Database Users

Reception/Modem/Baseband

Hello,
I recently upgraded from Xperia Arc S to Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505.
I bought my device from Hong Kong, with HK firmware. After I opened the package I put my SIM inside,
the reception was not very good. I was instructed by the company to use GSM only since there is no
LTE network in Israel as of today.
I flashed a couple of ROMs since and today I am on MIUI v5 which is my favorite, the reception remains
the same in all ROMs, quite bad compared to my old Xperia Arc S.
I was wondering about basebands and modems, I have been watching those two names floating around
the forums quite a bit and I never got around to playing with those.
So my questions are as follows:
1. Is there a different between modem and baseband or are these two just different words that refers to the same thing?
2. Does changing a baseband/modem can help get better reception?
3. If the answer to 2 is yes, which one should I get?
Thanks,
Oded

Yes modem/baseband are the same thing. Go to SamMobile website Google it, then go to the firmware section, choose the S4 find your carrier and see the latest rom for your carrier in the file name will be some letters and numbers like XXNA5 etc. This will give you a base to start with. Or tell me your operator and I can take a look.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk

nikzDHD said:
Yes modem/baseband are the same thing. Go to SamMobile website Google it, then go to the firmware section, choose the S4 find your carrier and see the latest rom for your carrier in the file name will be some letters and numbers like XXNA5 etc. This will give you a base to start with. Or tell me your operator and I can take a look.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply. How do I find out which firmware I need to download? Israel is not in the list. My carrier is called Orange. http://orange.co.il/
behind the battery it says:
GT-I9505
SSN: -I9505GSMH
RATED
Made by...
Imei...
S/N...
EDIT:
You didn't answer if the incorrect baseband can cause bad reception... it sounds to me like it does but I just want to make sure.
I also noticed that when I reboot my device it goes back to WCDMA only automatically so everytime I reboot/power off I need to reset it to GSM only using *#*#4636#*#*

BUMP

oded_sk said:
Hello,
I recently upgraded from Xperia Arc S to Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505.
I bought my device from Hong Kong, with HK firmware. After I opened the package I put my SIM inside,
the reception was not very good. I was instructed by the company to use GSM only since there is no
LTE network in Israel as of today.
I flashed a couple of ROMs since and today I am on MIUI v5 which is my favorite, the reception remains
the same in all ROMs, quite bad compared to my old Xperia Arc S.
I was wondering about basebands and modems, I have been watching those two names floating around
the forums quite a bit and I never got around to playing with those.
So my questions are as follows:
1. Is there a different between modem and baseband or are these two just different words that refers to the same thing?
2. Does changing a baseband/modem can help get better reception?
3. If the answer to 2 is yes, which one should I get?
Thanks,
Oded
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Same thing .
2. Yes.
3. You can check it from here that Base from your country/Provider . And you can download it from here

The problem is that Israel is not on that list, I think because we don't have LTE network and my device is LTE.
My carrier is using GSM network only.

Israel don't sell the I9505 officially, they have the I9500 available from your carriers.
Looking at the I9500 with Orange the latest I9500 modem is: I9500JKUEMJ9
Obviously do not flash the I9500 modem but you can try XXUEMJ9 from the I9505 instead.
From here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2192025
Download the modem and flash via Odin. You can any of the I9505 modems. Just try until you get a good one, and as for LTE it doesn't matter in the network settings you will obviously be choosing 3G option instead.

nikzDHD said:
Israel don't sell the I9505 officially, they have the I9500 available from your carriers.
Looking at the I9500 with Orange the latest I9500 modem is: I9500JKUEMJ9
Obviously do not flash the I9500 modem but you can try XXUEMJ9 from the I9505 instead.
From here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2192025
Download the modem and flash via Odin. You can any of the I9505 modems. Just try until you get a good one, and as for LTE it doesn't matter in the network settings you will obviously be choosing 3G option instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, well, it didn't work, I flashed about 7 different modems and I still get bad reception indoors and good reception outdoors.
I will try to test other SIMs of other carriers on this device to see if reception improves.
Thank you very much for you help!

4.4.2
Anyone knows which modems can I flash in a stock i9505 4.4.2 rom?

Inamati said:
Anyone knows which modems can I flash in a stock i9505 4.4.2 rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any modem you want to flash. But try the 4.4.2 versions.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk

nikzDHD said:
Any modem you want to flash. But try the 4.4.2 versions.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I ask this question because when flashing stock 4.4.2 I had to flash a specific modem otherwise it wouldn't work. If I flash another modem different from FNA5 won't it cause problems in the ROM?

Inamati said:
Really? I ask this question because when flashing stock 4.4.2 I had to flash a specific modem otherwise it wouldn't work. If I flash another modem different from FNA5 won't it cause problems in the ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends what bootloader your on, I'm assuming your on the new bootloader so you need to flash both the LTE and GSM modems. I'm on a GE 4.4.2 rom and old bootloader running on an older modem and not got any issues. Try it and see what happens you can always flash another after or go back to a 4.4.2 modem.

nikzDHD said:
Depends what bootloader your on, I'm assuming your on the new bootloader so you need to flash both the LTE and GSM modems. I'm on a GE 4.4.2 rom and old bootloader running on an older modem and not got any issues. Try it and see what happens you can always flash another after or go back to a 4.4.2 modem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK thanks a bunch. If not too much trouble can you point me to a list of the modems you speak of? And is there anywhere where it's detailed how to flash both modems? When I changed modem in the previous ROM's I only had to flash one.

Inamati said:
OK thanks a bunch. If not too much trouble can you point me to a list of the modems you speak of? And is there anywhere where it's detailed how to flash both modems? When I changed modem in the previous ROM's I only had to flash one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread has all the info you need:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2192025

A small tip to whom ever is reading this: If you have reception problems just go to someone with the same phone model and just write down the information in about phone section such as: baseband, core, build etc so you know which one works 100% if your phone is the same model.
Anyways, nikzDHD, I9505XXUEML6_MODEM worked best, I flashed 90% of the modems... took me forever :/

[Q] Carrier Specific ROMs

Hey Guys!
I have a question regarding stock roms. I've been looking at SamMobile for an official release of Lollipop here in Philippines, the only download I can see is for a local carrier Globe. Will it cause problems if I flash this on my international N9005?
I also want to ask the same question for an S4 I9505, but it's the other way around; the phone is from Globe, network locked, and I am thinking of flashing an international version ROM. Will this cause problems? I know this isn't the right forum but just in case someone would like to answer.
Thank you!

hehsusss said:
Hey Guys!
I have a question regarding stock roms. I've been looking at SamMobile for an official release of Lollipop here in Philippines, the only download I can see is for a local carrier Globe. Will it cause problems if I flash this on my international N9005?
I also want to ask the same question for an S4 I9505, but it's the other way around; the phone is from Globe, network locked, and I am thinking of flashing an international version ROM. Will this cause problems? I know this isn't the right forum but just in case someone would like to answer.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes, you will have problems with the radios. It's not importat where you live that what CSC have your device. Install this APP and look for your CSC. Go to Sammobile.com, look for your csc, download and flash the latest stock rom for your device via ODIN. (Pic attached)
2. Regarding GT-i9505: Yes, it will cause lose of signal. The best you can do is unlock it by IMEI.

Joku1981 said:
1. Yes, you will have problems with the radios. It's not importat where you live that what CSC have your device. Install this APP and look for your CSC. Go to Sammobile.com, look for your csc, download and flash the latest stock rom for your device via ODIN. (Pic attached)
2. Regarding GT-i9505: Yes, it will cause lose of signal. The best you can do is unlock it by IMEI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed a rom from Brazil. Everything works great it's just that the bloatware included is annoying. I figured the best option to flasha ROM from my country but the only one with a Lollipop ROM is carrier specific.

Samsung allows users to use roms from their own region interchangeably. In most cases, even globally.
I've never encountered issues with radio or signal loss when flashing different providers and countries in my own region, and I've had thousands of people flash and use all sort of different EU firmwares. (you can find the region on the sticker on the box.)
(US users have different devices with real carrier locks, so those are excluded.)
Sent From My Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9005 Using Tapatalk

Canadian i337m compatible marshmallow roms?

Ok I'm just a little confused.
Canadian i337m compatible marshmallow roms?
Are they jflteatt jfltexx i9505 or something else or all of the above.
(I'm running wamanlite 4.4.2 9505 rom now on my jfltecan I don't think there are any good links for it left, and when I flash a new one there will be no going back)
I know there are others confused out there as well..
If you are using marshmallow and you have flashed the rom to your Canadian s4 and all is working great.
Please post a link to that rom here
If you needed some other kernel or file to flash in to make it work
Please post that info with links also.
Thanks for any info you can provide.
(And bite me Samsung att and others for locking so many U.S. carrier boot loaders which has reduced development)

The s4 should work with the 9505, jflteatt, and jfltexx ROMs; however, editing the updater script may be required to get the ROM to install.

Hahaha - you will likely get yelled at to use the search bar and to read the stickies with these sorts of questions, but I was a noob once too, so here's an olive branch. (that being said, please do use these in the future!)
Your i337m will be cross-compatible with ALL GS4 devices (at least to my knowledge). I've had one now for a little over 4 months and have explored most of the options available to the Canadian variant. I have run everything from 4.2.2 to 5.1.1 on my device successfully, but you will have the most luck where the developer indicates that the build is for jflte devices in general, not one in particular.
Furthermore, the GS4 or ANY device sporting a Qualcomm chipset can use a modified modem file to access WCDMA/HSPA bands (ie. WIND, or T-Mobile).
Again, the search bar is your friend here! Also try Google, or Duckduckgo (google will tailor your results, sometimes in a way which will actually hinder your search).
If all else fails, send me a PM and I will assist you wherever possible.
Best of luck!

Graysonh said:
Hahaha - you will likely get yelled at to use the search bar and to read the stickies with these sorts of questions, but I was a noob once too, so here's an olive branch. (that being said, please do use these in the future!)
Your i337m will be cross-compatible with ALL GS4 devices (at least to my knowledge). I've had one now for a little over 4 months and have explored most of the options available to the Canadian variant. I have run everything from 4.2.2 to 5.1.1 on my device successfully, but you will have the most luck where the developer indicates that the build is for jflte devices in general, not one in particular.
Furthermore, the GS4 or ANY device sporting a Qualcomm chipset can use a modified modem file to access WCDMA/HSPA bands (ie. WIND, or T-Mobile).
Again, the search bar is your friend here! Also try Google, or Duckduckgo (google will tailor your results, sometimes in a way which will actually hinder your search).
If all else fails, send me a PM and I will assist you wherever possible.
Best of luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wondering what modem to use. Do I use the latest modem for I337M or can I use modem for I9505. I live in Canada and have always used the modems for the I337M model. The latest modem is PA1, I think for the I9505.

Hey tvsite,
Modems for this phone in Canada puzzled me for quite some time, however, this is what I did to make things work.
--> Downgraded from 5.1.1 CM 12.1 Optimized via odin using "I337MVLUAMDJ_I337MOYAAMDJ_VMC.zip" (http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/14412/I337MVLUAMDJ_I337MOYAAMDJ_VMC/)to net me 4.2.2 (note: your wifi or calling WILL NOT WORK).
You may have even better luck using the SaskTel firmware at this point, although I have not tried it yet. (http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/14418/I337MVLUAMDJ_I337MOYAAMDJ_BWA/)
--> Do the AWS mod, unlocking etc.
--> Upgraded to 4.4.1 using "I337MVLUFNC1_880525_REV06_user_low_ship_MULTI.tar"
https://mega.co.nz/#!h8pTnCZS!t2-PiSb5W9ZyNp7fct7WD_Pg_dnc-eZqtMvpsuKv_9Q
--> I forget what modem I was on at this point, however, after letting OTA do its thing, I wound up at 5.0.1, OH1 modem, and AWS still enabled.
Good luck!

Graysonh said:
Hey tvsite,
Modems for this phone in Canada puzzled me for quite some time, however, this is what I did to make things work.
--> Downgraded from 5.1.1 CM 12.1 Optimized via odin using "I337MVLUAMDJ_I337MOYAAMDJ_VMC.zip" (http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/14412/I337MVLUAMDJ_I337MOYAAMDJ_VMC/)to net me 4.2.2 (note: your wifi or calling WILL NOT WORK).
You may have even better luck using the SaskTel firmware at this point, although I have not tried it yet. (http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/14418/I337MVLUAMDJ_I337MOYAAMDJ_BWA/)
--> Do the AWS mod, unlocking etc.
--> Upgraded to 4.4.1 using "I337MVLUFNC1_880525_REV06_user_low_ship_MULTI.tar"
https://mega.co.nz/#!h8pTnCZS!t2-PiSb5W9ZyNp7fct7WD_Pg_dnc-eZqtMvpsuKv_9Q
--> I forget what modem I was on at this point, however, after letting OTA do its thing, I wound up at 5.0.1, OH1 modem, and AWS still enabled.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed the OK1 modem which is posted, here, which is for the I337M model. I believe this is country code Mexico. This modem is working fine. Have you tried flashing a I9505 modem using Odin. I tried and it said "failed", so I may have answered my own question---that you cannot flash modems over different model numbers even though its the same phone, ie. S4

Question about converting model from sm-n900k to sm-n9005

1. Is it okay if i just dont root the device sm-n900k and just flash the sm-n9005 firmware from sammobile? I just want to try and change firmware because i can't update the version, still stucked at 4.4.2 having some problems with signal, korean apps and the shutter sound of the camera.
Thank you

Personally, I would not try it as it may brick the phone. The 900k uses a Samsung Exynos processor and the n9005 uses a Qualcomm.
http://www.imei.info/phonedatabase/14281-samsung-n900k-galaxy-note-3/

Are there any other site except sammobile that offers firmware? I just want to update my phone to lollipop version but i am also scared to unlock the bootloader because i cant find a guide and btw im not sure if the bootloader is locked or maybe i just can't find a compatible custom recovery for my phone

Traditionally Korean model has had slightly different hardware making them incompatible with international variants (TV antenna for example on the S1/S2). However, at least from forum posts here N9005 custom ROM should work fine, as long as you keep your old modem.
Although, there should be an official 5.0.1 ROM around with a GOF2 ending, considering the existence of a Lollipop bootloader for it. Have you tried just plugging it into Kies and check for update?
(If you want to give it a shot, here is the baseband + bootloader: https://mega.nz/#F!0MNyVboS!XpjPYizNyY7LPZdsepyTFw . Flash this then a 5.0 custom ROM and you should be good to go)
@audit13 N900K is Snapdragon. Exynos doesn't have LTE, but all Korean model has LTE (different bands for different networks though)

@thebulletfromhell, I am not familiar with the n900k and I based my information on the link in my post above yours. I looked at several site and they specifically mention the Exynos. This one also mentions LTE: http://welectronics.com/gsm/Samsung/SAMSUNG-SM-N900K-GALAXY-NOTE-3-4G-LTE-BLACK.HTML
I know you can't believe everything you read on the internet. Thank you for the information.

I saw that too, but it was the only site that mentioned it, so I looked further. Info on Korean models are pretty rare in English, as the hardware for the most part is incompatible with Network Bands in the English speaking part of the world, making grey import iffy, and thus no reason to write about them.

Samsung note 4 not getting anything more than 2G

Hey all im totally new to this and i apologise if this has been covered. I had a samsung galaxy note 4 and my darling kids thought it would be an epic idea to stick things inside the charge port totally ruining it and making the phone unchargable. So i contacted samsung repair center and was quoted a ridiculous price to repair and i just bout a new one to only find that its not an australian version i have a sm-n910k and my original one is a sm-n910G what can i do i cant get 3g i cant get lte i can only get 2G and minimal bars of service at that if anyone can help any advice atm is great advice thank you all in advance.

RageRydah said:
Hey all im totally new to this and i apologise if this has been covered. I had a samsung galaxy note 4 and my darling kids thought it would be an epic idea to stick things inside the charge port totally ruining it and making the phone unchargable. So i contacted samsung repair center and was quoted a ridiculous price to repair and i just bout a new one to only find that its not an australian version i have a sm-n910k and my original one is a sm-n910G what can i do i cant get 3g i cant get lte i can only get 2G and minimal bars of service at that if anyone can help any advice atm is great advice thank you all in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to settings/mobile networks and set apn settings manually depends on your sim carrier and country.
Just google your sim carrier apn settings and you will find easily.

Trex888 said:
Go to settings/mobile networks and set apn settings manually depends on your sim carrier and country.
Just google your sim carrier apn settings and you will find easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have already done apn settings and still to no avail i cant work this out for the life of me the only thing i keep thinking is that this model may not be compatible with my country as i know the sm-n910g is australia and the sm-n910k is korea i think ive bought myself a dud unless theres something i can do software wise idk any input is great imput though :/

Did you bought a new device, n910k or was it a replacement part? If you're comfortable, you can always change the USB port itself. I've done it for my Note 2 before. The USB port should be just a ribbon cable so you don't have to worry about soldering and stuffs like that. The prices are also way cheaper too.

mha93 said:
Did you bought a new device, n910k or was it a replacement part? If you're comfortable, you can always change the USB port itself. I've done it for my Note 2 before. The USB port should be just a ribbon cable so you don't have to worry about soldering and stuffs like that. The prices are also way cheaper too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently the usb port is tricky to replace as its apart of the screen as samsung has told me and its a whole new device its the korean version im not sure what to do as the place i bought it from is a long distance away from where i live and i was wondering if there was a way i could install like the sm-n910G firmware to it. Im at my wits end with this and not sure what to do.

Oh right. I forgot about that. It was a simple plug out and in for my Note 2.
The issue right now is that the n910k, most probably does not support Australia's LTE bands. Hence the reason why you can only connect to 2G. You can check out gsmarena for the supported LTE bands for different models.
You can install a stock Note 4 Exynos firmware from another country with a carrier that uses the same LTE band as your carrier. It should be safe as some members here are able to install different firmwares meant for another device on their device, example N910G on N910F provided the CPU are the same.
Go to SamMobile, and find the firmware for Note 4 and you can see a list of Note 4 firmware available for download. You need to do some leg work though to ensure that the firmware you're flashing is meant for the Exynos version and the modem supports your carrier's LTE band.
This video shows what I'm talking about.
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=FTxD4kwlfCM

mha93 said:
Oh right. I forgot about that. It was a simple plug out and in for my Note 2.
The issue right now is that the n910k, most probably does not support Australia's LTE bands. Hence the reason why you can only connect to 2G. You can check out gsmarena for the supported LTE bands for different models.
You can install a stock Note 4 Exynos firmware from another country with a carrier that uses the same LTE band as your carrier. It should be safe as some members here are able to install different firmwares meant for another device on their device, example N910G on N910F provided the CPU are the same.
Go to SamMobile, and find the firmware for Note 4 and you can see a list of Note 4 firmware available for download. You need to do some leg work though to ensure that the firmware you're flashing is meant for the Exynos version and the modem supports your carrier's LTE band.
This video shows what I'm talking about.
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=FTxD4kwlfCM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive found the firmware for a sm-n910g can i use that to go over the sm-n910k? It has the firmware aswell as a csc which i think im going to need to research to know exactly what im doing as i have no clue atm lol but cheers heaps man i feel like im getting closer

RageRydah said:
Ive found the firmware for a sm-n910g can i use that to go over the sm-n910k? It has the firmware aswell as a csc which i think im going to need to research to know exactly what im doing as i have no clue atm lol but cheers heaps man i feel like im getting closer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No don't install over the n910g over your n910k. N910k is using a different cpu than N910g. N910k uses Samsung's Exynos processor and N910g being a Snapdragon processor. Idk what would happen if you flash a N910G over a n910K but I think it would be considered lucky if your phone would be able to boot up.
Your n910k should be able to run on another firmware meant for an Exynos processor like n910c. I just don't know if, after installing over your 4G would work because of different LTE bands. But this website says there's a chance it might work.
https://www.frequencycheck.com/compatibility/zYzu9/samsung-galaxy-note-4-sm-n910c/australia
Usually in most cases, when a user accidentally installs a firmware meant for another variant, assuming they would get past the samsung boot up scene, they would not be able to get any network connections. This is due to different firmwares having different modem files for the different LTE bands. However if you were to install over a firmware with the same internals as your current device and more or less uses around the same LTE bands, it should work.

mha93 said:
No don't install over the n910g over your n910k. N910k is using a different cpu than N910g. N910k uses Samsung's Exynos processor and N910g being a Snapdragon processor. Idk what would happen if you flash a N910G over a n910K but I think it would be considered lucky if your phone would be able to boot up.
Your n910k should be able to run on another firmware meant for an Exynos processor like n910c. I just don't know if, after installing over your 4G would work because of different LTE bands. But this website says there's a chance it might work.
https://www.frequencycheck.com/compatibility/zYzu9/samsung-galaxy-note-4-sm-n910c/australia
Usually in most cases, when a user accidentally installs a firmware meant for another variant, assuming they would get past the samsung boot up scene, they would not be able to get any network connections. This is due to different firmwares having different modem files for the different LTE bands. However if you were to install over a firmware with the same internals as your current device and more or less uses around the same LTE bands, it should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok ive decided to do the sm-n910c conversion as frequency is better does it matter what country region i download it from as there isnt an australian one... if someone could link me to the firmware and what i need to do that would be amazing.... thankyou everyone so far it been a big help

RageRydah said:
Ok ive decided to do the sm-n910c conversion as frequency is better does it matter what country region i download it from as there isnt an australian one... if someone could link me to the firmware and what i need to do that would be amazing.... thankyou everyone so far it been a big help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go. It's every firmware ever listed. You need to create an account before downloading though and the download takes forever. You can install the firmware when your phone is in download mode using Odin via your computer.
https://www.sammobile.com/

mha93 said:
Here you go. It's every firmware ever listed. You need to create an account before downloading though and the download takes forever. You can install the firmware when your phone is in download mode using Odin via your computer.
https://www.sammobile.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesnt have an australian firmware version do i select a random one? And then proceed with odin and install? Thanks in advance

RageRydah said:
It doesnt have an australian firmware version do i select a random one? And then proceed with odin and install? Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try a random one. Preferably one without a telco. Example, N910C and not N910C (telco name). It shouldn't matter much as the difference would be that the one with a telco would come preinstall with the telco apps. Also, preferably from a English speaking country because usually the language would be based on country.
I would recommend you to download the original firmware for the n910k in case if this fails, you would be able to fall back to the original firmware.

mha93 said:
You can try a random one. Preferably one without a telco. Example, N910C and not N910C (telco name). It shouldn't matter much as the difference would be that the one with a telco would come preinstall with the telco apps. Also, preferably from a English speaking country because usually the language would be based on country.
I would recommend you to download the original firmware for the n910k in case if this fails, you would be able to fall back to the original firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thankyou so much for your help il get on to it in a day or 2 and il let you know how i went