Hi all, I've been a fan of the Note 3 since it came out but it was out of my budget (I buy unlocked), now it's very affordable, I'm very aware of the specs and hardware and what draws me to it on paper (the screen size, 1080p, removeable storage, replaceable battery, the S pen, etc.).
However, I'd like to hear from real users, do you like the phone? Do you recommend it? Is this a phone that I "have to" root+ load custom to make it "work right", or does it run ok stock? What's your take and feedback? I'd love to hear it.
What do you like about it? What do you hate about it? What's there to know before I decide to make the purchase?
Building on the root topic, how hard is it? I was on other forums and I remember many complaining about Samsung and their bloatware and how it's "unlockable" (but from what I understand it's not necessary to really have it unlocked while still being very powerful/customizable).
I looked at the LG G pro 2(5.9" screen, microsdxc, replaceable battery etc. great phone, but too expensive right now), Sony Xperia ZU (camera not that great, somewhat dated hardware, can't get it for dirt cheap anymore), Sony Xperia Z2 (smaller, but amazing camera). Any other phones to consider? (I won't consider a phone that doesn't have expandable memory, so no Nexus phones for me).
Any/all feedback welcome, thanks!
The Note 3 is fantastic phone, I had it for a week, It is faster than the Galaxy S4, I love its stock ROM that why I have the Galaxy S4 for almost a year and i did not changed it is ROM.
My Note 3 is an ATT phone and I have it unlock to use it with tmobile, rooting the phone was easy, but the ATT phone has a locked boot loader, so regular recovery does not work like other phone.
My advice is to use the stock ROM and start reas this forum, if you don't like the stock ROM after a while then think about rooting and other things, I broke my phone after one week after installing a custom ROM and have it not fixed yet.
I hope that helps
abofihmi said:
The Note 3 is fantastic phone, I had it for a week, It is faster than the Galaxy S4, I love its stock ROM that why I have the Galaxy S4 for almost a year and i did not changed it is ROM.
My Note 3 is an ATT phone and I have it unlock to use it with tmobile, rooting the phone was easy, but the ATT phone has a locked boot loader, so regular recovery does not work like other phone.
My advice is to use the stock ROM and start reas this forum, if you don't like the stock ROM after a while then think about rooting and other things, I broke my phone after one week after installing a custom ROM and have it not fixed yet.
I hope that helps
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Appreciate the input! I was doing some reading and found out that the T-Mobile version does not have a locked bootloader and can be rooted and unlocked. I think I might end up trying to get a n900T instead of the n900A (though I may change my mind because I just need a phone to work out of the box for the time being.. I don't know if I'll have much time to screw around with custom roms just yet).
Although... I heard of people not getting full speeds on LTE with the Tmobile version on At&t, even with correct APN settings. I found it to be "inconculsive" for now, I'll keep looking, but I probably do need a phone soooon!
My ATT note 3 gives amazing speed on T-Mobile network, speed test reports 60 mbps.
not sure how tmobile phone works over ATT network.
abofihmi said:
My ATT note 3 gives amazing speed on T-Mobile network, speed test reports 60 mbps.
not sure how tmobile phone works over ATT network.
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Thanks, wow, interesting how the n900a gets good speeds on T-mobile's network.
Btw, you mentioned that you broke your phone, was it a note 3? I soft bricked my Asus TF700, thank God it's working now. Yeah, flashing and reflashing can be cumbersome and risky if you don't read the details and something small goes wrong, I think I got my softbrick from a dirty flash, it was such a headache.
Yes, my note 3 is currently broken and I am waiting for the power button to come, hopefully that will bring it back.
see my post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att/help/note-3-failed-to-charge-phone-off-t2986953
Definitely do not buy an n900a due to a locked bootloader. It's going to be a fast phone with or without root but I rooted it added firekat rom combined with nova launcher,greenify, some personal customization mods and I absolutely love it although I hardly ever use the s pen as much as I thought so I wouldn't let that be a selling point for you no matter how much you think you may use it.
I've been missing in action for awhile now but I have a question about Towelroot and my S5. I used it to gain root access back when it was first released. Some months ago, AT&T tried to force an update to my phone in the middle of me using it so I did a battery pull, rebooted, and used Titanium BackUp to freeze the updater apk. I haven't been bothered since, as previously stated back in this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/att-galaxy-s5/help/update-t2867501/page2.
Now my question is, if I do a factory reset will the update that I got around be sent to my device upon network registration? I would hate to be slapped with an OS update during an initial setup. I haven't done much to the device because I didn't plan on keeping it as long as I have. I actually grew to like it, but root access is a must.
I have no real need to upgrade to the deal breaking S6, and although the Note 4 is nice the 5 will be out soon and there's no root tool available for the Note 4 to my knowledge. I'm sure the Note 5 will be even tougher to crack, which is what's somewhat running me back to Apple. At least with iOS you know you're in for simplicity and restrictions when compared to Android whether jailbroken or not. I'm not fond of the recent changes with firmware exploits not being as available as I've seen them in the past. I switched from the iPhone 4S to the Note II when it was first released. My Note II is still as good as the day I bought it, but I'm more dependent on hardware specs now. I've been gaming on my S5 more since it has a faster processor, and better battery life. Plus charging while on Ultra Power Saving mode is great! It's been heating up a little to often and recently fried a 32 gb micro sd card which I was so not happy about.
I think I'll just keep what's been working and redirect my curiosity. That will give me time to toy around with eZKAT since I switched back to it. I will be super pissed if I lose root access on my S5 and will seriously ponder switching to another carrier over it, although I absolutely love AT&T. They've been the best to me out of all carriers I've had, but root access is a must. No root exploit being available is why I haven't been phone shopping even though I have an upgrade coming up soon.
I've also wondered if towelroot even still works, or is available to download since the thread about it is closed. Does anyone else still have an S5 that's completely stock but rooted? If so, have you done a factory reset and been able to restore root access? I never into Safestrap but I've read great things about it. I'm so "old school" so to speak I still use CWM on my Note II and Root Explorer along with Titanium BackUp are my two favorite apps to use period.
Just remove your sim card when you factory reset...that will keep it from auto updating till you can freeze the updater.
Towel root works fine but only on the ne4 kernel. If your already running a prerooted rom, though you should be fine, just reinstall supersu.
Edit: here's a copy of towelroot if you need it.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wdk0thsz9fhi91f/Towelroot-v3 (1).apk?dl=0
So I have been digging around and have yet to see a solid way to root the Note8. So the next thing i need to ask myself whats a good alternative that i can root to kinda get a bit out of googles thumb, while still being able to use the playstore. I would very much prefer a head phone jack on it. I was looking at OnePlus until they dropped the headphone jack.
So if you either know of a way to root the note8 so i can install a custom ROM, or have a good suggestion for another phone i can install custom roms on, please help me out
EDIT: Also i have the SnapDragon. I was wondering if maybe upon upgrading even if its to the note 9 or 10 if going for the Exynos version would allow custom ROMs. Or even finding a Note8 with a Exynos CPU
After owning every Note except Note1, I got tired of the locked bootloader and half A$$ root. I got a Pixel 3 XL to test it out and love it. I will never look back at Samsung. Very happy with it and have never regretted my decision. Now I have full root, custom ROMs, Titanium backup and every app I desire. The phone is super responsive and easily the best phone I've ever had. It has an amazing camera. I get monthly updates directly from Google and will receive new OS (ie Android Q) updates before anyone else without having to wait 1/2 a year for them like I did with my Note 8. I'm also not locked into any provider and can change sim cards with anyone I wish in the world. I believe no Samsung carrier phone will ever receive root (look at the Note 9, S9+ etc). International versions do get root, but then you don't get all bands supported by carriers in US and you void your warrantee and Samsung pay. To me , not worth it. To me, the decision is crystal clear. As much as I loved my Note phones, I will never look back at another one. Nonetheless, I do understand some people are ok with no root and locked bootloaders. In such cases, I would stick to Samsung.
Hi all, have come from a long line of modable phones from waaay back in the Nexus lines to one plus. Have switched sides to oppo find X3 neo (mainly due to oneplus hone not being available locally). There doesn't seem to be anything mod-wise for the oppo.is this due to it being a relatively new phone that the Devs haven't had time to fiddle with yet or have I bought a phone with no modding future????. Cheers all
I want to root this with magisk manager but the video seemed to easy to do so I'm kind of torn if I should void warranty for the simple trick. Every other phone I've rooted takes a PC and Odin with TWRP first ten proceed to flash from recovery
Hi all... so the last samsung I had was a Note 3, and I'm contemplating coming back to Samsung.
I will need to root whatever phone I get, so I am just trying to get clear around what impact that will have. I understand that rooting will trip knox, and therefore Samsung Pay and a few other sammy-specific things will stop working. That doesn't worry me too much.
On my current rooted phone (Mate 10 Pro running Android 8), my banking app works fine and so does everything else I need. Should I expect that to continue with a rooted S21 UItra or should I expect more problems?
It's really hard to find a phone that ticks all my boxes these days....
With the current status of Magisk hide I'm not sure how long until you'll have to start walking on a thin line between updating Magisk and keeping the hide functionality.
Yes... I've been reading about that. It's the kind of situation I have with my current phone, sitting on Android 8 for various reasons. I tend to look after my phones so they last me a long time, but the software ends up well out of date.
I guess things just aren't moving in the direction I would have preferred them to...
anthropoidape said:
Hi all... so the last samsung I had was a Note 3, and I'm contemplating coming back to Samsung.
I will need to root whatever phone I get, so I am just trying to get clear around what impact that will have. I understand that rooting will trip knox, and therefore Samsung Pay and a few other sammy-specific things will stop working. That doesn't worry me too much.
On my current rooted phone (Mate 10 Pro running Android 8), my banking app works fine and so does everything else I need. Should I expect that to continue with a rooted S21 UItra or should I expect more problems?
It's really hard to find a phone that ticks all my boxes these days....
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If you're not worried about Knox or any of the Samsung services like Samsung Pay or Samsung Pass etc, then rooting it is going to behave like practically any other phone of this current generation. Third party app behaviour will depend on how well (and for how much longer) you can hide your root status.
The only difference compared to other phones like OnePlus etc is that you can never go back to full stock on a Samsung. That tripped Knox will always remain tripped and none of the disabled Samsung services will work, even if you flash back stock firmware. Also, some users have reported Samsung defying warranty (even for hardware defects) due to a software "modification" . This may depend on your countries' laws so YMMV, but something to be aware of...
enigmaamit said:
If you're not worried about Knox or any of the Samsung services like Samsung Pay or Samsung Pass etc, then rooting it is going to behave like practically any other phone of this current generation. Third party app behaviour will depend on how well (and for how much longer) you can hide your root status.
The only difference compared to other phones like OnePlus etc is that you can never go back to full stock on a Samsung. That tripped Knox will always remain tripped and none of the disabled Samsung services will work, even if you flash back stock firmware. Also, some users have reported Samsung defying warranty (even for hardware defects) due to a software "modification" . This may depend on your countries' laws so YMMV, but something to be aware of...
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Thanks, that makes sense. We also only get exynos where I live, another factor although it looks closer to snapdragon in the S21 than in, say, a Note 20 Ultra which I'd consider with sd865 but probably not with exynos.
anthropoidape said:
Thanks, that makes sense. We also only get exynos where I live, another factor although it looks closer to snapdragon in the S21 than in, say, a Note 20 Ultra which I'd consider with sd865 but probably not with exynos.
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you should also consider that when you root your samsung, you half its value so if you want to sell it you'll get half of the money and you can't trade in for a new phone
From a security point of view I would only ever shred such equipment at end of life.
I have never sold a phone, I just use them to death. However the point about value is a good one. I guess pixel and oneplus don't have the problem of root being irreversible and that is a positive for them over samsung.
anthropoidape said:
I have never sold a phone, I just use them to death. However the point about value is a good one. I guess pixel and oneplus don't have the problem of root being irreversible and that is a positive for them over samsung.
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I think it comes down to why you need to root, it's more complex than it used to be and has more consequences on S Series devices. For most it doesn't add up. Losing a few Samsung Services like Pay, Health and Secure Folder is one thing but losing your Warranty, all future OTA Updates and Security Patches is tough to swallow, especially on a expensive smartphone. Also be aware you're not obligated to aquire the Exynos SoC, Snapdragon variants with unlocked bootloaders are widely available online. Based on what you've shared if you have to root your next device, the S21 likely isn't your best option. Pixel 6 or OnePlus comes to mind for users devoted to root access but both of those are clearly inferior to the S21.
varcor said:
I think it comes down to why you need to root, it's more complex than it used to be and has more consequences on S Series devices. For most it doesn't add up. Losing a few Samsung Services like Pay, Health and Secure Folder is one thing but losing your Warranty, all future OTA Updates and Security Patches is tough to swallow, especially on a expensive smartphone. Also be aware you're not obligated to aquire the Exynos SoC, Snapdragon variants with unlocked bootloaders are widely available online. Based on what you've shared if you have to root your next device, the S21 likely isn't your best option. Pixel 6 or OnePlus comes to mind for users devoted to root access but both of those are clearly inferior to the S21.
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Probably you are not rooting your device now a days and have many misconceptions.
- Rooting on samsung never risky, never heard any hard brick device by just rooting device on any samsung device.
- SPay won't work but - SPay still works if you have Samsung Watch, Also SPAy was best when it was supporting MTS technology nut now a days it is no more better than GPay and GPay working fine on rooted device
- Samsung Pass won't work but similat Google Pass will do.
- Secure folder working except on A12 but that's may be time being and dev may find solution.
- Samsung Health working
- Some banking/other app may not work but most of work if you hide root, If not then most of bank transaction can be made with browser.
- OTA won't work but there always you can flash full firmware with Odin or may be better managed with custom ROMs (Plenty of my users flashing dirty install)
- Rooting S21 takes just 10 minutes if you know how to OR simply follow guide available over XDA
Not mentioning the benefits of root here as it is not OP's requirement, Yet have to tell - People should have to think why they needs root. If there are valid reasons then only should go for it. Rooting is amazing and have plenty of benefit but only if you needs those.
Agree with much of what you've shared, especially, "people should have to think why they need root."
I used to root my device's but not any longer, current S Series models have much more customization options not to mention apps which retool software without having root access. But you're correct, there are definitely advantages which can only be realized after gaining root access.
But can't give you a pass on this.
"Rooting on samsung never risky, never heard any hard brick device by just rooting device on any samsung device."
That's a bit misleading, one may not brick their device accessing root but some do after they've gained root access. There's a reason developer's usually include the same disclaimer when they hoist custom roms. "Not responsible if you brick your phone".
varcor said:
"Rooting on samsung never risky, never heard any hard brick device by just rooting device on any samsung device."
That's a bit misleading,
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Let me tell you again
Bricking (Hard brick not a soft brick that's common everyday) Samsung device is really really hard now a days
Only thing I know that can easily brick device is
Flashing wrong/corrupt bootloader with TWRP (odin won't allow wrong bl flashing) and that's reason I never appreciate bootloader sharing that can be flash with twrp or doesn't have md5 checksum built in.
varcor said:
Agree with much of what you've shared, especially, "people should have to think why they need root."
I used to root my device's but not any longer, current S Series models have much more customization options not to mention apps which retool software without having root access. But you're correct, there are definitely advantages which can only be realized after gaining root access.
But can't give you a pass on this.
"Rooting on samsung never risky, never heard any hard brick device by just rooting device on any samsung device."
That's a bit misleading, one may not brick their device accessing root but some do after they've gained root access. There's a reason developer's usually include the same disclaimer when they hoist custom roms. "Not responsible if you brick your phone".
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I've rooted my Note 20 Ultra 5G with ZERO problems, almost a year ago. I think you have to do something really ignorant to brick your Samsung device.
Thanks for all the replies guys.
dmw_4814 said:
I've rooted my Note 20 Ultra 5G with ZERO problems, almost a year ago. I think you have to do something really ignorant to brick your Samsung device.
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That's great, I've never bricked devices I've rooted either. I didn't mention bricking a device in my response to the OP. Based on a number posts we see user's soft brick their device without ever accessing root, by attempting to swap FW or CSC among others. For some user's a soft brick is functionaly the same as a hard brick, they never manage to restore the OS. I have no issue with rooting, it's one of the main reasons I aquired a device with an unlocked bootloader,
so from what's being said on this thread, tripped Knox in and of itself does not stop banking apps etc from working? if you successfully hide root from those apps with the usual methods, you should be ok with tripped Knox?
To share my experience and answer the question why rooting!! I've rooted my S22 ultra for multiple reasons. One of those, as an example, was applying the FLAG_SECURE module to take screenshots whenever I want. And many other reasons like disabling ads etc.
In my country S pass or S pay doesn't work even secure folder I've never used it in my previous Galaxy phones. So basically, all Samsung apps that require Knox are useless to me or worry about. The only downside was voiding warranty permanently and it's irreversible too.
However, I got back to stock ROM again since I spent more than 3 consecutive days trying to figure out how to make only two essential apps, for me, to work again: an NFC app to pay with my registered bank cards and a Hikvision app that monitors my cameras. No matter how hard I tried to hide root, even with the help of root detector app ,nothing worked out. To be honest, most bank apps worked flawlessly and even other government apps that usually detect normal root. Except for these two apps in which I've no other alternatives making me mad and reverting back to stock.
I concluded maybe there're some apps that detect the status of the ROM itself or device specifics like bootloader or SE instead of root and SafetyNet stuff. Just like S apps that detect 0x1 and 0x0 even with stock ROM. I believe devs are getting tired with Samsung devices since more and more restrictions are introduced. Just imagine if all apps work like S apps!! Once rooted .. your phone is done, even with stock ROM. Currently there's no perfect approach to hide the status of bootloader and root from any app. I'd be more than happy and root my device again if a developer comes with a clever way to get any app, e.g. Hikvision, to work in rooted and unlocked bootloader. This dream was so enjoyable during my time using HTC one when (mike1986) was handling this device. It was the golden era for me to taste the real meaning of rooting.