After comprehending the HUGE differences between the performance of the Exynos and Snapdragon model (thanks to Anandtech and Gary Explains YouTube), I am thinking of buying the Snapdragon model from U.S. and importing it to India. Wanted to know wether or not is it worth it, the hassles of doing so, and is there a better option than Amazon for it ?
The_Quantum_Guy said:
After comprehending the HUGE differences between the performance of the Exynos and Snapdragon model (thanks to Anandtech and Gary Explains YouTube), I am thinking of buying the Snapdragon model from U.S. and importing it to India. Wanted to know wether or not is it worth it, the hassles of doing so, and is there a better option than Amazon for it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would strongly advise not going down this route. I did the exact same thing with my previous S8. What Samsung don't tell you is that they include a region lock on their devices. In order to remove the lock, you need to use 5 minutes of call time in that particular country to unlock it. I purchased my phone in the US and initially and used the phone to get the unlock, without any knowledge. The issues arose when I brought it back to the UK and flashed my own firmware. In this case, a beta firmware update. By doing my own flash, it then reset the lock removing access to the galaxy app store, samsung pay and a number of other apps.
You can find an example of this by simply googling samsung region lock.
If it's simply a performance issue, I would stick with the Exynos processor. My note 9 has had no issues in performance whatsoever and would strongly recommend the phone.
AFewLads said:
I would strongly advise not going down this route. I did the exact same thing with my previous S8. What Samsung don't tell you is that they include a region lock on their devices. In order to remove the lock, you need to use 5 minutes of call time in that particular country to unlock it. I purchased my phone in the US and initially and used the phone to get the unlock, without any knowledge. The issues arose when I brought it back to the UK and flashed my own firmware. In this case, a beta firmware update. By doing my own flash, it then reset the lock removing access to the galaxy app store, samsung pay and a number of other apps.
You can find an example of this by simply googling samsung region lock.
If it's simply a performance issue, I would stick with the Exynos processor. My note 9 has had no issues in performance whatsoever and would strongly recommend the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank You AFewLads for bringing this issue to the fore and potentially saving me a lot of money !!! Btw, just for my curiosity (and probably a few others), what did you do with your S8 then ?
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
Hi,
I bought this off Gumtree and unbeknown to me it was not the UK version. Is there anyway to flash this onto the UK firmware and get rid of the korean apps etc? If I click a number even thought the dialer is set to system it pops up a Korean one which it then states is not supported.
Thanks
Why did you choose this model ?
I think there is a different model released for Europe? G977B if I am not wrong!, the issues you mentioned could be resolved by away or another but you will not be able to activate the 5G capability of the device!. furthermore, as far as I know, no one has proved successful flashing of other models firmware to this Korean model!.
If 5G network is not important for you, then you may be able to customize the phone to meet some of your required customisation.
nawaf2816 said:
Why did you choose this model ?
I think there is a different model released for Europe? G977B if I am not wrong!, the issues you mentioned could be resolved by away or another but you will not be able to activate the 5G capability of the device!. furthermore, as far as I know, no one has proved successful flashing of other models firmware to this Korean model!.
If 5G network is not important for you, then you may be able to customize the phone to meet some of your required customisation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I bought it I didn't know it was not the UK model. It's only when you use it more that the differences come up.
My situation might be similar to yours!. however, I was somehow aware of the model and it's possibly shortcomings!, but I was able to modify a lot of features until it becomes almost whats I want except the ability to use 5G feature!.
BTW: Although the phone is KT oriented still you can use it and do some changes that meet your local settings. nevertheless, ultimate changes/customization could be achieved if you can root the device and install custom ROM.
Same Problem of G977N in Qatar
nawaf2816 said:
My situation might be similar to yours!. however, I was somehow aware of the model and it's possibly shortcomings!, but I was able to modify a lot of features until it becomes almost whats I want except the ability to use 5G feature!.
BTW: Although the phone is KT oriented still you can use it and do some changes that meet your local settings. nevertheless, ultimate changes/customization could be achieved if you can root the device and install custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dear, I have the same phone and my Vodafone Qatar 5G is not working. I am using LTE only. I know how to root and install custom firmware. Can you tell me how you attain 5G working on your korean S10 5G?
Your help will be highly appreciated.
Thanks
Short story long, I was on U1 XAA 4BULE, and I've been having major issues with app crashes (specifically DJI GO 4 for my drone) and I was going to downgrade to 4AUIP (Android 11 One UI 3.1). I downloaded the firmware, patched Odin, flashed the downgrade, failed, phone won't boot.
Turns out, my phone auto updated on reboot (I forgot to disable that in Developer Options) so it automatically updated to 5BULH, and now that it's on the baseband 5, it can't be downgraded to any baseband 4 firmware. So, easy enough right?, just flash 5BULH? Well, as far as I know, that was ONLY released as a baseband PATCH in the form of an OTA, and there's no actual firmware as far as I can tell.
Which basically means my phone is bricked until Samsung releases an actual 5XXXX firmware to flash with Odin.
I've been looking for awhile, checked Frija, SamFW, GalaxyFirmware, SamFrew, SamMobile, SamFirms, FirmwareX, and Sfirmware all with no avail, every latest firmware that shows is 4BULE
Unless someone has a baseband 5 full firmware for Odin, because I couldn't find anything online, than I guess I'm screwed until *5CVAA comes out, which is rumored to be on February 9th during the S22 launch event.
So, anyone have that firmware? Or am I just going stone age until February 9th when the new build is suppose to be released?
bANONYMOUS said:
Short story long, I was on U1 XAA 4BULE, and I've been having major issues with app crashes (specifically DJI GO 4 for my drone) and I was going to downgrade to 4AUIP (Android 11 One UI 3.1). I downloaded the firmware, patched Odin, flashed the downgrade, failed, phone won't boot.
Turns out, my phone auto updated on reboot (I forgot to disable that in Developer Options) so it automatically updated to 5BULH, and now that it's on the baseband 5, it can't be downgraded to any baseband 4 firmware. So, easy enough right?, just flash 5BULH? Well, as far as I know, that was ONLY released as a baseband PATCH in the form of an OTA, and there's no actual firmware as far as I can tell.
Which basically means my phone is bricked until Samsung releases an actual 5XXXX firmware to flash with Odin.
I've been looking for awhile, checked Frija, SamFW, GalaxyFirmware, SamFrew, SamMobile, SamFirms, FirmwareX, and Sfirmware all with no avail, every latest firmware that shows is 4BULE
Unless someone has a baseband 5 full firmware for Odin, because I couldn't find anything online, than I guess I'm screwed until *5CVAA comes out, which is rumored to be on February 9th during the S22 launch event.
So, anyone have that firmware? Or am I just going stone age until February 9th when the new build is suppose to be released?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bummer! That's a genuine horror story of I ever heard one!
Tried searching for said firmware, but couldn't locate one anywhere.
It's either stone age for you or just pop into a service center and have them flash the phone for you. From what I can see you only tried flashing stock firmware, phone should still be under warranty...
Wish it was that easy, population of 98k in a town that is roughly 750km (~470mi) away from the next major city means a service centre doesn't exist for me lol. Purchased through a Carrier also requires an additional $15 monthly charge for warranty outside of Samsung which I obviously didn't pay for lol. Plus with shipping times around here (Amazon Prime shipping takes a week minimum), just to send the phone to Samsung for repair, I would be looking at close to a month there and back. Looks like I'm just better off just waiting for estimated 10 days until the 5CVAx/5CVBx firmware to be released.
I dusted off the old Windows Phone, it'll do for now I suppose. Hopefully they release something before February 9th haha
Thanks for looking around for the firmware.
bANONYMOUS said:
Wish it was that easy, population of 98k in a town that is roughly 750km (~470mi) away from the next major city means a service centre doesn't exist for me lol. Purchased through a Carrier also requires an additional $15 monthly charge for warranty outside of Samsung which I obviously didn't pay for lol. Plus with shipping times around here (Amazon Prime shipping takes a week minimum), just to send the phone to Samsung for repair, I would be looking at close to a month there and back. Looks like I'm just better off just waiting for estimated 10 days until the 5CVAx/5CVBx firmware to be released.
I dusted off the old Windows Phone, it'll do for now I suppose. Hopefully they release something before February 9th haha
Thanks for looking around for the firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wish you luck man! Hope the release comes soon. And condolences on being stuck with A12.
Do let us know once you get it up and running again!
bANONYMOUS said:
Short story long, I was on U1 XAA 4BULE, and I've been having major issues with app crashes (specifically DJI GO 4 for my drone) and I was going to downgrade to 4AUIP (Android 11 One UI 3.1). I downloaded the firmware, patched Odin, flashed the downgrade, failed, phone won't boot.
Turns out, my phone auto updated on reboot (I forgot to disable that in Developer Options) so it automatically updated to 5BULH, and now that it's on the baseband 5, it can't be downgraded to any baseband 4 firmware. So, easy enough right?, just flash 5BULH? Well, as far as I know, that was ONLY released as a baseband PATCH in the form of an OTA, and there's no actual firmware as far as I can tell.
Which basically means my phone is bricked until Samsung releases an actual 5XXXX firmware to flash with Odin.
I've been looking for awhile, checked Frija, SamFW, GalaxyFirmware, SamFrew, SamMobile, SamFirms, FirmwareX, and Sfirmware all with no avail, every latest firmware that shows is 4BULE
Unless someone has a baseband 5 full firmware for Odin, because I couldn't find anything online, than I guess I'm screwed until *5CVAA comes out, which is rumored to be on February 9th during the S22 launch event.
So, anyone have that firmware? Or am I just going stone age until February 9th when the new build is suppose to be released?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try samsung's smart switch recovery procedure ?
DaReDeViL said:
Did you try samsung's smart switch recovery procedure ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The programme says it can't connect to a USB File Transfer device when in recovery, and when booted in Download Mode, it says to open the recovery procedure, which asks for a recovery code from a previous OS install. Which I don't have because I've never used this before. So, looks like it needs a previously working instance before it can be used for recovery.
Also, entirely unrelated, but I made a video of my friends car with that quote in your signature haha
EDIT:
It appears Youtube removed the audio for copyright reasons lol.. never mind
Learned quite a few things today.
Samsung just released 5BVA1 for G998W. So I switched to that just so I have a phone. (I usually stay on U1 for faster updates which apparently isn't the case anymore)
It turns out that 5G is also working in my city now that I'm not on U1.. So for some reason Canadian 5G doesn't work on U1 even though they use the same basebands which is weird. It's like Bell is blocking non W phones from using it even with all the correct APN settings.
It's also pretty interesting that even on G998W XAC (unlocked Canadian CSC from Samsung with no bloat apps), it now says on setup "looks like you're using Bell, restart the phone" (with no way to close it, or ignore it) and after rebooting, it forcefully installs all of the Bell bloat apps as System apps that can't be uninstalled unless using ADB.
So there's literally no reason to buy a phone directly from Samsung now, at least in Canada. You get the carrier bloat apps by force no matter what with One UI 4.0 Might as well just buy them from the Carrier with the discounted prices for a 2 year term.
S21 Ultra from Samsung for Canada was $1999.99, though Bell it was $350 up front plus $50 a month for 12 months, works out to $1550. You literally save $450 CAD by getting a phone through a Carrier. Only reason to buy from Samsung was for the limited edition colours, and so the phone didn't have bloat apps preinstalled from the carrier. And personally, it's not worth $450 since you get bloat apps no matter what now, only for a special colour when replacement back panel which are like $60 CAD off eBay if you REALLY wanted a different colour lol
U1 XAA still doesn't have the bloat apps, but 5G doesn't work in Canada.
So it's either W XAC with Bloat and use ADB to remove it. Or U1 XAA with no bloat, but no 5G.
My phone is now working again, but those are some interesting findings, use this information as you will.
bANONYMOUS said:
Learned quite a few things today.
Samsung just released 5BVA1 for G998W. So I switched to that just so I have a phone. (I usually stay on U1 for faster updates which apparently isn't the case anymore)
It turns out that 5G is also working in my city now that I'm not on U1.. So for some reason Canadian 5G doesn't work on U1 even though they use the same basebands which is weird. It's like Bell is blocking non W phones from using it even with all the correct APN settings.
It's also pretty interesting that even on G998W XAC (unlocked Canadian CSC from Samsung with no bloat apps), it now says on setup "looks like you're using Bell, restart the phone" (with no way to close it, or ignore it) and after rebooting, it forcefully installs all of the Bell bloat apps as System apps that can't be uninstalled unless using ADB.
So there's literally no reason to buy a phone directly from Samsung now, at least in Canada. You get the carrier bloat apps by force no matter what with One UI 4.0 Might as well just buy them from the Carrier with the discounted prices for a 2 year term.
S21 Ultra from Samsung for Canada was $1999.99, though Bell it was $350 up front plus $50 a month for 12 months, works out to $1550. You literally save $450 CAD by getting a phone through a Carrier. Only reason to buy from Samsung was for the limited edition colours, and so the phone didn't have bloat apps preinstalled from the carrier. And personally, it's not worth $450 since you get bloat apps no matter what now, only for a special colour when replacement back panel which are like $60 CAD off eBay if you REALLY wanted a different colour lol
U1 XAA still doesn't have the bloat apps, but 5G doesn't work in Canada.
So it's either W XAC with Bloat and use ADB to remove it. Or U1 XAA with no bloat, but no 5G.
My phone is now working again, but those are some interesting findings, use this information as you will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you find that 5BVA1 ???
Frija
Searched for SM-G998W XAC, it get's firmware directly from Samsung's servers so it'll always find the latest version Samsung has up.
I have it on Google Drive if you want it from a different mirror, or if you can't get Frija working cause it depends on Visual C++ x86 2008 and 2010 and even then it fails to load on Windows 11 sometimes which is why I stayed on Windows 10 lol.
SM-G998W XAC 5BVA1
bANONYMOUS said:
Frija
Searched for SM-G998W XAC, it get's firmware directly from Samsung's servers so it'll always find the latest version Samsung has up.
I have it on Google Drive if you want it from a different mirror, or if you can't get Frija working cause it depends on Visual C++ x86 2008 and 2010 and even then it fails to load on Windows 11 sometimes which is why I stayed on Windows 10 lol.
SM-G998W XAC 5BVA1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you very much i found it . The weird thing is that mine is GLW and it can not find it in software update. I already downloaded the TLS . do you know if there is any difference from XAC?
You could flash the U Firmware as well. It's up to #5 BL. I'm not sure what your limitations would be, but it's worth a shot. It's 5BULJ.
bANONYMOUS said:
Short story long, I was on U1 XAA 4BULE, and I've been having major issues with app crashes (specifically DJI GO 4 for my drone) and I was going to downgrade to 4AUIP (Android 11 One UI 3.1). I downloaded the firmware, patched Odin, flashed the downgrade, failed, phone won't boot.
Turns out, my phone auto updated on reboot (I forgot to disable that in Developer Options) so it automatically updated to 5BULH, and now that it's on the baseband 5, it can't be downgraded to any baseband 4 firmware. So, easy enough right?, just flash 5BULH? Well, as far as I know, that was ONLY released as a baseband PATCH in the form of an OTA, and there's no actual firmware as far as I can tell.
Which basically means my phone is bricked until Samsung releases an actual 5XXXX firmware to flash with Odin.
I've been looking for awhile, checked Frija, SamFW, GalaxyFirmware, SamFrew, SamMobile, SamFirms, FirmwareX, and Sfirmware all with no avail, every latest firmware that shows is 4BULE
Unless someone has a baseband 5 full firmware for Odin, because I couldn't find anything online, than I guess I'm screwed until *5CVAA comes out, which is rumored to be on February 9th during the S22 launch event.
So, anyone have that firmware? Or am I just going stone age until February 9th when the new build is suppose to be released?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to let you know: BULH standalone for U1 has been released on SAMMobile
On Frija as well. Usually a faster download there.
bANONYMOUS said:
Learned quite a few things today.
Samsung just released 5BVA1 for G998W. So I switched to that just so I have a phone. (I usually stay on U1 for faster updates which apparently isn't the case anymore)
It turns out that 5G is also working in my city now that I'm not on U1.. So for some reason Canadian 5G doesn't work on U1 even though they use the same basebands which is weird. It's like Bell is blocking non W phones from using it even with all the correct APN settings.
It's also pretty interesting that even on G998W XAC (unlocked Canadian CSC from Samsung with no bloat apps), it now says on setup "looks like you're using Bell, restart the phone" (with no way to close it, or ignore it) and after rebooting, it forcefully installs all of the Bell bloat apps as System apps that can't be uninstalled unless using ADB.
So there's literally no reason to buy a phone directly from Samsung now, at least in Canada. You get the carrier bloat apps by force no matter what with One UI 4.0 Might as well just buy them from the Carrier with the discounted prices for a 2 year term.
S21 Ultra from Samsung for Canada was $1999.99, though Bell it was $350 up front plus $50 a month for 12 months, works out to $1550. You literally save $450 CAD by getting a phone through a Carrier. Only reason to buy from Samsung was for the limited edition colours, and so the phone didn't have bloat apps preinstalled from the carrier. And personally, it's not worth $450 since you get bloat apps no matter what now, only for a special colour when replacement back panel which are like $60 CAD off eBay if you REALLY wanted a different colour lol
U1 XAA still doesn't have the bloat apps, but 5G doesn't work in Canada.
So it's either W XAC with Bloat and use ADB to remove it. Or U1 XAA with no bloat, but no 5G.
My phone is now working again, but those are some interesting findings, use this information as you will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you find the phone after the update? Issues with lagging? How is the battery life? I had to downgrade back to 11, I found the earlier firmwares too beta-like for daily use.