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N9500 UK - anyone used this and is it any good?

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

Unlocked vs Carrier s10

I currently use multi-line setting for my virtual number (Digits from Tmobile) and would like to continue using it for my future s10+. I'm tempted to go unlocked but I just don't know the difference.
I also heard about slow updates for unlocked? Is this true?
What's the advantage of getting one or the other?

Unlocked will have root + unlocked bootloader. It will run on Exynos. Tmos version will have Snapdragon and be completely locked down with no root.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL

I'm sure the US unlocked will be the Snapdragon just like the Note 9, exynos will be international. The unlocked version will see updates last after carrier updates according to Samsung this is because unlocked has to work on all carriers.

I tend to buy unlocked phones as they re-sell better and quicker

I always buy the US unlocked version (Snapdragon). No bloatware and I'm not tied to one carrier. I can change to the lowest cost month 2 month service any time I choose. No contracts.

Does this means that if I buy S10 locked to a carrier I will not be able to root my device? (assuming I buy the version in exynos)

Has anyone had success using unlocked Samsung devices with Xfinity Mobile (who does not currently support bring-your-own-android)?

compujock said:
I always buy the US unlocked version (Snapdragon). No bloatware and I'm not tied to one carrier. I can change to the lowest cost month 2 month service any time I choose. No contracts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, oh there's bloarware, like two of everything...but yes, no added carrier bloat. That would just be unbearable.

As far as I'm aware, all the recent US variants of Samsung Galaxy phones, including the factory unlocked variants from Samsung, have traditionally come with locked bootloaders. It is likely this is true for the S10 as well.

gotnoypi said:
I currently use multi-line setting for my virtual number (Digits from Tmobile) and would like to continue using it for my future s10+. I'm tempted to go unlocked but I just don't know the difference.
I also heard about slow updates for unlocked? Is this true?
What's the advantage of getting one or the other?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The built in multi-line setting is normally available with T-Mobile branded phone, such as S8 and so on. Unlocked model didn't have multi-line support, but you can always download their digits app. If you don't want the app, then you would have to flash your S10 with T-Mobile firmware and get all the features and I do prefer to go with this route as you won't get T-Mobile's bloatware

Charkatak said:
The built in multi-line setting is normally available with T-Mobile branded phone, such as S8 and so on. Unlocked model didn't have multi-line support, but you can always download their digits app. If you don't want the app, then you would have to flash your S10 with T-Mobile firmware and get all the features and I do prefer to go with this route as you won't get T-Mobile's bloatware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there even word that we can even use Odin to flash another firmware on to the S10 like the S8 and 9?
T-Mobile is offering a hell of a better deal on the S10 than Samsung directly with both the monthly payments (if you choose that option) and a better S8 trade in amount at $390 versus $330. It might tempt me to go that route even though carrier bootups and firmware labeling annoys the hell out of me. If it's still possible to flash with Odin, buying from a carrier would be a no brainer. Flash off to the unlocked firmware if you want better rates, and then flash back when you want something on the firmware side.

If its the case like the Note 9 and the S9, then even though you buy the unlocked version, once you pop in the carrier sim the phone will reset to that carriers CSC profile including all the bloatware and apps etc... Change to another carrier and the phone will switch profiles accordingly.
Please correct me if im wrong.

Tacoo said:
Is there even word that we can even use Odin to flash another firmware on to the S10 like the S8 and 9?
T-Mobile is offering a hell of a better deal on the S10 than Samsung directly with both the monthly payments (if you choose that option) and a better S8 trade in amount at $390 versus $330. It might tempt me to go that route even though carrier bootups and firmware labeling annoys the hell out of me. If it's still possible to flash with Odin, buying from a carrier would be a no brainer. Flash off to the unlocked firmware if you want better rates, and then flash back when you want something on the firmware side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin firmware flashing was possible on previous recent Galaxy phones, including the S9 and the Note 9, so I hope that is still the case with the S10.
If it is not, then honestly I would rather just buy the unlocked version based on principle alone: If I'm buying a phone at full price, then I would rather not buy one that is stuck with a particular carrier's firmware or branding. It's a Samsung phone, not a "TMobile" or "at&t" phone.

Tacoo said:
Is there even word that we can even use Odin to flash another firmware on to the S10 like the S8 and 9?
T-Mobile is offering a hell of a better deal on the S10 than Samsung directly with both the monthly payments (if you choose that option) and a better S8 trade in amount at $390 versus $330. It might tempt me to go that route even though carrier bootups and firmware labeling annoys the hell out of me. If it's still possible to flash with Odin, buying from a carrier would be a no brainer. Flash off to the unlocked firmware if you want better rates, and then flash back when you want something on the firmware side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I was preordering S10e, I was at two roads: T-Mobile variant or unlocked, but it didn't take me long to realize that unlocked would give me more flexibility.
When you flash unlocked unit, it is just a standard flash: using Odin pick a carrier firmware and flash. When you flash a carrier branded phone, in most cases
you would needed "factory binary" firmware because you would need to change CSC(unless your carrier phone was multi-CSC) to the one you need, than in the dial, type some commands to pull up CSC changing menu and after saving and restarting phone, then flash a firmware of your choice In other words it was a longer process. That I why unlocked phone would just be a regular flash and a fast one.
I can't guarantee that there will be a way to flash S10, but most likely it will be possible to do it. I even flashed Galaxy S3, S4 and so on.
I think couple of years ago Samsung made an unlocked firmware that would detect which sim card is inserted and tune the firmware to that sim, but to what extent, I don't know
Also unlocked phones mostly are approved for Samsung beta testing of new Android built(if you are into this)

Eudeferrer said:
Unlocked will have root + unlocked bootloader. It will run on Exynos. Tmos version will have Snapdragon and be completely locked down with no root.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Snapdragon unlocked, U1, is only sim unlocked, not bootloader unlocked.

Charkatak said:
When I was preordering S10e, I was at two roads: T-Mobile variant or unlocked, but it didn't take me long to realize that unlocked would give me more flexibility.
When you flash unlocked unit, it is just a standard flash: using Odin pick a carrier firmware and flash. When you flash a carrier branded phone, in most cases
you would needed "factory binary" firmware because you would need to change CSC(unless your carrier phone was multi-CSC) to the one you need, than in the dial, type some commands to pull up CSC changing menu and after saving and restarting phone, then flash a firmware of your choice In other words it was a longer process. That I why unlocked phone would just be a regular flash and a fast one.
I can't guarantee that there will be a way to flash S10, but most likely it will be possible to do it. I even flashed Galaxy S3, S4 and so on.
I think couple of years ago Samsung made an unlocked firmware that would detect which sim card is inserted and tune the firmware to that sim, but to what extent, I don't know
Also unlocked phones mostly are approved for Samsung beta testing of new Android built(if you are into this)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm wondering... regarding changing the CSC if flashing from a carrier-specific firmware to the unlocked firmware, is this the equivalent of needing to use a patched Odin that bypasses CSC match check? I've never actually done this process, but have been reading about it.

Kjn246 said:
I'm wondering... regarding changing the CSC if flashing from a carrier-specific firmware to the unlocked firmware, is this the equivalent of needing to use a patched Odin that bypasses CSC match check? I've never actually done this process, but have been reading about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last phones I flashed was my unlocked S8 and Sprint S8 Active.
So when I flashed my unlocked s8 to T-Mo firmware, I just used regular Odin because unlocked phones have multi-csc codes for many different carriers.
When I needed to flash back to unlocked XAA csc, then I had to use modified Odin and flashing completed successfully.
With Sprint S8 Active model, I had to jump through few hoops and it wasn't pleasant as at the time of my flashing, most people had other phones and no special "factory binary" firmware was freely available.
I don't recall exactly, but: I took Odin(possibly regular) flashed with special factory binary firmware which had the ability to change csc codes to the one I need, then it would restart my phone, than I think I used modified Odin to flash the final firmware of my choice. I wanted to convert Sprint model to T-Mobile

Were Unlocked software updates timely?

I know in the past, before the S10, Samsung was pretty terrible about getting software updates to the unlocked versions. Taking several months longer, than the carrier versions.
So how did Samsung do with getting unlocked software updates on the S10? I'm curious to know before I decide which Galaxy S20 I preorder.
I have a Verizon S10 and I was quite pleased with the promptness of the software updates. I'm impressed we even got Android 10.

I was in the beta and my unlocked was a couple of weeks at least behind the beta people with locked phones when the final came out.

Same question here. I was looking at firmware listings on sammobile and it seems that at least for the latest firmware ...CTA3 U1 versions are dated 02-03-2020, whereas for U model only T-Mobile has CTA3 and is dated later 02-09-2020. Would love to hear from someone with unlocked model about their update experience. I've stopped buying unlocked precisely for these update delays, but would love to loose T-Mobile crap and silly 4/5g LTE icons if Samsung has gotten their act together.

madman6886 said:
Same question here. I was looking at firmware listings on sammobile and it seems that at least for the latest firmware ...CTA3 U1 versions are dated 02-03-2020, whereas for U model only T-Mobile has CTA3 and is dated later 02-09-2020. Would love to hear from someone with unlocked model about their update experience. I've stopped buying unlocked precisely for these update delays, but would love to loose T-Mobile crap and silly 4/5g LTE icons if Samsung has gotten their act together.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running an unlocked S10e on T-Mobile. Got the February security update on 4Feb. Wife's S10e we got directly from T-Mobile, it still hasn't had the Feb update pushed.

While those of us wiih unlocked phones were more than a week behind everyone else getting out of beta on Android 10, we received the February patch before some locked phones. It would be unusual for Samsung to push anything out to the unlocks early but they did on the last patch.

Recommendations regarding new firmware / csc - usa phone in the UK - N960U

Hey guys, hope everyone is well!
I've been doing alot of reading of various posts and sites and am getting myself quite confused! I was hoping some of you may be able to point me in the right direction!
I bought an unlocked new note 9 from ebay (I'm in the UK). I'm currently on three and dont think I ever really did a factory reset when I first got the phone.
The details are SM-N960U , Baseband N960USQS2CSGB , XAA/XAA/SPR
My three wifi calling is working which is good, however I am still stuck on August 2019 update. I thought I could perhaps flash this with a OXM firmware or even BTU to start getting updates again. It would be good to get security updates...!
Using Frija I can only seem to find USA firmwares though, and can't find any firmware online for UK sm-N960U (BTU/XEA/OXM). Just wanted advice on what you recommend? Should I just download the latest USA firmware from any of the carriers and flash that using ODIN? Frija doesnt seem to be able to even find any firmware with CSC XAA. I'm worried that if I install a new USA carrier firmware it'll lock the phone and I wouldnt want to lose the three voice calling either.
Any help/advice/pointers are much appreciated! Just couldn't find this particular situation on any of my searches!

The N960U is a North American only variant, with a Snapdragon SoC and non-unlockable bootloader, you won't be able to find any firmware for regions outside USA or Canada, neither will you be able to install custom ROMS.
I believe that the UK models are using the Samsung Exynos SoC.
But... You get the FM Radio on the chip, with the App NextRadio, and with a set of wired earbuds you can listen to OTA radio.
SPR was the carrier Sprint, now gobbled up by T-Mobile, (CSC; TMB)
My carrier Xfinity Mobile, CSC: CCT (Comcast) has WiFi Calling enabled, and has September update in Frija.
However, if you are getting WiFI calling on Three using the SPR firmware already on the phone, you might as well download the latest one, which is the Sept 20 update also.
FWIW, Flashing ROMS using Odin doesn't reset the SIM Lock.
I pre-ordered our phones (my wife received hers the day before the official launch, mine arrived the day after the closing date for claiming the pre-order bonus, luckily they honoured it due to overwhelming demand for the model that I ordered) and Xfinity unlocked them a month after we received mine.
I have flashed other official US ROMs before returning to the carrier's firmware and was still able to slip a Vodafone SIM in at Heathrow Airport and still enjoy glorious UK LTE during my vacation through England and Wales last April.

Question S21 Ultra SC-52B Questions

So, I have an S21 Ultra running Android 13/OneUI 5.0, it is an international model from Japan known as the SC-52B (I think also may be referred to as SM-G998D?). The reseller on eBay listed it as "unknown carrier" but I did not expect it to come as a non-US variant, though everything does seem to work except 5G due to the correct bands being disabled. I can't find much info on SC-52B online, I know it has the Snapdragon 888 but no idea if it's any different to flash/program, or if I am just not doing what I need to do.
First, I was trying to flash USA U1 (stock) firmware to remove the bloatware but no luck, Odin gave me a "re-partition" error and some google results said this could be due to incompatible firmware. Sammobile does have firmware matching this model but they are all Android 12 and have the same carrier software I have now (Docomo). I assume I am probably out of luck on this conversion, I did read some info on changing CSC first but not sure if this will actually fix it.
Second, I am trying to unlock the correct bands for 5G operation on Verizon, and I found that Samsung Toolkit can do this as well as some ADB commands. From my understanding, this works on UI 5.0 but not 5.1 due to a patch from Samsung. I have 5.0, but I am getting the same issues as those with 5.1, and going via ADB does not bring up the hidden Service Menu either.
Lastly, is there any way to change the boot logo without root? I just want the normal Galaxy boot logo instead of this "DOCOMO" one, which I do understand would be achieved IF I could get the USA firmware loaded, I just don't want to brick it.
Just curious if anyone has any ideas or suggestions, or should I just trade this in on an S22/S23 Ultra? I only paid $300 and Samsung would offer $600 for trade-in, which is nice alternative but a $300 fully working S21U would be preferred. Seller does offer returns so I could also just look for an actual US S21U.