The way to unlock the Snapdragon version is via NextRadio app, but it does not work in the Exynos version of the Note 8.
Does anybody know if there is an alternative way to unlock the fm radio in some other way not rooting the phone?
allancm said:
The way to unlock the Snapdragon version is via NextRadio app, but it does not work in the Exynos version of the Note 8.
Does anybody know if there is an alternative way to unlock the fm radio in some other way not rooting the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the exynos chip has it
yup, exynos does not have the needed hardware for fm radio
Thanks for the responses, now I'm so sad I thought the Exynos and the Snapdragon were not that different. I wish I knew that before buying the Exynos version.
Coming from a Lumia 950 xl to a Galaxy Note 8, I am missing a big feature important for me.
allancm said:
Thanks for the responses, now I'm so sad I thought the Exynos and the Snapdragon were not that different. I wish I knew that before buying the Exynos version.
Coming from a Lumia 950 xl to a Galaxy Note 8, I am missing a big feature important for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FM Radio chews through the phone battery as experience from S8. It's much easier to get a battery powered FM radio and use that.
I doubt you had the option of choosing between exynos or sd.. it's meant for different regions.
Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
interestingly, the radio settings are still on the Exynos devices so I am not sure that they lack the functionality at a hardware level, but I downloaded NextRadio and it won't play unless I have a data connection.
I use absolute radio app but I have a big data allowance. I don't find a big drain on the battery.
FM radio still has some uses for some people e.g. in the UK BBC Local radio will broadcast football commentary for all the games but due to licencing reasons it cannot be played on Digital Radio so the same radio station on Digital Radio (including Internet Radio) has something different on whilst the FM version broadcasts the football.
But that being said, it is more of a luxury to have it on a phone.
For emergency purposes it can be very important!
Interesting in this regard is following news item :
https://www.sammobile.com/2018/01/10/samsung-activate-smartphone-fm-chips-us-canada/
vash_h said:
I doubt you had the option of choosing between exynos or sd.. it's meant for different regions.
Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But they can be used in other regions...I'm using an Exynos here in Canada where our region's variant is the Snapdragon.
so... as I mentioned the FM radio settings are still on the Exynos devices. I imagine they would not include them if the device didn't have an FM radio chip at all, and I found this article from 2016 about a previous version of Exynos that definitely has an FM radio : https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/30/samsung-launches-first-exynos-chip-with-all-radios-built-in/
On the one hand this doesn't mean that future versions do, but it could be an indication that from that point on Samsung decided to include the FM chips even if they are not enabled by default. Given that the settings are on Exynos stock ROMs, I tend to guess that they probably do have FM support but it is not enabled for whatever reason. If you look in the sec_floating_feature.xml file I think under /system/etc/ you will see a bunch of lines for it, and there are CSC feature lines for FM radio settings as well.
It is so funny that they don't want to give people a stupid radio function
SavedEmperor said:
It is so funny that they don't want to give people a stupid radio function
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel the decision was made, to force one to subscribe to a bigger data plan for those moments one is away from WiFi and wants to hear the radio.
I have a Galaxy J5 Prime with exynos with custom rom. I unpacked the stock rom and found Hybrid Radio. Copied the files to my phone and now I have FM Radio!
allancm said:
The way to unlock the Snapdragon version is via NextRadio app, but it does not work in the Exynos version of the Note 8.
Does anybody know if there is an alternative way to unlock the fm radio in some other way not rooting the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hybrid Radio
Anonymously_Unknown said:
I feel the decision was made, to force one to subscribe to a bigger data plan for those moments one is away from WiFi and wants to hear the radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This doesn't make sense. Samsung doesn't benefit from you having a larger data plan or using data.
---------- Post added at 09:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 AM ----------
Kalm_Traveler said:
interestingly, the radio settings are still on the Exynos devices so I am not sure that they lack the functionality at a hardware level, but I downloaded NextRadio and it won't play unless I have a data connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it requires a data connection, it means it's not an FM radio, but instead you're streaming the radio station. Since most radio stations these days stream via the internet as well, that's most likely what the app is doing.
Max_Terrible said:
This doesn't make sense. Samsung doesn't benefit from you having a larger data plan or using data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Not Samsung. I'm referring to the carrier. You need to understand that it is carrier that can instruct Samsung which features to enable or disable in "thier" models. It is same way that AT&T devices come with a locked bootloader, no matter which complete ROM you attempt to overwrite the unit with. Carriers don't make revenue when you use FM radio for free, so it is better for them to force you to have to use data (when away from Wi-Fi)
Anonymously_Unknown said:
No. Not Samsung. I'm referring to the carrier. You need to understand that it is carrier that can instruct Samsung which features to enable or disable in "thier" models. It is same way that AT&T devices come with a locked bootloader, no matter which complete ROM you attempt to overwrite the unit with. Carriers don't make revenue when you use FM radio for free, so it is better for them to force you to have to use data (when away from Wi-Fi)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This makes more sense, yes. I understand that. I'm in South Africa and here we don't have crap like carriers trying to take control of certain parts and features of devices. We generally don't get a lot of bloatware, at least on the high-end devices, though I have seen some entry-level devices that seem to have a ton of bloatware on them, which is a little weird. But the high-end devices are for the most part exactly how Samsung shows them at their events.
I always think this is bull**** because galaxy A series has FM radio and they are ALL Enxyos
Related
EDIT: While the baseband may support LTE, an additional RF chip is required. Sorry
As some of you may know, I have been trying to details the hardware inside the Nexus 4, and I may have made and incorrect assumption based on the fact we were told it doesn't support LTE. I believe the Nexus 4 may have and LTE capable basband chip.
The Nexus 4 uses a snapdragon S4 PRO APQ8064. This SOC doesn't have a baseband chip at all, you have to add a separate chip.
It is unknown what baseband chip is in the Nexus 4, but we can narrow it down. As can be seen on the android central home page very very clearly, the baseband version is as follows:
M9615a-CEFWMAZM-2.01700.27
The first part of that caught my eye. M9615a. For 10 points, anyone know what baseband chip is in the Optimus G? MDM9615
M9615a... MDM9615... See where I am going with this here? Seems a little coincidental. Might be nothing but I thought I would throw it out there.
If Google is getting LG to use the same parts in the Nexus 4, then it seems to me that the Nexus 4 does support LTE (although NOT CDMA, so still no Verizon or Sprint).
l0st.prophet said:
As some of you may know, I have been trying to details the hardware inside the Nexus 4, and I may have made and incorrect assumption based on the fact we were told it doesn't support LTE. I believe the Nexus 4 may have and LTE capable basband chip.
The Nexus 4 uses a snapdragon S4 PRO APQ8064. This SOC doesn't have a baseband chip at all, you have to add a separate chip.
It is unknown what baseband chip is in the Nexus 4, but we can narrow it down. As can be seen on the android central home page very very clearly, the baseband version is as follows:
M9615a-CEFWMAZM-2.01700.27
The first part of that caught my eye. M9615a. For 10 points, anyone know what baseband chip is in the Optimus G? MDM9615
M9615a... MDM9615... See where I am going with this here? Seems a little coincidental. Might be nothing but I thought I would throw it out there.
If Google is getting LG to use the same parts in the Nexus 4, then it seems to me that the Nexus 4 does support LTE (although NOT CDMA, so still no Verizon or Sprint).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may have the onboard chip, but doesn't it need a separate (a specific type of) antenna for LTE?
Wouldn't they have to test the chip's functionality at the FCC which would alert the tech writers who watch that stuff?
Those documents can be found here. You might be able to make heads or tails of any of it (I can't)
The reality is that LTE chips are significantly expensive to add to a smartphone, like in the $200 range. Part of The reason this phone can be offered for so low off contact is because it is HSPA only. I am also quite confident that they have to dissociate all of the radios inside the phone.
sent from SGS3 via tapatalk
evodon84 said:
The reality is that LTE chips are significantly expensive to add to a smartphone, like in the $200 range. Part of The reason this phone can be offered for so low off contact is because it is HSPA only. I am also quite confident that they have to dissociate all of the radios inside the phone.
sent from SGS3 via tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that expense attributed to the hardware? Seems a bit high to me, I would guess it is some sort of licensing fee to use that spectrum. if thats the case having it technically not supporting it would negate the fees while still possibly having the necessary radio for it. Completely speculating though.
Hi
I expect all the gobi modem range are software compatible and the base band shown is just the software identifier.
Regards
Phil
evodon84 said:
The reality is that LTE chips are significantly expensive to add to a smartphone, like in the $200 range. Part of The reason this phone can be offered for so low off contact is because it is HSPA only. I am also quite confident that they have to dissociate all of the radios inside the phone.
sent from SGS3 via tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying $200 just for LTE? Umm no. Research firms suspect it added $10 to the cost of the qualcomm chip for the iphone.
The baseband chip might support LTE (most likely it does), but the phone is probably missing the required amplifiers (LNA and PA) and filters to make it work in the LTE bands.
nm3th said:
The baseband chip might support LTE (most likely it does), but the phone is probably missing the required amplifiers (LNA and PA) and filters to make it work in the LTE bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds much more likely the case. I will say that if it's possible I guarantee the amazing development community on here will have it functioning very soon after they get hands on it!
Having read some more, the iPhone 5 uses the same chip, but has an additional chip paired with it. I couldn't find out if it was to do with the CDMA models though.
nm3th said:
The baseband chip might support LTE (most likely it does), but the phone is probably missing the required amplifiers (LNA and PA) and filters to make it work in the LTE bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also I would guess that qualcomm has locked out the functionality even if it is the same silicon. Common practice in the industry when you are selling a lower-end variant at a lower price. That could what the 'a' added onto the part number is for.
The second chip is the Qualcomm RTR8600 multi-band/mode RF transceiver for LTE bands, and s also found in the GSIII.
Sorry guys, my bad
is it possible to activate more LTE bands in China version without root
I'm glad you brought that up. I heard that volte doesn't work in the US, was curious if there was a way to unlock the proper bands.
waiting for help
sint2020 said:
is it possible to activate more LTE bands in China version without root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asking the important questions! Seriously, as this is my one and only running want for the phone.
That said, it'll be very likely to need more than just root. Some manufacturers disable features in their hardware with modified and de-featured versions of the Core OS/Image removing a few things. I worked for one that did this with their embedded devices so that they didn't have to have several variations of hardware. Then, with the flick of a switch, they download the version that enables the de-featured radios or whatever. It isn't a simple task to enable these features, as entire driver support, links, libraries and the such are removed from the de-featured versions, as well as the references needed to link and enable the part that the mfg is hiding. It might take someone with time and a rooted/unlocked version that has the bands in question already enabled before they can work on the Tencent version to see if it can be done. Until that version gets released and into the dev's hands, it could be months before you hear about the dream becoming possibility.
waiting for help too.
my phone is rooted.
I would like to know it too... The Asus Global Head of Marketing ( the guy who presented the Zenfone 6) answered me that since the B20 is not necessary in China to save costs and make it more competitive they did not included it, and that is a hardware issue.
Isn't LTE bands a hardware issue? I would imagine the phone needs certain hardware to work with certain bands. I think this CN Tencent version of the phone isn't good for ANY US carrier...you're missing important bands even on the GSM networks
There seem to be very slight radio differences. I don't know enough to know if buying the generic unlocked version will hinder my usage on T-Mobile. T-Mobile doesn't seem to be offering it for sale anymore. Is there a reason I might want the Exynos version in the U.S. if I don't travel? Any help would be appreciated.
kbone213 said:
There seem to be very slight radio differences. I don't know enough to know if buying the generic unlocked version will hinder my usage on T-Mobile. T-Mobile doesn't seem to be offering it for sale anymore. Is there a reason I might want the Exynos version in the U.S. if I don't travel? Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of the N960U and N960U1 devices are exactly the same. Literally.??
To use any of them on Tmobile and get the full tmobile features, just flash the T-Mobile version of the software for the N960U and you'll be good to go.
You can use the Exynos version but I am not sure if any of T-mobile's features would be hindered. Tekhd has a Detonator rom for the Exynos version to get it to run on Tmobile. I am assuming it will enable all Tmobile features. ??
no. every snapdragon galaxy device has the same hardware. If you buy a U version and you want it to be a T version, all you need is a computer, usb cable, drivers installed, Odin, some bubblegum to chew once youre done kicking ass, a keyboard, monitor and a mouse. Flash the T-Mob firmware, reboot and prepare to unwrap that bubblegum and the ass kicking will soon commence.
if you want root, get the xynos version, but if youre using GSM strictly, you wont notice a difference between the functionality of the F and U versions
youdoofus said:
no. every snapdragon galaxy device has the same hardware. If you buy a U version and you want it to be a T version, all you need is a computer, usb cable, drivers installed, Odin, some bubblegum to chew once youre done kicking ass, a keyboard, monitor and a mouse. Flash the T-Mob firmware, reboot and prepare to unwrap that bubblegum and the ass kicking will soon commence.
if you want root, get the xynos version, but if youre using GSM strictly, you wont notice a difference between the functionality of the F and U versions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats not exactly the case. The n960w (Canadian) has different cell band support than the n960u or n960u1. A slight hardware variation. I'm not entirely sure if you can convert a n960w to a n960u, but if you could, there would be missing or incompatible cellular bands. The phone would work, just not as well as a region specific device would.
I don't think so. If you are purchasing the US unlocked variant of the Note 9, you should be able to use it with any US cell provider. However you may have to take your device to a high street retail store and let them config some of the settings.
Bober_is_a_troll said:
Thats not exactly the case. The n960w (Canadian) has different cell band support than the n960u or n960u1. A slight hardware variation. I'm not entirely sure if you can convert a n960w to a n960u, but if you could, there would be missing or incompatible cellular bands. The phone would work, just not as well as a region specific device would.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh? do tell
youdoofus said:
oh? do tell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here, I'll tell.
https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-note-9-sm-n960-model-number-differences/
Bober_is_a_troll said:
Here, I'll tell.
https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-note-9-sm-n960-model-number-differences/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should note the 2G and 3G bands being identical, or at least nearly and the screenshot you showed is suggesting these bands for LTE B38 – 2600 B39 – 1900 B40 – 2300 B41 – 2500
which are covered in the G960U portion of your screenshot
i dont see a compatibility issue here
youdoofus said:
i dont see a compatibility issue here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3g-scdma are completely different, n960u is missing 4g fdd band 2600, n960w is missing 4g tdd band 2100.
Bober_is_a_troll said:
3g-scdma are completely different, n960u is missing 4g fdd band 2600, n960w is missing 4g tdd band 2100.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dude.... rogers is a GSM provider. 3G-SCDMA is utterly irrelevant
Bober_is_a_troll said:
3g-scdma are completely different, n960u is missing 4g fdd band 2600, n960w is missing 4g tdd band 2100.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also, missing 2 LTE bands isnt a big deal. Let alone the fact that there likely isnt any actual difference anyways. Do you know anyone with a N960U? Id gladly put your Rogers card in my phone if i was able.
youdoofus said:
dude.... rogers is a GSM provider. 3G-SCDMA is utterly irrelevant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Short sighted much? Sprint and Verizon are both cdma carriers. So if anyone in the us on those carriers bought a n960w using your advice they would be lacking in cellular connection in some areas.
Not only that but you also completely ignored the 4g differences as well. Don't go around spreading false information like that. Just because it's snapdragon based doesn't mean they're the same.
---------- Post added at 11:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 AM ----------
youdoofus said:
also, missing 2 LTE bands isnt a big deal. Let alone the fact that there likely isnt any actual difference anyways. Do you know anyone with a N960U? Id gladly put your Rogers card in my phone if i was able.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Missing all the 3g-scdma and a few 4g bands would make quite a big difference, given that different 4g lte bands serve different purposes.
It goes to show that just because they are snapdragon based doesn't mean they are the same all I've done is prove my point that there are slight cellular band differences. Proved you wrong, deal with it and stop saying that all snapdragon note 9's are the same. You're wrong. All the n960u and n960u1's are the same but that's it.
Bober_is_a_troll said:
Short sighted much? Sprint and Verizon are both cdma carriers. So if anyone in the us on those carriers bought a n960w using your advice they would be lacking in cellular connection in some areas.
Not only that but you also completely ignored the 4g differences as well. Don't go around spreading false information like that. Just because it's snapdragon based doesn't mean they're the same.
---------- Post added at 11:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 AM ----------
Missing all the 3g-scdma and a few 4g bands would make quite a big difference, given that different 4g lte bands serve different purposes.
It goes to show that just because they are snapdragon based doesn't mean they are the same all I've done is prove my point that there are slight cellular band differences. Proved you wrong, deal with it and stop saying that all snapdragon note 9's are the same. You're wrong. All the n960u and n960u1's are the same but that's it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is hysterical.... ok dude.... theyre different because you say so. Oh, did you know that the single sim phones are also the same as the dual sim?
samsung made a very concerted effort to consolidate all of their physical models starting with the S8.
When canada came-a-callin, they must have changed their entire business model regarding the building of phones and the countries respective CSC's and threw them all out the window. So yes, let the poor suckers who took the advice of myself and many others suffer the consequences and wrath of having "the wrong phone".
Get a 960U and a 960W, put the sim card in each of them, prove that youre right or wrong, post up your findings and we can go from there. Until then, we have to base what we do on what we know. Techwalls says they dont share the same band connectivity, samsung says that theyre all the same. Do with that information what you will. Good day sir.
youdoofus said:
this is hysterical.... ok dude.... theyre different because you say so. Oh, did you know that the single sim phones are also the same as the dual sim?
samsung made a very concerted effort to consolidate all of their physical models starting with the S8.
When canada came-a-callin, they must have changed their entire business model regarding the building of phones and the countries respective CSC's and threw them all out the window. So yes, let the poor suckers who took the advice of myself and many others suffer the consequences and wrath of having "the wrong phone".
Get a 960U and a 960W, put the sim card in each of them, prove that youre right or wrong, post up your findings and we can go from there. Until then, we have to base what we do on what we know. Techwalls says they dont share the same band connectivity, samsung says that theyre all the same. Do with that information what you will. Good day sir.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right, this is hysterical. Why do you think inserting a different Sim would tell us if the bands are available or not? It wouldn't. It's even funnier because your source wasn't Samsung. Do you have a link from Samsung showing all the bands being the same? I'd like to really see that one because currently you're wrong.
I'd really like to see how you're going to explain how the n960f and the n960u are the same phone?! do tell us how a exynos based phone and a Snapdragon Basedphone are the same thing hardware wise?!?!?! Not even talking about cell radios at that point, just the chipset itself?
Bober_is_a_troll said:
You are right, this is hysterical. Why do you think inserting a different Sim would tell us if the bands are available or not? It wouldn't. It's even funnier because your source wasn't Samsung. Do you have a link from Samsung showing all the bands being the same? I'd like to really see that one because currently you're wrong.
I'd really like to see how you're going to explain how the n960f and the n960u are the same phone?! do tell us how a exynos based phone and a Snapdragon Basedphone are the same thing hardware wise?!?!?! Not even talking about cell radios at that point, just the chipset itself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
omfg dude... the xynos F variants and the snapdragon (too many letters to bother listing) arent the same. The statement i made about them all being the same was assuming that you could go ahead with the already understood part of this discourse which is that we are discussing American continent versions. If youd like we could also discuss the Chinese versions that have snapdragon processors but are rootable. Thats not likely a rabbit hole you want to go down. I even just got off a chat with a rogers cellular tech who said that they are all the same phone. Every samsung s series or note series phone that was built for the americas are all the same hardware.
youre still wrong and youre fighting like hell to defend your losing position
oh, and for the info from samsung.....
i sold samsung phones at the end of the S7 lifespan and thru the S8 and S9s debuts. We got TONS of technical data on them at the time. Yes i perused the materials because it was such an unprecedented change in samsung phone lineup for the previous 7 iterations. FFS, ive flashed the G960F firmware on my G960U. Currently Running the G960U1.
And yes, putting your card in my phone and running a Cellular utility will tell you ABSOLUTELY what bands its using. Give up dude... Go read some more. Go to a cellular store and ask for the technical releases. THEYRE THE SAME PHONE
---------- Post added at 11:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 AM ----------
Bober_is_a_troll said:
I'd really like to see how you're going to explain how the n960f and the n960u are the same phone?! do tell us how a exynos based phone and a Snapdragon Basedphone are the same thing hardware wise?!?!?! Not even talking about cell radios at that point, just the chipset itself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just because this is fun shutting you down. I did get my information from Samsung. I even got some demo models of the S7 and S7 edge from my local Samsung rep. I talked with him a lot. I sent him away to speak with his contacts in Korea about technical issues we encountered with various Sammy devices a few times for that matter.
Ive grabbed at&t S8s and activated them on Verizon. Theyre literally all the same. Im even beginning to think that the firmware is like windows. Every ISO of windows has every version built in to it, its just been bottlenecked to only allow installs of a certain version. Id be willing to entertain the thought of the firmwares doing the same thing. I say this because ive seen apps magically appear that were verizon specific on at&t phones when activated even before having data working or wifi
@troll and Doofus. You're both making schoolboy mistakes when attempting to compare radios on the W and U models.
Get the radio information from Samsung USA website and Samsung CA website then post your screenshots.
Besides, we all already know what F and W stands for in these models.[emoji1787]
Sent from my GM1900 using Tapatalk
Limeybastard said:
@troll and Doofus. You're both making schoolboy mistakes when attempting to compare radios on the W and U models
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
um... no? i am, and have been, keenly aware of the heat issues that samsung has faced over the years of developing their own processor line and having CDMA radios in those devices. Try again pal....
Limeybastard said:
Get the radio information from Samsung USA website and Samsung CA website then post your screenshots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you even looked for those on the website you recommended for yourself? Have you found them? are they even there? does it even matter since they are literally the exact same phone if they both have the snapdragon processor?
Limeybastard said:
Besides, we all already know what F and W stands for in these models. [emoji1787]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
apparently not, hence why this discourse has even happened in the first place.....
youdoofus said:
um... no? i am, and have been, keenly aware of the heat issues that samsung has faced over the years of developing their own processor line and having CDMA radios in those devices. Try again pal....
have you even looked for those on the website you recommended for yourself? Have you found them? are they even there? does it even matter since they are literally the exact same phone if they both have the snapdragon processor?
apparently not, hence why this discourse has even happened in the first place.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll say it again. Use Samsung official regional websites to attain accurate radio/band information.
Sent from my GM1900 using Tapatalk
Limeybastard said:
I'll say it again. Use Samsung official regional websites to attain accurate radio/band information.
Sent from my GM1900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
from the guy complaining about not posting screenshots from samsung directly, its ironic that you havent posted them either.
oh, and yeah.... gsmarena is a non reputable site, i can see your reticence in accepting what they say as having any truth to it....
I am going to get a US watch 3 in order to get the extra health functions e.g. BP etc that aren't yet on the Canadian watch 3. I have a Canadian Note 20U.
Will I be able to get the US features on the watch? My concern is the Canadian Samsung heath app will block the US features...or will those features be downloaded direct to the US watch?
Thank you.
Hi don't worry the Canadian Samsung health app will not block US functions, it will always allow you to work properly
So the Samsung health app on the phone will show the US functions even though not released in Canada?
mhw100 said:
So the Samsung health app on the phone will show the US functions even though not released in Canada?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. You could also make your life easier and order a Canadian Watch 3 and just change the region to USA now that it's possible to do so.
I suppose that's true but there is a fair bit of effort to change the CRC from what I understand and frankly I'd be scared I would mess it up.
Wouldn't I also have to change the region on the Note 20 to download the samsung health app that would display the monitored items from the watch? Its seems to me that the phone app would also be region specific.
mhw100 said:
I suppose that's true but there is a fair bit of effort to change the CRC from what I understand and frankly I'd be scared I would mess it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's really not that hard. Takes about an hour total, most of it just letting the files load. Watch the youtube video. There's a nice little package to download with everything you need and you just follow the steps.
mhw100 said:
Wouldn't I also have to change the region on the Note 20 to download the samsung health app that would display the monitored items from the watch? Its seems to me that the phone app would also be region specific.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd think, but no. My Samsung Health app displays the blood oxygen and stress and I'm Canadian.
So you are just missing the ekg and BP?
I was also wanting to get the LTE version which hasn't been released here.
I see now its not that difficult but honestly it shouldn't be this difficult and lack features for a $600 + tax watch. Looks almost like a pass until the government allows the features to work.
mhw100 said:
So you are just missing the ekg and BP?
I was also wanting to get the LTE version which hasn't been released here.
I see now its not that difficult but honestly it shouldn't be this difficult and lack features for a $600 + tax watch. Looks almost like a pass until the government allows the features to work.
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Correct. Couldn't get the ECG and BP to load using the PC method or the phone method. Although others have said if you have a Samsung phone then it loads fine using the phone method.
You nailed the reason why it's lacking the features. Our government hasn't approved them yet, so until they do the features won't be released in Canada. I deal with chemicals regularly and have seen the process take years to get a chemical approved for use in Canada, and I can imagine getting devices approved as "medical devices" must be even worse.
It is true Health Canada is slow at everything and often rely on the US FDA at the end of the day anyways.
Absent those important features I'm inclined to just wait. I don't use the fitness tools so the watch is essentially a clock with notifications. I have those on my phone that is always beside me so not sure why I would need the same notifications on my wrist. Its a nice gadget but doesn't seem to have utility in my use case.
Best link/tutorial to change region to USA ?
Got a great deal on the US LTE version which isn't in Canada yet and has the upgraded features and future features as released stateside. Sure I could have loaded them on a Canadian BT version but this is better. The downside would be having to deal with warranty so hoping the watch is sturdy.
mhw100 said:
Got a great deal on the US LTE version which isn't in Canada yet and has the upgraded features and future features as released stateside. Sure I could have loaded them on a Canadian BT version but this is better. The downside would be having to deal with warranty so hoping the watch is sturdy.
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You get the watch with red accent button... congratulations
Ok got the US LTE version and because its foreign neither telus or bell will allow the watch to run on their network. What a total waste of time and effort.
mhw100 said:
Ok got the US LTE version and because its foreign neither telus or bell will allow the watch to run on their network. What a total waste of time and effort.
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If you change the CSC to Canada?
Thank you for helping. My concern is that if I do that then I may or will lose the US variant health features. Is there an easy way to change the csc without all the steps in the YouTube videos? I'm inexperienced and don't want to brick it or be unable to get back to the US version if the LTE still doesn't work.
Doesn't appear that the files are available for the Canadian device so can't change the reason.
Please someone tell me if they've tested it yet. CDMA isn't a requirement anymore so should work?
It has to have band 12 for Verizon.
Sorry for the thread necromancy, but there are very few decent replies to this question, so I figured I'd answer it as thoroughly as possible from my own experience.
I imported an SM-N960F (Exynos) from the UK to use on Verizon, and I can tell you with certainty: on the stock rom, it's a plug-and-play experience. Just about everything works without hassle. You may have to look at the APN settings and manually select "VZWINTERNET," but mine auto-selected the right one out of the box. Phone calls work without issue using VoLTE. Same for data. I've noticed that it often tunes to different LTE bands than my old SM-N960U Snapdragon did, and it doesn't seem to do carrier aggregation as often, but the real-world speeds are just about the same between the two. If you live in an urban area with many different bands available, you might see slightly lower data speeds from the Exynos model, but I doubt it'll ultimately make much day-to-day difference.
All the other ancillary features work too, like Samsung Pay and the other Knox apps, as well as tethering and Google Pay, etc. The only thing that doesn't seem to work on Exynos that did work on Snapdragon is wifi calling; I see no option for it in the dialer app. I just use Google Voice in such situations, but if you rely on that feature...be warned, I guess.
Overall, though, I see no reason why anyone should buy a US-variant phone for use on Verizon any more. With the sunsetting of CDMA, it's pretty clear that international devices with unlocked bootloaders will work perfectly fine going forward. I plan to put custom roms on mine, and continue using my Note 9, with its headphone jack, iris scanner, and notch-less display, for as long as the community continues to support it.
As a final note: one thing I have noticed is that many roms for the Exynos Note 9 mention that VoLTE isn't supported, due to a proprietary Samsung implementation on these phones. This might present a problem to Verizon users, given that that's the only real way to make phone calls on these devices. Again, I tend to use Google Voice for almost all of my telephony needs...but if you're buying this phone for custom rom-ing purposes as I did, it's something to keep in mind.