Related
Hey everyone!
So I'm obviously in the market for a tablet, and the Galaxy Tab seems to be the best fit considering its price and functionality.
I have two main issues I need help with:
First, I know Skype recently announced that the Galaxy Tab supports video calling. This is VERY important - one of the reasons I'm getting a tablet is to easily skype my sister (really, my niece) and my long-distance boyfriend. Does video-calling work on both the WIFI and the 3G versions? Has anyone had any problems getting Skype to work?
Second, I'm trying to decide whether to purchase the WIFI-only version from Best Buy ($279 right now) or buying a used 3G version from CowBoom for the same basic price. I like the idea of having the option of getting a data-plan at some point, but don't want to be locked into a contract. Also, the idea of getting it used is a little scary (although I'd probably get CowBoom's 1 year protection plan). How much does the faster processor on the 3G version actually impact its functionality? Any other reason to get the 3G, even if I never end up getting a data plan?
Some more details about what I'm looking to do, since that is probably helpful ... I basically want to be able to surf the internet, answer emails, watch hulu plus at home, use the Kindle feature to read on the metro, and Skype video-call my loved ones. I start a job in early December where I will get some kind of smart phone(BB now, but they are thinking of switching to I-Phone), which is why I'm considering getting a WIFI-only version.
Thats all, I really appreciate any help!
I wouldn't be afraid to buy the 3G version, the gps works better with a 3g radio, and there are some alternative roms available with the 3g versions, but none I know of for the wifi only.
I also believe skype only works on gingerbread 2.3.4, which you won't be able to get with the wifi only tab.
Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk
Even though I have the Verizon Gtab, you might consider a gsm, because there are many more roms available for it than the cdma version.
Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk
I'm using Verizon now for home internet via a tablet with hot spot turned on. I moved to a rural area and no broadband is available. I don't want satellite because I can not game with it so I am stuck using Verizon. As you all know you have to pay per GB and its quite expensive. I need an alternative for internet and no carrier with unlimited data will allow you to tether. It looks like TMobile will be my best bet carrier wise and I know you can get around it so TMobile doesn't see that you are tethering.
Here is my question, I have searched for a few hours and looking at my options. I've found numerous places that tell you how to do it, but none of them have been updated for months. When you read the FoxFi comments everyone's claiming it doesn't work after the Lollipop update. Even found a few threads on here with recent comments, but no answer. I want to get a phone from TMobile just to tether the unlimited data. 5 GBs isn't enough for what I need. So can anyone confirm a method or point me in the directions of a thread that can tell me what is working currently? I don't want to start service with TMobile and it not work.
Thanks for anyone that can help.
Smeffner said:
I'm using Verizon now for home internet via a tablet with hot spot turned on. I moved to a rural area and no broadband is available. I don't want satellite because I can not game with it so I am stuck using Verizon. As you all know you have to pay per GB and its quite expensive. I need an alternative for internet and no carrier with unlimited data will allow you to tether. It looks like TMobile will be my best bet carrier wise and I know you can get around it so TMobile doesn't see that you are tethering.
Here is my question, I have searched for a few hours and looking at my options. I've found numerous places that tell you how to do it, but none of them have been updated for months. When you read the FoxFi comments everyone's claiming it doesn't work after the Lollipop update. Even found a few threads on here with recent comments, but no answer. I want to get a phone from TMobile just to tether the unlimited data. 5 GBs isn't enough for what I need. So can anyone confirm a method or point me in the directions of a thread that can tell me what is working currently? I don't want to start service with TMobile and it not work.
Thanks for anyone that can help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im on a lollipop rom on note 4 with tmobile, and I modified the files myself. Seems to work thus far.
Your not rooted? Just added the new APN with no VPN? And no app?
Smeffner said:
Your not rooted? Just added the new APN with no VPN? And no app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am rooted. You must be referring to wifi tether app or something. I'm on a custom rom. Most (if not all) the tethering mods require root access. Maybe someone else can chime in on tether without root.
Ok this is a start lol. Looking at the Tmobile prices I don't think Note 4 would be a smart move for what I will use it for. Would the same methods work with an S3? you may not know worth a shot azking.
Smeffner said:
Ok this is a start lol. Looking at the Tmobile prices I don't think Note 4 would be a smart move for what I will use it for. Would the same methods work with an S3? you may not know worth a shot azking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had s3, note 2, and now note 4 for my last 3 phones, all on the tmobile network. S3 is great and has a a lot of past development still available. Honestly though I'd go with something like the note 2 or 3 or s4. Those have better more recent development and can do the same things if not more. Good luck in your search
Thanks for the help bud I'll look into it more after the 7 day test drive.
I was wondering if anyone has heard anything on the 5.1.1 update will be released. All of the other major carriers have released it weeks ago so I am expecting it anytime now. Thanks
I don't have any information on the 5.1.1 update from AT&T but I will say that the lack of updates really gives a bad impression of the S6 edge.
I'm testing the waters of switching from AT&T to T-Mobile, sold my G925A, and bought the G925T. The G925T has had 5.1.1 for some time now and T-Mobile just pushed out the latest updates with all known Stagefright vulnerabilities addressed, most of the S6 edge+ updates (App Edge, refreshed icons), Rich Communication Services support, and the Samsung Pay app (not fully enabled yet, though). The phone seems to run the way it was designed with no noticeable lag, overall quicker response (even the fingerprint reader is noticeably faster), and a bit less carrier bloat.
If I end up staying with AT&T, this version unlocked will probably be superior to the AT&T version.
chp said:
I don't have any information on the 5.1.1 update from AT&T but I will say that the lack of updates really gives a bad impression of the S6 edge.
I'm testing the waters of switching from AT&T to T-Mobile, sold my G925A, and bought the G925T. The G925T has had 5.1.1 for some time now and T-Mobile just pushed out the latest updates with all known Stagefright vulnerabilities addressed, most of the S6 edge+ updates (App Edge, refreshed icons), Rich Communication Services support, and the Samsung Pay app (not fully enabled yet, though). The phone seems to run the way it was designed with no noticeable lag, overall quicker response (even the fingerprint reader is noticeably faster), and a bit less carrier bloat.
If I end up staying with AT&T, this version unlocked will probably be superior to the AT&T version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this excellent comparison - you've confirmed for me exactly what I thought would be the case if I were to go with a G925T over the A, but instead, I think I'm just going to dump this phone off and go with the Nexus 5X (2015) - I won't have to deal with any root issues, any lack of updates anymore, any AT&T BS....
I'm just so sick of how AT&T has treated loyal customers with locked down phones, I just don't have the time to spend screwing with them anymore, not like I did before, but now I'm just fed up with the whole thing - I wish I could say "something has to change," but it never will, customers will just buy locked down phones, suffer through not being able to root them, and forget all about what it was like to have control anymore!
KryptosXLayer2 said:
Thank you for this excellent comparison - you've confirmed for me exactly what I thought would be the case if I were to go with a G925T over the A, but instead, I think I'm just going to dump this phone off and go with the Nexus 5X (2015) - I won't have to deal with any root issues, any lack of updates anymore, any AT&T BS....
I'm just so sick of how AT&T has treated loyal customers with locked down phones, I just don't have the time to spend screwing with them anymore, not like I did before, but now I'm just fed up with the whole thing - I wish I could say "something has to change," but it never will, customers will just buy locked down phones, suffer through not being able to root them, and forget all about what it was like to have control anymore!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the best way to get rid of it. I am on AT&T Next as well
KryptosXLayer2 said:
Thank you for this excellent comparison - you've confirmed for me exactly what I thought would be the case if I were to go with a G925T over the A, but instead, I think I'm just going to dump this phone off and go with the Nexus 5X (2015) - I won't have to deal with any root issues, any lack of updates anymore, any AT&T BS....
I'm just so sick of how AT&T has treated loyal customers with locked down phones, I just don't have the time to spend screwing with them anymore, not like I did before, but now I'm just fed up with the whole thing - I wish I could say "something has to change," but it never will, customers will just buy locked down phones, suffer through not being able to root them, and forget all about what it was like to have control anymore!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this info. I totally agree with both chp & KryptosXLayer2 about this issue. I've got a 925A, actually Build G925AUCU2AOF4, using T-Mobile and although I get great reception (I live in a box-canyon and reception on most networks is pretty nil), besides ALL the AT&T bloatware & needless/useless apps I can't remove unless rooted, I can't root this phone! (Also, same issue with the 5.1.1 update not available.) Tried all the options only to learn AT&T hasn't released the file to be able to root it. I'm fed up also and after reading ya'lls comments I think I'll start looking for a 925T as well and dump my 925A. Tired of waiting for AT&T to get with the program...
You'll have to forgive me, I'm a bit new to the Android rooting/hacking game. I have rooted several phones in the past but never tried to switch carriers before. Anyhow, I switched to VM years ago and have really good luck with them. It's come time to upgrade my personal device and I've decided on the S5 mini. The problem is I keep hearing completely different things from "all you would need to do is re-rom and have a VM SIM" to "It can't be done bc the device doesn't have the right hardware". So which is it? Has anybody gotten an S5 mini to work on VM? If not, what carriers are my choices?
Update: forgot to specify, I am in USA so the VM carrier in question would be VM USA. Or suggestions as to what carriers I could use with this phone are welcomed
Anyone?
bump for answers
will work for answers
Virgin Media UK? Or... ?
oops nope sorry VM USA
My understanding of Virgin Mobile USA is that you can only use a phone sold to you by them. A ROM change wouldn't work, and a SIM wouldn't cut it either.
You may be able to call and have them allow the device onto the network, but there's no guarantees.
Certain other workarounds are prohibited by federal law.
In my opinion, the S5 Mini is not an amazing phone. Official updates have been slow, and unofficial are still a work in progress. The phone has suited me fine, but I wouldn't get excited about acquiring one at this stage in its life. You might be better looking elsewhere.
As for alternate carriers, I'm not familiar with USA carriers enough to advise.
Good luck!
Greetings. I'm looking to confirm if I should go with a 405QA7 or if 405UA will do. (Or...?)
My requirements:
- Phone needs to work on VZW for now (don't need WiFi calling or anything exotic);
- Maybe on T-Mobile later. It's a serious possibility.
- MUST be bootloader-unlockable and/or (at least) rootable.
- Might need to downgrade one I buy from 10 to Pie (or lower), understanding ofc that ARB is always a potential issue. (I'm familiar with LG V30, assume V40 is much the same.) I always ask sellers what Android version is on a particular phone; 9 out of 10 tell me they don't know, even on unboxed/used phones.
One reason I'm asking is because I see lots of 405UAs for sale, advertised as "unlocked! will work on everything but Sprint!" or whatever. Yes or no? Not nearly as many QA7s available, especially not "New In Box".
Any clarification will be greatly appreciated. T.I.A.
Moondroid said:
Greetings. I'm looking to confirm if I should go with a 405QA7 or if 405UA will do. (Or...?)
My requirements:
- Phone needs to work on VZW for now (don't need WiFi calling or anything exotic);
- Maybe on T-Mobile later. It's a serious possibility.
- MUST be bootloader-unlockable and/or (at least) rootable.
- Might need to downgrade one I buy from 10 to Pie (or lower), understanding ofc that ARB is always a potential issue. (I'm familiar with LG V30, assume V40 is much the same.) I always ask sellers what Android version is on a particular phone; 9 out of 10 tell me they don't know, even on unboxed/used phones.
One reason I'm asking is because I see lots of 405UAs for sale, advertised as "unlocked! will work on everything but Sprint!" or whatever. Yes or no? Not nearly as many QA7s available, especially not "New In Box".
Any clarification will be greatly appreciated. T.I.A.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess for me it's fun to try to figure out what makes you think, or assume what, to ask this question.
So, the QA is the us open version. It's not tied to any carrier (no chance of it being locked to a carrier then, obviously).
The UA is the version that Sprint, at&t, Vzw (maybe more) use. They would certainly have a chance of being carrier locked. But, if you buy one and it say's not carrier locked... then... what's the difference?
Well, sure, it could actually be carrier locked, but if it was advertised as not, and it is, send it back?
It gets a little more complicated when you want to use it with a specific carrier, such as vzw (or sprint or at&t etc), then, you have to check with them what phones they will allow on their network and what capabilities it will have (for instance, at&t allows other (than their) phones, but only allows their phones to have capabilities like vowifi (and I think) volte).
Assuming it's a necessity you stay with vzw (at least for awhile), and you need the additional capabilities only allowed to their specific phones (determined by imei), then get a vzw UA phone. Vzw does make their kdz available (where sprint and at&t don't - but that's only really relevant if u were on vzw, crossflashed to something else, and wanted to go back - keep in mind, just crossflashing to the kdz isn't enough for carrier extra features, it has to be their phone / imei).
But, to answer your question, QA? UA? why do u think that matters? in your situation?
cheers
Thanks for replying. First I want to reduce as much as possible the risk of having to send a phone back. As for ads, I see varying info especially for the UA, and I also know that quite a few sellers don't really know what they're selling. I've had my share of "wtf" transactions especially with phone buys, and I'm really tired of wasting time that way. The more I know about a particular model/variant up front, the better.
I simply don't want a branded phone, especially one filled with VZW (or any other) junk. Had my fill of those too. (I would not do custom ROM on this phone, so need relatively clean stock firmware.) I have tons of APN info for VZW and T-Mobile, can mod settings as I might need to... as long as the bands/etc are there. One thing I know from my V30 is that even crossflashing firmware is a relatively safe and sometimes even advisable thing to do. Like my carrier-unlocked US998 was actually born as a Sprint LS998 (or at least that's how it shows on imei-checker websites), but as it is, that means pretty much nothing to me.
There was one other question I probably should've included -- which variants have Android 10 OTAs out there, or not. If not for a particular variant (or brand), then I wouldn't have to worry about downgrading that variant.
Especially thanks for confirming that the QA is in fact the US wide-open version. Honestly, it seems to be getting harder and harder to find just simple statements of detail on various points, and even reading through XDA any more (I'm sorry to say) often has me turning in circles for hours and even days at a time, looking for simple, clearly and fully stated facts. But there are still (of course) a number of very expert (and willing) folks to assist and guide the rest us not-so-expert users (and players, and experimenters) in crunch times. XDA is still gold on that score. I've unlocked/rooted/ROM'd a big handful of phones and couldn't have done any of it, wouldn't have even known possibilties, without XDA.
Way too wordy I'm sure. I'll shut up now.
Cheers mate.
Moondroid said:
Thanks for replying. First I want to reduce as much as possible the risk of
<brevity>
Way too wordy I'm sure. I'll shut up now.
Cheers mate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh no, that's fine, it helps to be able to answer the questions. It *sounds* like yer not really tied to any carrier, but trying to avoid hassle / bad experiences.
I'd suggest this, go with a UA version and crossflash it to one of the 'open' variants. The US Open kdz is only 9, but 10 will hopefully come out. I personally have an at&t ua crossflashed to Korean Open 10 (30e). But after copying over my OP partition (from US Open 9), it now behaves much like us open 10. It's of course bootloader unlocked and magisk, etc.
My mvno is mint mobile, and that allows for, with slight mods to the device, volte and vowifi.
Also, swappa is a good place to look for a device. Many sellers (volume, not individual) have them new or even better, open box. And their guarantee they are unlocked can't be beat. They have a reputation and the ability to sell on swappa to protect.
I still have a v30 with us998 on it doesn't get any use anymore though...
cheers
Yeah swappa! I've bought (and sold) a bunch of phones there. But no LGs to speak of lately. Actually I sold another V30 (US998) in, get this, less than an hour -- at my full asking price. It was the only one listed. But (duh) I didn't think to check there for a V40, will do that right after posting this.
Not on contract to anybody, nope, I'm free for whatever. I've been on Vz for 20+ years, family plan more or less, done just fine with them but if I can save $10-15/mo somewhere else... why not..... (I'm not a big data user, don't need unlimited, so that's one higher cost I don't worry about.)
I've seen a lot of refs for Mint lately. But I'll be getting fiber from Ting (mvno) soon and maybe could get a discount by going mobile with them too. If they can just settle the dust on their new pricing scheme.
So back to point: No real risk in going with a UA? And crossflash it. There are defo more UAs available. OTOH, I prefer not to deal with 10 at all, so no kdz for 10 would be ok with me.
Confession: One reason I needed to ask about this phone is cuz I'm purely burnt out from scouring XDA regarding 3 other phones in the past month. (Actually more, but 3 in exhaustive detail.) So I super-appreciate your willingness to help me out. You've saved me hours I'm sure.
Moondroid said:
Yeah swappa! I've bought (and sold) a bunch of phones there. But no LGs to speak of lately. Actually I sold another V30 (US998) in, get this, less than an hour -- at my full asking price. It was the only one listed. But (duh) I didn't think to check there for a V40, will do that right after posting this.
Not on contract to anybody, nope, I'm free for whatever. I've been on Vz for 20+ years, family plan more or less, done just fine with them but if I can save $10-15/mo somewhere else... why not..... (I'm not a big data user, don't need unlimited, so that's one higher cost I don't worry about.)
I've seen a lot of refs for Mint lately. But I'll be getting fiber from Ting (mvno) soon and maybe could get a discount by going mobile with them too. If they can just settle the dust on their new pricing scheme.
So back to point: No real risk in going with a UA? And crossflash it. There are defo more UAs available. OTOH, I prefer not to deal with 10 at all, so no kdz for 10 would be ok with me.
Confession: One reason I needed to ask about this phone is cuz I'm purely burnt out from scouring XDA regarding 3 other phones in the past month. (Actually more, but 3 in exhaustive detail.) So I super-appreciate your willingness to help me out. You've saved me hours I'm sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey no probs. Yeah basically, the UA is perfectly fine. The only caveat would be that if u want to be carrier specific, then it gets into have to use their specific phone for specific svcs etc.
You can crossflash any of them (except t-mo, don't buy t-mo). It seems the only ones that result in probs cross flashing are the ones (ebw) that have dual sim, and they sometimes lose one or both sims working. But US carriers don't have that variant, so no worries for us.
really the only thing to be aware of, with carriers moving to do away with 3G, you want to be sure that which phone u end with, what it's cross flashed to, and the carrier, will volte work? Because if that doesn't work, in the not to distant future u might not be able to make a call!
be aware though, if u buy at&t or sprint, they don't make their kdz available, so if u think u might want to go back to their OS, back it up first.
cheers
AsItLies said:
...
really the only thing to be aware of, with carriers moving to do away with 3G, you want to be sure that which phone u end with, what it's cross flashed to, and the carrier, will volte work? Because if that doesn't work, in the not to distant future u might not be able to make a call!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that always sits in the back of my mind these days. Checking around it looks like the V40 might be a little safer than the V30.
Oh and I already had a note that I had grabbed from somewhere, "NOT the t-mo variant" ... but didn't know about the ebw's, so thanks for that.
First I'll see if I can find a decent QA at a decent price. If not, then I'll grab a UA. Again mucho mega thanks, and have a great weekend!
Cheers and out.