 20 Ultra and I was not able to switch it back no matter what I did - as a result, I lost WiFi Calling and HD Voice Calls.)""
I can understand why @AeroSatan said it sounds shady as FK because number one Samsung doesn't HAVE LOCKED FIRMWARE! I'm on the unlocked version of Samsungs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra that I bought directly from them and if I wanted to I could easily flash ANY carrier's firmware that I chose to and then turn around and flash right back to Samsungs unlocked firmware! Why would Samsung want to lock a phone to them? That makes no damn sense! It sounds like you're trying to cover up the broken camera glass by claiming shipping broke it or Samsung broke it to try to get a free repair from Samsung lmfao!
Also you said
""I need the phone to be fully Att Stock so I can use WiFi calling (not possible on Samsung Devices that are not branded to ATT)""
Which is wrong again! If I want those features on my unlocked version of Samsungs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra all i have to do is flash the Verizon HOME CSC and then I'll have all of that and still be on unlocked firmware!!
When I sent my Note 8 back to Samsung for the screen replacement under warranty because the top half of the screens colors stopped showing up correctly and there was a very noticeable tint and when I sent the phone I sent it with my glued together s-pen because I accidentally rolled over on it when I fell asleep in bed and I super glued it back together and I never said anything about my s-pen just the screen and when my phone was returned it had a brand new s-pen in it that I never asked for or mentioned so I don't see Samsung breaking your camera glass and then trying to get payment from you for it.
This is so weird. I don't understand why you would pay for something that you didn't break. Second did you try to flash your device and things went wrong? Not being a jerk but none of this makes sense
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
MrMike2182 said:
""my phone was somehow switched from a Locked ATT Note 20 Ultra to a Locked Samsung Note 20 Ultra and I was not able to switch it back no matter what I did - as a result, I lost WiFi Calling and HD Voice Calls.)""
I can understand why @AeroSatan said it sounds shady as FK because number one Samsung doesn't HAVE LOCKED FIRMWARE! I'm on the unlocked version of Samsungs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra that I bought directly from them and if I wanted to I could easily flash ANY carrier's firmware that I chose to and then turn around and flash right back to Samsungs unlocked firmware! Why would Samsung want to lock a phone to them? That makes no damn sense! It sounds like you're trying to cover up the broken camera glass by claiming shipping broke it or Samsung broke it to try to get a free repair from Samsung lmfao!
Also you said
""I need the phone to be fully Att Stock so I can use WiFi calling (not possible on Samsung Devices that are not branded to ATT)""
Which is wrong again! If I want those features on my unlocked version of Samsungs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra all i have to do is flash the Verizon HOME CSC and then I'll have all of that and still be on unlocked firmware!!
When I sent my Note 8 back to Samsung for the screen replacement under warranty because the top half of the screens colors stopped showing up correctly and there was a very noticeable tint and when I sent the phone I sent it with my glued together s-pen because I accidentally rolled over on it when I fell asleep in bed and I super glued it back together and I never said anything about my s-pen just the screen and when my phone was returned it had a brand new s-pen in it that I never asked for or mentioned so I don't see Samsung breaking your camera glass and then trying to get payment from you for it.
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Honestly, It may have been a poor choice of words in how I described my problem - basically - when I got the phone originally it was lilsted in software settings as ATT/ATT/ATT - which shows it is an ATT device - and the features like WIFI Calling and other enhanced calling features will work.
After flashing and having the issue I had - my phone was now listed as XAA/XAA/ATT - the same that Samsung devices show that are not tied to a specific carrier. Because it was not an ATT recognized device any more, WIFI calling would not work and no matter what I did - flashing firmware for 986U or 986U1 - nothing helped, my service provider stayed stuck on XAA/XAA/ATT (but again, when I first purchased the phone it was ATT/ATT/ATT)
So the only thing I could do is send back to Samsung to have them revert it back to ATt/ATT/ATT or replace the phone under warrenty.
Hope that helps to clear things up ?
IN the years I have been on ATT, I have never been able to get a phone that is not recognized as an "ATT" Device to get WIFI Calling and HD VOICE. I have tried what you suggested and it has not worked for me - on any phone - except a few years ago when I was using an International device that I had rooted - this time, being Snapdragon, it can't be rooted and ATT WIFI Calling and HD VOICE would not work on my device any more. (it had worked originally when my phone was showing ATT/ATT/ATT as network provider - but when it got stuck on XAA/XAA/ATT it would not work any more)
It may work for yoiu on VERIZON - IT DOES NOT Work that way on ATT.
butchieboy said:
This is so weird. I don't understand why you would pay for something that you didn't break. Second did you try to flash your device and things went wrong? Not being a jerk but none of this makes sense
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
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I just wanted to get my phone back sooner rather than later - and if I got into a big argument about this it would only delay that - plus, I had no proof that it wasn't broken when I sent it - it could easily become "He said - She Said" - then who is going to win that argument? They had the phone - I just wanted to try to speed up the processes as much as I could.
Regarding flashing, yes,This originally happened when I was attempting to update my phone with new firmware - something happened during the flash and it failed. I had to download new firmware and try again. The update did work this time but that is when I discovered my phone had switched from ATT/ATT/ATT to XAAXAAATT -
to try to fix this, I tried flashing every combination of firmware for this device - and nothing worked to change it back to ATT/ATT/ATT - I tried every possible option - N986U and N986U1 firmware (and even combinations of both) Nothing I did would switch it back to what it should be.
Geekser said:
I just wanted to get my phone back sooner rather than later - and if I got into a big argument about this it would only delay that - plus, I had no proof that it wasn't broken when I sent it - it could easily become "He said - She Said" - then who is going to win that argument? They had the phone - I just wanted to try to speed up the processes as much as I could.
Regarding flashing, yes, I tried every combination of flashing the firmware for this device - and nothing worked to change it back to ATT/ATT/ATT - I tried every possible option - N986U and N986U1 firmware (and even combinations of both) Nothing I did would switch it back to what it should be.
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Next time, take a pick of the devices condition before sending it in to have proof that it was in one piece before being sent out. There has been shenanigans with Samsung's trade in program before where they would claim the phone you set in wasn't pristine or missing altogether. Always document these things so then they can't just upsell you for no reason for a camera which they mightve broken unpacking your phone. It sucks.
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If you are At&t and have At&t sim the firmware should have provisioned to your sim once firmware was flashed. I know its a little late to tell you this now.
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butchieboy said:
If you are At&t and have At&t sim the firmware should have provisioned to your sim once firmware was flashed. I know its a little late to tell you this now.
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
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I know that - that is the whole problem - I purchased an ATT Device - I have ATT Firmware - when I originally recieved the phone, everything worked properly - but after a recent flashing issue, I am no longer provisioned like that - I tried everything - even went to ATT to ask for their help - nothing we did (and believe me, I tried everything) nothing worked. This is why I had to send back to Samsung and I am still waiting for word on what is wrong and what they are going to do to fix it.
Well, finally received my phone back from Samsung Support - and unfortunately, they didn't fix the primary problem I had originally sent my phone in for.
When I inserted my ATT Sim card into the device, after booting it up - everything worked properly - well most everything - I still did not have WiFi Calling. I checked in Settings/About Phone and discovered that the Service Provider was listed as XAA/XAA/ATT - that is not what it is supposed to be - it certainly is not what it was when I originally purchased the phone. (It should be ATT/ATT/ATT)
I called Samsung Support again and went thru the "whole story" reviewing what my problem was and what I needed fixed - the support person was apologetic and seemed to understand my issues - so I have resubmitted my phone and made sure it was clear that I either needed them to fix my phone or replace it - Damn, what a PITA!
Some of the Samsung Shops do run in a shady manner while other provide top class support. I had a similar experience with one of their shops while exchanging my Note 10+ for Note 20 Ultra. I generated a quote using the Upgrade option in My Galaxy app and when i reached the Samsung Shop, they refused to agree to the quote. They gave weird reasons like now the price has come down so we cannot give you that much. They offered me a price which was 200$ less than the quote on the app. After a bit of haggling, they agreed for a price which was 90$ less than the quote i had. Now the story gets even more shady, the samsung executive had to enter details of my phone in his Samsung portal to complete the exchange process. After getting all my details, he asked for the quote ID which i generated in the phone and when he was done entering, he moved far away from me pretending to talk on phone but i knew he was hiding the next screen on his phone app which would have shown the correctly approved quote. I didnt create much fuss since i was tired of waiting for my online order which was delayed by 2 weeks, so i needed to get the phone that day. But still it was an interesting turn of events to see what people do for earning few extra bucks and they dont even worry about tarnishing the image of the company they are working for.
Geekser said:
Well, finally received my phone back from Samsung Support - and unfortunately, they didn't fix the primary problem I had originally sent my phone in for.
When I inserted my ATT Sim card into the device, after booting it up - everything worked properly - well most everything - I still did not have WiFi Calling. I checked in Settings/About Phone and discovered that the Service Provider was listed as XAA/XAA/ATT - that is not what it is supposed to be - it certainly is not what it was when I originally purchased the phone. (It should be ATT/ATT/ATT)
I called Samsung Support again and went thru the "whole story" reviewing what my problem was and what I needed fixed - the support person was apologetic and seemed to understand my issues - so I have resubmitted my phone and made sure it was clear that I either needed them to fix my phone or replace it - Damn, what a PITA!
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Ok. So what happens when you try to flash the regular u firmware now? Ath3 or ath4?
Oh and I should note since you made the rear camera comment. When I broke my front display and sent the phone in for repair they noted they also replaced the rear camera glass. The metal piece around the cameras was replaced too. They actually did me a favor as the original one you could see where the drill bit they used to make the bevel stopped. Actual stop marks. It was weird.
dottat said:
Ok. So what happens when you try to flash the regular u firmware now? Ath3 or ath4?
Oh and I should note since you made the rear camera comment. When I broke my front display and sent the phone in for repair they noted they also replaced the rear camera glass. The metal piece around the cameras was replaced too. They actually did me a favor as the original one you could see where the drill bit they used to make the bevel stopped. Actual stop marks. It was weird.
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Click to collapse
When I flash the Stock firmware for N986U - when I boot the phone, it boots up fine - no ATT LOGO during the boot process - only Samsung - No WiFi Calling - no ATT Video Calling either. It is basically treating my phone like a Non-ATT Samsung Note 20 Ultra - but I specifically purchased the ATT Variant and when I originally received it, WiFi calling worked perfectly.
As stated earlier, I did call Samsung Support and after a long conversation, at the direction of the support people I submitted a ticket for support and have sent the phone back to Samsung. They should get the phone in tomorrow and I am hoping to have this fixed once and for all soon.
Fingers Crossed....
Geekser said:
When I flash the Stock firmware for N986U - when I boot the phone, it boots up fine - no ATT LOGO during the boot process - only Samsung - No WiFi Calling - no ATT Video Calling either. It is basically treating my phone like a Non-ATT Samsung Note 20 Ultra - but I specifically purchased the ATT Variant and when I originally received it, WiFi calling worked perfectly.
As stated earlier, I did call Samsung Support and after a long conversation, at the direction of the support people I submitted a ticket for support and have sent the phone back to Samsung. They should get the phone in tomorrow and I am hoping to have this fixed once and for all soon.
Fingers Crossed....
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I still think it's fixable by you. You just need to do the right steps in the right order.
dottat said:
I still think it's fixable by you. You just need to do the right steps in the right order.
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Not sure about that - and I really kind of have done that already.
From the second my phone arrived back from Samsung, in the Settings/about phone, my phone was listed as XAA/XAA/ATT - just like a SAMSUNG phone would be - but when I first bought the phone it was ATT/ATT/ATT and that is what Samsung was supposed to turn it back to.
Following the steps as you said will not change that Service Provider Indication - at least not to my knowledge. Do you know of anyone with a stock SAMSUNG phone that shows ATT/ATT/ATT in that part of Settings?
Geekser said:
Not sure about that - and I really kind of have done that already.
From the second my phone arrived back from Samsung, in the Settings/about phone, my phone was listed as XAA/XAA/ATT - just like a SAMSUNG phone would be - but when I first bought the phone it was ATT/ATT/ATT and that is what Samsung was supposed to turn it back to.
Following the steps as you said will not change that Service Provider Indication - at least not to my knowledge. Do you know of anyone with a stock SAMSUNG phone that shows ATT/ATT/ATT in that part of Settings?
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In your phones current state does it allow you set the csc code by putting this into the dialer?
*#272*(yourimeinumber)#
dottat said:
In your phones current state does it allow you set the csc code by putting this into the dialer?
*#272*(yourimeinumber)#
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Click to collapse
I don't know - I no longer have the phone in my possession - I sent it back to Samsung on Friday - hoping they fix it correctly this time - if that doesn't happen, then I will see if I can change it using that code when I have the phone.
Thanks for the tip.
Phone has been returned and works perfectly.
It has taken some time - and I actually had to send the phone back once when Samsung had returned it to me without fixing the primary issue. 2nd time around, after an indepth conversation with Service Support, Samsung has fixed my phone and returned it to me - like new.
I have been using it several days now and fallen in love again with it's speed and responsiveness. The Camera is second to none compared to any phone/camera I have owned previously.
Honestly, while I am very pleased and happy to have my phone back, I will be a little nervous about flashing U1 Firmware with CSC from the normal U - I had a flash failure previously and that is what led to my phone having problems - I really don't want to go thru that again, but I think if I am careful - I should be ok

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