Hi!
I am from Portugal and I'm about to buy an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S in an online store in europe.
So, my questions are:
1. Is there any trouble buying outside Portugal? Is is true that each country has its own CSC version and that buying outside Portugal can have influence oin future firmware updates?
2. Or are all Samsung Galaxy S for european market all the same, and I can buy withou any fears?
I am a little confused about thoses CSC versions and all, so if you can explain it to me like I'm a 5 year old kid, i'd apreciate it!
Thanks
RM
PS: If you could explain to me what is that CSC anyway, it ould be great!
Devices will come with a CSC relevant to where you buy them, but I don't believe you need to stick with the CSC your device came with. Mine was I9000TMUJE6 (from T-Mobile UK) but I'm now using CSC I9000OXXJM1, which came with the JM2 firmware on the samsung-firmwares site. Everything still works fine.
It's possible you might have to re-enter your APN settings without the relevant CSC (I did a Titanium Backup restore, which probably did that for me), but that's no big deal.
I don't think any European ones are different to each other either, as far as I know.
Hi !
I've bought mine online from UK and now I use it in Israel without any problem whatsoever.
You really should read the big FAQ in the Dev section, It'll make your life easier.
Don't worry about the CSC file, you can always flash a Portugal specific through Odin (if such exists or will be available in your country later on).
Good luck mate.
Avi
I would have posted this under the S5 'T-Mobile' section, but I think it might be more of a generic discussion.
I am considering in purchasing the S5 Plus (G901F). From what I can see right now, this is only available in Germany, UK and just about now, Netherlands. Problem is that it's exclusive to respective providers and therefore - "branded"
I can find it cheaper from Germany - which is subject to T-Mobile / Telekom (same thing?) branding.
I have asked the shop and they confirmed that the phone is factory unlocked to any provider/country and that there is no "hardware branding" on the phone. Meaning no stickers, no logos or anything else physically on the phone.
However, there is "software branding". Meaning the firmware itself and whatever bloatware the provider has put inside that ROM.
Now, I have read that I can use ODIN and find the least crapware-loaded ROM (from any country) and flash it *without* compromissing the knox bit. So far so good.
What I would like to know is that: What happens when finally Samsung releases a pure, non-branded ROM for the G901F? I can still use ODIN to flash - no problem. But what about future releases. I mean future non-branded firmwares. Would I be able to use OTA from that point on, or would I have to keep an eye and update via ODIN? Can someone please elaborate and explain this?
I get it - that's a 'newbie' type of question, but I would be really grateful towards some help here. All I can do for someone who will spend 2mins for writing a useful/accurate answer is say 'thanks'
Didn't find an exact answer to what I ask here, hence me writing this. Hope it's not a double-post!
jstoner said:
I would have posted this under the S5 'T-Mobile' section, but I think it might be more of a generic discussion.
I am considering in purchasing the S5 Plus (G901F). From what I can see right now, this is only available in Germany, UK and just about now, Netherlands. Problem is that it's exclusive to respective providers and therefore - "branded"
I can find it cheaper from Germany - which is subject to T-Mobile / Telekom (same thing?) branding.
I have asked the shop and they confirmed that the phone is factory unlocked to any provider/country and that there is no "hardware branding" on the phone. Meaning no stickers, no logos or anything else physically on the phone.
However, there is "software branding". Meaning the firmware itself and whatever bloatware the provider has put inside that ROM.
Now, I have read that I can use ODIN and find the least crapware-loaded ROM (from any country) and flash it *without* compromissing the knox bit. So far so good.
What I would like to know is that: What happens when finally Samsung releases a pure, non-branded ROM for the G901F? I can still use ODIN to flash - no problem. But what about future releases. I mean future non-branded firmwares. Would I be able to use OTA from that point on, or would I have to keep an eye and update via ODIN? Can someone please elaborate and explain this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi jstoner,
I think that while using an unbranded ROM would probably prevent you from receiving OTA's from your provider you would still be left wih the Samsung tool for getting new updates - Kies.
It has the options to check for updates and to flash them.
The geeky option is indeed to keep your eyes out for updates and fire up Odin
Disclaimer: I never used Kies to update my phone so I might be wrong here
Sent from my Android powered Tricorder
I forgot to mention - I live in Greece (but I m thinking of buying the phone from Germany, as it's not available here yet)
Does KIES list all ROMs from ALL regions/providers for a particular phone?
vrl13 said:
I think that while using an unbranded ROM would probably prevent you from receiving OTA's from your provider you would still be left wih the Samsung tool for getting new updates - Kies.
r
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
It seems there is a firmware for Greece for you
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/40735/G901FXXU1ANK3_G901FEUR1ANL1_EUR.zip/
Oh good
Does that mean it's about to be released in Greece soon???
thierry_b said:
Hello,
It seems there is a firmware for Greece for you
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/40735/G901FXXU1ANK3_G901FEUR1ANL1_EUR.zip/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody knows man. But you can always flash the newest updates via odin without triggering knox. After a few month only German Vodafone is building an update. T- mobil stii stuck on h5 firmware. So if there will be an unbranded oce ever ever ever.........you have odin
Wonder if that Greek ROM is unbranded or not
As for hardware branding, it seems that all G901F units sold in Germany under Telekom/T-Mobile have that "LTE+" at the back (also on the retail box). Instead, those EE (UK) units seem to have no hardware branding at all - it just has the "Samsung" logo at the back cover (and nothing on the retail box)
teichy1 said:
No Body knows man. But you can always flash the newest updates via odin without triggering knox. After a few month only German Vodafone is building an update. T- mobil stii stuck on h5 firmware. So if there will be an unbranded oce ever ever ever.........you have odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a few Providerapps inside. All Roms i tested for 901F has the normal Samsung Bootloaderscreener. No Provider startup. So nothing to worry about . Mine has also the LTE+ logo, but former T-Mobile Devices have also Coverbrands on it...Thanks God these not
Hi all,
I've noticed something unacceptable and as a newbie I wanted your insight.
I hold a Samsung galaxy s4 I9500 that seems to come from Bangladesh or Vietnam, I;m not pretty sure. Anyway, I noticed that many many devices from these Asian regions do not get any updates since 2013 ! They were lasted updated to 4.3 Jelly bean and that is.
How do you explain the fact that the same devices take lollilop and others stay on Jelly bean?
How can I upgrade at least to Kitkat?
(I checked the Kies application and it says that I have the last updated firmware)
Thanks a lot!
Sammobile has 5.0.1 for Bangladesh and 4.4.2 for Vietnam. As to the discrepancy regarding firmware releases, carriers are the ones to decide whether to upgrade or not. So either you'll get it or not. Bangladesh chose to upgrade while Vietnam is holding back.
Yes, but there are other models which did not take any update.
For example this code: I9500XXUEMJ9 exists in 7 countries (Israel,Bangladesh,India etc.) and since 2013 hasn't done any updates. Still the firmware is 4.3.
Should the owners of these models wait for even more?
If their carriers choose not to provide an update, then yes, the owners of those devices will have to wait. Case in point: Straight Talk. Here in the US Straight Talk offers a S4 locked to Android 4.2.2 and refuses to provide updates for it. Worse for Straight Talk S4 owners, unlike the I9500 owners, they can't simply flash a ROM from a different region because their S4 is an exclusive model specifically made for Straight Talk. So they have to wait for an update that will never come. At least the tech-savvy I9500 owners have avenues available to them to get a more up-to-date stock ROM. Straight Talk S4 owners have to use custom ROMs, and risk losing their service doing so, as Straight Talk prohibits both rooting and custom ROMs in its terms and conditions.
First of all thanks for your info.
I've got two problems facing me right now.
First of all I can't figure out which specific country the phone comes from. This code appears in many countries.
Secondly I don't know which flash ROM I should use with this program called Odin. Should I choose randomly a version? Should I upgrade to lollilop or it is a must I pass from Kitkat first?
I value your help.
Please post the following information:
1. Model Number
2. Android Version, found by going to Settings > More > About device.
3. Firmware Version (AP, CP, CSC), found by dialing *#1234# in the dialer or by installing Phone Info from the Play Store and running it.
4. Service Provider
5. Country
6. Is the phone rooted? (Yes/No)
7. Is a custom ROM installed? (Yes/No, and the name of the ROM)
Some of this may seem redundant, but putting it all in one post makes it easier to help you.
1. GT-I9500
2. 4.3
3. Original csc code: TGY/TMB
Firmwares csc code: TMB
Csc country: Hong kong
country of origin: China
csc version: I9500XXUEMJ9
4. I dont get this
5. Country see above
6. No rooted
7. No
Number 4 is asking whom you use as a carrier. Also, your AP, CP, and CSC should have been posted as you had seen it on screen rather than "interpreting" it. Nevertheless, based upon the info you provided, the correct ROM for your device is here. Flash this ROM through Odin and you should be good to go.
Hi!
I am sorry if this has been asked here before. I'm fairly new to this kind of stuff.
So I'm a foreigner living in Japan. Due to the allure of local warranty, I decided to get the Axon 7 (A2017G JPV).
It has been months since the last Nougat update came to other A2017Gs but hasn't arrived on the A2017G JPV. So I thought, may be ZTE Japan was just taking a longer time, etc. So recently, I decided to contact customer support. And their answer was unclear at best. They were apparently still deciding if they would release a Nougat update for Axon 7.
So here's my question. Considering that my Axon 7 is also A2017G, is there a way for me to install the latest A2017G European ROM or any other A2017G Stock ROMs for that matter, without unlocking my bootloader and rooting? And get OTA updates from A2017G European? If so, can someone please kindly point me in the right direction, I'm getting a bit lost.
If that isn't possible, is there a way, to install the stock A2017G ROMs (aside from JPV) and then relock the bootloader afterwards?
Please help me. Thank you.
jjquinto said:
Hi!
I am sorry if this has been asked here before. I'm fairly new to this kind of stuff.
So I'm a foreigner living in Japan. Due to the allure of local warranty, I decided to get the Axon 7 (A2017G JPV).
It has been months since the last Nougat update came to other A2017Gs but hasn't arrived on the A2017G JPV. So I thought, may be ZTE Japan was just taking a longer time, etc. So recently, I decided to contact customer support. And their answer was unclear at best. They were apparently still deciding if they would release a Nougat update for Axon 7.
So here's my question. Considering that my Axon 7 is also A2017G, is there a way for me to install the latest A2017G European ROM or any other A2017G Stock ROMs for that matter, without unlocking my bootloader and rooting? And get OTA updates from A2017G European? If so, can someone please kindly point me in the right direction, I'm getting a bit lost.
If that isn't possible, is there a way, to install the stock A2017G ROMs (aside from JPV) and then relock the bootloader afterwards?
Please help me. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/how-to/download-center-factory-images-ota-t3606547
Absolutely no need to root.
Enjoy.
Hamburgle4 said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/how-to/download-center-factory-images-ota-t3606547
Absolutely no need to root.
Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Thank you for replying so quickly.
Please bear with me as I am still a bit confused.
The link you gave mo contains Factory Images for the A2017G, right? Therefore, I should just put the factory images (zip file), into the root directory of my SD Card, and update via settings (no need to unlock bootloader or root, right?)?
My A2017G (JPV) is now on A2017G JPV1.0.0B03.
Which factory image should I use?
Thank you very much.
*Deleted for apparent "madness"
Are you mad?!!! This won't work as the signature's don't match.
At best you end up with a failed update, at worst a brick...
ultramag69 said:
Are you mad?!!! This won't work as the signature's don't match.
At best you end up with a failed update, at worst a brick...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I'm scared. Haha
Do you have any advice on how I should proceed with this? Thank you very much.
Hamburgle4 said:
*Deleted for safety reasons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering @ultramag69 said, do you think I should still proceed with this?
I don't think you have to the same radio firmware with all the G version out there.... If you dare to try it probably you will end up bricking your phone.... So don try. Unless you are sure can warranty claim it if it is briked
Unfortunately this region locking thing came in, sometimes it's different hardware for different regions but mostly it's to stop the grey import trade...
Due to this it is a requirement to unlock your bootloader if you want to flash other region/carrier roms, which again is a trial in itself...
If you do wish to try it, make sure you have a flashable version of your FULL stock rom, not an OTA - the difference is an OTA is a patch, usually of a few hundred Mb or so to update parts of your ROM, the full ROM is a stand-alone installation that will completely replace the current ROM.
Generally this will get you out of hot water but be aware this is also not 100% guarantee...
It will probably also delete all your data, back up first....
ultramag69 said:
Unfortunately this region locking thing came in, sometimes it's different hardware for different regions but mostly it's to stop the grey import trade...
Due to this it is a requirement to unlock your bootloader if you want to flash other region/carrier roms, which again is a trial in itself...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I'm confused about is he's not asking to flash A2017A/U firmware (where region locking comes into play) on his device, only another country's A2017G fw so why would he need to unlock bootloader? It's still fw for the global model if I understand correctly.
Hamburgle4 said:
What I'm confused about is he's not asking to flash A2017A/U firmware (where region locking comes into play) on his device, only another country's A2017G fw so why would he need to unlock bootloader? It's still fw for the global model if I understand correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on your side - the modem file might be different, but since the hardware is the same, it should work. Maybe the modem file has improved signal stuff for Japan, but it's extremely improbable considering ZTE's craptastic devs...
Also, what could be the worst thing that could happen? Here are the possibilities:
- Works: enjoy
- Installation failed: Should fail before even changing files anyways
- Soft brick: get to recovery, download full update zip, install, wait for Nougat
- Hard brick: "I woke up this morning and it was off, doesn't boot anymore, I want a replacement"
And if the modem is too crappy you can always go back to Japan's firmware
I believe that the Japanese version is different from the other G versions, at least on the modem level. Japan uses some bands that are not used by any other country in the world, so unless ZTE Japan decided to release the G model knowing that it would have some connectivity issues on all Japanese carriers, the Japanese G model must have at least a different modem.
Bold = band is present in the global G model
KDDI: CDMA BC0 / BC6, LTE 1/11/18/41
NTT Docomo: UMTS 1/9/19, LTE 1/9/19/21/28
Softbank: UMTS 1/8/11, LTE 1/8/9/41
I kinda get what you're getting at after looking further into the models. Basing off the spec sheets, Amazon JP has the exact same A2017G TD-LTE with matching bands sold by ZTE. Whereas on the ZTE JP page, it instead matches the bands of something named Axon 7 TD-LTE JP (couldn't find model number, but sounds like OP's A2017G). This has over half the exact bands available on A2017G, additional UMTS bands 6 & 19 and one CA band.
I think someone in another thread previously mentioned about potential signal issues with the Axon 7 being sold in Spain after flashing DE fw. Looking at their spec sheet, it appears to have a few bands missing, may have additional bands, but it's hard to tell since only the frequencies are stated. Could just be anecdotal as you'd think with the greater range of frequencies, it shouldn't face those issues. Anyways this is a separate matter, and potentially an apples to oranges comparison.
Thank you all for your advice and insights.
I figured, damn all worries, and just used the recovery mode to flash the update.zip.
Lo and behold, it was updated with seemingly no issue. Even tried if my mobile data would work properly. And it did.
Thanks everyone!
jjquinto said:
Thank you all for your advice and insights.
I figured, damn all worries, and just used the recovery mode to flash the update.zip.
Lo and behold, it was updated with seemingly no issue. Even tried if my mobile data would work properly. And it did.
Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great to hear. Also vindicates my apparent "madness" lol.
Hamburgle4 said:
Great to hear. Also vindicates my apparent "madness" lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it was nonsense, they are both a2017Gs anyways
We're all a bit mad though, flashing stuff on a 400 dolar thingy...
ive got the A2017 Chinese, bought from aliexpress. Ive rooted and installed the twrp flashable B15 from @djkuz, but the nougat firmware is awful for my DoCoMo phone reception (in far regional Nagasaki). So i need a method to either flash the modem for A2017G (not sure which B# release), or wait for the next chinese firmware release and hope for the best. Any suggestions or experiences to improve my reception? Is it the modem?
Thanks for all the contributions to this thread, as it has got me in the right direction.
jjquinto said:
Thank you all for your advice and insights.
I figured, damn all worries, and just used the recovery mode to flash the update.zip.
Lo and behold, it was updated with seemingly no issue. Even tried if my mobile data would work properly. And it did.
Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey I know this is an old thread but I thought I would poke in and add my feedback. I also live in Japan and have the A2017G. I bought it because it was the only phone on the market at the time that [supposedly] supported Google Daydream. Later I realized that only the US version actually worked with Daydream. Later on support was added to European ROMS (when upgraded to 7.1.1). But for some reason the Japanese ROM, despite being 7.1.1 would say 'Incompatible Phone', even when installed manually. I contacted ZTE's customer service, which was terrible; all they said was "we don't know when it will be supported". This was about a year ago, so this week I just got sick of waiting, found the German firmware (A2017G-N-B10), installed it and everything works fine. The radios have no issues, and I was able to download Daydream right from the marketplace.
Thanks for everyone who contributed to this thread!