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Hello Is it possible to enable all the T-mobile US carrier features on the Exynos N960F/DS ?
Yes, when I reach 10 posts. I will be able to make a new thread with step by step images.
HERE is the guide, I got to 10 post
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/how-to/note-9-n960fd-dual-sim-csc-change-oxm-t3841000
jgoorn said:
Yes, when I reach 10 posts. I will be able to make a new thread with step by step images.
HERE is the guide, I got to 10 post
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/how-to/note-9-n960fd-dual-sim-csc-change-oxm-t3841000
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there absolutely any way to do it without root? Can't I take the home CSC of a desired rom and flash just that in Odin, keeping everything else as it originally was?
hkalltheway said:
Is there absolutely any way to do it without root? Can't I take the home CSC of a desired rom and flash just that in Odin, keeping everything else as it originally was?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure, I saw something like that on another post but then it was updated 4 pages later to say that method was not functioning. I assume you don't want to trip knox, but if you just don't want root but want custom CSC flash twrp and custom rom with root. Edit files to change csc as shown in my guide, or others guides. then factory reset rom, and reflash without root, and then make odin reset the recovery to stock recovery.
This is all speculation however.
I was very excited to see this as I've been wanting an international Exynos variant due to absolutely 'needing' to have root.
The Million dollar question is "Does the carrier aggregation still exist? ie... Does ALL the bands work perfectly on T-Mobiles network just as it would 1:1 on a TM variant Note 9?"
I along with some other fellow Note 8 owners got the (F) model of the Note 8 last year and we had discovered that the international variants on T-Mobile / US network suffered from carrier aggregation, where it would connect fine to one single frequency, but it would not aggregate properly to where it would not be able to 'hand off' / 'connect to multiple frequencies at once' with the (F) variants....
For those that remember, I went as far as completely disassembling my Note 8 and testing varies antenna cables thinking that it was hardware related, however, it has been concluded that it is a software issues that causes the international variant of the Note 8 to not work properly on US carriers....
Note: If one is in an area with good signal in the US with a (F) variant, it may look like everything is fine and well, however, it is not. Due to the good reception, the (F) variant is connecting only to that one band, whereas with other devices the domestic US variant would have the ability to pick up several bands and aggregate accordingly, where the (F) can't ...
Therefore, the Million dollar question is "Does this carrier aggregation issue still exist on the Note 9?"
The only way to be able to properly test this is for one to have both the T-Mobile Note 9 + the International (F) variant Note 9 and test the bands side by side in multiple areas ... along with checking in the hidden settings to see exactly what bands it is connected to. If they match, great.... if not, then the carrier aggregation still exists.....
While at it, I'll tag my fellow OG partners in Android Fanatics @DeeXii , @butchieboy , @KennyLG123 ....
I doubt it. It will probably be another year or two to get full or near full capability on Samsung modems. Look at all the weird spectrums going up in different countries. And TMobile just got band 71. It will be awhile before we start seeing noticeable effects nationwide for 71. Your optimism is obsessive. When the galaxy note 2 came out all were Exynos chipsets but some had LTE radios. I opted for without mainly because LTE was not fleshed out yet. (and the LTE radios were add on chips and not fully integrated meaning they were battery drainers). I made a good call as did Apple. You also have to consider Qualcomm has a lot more experience than Samsung and Intel in modems and radios. People are so focused on the results or what they can get without thinking through the whole front end of it and what is plausible, necessary and time needed. I am not saying no but again your optimism is obsessive to a fault. Qualcomm hasn't even made a truly international modem yet. (More bands than they can fit in their design and still too many different techs.) How would Samsung do it? It could be done but your battery life would suffer. That's why there are regional phones. Alsooooo, 2g bands are being deprecated in a few places (I think hspa too but nowhere near as much as GPRS/EDGE). To be honest I think it won't be until 2021 at the very least where there will be a few mainstream phones that you could pop in a sim anywhere and get good service across those regions. For now, you have to compromise. LTE is thankfully dropping in the GSM bucket but it needs to be sorted out.
iunlock said:
I was very excited to see this as I've been wanting an international Exynos variant due to absolutely 'needing' to have root.
The Million dollar question is "Does the carrier aggregation still exist? ie... Does ALL the bands work perfectly on T-Mobiles network just as it would 1:1 on a TM variant Note 9?"
I along with some other fellow Note 8 owners got the (F) model of the Note 8 last year and we had discovered that the international variants on T-Mobile / US network suffered from carrier aggregation, where it would connect fine to one single frequency, but it would not aggregate properly to where it would not be able to 'hand off' / 'connect to multiple frequencies at once' with the (F) variants....
For those that remember, I went as far as completely disassembling my Note 8 and testing varies antenna cables thinking that it was hardware related, however, it has been concluded that it is a software issues that causes the international variant of the Note 8 to not work properly on US carriers....
Note: If one is in an area with good signal in the US with a (F) variant, it may look like everything is fine and well, however, it is not. Due to the good reception, the (F) variant is connecting only to that one band, whereas with other devices the domestic US variant would have the ability to pick up several bands and aggregate accordingly, where the (F) can't ...
Therefore, the Million dollar question is "Does this carrier aggregation issue still exist on the Note 9?"
The only way to be able to properly test this is for one to have both the T-Mobile Note 9 + the International (F) variant Note 9 and test the bands side by side in multiple areas ... along with checking in the hidden settings to see exactly what bands it is connected to. If they match, great.... if not, then the carrier aggregation still exists.....
While at it, I'll tag my fellow OG partners in Android Fanatics @DeeXii , @butchieboy , @KennyLG123 ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I remember that thread very well, kalm_traveller also made adjustments to the antenna . I recall that ultimately carrier aggregation didn't work on international models when used on the USA networks.
Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk
@rbiter said:
I doubt it. It will probably be another year or two to get full or near full capability on Samsung modems. Look at all the weird spectrums going up in different countries. And TMobile just got band 71. It will be awhile before we start seeing noticeable effects nationwide for 71. Your optimism is obsessive. When the galaxy note 2 came out all were Exynos chipsets but some had LTE radios. I opted for without mainly because LTE was not fleshed out yet. (and the LTE radios were add on chips and not fully integrated meaning they were battery drainers). I made a good call as did Apple. You also have to consider Qualcomm has a lot more experience than Samsung and Intel in modems and radios. People are so focused on the results or what they can get without thinking through the whole front end of it and what is plausible, necessary and time needed. I am not saying no but again your optimism is obsessive to a fault. Qualcomm hasn't even made a truly international modem yet. (More bands than they can fit in their design and still too many different techs.) How would Samsung do it? It could be done but your battery life would suffer. That's why there are regional phones. Alsooooo, 2g bands are being deprecated in a few places (I think hspa too but nowhere near as much as GPRS/EDGE). To be honest I think it won't be until 2021 at the very least where there will be a few mainstream phones that you could pop in a sim anywhere and get good service across those regions. For now, you have to compromise. LTE is thankfully dropping in the GSM bucket but it needs to be sorted out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how come Apple is doing that since the iPhone 6s unlocked version? Qualcomm Modem and a truly a word.
Doing what?
I would almost guarantee no ca working. Does it really matter? My s8+ still got 12mb download speeds.
Yakuzahi said:
So how come Apple is doing that since the iPhone 6s unlocked version? Qualcomm Modem and a truly a word.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doing what?
iunlock said:
I was very excited to see this as I've been wanting an international Exynos variant due to absolutely 'needing' to have root.
The Million dollar question is "Does the carrier aggregation still exist? ie... Does ALL the bands work perfectly on T-Mobiles network just as it would 1:1 on a TM variant Note 9?"
I along with some other fellow Note 8 owners got the (F) model of the Note 8 last year and we had discovered that the international variants on T-Mobile / US network suffered from carrier aggregation, where it would connect fine to one single frequency, but it would not aggregate properly to where it would not be able to 'hand off' / 'connect to multiple frequencies at once' with the (F) variants....
For those that remember, I went as far as completely disassembling my Note 8 and testing varies antenna cables thinking that it was hardware related, however, it has been concluded that it is a software issues that causes the international variant of the Note 8 to not work properly on US carriers....
Note: If one is in an area with good signal in the US with a (F) variant, it may look like everything is fine and well, however, it is not. Due to the good reception, the (F) variant is connecting only to that one band, whereas with other devices the domestic US variant would have the ability to pick up several bands and aggregate accordingly, where the (F) can't ...
Therefore, the Million dollar question is "Does this carrier aggregation issue still exist on the Note 9?"
The only way to be able to properly test this is for one to have both the T-Mobile Note 9 + the International (F) variant Note 9 and test the bands side by side in multiple areas ... along with checking in the hidden settings to see exactly what bands it is connected to. If they match, great.... if not, then the carrier aggregation still exists.....
While at it, I'll tag my fellow OG partners in Android Fanatics @DeeXii , @butchieboy , @KennyLG123 ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the F model and tested with both AT&T and T-Mobile. Carrier aggregation works with 2 bands on AT&T (12+2) and while it supports all the other AT&T bands it will not aggregate them. No carrier aggregation at all on T-Mobile (single band only).
You can see the supported CA combos the F model has by looking at the FCC filing of the device (do a google search).
Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk
@rbiter said:
Doing what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doing a world phone with smaller battery than the Note line.
So basically it can be done. Samsung can make a world if they want to.
Apple doesn't have a world phone. They have a minimum of 2 phones to do the world. You have to pick your poison of which part. If they do have one, it probably has you covered for calls but not data. Heck any phone has this if data is less a priority and making calls and texts are a higher priority.
There might be obscure world phones but we probably are not privy to it. Satellite phones too of course but price. I actually read an article about Qualcomm's modem and the increase of LTE bands that came out recently talking about RF360 and Intel and Samsung probably not having anything to compete for at least a couple of years. They don't have an all in one solution yet. Close but not world yet. You have China, US and I forgot what part of South America that messes it up. Even though LTE falls under GSM standards I wish they would tighten it up. So many bands across different countries now and you can't keep up. Band 71 for TMobile is not relevant yet unless you live in a market that is getting it because of low or no coverage.
@rbiter said:
I doubt it. It will probably be another year or two to get full or near full capability on Samsung modems. Look at all the weird spectrums going up in different countries. And TMobile just got band 71. It will be awhile before we start seeing noticeable effects nationwide for 71. Your optimism is obsessive. When the galaxy note 2 came out all were Exynos chipsets but some had LTE radios. I opted for without mainly because LTE was not fleshed out yet. (and the LTE radios were add on chips and not fully integrated meaning they were battery drainers). I made a good call as did Apple. You also have to consider Qualcomm has a lot more experience than Samsung and Intel in modems and radios. People are so focused on the results or what they can get without thinking through the whole front end of it and what is plausible, necessary and time needed. I am not saying no but again your optimism is obsessive to a fault. Qualcomm hasn't even made a truly international modem yet. (More bands than they can fit in their design and still too many different techs.) How would Samsung do it? It could be done but your battery life would suffer. That's why there are regional phones. Alsooooo, 2g bands are being deprecated in a few places (I think hspa too but nowhere near as much as GPRS/EDGE). To be honest I think it won't be until 2021 at the very least where there will be a few mainstream phones that you could pop in a sim anywhere and get good service across those regions. For now, you have to compromise. LTE is thankfully dropping in the GSM bucket but it needs to be sorted out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think your lack of optimism is obsessive and at fault. What's wrong with being optimistic and having hope? Most of us are just wanting a simple root on the SD variant of the Note 9, whether it be a samfail method or whatever, we'll take it.
The US variant Note 5 was Exynos and worked just fine, so its not impossible for an Exynos equipped phone to work on US carriers. After all, most of the newer phones have a wide range of frequencies that it can support. Sure some phones are set regionally, but you're aware that there are dual SIM phones right?
If you were familiar with the F model Note 8 that some of us got and have tested last year, then my post would have made more sense to you.
suzook said:
I would almost guarantee no ca working. Does it really matter? My s8+ still got 12mb download speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it does matter, because with out the ability for the phone to hand off and/or merge the signals, for those in areas where the reception is sketchy, it'd become major headache.
clubtech said:
I have the F model and tested with both AT&T and T-Mobile. Carrier aggregation works with 2 bands on AT&T (12+2) and while it supports all the other AT&T bands it will not aggregate them. No carrier aggregation at all on T-Mobile (single band only).
You can see the supported CA combos the F model has by looking at the FCC filing of the device (do a google search).
Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey @clubtech, thanks for reiterating. Yea that was the case exactly as you've described.... I was getting the same results on TM on the F variant. I'm aware of the fcc filings, but the curiosity stems from the potential possibility...
Is this a possible lead to get CA working on N960F/DS?
https://www.reddit.com/r/GalaxyS8/comments/75ru94/root_exynos_galaxy_s8_how_to_get_carrier/
I've tried this method but just get these two lines without the menu popping up as instructed.
Broadcasting: Intent { act=android.provider.Telephony.SECRET_CODE dat=android_secret_code://27663368378 flg=0x400000 }
Broadcast completed: result=0
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Click to collapse
I am most likely doing something wrong or these devices are somehow further locked down. I'm rooted, connected adb, etc. as the instructions say with no success.
Techronico said:
Is this a possible lead to get CA working on N960F/DS?
https://www.reddit.com/r/GalaxyS8/comments/75ru94/root_exynos_galaxy_s8_how_to_get_carrier/
I've tried this method but just get these two lines without the menu popping up as instructed.
I am most likely doing something wrong or these devices are somehow further locked down. I'm rooted, connected adb, etc. as the instructions say with no success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mind sharing more info? I'm willing to try it with my device, I'll make a full backup and give it a go! Anything for even better reception!
jgoorn said:
Mind sharing more info? I'm willing to try it with my device, I'll make a full backup and give it a go! Anything for even better reception!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried using the dialer codes *#0011# and *#2263# first to get an idea of what I was looking at. These are mentioned further down in the Reddit thread by other users.
Apparently the code mentioned in the Reddit thread OP is a more advanced code that was removed/disabled from being activated from the dialer several iterations of Samsung devices ago...(ie. It now requires root, can only be activated from adb or terminal).
My theory is that Samsung has now fully gimped it or further hid the activation method. This method apparently worked on the Note 8...
Techronico said:
I tried using the dialer codes *#0011# and *#2263# first to get an idea of what I was looking at. These are mentioned further down in the Reddit thread by other users.
Apparently the code mentioned in the Reddit thread OP is a more advanced code that was removed/disabled from being activated from the dialer several iterations of Samsung devices ago...(ie. It now requires root, can only be activated from adb or terminal).
My theory is that Samsung has now fully gimped it or further hid the activation method. This method apparently worked on the Note 8...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, I'm the author of that thread and I also have an Exynos s9+ which is same as the Note 9.
The menu is indeed completely disabled, you can't get to it even with adb or root.
There is a way to activate it, but it will not fix our issue. I've been trying for weeks.
We have a problem that started out on the Note 8, and that is the phone is not reporting the correct supported aggregation combos to the cell tower.
Using the menu, my phone does not support 4+12 however it reports 2+12 and I get carrier aggregation when I disable B4.
So far j haven't found a way to change those combos. At this point I'm very sure it grabs them from the CSC. I've been experimenting and have been unsuccessful so far
The S8 reported the correct combos out of the box, however the ill configured 3xCA was stopping it from working, disabling 3xCA made 2xCA work perfectly.
Our issue here is just were missing those combos so no matter what the phone will not do 4+12 even though the hardware is fully capable.
If anyone knows how to change combos, pm me or reply here, thanks.
Interceptor777 said:
Hey, I'm the author of that thread and I also have an Exynos s9+ which is same as the Note 9.
The menu is indeed completely disabled, you can't get to it even with adb or root.
There is a way to activate it, but it will not fix our issue. I've been trying for weeks.
We have a problem that started out on the Note 8, and that is the phone is not reporting the correct supported aggregation combos to the cell tower.
Using the menu, my phone does not support 4+12 however it reports 2+12 and I get carrier aggregation when I disable B4.
So far j haven't found a way to change those combos. At this point I'm very sure it grabs them from the CSC. I've been experimenting and have been unsuccessful so far
The S8 reported the correct combos out of the box, however the ill configured 3xCA was stopping it from working, disabling 3xCA made 2xCA work perfectly.
Our issue here is just were missing those combos so no matter what the phone will not do 4+12 even though the hardware is fully capable.
If anyone knows how to change combos, pm me or reply here, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will totally donate to you if you can get this to work some how! It's pretty much the last feature I'm looking at as a "This phone is perfect except for X".
If i'm wrong about this, someone please correct me. I'm with Tmo, and i want to get the Note 9. I also want wifi calling and band #71. Now, my understanding is that i can't have both of those items if i get the International version of this phone(N960F D/S), which is rootable. So, that's my problem. I've been rooting for years now, but only Nexus and Pixel phones. I will always accept constructive criticism if offered. Thanks for any help that you may offer.
grunt0300 said:
If i'm wrong about this, someone please correct me. I'm with Tmo, and i want to get the Note 9. I also want wifi calling and band #71. Now, my understanding is that i can't have both of those items if i get the International version of this phone(N960F D/S), which is rootable. So, that's my problem. I've been rooting for years now, but only Nexus and Pixel phones. I will always accept constructive criticism if offered. Thanks for any help that you may offer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you get anything but the N960U (not fully rootable) you won't have band 71. But with other Note9s you will have all the other bands. I am with T-mobile as well and originally bought an N960F(/DS), it worked including WiFi calling and voLTE etc. BUT YOU WILL NOT HAVE CARRIER AGGREGATION (so data will be extremely slow) on T-Mobile with Exynos Note9s, I recommend the N9600 if you are on T-mobile, you can get all the carrier features working super easily (including carrier aggregation) and an unlocked bootloader/root but there aren't many custom ROMs for snapdragon so you'll be limited to stock ROMs mostly.
Mnky313 said:
If you get anything but the N960U (not fully rootable) you won't have band 71. But with other Note9s you will have all the other bands. I am with T-mobile as well and originally bought an N960F(/DS), it worked including WiFi calling and voLTE etc. BUT YOU WILL NOT HAVE CARRIER AGGREGATION (so data will be extremely slow) on T-Mobile with Exynos Note9s, I recommend the N9600 if you are on T-mobile, you can get all the carrier features working super easily (including carrier aggregation) and an unlocked bootloader/root but there aren't many custom ROMs for snapdragon so you'll be limited to stock ROMs mostly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I didn't know that i could get wifi calling on model N960F D/S, but that band #71 is hard to resist. I like the quick updates that google sends to my Pixel 2xl, and i do love rooting my phone, so i have a decision to make. Stock Note 9, or keep rooting with the Pixel 3xl or 4xl. I'll have to think about it. Thanks again for your help and info.
grunt0300 said:
Thanks for the quick reply. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I didn't know that i could get wifi calling on model N960F D/S, but that band #71 is hard to resist. I like the quick updates that google sends to my Pixel 2xl, and i do love rooting my phone, so i have a decision to make. Stock Note 9, or keep rooting with the Pixel 3xl or 4xl. I'll have to think about it. Thanks again for your help and info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
depending on where you are, band 71 might not make a difference, I'm in the Washington DC/Maryland area and it doesn't appear to make any difference, my N9600 gets plenty fast speeds and pretty good coverage (in buildings it isn't great but everywhere else has been no issues, and band 71 wont help with building penetration that much so....) without band 71.
Mnky313 said:
depending on where you are, band 71 might not make a difference, I'm in the Washington DC/Maryland area and it doesn't appear to make any difference, my N9600 gets plenty fast speeds and pretty good coverage (in buildings it isn't great but everywhere else has been no issues, and band 71 wont help with building penetration that much so....) without band 71.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in southwest Florida, and here it would make a difference. Everything is cement block or stucco, with plenty of rebar.:laugh:
grunt0300 said:
If i'm wrong about this, someone please correct me. I'm with Tmo, and i want to get the Note 9. I also want wifi calling and band #71. Now, my understanding is that i can't have both of those items if i get the International version of this phone(N960F D/S), which is rootable. So, that's my problem. I've been rooting for years now, but only Nexus and Pixel phones. I will always accept constructive criticism if offered. Thanks for any help that you may offer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you wanna root your phone because it feels good, or because there is something specific you want to do that requires root?
gruuvin said:
Do you wanna root your phone because it feels good, or because there is something specific you want to do that requires root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to flash various ROMs.
I went to order a pixel 5 yesterday and all they had in stock were the Fi variants (ordered anyways), after some quick research I discovered that they were the same phone as the unlocked version. I'm a T-Mobile customer, with 2 numbers, one for personal and one for work. I read where some people have said the esim is tied to Fi, I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on that as my plan was to have T-Mobile activate the esim for one of my lines and using the traditional sim card in the slot. Anyone done this?
Also, I've read where they say 5g isn't an option with dual sims, yet I also read where changes were pushed to allow 5g with dual sims... Anyone have an answer on that as well? Thanks.
Ducter said:
I went to order a pixel 5 yesterday and all they had in stock were the Fi variants (ordered anyways), after some quick research I discovered that they were the same phone as the unlocked version. I'm a T-Mobile customer, with 2 numbers, one for personal and one for work. I read where some people have said the esim is tied to Fi, I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on that as my plan was to have T-Mobile activate the esim for one of my lines and using the traditional sim card in the slot. Anyone done this?
Also, I've read where they say 5g isn't an option with dual sims, yet I also read where changes were pushed to allow 5g with dual sims... Anyone have an answer on that as well? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only difference with the Fi phone vs. the Google one is who supports it. If you have a warranty replacement it will have to come from the Fi team and not Google. Weird but true. Otherwise they are exactly the same. That includes not being branded to any one carrier. If you have a Fi account when you set up your phone it will automatically download the eSim if you want but if you don't then just pop in your physical sim and you're off to the races. Then contact the provider for a scan code for the eSim. I've not done it with TM but with Verizon and all works easily enough. Get yourself a 5G sim too while you're at it.
Now the big question, lol, I do not have 5G with both my sims active.. yet. I do not have the December patch from VZW either so I can't say if the merged code made it into the patch. I've asked all around and no one even responds to my inquiries including Android Police and 9to5 who initially reported it from the XDA feed. But supposedly Monday I'll get the Dec build and know one way or the other.
bobby janow said:
Now the big question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I assumed as much but you know what it's like after you do something, you begin to wonder lol. I do not have Fi, hopefully if I have an issue, that won't become one.
Hopefully the 5g on both sims made it into the update, or will be making it in shortly. I'm coming from a OnePlus 6t and dissatisfied with how OnePlus has been handling their updates. Phone gets great updates, timely and functional for 6 months, after that it's mainly focused on the newer models and the updates slow down but do still come, 12 months it starts to get left behind and now, they throw a security update at you occasionally. Been on lineage for a while and just decided spec wise, modern phones do all I care for them to do so the pixel 5 looked like a nice offering even if it's not "top of the line". We'll see I suppose.
Ducter said:
Thanks for the reply. I assumed as much but you know what it's like after you do something, you begin to wonder lol. I do not have Fi, hopefully if I have an issue, that won't become one.
Hopefully the 5g on both sims made it into the update, or will be making it in shortly. I'm coming from a OnePlus 6t and dissatisfied with how OnePlus has been handling their updates. Phone gets great updates, timely and functional for 6 months, after that it's mainly focused on the newer models and the updates slow down but do still come, 12 months it starts to get left behind and now, they throw a security update at you occasionally. Been on lineage for a while and just decided spec wise, modern phones do all I care for them to do so the pixel 5 looked like a nice offering even if it's not "top of the line". We'll see I suppose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll be happy with the phone. It's the right price, right size and battery lasts all day no matter what you do to it. At least for me, lol. There have been some issues with Fi support buy you really won't be dealing with them unless you have a hardware issue. As soon as I get the update on Monday I'll chime in here but you might get the device before that. Make sure you are there to sign for it as I've heard of some empty boxes arriving on doorsteps.
As for 5G if you need it you can toggle off a sim very quickly and bring it back online just as easily. If I toggle off my work number 5G pops right up. I don't usually do it but I will on the weekends sometimes. I don't find it any faster than lte at this point but perhaps TM is better the VZW. Then again I've yet to connect to the super duper 5G they are touting.
Ducter said:
Hopefully the 5g on both sims made it into the update, or will be making it in shortly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, didn't make it in. Still LTE with both sims active.
bobby janow said:
Nope, didn't make it in. Still LTE with both sims active.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I received the phone Sunday actually, surprised me they delivered then as it was scheduled for Monday. I wasn't home, they delivered it regardless, another surprise as tracking said signature required and I watched on my camera the FedEx guy walk up, put the phone by the door and walk away... Worked for me I suppose.
My time with the phone so far has been good. I'm coming from a OnePlus 6t that I was happy with the performance of the phone but it was starting to have gps issues and would drop calls fairly often. This phone is much smaller but I like it. I'm 6'4 with large hands but it still is a nice size. Performance wise, if I'm honest I can't really tell a difference. Sure, benchmarks likely would suggest different but I don't use them, I use the phone and in that regard, the pixel 5 is fine. Camera, even with it's aging hardware takes much better pictures. I can't comment fully on battery as of yet but then again my 6t would easily outlast my usage per day anyways.
Hi all,
I have a european 4a 5G, purchased in Germany. I am currently located in Germany, where I anticipate being for a few months (thanks, corona!). I am on TMobile US, which is the eSIM that's in the phone now, this gives me free super slow data roaming. I also have a second prepaid SIM from Tmobile Germany.
The phone is rooted, and I'm currently on the January generic stock: rq1a.210105.003. There's a February version for TMobile available: RQ1C.210205.006. Does it make sense for me to flash it? Do I lose any functionality? Do I gain any, due to my US SIM?
I understand that hardware-wise the euro bramble is missing a couple of radio bands. I also know that US pixels have additional functionality that's not available in other markets. Is that functionality tied to a US SIM/service provider, US hardware, physical location of the phone, or all of the above?
TIA!
Flashing a new factory image for a 4a 5G most likely will not improve the hardware. If anything, it might possibly improve the software connectivity with T-Mobile, but I wouldn't know about roaming and stuff since I have never travelled overseas. Of course, anything is possible. Maybe Google bundled a better driver/firmware or something for the wireless radios. I doubt it though. Also, you probably shouldn't flash a factory image for a different variant other than your own as that could lead to possibly bricking the device.
Also, I'm assuming you're talking about an OTA image? Factory images wipe out everything in the device and make you start everything from scratch. If you're talking about OTA image, it's just a software update for the phone. I know, weird Google terms.
I know this answer is kind of all over the place, but hopefully it makes a little sense.
Please someone tell me if they've tested it yet. CDMA isn't a requirement anymore so should work?
It has to have band 12 for Verizon.
Sorry for the thread necromancy, but there are very few decent replies to this question, so I figured I'd answer it as thoroughly as possible from my own experience.
I imported an SM-N960F (Exynos) from the UK to use on Verizon, and I can tell you with certainty: on the stock rom, it's a plug-and-play experience. Just about everything works without hassle. You may have to look at the APN settings and manually select "VZWINTERNET," but mine auto-selected the right one out of the box. Phone calls work without issue using VoLTE. Same for data. I've noticed that it often tunes to different LTE bands than my old SM-N960U Snapdragon did, and it doesn't seem to do carrier aggregation as often, but the real-world speeds are just about the same between the two. If you live in an urban area with many different bands available, you might see slightly lower data speeds from the Exynos model, but I doubt it'll ultimately make much day-to-day difference.
All the other ancillary features work too, like Samsung Pay and the other Knox apps, as well as tethering and Google Pay, etc. The only thing that doesn't seem to work on Exynos that did work on Snapdragon is wifi calling; I see no option for it in the dialer app. I just use Google Voice in such situations, but if you rely on that feature...be warned, I guess.
Overall, though, I see no reason why anyone should buy a US-variant phone for use on Verizon any more. With the sunsetting of CDMA, it's pretty clear that international devices with unlocked bootloaders will work perfectly fine going forward. I plan to put custom roms on mine, and continue using my Note 9, with its headphone jack, iris scanner, and notch-less display, for as long as the community continues to support it.
As a final note: one thing I have noticed is that many roms for the Exynos Note 9 mention that VoLTE isn't supported, due to a proprietary Samsung implementation on these phones. This might present a problem to Verizon users, given that that's the only real way to make phone calls on these devices. Again, I tend to use Google Voice for almost all of my telephony needs...but if you're buying this phone for custom rom-ing purposes as I did, it's something to keep in mind.