I live in the UK and I'm going to buy an S10. If I buy the Unlocked international version (Exynos) can I still use features such as WiFi Calling because if not I'm going to import the Snapdragon version as its faster etc.
My carrier is EE.
Also if it wouldn't work out of the box could I flash the UK firmware.
mine works and am on vodafone unlocked
Given that I’m probably not going to root the phone or anything which unlocked version is better for the UK- do I have to worry about region lock even if it’s carrier unlocked
krackalackel02 said:
Given that I’m probably not going to root the phone or anything which unlocked version is better for the UK- do I have to worry about region lock even if it’s carrier unlocked
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Hi,
I have been using the U.S Unlocked Snapdragon s10 version in the U.K for a few months.
No issues for me so far.
The only network issue you may run in to, is the 3 Network. The phone does not work on their 2G connections, but all other networks are good to go.
I have traveled in a few EU countries (UK, Spain, Italy, Romania) with my unlocked US S10, using local SIM/carriers (mostly Vodafone, sometimes roaming from one country to another).
I didn't have any issues...
Hey guys, hope everyone is well!
I've been doing alot of reading of various posts and sites and am getting myself quite confused! I was hoping some of you may be able to point me in the right direction!
I bought an unlocked new note 9 from ebay (I'm in the UK). I'm currently on three and dont think I ever really did a factory reset when I first got the phone.
The details are SM-N960U , Baseband N960USQS2CSGB , XAA/XAA/SPR
My three wifi calling is working which is good, however I am still stuck on August 2019 update. I thought I could perhaps flash this with a OXM firmware or even BTU to start getting updates again. It would be good to get security updates...!
Using Frija I can only seem to find USA firmwares though, and can't find any firmware online for UK sm-N960U (BTU/XEA/OXM). Just wanted advice on what you recommend? Should I just download the latest USA firmware from any of the carriers and flash that using ODIN? Frija doesnt seem to be able to even find any firmware with CSC XAA. I'm worried that if I install a new USA carrier firmware it'll lock the phone and I wouldnt want to lose the three voice calling either.
Any help/advice/pointers are much appreciated! Just couldn't find this particular situation on any of my searches!
The N960U is a North American only variant, with a Snapdragon SoC and non-unlockable bootloader, you won't be able to find any firmware for regions outside USA or Canada, neither will you be able to install custom ROMS.
I believe that the UK models are using the Samsung Exynos SoC.
But... You get the FM Radio on the chip, with the App NextRadio, and with a set of wired earbuds you can listen to OTA radio.
SPR was the carrier Sprint, now gobbled up by T-Mobile, (CSC; TMB)
My carrier Xfinity Mobile, CSC: CCT (Comcast) has WiFi Calling enabled, and has September update in Frija.
However, if you are getting WiFI calling on Three using the SPR firmware already on the phone, you might as well download the latest one, which is the Sept 20 update also.
FWIW, Flashing ROMS using Odin doesn't reset the SIM Lock.
I pre-ordered our phones (my wife received hers the day before the official launch, mine arrived the day after the closing date for claiming the pre-order bonus, luckily they honoured it due to overwhelming demand for the model that I ordered) and Xfinity unlocked them a month after we received mine.
I have flashed other official US ROMs before returning to the carrier's firmware and was still able to slip a Vodafone SIM in at Heathrow Airport and still enjoy glorious UK LTE during my vacation through England and Wales last April.
I bought a Galaxy S20 FE 4G (exynos) in Mexico with Telcel carrier but they are very slow on pushing updates. I see on firmware sites that almost monthly there's a new update which I don't get.
My question here is, if I flash via Odin a ROM from a different region will it affect the usability of my phone on something?
If it doesn't, which region has the less bloated ROM that I could flash? I am currently on TCE's CSC.
Thanks for the help.
No, it should not affect anything, at most it may affect your ability to have VoLTE/VoWiFi as some carriers tie it to the CSC though I have not had that issue here in Australia using it with a Telstra SIM (I switched from XSA to THL and still have full functionality as before, even a couple of extra features). Although from what I can see on SamMobile there's not really a better CSC for the multi CSC you have (OW*), the updates are all pretty terrible for the CSCs with some CSCs not getting updates in months and some being one or two months behind in terms of security patch, so it may not be worth switching anyway.
Hi all. I have the a few sm-g998b phones, rooted with magisk, and I am a bit confused about which CSC I should flash to the device (SAMKEY). I ordered the phones from Singapore and need them be more compatible with USA verizon and USA tmobile. Only using one sim per phone. Which CSC should I replace the current SIN csc with for each, and is there anything else I can do to make these phones play a bit nicer in the USA? I am currently having issues with no 5g, poor wifi calling, no updates, etc.
1. Avoid SamKEY. Do your own work.
2. Flash the HOME_CSC, or the CSC of the firmware of the carrier. HOME is usually a safer bet though.
You're going to have issues in the US until you flash the proper CSC. AFAIK, every S21U has all radios, but the CSC activates the correct one.
For the absolute safest, download the TMOB stock firm, and flash the HOME_CSC (as well as the BL, AP, etc), then put the Tmob SIM in after boot.
SapphireEX said:
1. Avoid SamKEY. Do your own work.
2. Flash the HOME_CSC, or the CSC of the firmware of the carrier. HOME is usually a safer bet though.
You're going to have issues in the US until you flash the proper CSC. AFAIK, every S21U has all radios, but the CSC activates the correct one.
For the absolute safest, download the TMOB stock firm, and flash the HOME_CSC (as well as the BL, AP, etc), then put the Tmob SIM in after boot.
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Tmobile or any US firmware can't be flashed on any Exynos Global device.
falawefulwaffle said:
Hi all. I have the a few sm-g998b phones, rooted with magisk, and I am a bit confused about which CSC I should flash to the device (SAMKEY). I ordered the phones from Singapore and need them be more compatible with USA verizon and USA tmobile. Only using one sim per phone. Which CSC should I replace the current SIN csc with for each, and is there anything else I can do to make these phones play a bit nicer in the USA? I am currently having issues with no 5g, poor wifi calling, no updates, etc.
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Why would you aquire the Exynos Global variant knowing your service provider isn't optimized for your firmware? Did you save money? If so I hope saved a lot otherwise it was a poor choice. Your best option is keeping the stock SIN Firmware, at least you'll get timely updates. You MIGHT get Wifi Calling and VoLTE enabled but forget about 5G and Carrier Aggregation.
Missed that you mentioned an Exynos variant. Yeah, you're ****ed. Exynos is not compatible with US bands, or at least aggregate banding.
varcor said:
Why would you aquire the Exynos Global variant knowing your service provider isn't optimized for your firmware? Did you save money? If so I hope saved a lot otherwise it was a poor choice. Your best option is keeping the stock SIN Firmware, at least you'll get timely updates. You MIGHT get Wifi Calling and VoLTE enabled but forget about 5G and Carrier Aggregation.
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Unfortunately, these phones are company. we needed root for some applications.
*don't use SAMKEY
This is a bit tricky because US is Snapdragon-based.
My best bet would be to factory reset (don't forget to backup) and flash a multi-csc Exynos ROM (OXM). This would detect the most compatible one for your US sims.
I would suggest getting the XSP for Singapore because that's the unbranded one.
Other than n71 5G band for US Cellular, I don't think you'll have much issues.
mpore14 said:
*don't use SAMKEY
This is a bit tricky because US is Snapdragon-based.
My best bet would be to factory reset (don't forget to backup) and flash a multi-csc Exynos ROM (OXM). This would detect the most compatible one for your US sims.
I would suggest getting the XSP for Singapore because that's the unbranded one.
Other than n71 5G band for US Cellular, I don't think you'll have much issues.
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"This would detect the most compatible one for your US sims" Nope, that's incorrect, Exynos Global variants aren't able to detect the most compatible US Networks. It's apples and oranges, there is zero integration for US devices.
varcor said:
"This would detect the most compatible one for your US sims" Nope, that's incorrect, Exynos Global variants aren't able to detect the most compatible US Networks. It's apples and oranges, there is zero integration for US devices.
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Thanks for correcting me. Least that's how it was for me using NZ sim on a G9980 SD variant.
mpore14 said:
Thanks for correcting me. Least that's how it was for me using NZ sim on a G9980 SD variant.
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The Exynos variants are Multi-CSC Devices, mainly for Europe, not for the US. The SM-G9980 isn't a Multi-CSC Device unlike some US Models, it's Dual-Sim. In Settings under Network Operators you can have the device select the "Best Network" but it isn't analyzing call features, it's only matching the network with the Active CSC (SIM Card).
Bro,
On the stock phone dialer key in
*#2263#
You will see the bands the 998b supports.
Now u need to check on the networks u plan to use in the US what bands are used. Not sure what u plan to do but these exynos phones should be able to roam into the US with voice n data services. Not blazing gigabits but one should be able to roam globally with these phones.