Database Develop

Is this worth getting?

I'm on the GS3 currently and I've been thinking of getting this phone soon enough. I'm rooted and run a custom rom but I'm not really gonna bother with that for a while once I get the One. So, is it any good? I've been checking around quite a bit and it seems the responses are varied.
It costs around 6300 SEK here which is roughly 740 euros or $970, so it's not exactly cheap.

I don't think any phone is worth $1000. In 1990 maybe, but not today.

xdracco said:
I don't think any phone is worth $1000. In 1990 maybe, but not today.
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Well, those are the prices of new phones here in Sweden. :/

No lag, no stutter.
Theshawty said:
I'm on the GS3 currently and I've been thinking of getting this phone soon enough. I'm rooted and run a custom rom but I'm not really gonna bother with that for a while once I get the One. So, is it any good? I've been checking around quite a bit and it seems the responses are varied.
It costs around 6300 SEK here which is roughly 740 euros or $970, so it's not exactly cheap.
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Apart from the awesome spec on paper and the beautiful build quality it has NO LAG and NO STUTTER.
I had the s3 for a short time so I know what you are going through. Quite a clever device, poor build quality with very annoying stutters and lags.
Trust me, this is the first device that I have owned that hasn't irritated me in any way so if you can somehow justify to yourself that sort of outlay, you will sleep better on a night without stressing about how to improve your phone.
Edit: Where's my 1.29 update?
---------- Post added at 05:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:37 PM ----------
Theshawty said:
Well, those are the prices of new phones here in Sweden. :/
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Well you all earn a lot more than we do outside of Sweden

bobsie41 said:
Apart from the awesome spec on paper and the beautiful build quality it has NO LAG and NO STUTTER.
I had the s3 for a short time so I know what you are going through. Quite a clever device, poor build quality with very annoying stutters and lags.
Trust me, this is the first device that I have owned that hasn't irritated me in any way so if you can somehow justify to yourself that sort of outlay, you will sleep better on a night without stressing about how to improve your phone.
Edit: Where's my 1.29 update?
---------- Post added at 05:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:37 PM ----------
Well you all earn a lot more than we do outside of Sweden
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I'm a student currently on my last year of high school. I'll have a summer job, though, and hopefully a job afterwards.

Theshawty said:
Well, those are the prices of new phones here in Sweden. :/
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sucks that it's so expensive there. i suppose if you have the expendable money, get it. but if you'll be broke for the next month, not worth it. I guess it all depends on your bank funds.

xdracco said:
sucks that it's so expensive there. i suppose if you have the expendable money, get it. but if you'll be broke for the next month, not worth it. I guess it all depends on your bank funds.
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I'll have some insurance money around June (about $3200), so I can afford it without going on a bread and water diet, but I don't wanna waste that cash if the phone turns out to be crap. From what I've seen, heard and read, though, it's the opposite (super awesome, that is)

Theshawty said:
I'll have some insurance money around June (about $3200), so I can afford it without going on a bread and water diet, but I don't wanna waste that cash if the phone turns out to be crap. From what I've seen, heard and read, though, it's the opposite (super awesome, that is)
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the only thing i'd change about the phone if i could, is add another 700mAh to the battery. yes, it'd be a tiny bit fatter but that would guarantee a full day battery. but... it's still a bad ass little phone. i'm sure you'll enjoy it so long as you don't get a lemon.

Off topic, but is it true all Blondes are gorgeous in Sweden ?

Xperia23 said:
Off topic, but is it true all Blondes are gorgeous in Sweden ?
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No, the brunettes are also gorgeous.

Xperia23 said:
Off topic, but is it true all Blondes are gorgeous in Sweden ?
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Not all, but 95% at least. ^^

Lollipop update

When HTC Desire 510 receive android lollipop update?

Official update, probably Q4 2015. Custom roms, who knows

lucyr03 said:
When HTC Desire 510 receive android lollipop update?
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This is when

stefanthehuman said:
This is when
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Wow, is very good in April, thanks

lucyr03 said:
Wow, is very good in April, thanks
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I must say, this is extremely frustrating, seeing as Marshmallow will be out by then. Wtf HTC?

dermo529 said:
I must say, this is extremely frustrating, seeing as Marshmallow will be out by then. Wtf HTC?
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I thought I seen something on the tv a few months ago that HTC wasn't going to update the desire 510 to their lollipop because they'd rather you spend the money to buy another more expensive phone if you want lollipop... @r3pwn is in the process of building cm12.1 that's basically lollipop but better!

12.1 is not near stable enough for daily use. Anyways, I guess I need to get some money together and put this phone up on eBay because this is ridiculous. HTC just lost a customer. I'm very upset that I gave up a Nexus 4 for this. Oh well. Live and learn. From now on, I'm only buying Nexus/Motorola smartphones.

dermo529 said:
12.1 is not near stable enough for daily use. Anyways, I guess I need to get some money together and put this phone up on eBay because this is ridiculous. HTC just lost a customer. I'm very upset that I gave up a Nexus 4 for this. Oh well. Live and learn. From now on, I'm only buying Nexus/Motorola smartphones.
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You gave up a nexxus 4 for a 50 dollar 510?
---------- Post added at 04:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:22 PM ----------
stefanthehuman said:
This is when
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Apparently that page is wrong since it's past April.

Perhaps all should better learn reading and understaning, before you are going to spam threads in a forum like this.
1 year = 4xQuarters
1 Quarter `= 12/4 = 3 months
So.. when the web site tells HTC is doing Lollipop Update in Q4 it meant to be from Oktober till Decembre

MrMike2182 said:
You gave up a nexxus 4 for a 50 dollar 510?
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The navigation bar stopped recognizing my touches. I had to use Pie Controls. But not having the bottom little section of my phone was really annoying and instead of having the digitizer replaced, I opted to get this phone instead of keeping a 3 year old phone. Plus the removable battery and expandable memory caught my attention as 8gb was hard to work with, especially with apps being bigger and lollipop using up more space on the N4. Also the GPU was supposedly better. I should've gone with the 2nd gen moto e.
Bad move. I'm heavily considering selling this phone and buying a new digitizer and LCD for the Nexus 4.

dermo529 said:
The navigation bar stopped recognizing my touches. I had to use Pie Controls. But not having the bottom little section of my phone was really annoying and instead of having the digitizer replaced, I opted to get this phone instead of keeping a 3 year old phone. Plus the removable battery and expandable memory caught my attention as 8gb was hard to work with, especially with apps being bigger and lollipop using up more space on the N4. Also the GPU was supposedly better. I should've gone with the 2nd gen moto e.
Bad move. I'm heavily considering selling this phone and buying a new digitizer and LCD for the Nexus 4.
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You won't get much money for the phone. It's not worth anything really cause once we all figured out that this isn't what HTC claimed no one really wants it now.

Help me choose a note 4 deal!

Ok my 2 options are
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-G...%3Aaadc43d715b0a9c9732abbe7ffffe9dc%7Ciid%3A1
Excellent condition-32day money back-£176
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-G...%3Aaadc43d715b0a9c9732abbe7ffffe9dc%7Ciid%3A1
good condition-1 year warranty-£190(unlocked)
Which one is better guys?... Also does the first one have 1yr warranty as i read somewhere that in uk law electric goods must have 1yr warranty?

If you wish to install a custom rom, FORGET about the first one! The ATT variant's bootloader is locked and no one has figured out how to unlock it! Not sure which variant the second link is though.

ripee said:
If you wish to install a custom rom, FORGET about the first one! The ATT variant's bootloader is locked and no one has figured out how to unlock it! Not sure which variant the second link is though.
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Thank you for replying but i'm mainly interested in the warranty and worried that is the phone stops working and i dont have warranty what could i do then....

Also does this seem to cheap or expensive for a note 4 in 2017?

razakma16 said:
Also does this seem to cheap or expensive for a note 4 in 2017?
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Fair price for a two and a half year old flagship model.

ripee said:
Fair price for a two and a half year old flagship model.
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But it has replaceable battery ,external SD card it has also the same screen as note 5 .it is worth it, no ?

I'd go with the second one if I were you... on instinct.
Just make sure it has 4G.
The Note 5 is also worth it if you can find one around the same price.
The note 7 refurbished will also be online also.

Hi, the first one is an American variant, if you are in the UK best to forget it, you need to know the model number of the second one, the best model for thre UK is the 910F. Phil

Thanks guys for responding ill take your comments into consideration
I may have to go for the 2nd as the first has a low trust pilot rating
https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/photodeals.co.uk

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-7-inch-...999418?hash=item3ac9751fba:g:VU4AAOSwhOdXoyoG
How about this deal guys? Also if you find any good ones under £200 can you notify me, Thanks for the help

Thanks for the help guys, but i've decided to get a lenovo p2 as the note4 is quite outdated

Z3TC battery replacement?

I've searched the web for a replacement battery, but they are apparently hard to come by and not cheap. Is there a reason for this?
I got about three good years of daily use out of my battery. But it's been slowly downhill since. Streaming video, I get maybe 2 hours screen on time right now, and the percentage is screwy. That isn't horrible per se, but it's only going to get worse.
Has anybody here replaced their battery? And/or, any recommendations for a replacement? Galaxy Tab S2 seems nice. Media Pad M5 has better specs and I think has band 12, but is more expensive and is Huawei.

thref23 said:
I've searched the web for a replacement battery, but they are apparently hard to come by and not cheap. Is there a reason for this?
I got about three good years of daily use out of my battery. But it's been slowly downhill since. Streaming video, I get maybe 2 hours screen on time right now, and the percentage is screwy. That isn't horrible per se, but it's only going to get worse.
Has anybody here replaced their battery? And/or, any recommendations for a replacement? Galaxy Tab S2 seems nice. Media Pad M5 has better specs and I think has band 12, but is more expensive and is Huawei.
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Android tablets are almost dead. I'd get a 2018 iPad if I were you. The new iPad is great value for money at just $329
But if you really want android, chromebook tablets should be good or if you can find Sony z4 tablet, that's good too.

Z4 tablet isn't pocketable. iPad doesn't work as a cell phone (and is iOS).

Have you had any success?
I love my Z3 tablet compact. But the battery on it has gone into bulge/swell mode, so much so that it actually pushed the screen off the frame. This is now a safety issue so I need to have it replaced, but it's seemingly impossible to find a replacement, and Sony itself is not helping ("we no longer support this"). Does anyone have a source for a compatible replacement? I wouldn't mind if it didn't have the exact same specs, it's just gotta fit in and work
It's odd, I have both a Z2 tablet and a Z3 tablet compact, and both their batteries went into expansion/bulge phase a week from each other. I'm now actually keeping both of them in a metal box with bottled water all around them for fear of fire; I do NOT want to throw them away (working fine otherwise). But I desperately need replacement batteries, and Sony is of no help whatsoever.

weilt said:
Have you had any success?
I love my Z3 tablet compact. But the battery on it has gone into bulge/swell mode, so much so that it actually pushed the screen off the frame. This is now a safety issue so I need to have it replaced, but it's seemingly impossible to find a replacement, and Sony itself is not helping ("we no longer support this"). Does anyone have a source for a compatible replacement? I wouldn't mind if it didn't have the exact same specs, it's just gotta fit in and work
It's odd, I have both a Z2 tablet and a Z3 tablet compact, and both their batteries went into expansion/bulge phase a week from each other. I'm now actually keeping both of them in a metal box with bottled water all around them for fear of fire; I do NOT want to throw them away (working fine otherwise). But I desperately need replacement batteries, and Sony is of no help whatsoever.
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https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/273078604828
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/192541472554
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.de/ulk/itm/132105660507
Sent from my BLA-L29 using XDA Labs

thanks for the links, "seller refurbished", hrm... (but then it's not like I have much of a choice...)

weilt said:
thanks for the links, "seller refurbished", hrm... (but then it's not like I have much of a choice...)
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The second link is a new battery.
New. A brand-new, unused, unopened and undamaged item in original retail packaging (where packaging is applicable). If the item comes direct from a manufacturer, it may be delivered in non-retail packaging, such as a plain or unprinted box or plastic bag. See the seller's listing for full details.

ah, thanks again.
I have to say one thing about buying online like this, is whether something marked "new" really is though... but I suppose I don't really have any options

weilt said:
Have you had any success?
I love my Z3 tablet compact. But the battery on it has gone into bulge/swell mode, so much so that it actually pushed the screen off the frame. This is now a safety issue so I need to have it replaced, but it's seemingly impossible to find a replacement, and Sony itself is not helping ("we no longer support this"). Does anyone have a source for a compatible replacement? I wouldn't mind if it didn't have the exact same specs, it's just gotta fit in and work
It's odd, I have both a Z2 tablet and a Z3 tablet compact, and both their batteries went into expansion/bulge phase a week from each other. I'm now actually keeping both of them in a metal box with bottled water all around them for fear of fire; I do NOT want to throw them away (working fine otherwise). But I desperately need replacement batteries, and Sony is of no help whatsoever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I eventually bought a Mediapad M5 8.4. The bands are a little different (but fine for T-Mo or AT&T), it's not nearly as light, and I miss Intelligent Backlight Control of all things. But it's a viable replacement with better specs, the media/multitasking experience is better and the screen is better. Ran me $450.
Lenovo Tab 4 Plus 8 is another viable solution, it is about as compact as the Z3TC and the 64/4GB version can be bought for $350.
The cheapest battery I have found is this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bateria-Or...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
$56 is still kind of expensive for a replacement battery, although I'll probably spend it eventually if I don't find something cheaper. I've been meaning to stop by Batteries Plus to see if they have anything they could order. I also don't know how easy the actual battery replacement is.
Mostar088 said:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/273078604828
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/192541472554
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.de/ulk/itm/132105660507
Sent from my BLA-L29 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the links. They don't ship to the US, though...

update for anyone who is interested -
it turns out that Sony Hong Kong still lists the Z3 Tablet compact as a supported device and apparently can get parts for it (though not instantly - I was given a two-week lead time for the battery).
There is a HK$150 diagnosis fee, and the replacement battery is another HK$150, which sounded fair to me so I gave them the go ahead.
Incidentally this does NOT include waterproofing, and they quoted me, for a battery replacement AND waterproofing, over HK$2000 (currently above US$250). I decided I could live without waterproofing.

weilt said:
update for anyone who is interested -
it turns out that Sony Hong Kong still lists the Z3 Tablet compact as a supported device and apparently can get parts for it (though not instantly - I was given a two-week lead time for the battery).
There is a HK$150 diagnosis fee, and the replacement battery is another HK$150, which sounded fair to me so I gave them the go ahead.
Incidentally this does NOT include waterproofing, and they quoted me, for a battery replacement AND waterproofing, over HK$2000 (currently above US$250). I decided I could live without waterproofing.
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just hk 300 in total?! wow. i have just used toothpick to poke my battery. waterproofing is the sticky foam rim.
would they wipe your tablet? if yes, no thanks for me.

alancai said:
just hk 300 in total?! wow. i have just used toothpick to poke my battery. waterproofing is the sticky foam rim.
would they wipe your tablet? if yes, no thanks for me.
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I was pleasantly surprised by the battery price (I kind of wanted the waterproofing but HKD2000+ is too much). they said they might wipe (you can't backup?).
what do you mean toothpick to poke? You mean to release the "swelling" of the battery? I've heard that is a VERY BAD IDEA. it's apparently hydrogen + various toxic gases inside. Plus chance of catching fire?

weilt said:
update for anyone who is interested -
it turns out that Sony Hong Kong still lists the Z3 Tablet compact as a supported device and apparently can get parts for it (though not instantly - I was given a two-week lead time for the battery).
There is a HK$150 diagnosis fee, and the replacement battery is another HK$150, which sounded fair to me so I gave them the go ahead.
Incidentally this does NOT include waterproofing, and they quoted me, for a battery replacement AND waterproofing, over HK$2000 (currently above US$250). I decided I could live without waterproofing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
weilt said:
I was pleasantly surprised by the battery price (I kind of wanted the waterproofing but HKD2000+ is too much). they said they might wipe (you can't backup?).
what do you mean toothpick to poke? You mean to release the "swelling" of the battery? I've heard that is a VERY BAD IDEA. it's apparently hydrogen + various toxic gases inside. Plus chance of catching fire?
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don't like the idea need to install everything and config again. pls let us know if it wipe. if not i may change battery if the battery finally dies.
mine is just swollen but can keep charge, very strange.
yep, releasing the gas.
---------- Post added at 04:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:19 PM ----------
weilt said:
I was pleasantly surprised by the battery price (I kind of wanted the waterproofing but HKD2000+ is too much). they said they might wipe (you can't backup?).
what do you mean toothpick to poke? You mean to release the "swelling" of the battery? I've heard that is a VERY BAD IDEA. it's apparently hydrogen + various toxic gases inside. Plus chance of catching fire?
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how long do you need to let them keep your toy for repairs please?
or u can take it away while u r waiting for the battery.
if they are willing to sell me the battery and gasket tape. i would rather do it myself than their technicician.

swollen doesn't mean it won't hold charge.
What I understand is it means the materials inside have broken down, and gas is being generated, a mix of hydrogen (flammable) and other not-good-for-human-exposure substances. If what I read is correct, once it starts swelling, if you keep using it (more charge/discharge cycles) you are going to generate even more gas and making it more likely to eventually combust. I think you're asking for trouble to keep using it.
Sony HK took my device in, and are estimating 2-3 weeks turnaround time (they need to obtain the parts from somewhere). I do not expect them to sell you parts. They will also need to see proof of purchase before taking your device in (I think to check it's not a stolen device etc.).

I don't have receipt anymore. Such stupid policy.
2 to 3 weeks no access to your tablet?!
Would wait for your update

Ok, a further update - was ready for collection last week, have picked it up, everything seems to work. Total HKD299 spent to replace battery. My tablet was NOT wiped, i.e. everything was as I submitted it (I figure since it's a battery and not logic-board swap, the technician wasn't going to do unnecessary work anyway), but I think it's a requirement to sign an acknowledgement that everything could be wiped, I think you can't get around it if they do. I checked and they will NOT sell you parts, it must be a service submission + you must have proof of purchase (I bought mine online - the e mail acknowledgement was good enough for them).
alancai, there seems to be consensus on the people I've checked with + websites I've looked at that what you're doing w.r.t. poking holes to release the gas buildup is potentially dangerous. You *might* be selflessly volunteering to force Sony to implement a global battery swap/replacement program once yours catches fire/kills you/does something that puts the "Sony" brand in the news, but I'm not sure the Sony user community should demand this level of sacrifice from you... .

weilt said:
Ok, a further update - was ready for collection last week, have picked it up, everything seems to work. Total HKD299 spent to replace battery. My tablet was NOT wiped, i.e. everything was as I submitted it (I figure since it's a battery and not logic-board swap, the technician wasn't going to do unnecessary work anyway), but I think it's a requirement to sign an acknowledgement that everything could be wiped, I think you can't get around it if they do. I checked and they will NOT sell you parts, it must be a service submission + you must have proof of purchase (I bought mine online - the e mail acknowledgement was good enough for them).
alancai, there seems to be consensus on the people I've checked with + websites I've looked at that what you're doing w.r.t. poking holes to release the gas buildup is potentially dangerous. You *might* be selflessly volunteering to force Sony to implement a global battery swap/replacement program once yours catches fire/kills you/does something that puts the "Sony" brand in the news, but I'm not sure the Sony user community should demand this level of sacrifice from you... .
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battery already poked. so as my MacBook battery poked. both still keep charge. but 300 hkd is ok if from official outsource company. even taobao battery and the sticker rim would cost almost half of 300.
---------- Post added at 02:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:18 PM ----------
i no longer have any proof of purchase. just the tablet now. but i guess they can check sn to see if it's their goods.

alancai said:
battery already poked. so as my MacBook battery poked. both still keep charge. but 300 hkd is ok if from official outsource company. even taobao battery and the sticker rim would cost almost half of 300.
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https://www.howtogeek.com/244846/what-to-do-when-your-phone-or-laptop-has-a-swollen-battery/

weilt said:
https://www.howtogeek.com/244846/what-to-do-when-your-phone-or-laptop-has-a-swollen-battery/
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Thanks. Battery still ok after poking and gluing the hole.

Just changed battery by myself. "new" battery is older than original by a week. Hope it lasts.

Every time I sideload an update zip file, it restores my phone on the last step.

I put the zip on the root of SD. How do I avoid the factory reset?

Anyone?

10pmStalker said:
Anyone?
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What exactly are you flashing? Are you doing it in TWRP, or stock recovery? People really need to be more specific when they're opening these threads, I see one question that they ask and then I have to reply with multiple questions just to know what they're on about.
Does your update zip contain the CSC? If so, I know that flashing firmware through Odin, there are two CSC files, one called CSC and one called CSC home, or something to that effect, one wipes your phone, the other doesn't.
That's about all I can think of, you really need to give more details.

beta546 said:
What exactly are you flashing? Are you doing it in TWRP, or stock recovery? People really need to be more specific when they're opening these threads, I see one question that they ask and then I have to reply with multiple questions just to know what they're on about.
Does your update zip contain the CSC? If so, I know that flashing firmware through Odin, there are two CSC files, one called CSC and one called CSC home, or something to that effect, one wipes your phone, the other doesn't.
That's about all I can think of, you really need to give more details.
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I mean you can side load an update zip in stock recovery.
If it's an update zip as in a manually installed ota it does have an csc..
Also op is likely an att or Sprint user so wiping when manually flashing is a fact of life.
---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 PM ----------
10pmStalker said:
I put the zip on the root of SD. How do I avoid the factory reset?
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Click to collapse
If you are on Sprint or ATT then no, manually flashing an OTA will always wipe your device.

pcriz said:
I mean you can side load an update zip in stock recovery.
If it's an update zip as in a manually installed ota it does have an csc..
Also op is likely an att or Sprint user so wiping when manually flashing is a fact of life.
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Click to collapse
Ah okay, seems like an awful pain for anyone that has that device, I assume it's a firmware that's branded by them as well so waiting for official OTAs would take even longer.

beta546 said:
Ah okay, seems like an awful pain for anyone that has that device, I assume it's a firmware that's branded by them as well so waiting for official OTAs would take even longer.
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Not really. In the states sometimes non carrier branded software takes longer, some times it comes first. It just depends.
The user is likely loading leaked OTA updates from att which means it's not an official release. Just hopping the line a little.

pcriz said:
Not really. In the states sometimes non carrier branded software takes longer, some times it comes first. It just depends.
The user is likely loading leaked OTA updates from att which means it's not an official release. Just hopping the line a little.
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Click to collapse
Oh, that's a surprise actually, here in the UK the carrier branded can sometimes take months longer, but how do the carriers release new versions even before Samsung pushes them? Do the carriers over there build there own firmware themselves rather than just taking what Samsung releases and adding all their crap to it?

beta546 said:
Oh, that's a surprise actually, here in the UK the carrier branded can sometimes take months longer, but how do the carriers release new versions even before Samsung pushes them? Do the carriers over there build there own firmware themselves rather than just taking what Samsung releases and adding all their crap to it?
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Samsung builds all of the software builds and carriers test them when they get them but carriers take priority I am assuming because users on carrier plans using carrier branded phones fall in the 90 percentile of cell phone subscribers.
Now I am just making that number up but our market only recently started being a little more diverse when it comes to unlocked options.
It's the difference in paying 800 bucks up front and paying 200 to subsidize and stay on a contract you were probably keeping anyways.

pcriz said:
Samsung builds all of the software builds and carriers test them when they get them but carriers take priority I am assuming because users on carrier plans using carrier branded phones fall in the 90 percentile of cell phone subscribers.
Now I am just making that number up but our market only recently started being a little more diverse when it comes to unlocked options.
It's the difference in paying 800 bucks up front and paying 200 to subsidize and stay on a contract you were probably keeping anyways.
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Ah right, well that's interesting. And yeah mobile contracts are the main method of acquiring devices here too, but I chose not to upgrade my plan this time and went on SIM only contract with 20gb data, then I used PayPal credit to buy the note 9 from Switzerland with no VAT, which works out significantly cheaper than the £70 + per month to get the phone on contract with any service provider here, that's without paying several hundred pounds up front for the device.

beta546 said:
Ah right, well that's interesting. And yeah mobile contracts are the main method of acquiring devices here too, but I chose not to upgrade my plan this time and went on SIM only contract with 20gb data, then I used PayPal credit to buy the note 9 from Switzerland with no VAT, which works out significantly cheaper than the £70 + per month to get the phone on contract with any service provider here, that's without paying several hundred pounds up front for the device.
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In my almost five years on T-Mobile this is the second time I've done a phone through them. Usually I sell my last and buy the new one out right.
This year they offered my half off in payments over 24 months. So I went for it. I certainly don't like the feeling of a contract but ultimately it works out better price wise but I usually push people to pay as you go alternatives and ysed phones from swappa if they aren't addicted to the "New Big Thing" like me.
I did just read an article from last year that said about 12% of the mobile phones in the US are carrier unlocked.
Now it's making more sense though since we moved away from subsidized and now we lease for the full price like you all over the pond. I think I will try very hard to keep this one for two years though. The prices are just too high. That or grabbing last years model pixel since at this point battery and camera are my big must haves. Ya know if Samsung keeps climbing in price.

pcriz said:
In my almost five years on T-Mobile this is the second time I've done a phone through them. Usually I sell my last and buy the new one out right.
This year they offered my half off in payments over 24 months. So I went for it. I certainly don't like the feeling of a contract but ultimately it works out better price wise but I usually push people to pay as you go alternatives and ysed phones from swappa if they aren't addicted to the "New Big Thing" like me.
I did just read an article from last year that said about 12% of the mobile phones in the US are carrier unlocked.
Now it's making more sense though since we moved away from subsidized and now we lease for the full price like you all over the pond. I think I will try very hard to keep this one for two years though. The prices are just too high. That or grabbing last years model pixel since at this point battery and camera are my big must haves. Ya know if Samsung keeps climbing in price.
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Yeah I've always had phones from the carriers over here, it's always been the best and cheapest option, maybe not cheapest in total, but cheapest on a month by month basis.
But since I discovered PayPal offer credit now, being able to buy anything off eBay and pay in monthly instalments, just worked out much cheaper for me,
I saved 180 on the retail price here, and although I will end up paying some interest, over the time I've paid it off, it is still miles better than £70 a month, and I got 4 months interest free as well which will help in paying a big chunk of it before interest kicks in.
And yeah phones are getting way more expensive these days, they're beginning to sky rocket, the note 9 is the most expensive thing I've ever bought in my life haha. I certainly won't be doing it again for at least a few years, with the hardware we've got it will be at least a couple years before it starts to really fall behind, although saying that, smartphone technology is coming along faster than ever.
Think what we have now, it was only 20 years ago that the Nokia 5110 was the top end of the phone market haha. Now we're looking at foldable screens and such in the near future.
---------- Post added at 04:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:55 PM ----------
Just realised we've completely hijacked this thread ?

beta546 said:
Yeah I've always had phones from the carriers over here, it's always been the best and cheapest option, maybe not cheapest in total, but cheapest on a month by month basis.
But since I discovered PayPal offer credit now, being able to buy anything off eBay and pay in monthly instalments, just worked out much cheaper for me,
I saved 180 on the retail price here, and although I will end up paying some interest, over the time I've paid it off, it is still miles better than £70 a month, and I got 4 months interest free as well which will help in paying a big chunk of it before interest kicks in.
And yeah phones are getting way more expensive these days, they're beginning to sky rocket, the note 9 is the most expensive thing I've ever bought in my life haha. I certainly won't be doing it again for at least a few years, with the hardware we've got it will be at least a couple years before it starts to really fall behind, although saying that, smartphone technology is coming along faster than ever.
Think what we have now, it was only 20 years ago that the Nokia 5110 was the top end of the phone market haha. Now we're looking at foldable screens and such in the near future.
---------- Post added at 04:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:55 PM ----------
Just realised we've completely hijacked this thread ?
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Yeah the guilt each year gets higher for me especially paying full price a lot of the time.
You're right though we did hijack. Good convo but sorry op
Our bad

pcriz said:
Yeah the guilt each year gets higher for me especially paying full price a lot of the time.
You're right though we did hijack. Good convo but sorry op
Our bad
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Yeah I've been quiet good for a long time now and stuck with more mid range phones, but on seeing the note 9 I just needed it, for reasons haha. It didn't help seeing it being advertised on TV every 5 minutes, so if you asked me, it's Samsung's fault.
And yeah, good chat, and I think we partially answered his question at least haha.

pcriz said:
I mean you can side load an update zip in stock recovery.
If it's an update zip as in a manually installed ota it does have an csc..
Also op is likely an att or Sprint user so wiping when manually flashing is a fact of life.
---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 PM ----------
If you are on Sprint or ATT then no, manually flashing an OTA will always wipe your device.
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That's the first explanation that makes sense. I haven't heard that before. I'm on AT&T. Guess I have to live with it. Not a huge deal as I back everything up but it's a bit of a hassle changing all the setting back.
I use https://samsung.firmware.science for any new firmware that comes out.

10pmStalker said:
That's the first explanation that makes sense. I haven't heard that before. I'm on AT&T. Guess I have to live with it. Not a huge deal as I back everything up but it's a bit of a hassle changing all the setting back.
I use https://samsung.firmware.science for any new firmware that comes out.
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Yes this phone has a hell of a lot of settings compared to any I've had before. Out of curiosity, have you never tried Google's device settings backup option? I never have, and I've always wondered if it did a good job of it.

beta546 said:
Yes this phone has a hell of a lot of settings compared to any I've had before. Out of curiosity, have you never tried Google's device settings backup option? I never have, and I've always wondered if it did a good job of it.
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I haven't heard of Google device settings backup. I'll check it out now, thanks.

10pmStalker said:
I haven't heard of Google device settings backup. I'll check it out now, thanks.
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Yeah go to accounts, then backup and restore, then press Google account and you'll get this screen, I've never tried it, but as you've no choice but to wipe when updating, there's no harm you giving it a go, if you do, I wouldn't mind knowing the outcome, it may only backup certain settings, but if it does all of them, that would be great.

beta546 said:
Yeah go to accounts, then backup and restore, then press Google account and you'll get this screen, I've never tried it, but as you've no choice but to wipe when updating, there's no harm you giving it a go, if you do, I wouldn't mind knowing the outcome, it may only backup certain settings, but if it goes all of them, that would be great.
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I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. Got it all backed up. Might be a bit before October update shows up but I'll come back and update you

10pmStalker said:
I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. Got it all backed up. Might be a bit before October update shows up but I'll come back and update you
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Cool thanks mate. I'd appreciate it.

beta546 said:
Cool thanks mate. I'd appreciate it.
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Updated October security patch. Google didn't restore anything. Unless I'm doing something wrong. Not too sure