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I've reached the end of my patience with phones purchased from AT&T and their (lack of) upgrades. So I'm considering buying a new Samsung S& edge unlocked (SM-G935F) from an eBay seller. I have some questions about this process. I looked online but didn't find answers to my questions. If there's an online resource, feel free to redirect me.
Assumptions:
1) I'm satisfied with AT&T as a carrier.
2) Customer in good standing. No contract commitments.
3) I have as S6 with working AT&T nano-sim.
4) I'm fine purchasing for cash. I'm not interested in AT&T's Next plans.
Questions:
1) Do I simply move the sim to the new phone? Is any registration of the new phone/IMEI required with AT&T? Do I have to setup a new APN? Does call forwarding function the same?
2) Are there any features I lose vs. an AT&T branded phone? Samsung Pay? Any others?
3) AT&T uses LTE bands 2,4,5,17. So does the SM-G935F. So I should get the same LTE performance I would get with an AT&T branded phone, right?
4) How do I get system updates? With an AT&T branded phone, I get them OTA thru Settings>About Device>Software Update. How does this work with an unbranded phone when Samsung releases an update?
5) Do I get any support of the phone from AT&T or Samsung? No warranty, correct?
6) Are there any other pluses or minuses to this approach.
I will be going this route for the S7 as well. It's an expensive option but at least I won't have AT&T crapware and faster updates.
In my experience with previous unlocked phones, the SIM card can just be inserted into the new phone and it will automatically configure the data, mms, and voicemail settings.
Provided the phone you are purchasing supports the required LTE bands, there should be no difference in speed.
There will be no support from AT&T and the warranty is not valid within the U.S.
AFAIK Samsung Pay does not work on the international versions in the U.S. This is what will suck because I happen to like Samsung Pay.
AFAIK, your understanding is correct on all your points. I have an unlocked US Cellular moto e that I use as an alternate to my S6, I swap my SIM back and forth with no issues, and there is no official ATT support for the version of moto e that I have, so I can't imagine you'd have any issues getting the phone up and running. You may have to manually enter your APN, but that info is widely available and it's easy to do. Not sure how updates would work.
Only other consideration is that the int'l version uses an Exynos processor rather than the Snapdragon in the ATT version. From the reviews I've seen, the exynos beats the snapdragon slightly in performance and battery life. It's likely going to make development of custom ROMs for the S7 considerably slower than if it were snapdragon based though. However, the locked bootloader on the ATT one will = zero development unless it gets unlocked (I'm guessing that's very unlikely). So this probably doesn't matter too much.
There will also be no Voice over LTE (HD voice ) on the international version should that be a priority for you
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk
VoLTE would be nice. Any idea when AT&T plans to make that available for non-iPhones?
How are software updates delivered?
VoLTE is available on certain phone already. S6 and others support it. Depends on your area, so you will have to check the map.
iceman4357 said:
VoLTE is available on certain phone already. S6 and others support it. Depends on your area, so you will have to check the map.
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Yes but only on AT&T branded Android phones and iphones. The OP was speaking of an unbranded international version Galaxy S6 S7 which does not support volte
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk
I'm the OP. It appears that AT&T-branded S7's support VoLTE (HDVoice) as does (somewhat to my surprise) my S6, though I've never been aware of it based on any calls I've made or received. HDVoice appears to be available throughout my SF Bay Area. But, if I understand correctly, this would be a feature I would lose with an unbranded international phone (or, presumably, with an unlocked phone from, say, T-Mobile with an AT&T sim). Correct?
What about features that AT&T removed? Like download booster, simple sharing, and smart manager? These appear to be Samsung additions that were removed from AT&T-branded S6's. Would they be available on an unlocked, unbranded international version? (I'm not sure I would use these, but it's annoying to have them stripped by the carrier.)
And the remaining question that I haven't heard an answer to: how do I get upgrades? OTA (from who)? Download from somewhere & install with Smart Switch (or some other software)? Something Else?
Thanks for your help so far.
If I remember correctly you can download updated ota just like you do now. It just comes from Samsung not at&t.
All the carrier bloat is gone, and all factory apps will be there because there is no one to strip it from the phone.
BUT
If you buy an unlocked t-mobile phone you will have to Odin the updates. I used a verizon s4 with t-mobile I had to manually update everything myself through XDA and odin.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using XDA Premium HD app
I sold my S6 Edge in December and swapped it with a Tmobile unlocked S6 Edge and what a good decision. Got my Marshmallow update this week and the phone felt new again. So much quicker and boosted my Antutu scores too.
8 year AT&T customer and I'm not coming back. LTE speeds and signal is great with Tmobile and unlimited video streaming.
https://store.google.com/product/nexus_6p Starts at $449. Monthly updates. Easy rooting. Easy everything. Great phone.
Came back here to see if any progress made on S6 bootloader unlock and/or rooting (for a friend), and saw this.
Switched to a Nexus when the Nexus 5 came out. I will never, ever, buy a non-Nexus phone ever again. You should be in full control of whatever hardware you buy. Control should never be dictated by a carrier.
Just thought I'd toss in my own perspective (from a former original Galaxy S then S3 owner). Never had any issues at all with my Nexus 5 or 6P. If you have the money, you won't regret a 6P purchase.
If you don't have that kind of money, I think the 4th Gen Moto G (soon to be released, leaks everywhere this week) will probably be the strongest choice.
Pig Vomit said:
https://store.google.com/product/nexus_6p Starts at $449. Monthly updates. Easy rooting. Easy everything. Great phone.
Came back here to see if any progress made on S6 bootloader unlock and/or rooting (for a friend), and saw this.
Switched to a Nexus when the Nexus 5 came out. I will never, ever, buy a non-Nexus phone ever again. You should be in full control of whatever hardware you buy. Control should never be dictated by a carrier.
Just thought I'd toss in my own perspective (from a former original Galaxy S then S3 owner). Never had any issues at all with my Nexus 5 or 6P. If you have the money, you won't regret a 6P purchase.
If you don't have that kind of money, I think the 4th Gen Moto G (soon to be released, leaks everywhere this week) will probably be the strongest choice.
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Except there's no Smart Stay or Samsung Pay, both features I use and rely on. I'd buy an unlocked Samsung before a a Nexus.
I ordered a T-Mobile sim to test out the carrier where I live, I need to unlock my AT&T S6 Edge first but after that I plan on getting the new Nexus and selling my S6. I simply can't take AT&T's horrible service anymore.
I'm the OP and am back to report. I bought an S7E (G935F) on Amazon (from one of their Marketplace sellers), complete with Prime 2-day free shipping (& no tax). All works as expected:
1) dropping in my old AT&T SIM works fine. No need to call AT&T. No need to configure APNs. Voice calls, SMS, MMS, and LTE data all seem to work correctly. My LTE connection appeared to be on Band 2 in my area.
2) Of course, no AT&T crapware. Features deleted by AT&T are available (download booster, simple sharing, etc.) and work correctly. The Samsung-bundled Microsoft apps (and free 100GB OneDrive) are present.
3) OTA system software updates appear to be available, but there haven't been any.
4) Mine came with Arabic (?!) (and English) printed instructions but the phone sets up fine in English. The (apparently original, sealed) box included a European (Type-C) 2 pin power adapter (with a European-to-US adapter packed separately).
The only unexpected things I've encountered are:
1) changing the VoiceMail configuration. VM works (calls forward to VM as expected and I can retrieve VMs both by calling and using Visual VM app). The only thing I so far unable to do is CHANGE the VM configuration. I can't change the number I forward to (like Call Forward Always to another number, like a colleague). I get a Network Error message when loading the Phone/More Settings page or trying to set a new number. My wife has an AT&T LG G3 that has exactly the same problem. The HTC One M8 (where the S7E SIM came from) VM configuration worked correctly. But an AT&T Samsung S6 works correctly. I haven't found a way around this for any of the phones. I'm wondering if this is some kind of security provision (so that I can't "borrow" your SIM and change the call forwarding to re-route your incoming calls).
2) When I view my AT&T account online, the picture of the phone changed from it's previous model (HTC One M8) to Device Unknown. A minor detail, to be sure, but curious.
So, after a week, I would not hesitate to do this again in the future.
Glad It Worked out For you, I considered an unlocked model but don't want to loose HD Voice and wifi calling (once it arrives). I personally can hear an incredible differnce with HD voice enabled. couldnt care less about it, but video calling would also be lost with unlocked varient.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk
You are correct & I neglected to mention that HDVoice, WiFi Calling, and Video Calling are absent in the International version. It would be nice to have those, but not critical for me. Voice, in general, is less and less important for me. There is video call button in my dialer but it doesn't appear to do anything useful, at least that I've been able to uncover. I have HDVoice on my AT&T S6 and in the few instances that I've had a potential HDVoice call (to a friend's AT&T S7E), I frankly couldn't detect a noticeable difference. I don't know how to see an indication of whether a call is HDVoice or not.
jc95 said:
You are correct & I neglected to mention that HDVoice, WiFi Calling, and Video Calling are absent in the International version. It would be nice to have those, but not critical for me. Voice, in general, is less and less important for me. There is video call button in my dialer but it doesn't appear to do anything useful, at least that I've been able to uncover. I have HDVoice on my AT&T S6 and in the few instances that I've had a potential HDVoice call (to a friend's AT&T S7E), I frankly couldn't detect a noticeable difference. I don't know how to see an indication of whether a call is HDVoice or not.
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On AT&T with an international version you typically loose the HDvoice, Wifi calling and video calling. I have seen people on Verizon with unlocked phones (Galaxy series, htc 10, 6P) that report you can use those features on their network. I think the ideal situation is to have an unlocked phone on Verizon at this point.
OP again with an update... Got a 2nd G935F for wife. Running G935FXXU1APD with AT&T SIM. Call forwarding worked fine on this one. (Not sure why it doesn't work on my other one.) Also, sideloaded Samsung Pay & Samsung Pay Framework from APK Mirror. Installed and works fine. So my list of things that don't work is just HD Voice, WiFi calling and Video calling.
OP again. I'm now more confused. I now have 2 unlocked S7 Edge (one G935F and one G935FD). Both unlocked. Both using AT&T sims. Identical software on both. On the FD, things work better than I was expecting: Samsung Pay works. I can add cards and use it to pay. I can also change the Call Forwarding settings (in particular CF All). But the 935F can't add a card to Samsung Pay (server connection error) and I can't change the CF settings. There are a number of online references complaining about server connection error and many seem related to device encryption (can't add cards to encrypted devices). I also have an S6 that's working with SPay and was encrypted with Lollipop. With Marshmallow, the Lock Screen settings have changed and it's no longer encrypt/decrypt device, only Require screen lock to decrypt data when device turned on. There doesn't seem to be an obvious way to decrypt a Marshmallow device. But even with this set, I can add cards to me S6 and S7E (FD), but not my S7E (F).
I suppose I should be grateful that SP works at all on one of my unlocked S7Es. But it's frustrating to have them behave differently.
SO I picked up a 256GB emperor edition from Korea. It is Confirmed to have every single LTE band that AT&T uses. I put my sim in and only get 3G not 4G. Called at&t and they said they need to re-appropriate the IMEI for the USA as it comes up as a 2g/3g phone because the SKoren SK telecom IMEI assigned to the phone is different in the USA. IS that True? Anyone know how and if I can get the Phone to work on 4G LTE on at&t or do I have to hope they get it right? I paid $1400 for this phone I don't want to use a 64GB version I have been waiting to have 500+ GB on a phone for so long.. Any TIps? Hints? Recommendations?
EDIT: for those reading this thread for the first time. As of 10/9/17 I was able to get good LTE speeds as well as WIFI calling and Video Calling on my N950N note 8 Korean Exynos model. In a nutshell here is what I did to make it work.
Flash nemesis n950F rom to my phone.
Flash AT&T CSC to the phone using the CSC tool and you do have to modify one line (user RED FLAME) has this in the CSC thread.
Call at&t and give them the IMEI of a VOLTE wifi calling/video calling capable cellphone (I used my wifes S8+ - and yes you can DOUBLE USE IMEI on the same account)
I also did one other thing - Check page 14 for that information.
I just wanted to give a synopsis of this thread so new N950N and at&t owners don't feel like they are wasting their time searching XDA and google. I only wish other people did this when their problem is solved so people can easily see they are not in the wrong place and don't have to read tons of pages of stuff.
Comp1demon said:
SO I picked up a 256GB emperor edition from Korea. It is Confirmed to have every single LTE band that AT&T uses. I put my sim in and only get 3G not 4G. Called at&t and they said they need to re-appropriate the IMEI for the USA as it comes up as a 2g/3g phone because the SKoren SK telecom IMEI assigned to the phone is different in the USA. IS that True? Anyone know how and if I can get the Phone to work on 4G LTE on at&t or do I have to hope they get it right? I paid $1400 for this phone I don't want to use a 64GB version I have been waiting to have 500+ GB on a phone for so long.. Any TIps? Hints? Recommendations?
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Hi.
There is a thread somewhere here they were talking about similar problems.
What you where told is essentially correct. Though they also said that they needed a new sim card, too.
Hope this helps. Still waiting for my Note 8.
Too bad those devices do not have the CDMA bands...
I have the same model and same problem but with softbank, though softbank has been less helpful.. i read someone flashing a different csc (if its the right one) will "unblock" the phone? Would any exymos model csc work?
My roaming menu is also greyed out... not sure if that is related.
I think you just need to give them the IMEI and have them set it up for LTE in their system, since they don't by default allow LTE on bring your own devices.
Did you change the apn? I have the same phone on tmobile and i changed the apn to the tmobile apn and i have no problems with the phone.
Kalm_Traveler said:
I think you just need to give them the IMEI and have them set it up for LTE in their system, since they don't by default allow LTE on bring your own devices.
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Just a quick comment - I think you mis-spoke. ATT Does allow LTE on Bring your own devices. I have been using G955F variants for the last 4 years and never had to do anything other than put the SIM card in for it to work. HOwever, LTE Enhanced Services are not available on Bring your own Devices. This includes HD Calling, Wifi Calling and Video Calling. BUT, LTE will work.
I don't know anything about the Korean Model so I hope the OP is able to get things straightened out - but other variants have always worked on ATT - including TMOBILE PHONES and international variants as well.
Geekser said:
Just a quick comment - I think you mis-spoke. ATT Does allow LTE on Bring your own devices. I have been using G955F variants for the last 4 years and never had to do anything other than put the SIM card in for it to work. HOwever, LTE Enhanced Services are not available on Bring your own Devices. This includes HD Calling, Wifi Calling and Video Calling. BUT, LTE will work.
I don't know anything about the Korean Model so I hope the OP is able to get things straightened out - but other variants have always worked on ATT - including TMOBILE PHONES and international variants as well.
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That's probably what I meant. I haven't been an AT&T customer for many years, and have been with T-mobile for all my smart phone career, and they don't require any special setup on their end for VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, etc as I can confirm with my Korean Note 8. After somewhat jankily switching CSCs with a modified script that was originally made for S8 and 8+ phones I definitely have VoLTE and probably have Wi-Fi calling working without any communication to T-mobile.
Waiting on at&t now.. to see what happens.. SPEC for SPEC this phone is exactly the same as an at&t phone. It has every single band, not missing a single one. If you put the specs side by side there is ZERO difference. I changed the APN - there are 3 at&t choices. One gives me 3G the other 2 do not work. SO waiting on at&t to re-appropriate the IMEI to register as a note 8 on their network. I had not idea it was going to be this much of a pain in the arse. I was told by a few sellers, pop in your sim and your good to go. I did need a new sim since my note 4 sim did not fit in the note 8, so They gave me a new sim. I put the sim (using an adapter) back into my Note 4 until they change over the IMEI and the new sim works just fine on the note 4 - all my video calling, wifi calling and tethering work fine. So hoping I do not need to return this phone and use a 64GB model. I wish samsung would just release the 256 here on at&t like apple is doing with the iphone X. I would pay $1200 for it no problem. (and since the iphone X is $1149 with 256gb - I am sure samsung would do $999 or $1099 to undercut apple. But Samsung is going to epic fail and never give the US customers what they want.
Hi there, I would also like to have the Emperor's edition, and use it in Canada (Bell) and USA (T-Mobile or AT&T). Is N950N the correct model number for this edition? Does it come with dual sim? Thanks! So far I found an Ebay seller from Hong Kong with F950FD which looks to be 256GB Duos - I'm wondering what the difference is with N950N and whether I will have an issue with region lock?
Thanks for any comments...
I have the unlocked version on at&t and this is my son, just in case...
jocarog said:
I have the unlocked version on at&t and this is my son, just in case...
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Did you need a new sim card?
borijess said:
Did you need a new sim card?
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No, I was using it on a HTC10 and previously on a Note 4...
Totally DIsappointed... No way I am keeping this $1300 phone for how crappy it is on At&T.
They Finally Updated the IMEI so that is shows up as a next gen smartphone on at&t network and I get an LTE logo. I set my own ACCESS POINT as well as used all 3 that showed up automatically. ATT Phone, ATT NEXTGENPHONE and ATT UTDATA (Nextgen) + I did what was recommended on att.com for bringing over a phone that might not get the access point which was the same settings as ATT Phone - all of them gave me LTE on my bar and showed AT&T as the network. Every single LTE Band on this phone is the same as the official ATT note 8. Yet on my speed test I couldn't get better than 4MB/s down and 1.56MB/s up, my note 4 (pop the sim card back in there) even with 1 Bar on my phone I get 42MB/s download and like 10MB/s Upload.
IT is too late to call at&t tonight but I am extremely disappointed. I have wanted a phone with 256GB of memory for like 2 years now, and to have MicroSD expansion for just MUSIC (NOTHING ELSE).
If At&t can't get this note 8 to perform exactly like a at&t version would, then I either going back to my Note 4 or Perhaps the US Samsung unlocked version (which I already have but is not opened as I hoped to sell it and make a few hundred on it to make up for the $1300 I spent on this Emperor Edition.
Any advice?
Anyone want to buy it.. I paid $1299.99 Shipped from NK. Instead of returning it - if anyone wants to buy it, id do the same thing $1299.99 shipped anywhere in US or Canada. Perhaps it will work better on another network...
jocarog said:
I have the unlocked version on at&t and this is my son, just in case...
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Does your unlocked version work as it should.. FAST LTE 4G LTE? Does your WIFI and Video Calling work?
Comp1demon said:
Totally DIsappointed... No way I am keeping this $1300 phone for how crappy it is on At&T.
They Finally Updated the IMEI so that is shows up as a next gen smartphone on at&t network and I get an LTE logo. I set my own ACCESS POINT as well as used all 3 that showed up automatically. ATT Phone, ATT NEXTGENPHONE and ATT UTDATA (Nextgen) + I did what was recommended on att.com for bringing over a phone that might not get the access point which was the same settings as ATT Phone - all of them gave me LTE on my bar and showed AT&T as the network. Every single LTE Band on this phone is the same as the official ATT note 8. Yet on my speed test I couldn't get better than 4MB/s down and 1.56MB/s up, my note 4 (pop the sim card back in there) even with 1 Bar on my phone I get 42MB/s download and like 10MB/s Upload.
IT is too late to call at&t tonight but I am extremely disappointed. I have wanted a phone with 256GB of memory for like 2 years now, and to have MicroSD expansion for just MUSIC (NOTHING ELSE).
If At&t can't get this note 8 to perform exactly like a at&t version would, then I either going back to my Note 4 or Perhaps the US Samsung unlocked version (which I already have but is not opened as I hoped to sell it and make a few hundred on it to make up for the $1300 I spent on this Emperor Edition.
Any advice?
Anyone want to buy it.. I paid $1299.99 Shipped from NK. Instead of returning it - if anyone wants to buy it, id do the same thing $1299.99 shipped anywhere in US or Canada. Perhaps it will work better on another network...
Does your unlocked version work as it should.. FAST LTE 4G LTE? Does your WIFI and Video Calling work?
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Have you Odin the CSC and IMS? From what I have read that needs to be done?
Sent from my SM-N950U1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
No, I haven't flashed the CSC profile, no wifi calling or VOLTE but internet speed is fast...
Comp1demon said:
Totally DIsappointed... No way I am keeping this $1300 phone for how crappy it is on At&T. .......
Any advice?
.....
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tl;dr - Under Settings->Connections->More Settings there's an option titled Reset Network Settings and, i had to use that on my Korean, Note Fan Edition to get LTE working.
more detail on how i got VoLTE and HD Voice working.... i grabbed an ATT (Snapdragon) S8+ CSC and manually applied to the FE. To get HDVoice and VoLTE working, i called ATT and told them i was going to use my (no-longer used/retired) ATT Samsung S7Active with my cell number. this step was a must to get VoLTE working. once they associated S7Active IMEI with my cell number, i rebooted the Note FE and VoLTE was active. i occasionally receive calls and the HD Voice icon appears on the dialer screen; i assume the other person is calling me via Wifi when i see the icon. Video calling and Wifi calling haven't worked for me on none of my international devices. once i got my UK note 8, i applied the same CSC content (after rooting my device), i inserted the same ATT sim used in the Note FE, reset network settings and VoLTE and HD Voice (when receiving calls) still works.
I don't know about the Korean model, but here is how you get Volte on ATT on the Note 8 F model. https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=73851525&postcount=308 After you slightly modify the zip and flash this, you must call ATT and give the friendly customer service person the IMEI of a phone purchased from ATT directly that is roughly equivalent and had Volte and wifi calling features. I used an old S7. ATT will NOT accept an IMEI of any phone not sold by ATT. Once they put it into their system, reboot your Note 8 and whala - wifi calling and Volte work perfectly.
Flame Red said:
I don't know about the Korean model, but here is how you get Volte on ATT on the Note 8 F model. https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=73851525&postcount=308 After you slightly modify the zip and flash this, you must call ATT and give the friendly customer service person the IMEI of a phone purchased from ATT directly that is roughly equivalent and had Volte and wifi calling features. I used an old S7. ATT will NOT accept an IMEI of any phone not sold by ATT. Once they put it into their system, reboot your Note 8 and whala - wifi calling and Volte work perfectly.
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Kind of a NOOB when it comes to all this. I haven't flashed or done any phone hacking in a few years (my s4 was the last phone I really played with).
SO I downloaded the CSC Selection V1.2.1 on Android Filehost
I honestly do not know what to do from here.
Thanks.
Comp1demon said:
Kind of a NOOB when it comes to all this. I haven't flashed or done any phone hacking in a few years (my s4 was the last phone I really played with).
SO I downloaded the CSC Selection V1.2.1 on Android Filehost
I honestly do not know what to do from here.
Thanks.
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did you try resetting network settings to at least get LTE going? Under Settings->Connections->More Settings there's an option titled Reset Network Settings and, i had to use that on my Korean, Note Fan Edition to get LTE working. Or are you good to go on LTE?
I'm surprised I haven't seen much talk about this version here, or Xfinity Mobile in general. It is definitely the best option in price (to purchase a single Note 9 with little service commitment) over the unlocked version without being being too much of a hassle to get the rebate.
For myself, that means I activated a prepaid line (T-mobile, $10 sim, $6 for 2 months of service) to port to Xfinity in order to get the rebate. I'm on Sprint's 1 year free plan until the middle of next year, and since I already subscribe to Xfinity Internet at home, I might as well use that as an advantage to get the discounted phone. Since my main # is on Google Voice, I use their call forwarding to the carrier number currently, so I can do the same on Xfinity -- forwarding calls for the first month (or 2) until I can request an unlock code. For the first few months, I will actually use the service in part and keep it active to get the rebate (and get paid for it!), since I also have a BankAmeriDeals $50 cashback offer from Xfinity Mobile once 2 monthly billing charges hit. The timing was very sweet on that one, ha!
For others, I understand this offer might be too much work, as would be the alternate solution of switching carriers altogether to Xfinity Mobile, which is more than likely why it doesn't have that much appeal. That being said, I wanted to point out that this option is available, and start this thread for discussion on supported bands related to the Xfinity, or Comcast (CCT) model.
Known/deduced information so far:
128 GB model #s: SM-N960UZBACCT (Ocean Blue), SM-N960UZPACCT (Lavender Purple)
512 GB model #s: SM-N960UZBFCCT (Ocean Blue), SM-N960UZPFCCT (Lavender Purple)
I cannot find any information on the supported bands for this CCT variant other than (what I hope is) a limited list from the Xfinity website (B2, B5, B13, B4, B66).
Is the below assumption incorrect? I've been on Google devices for a while and I've been out of the loop with Samsung:
1) Once released, factory unlocked US firmware (XAA) can be flashed to this CCT (or any other) US carrier variant, and this should enable the bands supported by the US unlocked firmware.
Finally, if anyone has a previous Galaxy S9 or similar on Xfinity, can they comment if the bands on the device are the same or similar to the Verizon (VZW) variant?
References:
SM-N960 model number differences
Cellular frequencies in the US
I disagree that it's definitely the best option for a discount in price. Verizon BOGO and T-mobile $500 off are better, in my opinion. Yes, they're bill credits, but I'm not going anywhere anyway. More money off = better to me. I think T-mobile is the best one since it's basically just half off the phone.
I have Comcast and had Verizon. I thought about the Xfinity thing but then it's the same old game is taxes and fees increasing your bill. I'd pay about $36/mo for 3GB (still restrictive) and then with taxes and crap I'd be at $45/mo for limited data and I'd be watching my usage still (as I did with my 3GB on Verizon). Instead, I opted for T-mobile and will be paying $33/mo (as part of a 6-line account) for unlimited data and no taxes and fees. That makes me a happy camper. Plus with T-mobile Tuesdays, I'll get free Pandora Plus for year, I get free Netflix for life, free MLB TV each season, etc. I'm loving this company so far! And for $10 more, I can get 20GB of 4G Hotspot a month. ?
Anyway, I really did consider Xfinity wireless. The biggest turnoff was the lack of phone options, promotions, and the data is costly.
PsiPhiDan said:
I disagree that it's definitely the best option for a discount in price.
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This is why I clarified for a single phone purchase. I think I needed to be more specific and mention without a long term service commitment. With any other carrier I would have needed to:
(1) Do a credit pull
(2) Stay with the carrier for 2 years to deal with bill credits (no thanks)
(3) Pay more than I do now for service (current bill w/ Sprint's free 1-year plan is <$20/mth for 4 lines) -- I'm not staying w/ Xfinity after I get the rebate, heh. Once the Sprint taxes+fees gravy train is over I'll see where I move
If anyone has any insight for the supported bands on CCT (Comcast/Xfinity models) I'd appreciate it.
Would US XAA firmware be able to be cross-flashed to this CCT (or any other) US carrier variant to enable the bands supported by the XAA US unlocked firmware? From the searches I did yesterday, it seems like it is possible, but may require a modified Odin version?
vacaloca said:
This is why I clarified for a single phone purchase. I think I needed to be more specific and mention without a long term service commitment. With any other carrier I would have needed to:
(1) Do a credit pull
(2) Stay with the carrier for 2 years to deal with bill credits (no thanks)
(3) Pay more than I do now for service (current bill w/ Sprint's free 1-year plan is <$20/mth for 4 lines) -- I'm not staying w/ Xfinity after I get the rebate, heh. Once the Sprint taxes+fees gravy train is over I'll see where I move
If anyone has any insight for the supported bands on CCT (Comcast/Xfinity models) I'd appreciate it.
Would US XAA firmware be able to be cross-flashed to this CCT (or any other) US carrier variant to enable the bands supported by the XAA US unlocked firmware? From the searches I did yesterday, it seems like it is possible, but may require a modified Odin version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the S8, all of the S and Note line devices that are US based have the exact same hardware and features. It's the exact same phone with different carrier software. What funny is, if your unlock the device and just pop in another major carrier sim, Xfinity apps and bloat will be gone and the carrier sim you put in will populate.
Jammol said:
Since the S8, all of the S and Note line devices that are US based have the exact same hardware and features. It's the exact same phone with different carrier software. What funny is, if your unlock the device and just pop in another major carrier sim, Xfinity apps and bloat will be gone and the carrier sim you put in will populate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good to hear. So assuming anything else is unchanged in the Samsung ecosystem, the US XAA firmware can be loaded onto any US carrier variant, yes? My understanding is that the different carrier firmwares enable/disable specific bands.
If root was available, it would seem that bands could be added regardless of the carrier firmware [1], however, root seems unlikely for a new flagship device unless the engineering firmware happens to leak.
References:
[1] https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/how-to/qualcomm-phones-add-lte-band-using-qxdm-t3785458
vacaloca said:
That's good to hear. So assuming anything else is unchanged in the Samsung ecosystem, the US XAA firmware can be loaded onto any US carrier variant, yes? My understanding is that the different carrier firmwares enable/disable specific bands.
If root was available, it would seem that bands could be added regardless of the carrier firmware [1], however, root seems unlikely for a new flagship device unless the engineering firmware happens to leak.
References:
[1] https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/how-to/qualcomm-phones-add-lte-band-using-qxdm-t3785458
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, the bands that are open is dependant on the SIM Card inserted. The firmware on the device has every single supported US carrier required files with the exception of a small few. Carriers such as Total Wireless or the Walmart ones won't have firmware specific files, but because those carriers don't have their own towers, the device will use the files for the carriers that own the towers.
Example of Xfinity mobile. They just use Verizon towers for their service coverage. Xfinity however piggie backed their files or Verizon's in the firmware. Rooting could allow more bands to open.
Man I would love to see some hardware hacking of the S and Note series to allow them to work fully on Google's Project Fi.
I have the Xfinity Note 9, and having come from Verizon I immediately save the $20 line access fee, so it's a win if you want to be on the Verizon network.
So far my only complaint is that voicemail isn't transcribed. Should be, but doesn't seem to work.
For those wondering, Mobile Hotspot (using your device as a hotspot) works just fine with either plan. It's just hard to Google search for an answer because Xfinity has mobile hotspots that augment their signal.
I made the switch and save money too. Got the $300 rebate card, save $20/month so it is less when you factor it all in. That's $540. [emoji3]
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Is Note 9 model SM-N960F/DS (Dual Sim) fully compatible with T-Mobile?
Is there anything I need to know about this compatibility?
The N960F lacks support for LTE band 71 which T-Mobile US has been rolling out recently. It cannot properly aggregate US LTE bands so data speeds will be limited to the capacity of a single band. Out of the box the phone also cannot use T-Mobile's advanced services like VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling. Developer TEKHD has created a package called Detonator (link below) that installs the TMB CSC and makes other software tweaks to enable all the advanced services, essentially transforming the phone into an N960U variant, but you must be rooted to install the package. Rooting a Samsung phone permanently trips a hardware fuse which disables Samsung Pay and may prevent you from obtaining warranty service.
http://tekhd.com/detonator-p/
^well explained! ?
Aggregation Included in Fix?!
5upon said:
The N960F lacks support for LTE band 71 which T-Mobile US has been rolling out recently. It cannot properly aggregate US LTE bands so data speeds will be limited to the capacity of a single band. Out of the box the phone also cannot use T-Mobile's advanced services like VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling. Developer TEKHD has created a package called Detonator (link below) that installs the TMB CSC and makes other software tweaks to enable all the advanced services, essentially transforming the phone into an N960U variant, but you must be rooted to install the package. Rooting a Samsung phone permanently trips a hardware fuse which disables Samsung Pay and may prevent you from obtaining warranty service.
http://tekhd.com/detonator-p/
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Click to collapse
———————————————————————————
When stated that the TEKHD Detonator enables all the advanced services, does that include LTE Aggregation? Also, the link loads a non-existent site - is there another way to acquire TEKHD Detonator? Thanks for your time.
CommanderSozo said:
———————————————————————————
When stated that the TEKHD Detonator enables all the advanced services, does that include LTE Aggregation? Also, the link loads a non-existent site - is there another way to acquire TEKHD Detonator? Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I’m also interested in the answer to this question. @5upon Do you by chance have any additional insight?
jsteg94 said:
I’m also interested in the answer to this question. @5upon Do you by chance have any additional insight?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a Note any more, but it looks like TEKHD's files are still available.
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=281789
5upon said:
I don't have a Note any more, but it looks like TEKHD's files are still available.
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=281789
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone done this? I very much would like to know. Currently with US variant phone, which I could turn back in for one of these if I only knew I could actually root it and still have T-Mobile's aggregation, etc.
I can actually answer this one with some real world experience. I bought my N960F in Germany, the dual sim Exynos model unlocked. I used it with Deutsche Telekom which is owned by T-Mobile and it worked just fine in Germany. When I returned to the U.S., I brought my phone back with me and started up a plan with T-Mobile because the Deutsche Telekom people advised me that it should work just fine. Lo and behold, it worked just fine except for WiFi calling at first. Weirdly, WiFi calling did eventually start working properly after a week or 2 which was great because my house is in a pretty bad cell coverage area. All I can remember doing to get it to work is keep messing with the settings and eventually it started working one day. My speeds are great on LTE, streaming HD Youtube and whatnot while I'm out so I can't say there is any issue with the LTE bands that I'm aware of.
It's worth noting that I rooted my phone and then unrooted it while I was in Germany, but I never changed to a custom ROM or anything so that probably didn't have any effect on the network compatibility. One issue I'm having now is that the phone does NOT work with Verizon, I just found that out yesterday. I'm sure someone knows the technical reasons for this but just know that you might be stuck with T-Mobile if you want to keep using the N960F in the U.S. But it does work! I can use hotspot, WiFi calling, and VoLTE as well.
Is the lack of band 71 a software or hardware difference? I thought it would be a hardware difference, as the 600 MHz frequency requires a longer antenna than higher frequencies. Or is it that all Note 9 have same hardware, where the differences are in disabling certain features?
Carrier Unlocked vs. Factory Unlocked vs. Carrier & eBay adamant GSM & CDMA different
Carriers and vendors on eBay have been adamant that a SM-N960U phone is different, and you cannot use Note 9 phones that came from GSM wireless providers on a CDMA networks and vice-versa. They become incensed and assume a position of superiority at the very suggestion that the differences between network today are often handled by changing firmware. With all of the US Note 9s being the same hardware, this is my take on where they are coming from.
1. If it says carrier unlocked for example: AT&T, it will only be compatible with GSM networks (GSM networks---AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, MetroPCS by T-Mobile) - My interpretation is that's only true if you don't flash SPR, VZW, or XAA/U1 firmware, and even then that is not necessarily true in the 4G range.
2. If it says factory unlocked, it will work with all networks-- both CDMA and GSM - My interpretation of that is, it seems their idea of "Factory Unlocked", actually means the phone is running the XAA/U1 firmware.
3. Their refusal to even entertain the possibility of a single model with different firmware working across all of the US networks stems from a long history of cell phone models only being able work with a single wireless provider's bands and proprietary technology.
Correct me if I'm wrong in my logic.
IT_Architect said:
Carriers and vendors on eBay have been adamant that a SM-N960U phone is different, and you cannot use Note 9 phones that came from GSM wireless providers on a CDMA networks and vice-versa. They become incensed and assume a position of superiority at the very suggestion that the differences between network today are often handled by changing firmware. With all of the US Note 9s being the same hardware, this is my take on where they are coming from.
1. If it says carrier unlocked for example: AT&T, it will only be compatible with GSM networks (GSM networks---AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, MetroPCS by T-Mobile) - My interpretation is that's only true if you don't flash SPR, VZW, or XAA/U1 firmware, and even then that is not necessarily true in the 4G range.
2. If it says factory unlocked, it will work with all networks-- both CDMA and GSM - My interpretation of that is, it seems their idea of "Factory Unlocked", actually means the phone is running the XAA/U1 firmware.
3. Their refusal to even entertain the possibility of a single model with different firmware working across all of the US networks stems from a long history of cell phone models only being able work with a single wireless provider's bands and proprietary technology.
Correct me if I'm wrong in my logic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you can accurately generalize "them".
IT_Architect said:
Carriers and vendors on eBay have been adamant that a SM-N960U phone is different, and you cannot use Note 9 phones that came from GSM wireless providers on a CDMA networks and vice-versa. They become incensed and assume a position of superiority at the very suggestion that the differences between network today are often handled by changing firmware. With all of the US Note 9s being the same hardware, this is my take on where they are coming from.
1. If it says carrier unlocked for example: AT&T, it will only be compatible with GSM networks (GSM networks---AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, MetroPCS by T-Mobile) - My interpretation is that's only true if you don't flash SPR, VZW, or XAA/U1 firmware, and even then that is not necessarily true in the 4G range.
2. If it says factory unlocked, it will work with all networks-- both CDMA and GSM - My interpretation of that is, it seems their idea of "Factory Unlocked", actually means the phone is running the XAA/U1 firmware.
3. Their refusal to even entertain the possibility of a single model with different firmware working across all of the US networks stems from a long history of cell phone models only being able work with a single wireless provider's bands and proprietary technology.
Correct me if I'm wrong in my logic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i wouldint be surprised that alot of the postings on ebay have the same device under different carriers or just simply generically stated as unlocked. they want more than just 1 result popping up to make it as visible as possible. whether this is legal or not is something to debate with ebay. but i wouldint be surprised savvy vendors would be doing this and depending on which posting was bought, would simply flash carrier firmware or u1 firmware. there are also the ones posting 2nd hand handsets that might have initially been on one build and and along the way was flashed and sold under its original device banner because they looked up product code/serial and sold it as that. also not to mention phones still on contract which can be a time bomb.
Ebay's a jungle. but if you know your rights and have the right arguments to prove your case, you can return almost anything. and if that doesn't work, 2nd stage is a case with paypal.
bober10113 said:
i wouldint be surprised...
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Click to collapse
I've also been noticing the fine print on the listings that quite a few "good deals" state in the fine print that it is on a contract.
I'm just sticking with there is no difference in the hardware and they are all the same hardware all capable of the GSM and CMDA bands with the proper firmware, no matter what they say about not being able to work with Verizon, and that I can take it to Verizon or T-Mobile. The only thing I might believe is one of them who said it work work with everyone but Sprint, whose issue is most likely based on an IMEI restriction than any capability of the phone.
IT_Architect said:
I've also been noticing the fine print on the listings that quite a few "good deals" state in the fine print that it is on a contract.
I'm just sticking with there is no difference in the hardware and they are all the same hardware all capable of the GSM and CMDA bands with the proper firmware, no matter what they say about not being able to work with Verizon, and that I can take it to Verizon or T-Mobile. The only thing I might believe is one of them who said it work work with everyone but Sprint, whose issue is most likely based on an IMEI restriction than any capability of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
or on some mdm lockdown as its a rental phone or something and flashing is not an option.
bober10113 said:
or on some mdm lockdown as its a rental phone or something and flashing is not an option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is good to know.
Thanks!
Just bought a refurb Note 9 from Amazon...
I realize this is an old thread.... but it is just what I've been wondering.
I bought a Samsung Note 9 phone, labeled (somewhat conflictingly) as completely unlocked but (later on) as only a GSM phone. The model number on the phone is N960U1. That's on a printed label on back of the phone and in the software settings (UI 2.0, as 2.1 hasn't come out yet with this model and T-Mobile[??]). However, I note that lifting the sticky label, the original on chassis number beneath it is N960U (a carrier specific phone).
I thought I knew about phones - I've flashed two other (make that 3 other including my wife's) older Samsung Note phones w/ custom roms because I was tired of being back with Marshmallow.
But fundamental questions I have:
1. Is the N960U phone the exact same phone hardware wise as the N960U1?
2. In other words, is the software lock the *only* difference between these phones?
3. And does that mean I could presumably, once my phone (unlocked by whatever provider once had it locked) is identified as an N960U1, run it on GSM, CDMA, and have access to any and all services offered by whatever provider I choose?
And finally, which is where I began all this, will this phone update to the UI 2.1 eventually as an unlocked phone with that specific (still not available) N960U1 update? Or is the phone in some state of being "neither fish nor foul" - that is, not *really* a fully unlocked phone?
I am asking all this because I could still send it back to Amazon if it is less than it ought to be and get something else.
It is currently running the June UI 2.0 update from T-Mobile....
Thanks for any thoughts. The deeper one digs, the more questions come up.
shonkin said:
1. Is the N960U phone the exact same phone hardware wise as the N960U1?
2. In other words, is the software lock the *only* difference between these phones?
3. And does that mean I could presumably, once my phone (unlocked by whatever provider once had it locked) is identified as an N960U1, run it on GSM, CDMA, and have access to any and all services offered by whatever provider I choose?
4. And finally, which is where I began all this, will this phone update to the UI 2.1 eventually as an unlocked phone with that specific (still not available) N960U1 update? Or is the phone in some state of being "neither fish nor foul" - that is, not *really* a fully unlocked phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes
2. The U vs. U1 is not indicative of a lock vs. no lock. U phones can be unlocked or locked. The U firmware is wireless-provider-specific firmware. It could be Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, etc. Each have their own firmware to work with their specific networks. They will also force updates on you whether you want them or not. The U1 firmware is standards-compliant support. The better the wireless provider supports the standards, the better U1 works. T-Mobile supports it perfectly but has some loss of functionality with allied vendors. You may never notice. Next, is Verizon. Verizon was CDMA, so its 3rd gen stuff won't work like the GSM networks will because they don't have any anymore. However, all of the 4G will, and Verizon has more 4G coverage than any of the others have 2+3+4G coverage. Thus, you don't miss the 3G like you would AT&T who is 25%-30% less than 4G, but AT&T has always been GSM so coverage-wise it is close to Verizon. For standards compliance for U1, AT&T is dead last by far, and if that isn't enough, the most resistant to accept a phone not sold by them. If you do not buy a new phone through a wireless provider, it will be a U1 phone. With a U1 phone you can prevent it from updating if you hold your mouth right. You cannot stop a U phone from updating. Other countries were behind the US so they tend to be more standards-compliant because they weren't as heavily in the game when the innovation was taking place. That means for traveling and swapping SIMs for different foreign carriers, you would want the U1. The Note 9 is the first Note with about every band known to man like the iPhone.
3. Yes
4. If the phone was purchased as a U1, it is undoubtedly unlocked because the seller is not selling it on a contract, and has no idea which network the phone will be used on.
Everything I've read, the 960U /U1 are the same hardware. To support that, their firmware modules are the same except one that is carrier-specific. The U1 for the Note 9 is not carrier specific. I had a T-Mobile Note 9 that I used on the Verizon network with no issues. I have a Verizon Note 9 now, and there is no difference. The only reason I have the Verizon Note 9 now is because the brand new T-Mobile one, still sealed in the box and with the protective film on it, ended up on the bad MEID list. Apparently someone bought it and brought it back without using it and stopped paying on it and thought they were out of the contract by doing so. The Verizon U phone that I have now has been flashed to U1 and works fine on their network. So the advantage of the U is its supports all of your carrier's services. The U1 supports all of your carrier's services that are standards-based and don't use carrier-specific services. Example, if the carrier supports support VoLTE, U1 will not usually support it because it must coordinate with the carrier's servers while U will. They say the U1 doesn't have the carrier bloatware. I don't agree. The carrier-specific added services are designed to work with their servers. Moreover, in the areas that need to be filled in, you get the basic programs from Samsung to replace the more capable ones you get from the carrier. I use U1 because I need to stop them from updating me due to my line-of-business software on my phone and for International travel when I replace the SIM with a local network SIM. If that's not you, and you want the latest for your carrier, U is what you want.
IT_Architect said:
1. Yes
2. The U vs. U1 is not indicative of a lock vs. no lock. U phones can be unlocked or locked. The U firmware is wireless-provider-specific firmware. It could be Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, etc. Each have their own firmware to work with their specific networks. They will also force updates on you whether you want them or not. The U1 firmware is standards-compliant support. The better the wireless provider supports the standards, the better U1 works. T-Mobile supports it perfectly but has some loss of functionality with allied vendors. You may never notice. Next, is Verizon. Verizon was CDMA, so its 3rd gen stuff won't work like the GSM networks will because they don't have any anymore. However, all of the 4G will, and Verizon has more 4G coverage than any of the others have 2+3+4G coverage. Thus, you don't miss the 3G like you would AT&T who is 25%-30% 3G, but AT&T has always been GSM so coverage-wise it is close to Verizon. For compatibility U1, AT&T is dead last by far. If you do not buy a new phone through a wireless provider, it will be a U1 phone. With a U1 phone you can prevent it from updating if you hold your mouth right. You cannot stop a U phone from updating. Other countries were behind the US so they tend to be more standards-compliant because they weren't as heavily in the game when the innovation was taking place. That means for traveling and swapping SIMs for different foreign carriers, you would want the U1. The Note 9 is the first Note with about every band known to man like the iPhone.
3. Yes
4. If the phone was purchased as a U1, it is undoubtedly unlocked because the seller is not selling it on a contract, and has no idea which network the phone will be used on.
Everything I've read, the 960U /U1 are the same hardware. To support that, their firmware modules are the same except one that is carrier-specific. The U1 for the Note 9 is not carrier specific. I had a T-Mobile Note 9 that I used on the Verizon network with no issues. I have a Verizon Note 9 now, and there is no difference. The only reason I have the Verizon Note 9 now is because the brand new T-Mobile one, still sealed in the box and with the protective film on it, ended up on the bad MEID list. Apparently someone bought it and brought it back without using it and thought they were out of the contract by doing so. The Verizon U phone that I have now has been flashed to U1 and works fine on their network. So the advantage of the U is its supports all of your carrier's services. The U1 supports all of your carrier's services that are standards-based and don't use carrier-specific services. Example, if the carrier supports support VoLTE, U1 will not usually support it because it coordinates with the carrier's servers while U will. They say the U1 doesn't have the carrier bloatware. I don't agree. The carrier-specific added services are designed to work with their servers. I use U1 because I need to stop them from updating me due to my line-of-business software on my phone and for International travel when I replace the SIM with a local network SIM. If that's not you, and you want the latest for your carrier, U is what you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this. Very helpful. I'm not sure yet whether I'll send the phone back.
UPDATE: Samsung released the T-Mobile update to UI 2.1 (dated July 7) today, August 11 2020.
NOTE: I installed this and hit an issue after the install completed re an error message (see photo). This error apparently is happening in a widespread way, and the 3 solutions offered by Samsung did not work. What *did* (I think) work for me was to go to Settings > Software Update > UICC Unlock. Beneath that button on the N960UI it reads (as it should) "Your device is unlocked to support any sim." I click it anyway and I get a report that my device sim is restricted, bla bla bla. I hit the "OK" and reboot the phone to see... and sure enough, that's all it apparently took to remove the annoying nag about the install not having completed. In fact I get a successful "handshake" message between T-Mobile and the phone having formed a more perfect union or some such.
shonkin said:
Thank you for this. Very helpful. I'm not sure yet whether I'll send the phone back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash between any carrier U and U1 firmware at any time. The only thing you need to be aware of is the boot loader version, which is the 5th character from the right in the build number.
- It must be the same number or higher.
- You cannot flash backwards to a lower number.
E.G. You can flash from a newer version of Android to an older version PROVIDED the older version does not have a lower boot loader version. If flashing the newer version of Android changed the boot loader version to a higher version than the older operating system supports, you cannot flash to the older version of Android ever again. The boot loader version is not synched with the the Android version. It is synched with the particular build. Thus, you might get an update to the current operating system that increments your boot loader. If you like to always be on the latest version of firmware, this is no likely to be a problem.
For the SM-N960U/U1 phones, the various carrier versions, U, and the U1 version are released at the same time. A lot of standardization has occurred and made possible by the hardware being the same. In the U1 versions for the SM-N960 you will see carrier names associated with different downloads. It's all bogus. The downloads are all exactly the same with the same module names, size, and the same MD5 signature.
IT_Architect said:
You can flash between any carrier U and U1 firmware at any time. The only thing you need to be aware of is the boot loader version, which is the 5th character from the right in the build number.
- It must be the same number or higher.
- You cannot flash backwards to a lower number.
E.G. You can flash from a newer version of Android to an older version PROVIDED the older version does not have a lower boot loader version. If flashing the newer version of Android changed the boot loader version to a higher version than the older operating system supports, you cannot flash to the older version of Android ever again. The boot loader version is not synched with the the Android version. It is synched with the particular build. Thus, you might get an update to the current operating system that increments your boot loader. If you like to always be on the latest version of firmware, this is no likely to be a problem.
For the SM-N960U/U1 phones, the various carrier versions, U, and the U1 version are released at the same time. A lot of standardization has occurred and made possible by the hardware being the same. In the U1 versions for the SM-N960 you will see carrier names associated with different downloads. It's all bogus. The downloads are all exactly the same with the same module names, size, and the same MD5 signature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VERY helpful info here.... as of this morning Samsung updated my phone w/ UI 2.1 T-Mobile files. I posted on it elsewhere as a recurring error popped up. Surfing the web shows that error cropped up for all sorts of people doing the 2.1 update on various carriers. I *think* I found the solution but have posted it enough places (including a few posts back in this thread) I won't do again unless someone here wants it. Samsung's "solutions" (all three of them) do not work. Oh, I think I'll hold on to this phone rather than switch out for a T-Mobile specific... gives me more lattitude down the road when I feel like rooting it. Ha!
shonkin said:
VERY helpful info here.... as of this morning Samsung updated my phone w/ UI 2.1 T-Mobile files. I posted on it elsewhere as a recurring error popped up. Surfing the web shows that error cropped up for all sorts of people doing the 2.1 update on various carriers. I *think* I found the solution but have posted it enough places (check other threads here) I won't do again unless someone here wants it. Samsung's "solutions" (all three of them) do not work. Oh, I think I'll hold on to this phone rather than switch out for a T-Mobile specific... gives me more lattitude down the road when I feel like rooting it. Ha!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as the difference between the one you have and T-Mobile, there isn't any difference. If you want T-Mobile specific, simply flash their firmware. The upside nearly all of T-Mobile's network was late to the game so their network had little non-standards-based legacy to deal with and thus works very will with the U1 firmware as well. You can always switch back and forth. Different carriers have different MEID ranges. A few carriers, such as AT&T might deny you based on that number not being theirs, but it is not a phone capability issue since the hardware is the same.
You cannot root any of the U phones at this time that I'm aware of. There has been talk and they've been able to do it soft of but not without serious snags in functionality. All N960s sold in the US are U/U1 phones with the SnapDragon processor. There is a SnapDragon that is rootable and dual-SIM, the SM-N9600. In China you may not sell a phone that is not rootable. However, that phone is also used in many other countries. It should work with T-Mobile too, BUT there may be some performance limitations because it might not support all of their bands. Verizon won't accept it initially, BUT a lot of people have activated the SIM on an approved phone, and then moved the SIM the SM-N9600 and it works fine. The SM-N9600 supports all of Verizon's LTE bands. The downside is you cannot use Samsung Pay, the best pay system out there. The SM-N9600 is in demand which affects the price. It is a good world phone with SnapDragon/Qualcomm and a well implemented Dual SIM. You may see it said that the SM-N9600 doesn't work on a CDMA network. That may be, but Verizon has hardly any CDMA left themselves because the FCC is kicking them off it. They won't have any by year end and were supposed to be and almost were by year-end last year. There is more to the game than GSM vs. CDMA. It is also support for the major specific band for the carrier that is used to log you into their network, which is independent of which band you will communicate on. That is a potential show stopper. About the only place in the world where the SM-N9600 has any issues is in the US. If you can get your carrier to work with it, you are pretty much golden for the rest of the world.
IT_Architect said:
1. Yes
2. The U vs. U1 is not indicative of a lock vs. no lock. U phones can be unlocked or locked. The U firmware is wireless-provider-specific firmware. It could be Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, etc. Each have their own firmware to work with their specific networks. They will also force updates on you whether you want them or not. The U1 firmware is standards-compliant support. The better the wireless provider supports the standards, the better U1 works. T-Mobile supports it perfectly but has some loss of functionality with allied vendors. You may never notice. Next, is Verizon. Verizon was CDMA, so its 3rd gen stuff won't work like the GSM networks will because they don't have any anymore. However, all of the 4G will, and Verizon has more 4G coverage than any of the others have 2+3+4G coverage. Thus, you don't miss the 3G like you would AT&T who is 25%-30% less than 4G, but AT&T has always been GSM so coverage-wise it is close to Verizon. For standards compliance for U1, AT&T is dead last by far, and if that isn't enough, the most resistant to accept a phone not sold by them. If you do not buy a new phone through a wireless provider, it will be a U1 phone. With a U1 phone you can prevent it from updating if you hold your mouth right. You cannot stop a U phone from updating. Other countries were behind the US so they tend to be more standards-compliant because they weren't as heavily in the game when the innovation was taking place. That means for traveling and swapping SIMs for different foreign carriers, you would want the U1. The Note 9 is the first Note with about every band known to man like the iPhone.
3. Yes
4. If the phone was purchased as a U1, it is undoubtedly unlocked because the seller is not selling it on a contract, and has no idea which network the phone will be used on.
Everything I've read, the 960U /U1 are the same hardware. To support that, their firmware modules are the same except one that is carrier-specific. The U1 for the Note 9 is not carrier specific. I had a T-Mobile Note 9 that I used on the Verizon network with no issues. I have a Verizon Note 9 now, and there is no difference. The only reason I have the Verizon Note 9 now is because the brand new T-Mobile one, still sealed in the box and with the protective film on it, ended up on the bad MEID list. Apparently someone bought it and brought it back without using it and stopped paying on it and thought they were out of the contract by doing so. The Verizon U phone that I have now has been flashed to U1 and works fine on their network. So the advantage of the U is its supports all of your carrier's services. The U1 supports all of your carrier's services that are standards-based and don't use carrier-specific services. Example, if the carrier supports support VoLTE, U1 will not usually support it because it must coordinate with the carrier's servers while U will. They say the U1 doesn't have the carrier bloatware. I don't agree. The carrier-specific added services are designed to work with their servers. Moreover, in the areas that need to be filled in, you get the basic programs from Samsung to replace the more capable ones you get from the carrier. I use U1 because I need to stop them from updating me due to my line-of-business software on my phone and for International travel when I replace the SIM with a local network SIM. If that's not you, and you want the latest for your carrier, U is what you want.
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How did you successfully flash U1 software on your Note 9? I tried doing this back in March unsuccessfully as Odin threw up an error.