Hello everyone. First off, some back history. I have a Note5 N920T that I bought 4 months ago give or take in hopes to sell it and buy a Note7 later. Before that, I owned a Note 3 N900A that I managed, thanks to this page and their geniuses, to flash a few ROMs. I know they could've been many more ROMS but due the locked bootloader I was very limited by it. So I decided that the phone after the N900A should be bootloader unlocked. I knew that one of the main carriers in USA that doesn't have the habit to lock the bootloaders was T-Mobile and they have the same band compatibilities than here in my country, which is Peru,South America. But I want to customize the phone, and a few days ago I tried installing TWRP but I got stuck with a bootloop, even though I did everything that was said on the forum. I've been surfing all over the web and there are many pages saying it is posible, then others saying otherwise. My point here is to get a "One page Answer" where everyone who is interested in flashing a ROM on the N920T can find the best way without the risk of bricking the handset. I want to flash a ROM that is based on the N920I or N920G ROM cause they have more compatible bands with my home carrier "CLARO", basically I'm interested in the bands 7 (700 Mhz) and 28 (2600 Mhz) which here are used for LTE Advanced, T-Mobile ROM won't use them and it only connects to the Band 2 (1900 Mhz). So, it would be great that people post here pages where you can find procedures which can help you to flash ROMs on the N920T other than the T-Mobile's. I think everything I'm saying is possible cause there are no difference between models in the hardware matter, it is not that I'm trying to put a Qualcomm ROM on an Exynos phone as all Note5 are Exynos and hardware specs are the same among all models. I want to thank in advance for your kind help and sorry if I broke any rules from this page. Hopefully my intentions aren't misunderstood.
Ps.- Sorry for the long post also.
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I'm looking into buying a new phone very soon, I haven't had a cell phone since like a year ago, that is why all my posts dropped off. Last Time I had my own phone I had the S6 Edge and Note 5. But I'm really kind of tired of not using an international version, since no has cracked the SnapDragon's bootloader locks yet.
I could get a 128GB Note 9 from Straight Talk decently priced right now, but realistically I don't want to buy it if it is only the Unbranded SnapDragon version. I really want a newer Exynos Processor. When I looked online I couldn't find the model number for the version sold from Straight Talk. Maybe I didn't look hard enough. Does any carrier in the US sell the F versions?
You made this a Q&A but didn't post it in the Q&A forum? I'm not an expert but I'm sure the N960F doesn't work in America, don't you use CDMA there? I don't thing the F is compatible with that. I may be wromg, but I'm sure I've read things to that effect.
An Exynos model doesn't have the right bands for Verizon, Sprint, or their MVNOs in America. Exynos models may work on T-Mobile or AT&T, but even then may lack the new bands that enhance 4G coverage.
Hello,
I have been digging through the forums and google trying to find a solid answer but getting a bit of misinformation so, I have a couple questions.
I would like to get the Note 9 but am very hesitant to go with a carrier or US version, given they are locked down. I have not owned a phone, since starting on android with the G2, that didn't have root and some sort of mod support.
With that said I am considering the n9600 for tmobile and hoping someone can confirm whether it has band 66 or not.
Also, I keep reading that aggregation is an issue, slowing lte speeds vs carrier specific phones. I have read a couple forums saying there is a possible solution but they seem to kind of dead end with many people saying they don't notice a difference.
And finally, for Tmobile, has anyone had better luck with the Exynos version vs the n9600 w/ snapdragon? Is there a difference as far as connectivity or the ability to force specific firmware/software?
Thanks.
You've answered your questions in your post. It will work but not everything and not all bands.
I often come across encouraging posts about flashing T-Mobile firmware on unlocked phones, specifically Note 9 in this case, and not having any drawbacks since the hardware is the same. However, after doing further research I found that the picture isn't as rosy as it seems when it comes to flashing T-Mobile firmware to unlocked phones. Here are some specific questions:
Can I roam on U.S. cellular network if I flash T-Mobile firmware on unlocked Note 9?
Will I get T-Mobile OTAs if I flash T-Mobile firmware on unlocked Note 9?
I remember that despite hardware being the same, the Note 8 UNLOCKED had only 2x2 MIMO capabilities, however the T-Mobile variant had 4x4 MIMO. Is it the same scenario with Note 9 Unlocked vs Note 9 T-Mobile as well?
I am 90% sure that Band 71 exists on Unlocked Note 9; will I have access to all T-Mobile bands if I flash T-Mobile firmware?
As mentioned in this thread, the camera LAGS on the Unlocked Note 9 variant. If I flash the T-Mobile firmware, does that make the camera better?
Please feel free to inform me if I am missing anything other than VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, DIGITS, RCS etc.
I understand, I should get the T-Mobile variant, but I am absolutely trying to avoid sending Samsung my phone for a trade-in, and don't want T-Mobile's bill credits for my phone trade-in. That's why I am interested in getting an Unlocked Note 9 and flashing a T-Mobile firmware on it.
tm2016 said:
I often come across encouraging posts about flashing T-Mobile firmware on unlocked phones, specifically Note 9 in this case, and not having any drawbacks since the hardware is the same. However, after doing further research I found that the picture isn't as rosy as it seems when it comes to flashing T-Mobile firmware to unlocked phones. Here are some specific questions:
Can I roam on U.S. cellular network if I flash T-Mobile firmware on unlocked Note 9?
Will I get T-Mobile OTAs if I flash T-Mobile firmware on unlocked Note 9?
I remember that despite hardware being the same, the Note 8 UNLOCKED had only 2x2 MIMO capabilities, however the T-Mobile variant had 4x4 MIMO. Is it the same scenario with Note 9 Unlocked vs Note 9 T-Mobile as well?
I am 90% sure that Band 71 exists on Unlocked Note 9; will I have access to all T-Mobile bands if I flash T-Mobile firmware?
As mentioned in this thread, the camera LAGS on the Unlocked Note 9 variant. If I flash the T-Mobile firmware, does that make the camera better?
Please feel free to inform me if I am missing anything other than VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, DIGITS, RCS etc.
I understand, I should get the T-Mobile variant, but I am absolutely trying to avoid sending Samsung my phone for a trade-in, and don't want T-Mobile's bill credits for my phone trade-in. That's why I am interested in getting an Unlocked Note 9 and flashing a T-Mobile firmware on it.
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Click to collapse
At least 50% of what you "learned" was not true. Don't believe what you read on Reddit. Lots of idiots there. To answer your specific question: If you flash TMB firmware on your U1 device, it will become identical to anything sold in a T-Mobile store.
The only things you gain by using TMB firmware are video calling and digits integration. VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling have been on unlocked Samsung firmware for T-Mobile for at least 3 years. Digits is also usable on U1 if you're willing to use the standalone Play Store app.
The radio is the radio. There's no difference between U and U1.
Can this be done with the note 10+ as well? Flash the tmobile firmware on the unlocked exynos moldel to gain rooting power!
---------- Post added at 09:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 AM ----------
CrazyApe18 said:
At least 50% of what you "learned" was not true. Don't believe what you read on Reddit. Lots of idiots there. To answer your specific question: If you flash TMB firmware on your U1 device, it will become identical to anything sold in a T-Mobile store.
The only things you gain by using TMB firmware are video calling and digits integration. VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling have been on unlocked Samsung firmware for T-Mobile for at least 3 years. Digits is also usable on U1 if you're willing to use the standalone Play Store app.
The radio is the radio. There's no difference between U and U1.
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Click to collapse
Radio is radio?
What's are you thoughts about the note 5
?
I have the note 5 international model and the network always so slow 3g says 4g icon (not true) and calls go directly to voice-mail for the past 3 years while using on tmobile. How are the radios the same when I put the same Sim card in to the tmobile branded note 5 network works like it should.
Tried to flash note 5 tmobile firmware on international model. Failed
revized said:
Can this be done with the note 10+ as well? Flash the tmobile firmware on the unlocked exynos moldel to gain rooting power!
---------- Post added at 09:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 AM ----------
Radio is radio?
What's are you thoughts about the note 5
?
I have the note 5 international model and the network always so slow 3g says 4g icon (not true) and calls go directly to voice-mail for the past 3 years while using on tmobile. How are the radios the same when I put the same Sim card in to the tmobile branded note 5 network works like it should.
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Click to collapse
revized said:
Tried to flash note 5 tmobile firmware on international model. Failed
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Click to collapse
u make no sense.
search and read.
What does not make sense about trying to flash tmobile firmware on international phone and that did not work?
revized said:
What does not make sense about trying to flash tmobile firmware on international phone and that did not work?
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Click to collapse
just even thinking of trying it is insane.
read b4 doing such things.
edit:
since about 4 years maybe more the US has snapdragon chips and the the international devices have exynos. you cant mix the 2.
btw ure odin is seeing 2 com ports....
Ok ok. I suppose I was misunderstanding the thread here
" Flashing T-Mobile firmware on Unlocked Note 9 "
I am trying this on a note 5 before buying a note 10 to avoid wasting money if the network is not going to work correctly. Again sorry i am such a noob.
revized said:
Ok ok. I suppose I was misunderstanding the thread here
" Flashing T-Mobile firmware on Unlocked Note 9 "
I am trying this on a note 5 before buying a note 10 to avoid wasting money if the network is not going to work correctly. Again sorry i am such a noob.
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the thread is flashing n960u firmware on a device purchased unlocked with n960u1. they are both identical snapdragon devices.
Ha! Get trolled much?
I just checked the specs and wanted to ask what are your thoughts about the international note 5 and the t-mobile note 5 specs looking the same. Are these not identical devices as well? Attached is a screen shot of this.
N920T & N920I
revized said:
I just checked the specs and wanted to ask what are your thoughts about the international note 5 and the t-mobile note 5 specs looking the same. Are these not identical devices as well? Attached is a screen shot of this.
N920T & N920I
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contrarily as today's devices in america, it would seem that those two note 5 models have the same SoC.
maybe post in the note 5 forums your inquiries since these are the note 9 forums.
Ok I will do post my question there. Although I do have one question for this thread of anyone knows the answer it would be much appreciated. . Does the unlocked note 9 network work correctly on t-mobile? Or does it have unmissed calls sent directly to voicemail and cell data 3g only?
Hello!
I've been interested in buying a Galaxy Note 9 for some time, but I'd like a Snapdragon version (from what I can tell by reviews and tests it's better than the Exynos in performance, heat and battery and I don't really want to install custom ROMs, so no problem about the locked bootloader). Today I happened to stumble across an offer on a retail website where a seller just 20 km away from me is offering a Galaxy Note 9 which he says is new and bought from Samsung store in the USA (so I'm assuming it's the N960U carrier unlocked USA version), but he's also stating that it needs to be region unlocked. I've been searching online and I don't really understand what that's all about. I know the first step in purchasing a phone from retail is asking for the IMEI, but what can I exactly do with it? Does it provide the phone's exact model? And what does region unlocking imply?
I'd be glad if anyone could help me with this situation, as it's quite a rare chance and I'd be extremely happy to buy it, but I firstly want to be sure I can use it.
Provided it's not CDMA, the GSM bands should be comaptible with my carrier (Orange), or so I think. Any information is much appreciated.
Thanks and have a great day!
Hey all sorry for the newbness, I'm kinda totally new to android modding. I've been running a G800A for years now and love it to death, but it's just become a bit too outdated and limiting in stock form. I'm also under the understanding that the G800A is the most limiting version, as there is not even ROMs available to run anything about Android 5.1.1(?)
So I'm understanding if I wanted to go to LineageOS, my options are the G800F/M/Y. Anything I've found on these shows them all virtually identical other than the 4g bands. Would any one of these 3 be any better than the others to use in the USA? Does whatever carrier I would end up going with matter much?
Also, even more stupider questions- has anyone tried installing LineageOS on the G800A?
Last one- what about the G800R4 if I wanted to go with a CDMA carrier?
TIA for any help with this
you can only flash a rom built for your exact device...
only a 800f rom for a 800f device..
or you will brick..
( some roms are built for more then one device like the f/m/y variants)
sadly almost every samsung device sold in the usa after the s4 is bootloader locked.
so you cant flash anything.
you can get a s5 mini g800f from ebay for 60$ and start the flashing game is you love small phones.
That is what is did.
every samsung phone i get now is international or i dont buy it.
@nutpants thx for the reply. I'm still a bit confused tho- aren't US version G900s able to be flashed? Unless I misunderstood some of the stuff I've come across. I'm still on the fence as to whether I want to stay with something quite so small as the G800 (my eyeballs are getting old along with me). I think I might go with a G900 and see how it works out. But is this the same deal ie- I need to look for an international version of that?
Also, I've noticed that tons of international versions have limited to no compatible LTE bands with those used here in the states. I'm assuming there's no workaround for this as it's a hardware issue(?) How much does this affect real world usability?
first off i dont know everything, so you will have to research
https://www.kimovil.com/en/frequency-checker/US/samsung-galaxy-s5-mini
this is a good reference but i just found it so it could be very wrong also.
( it looks like it is not very good with all the variants so its not to be considered the last word)
while i have not looked at every rom posted here ( and there might be a usa at&t s5mini xda page someplace) i don't remember seeing any rom for the g800a variant of the s5mini if it does not say g800a it will very likely not work, and will brick your device if you try.
(https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/rooting-the-s5-mini-from-at-t-g800a.3124674/
its not looking good for your g800a device at all )
i have a g900w8 (Canadian variant) and i can flash anything that the international version uses, but it has all the bands that i usa uses for the most part. (best of both worlds) but i think the usa model (v, r4,p) has a locked boot loader so it is not easy to flash roms.
( i think there is a way to do it, but i never have as i dont but bootloader locked phones)
the s7 and older Canadian phones from samsung are all easily rootable , most can be flashed with international roms, but (dont quote me on this) they use mostly the north america popular bands for lte, hspa, etc.
if you are looking for a newer phone dont get the g900 s5
get the s7 g935w8 canadian phone its about the same size, must faster, better battery ( but you cant replace it, MUCH MUCH better camera (ive had nothing but problems with the s5 camera) and ive found them for about 150$ used in great shape.
if you use data a lot then you want lte to work if you are just going to talk, then the gsm bands are good enough. ive used Canadian phones in the usa plenty and have no serious issues.
but i just got the s5 mini g800f from ebay and im still setting it up so i dont know how well it works yet.
short answer, usa phones are much much harder to root if at all, fewer roms, international phones are much better for all that but may not work well in the usa, canadian phones might be what you want to look at
(my Canadian s5 g900w8 still have support for the latest lineage os 18 )
before you buy check if the phone is supported by lineage os
https://download.lineageos.org/
if it is, then you can root, flash roms and very likely have unofficial roms for years to come.
or you can search xda, but as you can see, the s5mini is all but dead here and developers are not working hard to improve the roms we do have. in another year this place will be a ghost town.
btw i have canadian s4, s5, s7, s4 mini, s7 , s7 edge, note 2, note 3, note 4, mega . and have been very happy with them all. i have a few usa devices (s5 active)but i cant do anything with them. so they sit on a shelf. ( not that any of them do much but the hobby of flashing the newest rom and trying it out.