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Unfortunately in the UK, the only way to get the Deep Sea Blue variant would be to buy the N9500. I understand that this was built specifically for China markets, but it should have the right network frequencies for the UK. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these before, and whether there's any quirks in the device compared to the UK model? Cheers
Using Note8 N-9500 for 3 weeks now
doubleluckstur said:
Unfortunately in the UK, the only way to get the Deep Sea Blue variant would be to buy the N9500. I understand that this was built specifically for China markets, but it should have the right network frequencies for the UK. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these before, and whether there's any quirks in the device compared to the UK model? Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Note 8 N-9500 is Hong Kong/China version. I have been using it for 3 weeks now, but I would not recommend it.
I have Hong Kong version. (China version doesn't support Google Play Store. Avoid it!)
Here are some negative things that I found out so far.
1. It works perfectly with UK network frequencies, however, you can't enable VoLTE or wifi cailling.
This is really downside. it keeps saying my current software does not support VoLTE.
2. It doesn't have Samsung Pass. Some apps require it to log in with your bio info (cf. finger print etc.), so it is bit annoying.
3. Android Pay works fine.
I have not use Samsung Pay yet, but Samsung Pay is registered as Hong Kong so you will get promotions from Hong Kong market only and you can't change it.
4. If you contact customer service through handset it automatically connect with Samsung Hong Kong Service centre. ha ha
I have tried to change it with other CSC roms such as Europe versions, but Note 8 N-9500 uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 not Exynos as Europe or Korean version.
At this point as far as I know it is impossible to use other CSC roms.
twotoy said:
Yes. Note 8 N-9500 is Hong Kong/China version. I have been using it for 3 weeks now, but I would not recommend it.
I have Hong Kong version. (China version doesn't support Google Play Store. Avoid it!)
Here are some negative things that I found out so far.
1. It works perfectly with UK network frequencies, however, you can't enable VoLTE or wifi cailling.
This is really downside. it keeps saying my current software does not support VoLTE.
2. It doesn't have Samsung Pass. Some apps require it to log in with your bio info (cf. finger print etc.), so it is bit annoying.
3. Android Pay works fine.
I have not use Samsung Pay yet, but Samsung Pay is registered as Hong Kong so you will get promotions from Hong Kong market only and you can't change it.
4. If you contact customer service through handset it automatically connect with Samsung Hong Kong Service centre. ha ha
I have tried to change it with other CSC roms such as Europe versions, but Note 8 N-9500 uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 not Exynos as Europe or Korean version.
At this point as far as I know it is impossible to use other CSC roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you managed to flash Europe firmware successfully?
I've also got N9500 deep sea blue, the only reason I bought this version was for the colour!
I quite like it but would like to have volte
SM N9500
No I haven't. As far as I know EU firmware doesn't work with this SM-N9500.
I ask some questions to Samsung customer service Hong Kong, but I haven't got the answer yet.
If I do, I will post it here. cheers!
Note 8 n9500
doubleluckstur said:
Unfortunately in the UK, the only way to get the Deep Sea Blue variant would be to buy the N9500. I understand that this was built specifically for China markets, but it should have the right network frequencies for the UK. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these before, and whether there's any quirks in the device compared to the UK model? Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the China variant of the N9500 in Deep sea blue
I I've had it for 3 months with no problems. I saw from one of the other posts that there had been some issues they had found with theirs. Just to comment on mine Samsung pay initially wouldn't let me load a card and work but now it works fine with no issues. Google play was installed and works without issue also. Unfortunately I have not been able to get VoLTE or WiFi calling to work as the firmware installed does not support the former and the latter, I'm still trying to get to work, but neither I or EE can come up with a reason why it doesn't. I've also not been able to install a European /UK firmware due to the Exynos/qualcom incompatability issue. mind you there are only a few reasons why you'd want to install the firmware as the phone works fine with the firmware installed bar the issues I've mentioned and f you can live without WiFi calling or VoLTE then there's no reason to use it. They are a great bit of kit as I they come with a much larger internal storage than is available over here. This was the reason I got mine in the first place as I store loads of books and music as well as videos and as an amateur photographer alongside my DSLR I still use this for photos as the shots are quite comparable in lots of cases. I hope this has helped, oh and one more thing, I i got mine new from a online phone store via ebay I ended up paying about £750-800 for it which was cheaper than the lower storage version that you can get in the UK so that's another plus
NDB19573 said:
I have the China variant of the N9500 in Deep sea blue
I I've had it for 3 months with no problems. I saw from one of the other posts that there had been some issues they had found with theirs. Just to comment on mine Samsung pay initially wouldn't let me load a card and work but now it works fine with no issues. Google play was installed and works without issue also. Unfortunately I have not been able to get VoLTE or WiFi calling to work as the firmware installed does not support the former and the latter, I'm still trying to get to work, but neither I or EE can come up with a reason why it doesn't. I've also not been able to install a European /UK firmware due to the Exynos/qualcom incompatability issue. mind you there are only a few reasons why you'd want to install the firmware as the phone works fine with the firmware installed bar the issues I've mentioned and f you can live without WiFi calling or VoLTE then there's no reason to use it. They are a great bit of kit as I they come with a much larger internal storage than is available over here. This was the reason I got mine in the first place as I store loads of books and music as well as videos and as an amateur photographer alongside my DSLR I still use this for photos as the shots are quite comparable in lots of cases. I hope this has helped, oh and one more thing, I i got mine new from a online phone store via ebay I ended up paying about £750-800 for it which was cheaper than the lower storage version that you can get in the UK so that's another plus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No volte is a biggie for some.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
i wonder if the wifi calling would work on the proper csc for n9500's or if like my provider, regardless of what mods are done to the phone's software, if its not a device purchased from them, they black list imei. well i should say they white list theirs and simply block everything else.
people on rooted 9500:
have you manualy extracted csc from relevant provider firmware and copyed to system/omc?
Limeybastard said:
No volte is a biggie for some.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/ appreciate that it must a deal breaker for some out. there .I guess its just never been such a huge issue for me really. Its the inactive wifi calling that's the pain in the rear for me. It's not that
its not working that annoys me the most, its more
that there is no actual reason why it shouldn't work. that's the most annoying thing. its just so usefull to have.
Sent from my SM-N9500 using Tapatalk
Will i able to get updates ?
Will i able to use volte(LTE) with UK/INDIA carrier or will i face any network issue?
or any other issue if i use snapdragon variant in non- snapdragon region.
Thank you in advance.
I'm using a Hong Kong model G9730 Snapdragon in UK, EE network. Everything works fine, updates and LTE+. The only thing that doesn't work is Samsung Pay but Google Pay works perfect. Can't say anything about other UK carriers or India.
ixman said:
I'm using a Hong Kong model G9730 Snapdragon in UK, EE network. Everything works fine, updates and LTE+. The only thing that doesn't work is Samsung Pay but Google Pay works perfect. Can't say anything about other UK carriers or India.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does VOLTE works? or it switches back to 3G/H for calls
devtstm said:
Will i able to get updates ?
Will i able to use volte(LTE) with UK/INDIA carrier or will i face any network issue?
or any other issue if i use snapdragon variant in non- snapdragon region.
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Updates - not sure yet, we can push manually via adb.
VOLTE - In India, Airtel, Yes. I am currently using.
So, after many frustrating hours on the phone with different Samsung agents who insisted that the US S21 Ultra supports eSIM (but couldn't get it to work), one agent finally admitted that eSIM is not enabled "as of now". This is despite the fact that Samsung expressly promised eSIM functionality on their US website:
"Does Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G support eSIM?
Yes, you can use an electronic SIM, known as eSIM, with Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. The eSIM allows you to activate a mobile network plan right on your phone, so you can switch data plans or add an overseas phone number without the physical Nano SIM."
https://www.samsung.com/us/smartphones/galaxy-s21-ultra-5g/#!
As of this post, the above Q&A is still on Samsung's US website. Isn't this blatant fraud? Where can I file a complaint?
While I am still within the return window, simply getting a refund isn't good enough as I already paid money to my carrier to convert my physical SIM into an eSIM in anticipation of being able to use it with my S 21 Ultra.
Until the carriers enable the eSim they will not work. It has been disabled or not enable from all US carriers for a reason. No one knows exactly why. My guess is compatibility, or issues arising. Who knows. It is supposed to be enabled but no set date has ever been given. The same thing happened with the Note and s20. As much as I would love the eSim support is just won't happen for a bit.
Also do note if you scroll down it does say "The Galaxy S21 does not currently support eSim in the U.S."
I am not sure why people seriously keep falling for the eSim instead of reading the several post regarding it in the previous years posts.
jeremyvbk said:
Until the carriers enable the eSim they will not work. It has been disabled or not enable from all US carriers for a reason. No one knows exactly why. My guess is compatibility, or issues arising. Who knows. It is supposed to be enabled but no set date has ever been given. The same thing happened with the Note and s20. As much as I would love the eSim support is just won't happen for a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That logic doesn't make sense when it comes to the unlocked version bought directly from Samsung's website. Also my eSIM is from an international carrier and not a US carrier, and it works on my previous Samsung device (bought in Asia).
jeremyvbk said:
Also do note if you scroll down it does say "The Galaxy S21 does not currently support eSim in the U.S."
I am not sure why people seriously keep falling for the eSim instead of reading the several post regarding it in the previous years posts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They changed it a few days after the launch. The previous Q&A was as shown in my quote above. I scrolled through the website carefully (including reading the endnotes) and there was no such caveat previously.
Also, I am new to the US and was not aware of this issue previously. I have used Samsung devices in Asia for many years and never had this issue. I'm not sure why US customers put up with this blatant fraud if it is happening each time.
draykin said:
That logic doesn't make sense when it comes to the unlocked version bought directly from Samsung's website. Also my eSIM is from an international carrier and not a US carrier, and it works on my previous Samsung device (bought in Asia).
They changed it a few days after the launch. The previous Q&A was as shown in my quote above. I scrolled through the website carefully (including reading the endnotes) and there was no such caveat previously.
Also, I am new to the US and was not aware of this issue previously. I have used Samsung devices in Asia for many years and never had this issue. I'm not sure why US customers put up with this blatant fraud if it is happening each time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the unlocked version has to work with those carriers, and having esim support turned on could lead to more issues than what is currently out there. Samsung has disabled it so you don't have droves of people going to carriers saying service doesn't work when the carriers haven't supported the phones for eSim. Because those carriers will send you right back to Samsung for warranty exchanges. Costing Samsung money.
The phones do support eSim. It is no different than the phones disabling bands depending on csc. Also the US unlocked versions apply the csc based on the carrier, also why the eSim is disabled. Its not fraud. The information isn't fraud
jeremyvbk said:
Until the carriers enable the eSim they will not work. It has been disabled or not enable from all US carriers for a reason. No one knows exactly why. My guess is compatibility, or issues arising. Who knows. It is supposed to be enabled but no set date has ever been given. The same thing happened with the Note and s20. As much as I would love the eSim support is just won't happen for a bit.
Also do note if you scroll down it does say "The Galaxy S21 does not currently support eSim in the U.S."
I am not sure why people seriously keep falling for the eSim instead of reading the several post regarding it in the previous years posts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it mean s21 ultra supports esim?
works on mine - Vodafone UK - been with an esim since s20 and now also on s21
makes no difference really to being on a sim or e-sim
jacklivehere said:
Does it mean s21 ultra supports esim?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of the phones support it but have it disabled on purpose because the carriers do not support it. Its like the S21 supports N71 and band 71 but on ATT CSC those bands are disabled.
jeremyvbk said:
All of the phones support it but have it disabled on purpose because the carriers do not support it. Its like the S21 supports N71 and band 71 but on ATT CSC those bands are disabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Samsung website quoted above only says s21 and s21 plus doesn't support esim. Doesn't say about s21 ultra
jacklivehere said:
The Samsung website quoted above only says s21 and s21 plus doesn't support esim. Doesn't say about s21 ultra
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are saying you can't use them in the US. The devices have the hardware already included in the devices. They are disabled. The same with the Ultra, as it has been the same for the last years worth of phones
Same in canada. Its been a coming soon with an update feature for years now. Another small thing I miss about my pixel.
I wonder if this is why i can not get my s21 U to take an upgraded T mobile sim. I have been trying since Friday to get the Upgraded network sim from T mobile to install on my phone. I had been on sprint and since the merger last year my sprint connections had been getting progressively worse as the year went on - dropped calls and phone going into roaming mode at home for example, I had a note 10+ i traded in for the s21U and about 3 weeks ago was able to ditch the old sprint sim for the new t mobile one on the note and what a difference ! So anyway, i have been into a t mobile store a couple time and they could not get the t mobile sim to activate, and called sprint a couple times to try and activate it and they could not either but was finally able to active a sprint sim which i dont want. They had said that my s21 was not for some reason compatible with the new t mobile sim. I got the 512gb S21 ultra unlocked direct from samsung.
Disabled esim...
Is it because Samsung is weak compared to Apple or Google? Can't stand up to US carriers?
They can't say it is not compatible with carriers when Apple already went through the motions and is not compatible with all the carriers. They could have used this excuse two phones ago but for us to be having this discussion now is uncalled for. I'm returning this crap now until Samsung stops committing this fraud on its customers and gets its act together.
thdaddy34 said:
They can't say it is not compatible with carriers when Apple already went through the motions and is not compatible with all the carriers. They could have used this excuse two phones ago but for us to be having this discussion now is uncalled for. I'm returning this crap now until Samsung stops committing this fraud on its customers and gets its act together.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed!
NasTraDooMis said:
I wonder if this is why i can not get my s21 U to take an upgraded T mobile sim. I have been trying since Friday to get the Upgraded network sim from T mobile to install on my phone. I had been on sprint and since the merger last year my sprint connections had been getting progressively worse as the year went on - dropped calls and phone going into roaming mode at home for example, I had a note 10+ i traded in for the s21U and about 3 weeks ago was able to ditch the old sprint sim for the new t mobile one on the note and what a difference ! So anyway, i have been into a t mobile store a couple time and they could not get the t mobile sim to activate, and called sprint a couple times to try and activate it and they could not either but was finally able to active a sprint sim which i dont want. They had said that my s21 was not for some reason compatible with the new t mobile sim. I got the 512gb S21 ultra unlocked direct from samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My S21 Ultra works fine with the T-Mobile R15 SIM. To be fair, though, I think I might have activated it on my iPhone 12 Pro Max first and then just dropped it in the S21 Ultra. I don't remember now. But it should work.
It pays off to do some research before dropping a stack of cash on a smartphone. All this fuss over eSIM. Carrier's in the US don't want to give their subscribers the option to switch Service Provider's, they lose money. Same reason no Dual-Sim devices are offered by US Carriers. Samsung could lean on them to enable eSIM but for whatever reason they won't. Simple solution, buy a Non-US S21 Ultra Dual Nano-SIM device.
Hi, in Russia e-sim it works perfectly on all operators( carriers). Its very strange why in US you have this problem.
varcor said:
It pays off to do some research before dropping a stack of cash on a smartphone. All this fuss over eSIM. Carrier's in the US don't want to give their subscribers the option to switch Service Provider's, they lose money. Same reason no Dual-Sim devices are offered by US Carriers. Samsung could lean on them to enable eSIM but for whatever reason they won't. Simple solution, buy a Non-US S21 Ultra Dual Nano-SIM device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's true except for the fact that if you want 5G in the US, the non-US dual sim samsung devices don't have the appropriate bands for it. So you get dual sim but no US 5G.
I confirm esim working in S21 Ultra Snapdragon SM-G998U1 in Android 12 Colombia Bogota but keep in mind that in Colombia the esim only works with movistar
Does anyone own an Hong Kong version outside of Hong Kong?
If so, what are your experiences in terms of:
1. What country are you using it?
2. Does VoLTE Work?
3. Does Wifi Calling Work?
4. Both sim slot capable of 5G?
5. Samsung Pay work?
6. Call Recording?
Using G9980 HK version in Australia. No issues. VOLTE and wifi calling works. 5G works very well on SIM slot 2 only, not on SIM 1. No call recording. Have not tried Samsung Pay I use Google Pay.
Im in japan right now, and 4g works in both sims,volte works, in options could put 2 sims on 5g, but here dont have 5g yet.
in case someone else interested:
- Austria
- everything except for Samsung Pay and Call Recording works on my side
- 5G not tested, but shown as option
Mihalaki said:
Using G9980 HK version in Australia. No issues. VOLTE and wifi calling works. 5G works very well on SIM slot 2 only, not on SIM 1. No call recording. Have not tried Samsung Pay I use Google Pay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey brother, what carrier are you with? I am trying with Telstra and it simply doesn't work.
Cheers
fabricio.rod.510 said:
Hey brother, what carrier are you with? I am trying with Telstra and it simply doesn't work.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with Optus. I had to activate 5G though the Optus app not sure if you might have to do that with Telstra or call Telstra support to make sure 5G activated
Hi all. I have the a few sm-g998b phones, rooted with magisk, and I am a bit confused about which CSC I should flash to the device (SAMKEY). I ordered the phones from Singapore and need them be more compatible with USA verizon and USA tmobile. Only using one sim per phone. Which CSC should I replace the current SIN csc with for each, and is there anything else I can do to make these phones play a bit nicer in the USA? I am currently having issues with no 5g, poor wifi calling, no updates, etc.
1. Avoid SamKEY. Do your own work.
2. Flash the HOME_CSC, or the CSC of the firmware of the carrier. HOME is usually a safer bet though.
You're going to have issues in the US until you flash the proper CSC. AFAIK, every S21U has all radios, but the CSC activates the correct one.
For the absolute safest, download the TMOB stock firm, and flash the HOME_CSC (as well as the BL, AP, etc), then put the Tmob SIM in after boot.
SapphireEX said:
1. Avoid SamKEY. Do your own work.
2. Flash the HOME_CSC, or the CSC of the firmware of the carrier. HOME is usually a safer bet though.
You're going to have issues in the US until you flash the proper CSC. AFAIK, every S21U has all radios, but the CSC activates the correct one.
For the absolute safest, download the TMOB stock firm, and flash the HOME_CSC (as well as the BL, AP, etc), then put the Tmob SIM in after boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmobile or any US firmware can't be flashed on any Exynos Global device.
falawefulwaffle said:
Hi all. I have the a few sm-g998b phones, rooted with magisk, and I am a bit confused about which CSC I should flash to the device (SAMKEY). I ordered the phones from Singapore and need them be more compatible with USA verizon and USA tmobile. Only using one sim per phone. Which CSC should I replace the current SIN csc with for each, and is there anything else I can do to make these phones play a bit nicer in the USA? I am currently having issues with no 5g, poor wifi calling, no updates, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you aquire the Exynos Global variant knowing your service provider isn't optimized for your firmware? Did you save money? If so I hope saved a lot otherwise it was a poor choice. Your best option is keeping the stock SIN Firmware, at least you'll get timely updates. You MIGHT get Wifi Calling and VoLTE enabled but forget about 5G and Carrier Aggregation.
Missed that you mentioned an Exynos variant. Yeah, you're ****ed. Exynos is not compatible with US bands, or at least aggregate banding.
varcor said:
Why would you aquire the Exynos Global variant knowing your service provider isn't optimized for your firmware? Did you save money? If so I hope saved a lot otherwise it was a poor choice. Your best option is keeping the stock SIN Firmware, at least you'll get timely updates. You MIGHT get Wifi Calling and VoLTE enabled but forget about 5G and Carrier Aggregation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, these phones are company. we needed root for some applications.
*don't use SAMKEY
This is a bit tricky because US is Snapdragon-based.
My best bet would be to factory reset (don't forget to backup) and flash a multi-csc Exynos ROM (OXM). This would detect the most compatible one for your US sims.
I would suggest getting the XSP for Singapore because that's the unbranded one.
Other than n71 5G band for US Cellular, I don't think you'll have much issues.
mpore14 said:
*don't use SAMKEY
This is a bit tricky because US is Snapdragon-based.
My best bet would be to factory reset (don't forget to backup) and flash a multi-csc Exynos ROM (OXM). This would detect the most compatible one for your US sims.
I would suggest getting the XSP for Singapore because that's the unbranded one.
Other than n71 5G band for US Cellular, I don't think you'll have much issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"This would detect the most compatible one for your US sims" Nope, that's incorrect, Exynos Global variants aren't able to detect the most compatible US Networks. It's apples and oranges, there is zero integration for US devices.
varcor said:
"This would detect the most compatible one for your US sims" Nope, that's incorrect, Exynos Global variants aren't able to detect the most compatible US Networks. It's apples and oranges, there is zero integration for US devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for correcting me. Least that's how it was for me using NZ sim on a G9980 SD variant.
mpore14 said:
Thanks for correcting me. Least that's how it was for me using NZ sim on a G9980 SD variant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Exynos variants are Multi-CSC Devices, mainly for Europe, not for the US. The SM-G9980 isn't a Multi-CSC Device unlike some US Models, it's Dual-Sim. In Settings under Network Operators you can have the device select the "Best Network" but it isn't analyzing call features, it's only matching the network with the Active CSC (SIM Card).
Bro,
On the stock phone dialer key in
*#2263#
You will see the bands the 998b supports.
Now u need to check on the networks u plan to use in the US what bands are used. Not sure what u plan to do but these exynos phones should be able to roam into the US with voice n data services. Not blazing gigabits but one should be able to roam globally with these phones.