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[OFFTOPIC] The Nexus Line Is Dead in the US?

@Mods, this is a thread about the Nexus line in general, even if I am referencing the Galaxy Nexus. Please don't move.
Not sure if anyone else is following the official unveiling of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, but it is a Verizon-branded, Verizon-bloatware phone (2 Verizon apps. Whether it's "bloatware" or not, that's semantics; they shouldn't be there).
The question at hand is whether updates are still pushed from Google, and not through Verizon. The fact that it's a carrier subsidized and carrier-branded phone with two carrier-related apps makes it possible that it updates may have to go through Verizon first. This would defeat the purpose of what the Nexus line is supposed to be, if true.
Yet the bigger question is: What does a Nexus phone represent now? Many are up in arms about it, and it's a question for all Nexus fans/users.
My understanding is that the Sprint Nexus S 4G also includes Sprint apps. What is happening with the Nexus line? Is Google changing what it represents and means?

I can't speak for all and I have the nexus s 4g SPRINT and well I was only stock for like 15 mins but we don't have ANY sprint bloat
E
onthecouchagain said:
@Mods, this is a thread about the Nexus line in general, even if I am referencing the Galaxy Nexus. Please don't move.
Not sure if anyone else is following the official unveiling of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, but it is a Verizon-branded, Verizon-bloatware phone (2 Verizon apps. Whether it's "bloatware" or not, that's semantics; they shouldn't be there).
The question at hand is whether updates are still pushed from Google, and not through Verizon. The fact that it's a carrier subsidized and carrier-branded phone with two carrier-related apps makes it possible that it updates may have to go through Verizon first. This would defeat the purpose of what the Nexus line is supposed to be, if true.
Yet the bigger question is: What does a Nexus phone represent now? Many are up in arms about it, and it's a question for all Nexus fans/users.
My understanding is that the Sprint Nexus S 4G also includes Sprint apps. What is happening with the Nexus line? Is Google changing what it represents and means?
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Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App

castro08 said:
I can't speak for all and I have the nexus s 4g SPRINT and well I was only stock for like 15 mins but we don't have ANY sprint bloat
E
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
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I could be mistaken. Thanks for clarifying. That's good.

The NS4G includes some special sprint apks with functionality to allow flashing the PRL and profile. I don't see why it's out of the question to have the Verizon Galaxy Nexus support similar stuff.
ICS has functionality to disable built-in applications on /system if you don't want them anyway.
The Nexus line receives it's updates from google servers, but they still have to go through all the regular carrier testing that phones receive. That's how it's always been. Do you think the carriers would really want an update to a phone to wreck havok on their network? It's not like these updates are trivial.

fastboot oem unlock

REALLY?
ICS has a new feature to disable apps.
That said if you buy a dev phone you will format and flash anyway so who cares? Not me anyway.

I'm unprepared to speak on the state of the Nexus before I even hold the new one in my hand. As a T-Mobile customer, the launch has been disappointing, but only as much so as it was for customers of every other carrier when the Nexus S launched.

I wouldn't say the nexus line is dead more than its not in the spot light
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

We have never had a Nexus phone launch with a carrier partner before, so we have nothing to compare it to.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

superm1 said:
The Nexus line receives it's updates from google servers, but they still have to go through all the regular carrier testing that phones receive. That's how it's always been. Do you think the carriers would really want an update to a phone to wreck havok on their network? It's not like these updates are trivial.
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That's NOT how it works. Maybe for certain carriers. I know for a fact that T-Mobile does not recognize the Nexus S as a phone they support/sell. When i was grabbing one back last December, they made it clear to me over the phone that they offer ZERO support for the phone or any of its problems (reboot 5 times a day, anyone?) All "support" comes from the phone's radios ability to communicate on T-Mo towers, and Google's OTA updates, which I think we can agree were shoddy at best. T-Mo doesn't want to have anything to do with the NS updates.
Sprint, on the other hand, has some updates they perform on their end. It's all carrier-dependent. The idea of the perfect Nexus line staying completely pure went to hell when the NS4G was released, and when Google decided to screw over GSM Nexus S users with the Google Wallet thing. Don't think for a second that there wasn't money changing hands over that 4g exlusive release.
I think, in this case, Verizon's just being dicks as usual and strong-arming everyone. Google could have told them to stick it where the sun dont shine, but would have missed out on the biggest portion of the market in the US.
---------- Post added at 01:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:42 PM ----------
Also, as far as people on T-Mo being disappointed or not -- I'd be wary of purchasing ANY new phone based off T-Mo compatibility with the pending takeover by AT&T. Yet another reason I WONT be getting this phone.

nickmv said:
Also, as far as people on T-Mo being disappointed or not -- I'd be wary of purchasing ANY new phone based off T-Mo compatibility with the pending takeover by AT&T. Yet another reason I WONT be getting this phone.
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The Galaxy nexus is launching in Canada on Bell. So there will be a Galaxy nexus with AT&T compatible frequencies.

nickmv said:
Also, as far as people on T-Mo being disappointed or not -- I'd be wary of purchasing ANY new phone based off T-Mo compatibility with the pending takeover by AT&T. Yet another reason I WONT be getting this phone
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So far I have no reason to be concerned about it. First of all, the merger may well not go through. Second, if it does go through, there's no way it will before the middle of next year. Third, even if there are no further technical, business, or legal issues from that point on it's highly unlikely they'll start disassembling the T-Mobile network for at least a few months after the deal closes. Fourth, it's part of the merger terms that T-Mobile customers will get new phones when the switch happens. Fifth, since the GSM Galaxy Nexus works on AT&T and T-Mobile bands, there's a good chance it will work on a combined network anyway.
So I wouldn't go so far as to mute your cautionary note- even with those caveats there are still important concerns- but I would perhaps turn it down a notch or two.

Isn't the GSM version quad band anyway?

Yeah it probably will work on both carriers. Good point there. So that part of my argument I guess is moot.
I still stand by my opinion on the TRUE Nexus experience having disappeared when the NS4G came out.

irishrally said:
Isn't the GSM version quad band anyway?
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The Galaxy Nexus is the first pentaband phone running Android. It will run on any GSM 3G network in the world.

Wait a sec though.....thats 3g. NOT 4g. What's the deal with HSPA+ compatibility bands? I guess I'm not QUITE ready to ditch the ATT/T-Mo issue yet.

It's pentaband hspa+ which by default means it will also be pentaband 3g
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA App

there are also confirming some GN are coming SIM LOCKED! by the carriers
bloatware + SIM locking is everything against the basic ideal behind Nexus
so, in a way, seems like Nexus is slowly fading away... it just seems to stand for new AOSP now, no more of its original self
even the hardware has been sucking since Nexus S
it's sinking into a mere reference phone for development

In the US, the average consumer prefers the carrier-subsidized model, they have shown this with their wallets.
Nexus One tried selling from just a website.
Nexus S tried selling in a big box retailer.
Galaxy Nexus is now carrier-subsidized, carrier-branded.
As I think irishrally already said, as long as fastboot oem unlock is enabled, just accept that as all we really want anway

nickmv said:
That's NOT how it works. Maybe for certain carriers. I know for a fact that T-Mobile does not recognize the Nexus S as a phone they support/sell. When i was grabbing one back last December, they made it clear to me over the phone that they offer ZERO support for the phone or any of its problems (reboot 5 times a day, anyone?) All "support" comes from the phone's radios ability to communicate on T-Mo towers, and Google's OTA updates, which I think we can agree were shoddy at best. T-Mo doesn't want to have anything to do with the NS updates.
Sprint, on the other hand, has some updates they perform on their end. It's all carrier-dependent. The idea of the perfect Nexus line staying completely pure went to hell when the NS4G was released, and when Google decided to screw over GSM Nexus S users with the Google Wallet thing. Don't think for a second that there wasn't money changing hands over that 4g exlusive release.
I think, in this case, Verizon's just being dicks as usual and strong-arming everyone. Google could have told them to stick it where the sun dont shine, but would have missed out on the biggest portion of the market in the US.
---------- Post added at 01:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:42 PM ----------
Also, as far as people on T-Mo being disappointed or not -- I'd be wary of purchasing ANY new phone based off T-Mo compatibility with the pending takeover by AT&T. Yet another reason I WONT be getting this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really hope sprint didn't waste money on wallet 4g users are such a small subset I think its a small beta and with sprint nit having many people soo
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

[Q] Why no love for the 9020a?

So, I've been running 4.03 with the UCKF1 radio since December, but I'm really wanting a stock update from Google. Why haven't they released anything for the 9020a at all? It's just a different radio from the 9020T and now the 9020T has seen 2 ICS revisions, while if I chose to only use the official OTA process, I'd still be on GB. Is Google finally going to release something for the 9020a now?

I don't believe anyone here can answer you with 100% certainty.
I still believe however that if we didn't see a release, there's a reason. But people aren't too good at the waiting game.

I'm starting to think 9020A may not be a nexus.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

I am pretty sure you won't see a difference. Might as well stick with what you have. Also 4.0.4 is out too
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA

Waiting for 4.0.4 for my nexus s...
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA

i don't undestand why manufacturers hates "a" versions, already happened to me with a Sony E. X10 "A" version, never was updated correctly.
well it just a matter to wait and see....

According to JBQ, Google is waiting for Operator Approval. Same thing with Sprint...

fdlm82 said:
i don't undestand why manufacturers hates "a" versions, already happened to me with a Sony E. X10 "A" version, never was updated correctly.
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Google is waiting for AT&T's approval before the i9020a release. At least that is what JBQ from Google implied today.

bozzykid said:
Google is waiting for AT&T's approval before the i9020a release. At least that is what JBQ from Google implied today.
Click to expand...
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Probably waiting for a new CarrierIQ binary

d-h said:
Probably waiting for a new CarrierIQ binary
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AT&T doesn't have anything to do with the software. They are just sent the ROMs for testing. Unless you are implying Google is adding it to Nexus devices?

d-h said:
Probably waiting for a new CarrierIQ binary
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At times like this I really do hate the North American carriers. I was pretty misinformed up to this point as to the nature of android updates on the nexus phones. I was always under this blissfully ignorant impression that it was fully under google's control to push updates at their sole discretion. Sort of like the advertising led me to believe.
So now that false belief has become painfully apparent to me, replaced with the knowledge that the carriers still have the ultimate say.
I doubt very much now that this update will be seen any time soon OTA in Canada if Telus has any say in the matter. Hopefully AT&T will authorize it soon so we can at least get a factory image we can flash ourselves.

Yes this wait is hella annoying especilly since i've been forced to use i9020t as base for mine but for those who are adventurous you can download the factory image for the i9020t from https://dl.google.com/dl/android/aosp/soju-imm76d-factory-ca4ae9ee.tgz and slectively flash boot.img and system.img.
You just need to unlock bootloader (backup first it wipes device) download the archive, extract the boot.img and system.img and flash them.
The commands are:
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img

d-h said:
Probably waiting for a new CarrierIQ binary
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Can't tell if trolling or not.....

What else is there that would require carrier approval?
Then again, perhaps the carriers selling the 9020A have been diligently testing a new radio file over the last three and a half months.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

They need to test a new radio because the at&t radios are slow on 3g. I have to use the older kb3 radio just to get barely usable 3g speed
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

I made an XDA account just to comment on this issue.
When I bought my i9020a Nexus S from AT&T, I was under the impression that the only difference between this and the T-Mobile model was the radio/antenna. I was also under the impression that updates would be carrier-agnostic, since it is a Nexus device after all.
So why the hell does T-Mobile always get the updates instantly, seemingly not having to wait for approval? T-Mobile is a carrier just like AT&T, but it seems like T-Mobile users don't have to wait for carrier approval like we do on AT&T.
What is there to approve? Is approval from AT&T really necessary for changing the radio file?

ScOULaris said:
I made an XDA account just to comment on this issue.
When I bought my i9020a Nexus S from AT&T, I was under the impression that the only difference between this and the T-Mobile model was the radio/antenna. I was also under the impression that updates would be carrier-agnostic, since it is a Nexus device after all.
So why the hell does T-Mobile always get the updates instantly, seemingly not having to wait for approval? T-Mobile is a carrier just like AT&T, but it seems like T-Mobile users don't have to wait for carrier approval like we do on AT&T.
What is there to approve? Is approval from AT&T really necessary for changing the radio file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll excuse carriers for not wanting to cripple their networks because some radios might be misbehaving...
Seriously, I don't get it. Why so impatient? Is anyone in a life or death situation regarding the ICS release?
Not too long ago, everyone found GB to be nice and dandy, now everyone wants to flee from it like the plague. The update will come in due time, and I for one largely prefer a polished version rather than one with issues.
So far the ICS release has seen enough bugs, some that even warranted a pull on the plug. I don't feel the rush to upgrade to something that won't work right...
My 2 cents

So all of us using a 9020a on a carrier other that AT&T are at the mercy of AT&T when it comes to updates on our Nexus phones? That wasn't what I signed up for when I chose a Google branded device on my Canadian carrier...

polobunny said:
Seriously, I don't get it. Why so impatient? Is anyone in a life or death situation regarding the ICS release?
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Click to collapse
I don't think there would be as much outrage if ICS hadn't been released for any version of the Nexus S yet.
It's not that people are upset that they don't have ICS; they're upset because some versions of the Nexus S have gotten updates while theirs have not.
Google promoted the Nexus line of phones as getting updates "as soon as they are available," because the updates are independent of the carriers, since they're supposed to come directly from Google. People were sold on the promise that there wouldn't be several months of delays between new Android versions and Nexus phone updates because it was a "pure Google" phone.
The news that apparently the carriers need to "approve" Nexus builds before Google pushes them out flies in the face of what Google told people they were getting.
The T-Mobile Nexus S now has 4.0.4, and my AT&T Nexus S doesn't even have 2.3.6 yet. So much for always having the latest available version.
That's why people are upset.

r.asimi said:
So all of us using a 9020a on a carrier other that AT&T are at the mercy of AT&T when it comes to updates on our Nexus phones? That wasn't what I signed up for when I chose a Google branded device on my Canadian carrier...
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The delay is probably not just AT&T. Canadian carriers are known for taking longer to test updates than even AT&T. Who exactly Google is waiting on right now is not exactly clear.

[Q] Rogers xt925 Jelly Bean

Any word on if Jelly Bean is still on coarse to be released later this month?
Or had it been delayed again...

richport29 said:
Any word on if Jelly Bean is still on coarse to be released later this month?
Or had it been delayed again...
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Click to collapse
According to mobilesyrup, "early February" now. Looks like it isn't too far away.
Sent from my XT925 using Tapatalk 2

Dammit
http://communityforums.rogers.com/t5/forums/forumtopicpage/board-id/GeneralCareSupport/thread-id/355
I got my Fido RAZR HD from Canada yesterday - presumably Fido have the same update schedule as Rogers?
Still waiting for a SIM unlock code at the moment, so I can't even use it yet, booo

danifunker said:
According to mobilesyrup, "early February" now. Looks like it isn't too far away.
Sent from my XT925 using Tapatalk 2
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I'll believe it when it's released. I was told "Late November" when I bought my Razr HD. Slipped nearly 3 months already. I'm expecting March, honestly. I think there's something in Rogers bloatware that isn't transitioning to JB well, and that's the holdup. No other good reason for it to take this long, since other XT925 have JB since Dec.

Hah, yeah you may be right about the bloatware it should be exactly the same as the international version (e.g. Euro models got JB late November), but with slightly different radio firmware...
It is pretty strange and frustrating rolling back from a two year old Nexus S on 4.1.2 to a brand new RHD on 4.0.4!

I know the feeling. My last phone was a Motorola Defy on CMX 4.1.2, and that phone started on Eclair.

Mods, this thread should be moved the Q&A since it isn't development related.
Next, about Rogers; I don't believe that it's their bloatware. I think they have resource problems with carrier testing. All of the updates I've seen issued from Rogers Motorola devices have had build dates months behind then when it was actually released. I wouldn't be suprised if the Rogers JB 4.1 build is dated October 2012. I think Rogers should setup some kind of early testing program for people who want updates on their phones faster, which would allow the user population to do the testing for them. I'm an IT guy and expect some problems with my technology, if I can help the company sort out bugs faster than they can find them I think we would all be a lot happier.
FYI, the Fido and Rogers firmware are the same build. When you put in a Fido SIM card, it removes the Rogers bloat and installs the Fido bloat.
Finally, until anybody has actually used a Verizon branded Motorola device, please don't talk about "bloatware" like it's so bad... We have like 8 apps that we can freeze, you should see what's on some of those VZW phones...

Haha, ok agreed on the Verizon bloatware... let's maybe just call it fluffware or something
Interestingly, when I got my Fido device, I put my T-Mo UK SIM in straight away and it did not prompt me to install crap at startup (i.e. with this).
So afaics, there is no fluffware on my phone!
Sad and annoying to hear about Rogers' testing bottleneck, but one has to wonder why they need to test so extensively anyway (vs. Euro operators for example). I mean, even Verizon beat them to the punch this time, and they have a horrendous rep for delaying firmware updates!
Su

[Q] AT&T SM-907A Note Pro 12.2 Lollipop Update

I read somewhere saying that Samsung is rolling out Lollipop to all LTE models in the USA. My question is, will this update roll out work like it does for phones....meaning will this update have to go to the carrier first and then to the users? I hate to lose root, but I'm really hoping the update will improve performance. I bought the note pro the day it hit the stores and I am in bad need of better performance.
Please chime in on what you know about this update.
Thanks in advance.

chrispyutec said:
I read somewhere saying that Samsung is rolling out Lollipop to all LTE models in the USA. My question is, will this update roll out work like it does for phones....meaning will this update have to go to the carrier first and then to the users? I hate to lose root, but I'm really hoping the update will improve performance. I bought the note pro the day it hit the stores and I am in bad need of better performance.
Please chime in on what you know about this update.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I'm the only one who has an AT&T LTE version of the note pro. I guess the MOD can go ahead and remove this post being that it appears to be a space waster.
Thanks

You're not the only one with the device. Other than iPhones, I believe AT&T always gets the updates from the manufacturers and then adds their bloat before releasing via OTA.

I've got one and have been waiting too, don't know what's going to happen to root. Adding more apps into multi screen is really all i need root for anymore. I used to use it for controllers for games, but haven't used that in awhile.

It sucks being an AT&T kid huh? boooo, we get no love, lol Damn you AT&T!!!!!!

AT&T fail - January 2016 and still no update
If AT&T can't update in a timely manor, they need to stop selling devices.
I'm never buying from AT&T again.
Once Google fiber rolls to Atlanta, I'll be 100% free from the clutches of AT&T.
If they are not selling to you, they are selling you.
I bet the NSA is AT&Ts only repeat customer.

AT&T pushed the Lollipop update quite awhile ago.

Which Galaxy S7 to get for AT&T if bought outright and want to avoid bloat?

Quick background story, I've been using an HTC phone since the M7, and owned all the M Flagships and currently using an AT&T Branded M9. My wife is currently using a AT&T branded Galaxy S5. I really liked how open my HTC phones are, and all 3 of them had been able to be Fully SIM Unlocked, S-OFF, and can run any compatible ROM. The AT&T Branded GS5 of course only can use AT&T Software and its been a pain waiting on AT&T for patches and updates.
We're planning to replace them both with new Galaxy S7s and since we're planning to buy them outright, my question is which one should we buy? From I read it looks like all units have the same hardware, but the TMO variants seems to at least have the bootloader unlocked and should be SIM Unlocked if I bought it outright.
Our basic requirements.
- Sim unlocked(able)
- Bootloader Unlocked(able)
- Able to use Android Pay/Samsung Pay in the USA
- Rooting is nice but not required, and as long as it don't break A.Pay/S.Pay
- Able to work on AT&T with little or no issue (not missing any LTE Bands, etc)
- Open to get the Exynos model if can still support A.Pay/S.Pay in USA and elsewhere.
- Able to flash debloated or custom ROMs if needed
Its been awhile since i did any work on any Samsung Phones, so I don't know if its just as easy to flash ROMs and Recoveries like my HTCs
Thanks for any feedback on the matter.

You want the tmo version.

peachpuff said:
You want the tmo version.
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It figures as much. How easy or difficult is it to flash non-carrier rom? I know people are just started getting their S7s, did the s6 have any issues with flashing a clean rom and keeping all A.Pay and S.Pay?

There's no development currently on these phones since the sources haven't dropped yet since the phone hasn't technically launched, after mar 11 samsung will release some sources.
If you're looking to remove bloat on non-rooted phones your only options is this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ospolice.packagedisablerpro&hl=en with a rooted rom android/samsung pay wont work.

Last year with the S6 I know for sure the international versions worked just fine with AT&T's LTE network. But last year all models used the same modem (Shanon 333), but this year the international version and the U.S. version are different and both have integrated modem and that throws in an uncertainty. I see no reason why the International versions worked last year with Samsung's modem but not this year, but until someone reports with first-hand experience I would not pull the trigger on the international version (Exynos).
I used SM-G920I (S6) and SM-G928G (S6 Edge+) and both worked flawlessly on AT&T's network.

lopri said:
Last year with the S6 I know for sure the international versions worked just fine with AT&T's LTE network. But last year all models used the same modem (Shanon 333), but this year the international version and the U.S. version are different and both have integrated modem and that throws in an uncertainty. I see no reason why the International versions worked last year with Samsung's modem but not this year, but until someone reports with first-hand experience I would not pull the trigger on the international version (Exynos).
I used SM-G920I (S6) and SM-G928G (S6 Edge+) and both worked flawlessly on AT&T's network.
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Are you able to use Android pay or Samsung pay on those International models? Thanks

Goofytek said:
Are you able to use Android pay or Samsung pay on those International models? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Edit: Oh, wait. Android Pay = Yes, Samsung Pay = No.

lopri said:
No.
Edit: Oh, wait. Android Pay = Yes, Samsung Pay = No.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm, still missing out on Samsung Pay eh, I wonder if there would be a non-carrier version of the phone we can get in the states with full support of all avaliable features and services. :fingers-crossed:

I'd like to bump this old thread for updates now that the S7 has been around for some time. I'm looking to get an S7, and it looks like the G930U variant might be the one to get now- is that right? I have the same requirements as the original poster, but I'll list them anyway:
-Able to work on AT&T with no issue (I read somewhere that some aspects of AT&T LTE are not supported? What impact does this have?)
-root is required (is it true that rooting prevents being able to encrypt the phone?)
-no bloat or bloat is removable (seems this is the main benefit of G930U?)
-SD card slot (seems like all US models have the SD card slot?)
Are there different versions of the G930U? Is this, for example, the right one: http://a.co/6QgYIxA ?
Thanks