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I want to buy a galaxy note 5 from Amazon while I'm in America and use it in a different country where I live.
The device I am considering is the sm-n920a. I've checked the cellular bands and they Mach.
I'm have a few questions since it is not the international version or the sm-n920c that is sold in my country.
1. I heard people saying that it won't fully support my language since it is an att phone. It seemed odd to me because I thought that if the international version supports the language any module should.
2. Will there be a problem with OTA updates?
3. At the price point of 360$, is the note 5 really the best phone to buy?
Thanks
chaimgross said:
I want to buy a galaxy note 5 from Amazon while I'm in America and use it in a different country where I live.
The device I am considering is the sm-n920a. I've checked the cellular bands and they Mach.
I'm have a few questions since it is not the international version or the sm-n920c that is sold in my country.
1. I heard people saying that it won't fully support my language since it is an att phone. It seemed odd to me because I thought that if the international version supports the language any module should.
2. Will there be a problem with OTA updates?
3. At the price point of 360$, is the note 5 really the best phone to buy?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an unlocked AT&T Note 5 and an international one, both work perfectly even though I live outside America. And about updates I am not sure but you can always search for custom roms with the latest features for the device on the forum. And overall the n5 is a great phone in my opinion, has everything you need in a phone and more.
Hello, I'm looking to buy a new note 8. I live in Belgium.
But I'm not sure what is the best model to buy.
So my aim is to root the phone and install a kernel or/and ROM to improve the battery life of the phone and it's longevity (I had a galaxy s3 for more than 5 years, on which I did rooting, was pretty happy about the improved battery life and the fact that it's still working fine)
I also notice that you can get snapdragon or exynos depending on the model you buy? Is the difference between these 2 significant?
So there is different model i found on the market :
-n9500 which from what I understood is the Honk-Kong or Chinese model? Seems like I should avoid it because because it doesn't support kernel or ROM?
-n950F which is european version?
-n950FD international version?
-n950N Korean version it seems.
What is your opinion on the model I should buy?
Best regards,
vifzor
vifzor said:
Hello, I'm looking to buy a new note 8. I live in Belgium.
But I'm not sure what is the best model to buy.
So my aim is to root the phone and install a kernel or/and ROM to improve the battery life of the phone and it's longevity (I had a galaxy s3 for more than 5 years, on which I did rooting, was pretty happy about the improved battery life and the fact that it's still working fine)
I also notice that you can get snapdragon or exynos depending on the model you buy? Is the difference between these 2 significant?
So there is different model i found on the market :
-n9500 which from what I understood is the Honk-Kong or Chinese model? Seems like I should avoid it because because it doesn't support kernel or ROM?
-n950F which is european version?
-n950FD international version?
-n950N Korean version it seems.
What is your opinion on the model I should buy?
Best regards,
vifzor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go with exynos. Your other answers in xda search button.
Nick216ohio said:
Go with exynos. Your other answers in xda search button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx for your answer, so it seems like N950FD is the best?
vifzor said:
Thx for your answer, so it seems like N950FD is the best?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you need dual SIM go for the N950FD if not go for the regular N950F which is the same as FD except dual sim
Darktitor said:
If you need dual SIM go for the N950FD if not go for the regular N950F which is the same as FD except dual sim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does N950F support micro SD card?
Yes, it does
Take a look through the oem unlock thread too.
acctualy the korean n950n would be considered a sure bet. specially if you consider the 256gb version.
there are no issues with the oem unlock. other exynos F/FD's might have that problem.
What is eom unlock?
Sorry for the noob question
vifzor said:
What is eom unlock?
Sorry for the noob question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google
vifzor said:
Hello, I'm looking to buy a new note 8. I live in Belgium.
But I'm not sure what is the best model to buy.
So my aim is to root the phone and install a kernel or/and ROM to improve the battery life of the phone and it's longevity (I had a galaxy s3 for more than 5 years, on which I did rooting, was pretty happy about the improved battery life and the fact that it's still working fine)
I also notice that you can get snapdragon or exynos depending on the model you buy? Is the difference between these 2 significant?
So there is different model i found on the market :
-n9500 which from what I understood is the Honk-Kong or Chinese model? Seems like I should avoid it because because it doesn't support kernel or ROM?
-n950F which is european version?
-n950FD international version?
-n950N Korean version it seems.
What is your opinion on the model I should buy?
Best regards,
vifzor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only two main considerations IMO (since you already stated you are going to root, so Samsung Pay is out):
N950F/D has full dual-SIM functionality out of the box, so if you need dual SIM this would seem like a smart choice
N950N can be purchased in a 256gb internal capacity version which is great if you want large internal storage
Since you are going to run a custom ROM anyway, there is no functional difference between the two, save for dual-SIM on the F/D
As others mentioned, one potential issue with the N950F or F/D is that they need to be SIM-activated in their intended region before you can use them with a different country SIM card, and people have found that the OEM Unlock (to unlock the bootloader) option is either missing, doesn't show up for 7 days after first use, or disappears after flashing new firmware or ROMs. This is not an issue with the Korean N950N as Korean models are never region, SIM, or carrier locked and do not require the local SIM activation.
Kalm_Traveler said:
The only two main considerations IMO (since you already stated you are going to root, so Samsung Pay is out):
N950F/D has full dual-SIM functionality out of the box, so if you need dual SIM this would seem like a smart choice
N950N can be purchased in a 256gb internal capacity version which is great if you want large internal storage
Since you are going to run a custom ROM anyway, there is no functional difference between the two, save for dual-SIM on the F/D
As others mentioned, one potential issue with the N950F or F/D is that they need to be SIM-activated in their intended region before you can use them with a different country SIM card, and people have found that the OEM Unlock (to unlock the bootloader) option is either missing, doesn't show up for 7 days after first use, or disappears after flashing new firmware or ROMs. This is not an issue with the Korean N950N as Korean models are never region, SIM, or carrier locked and do not require the local SIM activation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mhh..
So seems like buying the N950F or F/D is like playing lottery?
I guess I'll go for the N950N then. But the price is much more expensive because of the custom fee unfortunately...
vifzor said:
mhh..
So seems like buying the N950F or F/D is like playing lottery?
I guess I'll go for the N950N then. But the price is much more expensive because of the custom fee unfortunately...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then the LTE speeds in the USA will suffer.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Limeybastard said:
Then the LTE speeds in the USA will suffer.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
depends on the provider used, the N950N supports all 3 of T-Mobile's main bands 2, 4, and 12 and I'm regularly getting download speeds over 100 Mbps, uploads around 40 Mbps, which is faster than what my T-Mobile-branded Note 5 got in the same areas.
Kalm_Traveler said:
depends on the provider used, the N950N supports all 3 of T-Mobile's main bands 2, 4, and 12 and I'm regularly getting download speeds over 100 Mbps, uploads around 40 Mbps, which is faster than what my T-Mobile-branded Note 5 got in the same areas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mr Kalm_Traveler, is the Korean N8 the best N8 worldwide.?
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Limeybastard said:
Mr Kalm_Traveler, is the Korean N8 the best N8 worldwide.?
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha 'best' is arbitrary depending on what you want out of a Note 8. It's my preferred because I wanted Exynos, 256gb internal storage, and supported LTE bands for my carrier. For anyone who needs dual-sim functionality I would direct them to the N950F/D or I believe there is an N9500 dual-SIM model in Hong Kong. If someone just wants a Note 8 and won't need dual SIM, lots of internal space, and won't want to root it, the 'best' Note 8 is likely the one that their carrier offers.
I plan to buy N950N 256 go in South Korea because I'm scared about custom fee(only possible to buy phone from outside Europe) and I want to go to SK anyway.
But If I buy N950N in South Korea can I start using it there or should I wait to use it for the first time in Belgium? I guess it should be fine but I'm not sure.
vifzor said:
I plan to buy N950N 256 go in South Korea because I'm scared about custom fee(only possible to buy phone from outside Europe) and I want to go to SK anyway.
But If I buy N950N in South Korea can I start using it there or should I wait to use it for the first time in Belgium? I guess it should be fine but I'm not sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean if it is region locked?
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Limeybastard said:
You mean if it is region locked?
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'm planning to buy this phone : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075Y29JGF/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A613J2Y1GRBOO&psc=1
But I'm concerned also by the fact there is CDMA, is it a big deal?
Best regards,
vifzor
vifzor said:
Yes, I'm planning to buy this phone : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075Y29JGF/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A613J2Y1GRBOO&psc=1
But I'm concerned also by the fact there is CDMA, is it a big deal?
Best regards,
vifzor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Amazon link you mentioned says it's not CDMA. So it seems to be an Exynos Korean version. If it was CDMA then it would be a Snapdragon Note 8 which would still work in Belgium if there is no region lock or SP lock.
EDIT, I searched google and came up with this thread about the SM-N950N all the information is on the first post. thank you
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/help/sm-n950n-t3700818
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
After a few years with my Samsung Galaxy Note Edge (AT&T) [SM-N915A], which wasn't bad until the last 6 months and then the inability to root it made it worse, I want to make my next upgrade worth it. I'm waiting for the 500 Gb version, and I want to be able to root it.
Of course, my eyes are on the Note 9, but which version should I buy?
International (SM-N960F)
International (SM-N960F/DS)
Unlocked
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint
U. S. Celular
Verizon
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/reserve/
jorgepr13 said:
After a few years with my Samsung Galaxy Note Edge (AT&T) [SM-N915A], which wasn't bad until the last 6 months and then the inability to root it made it worse, I want to make my next upgrade worth it. I'm waiting for the 500 Gb version, and I want to be able to root it.
Of course, my eyes are on the Note 9, but which version should I buy?
International (SM-N960F)
International (SM-N960F/DS)
Unlocked
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint
U. S. Celular
Verizon
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/reserve/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
International because it gets updates faster
And it has more development support (custom roms, kernels, etc)
Also ive been in this situation with the at&t note 4 ?
Looks like at&t doesnt want us to root our devices
So dont get at&t
jorgepr13 said:
After a few years with my Samsung Galaxy Note Edge (AT&T) [SM-N915A], which wasn't bad until the last 6 months and then the inability to root it made it worse, I want to make my next upgrade worth it. I'm waiting for the 500 Gb version, and I want to be able to root it.
Of course, my eyes are on the Note 9, but which version should I buy?
International (SM-N960F)
International (SM-N960F/DS)
Unlocked
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint
U. S. Celular
Verizon
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/reserve/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simply put, If root is what you seek on Samsung devices these days, Don't get any of the U.S. carrier editions of the phone.
All of the U.S. Samsung devices ship with Snapdragons and Samsung has ultimately decided to lock all bootloaders on them as well, That's not to say that a Dev won't attempt to work on atleast a root method for Snapdragon devices but with a locked bootloader you won't be able to do much.
Samsung's also implemented a rather interesting tactic to deter rooting on Snapdragon devices, When they're rooted, The device will no longer be able to charge to 100% and instead will default to 80% only.
This can be demonstrated on the S8 and the Note 8.
The S9 Snapdragon U.S. variants still don't have root to this day, When and if it ever does, that same method may be usable to figure out the Note 9 as well, But don't get your Hope's up.
Now for the international and Unlocked devices they ship with an Exynos and subsequently unlocked bootloaders which allows for the creation of Mods, Roms, And the various other things most people root for nowadays.
All in all, You want an Exynos equipped Note 9, Hope this is useful for you.
Thanks,
Almost right after the the post I came upon this article
https://highonandroid.com/android-deals/best-deals-on-galaxy-note-9-new-galaxy-phones/
it goes a bit more in depth, covering GSM vs CDMA, when and where to buy it.
It seems that the Latin America Galaxy S9 and S9+ (SM-G9650) both had Snapdragon processors with an unlockable bootloader. You could then Odin firmware on them to be able to use them on Verizon, At&t, and T-mobile. I hope they will release a Snapdragon model of the Note 9 as well in Latin America! I need an unlocked bootloader on Verizon for sure.
Critical Detox said:
Simply put, If root is what you seek on Samsung devices these days, Don't get any of the U.S. carrier editions of the phone.
All of the U.S. Samsung devices ship with Snapdragons and Samsung has ultimately decided to lock all bootloaders on them as well, That's not to say that a Dev won't attempt to work on atleast a root method for Snapdragon devices but with a locked bootloader you won't be able to do much.
Samsung's also implemented a rather interesting tactic to deter rooting on Snapdragon devices, When they're rooted, The device will no longer be able to charge to 100% and instead will default to 80% only.
This can be demonstrated on the S8 and the Note 8.
The S9 Snapdragon U.S. variants still don't have root to this day, When and if it ever does, that same method may be usable to figure out the Note 9 as well, But don't get your Hope's up.
Now for the international and Unlocked devices they ship with an Exynos and subsequently unlocked bootloaders which allows for the creation of Mods, Roms, And the various other things most people root for nowadays.
All in all, You want an Exynos equipped Note 9, Hope this is useful for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesnt matter anymore which type of note 9 you get, because there is gonna be root protection where imei and network flies if you root, like the a8 on oreo
And also i agree with you, US carriers (especially at&t) prevent root all the way up to the fact that you cant root at all (the at&t note4 has no root but all the other note 4's have root)
will an international work on USA carriers?
oneandroidnut said:
will an international work on USA carriers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, if its unlocked, if you lived in canada, it wont matter if its unlocked or not because you can unlock for free in canada
SaboorTheCool said:
Yep, if its unlocked, if you lived in canada, it wont matter if its unlocked or not because you can unlock for free in canada
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm wonder if it will work on verizon
oneandroidnut said:
hmm wonder if it will work on verizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And i wonder which infinity wallpaper will be featured on the note 9
I'm interested in the unlocked version instead of the T-Mobile, but I've read that the bands are not the same and wifi calling doesn't work. I'm over flashing ROM's, so that isn't an option for me. I'll probably get the carrier branded one to make sure I get the 600 band and wifi calling.
Semantics said:
I'm interested in the unlocked version instead of the T-Mobile, but I've read that the bands are not the same and wifi calling doesn't work. I'm over flashing ROM's, so that isn't an option for me. I'll probably get the carrier branded one to make sure I get the 600 band and wifi calling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can though unlock the phone by visiting canada ? because you can unlock phones here in canada for free
SaboorTheCool said:
You can though unlock the phone by visiting canada because you can unlock phones here in canada for free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can unlock the phone here for free. Why go to Canada? I buy my phones for cash. I'm not stuck with a locked phone. The only reason I would go with the non-branded unlocked phone is the lack of bloatware.
Semantics said:
I can unlock the phone here for free. Why go to Canada? I buy my phones for cash. I'm not stuck with a locked phone. The only reason I would go with the non-branded unlocked phone is the lack of bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash CSC from the non-carrier version
oneandroidnut said:
hmm wonder if it will work on verizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely not
sent from my Exynos S9 plus, Pixel 2 XL or Note FE
force70 said:
Absolutely not
sent from my Exynos S9 plus, Pixel 2 XL or Note FE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the old gUDP plan so I need a phone that does NOT check for hotspot eligibility. I understand the unlocked Note 8 did NOT check, so it's likely the unlocked Note 9 would be okay as well. So I'm definitely stuck with the US unlocked version, right?
Geez, I kind of hate both Verizon and Samsung, but I want to stay on gUDP and want a good phone that will work for me out of the box.
geoclooney said:
I have the old gUDP plan so I need a phone that does NOT check for hotspot eligibility. I understand the unlocked Note 8 did NOT check, so it's likely the unlocked Note 9 would be okay as well. So I'm definitely stuck with the US unlocked version, right?
Geez, I kind of hate both Verizon and Samsung, but I want to stay on gUDP and want a good phone that will work for me out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have gUDP plan on verizon and wondering same thing, do i get verizon note or unlocked??
oneandroidnut said:
I also have gUDP plan on verizon and wondering same thing, do i get verizon note or unlocked??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding:
Verizon model WILL check for hotspot eligibility and thus won't work for us.
International unlocked models will not work on Verizon's network.
Therefore, we're stuck with the US Unlocked model. It has a locked bootloader, and thus may never be rootable, but will work with Verizon and NOT check hotspot eligibility.
To be clear, at this point I just think it's very likely the US Unlocked model will NOT check hotspot eligibility. I will probably wait to confirm that before I pull the trigger.
geoclooney said:
My understanding:
Verizon model WILL check for hotspot eligibility and thus won't work for us.
International unlocked models will not work on Verizon's network.
Therefore, we're stuck with the US Unlocked model. It has a locked bootloader, and thus may never be rootable, but will work with Verizon and NOT check hotspot eligibility.
To be clear, at this point I just think it's very likely the US Unlocked model will NOT check hotspot eligibility. I will probably wait to confirm that before I pull the trigger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So unlocked model it is? And also does the 512 gb version come with 8 gb of ram in USA?
oneandroidnut said:
So unlocked model it is? And also does the 512 gb version come with 8 gb of ram in USA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
It's been out weeks now in Europe and India etc.
Anyone seen it stateside??
Any ideas, should we spoof location?
Thanks
American carriers probably testing their bloatwares to work on one ui..
Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
Nope I'm talking about the non carrier version
Just received 3rd Beta on unlocked Note 8.
badrsj said:
It's been out weeks now in Europe and India etc.
Anyone seen it stateside??
Any ideas, should we spoof location?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What good would spoofing your location do? European models are N950F. You're asking about the US N950U1. They're different phones, different firmwares.
badrsj said:
Nope I'm talking about the non carrier version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The U1 will get the update last. The carriers still have to approve it before it can be released. And they will push the update to their carrier branded models first.
jkarwow said:
Just received 3rd Beta on unlocked Note 8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh nice! I haven't fired up my Note 8 today. I will now!
Note to self
Buying European models henceforth
badrsj said:
Note to self
Buying European models henceforth
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm...no warranty, no Samsung Pay, and not 100% compatible radio bands. Doesn't seem worth it to get a faster update. Especially since you can load the Pie beta on your N950U1 right now. It's very, very stable, by the way. I've been running Pie on my N950U1 for two months now.
Mr. Orange 645 said:
Hmmm...no warranty, no Samsung Pay, and not 100% compatible radio bands. Doesn't seem worth it to get a faster update. Especially since you can load the Pie beta on your N950U1 right now. It's very, very stable, by the way. I've been running Pie on my N950U1 for two months now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, these are valid issues. Cannot do European Version - You are right.
Looking to update my locked S8+ to the Note9. I use ATT and will be planning on purchasing a North America model. However, since this is a GSM provider that I will be using it with, I'm trying to find the best model to allow root and various tweaks along with changing roms.
I've taken a good look at this thread - https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/help/note9-model-compatible-t3934795 but unable to make a clear decision before buying.
Any advice before purchase?
Go with the Exynos not and not snapdragon
Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
grtmoby said:
Go with the Exynos not and not snapdragon
Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Just bought the N960F/DS