Hi,
I am on AT&T using a T-Mobile S5 because it's a better device to run RoMs on. Someone suggested GSM nation as a place to purchase a Galaxy S6 unlocked. I am looking for folks who have tried that, and am curious how the experience went for them. It would seem that they sold the 9000M version of the S5.
Was it updated faster then Carrier versions?
Was it limited at all by not have Carrier bloat?
How was your warrantee experience, if you had to use it?
Any other thoughts?
I suppose I can buy an S6 outright from T-Mobile and just put my Sim in it, but I thought I would explore all my options.
Thanks!
Sorry if this is a silly question but I have been interested in purchasing an unlocked S7 Edge from Amazon so that way I wouldn't have to deal with carrier bloat, but then I realized, if I'm using the phone on T-Mobile will I receive updates faster/slower than those who have purchased the T-Mobile version of the phone? Also will the phone still support Wi-Fi calling? As far as I know i'm pretty sure that's just baked into Android now but I could be wrong. Thanks in advance!
From what I researched, the international version won't support Wi-Fi calling unless you have the T-Mobile ROM loaded on it. Don't know about the updates though.
There was a rumor that Android was going to have VoLTE in it's software on VoLTE capable phones also- but that I think did not happen so probably no VoLTE on the International Model either- but not 100% sure.
The Exynos version will probably have better Battery Life- according to Ars Technica site.
Research is a little slow moving. I'm buying a new phone. This seems to be the most complete in terms of features (removable SD and IR blaster which is a small thing but missing from other flagships I've considered.)
My only concern is my carrier AT&T. If I buy the note will I be able to flash twrp? Is there a huge difference in custom ROM/kernel options from sprint or T-Mobile? Is there a certain model I should try to get?-I'm buying it unlocked.
I think most people understand the tedious process of choosing a new phone if you're into flashing Roms. Any info that's helpful is most welcomed. Thanks.
I actually use att service also and just bought a Tmobile Note 4 in January and I have never been happie with any phone I have ever owned.. N910T is best in my opinion if you are big on root because it has way more active developement and it has all the same lte bands that att uses
The tmob variant should work fine but the 910c definitely works and I think the 910f does as well. I'd steer clear of the actual at&t variant itself unless they have solved the root/bootloader issue. I guess the question is of you are buying sim free do you want the exynos or snapdragon variant
Sent from my SM-N920C using Tapatalk
Hello, XDA. I am currently considering purchasing a Galaxy S7 Edge (Exynos) unlocked for use on T-Mobile USA. I see that all the bands are supported here on the US, but I'm still worried about how well the phone works on T-Mobile. I recently heard that T-Mobile will block any devices without their own (T-Mo's) VoLTE certification from accessing LTE band 12 outright. Can anyone confirm if this is true? I would hate to purchase this phone and then find out I can't use it on band 12. I do not care for VoLTE/Wi-Fi calling, I am just worried about getting phone calls.
Also, overall, would anyone recommend this phone over the carrier version from T-Mobile USA? I have only gained interest in purchasing the Exynos version of the phone because I heard battery life and performance are much better. I really need a phone with good battery life and, from what I've heard, the Exynos version excels at this.
I would really appreciate if someone could clear this up for me. Thank you for your time.
Hi folks, I browsed this forum a few times and finally decided to make an account after all the wonderful information I've read here.
I realize there's probably no simple way to answer this question. But I'd like to buy the "best of the best" S8 I possibly can. I'm interested in the S8 specifically and not the S8 Plus. It's a phone I intend on keeping for a while, so long as nothing catastrophic happens. As such, I'm open to all possibilities.
I'm based in the USA but I would like to have the one with the most available bands to get the maximum availability on networks while traveling. I read on another thread that so far there are ways to unlock the bands in the firmware after flashing the Canadian firmware to the device. (I think this was referring to the Snapdragon North American version). But features such as Wifi Calling on T-Mobile won't work after that.
Because of carrier locks, it appears that certain models of phones only have certain bands enabled depending on which provider they were released for (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc). This is a bit of a problem, if for example, I wanted to use an AT&T phone on T-Mobile, or wanted to pop in a local SIM while traveling.
I'm presently on Verizon, but I'm not under contract and so I'm willing to switch to perhaps T-Mobile, AT&T, or whatever other GSM carriers are available. As such, CDMA capabilities aren't really a major issue for me. It would be nice, but not a deal breaker. I also get conflicting info where some sellers say their unlocked phones won't work for CDMA carriers; while others claim that the unlocked phones have all the CDMA capabilities unlocked as well.
I'm wondering also, if the Snapdragon or Exynos is preferable? The general consensus among developers seems to be that Exynos is preferable to Snapdragon when it comes to future mods, rootability, etc. What is the downside to Exynos?
Lastly, what do you think of the DUAL SIM version? My main reason for holding off on my purchase is debating whether I should get the dual SIM version or not. It would be a nice feature to have, for a phone I intended on setting up and keeping for a while. The only hesitation as far as this goes, is warranty coverage issues.
Would the international version have all the bands enabled? I've also read the Chinese and South Korean versions have 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which is pretty sweet.
Thanks!
TurboSloth said:
Hi folks, I browsed this forum a few times and finally decided to make an account after all the wonderful information I've read here.
I realize there's probably no simple way to answer this question. But I'd like to buy the "best of the best" S8 I possibly can. I'm interested in the S8 specifically and not the S8 Plus. It's a phone I intend on keeping for a while, so long as nothing catastrophic happens. As such, I'm open to all possibilities.
I'm based in the USA but I would like to have the one with the most available bands to get the maximum availability on networks while traveling. I read on another thread that so far there are ways to unlock the bands in the firmware after flashing the Canadian firmware to the device. (I think this was referring to the Snapdragon North American version). But features such as Wifi Calling on T-Mobile won't work after that.
Because of carrier locks, it appears that certain models of phones only have certain bands enabled depending on which provider they were released for (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc). This is a bit of a problem, if for example, I wanted to use an AT&T phone on T-Mobile, or wanted to pop in a local SIM while traveling.
I'm presently on Verizon, but I'm not under contract and so I'm willing to switch to perhaps T-Mobile, AT&T, or whatever other GSM carriers are available. As such, CDMA capabilities aren't really a major issue for me. It would be nice, but not a deal breaker. I also get conflicting info where some sellers say their unlocked phones won't work for CDMA carriers; while others claim that the unlocked phones have all the CDMA capabilities unlocked as well.
I'm wondering also, if the Snapdragon or Exynos is preferable? The general consensus among developers seems to be that Exynos is preferable to Snapdragon when it comes to future mods, rootability, etc. What is the downside to Exynos?
Lastly, what do you think of the DUAL SIM version? My main reason for holding off on my purchase is debating whether I should get the dual SIM version or not. It would be a nice feature to have, for a phone I intended on setting up and keeping for a while. The only hesitation as far as this goes, is warranty coverage issues.
Would the international version have all the bands enabled? I've also read the Chinese and South Korean versions have 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which is pretty sweet.
Thanks!
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Did you get your answers? I have same don't like doubts, specially related to processor and dual chip tech.
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
The only "downside" to the exynos version is the lack of CDMA support. It is superior in pretty much every other regard.
If you're considering a G950U.. I believe the AT&T model covers the most LTE bands. The Verizon version lists TDD LTE bands if those are useful to you. (But lacks other important bands)
To your question, the G950F/FD is likely your best bet.
Where do I found a list of models? I saw that in Brazil we have SM-G950, but what I see is here is only SM-G950F
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I guess if you go with the exynos variant you will miss near fully playable gamecube/wii emulation. The exynos does other stuff better tho.
For the dual SIM variant, they have also just released a 6gb/128gb version, model number is SM-G9550. That's the best one you can get for the dual SIM variant: http://www.samsung.com/hk_en/business/business-products/mobile-device/smartphones/SM-G9550ZKGTGY.
Only downside is no Band 66 support though if you are planning to be on T-Mobile.
Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk
Hi, where can i buy the S8 Plus SM-G9550 (128GB, Snapdragon, 6GB Ram)?
thx in advance
Hi mate iv always preferred going for a G9xxF/FD version since They are Exynos in-case of Root or mods Exynos gets them first and if u get a FD added advantage of the dual sim. Good Luck
Hi codex1998, i don't need root and mods. My opinion is that the SM-G9550 is the better and most powerful phone.
Hi everyone, how about official firmware updates for different models ?
Is there any difference which models receives updates, which not ?
Some of my friends use different models and here is my statistic based on their phones:
s7 edge FD (dual sim): Android 7.0, last update August 2017,
note 8 (I believe its F model): 7.1 - August 2017,
s8 FD (dual sim) - 7.0 - Oct 2017,
2x s8+ FD (dual sim) - 7.0 Oct 2017.