Replace Galaxy S4 I337M dead board with a I9505 board - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi everyone, i have a galaxy s4 i337m with a dead board, but display, screen, frame, battery, and everything else works.
I can fit i9505 replacement board on my i337m? The boards appear to be pretty much the same but I'm not sure if they're compatible. Thanks in advance

If it's the mainboard only you should be able to swap. However, the I9505 never picked up LTE here in the US (definitely) or Canada (most likely) as the carriers didn't use the I9505's LTE bands of 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 20. With 3G shut down in the US and Canada the only way to get a signal is to attempt reprogramming the modem chip to include the LTE bands your carrier uses. Something I was never able to accomplish while I was actively using the unit.

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WIND mobile (Canada) Galaxy S4 compatibility

Hello everyone,
I am really confused about different versions of Galaxy S4 and their compatibility with Wind mobile in Canada.
As far as I know, there are i9500, i9505 and i377 variants.
I was looking forward to buy the i9505 model but I'm not sure if it is compatible with Wind mobile network. (Right now I am outside of Canada for a while so getting a phone in a duty free shop makes sense.)
Does anyone know if i377 or any other variants of Galaxy S4 is compatible with Wind mobile?
If it matters, right now I have a T999V (galaxy S3) which works fine with Wind's network.
Thanks in advance
SirM2X said:
Hello everyone,
I am really confused about different versions of Galaxy S4 and their compatibility with Wind mobile in Canada.
As far as I know, there are i9500, i9505 and i377 variants.
I was looking forward to buy the i9505 model but I'm not sure if it is compatible with Wind mobile network. (Right now I am outside of Canada for a while so getting a phone in a duty free shop makes sense.)
Does anyone know if i377 or any other variants of Galaxy S4 is compatible with Wind mobile?
If it matters, right now I have a T999V (galaxy S3) which works fine with Wind's network.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GT-i9500 uses the exynos octa core cpu and isn't available in North America because it doesn't support LTE here.
The GT-i9505 is the international S4 that uses the qualcomm quadcore cpu which is marketed in the USA as i377 (at&t) and i377m (bell/rogers/telus) in Canada. These 2 variants don't support AWS bands out of the box, but users have shown a way to enable that on these phones.
There is also another variant of the i9505 marketed as SGH-M919 for T-Mobile in USA and SGH-M919V for Wind/Videotron in Canada. These support AWS bands out of the box and work perfectly well on all North American providers such as At&t, Rogers, Bell, Virgin Mobile, T-Mobile, etc.
Hope this helps your dilemma!
dj_aj said:
The GT-i9500 uses the exynos octa core cpu and isn't available in North America because it doesn't support LTE here.
The GT-i9505 is the international S4 that uses the qualcomm quadcore cpu which is marketed in the USA as i377 (at&t) and i377m (bell/rogers/telus) in Canada. These 2 variants don't support AWS bands out of the box, but users have shown a way to enable that on these phones.
There is also another variant of the i9505 marketed as SGH-M919 for T-Mobile in USA and SGH-M919V for Wind/Videotron in Canada. These support AWS bands out of the box and work perfectly well on all North American providers such as At&t, Rogers, Bell, Virgin Mobile, T-Mobile, etc.
Hope this helps your dilemma!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your elaboration.
In other words, if I went and bought an SGS 4 with model number i9505, it wouldn't work on -say- Wind mobile out of the box? Should I strictly go for M919? Or are they all the same i9505 hardware only different radios? This "radio": are we referring to the baseband firmware or the actual circuitry inside the phone itself?
Sorry for asking again but I'm trying to clear up the confusion.
Thank you very much in advance
SirM2X said:
Thank you for your elaboration.
In other words, if I went and bought an SGS 4 with model number i9505, it wouldn't work on -say- Wind mobile out of the box? Should I strictly go for M919? Or are they all the same i9505 hardware only different radios? This "radio": are we referring to the baseband firmware or the actual circuitry inside the phone itself?
Sorry for asking again but I'm trying to clear up the confusion.
Thank you very much in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) All GT-i9505 variants have the same hardware which includes the radio chip, cpu, ram etc.
2) The software part (modem) that controls the radio module is different in the variants which is why some of the users were able to 'activate' AWS band support on the At&t/Rogers/Bell S4 by flashing the appropriate modem/rom.
3) I believe if you purchase the GT-i9505 it will still work on Wind Mobile and the other carriers. But keep in mind that you may or may not be able to connect to LTE or lose reception in some areas where they only run the network on a respective band.
This is where you have to do your homework. Go to Wind Mobile's website and see what bands they use & then cross reference them with the GT-i9505 supported bands.
After you do that yourself and are fairly confident that the phone should work. I'd suggest that you call up Wind mobile and ask them to ensure if that model will work on Wind completely. Just a heads up, you may not get the most knowledgeable tech on your first try...so you may have to try again.
If you just really want that model from the duty free, just get it! I'm sure one of the more advanced users here will be able to point out what needs to be tweaked for it run flawlessly on whatever network.
dj_aj said:
1) All GT-i9505 variants have the same hardware which includes the radio chip, cpu, ram etc.
2) The software part (modem) that controls the radio module is different in the variants which is why some of the users were able to 'activate' AWS band support on the At&t/Rogers/Bell S4 by flashing the appropriate modem/rom.
3) I believe if you purchase the GT-i9505 it will still work on Wind Mobile and the other carriers. But keep in mind that you may or may not be able to connect to LTE or lose reception in some areas where they only run the network on a respective band.
This is where you have to do your homework. Go to Wind Mobile's website and see what bands they use & then cross reference them with the GT-i9505 supported bands.
After you do that yourself and are fairly confident that the phone should work. I'd suggest that you call up Wind mobile and ask them to ensure if that model will work on Wind completely. Just a heads up, you may not get the most knowledgeable tech on your first try...so you may have to try again.
If you just really want that model from the duty free, just get it! I'm sure one of the more advanced users here will be able to point out what needs to be tweaked for it run flawlessly on whatever network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you
Now that clears everything up
bought the GT i9500
I bought the GT i9500 galaxy s4 when I was on vacation outside Canada.
Now I'm back here and cannot connect to wind network.. It always goes on roaming :crying:
Please someone let me know what to do with my phone. Can I sell it to someone using Rogers/Bell/Telus? as my friend has a rogers sim card and its working on my phone
Also would be thankful if someone could tell me what could I do to make wind work on my phone.
I had the simcard cut by the phoneseller when I bought it so I could use it when I come back here. Could that be the problem? I mean, would it work if I bought a new small sim card from Wind?
No it won't work.I
I got a phone UK from 3 network and it didn't work and after lots of research I found that it is missing the AWS mode. Mine also works with Rogers, Telus and Bell but not Wind mobile. The store just cut my cimcar for $5 and did not work.
I was reading that there is a ROM or firmware that should be updated.
good luck and let me know if you fixed it.
Samsung Galaxy S4 on Wind Mobile
Were you able to get this working on WIND Mobile? I am in the same predicament, and need to get this working but it just keeps roaming. Wonder if there is a ROM that can be flashed to support the AWS frequency for WIND.
unhappy_with_s4 said:
I bought the GT i9500 galaxy s4 when I was on vacation outside Canada.
Now I'm back here and cannot connect to wind network.. It always goes on roaming :crying:
Please someone let me know what to do with my phone. Can I sell it to someone using Rogers/Bell/Telus? as my friend has a rogers sim card and its working on my phone
Also would be thankful if someone could tell me what could I do to make wind work on my phone.
I had the simcard cut by the phoneseller when I bought it so I could use it when I come back here. Could that be the problem? I mean, would it work if I bought a new small sim card from Wind?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Activate AWS on i9505
Check out this link to learn how to activate AWS
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291589

[Q] Can I flash SGH-i337 modem on i9505

Hello guys, I bought a I9505 from Europe a while ago and I'm using it in US, the carrier is AT&T.
The signal outside is OK. but when I in the school building, it's really bad.
So I am wonder if can flash a i337 modem or maybe a I9505G(google edition) Modem to it.
If I can, will it do any help?
Thank you
Of course you cannot do that. It are totally different models.
Lennyz1988 said:
Of course you cannot do that. It are totally different models.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but according to gsmarena the hardware is the same !
GSMArena is a bad primary source.
The hardware is not the same. An I337 motherboard has a different design from that of an I9505 so they can't be swapped. The major difference between the two boards is in the LTE antenna. You can try flashing an AT&T modem if you want, but even if you do it won't magically enable LTE. The band support is coded into the LTE chip itself and cannot be changed. I would know, as I've tried it myself.

Rogers Galaxy S4/ Note 3 unlocked for Wind vs Wind versions

Hi, I am aware that Rogers' i337M (Galaxy S4) can be unlocked to work with Wind or Mobilicity, and unlocked Rogers Galaxy Note 3 can work with Wind or Mobilicity as well.
Now my question is, do they have same internal hardwares? e.g. CPU/GPS chip etc.
The reason for me to ask is, I need to decide whether to purchase the S4 or Note 3 from Wind. If the hardware is different, then I better buy Rogers version and unlock it, because Rogers or big 3 versions has larger community supports so I can get more custom ROMs 2 years down the road.
Thoughts?
brisk5181 said:
Hi, I am aware that Rogers' i337M (Galaxy S4) can be unlocked to work with Wind or Mobilicity, and unlocked Rogers Galaxy Note 3 can work with Wind or Mobilicity as well.
Now my question is, do they have same internal hardwares? e.g. CPU/GPS chip etc.
The reason for me to ask is, I need to decide whether to purchase the S4 or Note 3 from Wind. If the hardware is different, then I better buy Rogers version and unlock it, because Rogers or big 3 versions has larger community supports so I can get more custom ROMs 2 years down the road.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would first check to be 100% certain that the LTE bands are 100% compatible. Actually the 2G/3G bands too

Rogers Galaxy S4 Mainboard Failure - Does it matter which provider I select?

Hey folks. Just got my S4 I337M back from sending it away with Rogers for repair. I was foolish and didn't think about how I flashed it previously, so it got sent back not fixed, with the paperwork claiming mainboard failure. I'm more than happy to fix this privately, but I'd like to shop around for the part myself. Problem is that the price is very inconsistent between provider brandings. Is there a difference between them at all, so long as it isn't a mini or value edition or whatever other branding? I just want to get the cheapest fix available for this thing so I can cost out the difference to just getting a new phone. Thanks for any info.
Then you are better off buying a phone with a busted screen and just replace the motherboard.
Do take into account that some providers lock the bootloaders. Also take into account that the S4 variants all not all the same, so not every motherboard might fit in perfectly.
GDReaper said:
Then you are better off buying a phone with a busted screen and just replace the motherboard.
Do take into account that some providers lock the bootloaders. Also take into account that the S4 variants all not all the same, so not every motherboard might fit in perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to be ungrateful, but this only rephrases my initial question. I'm aware that there are several variants and that there are several methods of acquiring the board, either new or from a busted phone. My question is which boards wouldn't be compatible with the I337M variant.
JavaMac said:
Not to be ungrateful, but this only rephrases my initial question. I'm aware that there are several variants and that there are several methods of acquiring the board, either new or from a busted phone. My question is which boards wouldn't be compatible with the I337M variant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are changing the whole board, not just one small part from the board. This includes the ram, processor, internal memory and such, right?
So the only incompatibility issues there may be are the frame and board sizes. Theoretically you can put any other S4 board in there (as long as you change the whole motherboard and daughter board).
But I doubt there is any way to tell which fits in what, unless you try it.
Just get one from another I337M is my suggestion. Hope this is somewhat more clearer now.
There are two options for an s4 from a Canadian carrier: sgh-i337m (Telus, Rogers, Bell) or sgh-m919 (Wind, Videotron).
For the i337m, it does not matter which carrier sold the phone as the hardware is identical and ROMs from sammobile.com for the i337m can be cross flashed among carriers. The only difference is the pre-installed apps. I have a Telus s4 (came with 4.4.2) that I flashed with Bell 5.01 firmware. Same applies to the Wind/Videotron version of the s4.
In the i337m and m919, there are connections for USB flex cable, cameras, headphone jack, LCD, and wi-fi cable. No other boards that I noticed.
If you want a motherboard with a busted screen, check out Kijiji or craigslist. Just make sure the imei has not been blacklisted, and the wifi and sim reader work.
GDReaper said:
You are changing the whole board, not just one small part from the board. This includes the ram, processor, internal memory and such, right?
So the only incompatibility issues there may be are the frame and board sizes. Theoretically you can put any other S4 board in there (as long as you change the whole motherboard and daughter board).
But I doubt there is any way to tell which fits in what, unless you try it.
Just get one from another I337M is my suggestion. Hope this is somewhat more clearer now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's plenty of ways to tell, like asking someone with a working knowledge of these devices, which is why I'm on this forum. To learn and apply. Speculation isn't useful.
audit13 said:
There are two options for an s4 from a Canadian carrier: sgh-i337m (Telus, Rogers, Bell) or sgh-m919 (Wind, Videotron).
For the i337m, it does not matter which carrier sold the phone as the hardware is identical and ROMs from sammobile.com for the i337m can be cross flashed among carriers. The only difference is the pre-installed apps. I have a Telus s4 (came with 4.4.2) that I flashed with Bell 5.01 firmware. Same applies to the Wind/Videotron version of the s4.
In the i337m and m919, there are connections for USB flex cable, cameras, headphone jack, LCD, and wi-fi cable. No other boards that I noticed.
If you want a motherboard with a busted screen, check out Kijiji or craigslist. Just make sure the imei has not been blacklisted, and the wifi and sim reader work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. Thanks for the info here.

Help needed on Korean S5 but with Australia Signal/reception

Hi guys
My Dad bought an S5 on eBay recently.
Of course we completely forgot about the fact that Korea will have different baseband (or whatever it is called) to Australian S5 models.
Therefore his signal is very weak in aus along with speeds.
Is this just a matter of replacing the antenna cable or would it need a whole new main board?
Thanks
Use another SIM on another network (other than Telstra or whatever network you're on) and see if the signal is also weak. Don't use 4G, try and see if 3G signal is better. Write the exact model number to see if the bands are different vs. the Aussie model. That could be one of multiple possible problems.

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