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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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Click to collapse
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
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
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.
hey all, i am on T MOBILE USA and i was going to get their branded S8 but since i am on prepaid they would be charging me a premium at $800 for an S8, F*** THAT.
so now I want to get the regular unlocked snapdragon variant which is cheaper in my case, but i still want the t mobile features like advanced messaging, wifi calling, and 4x4 mimo which would come with running their firmware. can i load t mobile firmware on an unlocked snapdragon S8 since they are both Snapdragon? or is there issues since they are different models (G950U and G950T)?
kofman13 said:
hey all, i am on T MOBILE USA and i was going to get their branded S8 but since i am on prepaid they would be charging me a premium at $800 for an S8, F*** THAT.
so now I want to get the regular unlocked snapdragon variant which is cheaper in my case, but i still want the t mobile features like advanced messaging, wifi calling, and 4x4 mimo which would come with running their firmware. can i load t mobile firmware on an unlocked snapdragon S8 since they are both Snapdragon? or is there issues since they are different models (G950U and G950T)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S8 from T-Mobile is G950U. Yes, you can flash US Unlocked S8(G950U1) with T-Mobile's firmware(as I have done)
Use the "Flashing Standard Firmware" option:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817
I want to buy SM-G9750/DS (Dual SIM). This is Chinese Version (sourced from Hong Kong).
It has Snapdragon processor.
Is this version compatible AT&T and T-Mobile?
lahcim2000 said:
I want to buy SM-G9750/DS (Dual SIM). This is Chinese Version (sourced from Hong Kong).
It has Snapdragon processor.
Is this version compatible AT&T and T-Mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like its missing some LTE bands compared to the US version.
Usually don't have band 71 for TMobile... At least on Note 9.
galaxys said:
Usually don't have band 71 for TMobile... At least on Note 9.
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Click to collapse
Can I somehow enable those bands?
Both phones look to be running same Qualcomm chipset.
lahcim2000 said:
Can I somehow enable those bands?
Both phones look to be running same Qualcomm chipset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately No!
galaxys said:
Unfortunately No!
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Click to collapse
What about CDMATool?
I see it can enable bands, but I do not see option for band 66 or 71 in a tool.
Thoughts?
I have a note 9 from the same source, perfect expect those carrier specific feartue such as volte, wifi calling . It does work with LTE, but almost half of speed of what I can get from a us version.
lahcim2000 said:
I want to buy SM-G9750/DS (Dual SIM). This is Chinese Version (sourced from Hong Kong).
It has Snapdragon processor.
Is this version compatible AT&T and T-Mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The S9 Plus, SM-G9650 (Hong Kong) is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile, I'd be surprised to learn an SM-G9750 isn't. It should work on all CDMA Networks. In some instances sellers on Ebay and Amazon will state that particular variant isn't compatible when in fact it is, just to cover their rear ends.
my sprint sim isnt working for my 9750 out the box... i figured they couldnt do anything, but i called anyways, the sprint rep said if it were "unlocked" it would work, maybe its a network or regional lock, i dont know. Im trying everything to get it "unlocked"... if thats even the problem. Currently waiting on a paid sim unlock service to get back with me, see if they can help.
Any one get a HK s9 or s10 to work on sprint?
If it's Exynos it's not going to work on Sprint or Verizon.
My Exynos S9+ and Note9 work fine with TMO.
monroe0328 said:
my sprint sim isnt working for my 9750 out the box... i figured they couldnt do anything, but i called anyways, the sprint rep said if it were "unlocked" it would work, maybe its a network or regional lock, i dont know. Im trying everything to get it "unlocked"... if thats even the problem. Currently waiting on a paid sim unlock service to get back with me, see if they can help.
Any one get a HK s9 or s10 to work on sprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The s10 9750 is compatible for flashing HK roms, try flashing HK rom for your 9750 instead.
Please Help
oscarxvita said:
The s10 9750 is compatible for flashing HK roms, try flashing HK rom for your 9750 instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how to u flash a rom on the SM-G9750... i googled but getting a lot of wrong forums
Region Locket
is this hong-kong version (G9750) region locket ? if yes how to unlock ?
lahcim2000 said:
I want to buy SM-G9750/DS (Dual SIM). This is Chinese Version (sourced from Hong Kong).
It has Snapdragon processor.
Is this version compatible AT&T and T-Mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello everyone
I have question.... please tell me Is SM-G9750/DS with snapdragon (China/Hong Kong version with TGY csc) compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile.
I want to know, it will work Wificalling & Volte on T-mobile ?
someone has this one smartphone and uses it in the USA ?
Thank you
Hi! I just recieved my G9750 Snapdragon 855 S10 Plus, which turned out to be a chinese one. Is it any way to install any non-chinese/global ROM onto it? Like a USA ROM, which is also a Snapdragon one? I live in the UK, but I wanted one with the Snapdragon chipset. Thanks for any help.
Also in the same situation
Ditto - imported to UK.
danikollar said:
Hi! I just recieved my G9750 Snapdragon 855 S10 Plus, which turned out to be a chinese one. Is it any way to install any non-chinese/global ROM onto it? Like a USA ROM, which is also a Snapdragon one? I live in the UK, but I wanted one with the Snapdragon chipset. Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by "which turned out to be a Chinese one"? Can't you set it to English? I have the G-9750 and everything is English.
lexi250 said:
What do you mean by "which turned out to be a Chinese one"? Can't you set it to English? I have the G-9750 and everything is English.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it's include all languages, english also, but G9750 is for the Chinese market, so as the ROM is chinese. For example the Samsung Pay is Hong Kong specific one, with promotions from there. Etc....
So you wanted the G-9750 for the dual SIM functionality? I'm using the G-9750 in Canada, and Samsung Pay works. Did you try registering your CC?
All the S10's are dual SIM. I wanted the Snapdragon 855 version, cause it has better battery life compared to the Exynos version. I know that for sure, cause I had one at launch. And almost full support for the GCAM.
danikollar said:
All the S10's are dual SIM. I wanted the Snapdragon 855 version, cause it has better battery life compared to the Exynos version. I know that for sure, cause I had one at launch. And almost full support for the GCAM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Snapdragon has better battery life for screen on runtime. There is no international ROM for Chinese variant. You have to use the Hong Kong firmware by changing language to English. Samsung Pay works as well, just different ads from Hong Kong when you use it.
VICosPhi said:
Yes Snapdragon has better battery life for screen on runtime. There is no international ROM for Chinese variant. You have to use the Hong Kong firmware by changing language to English. Samsung Pay works as well, just different ads from Hong Kong when you use it.
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Click to collapse
And no not all S10's are dual sim.
Iain_S said:
And no not all S10's are dual sim.
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Click to collapse
Correct, can't believe Samsung didn't follow Apple's suit here
Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
Iain_S said:
And no not all S10's are dual sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My UK 512GB S10+ Plus was!
danikollar said:
My UK 512GB S10+ Plus was!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes UK has all dual SIM models. US and Canada does not
Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
Yeah to be honest after a day with the phone - the only thing that makes it feel Chinese/HK is Samsung Pay... and I'm not entirely sure i'll be using it over GPay.
Looks like we have an unlocked bootloader though so will personally its just a matter of time until I brick my phone
lexi250 said:
What do you mean by "which turned out to be a Chinese one"? Can't you set it to English? I have the G-9750 and everything is English.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ssjgesus said:
Yeah to be honest after a day with the phone - the only thing that makes it feel Chinese/HK is Samsung Pay... and I'm not entirely sure i'll be using it over GPay.
Looks like we have an unlocked bootloader though so will personally its just a matter of time until I brick my phone
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Click to collapse
How did you find out it has an unlocked bootloader? The Snapdragon ones should be with the locked bootloader.
danikollar said:
How did you find out it has an unlocked bootloader? The Snapdragon ones should be with the locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Chinese Smapdragon devices have an unlocked bootloader.
lexi250 said:
So you wanted the G-9750 for the dual SIM functionality? I'm using the G-9750 in Canada, and Samsung Pay works. Did you try registering your CC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, if I may ask that have you linked your Canadian cards to the G9750 and it works with Samsung Pay? I am planning to buy one but the Samsung Pay is very important to me...
adding to the same question , i have a HongKong variant (SM-G9750) with Unlocked bootloader (u get the option to unlock in developer mode) , i m using it in india with Jio & Vodafone (network providers).. when i was on roaming i saw my phone not picking up network that well compared to my friends on the same network diff phones. i guess thats coz their CSC is Indian and mine is Hong kong ( i can be wrong in this , correct if i am) in that case is there a way to flash Indian CSC or Multi CSC on my device.
hi everybody , i have s10 plus hong kong, it has a problem with battery, cell standby higher than 15% on mobile network 4g and 3g, is there any way to solve this problem ? while s10 5g cell standby only has 1%
v1k1ngc0d3 said:
adding to the same question , i have a HongKong variant (SM-G9750) with Unlocked bootloader (u get the option to unlock in developer mode) , i m using it in india with Jio & Vodafone (network providers).. when i was on roaming i saw my phone not picking up network that well compared to my friends on the same network diff phones. i guess thats coz their CSC is Indian and mine is Hong kong ( i can be wrong in this , correct if i am) in that case is there a way to flash Indian CSC or Multi CSC on my device.
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Click to collapse
I'm also waiting for this... as i need auto call recording feature too..
Sent from my SM-G9750 using Tapatalk
Just adding to the discussion here....I'm living in mainland China, not Hong Kong, and am using a Chinese sim card in my S7 that i brought with me from North America. It works fine with the apps i had installed when I came over. This includes VPN services, the Google play store and all its goodies. I just purchased the S10+ G9750 here in mainland China (not in Hong Kong). I don't have it in my hand yet, but when I get it I expect it to be full of Chinese software and restricting type soft/bloatware that could potentially limit both my access to VPN and the Google play store (FWIW, i have heard many expats here who have bought local xiaomi's and huawei's and have tried to put a VPN on them on to have it magically disappear from their phones a few days/weeks afterwards...I assume there is some sort of setting or software that does this as VPN services are not "legal" in China. I have also heard of people having problems with certain western APKs when installing them on these same Chinese phones).
That said...I have a few questions....hopefully this is the correct place to ask them...
1) Is there a difference between a Hong Kong G9750 and a mainland China one?
2) Based on what I have read, my G9750 does have an unlockable bootloader....if so...
3) what am i able to do with an unlockable bootloader? It seems that people interchangeably use "rooting" and bootloading a new rom on to an international phone so i'm confused af. Flashing the firmware???
Ultimately, i would like to completely wash this Chinese phone of any potential BS Chinese software and install a western ROM (i.e., Canada or US) that will still make it work in China, but will still offer me all the Google play store and other western app functionality as I have currently with my s7.
Thoughts?
I bought a S8 2 years ago in the US. I am basically using it in central Europe with a Austrian SIM. Until now I have never seen the phone connecting to a LTE network, even though its enabled in the settings.
When I put the same SIM in the S9 which I bought in Europe, it'll connect to LTE almost all the time.
Are there hardware differences between US and european phones? Is it only a firmware issue?
SuperMesna said:
I bought a S8 2 years ago in the US. I am basically using it in central Europe with a Austrian SIM. Until now I have never seen the phone connecting to a LTE network, even though its enabled in the settings.
When I put the same SIM in the S9 which I bought in Europe, it'll connect to LTE almost all the time.
Are there hardware differences between US and european phones? Is it only a firmware issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um you have a European phone. A950f is not a us device. The 950u is and there are a lot of differences radios you need to make sure the phone supports your carriers lte bands. And you have your apn setup properly first