I'm trying to decide if I'm going to own the AT&T galaxy s7 edge. This is just my observation, but it seems that there are fewer root options and less custom user development with each new model of the Samsung Galaxy S phones from AT&T. This seems to be more with with AT&T versions because they seem to be trying to do everything in their power to limit users from rooting their phones. This may go further than AT&T, but that's where my experience is limited to. I'd go with another carrier or buy an unlocked one, but I just can't justify the cost when my job pays for the phone and the bill. Worst case scenario is that I'll just stop rooting my phone rather than buy one somewhere else, but I love the flexibility and options it gives me. There are many custom functions I enjoy on my phone made possible by rooting it.
So my question to the community is this, and please share your thoughts even if you disagree:
Do you too also see a decline in the root options and custom development effort in AT&T Galaxy S phones over the years? Do you think this is going to change? And are there other phones you feel are better to own with comparable functionality to the Galaxy S series that receive much more custom user development support? Thank you all!
There is no question that development has fallen away on ATT phones - primarly because of the locked bootloader that ATT started back with the S4 - is has only gotten worse since then.
I am on ATT and I stopped buying ATT phones after the S4. The flexibility and options that are open to me using a TMobile phone on ATT are worth whatever additional cost to me so I just deal with it. I am fortunate, I have a good job and my wife doesn't bi..ch too much.
Custom Rom Developoment on the S6 and Note 5 for all carriers seemed to be less overall than I remember on the Note 4 and the S5 before that - maybe because Samsung pissed everyone off when they didn't include an External SD Card and they elminated the removal battery. The Exynos Processor probably played a big role too - I hope we see more on the S7 and S7 edge....
It's probably not a good idea if you want to use CM on ATT S7. And I would recommend you to get oneplus or nexus if you want to use CM or other custom ROMs.
Edited: I am also considering getting tmobile S7 for att use. Just don't know if that gonna work.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
I have had to stick with ATT since it is the only signal to penetrate the building I am in. My S4 was a T-Mobile model which was all unlocked with good amount of development. My s5 is w8 Canadian model also with pretty good development. I actually considered getting an ATT s7 but I'm sure I would soon be dissatisfied with stock only. Plus 30 months of $26 extra bill for device would be terrible. So I am going to wait and buy another international one when available for less than 6 or 7 hundred bucks.
I left ATT for one of these reasons, got so sick and tired of their Nazi BS crappy way of doing things the past couple of years. I used to LOL at Verizon for being the worst, well ATT has far surpassed them for the worst carrier in the U.S. ( Not talking network )
Back in the day, the ATT Note 2 was AWESOME, and tons of XDA development available for that phone, and then the Note 3 things started to change, and only got worse. The S4 was a disaster, at first it was rootable and had development, then ATT passed an update, and totally locked down that phone.
Plus their billing sucks, my monthly bill was never consistent, even though I was on a good plan. Every month my bill was a little higher, or way higher, but never exactly what it should be.
Fast forward to last Summer, My wife and I moved to T-Mobile at the launch of the Note 5, pick up the T-Mobile Note 5, and both are rooted running a great ROM. And T-Mobile's monthly bill, for seven months straight, been exactly the same, no funny business.
I'm with AT&T for the past two years. Two years ago AT&T kicked T-Mobile off all their cell towers in my area, and my signal became nonexistent. I ordered an S7 Edge through T-Mobile. Once the phone is unlocked, works fine on AT&T network. I won't buy another AT&T phone. I was lucky with my S5. I used the Towel Root exploit, and was lucky to have not updated.....
Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the feedback! Since work will buy the phone, I'm thinking about getting the AT&T S7 Edge, selling it, then getting a T-Mobile version with the money I sell it for maybe make a little or lose a little, but it shouldn't be a huge difference.
It is not only ATT Samsung phones that have seen a decrease in development - pretty much all phones have seen a decrease in development. Reason? Android is much better than it used to be! I had the S6 Edge+ (928G) unlocked and liked it, but eventually sold it. After a month or two I missed it and go a good deal on the ATT version. Man, the battery and signal strength are MUCH better than the 928G I had. There was bloat, but 99% of it can be disabled or uninstalled. I have gotten quite used to Samsung Pay and Android Pay and you can not use those with root.
madgalaxy said:
It is not only ATT Samsung phones that have seen a decrease in development - pretty much all phones have seen a decrease in development. Reason? Android is much better than it used to be! I had the S6 Edge+ (928G) unlocked and liked it, but eventually sold it. After a month or two I missed it and go a good deal on the ATT version. Man, the battery and signal strength are MUCH better than the 928G I had. There was bloat, but 99% of it can be disabled or uninstalled. I have gotten quite used to Samsung Pay and Android Pay and you can not use those with root.
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Click to collapse
I simply cannot use a phone without AdAway, so I must root it. I hate ads/spam more than people hated Hitler.
I haven't felt a desire to unlock and root my phone. I have a Moto X Pure. I did have a Note 4 ATT variant and if it just came with Samsung bloat, I would have been fine but it's that ****ty at&t bloat that made me frustrated.
We went from a Note 3 to a Note Edge... Note 3 wasn't too bad and I did have it rooted with towelroot I think.
Note Edge didn't gain enough popularirty and nobody really cared to do anything with it anyways. We skipped the Note 5 and now going with a S7 Edge. I realized I didn't need to root or load a custom ROM on my Edge and I've been fine... Might stay that way with the S7 Edge we'll see...
that being said, I have a Gear S and that is locked down with ATT too.
Thought about going to T-Mobile, but our service is real good with AT&T so we didn't wanna change... I wouldn't mind trying T-Mobile though.
razorseal said:
We went from a Note 3 to a Note Edge... Note 3 wasn't too bad and I did have it rooted with towelroot I think.
Note Edge didn't gain enough popularirty and nobody really cared to do anything with it anyways. We skipped the Note 5 and now going with a S7 Edge. I realized I didn't need to root or load a custom ROM on my Edge and I've been fine... Might stay that way with the S7 Edge we'll see...
that being said, I have a Gear S and that is locked down with ATT too.
Thought about going to T-Mobile, but our service is real good with AT&T so we didn't wanna change... I wouldn't mind trying T-Mobile though.
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I was thinking about switching to tmobile but I was wondering if there is any way to test for tmobile signal in my building?
Ublock Origin works wonders
schn1tt3r said:
I simply cannot use a phone without AdAway, so I must root it. I hate ads/spam more than people hated Hitler.
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Click to collapse
Ublock Origin > Firefox Mobile
Just adding (maybe not for you) but there are options out there for people that want Android/Samsung Pay and won't have root.
My honest openion, avoid AT&T, get a unlocked varient, You will thank me later.
I wish unlocked variations of phones worked on Verizon because that's what i would do. Verizon has the same issue with development going down the hill and also all the bloat ware, late updates...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
How is development for Verizon galaxy devices?
Does the T-Mobile variant have the same bands as at&t? Can I get the free Samsung gear vr? Can't seem to find the answers to these anywhere.
I also agree that development across all devices has went down allot.
The way I look at it, from Samsung stand point, if u want features like Gear VR and Samsung Pay, it's best not to root anyway since most of the root breaks those features.
Without those features you might as well get a non feature packed Android such as a Nexus.
Now days before making a device purchase, it's pretty obvious which device has the better dev community. If u go dev route and get a Nexus you loose luxury features such as Samsung Pay Gear VR etc....
Android is so powerful now days, the need for root and custom Roms just ain't needed anymore.
The G1 and HTC Evo and Samsung Vibrant (old school devices) days are a different story.
Just a warning for anybody who wants to use a non AT&T phone on their network. They will not allow it to use VoLTE at all.
spankmatic22 said:
I was thinking about switching to tmobile but I was wondering if there is any way to test for tmobile signal in my building?
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Click to collapse
You'll be sorry if you switch.... I left T-Mobile two years ago because of signal problems in the financial capital of the world. NYC... and they are still having the same problems two years later since AT&T kicked them off their cell towers.....
http://callingouttmobile.com/
---------- Post added at 12:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 PM ----------
lordloki77 said:
Does the T-Mobile variant have the same bands as at&t? Can I get the free Samsung gear vr? Can't seem to find the answers to these anywhere.
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I was with T-Mobile for 15 years up until two years ago when I switched to AT&T.... I had mad signal problems in my house.... I've had no problem since I moved. I order only T-Mobile phones because they are easier to root, and I unlock them.... and use them on AT&T....
---------- Post added at 12:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:51 PM ----------
lordloki77 said:
Does the T-Mobile variant have the same bands as at&t? Can I get the free Samsung gear vr? Can't seem to find the answers to these anywhere.
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Click to collapse
I was with T-Mobile for 15 years up until two years ago when I switched to AT&T.... I had mad signal problems in my house.... I've had no problem since I moved. I order only T-Mobile phones because they are easier to root, and I unlock them.... and use them on AT&T....
Title kinda says it all. Got a Verizon s7 I'm using on Straight Talk with my att nanotechnology sim and everythiNguyen works fine except I can't seem to SEND mms, receive them just fine but sending seems to be an issue. 4G LTE works (in majority pkaces), H+ active when LTE not on, calls are seamless (excluding the prefix issue), and texts are fine. I've set up.my apn for the att network on straight talk so ik that's no issue. Anybody else with a s7 or even s6 that can help me maybe? Also before you ask why I didn't just buy through att version, I got this one for 350 off contract from someone I know..... couldn't beat that deal. Also, would've got a Verizon Sim for straight talk but that'll also require buying another CDMA access code and that procedure is tiring once you receive it.
How did you get lte? I am using a Verizon s7 edge with cricket, which is AT&T. All I get is h+ because it doesn't have band 17 or 12
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
this App works pretty good. it auto detect the MMS APN settings. Been using it for years.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thinkleft.eightyeightsms.mms&hl=en
Have you updated your Verizon s7 while on another network? Just curious cause I'm running G930v on AT&T and was thinking about updating if possible, thanks.
I have an offer for a Verizon S7 at a really good price, but long term I think I want to stay with AT&T for compatibility reasons. Does anyone know of any issues that might prevent me from using the Verizon S7 on ATT in a year or two if I don't do any ota updates?
I'm running just fine, decent 4G LTE and H+ for 2 months now. Don't have any foreseeable worries, but am curious about how updating will go if it's a must, but not to worried.
I ran a Verizon S7 fine on Cricket for about a week (phone wasn't for me). LTE was good and was cool to use the hotspot without having to root.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Got a Verizon s7 on cricket. Can't send or receive mms. Any input?
I use Cricket and would like to get an S7 edge and be able to use Samsung pay. But i'd like to still retain having the frequency bands to allow me to switch to another service if i end up disliking cricket later on.
But there's a few questions i cant seem to nail down answers for through searching...
It seems like the G935F is a great choice (exynos and no bloat) but Sammy pay is still somewhat questionable on working? It seems like people are getting it to work, but would i be able to purchase an EU model from amazon and it would just work?
Are the G935A and G935T models the same phone but locket to each carrier, or do they legitimately lack the bands the others support?
re: Samsung Pay
FoxTheTrot said:
I use Cricket and would like to get an S7 edge and be able to use Samsung pay. But i'd like to still retain having the frequency bands to allow me to switch to another service if i end up disliking cricket later on.
But there's a few questions i cant seem to nail down answers for through searching...
It seems like the G935F is a great choice (exynos and no bloat) but Sammy pay is still somewhat questionable on working? It seems like people are getting it to work, but would i be able to purchase an EU model from amazon and it would just work?
Are the G935A and G935T models the same phone but locket to each carrier, or do they legitimately lack the bands the others support?
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Click to collapse
The AT&T G935A, T-Mobile G935T and Verizon phones can be unlocked to work with any sim card,
however they can never be rooted. The Samsung pay feature will work fine in any of these 3 phones.
The international S7 Edge G935F comes unlocked and is very easy to root but Samsung pay is not
compatible with it even if it's not rooted.
The only Samsung phones which are fully compatible with Samsung Pay are those which come with
the Samsung Pay app in the phone's app drawer and are not rooted.
Good luck,
Have a great day,
I have Verizon unlimited data. I'm currently using a LG G4 with the hotspot provisioning hack. It works great but would like to upgrade to the USA G7 unlocked SM-G935UZSAXAA.
I DO NOT WANT TO USE FOXFI!!.
Does anyone know if there's a way to use the native hotspot on the unlocked Samsung G7 Edge SM-G935UZSAXAA?
I'm not sure what they mean by unlocked. Is the bootloader unlocked and I could run Cyanogen, etc. or another ROM that has NATIVE hotspot provisioning enabled without paying the extra fees to Verizon. My G4 works great. FoxFi uses at least 4X the battery life and the phone gets very hot. And some things just won't work on a private proxy.
Thanks,
-Joe
The unlocked doesn't have anything to do with the bootloader. It strictly means that the phone isn't tied to any carrier, but has every US carrier band (CDMA, GSM, all the LTE stuff, etc.), so you can easily switch between carriers.
In terms of hotspot/tethering, I can't give you an answer on that yet as I just ordered my GS7E Unlocked a few minutes ago. I'm also a Verizon users but I haven't had unlimited data in a while. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will weigh in and provide a better answer.
I have an opportunity to snag a Priv that is either from AT&T or VZ for the same price. I have read that the VZ model fully works on Tmo US, but I wanted to ask if anyone knows if there is a better version between the two for use on Tmobile? I realize that the AT&T has a ton of bloatware but do not know much about the VZ model. I am mostly asking from a functional use if there is ant differnce from using an ATT model and VZ on Tmo. Hope my question makes sense. Any feedback and or personal experience would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.
Edit - can anyone tell me if the Verizon model on tmo can use wifi calling? I can't seem to find a solid answer looking online.
Look at the frequences in this list here for compatibility issues.
http://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...ry-priv-models-supported-frequencies-1043968/
AT&T version supports more frequencies in LTE, but no CDMA (Verizon)
Second, AFAIK the PRIV from AT&T has a wireless charging coil which is AT&T exclusive.
I heard Verizon sucks at keeping their phones uptodate and is slowing down updates, i can't confirm or deny this, as i have never been an verizon customer.
Wifi calling? No idea.
My opinion: go with the AT&T Version.
todarkness said:
Look at the frequences in this list here for compatibility issues.
http://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...ry-priv-models-supported-frequencies-1043968/
AT&T version supports more frequencies in LTE, but no CDMA (Verizon)
Second, AFAIK the PRIV from AT&T has a wireless charging coil which is AT&T exclusive.
I heard Verizon sucks at keeping their phones uptodate and is slowing down updates, i can't confirm or deny this, as i have never been an verizon customer.
Wifi calling? No idea.
My opinion: go with the AT&T Version.
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I ended up coming across a att model for $140 in like new condition. I do have an existing wireless charger i am hoping to use on this device.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Tmo versión has wireless charging, also there is no bloat. It's visual Voice Mail, my tmo, and I don't remember ever having to disable anything else. Been using it since about launch.