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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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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 bought the 950u1(but didn't receive it yet) because of the fear of samsung closing the ability to cross flash u and u1 variants and I know metropcs(tmk) has u1 firmware.
Will the unlocked u1 variant have VOLTE and wifi calling out of the hole rather then flashing the u1(tmk) firmware?
Sent from my BTV-W09 using Tapatalk
Hey bro. I know nothing about Metro but my info may (or may not ha) help you.....is it gsm or cdma? I just bought N950U1 to use with a Straight Talk byop AT&T sim. I have been with straight talk for about 8 years and have been an android root junkie since I got my note 3....then the note 4....and now this beast note 8. I would like to think Im fairly knowledgable about the Android system but I have also been trying to sort through all the info about U vs U1 firmware and carrier flashing stuff but I cant quite figure out where to make my first move, or if I should, flash carrier firmware. I would like to try Oreo beta but I damn sure don't want to brick a phone I have zero warranty on. Hard for me to get over the idea of having to buy another $1000 dollar phone outright. From what I understand, carriers like straight talk, metro, family mobile, etc. Is that the sims are basically like a carrier unlocked phone. The service provider pays the big carrier (also uses their branding) to use the towers. They call it piggy backing. So the service is exactly as if you would be paying straight to the big carrier but without the contract and unnecessary BS. From what I have read, all the firmware is exactly the same multi CSC. So when you flash firmware and then put your sim in it actually does it's own thing through carrier. I couldn't get the January security patch update to show until I added "fota" to my apn and then rebooted and like magic it was there. I pay 60$ a month for unlimited data and have used 41 GB as of today since January 18 with not even a slight throttle. Because I have had straight talk so long I wouldn't know what to look for as far as ATT extra csc features. But if you are willing to find out and let me know I would be happy to check my phone for them. I do have download booster in settings. I only know because with my note 4 sometimes i would and sometimes i wouldn't depending on what rom i was on. Butni don't see volte. Maybe all this ramble was a little helpful. Let me know if I can help in any other way. Im probably gonna copy most of this post and start a thread or at least ask in the other threads for some more info.
---------- Post added at 06:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:11 PM ----------
tdamocles said:
I bought the 950u1(but didn't receive it yet) because of the fear of samsung closing the ability to cross flash u and u1 variants and I know metropcs(tmk) has u1 firmware.
Will the unlocked u1 variant have VOLTE and wifi calling out of the hole rather
then flashing the u1(tmk) firmware?
Sent from my BTV-W09 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75443339&postcount=11
noob4598 said:
Hey bro. I know nothing about Metro but my info may (or may not ha) help you.....is it gsm or cdma? I just bought N950U1 to use with a Straight Talk byop AT&T sim. I have been with straight talk for about 8 years and have been an android root junkie since I got my note 3....then the note 4....and now this beast note 8. I would like to think Im fairly knowledgable about the Android system but I have also been trying to sort through all the info about U vs U1 firmware and carrier flashing stuff but I cant quite figure out where to make my first move, or if I should, flash carrier firmware. I would like to try Oreo beta but I damn sure don't want to brick a phone I have zero warranty on. Hard for me to get over the idea of having to buy another $1000 dollar phone outright. From what I understand, carriers like straight talk, metro, family mobile, etc. Is that the sims are basically like a carrier unlocked phone. The service provider pays the big carrier (also uses their branding) to use the towers. They call it piggy backing. So the service is exactly as if you would be paying straight to the big carrier but without the contract and unnecessary BS. From what I have read, all the firmware is exactly the same multi CSC. So when you flash firmware and then put your sim in it actually does it's own thing through carrier. I couldn't get the January security patch update to show until I added "fota" to my apn and then rebooted and like magic it was there. I pay 60$ a month for unlimited data and have used 41 GB as of today since January 18 with not even a slight throttle. Because I have had straight talk so long I wouldn't know what to look for as far as ATT extra csc features. But if you are willing to find out and let me know I would be happy to check my phone for them. I do have download booster in settings. I only know because with my note 4 sometimes i would and sometimes i wouldn't depending on what rom i was on. Butni don't see volte. Maybe all this ramble was a little helpful. Let me know if I can help in any other way. Im probably gonna copy most of this post and start a thread or at least ask in the other threads for some more info.
---------- Post added at 06:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:11 PM ----------
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75443339&postcount=11
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Click to collapse
It's gsm. Mvno of T-Mobile. I have an unlocked xfinity sm-g955 s8+ right now and had to carrier switch/cross flash to tmk "u1" firmware to get the two features running. Someone told me that they got those features running on T-Mobile "u" firmware and I tried it but it did not work for me. I saw the volte switch on the menu but wifi switch did not show up in the T-Mobile firmware.
I was just wondering if the multi-csc loaded some of the features on first boot up on a like "u1" branded variant.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
tdamocles said:
I bought the 950u1(but didn't receive it yet) because of the fear of samsung closing the ability to cross flash u and u1 variants and I know metropcs(tmk) has u1 firmware.
Will the unlocked u1 variant have VOLTE and wifi calling out of the hole rather then flashing the u1(tmk) firmware?
Sent from my BTV-W09 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using 95ou1 on metro pcs says Wi-Fi calling is enabled I'm not sure if it's working on Wi-Fi or cell phone don't know how to tell
cgrimm9 said:
I'm using 95ou1 on metro pcs says Wi-Fi calling is enabled I'm not sure if it's working on Wi-Fi or cell phone don't know how to tell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about voice over LTE. That would be found under connections / mobile networks.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
tdamocles said:
How about voice over LTE. That would be found under connections / mobile networks.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greyed out only Wi-Fi is working right now on metro I'm assuming all carriers
Gosh why do the carriers in the USA make it so hard to flash firmware and enable WiFi calling and VOLTE. In Europe its as easy as going on sammobile and flashing the carrier software in odin for the exynos N950F/FD variant... Some networks (like EE in the UK) are even firmware agnostic and just allow WiFi calling and volte on most firmwares including the unbranded BTU. It's as crazy as verizon and sprint sticking to CDMA :/
mikey_sk said:
Gosh why do the carriers in the USA make it so hard to flash firmware and enable WiFi calling and VOLTE. In Europe its as easy as going on sammobile and flashing the carrier software in odin for the exynos N950F/FD variant... Some networks (like EE in the UK) are even firmware agnostic and just allow WiFi calling and volte on most firmwares including the unbranded BTU. It's as crazy as verizon and sprint sticking to CDMA :/
Click to expand...
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I am sorry I had Wi-Fi calls only settings on. for it disabled the voice over LTE I enabled it now VOLTE is not greyed out
cgrimm9 said:
I am sorry I had Wi-Fi calls only settings on. for it disabled the voice over LTE I enabled it now VOLTE is not greyed out
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Click to collapse
So what I'm understanding from you is both options are available and you have it now enabled? If so then that's good to see.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
tdamocles said:
So what I'm understanding from you is both options are available and you have it now enabled? If so then that's good to see.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Both Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE is enabled by default. I'm not sure if I'm using VoLTE when I'm making calls old phones I had had a vo in front of the let signal bar when making calls on the Samsung j7 I'm not getting that on the note 8. If I look at history calls there is a Wi-Fi picture when I make a call on Wi-Fi. But not on VoLTE
Hope it's working get better audio calls now when on phone my data speed is still downloading at 30mbs when I surf the web and talk at the same time
cgrimm9 said:
Both Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE is enabled by default. I'm not sure if I'm using VoLTE when I'm making calls old phones I had had a vo in front of the let signal bar when making calls on the Samsung j7 I'm not getting that on the note 8. If I look at history calls there is a Wi-Fi picture when I make a call on Wi-Fi. But not on VoLTE
Hope it's working get better audio calls now when on phone my data speed is still downloading at 30mbs when I surf the web and talk at the same time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can test it by making a call without it enabled, it will drop to H+ or h. If you have it enabled and you make a call it will stay on LTE the whole call.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
tdamocles said:
So what I'm understanding from you is both options are available and you have it now enabled? If so then that's good to see.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tdamocles said:
You can test it by making a call without it enabled, it will drop to H+ or h. If you have it enabled and you make a call it will stay on LTE the whole call.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Thank you it dropped to a h then h+ when I made the call learn something new everyday. So yes right outr of the box metro pcs and the note 8 unlocked has Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE ENABLED AND working
tdamocles said:
I bought the 950u1(but didn't receive it yet) because of the fear of samsung closing the ability to cross flash u and u1 variants and I know metropcs(tmk) has u1 firmware.
Will the unlocked u1 variant have VOLTE and wifi calling out of the hole rather then flashing the u1(tmk) firmware?
Sent from my BTV-W09 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok i hate replying again but i just updatrd my phone to January update and they removed VOLTE option. I believe it's still on but you don't have a option to turn it off Wi-Fi calling still there
I have an up to date verizon note 9 although still paying for it I had it on their service for over 6 months so legally allowed to use on another service currently using it on cricket with no issues other than no VOlte which I've never had with cricket no matter what phone because I won't use the phones they have because I don't like them but that's another story....Since I can't get volte on my Verizon model note 9 that's fully updated for US I was wanting to switch to tmobile...I was set up with a sim card on their magenta plus plan worked great till I got to my home which is in a more rural area but did show verified coverage at driveway on their map I had no signal so I went to settings searched for mobile networks found tmobile listed registered and it connected like 2 bars LTE but within min lost service did it again lost service again while I had lte I was able to call and use data...so my question is could this be me using a verizon phone for it not latching on by itself or holding the signal I know note 9 has the 600mhz band but was wandering if I went ahead and got a tmobile phone if it would actually latch on and hold the signal that Verizon's addons and changing is playing well with tmobile...UNLESS someone can tell me how to get VOlte on cricket with this note 9 then I wouldn't need tmobile then 3g calling has went to crap over a year....thankyou for any input
Terasman210 said:
I have an up to date verizon note 9 although still paying for it I had it on their service for over 6 months so legally allowed to use on another service currently using it on cricket with no issues other than no VOlte which I've never had with cricket no matter what phone because I won't use the phones they have because I don't like them but that's another story....Since I can't get volte on my Verizon model note 9 that's fully updated for US I was wanting to switch to tmobile...I was set up with a sim card on their magenta plus plan worked great till I got to my home which is in a more rural area but did show verified coverage at driveway on their map I had no signal so I went to settings searched for mobile networks found tmobile listed registered and it connected like 2 bars LTE but within min lost service did it again lost service again while I had lte I was able to call and use data...so my question is could this be me using a verizon phone for it not latching on by itself or holding the signal I know note 9 has the 600mhz band but was wandering if I went ahead and got a tmobile phone if it would actually latch on and hold the signal that Verizon's addons and changing is playing well with tmobile...UNLESS someone can tell me how to get VOlte on cricket with this note 9 then I wouldn't need tmobile then 3g calling has went to crap over a year....thankyou for any input
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All N960U and N960U1 devices are EXACTLY the same. The only difference between the devices is software.
Flash the software for the carrier your running including the Userdata for you Note 9. It should work for all features especially on T-Mobile. T-Movile fully allows unlocked devices on their network whereas Verizon doesn't. I'm pretty sure at&t is like Verizon through when it comes to unlocked devices, and they own cricket so that rule probably trickles down to them as well.
You can get all carrier version of software for your Note 9 on samfirm or sammobile
Jammol said:
All N960U and N960U1 devices are EXACTLY the same. The only difference between the devices is software.
Flash the software for the carrier your running including the Userdata for you Note 9. It should work for all features especially on T-Mobile. T-Movile fully allows unlocked devices on their network whereas Verizon doesn't. I'm pretty sure at&t is like Verizon through when it comes to unlocked devices, and they own cricket so that rule probably trickles down to them as well.
You can get all carrier version of software for your Note 9 on samfirm or sammobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But my question would be would my phone latch on to tmobile towers using tmobile firmware better than my current state using verizon firmware I'm excluding wifi calling and volte just trying to determine if I would have a difference in service availability picking up towers and holding them with stronger lte signal or if it's just poor coverage both ways and will be no different than you for your advice as well
Terasman210 said:
But my question would be would my phone latch on to tmobile towers using tmobile firmware better than my current state using verizon firmware I'm excluding wifi calling and volte just trying to determine if I would have a difference in service availability picking up towers and holding them with stronger lte signal or if it's just poor coverage both ways and will be no different than you for your advice as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will not have a difference in coverage. T-Mobile did the same thing with where I live and listed it on their map as being fully covered. I barely get LTE at my house or anywhere in my neighborhood.
Jammol said:
You will not have a difference in coverage. T-Mobile did the same thing with where I live and listed it on their map as being fully covered. I barely get LTE at my house or anywhere in my neighborhood.
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Click to collapse
Okay thank you for saving me the trouble of doing firmware swap or just buying a phone from them just to try and have same result and have to return....man I wish cricket would sell the note 10 or 9 where I could get the volte...but thankyou for your time
Terasman210 said:
Okay thank you for saving me the trouble of doing firmware swap or just buying a phone from them just to try and have same result and have to return....man I wish cricket would sell the note 10 or 9 where I could get the volte...but thankyou for your time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will never know until you try it, so why not try it and find out? Make it an SM-N960U1. Debloated and ready to go with any sim you install. Flash the unbranded firmware that can work on any of the US providers. That's what I have, and when I loaded a T-Mobile sim, I got VoLTE and wifi calling. I've run a lot of custom firmwares in the past, but this is the best phone and firmware combo I've ever had. And it's pure stock.
Also, this stock One UI with dark mode is very slick. VERY! No Substratum, no themes, no fuss. Just clean and black.
gruuvin said:
You will never know until you try it, so why not try it and find out? Make it an SM-N960U1. Debloated and ready to go with any sim you install. Flash the unbranded firmware that can work on any of the US providers. That's what I have, and when I loaded a T-Mobile sim, I got VoLTE and wifi calling. I've run a lot of custom firmwares in the past, but this is the best phone and firmware combo I've ever had. And it's pure stock.
Also, this stock One UI with dark mode is very slick. VERY! No Substratum, no themes, no fuss. Just clean and black.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
His goal is better service reception.
Only the carrier can fix that by actually providing the coverage they put on their maps.
Jammol said:
His goal is better service reception.
Only the carrier can fix that by actually providing the coverage they put on their maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lots of people have reported better or worse quality service, all other things equal except for firmware/software: different radios enabled/disabled; different optimizations. I just read another thread where someone got better tmobile reception at his house after flashing tmobile software over US unlocked software. There are more variables than just the carrier side of things.
gruuvin said:
Lots of people have reported better or worse quality service, all other things equal except for firmware/software: different radios enabled/disabled; different optimizations. I just read another thread where someone got better tmobile reception at his house after flashing tmobile software over US unlocked software. There are more variables than just the carrier side of things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankyou then that kinda answers my question that although phones are equal between verizon version and unlocked internally and firmware being the difference that using a tmobile phone with their firmware I'd stand the best chance of service and since my area uses extended range area I would probably have a better experience than on my note 9 verizon...thankyou again
Terasman210 said:
Thankyou then that kinda answers my question that although phones are equal between verizon version and unlocked internally and firmware being the difference that using a tmobile phone with their firmware I'd stand the best chance of service and since my area uses extended range area I would probably have a better experience than on my note 9 verizon...thankyou again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I think it may make no difference at all, or it might (much to gain, but nothing to lose), but most of the evidence in these forums, when it comes to connection quality, is extremely variable and anecdotal. Nobody can know an answer to this kind of question, unless they test it out for themselves. Good luck!
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...
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Hi everyone,
I'm planning on purchasing a preowned V40 mainly to be used as a portable music player but also as a backup phone. I'm on Google Fi and was wondering if it would be a better idea to get the V405UA (AT&T) model over the V405TA (T-Mobile) model. Both are around the same price and both are unlocked, so there shouldn't be any problem using them on Google Fi.
However, I read that the T-Mobile version of LG V-series phones (e.g., V30, V40) are a pain to work with due to proprietary RSA encryption, so I was thinking that the AT&T model might be a safer bet in case I wanted to root my V40 in the future. Currently I understand there's no bootloader unlock or root available for the V405TA (T-Mobile) model. Personally I don't really care too much about root, but it'd be nice to have the option.
But I also read that AT&T phones need an AT&T SIM card with an active plan in order to receive OTA updates, so I'm thinking it'll be a huge pain to install any future security updates if I get the AT&T model.
I'm aware that the V405TA (T-Mobile) model will support more of the bands that Google Fi uses since Google Fi mainly uses T-Mobile's network, but the AT&T model should still work with Fi, albeit with worse coverage.
Thanks, and let me know your thoughts!
HapaxLegomenon said:
Hi everyone,
I'm planning on purchasing a preowned V40 mainly to be used as a portable music player but also as a backup phone. I'm on Google Fi and was wondering if it would be a better idea to get the V405UA (AT&T) model over the V405TA (T-Mobile) model. Both are around the same price and both are unlocked, so there shouldn't be any problem using them on Google Fi.
However, I read that the T-Mobile version of LG V-series phones (e.g., V30, V40) are a pain to work with due to proprietary RSA encryption, so I was thinking that the AT&T model might be a safer bet in case I wanted to root my V40 in the future. Currently I understand there's no bootloader unlock or root available for the V405TA (T-Mobile) model. Personally I don't really care too much about root, but it'd be nice to have the option.
But I also read that AT&T phones need an AT&T SIM card with an active plan in order to receive OTA updates, so I'm thinking it'll be a huge pain to install any future security updates if I get the AT&T model.
I'm aware that the V405TA (T-Mobile) model will support more of the bands that Google Fi uses since Google Fi mainly uses T-Mobile's network, but the AT&T model should still work with Fi, albeit with worse coverage.
Thanks, and let me know your thoughts!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say you'd be much better off going with the AT&t model. The only band that wouldn't support would be 71. With the AT&t, you could flash it to the US open version and it supports band 71. Well yes, you would get updates with the right carrier sim, they seem to be few and far between.
AsItLies said:
I'd say you'd be much better off going with the AT&t model. The only band that wouldn't support would be 71. With the AT&t, you could flash it to the US open version and it supports band 71. Well yes, you would get updates with the right carrier sim, they seem to be few and far between.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes sense, thanks! I'll plan on getting the AT&T version.
I would like to have Android 10, though, and if I'm not mistaken the V405QA (US Open version) only has Android 9, and given the sparseness of software updates LG has released for the V405QA it seems unlikely that they'll release an Android 10 .kdz for the US Open model.
If I plan to use stock AT&T Android 10 firmware, that means I can't use VoLTE or VoWiFi on T-Mobile, correct? I'm aware that I can also crossflash to the Korean V409N firmware for Android 10, but I'm not sure if that would solve the VoLTE problem.
I'm concerned because I read a post by ChazzMatt in the V30 forums stating that T-Mobile will be dropping 3G HSPA support in January 2021, so I'll need VoLTE or VoWiFi to continue making carrier phone calls. In that post, he said that that T-Mobile allows V30 phones on US Open firmware to use VoLTE and VoWiFi, but I'm not sure if this would also apply to a V40 phone running Korean V409N Android 10 firmware.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
HapaxLegomenon said:
Makes sense, thanks! I'll plan on getting the AT&T version.
I would like to have Android 10, though, and if I'm not mistaken the V405QA (US Open version) only has Android 9, and given the sparseness of software updates LG has released for the V405QA it seems unlikely that they'll release an Android 10 .kdz for the US Open model.
If I plan to use stock AT&T Android 10 firmware, that means I can't use VoLTE or VoWiFi on T-Mobile, correct? I'm aware that I can also crossflash to the Korean V409N firmware for Android 10, but I'm not sure if that would solve the VoLTE problem.
I'm concerned because I read a post by ChazzMatt in the V30 forums stating that T-Mobile will be dropping 3G HSPA support in January 2021, so I'll need VoLTE or VoWiFi to continue making carrier phone calls. In that post, he said that that T-Mobile allows V30 phones on US Open firmware to use VoLTE and VoWiFi, but I'm not sure if this would also apply to a V40 phone running Korean V409N Android 10 firmware.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've done some research, good. Let me point out a few things;
1) The US Open version should be updated to 10, pretty soon hopefully.
2) Between EBW Open and Korean Open, def go with the Korean, it has support for bands 66 and 71 (in addition to the others), but the EBW does not.
3) Near as I can tell Lineage doesn't have volte or vowifi.
4) With some tweaks to config files, Korean Open 30d does have volte, but not vowifi (this may be possible but I haven't gotten it to work yet).
5) Yes, AT&T firmware won't allow volte or vowifi unless you are using one of their sims.
6) The v40 with US Open Pie does support volte and vowifi on T-Mo. Caveat, I'm using Mint mvno (which uses t-mo towers).
At this time, myself, I'm just having a little fun while waiting for the NAO US Open 10 to drop. The rom that seems to have the most of what I want now (with slight mods), is the Korean Open 10. It also appears as though it's doing 'carrier aggregation', because the signal is exceptional (although some have said the actual signal strength (dBm) may not be any better).
So, if u have to have 10, right now, backup your at&t device (use qfil or edl.py), and crossflash to korean open. Then follow this thread for additional tweaks.
cheers
AsItLies said:
You've done some research, good. Let me point out a few things;
1) The US Open version should be updated to 10, pretty soon hopefully.
2) Between EBW Open and Korean Open, def go with the Korean, it has support for bands 66 and 71 (in addition to the others), but the EBW does not.
3) Near as I can tell Lineage doesn't have volte or vowifi.
4) With some tweaks to config files, Korean Open 30d does have volte, but not vowifi (this may be possible but I haven't gotten it to work yet).
5) Yes, AT&T firmware won't allow volte or vowifi unless you are using one of their sims.
6) The v40 with US Open Pie does support volte and vowifi on T-Mo. Caveat, I'm using Mint mvno (which uses t-mo towers).
At this time, myself, I'm just having a little fun while waiting for the NAO US Open 10 to drop. The rom that seems to have the most of what I want now (with slight mods), is the Korean Open 10. It also appears as though it's doing 'carrier aggregation', because the signal is exceptional (although some have said the actual signal strength (dBm) may not be any better).
So, if u have to have 10, right now, backup your at&t device (use qfil or edl.py), and crossflash to korean open. Then follow this thread for additional tweaks.
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks for the extremely helpful reply!
One last thing: if I want to have the option to switch from Fi to an AT&T MVNO in the future, I should probably get the last Android 10 AT&T OTA update for my V40 and back up that firmware for VoLTE and VoWiFi before cross-flashing, right? I read somewhere that once you cross-flash your device, even if you return to the original firmware that came with your phone, you won't be able to receive OTA updates (and AT&T doesn't release any KDZs).
HapaxLegomenon said:
Awesome, thanks for the extremely helpful reply!
One last thing: if I want to have the option to switch from Fi to an AT&T MVNO in the future, I should probably get the last Android 10 AT&T OTA update for my V40 and back up that firmware for VoLTE and VoWiFi before cross-flashing, right? I read somewhere that once you cross-flash your device, even if you return to the original firmware that came with your phone, you won't be able to receive OTA updates (and AT&T doesn't release any KDZs).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well there's already a qfil backup of at&t 10 in the 'partition backup request' thread (or some name like that). But will there be any more updates from at&t? I think that's highly unlikely. There *may* be some security patches, but that would be it.
I guess if you use an at&t mvno, you may need at&t firmware to get volte and vowifi, don't know as I don't use those mvno. But on t-mo mvno (mint mobile), I have volte and vowifi with us open firmware (had to go to my mint account and select 'allow vowifi' for it to work).
Sounds like you'd want to check on at&t mvno's, to see what their requirements are to get volte and vowifi.
Android 10 for US Open version
AsItLies said:
You've done some research, good. Let me point out a few things;
1) The US Open version should be updated to 10, pretty soon hopefully.
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any guess how soon? I must have Android 10 on my unlocked LM-V405QA by mid December. Called AT&T and they could not push it (probably because THEIR variant of V40 ThinQ is different).
Thanks