Note 8 128gb for modders? - Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers

Hey all,
I was considering getting a Note 8 later in the year, but had my eye on the 128gb variant from Amazon (check link below)...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0761TV2MB/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3IWU819C03265
Thing is, I'm a user who doesn't like to keep things completely stock. At some point, I'd like to install a custom recovery and flash a custom rom. I know Samsung phones are a paradox as usually one certain variant of their phones get support from the modding community (due to unlockable bootloaders, poor availability,etc). Should I stick to the vanilla 64gb model as it will most likely have the most support, or would the aforementioned version of this phone be supported too?
PS. Yes I know it may be hard to tell so soon in the phone's life-cycle, but maybe someone can say if this variant is rootable or not.

Related

No Root For N960U and N960U1?

Hi!
I want to ask. And forgive my question. Some possibility of root Note 9 N960U & N960U1?
I know that many here are bothered by these types of questions.
galdypr said:
Hi!
I want to ask. And forgive my question. Some possibility of root Note 9 N960U & N960U1?
I know that many here are bothered by these types of questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not available, and there is a high probability that it never will be available.
For example there is still no root for S9/S9+ in U version.
VadimTk said:
It is not available, and there is a high probability that it never will be available.
For example there is still no root for S9/S9+ in U version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for answer. If the USA version It is so complicated to root, then I will buy exynos version. Personally I like the devices that I can have control and rooted.
We are bothered by the questions because it seems like every person creating a new thread asking about it seems like they will get a different answer if they create their own thread about it.
@rbiter said:
We are bothered by the questions because it seems like every person creating a new thread asking about it seems like they will get a different answer if they create their own thread about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked because I have not seen a thread with that question. But, my apologies if they bother here to.
In my case, and where I work, it has never bothered me that they ask me the same thing, because I like to help people.
Thanks!
As far as I now, S9 and S9+ snapdragon versions are still not rooted.
There is at least 1 guy searching for root but so far, no progress.
So, maybe s845 Note 9 will get root someday but don't have high hopes about that and if root really matter to you, I will advise you to buy another phone.
I strongly advise buying the exynos version now, or buying another device if updates and such will be a big deal. I had the same concerns, this is my first unrooted Android device I am considering purchasing, and I have to make the decision based on what is most probable, root not being an option. Otherwise, you'll be pissed the entire time you have the device that you let yourself fall into the hope trap.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
I will wait few months, as it happened with note 8, that a root for the snapdragon came out, if the root does not come out with note 9 snapdragon, I follow your advice and buy the version with Exynos. Thanks! ?
I do not know, but with so much developer here in XDA and other forums; there must be some way to unlock the bootloader. Or is have to pay for it, or beg of carrier companies??
galdypr said:
I will wait few months, as it happened with note 8, that a root for the snapdragon came out, if the root does not come out with note 9 snapdragon, I follow your advice and buy the version with Exynos. Thanks! [emoji3]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked the OP of that thread a month ago and he confirmed that that root method can not be done on the S9, S9+ or NOTE9, which means that the device will most likely never be rooted, unless Samsung suddenly, randomly, allows for the bootloader to be unlocked.
I upgraded to the Snapdragon Note9 anyway though myself. I found that I didn't really miss root all that much on my Note8 and didn't want my battery on my new phone to only charge to 80% by using SamFAIL, so I just got the non-carrier branded one this time to cut down on some of the bloat. I could've went Exynos, but in the past I'd mainly only used root to put other roms on the device and maybe clear out some space, but the Note9 comes with 128gb internal minimum with the potential of an up to 512gb sd card, which is plenty of space for me to just disable a few apps. Most of the roms too most often didn't have the air command features for the spen(or most of the other functionality that Samsung devices are supposed to have) and the pen is why I buy the Notes in the first place. The ones that did try and incorporate those features(including the Touchwiz roms) always still had other problems too, so I most often found myself going back to stock anyway.
Frankly, it's just been nice having a device where Samsung Pay and everything else just works. I've had the unrootable Snapdragon Note9 for a month now and I love it. It has tons of features that the Note8 didn't have, like an spen that works as a wireless bluetooth remote for your camera, music and other apps, as well as more space, a better battery and more. That's just my take though.
galdypr said:
Hi!
I want to ask. And forgive my question. Some possibility of root Note 9 N960U & N960U1?
I know that many here are bothered by these types of questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not so much bothered by questions (even if they have been asked 100 times over like this one lol) more so people refuse to use the search function.
If you had of done so you wouldn't have needed to even ask.
Dont be afraid to try and help yourself sometimes, its not that painful.
But yeah as the guys said....never going to happen
I took the advice of several users of the forum, I bought the note version exynos. And I did not break the my Head, Waiting for someone to get Root the Note 9 USA Version
The other note 9 I want to sell it by ebay or by Swppa.
galdypr said:
I took the advice of several users of the forum, I bought the note version exynos. And I did not break the my Head, Waiting for someone to get Root the Note 9 USA Version
The other note 9 I want to sell it by ebay or by Swppa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The USA version is never going to see root.
I didn't understand what you said about the exynos other than your selling it? Why?
galdypr said:
I do not know, but with so much developer here in XDA and other forums; there must be some way to unlock the bootloader. Or is have to pay for it, or beg of carrier companies??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carrier companies do not have control over bootloader locks. I have tried going through them in the past about this and they have no clue what you are talking about unless you get lucky and get a person that knows about root and even if that does happen they can't and won't help you with it. It has to be done by manufacturers.
galdypr said:
Thanks for answer. If the USA version It is so complicated to root, then I will buy exynos version. Personally I like the devices that I can have control and rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you considered the N9600, international version? It has the SD845 processor (like the U and U1) and root/TWRP are already available. Knox gets tripped, of course, but that only negates Samsung Pay and a couple others.
Just having a little trouble locating units for sale (at good prices) here on mainland US.
Forgetting N960U and N960U1! I bought N960N!! And my problem resolved! Finally I got root!! ?
q2n said:
Have you considered the N9600, international version? It has the SD845 processor (like the U and U1) and root/TWRP are already available. Knox gets tripped, of course, but that only negates Samsung Pay and a couple others.
Just having a little trouble locating units for sale (at good prices) here on mainland US.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to figure out my info on versions is correct... I thought N9600 (with Snapdragon) is the Hong Kong version (i.e. not "international" or "global"), and N960F (with Exynos) is for "global"/europe (although it seems to have different band lists for UK). (I'm not considering rootability etc., just the target market / naming.)
6thtry said:
Just to figure out my info on versions is correct... I thought N9600 (with Snapdragon) is the Hong Kong version (i.e. not "international" or "global"), and N960F (with Exynos) is for "global"/europe (although it seems to have different band lists for UK). (I'm not considering rootability etc., just the target market / naming.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the 960F model has different radio / bands for UK market compared to the 960F sold in mainland Europe? I doubt it.
Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk
Limeybastard said:
So the 960F model has different radio / bands for UK market compared to the 960F sold in mainland Europe? I doubt it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, I have no idea. I read it on this page: https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-note-9-sm-n960-model-number-differences/
I found another list (much shorter one) that does not have separate entry for UK. Maybe the longer list simply lists bands that are active in the region (e.g. if there are bands in use in UK that aren't used elsewhere in europe even if the phone would support them).
Not relevant to this topic (rooting U/U1), though, I just noted it for the peculiarity of seeing that difference for the same model code.
6thtry said:
Personally, I have no idea. I read it on this page: https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-note-9-sm-n960-model-number-differences/
I found another list (much shorter one) that does not have separate entry for UK. Maybe the longer list simply lists bands that are active in the region (e.g. if there are bands in use in UK that aren't used elsewhere in europe even if the phone would support them).
Not relevant to this topic (rooting U/U1), though, I just noted it for the peculiarity of seeing that difference for the same model code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally how I verify bands used it to go to samsungs website for that country to check specs for a particular model number.
Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk

Looking to upgrade from Note 4 to Note 9, but have some questions.

So, after 4 long, fun years, my T-Mobile Note 4 finally gave up the ghost the day before yesterday. It wouldn't even turn on into any mode past the Samsung logo, and bootlooped/crashed often in the final year. I also was getting more and more EMMC errors in TWRP, I knew the Reaper was coming, just a matter of time. I'm the type of person that buys a phone and keeps it as long as possible until it dies. I'm currently using my old Note 3 that I dug out of the closet, but only until I can get the N9 next month.
This is where the questions start. I strolled into a T-Mo store today, was told I qualified for the N9 for $300 down. But just when I was about to sign the contract, a Google result indicated that US N9 variants can't be bootloader unlocked. So I'm like screw this and left. I just have to have my TWRP, custom ROM, and root.
I recently saw on Reddit that there are international N9 variants that are bootloader unlocked, sim unlocked, and have Snapdragon CPU. I know that the Exynos variants likely won't perform as well as the SD.
T-Mo has been my carrier for years, so if I get an intl SD N9 then preferably it will need to support most or all of T-Mo 4G LTE bands. I've been doing other reading on XDA as well, it's been said that Exynos N9s may have more than one of the supported bands I need, but can't seamlessly switch between the bands like the SD can. It's called carrier aggregation, I think.
One last thing, I like to run ROMs that are based on AOSP or LOS, not Sammy stock. I have discovered that the N9 is mostly Treble compatible, because it released with Oreo and Google mandated that all Android phones released with O must support Treble. However, the N9 is an ARM64 device with an A-only partition slot for system, rather than A/B. So I would have to run A-only GSIs. No big deal to me as long as I'm not using the stock firmware. I already run Treble Phh AOSP O on my Axon 7 and it does quite well.
I also discovered that Zerolemon has made a 10000mah battery case for the N9, that really piqued my interest and would seal the deal. Had been using 2 ZL batteries in my N4 and was impressed.
So, now I just need help choosing the right model. This is a phone I will use for the long haul, I want to get it right. I'm not entirely opposed to Exynos, but the SD is supposed to be faster for CPU and graphics, and should have the most compatible bands with my carrier. Buying a N9 from any carrier store in the States will get me a locked BL and that is absolutely unacceptable to me.
If someone can clue me in on which international N9 variants are SD ,BL/SIM unlockable and support the bands I need, then I would appreciate it.
Thanks alot!
Buy Note9 snapdragon because it does not compare to exynos in any chapter, it is much better. Do not worry about custom rom support, it will be much better with the passing of time but with PIE the phone is impeccable with snapdragon. On exynos they returned to Oreo because the processor is not as gourmet as Pie.
@michelino159: Thanks for the reply but.....I was already planning to buy N9 Snapdragon instead of Exynos. But custom ROMs/root/TWRP are a must for me. I'm just confused in regards to which international variant is the right one for me. Clearly, the US versions won't do.
Things are not as heavy as they seem. You only have to decide. Good luck!

Is All Hope Lost for G973U US Snapdragon?

I consider myself an optimist and I want to stay positive. Honestly the main reason I opted for the Galaxy S10 was due to root support and phone development vs LG G series. I really am loving the performance of my phone. I've been rooting since the 1st Galaxy came out with help from this forum. I just hate to give up hope because there had always been some brilliant mind or mind(s) to crack through the barriers.
Just sucks all the other versions get to enjoy making their phone a little more fabulous than my US Sprint version ?
Thanks!
dtowngs4g said:
I consider myself an optimist and I want to stay positive. Honestly the main reason I opted for the Galaxy S10 was due to root support and phone development vs LG G series. I really am loving the performance of my phone. I've been rooting since the 1st Galaxy came out with help from this forum. I just hate to give up hope because there had always been some brilliant mind or mind(s) to crack through the barriers.
Just sucks all the other versions get to enjoy making their phone a little more fabulous than my US Sprint version ?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's been a given fact that the US Snapdragon wont get root and it's been a well known fact for quite a while now. You should have opted for another model if you wanted root.
Well some of that was also dependent on those engineering kernels that got leaked on the last two models the Galaxy 8 & 9. Some devs were able to build off of that.
Tel864 said:
It's been a given fact that the US Snapdragon wont get root and it's been a well known fact for quite a while now. You should have opted for another model if you wanted root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. I will say I haven't had a Galaxy since S6 but I would always see support for Galaxy. I wasn't interested in the S9 as much so I wasn't aware of how restricted it had become. Over the years I've had Motorola X play, LG series and Axon. As I said I assumed someone would break they the barrier. I remember the 1st root breaking through Knox or finding a work around. Then the bounty collected to root other versions as they became more difficult. It's just weird how US would be so dogmatically restrictive. But it's not an end all for me. I love my phone and how it doesn't lag even with 20 apps open.
P personally don't think root is needed too much on the S10
Was there any hope in the first place?
North American Samsung are known to be locked, only a fool would waste time finding way to root it when 99% of the world use a different version that is already possible to root.
I came from S7 exynos rooted with Magisk, and was very reluctant to swtich out, but I needed modern radio so I took the leap with the S10e. Got the 256GB U1 version, flashed with Tmo U firmware, and I'm 99% set. Giving certain permissions via ADB to MacroDroid and other apps is so far enough (e. g. set lock timeout to forever when on home WiFi, effectively doing the same as some rooted solution, etc.)
The 1% that I still really wish I could have? Titanium Backup. Migrating phone with TiBu is so much easier, and it's more reliable too. I wish Android allows more flexibility to power users on this (Google or Samsung backup is still not good enough).
supergear said:
P personally don't think root is needed too much on the S10
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not, but some people think they have to have it.
Just in case, what's people suggestion?
In case we still able to return the phone, should we do it?
Does it seems some option for Snapdragon version in future, or better to give up and stockpile a return to the company?
For me, unlocked bootloader is a must, in order to remove crapware (like Bixby), remove Google, or just to get future support after Samsung declares it an "outdated device"
Suggestions?
supergear said:
P personally don't think root is needed too much on the S10
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Swift support and REAL call recording is still needed by many users, including me. Sucks that they both now need root. I wish I could use Oreo on this S10, lol!
dtowngs4g said:
Just sucks all the other versions get to enjoy making their phone a little more fabulous than my US Sprint version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel you dude, sucks that North Americans can't enjoy the same freedoms on the S10 compared to literally anywhere else. Doesn't make sense. I've always assumed that it was the US variants that can be easily unlocked? Perhaps because it uses the snapdragon chip, which I assumed was more easy to 'manipulate' than on Exynos chips?
The U.S. S10 Sprint 5G version can be rooted. The U.S. S9's just got root not too long ago. As for the other U.S. variants of the S10, root will probably never come to fruition.
StoneyJSG said:
The U.S. S10 Sprint 5G version can be rooted. The U.S. S9's just got root not too long ago. As for the other U.S. variants of the S10, root will probably never come to fruition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I ended up getting a exynos verison for cricket lol
Always research if a device has root before buying it. Also if you want them to stop locking the bootloaders for the US variants start buying international exynos models so you can have root and maybe they will notice not as many US units selling due to locked bootloaders and will stop locking them, I doubt it but you never know.

Note 9 Differences

I'd like to know what are all the differences between all of the Note 9 variants, in terms of what's BL locked and what's rootable.
First of all, I'm under the impression that the Exynos phones are unlockable/rootable. It is also not available in the United States, as I understand, correct? Does that mean it won't work with US Carriers at all?
Also, the Snapdragon version. Now, I don't know what are all of the Snapdragon variants, as I can only speak for my phone and the various posts I've seen about it. I'm on the SM-N960U. Is it fair to say that having a GN9 with a Snapdragon processor mean that your phone cannot be BL Unlocked/Rooted? If any Snapdragon phones can be Unlocked/Rooted, which ones are these and are they compatible with US Carriers?
I don't plan on replacing my Note 9 yet, but maybe next year with another Samsung. I read that the Note line might be going away, in space of the S-line "Ultra". But anyways, my point being when I get a new Samsung Phone, is it possible to get one that is BL Unlockable and Rootable, AND fully compatible with my US Carrier, Tmobile?
afaik, you have the Note 9's US version already (snapdragon chip version) so its certainly compatible with US carriers in the 1st place.
rooting/bootloader unlocking is another story, irrelevant to what you are concerned.
I think only US sd version is unlockable.
N960F compatability https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/help/note-9-model-sm-n960f-ds-dual-sim-t3903528
It's funny you'd ask this today.... I own an international version (unlocked) Snapdragon variant that *is* rootable... the SM-N9600 (not to be mistaken for the N960u and so on which are NOT rootable). But though my phone is *technically* rootable, there's a very messy issue with it not allowing flashing TWRP / rooting even after the OEM unlock switch is thrown. I oughta know... just again spent hours in vain trying to get it to root. It's a long story and you can find it just by googling "N9600 prenormal" or some such. Anyway, at least on paper there is a Snapdragon Note 9 that is rootable.

Which G800 best for LineageOS in US?

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.

Categories

Resources