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Sticking to the S4 for another year

Well the S5 is officially in full swing and I still got one year left in my contract, still could've found a way to get the money to upgrade but honestly why bother. I'm still fortunate enough to use Loki and this phones specs very close to the S5. Anyone else here gonna wait for the inevitable S6 next year like me or I'm I gonna be all alone
Sent from my jflte using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Thermalwolf said:
Well the S5 is officially in full swing and I still got one year left in my contract, still could've found a way to get the money to upgrade but honestly why bother. I'm still fortunate enough to use Loki and this phones specs very close to the S5. Anyone else here gonna wait for the inevitable S6 next year like me or I'm I gonna be all alone
Sent from my jflte using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
I am sticking with my S4 for another year or so. Do you have the drop your 2 year contract and get a new device on Next offer? I do and I figured if anything happened I would get the S5 or S6 with that upgrade since it would be the same as paying full price anyway. I'm interested to see what the S6 will have to offer. I am excited about the S5 camera features. I use my phone to do actual photography, to prove that yes it can be done.

This thread will get locked by the mods, or moved, but I'm done with Samsungs on AT&T. Especially with the rumors I hear about ALL phones having a locked bootloader going forward. It would be different if the devs were able to make some semblance of headway with cracking that, so we can just give them the middle-finger ("them" being AT&T, since it's not Samsung's fault we're in this predicament per se). I love the craftsmanship, look, and performance of Samsung, but it's all for naught if I can't customize my phone to my liking.
My next device will be whatever the next Nexus is. No contractual obligations, will work with pretty much any US carrier, and while a hefty investment by comparison to the usual $150 I fork over every 2 years for a new phone, I'll OWN that ***** outright. So many items on the "plus" column to owning a Google device.
It's really a shame that the carriers don't cater to those of us in this community. I won't go as far as to say they'll regret losing sales, because at the end of the day their money is made on the plans, not the phones. Still, there is a certain amount of satisfaction to me in both knowing I have other options for phones while maintaining the provider, as well as not having to abide the ridiculous security measures put in place by the carrier I choose to subscribe to.
It doesn't serve them in any way, except for cutting down on idiots who don't read first before they brick their device.
/endrant

disturbd1 said:
This thread will get locked by the mods, or moved, but I'm done with Samsungs on AT&T. Especially with the rumors I hear about ALL phones having a locked bootloader going forward. It would be different if the devs were able to make some semblance of headway with cracking that, so we can just give them the middle-finger ("them" being AT&T, since it's not Samsung's fault we're in this predicament per se). I love the craftsmanship, look, and performance of Samsung, but it's all for naught if I can't customize my phone to my liking.
My next device will be whatever the next Nexus is. No contractual obligations, will work with pretty much any US carrier, and while a hefty investment by comparison to the usual $150 I fork over every 2 years for a new phone, I'll OWN that ***** outright. So many items on the "plus" column to owning a Google device.
It's really a shame that the carriers don't cater to those of us in this community. I won't go as far as to say they'll regret losing sales, because at the end of the day their money is made on the plans, not the phones. Still, there is a certain amount of satisfaction to me in both knowing I have other options for phones while maintaining the provider, as well as not having to abide the ridiculous security measures put in place by the carrier I choose to subscribe to.
It doesn't serve them in any way, except for cutting down on idiots who don't read first before they brick their device.
/endrant
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I'm on at&t and I'm not going back to samsung but htc will let you unlock the bootloader ,hell they'll even give it to you
my htc one m8 is unlocked,rooted s-off and on at&t

bigcid10 said:
I'm on at&t and I'm not going back to samsung but htc will let you unlock the bootloader ,hell they'll even give it to you
my htc one m8 is unlocked,rooted s-off and on at&t
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This is very promising, I used HTC exclusively before my S3 2 years ago. I love them, but they're hit-or-miss, for sure. This year it's the M8, but with their track-record, another decent HTC phone won't be out until another couple of years or more down the road. Especially with all the changes, moving, and downsizing that company continues to do.
I have a feeling once I own a Nexus device, I won't want to bother with "workarounds" or risky flashing. They seem very solid in the way of reliability after customization.

No more AT&T soon.
I was with AT&T since they were Cingular and I've always liked them. Ever since the bootloader lock bs I've switched to T-Mobile. Unfortunately I still have to use my AT&T GS4 but soon I'll just get a T-Mobile S4 or S5.

I'll be moving to the next nexus phone, hopefully it will be announced at the next conference. HTC comes unlocked if you get the developer edition. I read on the att HTC m8 forum is already been hacked. So you might be able to do an att upgrade and follow the instructions there.
I had the HTC inspire for a while. Till I got the s4. You could go with the international versions of the s5 and get more access. Or the gpe htc m8. But I too, am done with carrier locked phones.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Samsung is Excellent but...
Samsung = Excellent.
Samsung + (place carrier here) = GARBAGE!
Thanks to some swell guys and xda, we're able squeak by on the S4. I won't sit under the table and beg for sraps on the S5 and the same carrier -- if it stays locked down, that's a nonstarter!
The way I choose a phone and what carrier/plan I use has forever changed as long as the "crack down" continues. Call me old fashioned, but I like to own what I buy (like the other 99% of Samsung users) - a phone with no root and a locked bootloader is never yours!

You got another one here sticking with the S4 for another year. Contracts up next year at the end of April, so I'm hoping S6 will be out by the time I upgrade.
Samsung Galaxy S4
Provider: AIO Wireless
Rom: C-RoM v6.1
Kernel: KT-SGS4 v6.9

I plan on getting M8 on ATT and unlocking the bootloader. HTC is kind enough to provide an official way to unlock the bootloader so the bootloader on the carrier version isn't a problem. Samsung on the other hand won't budge, so no more carrier branded Samsung phones for me after the S4. I don't see the S4 bootloader getting unlocked anytime soon, by the time it does get unlocked, everyone would probably be moving onto the S7.

I love my s4 but I am with you on this one. By the time I am eligible to get a new phone project Ara should be commercially available so I will check that out (if I can). Otherwise it will be any phone that has an sd card slot, and does not have any stupid fingerprint reader.

4ndroid99 said:
I plan on getting M8 on ATT and unlocking the bootloader. HTC is kind enough to provide an official way to unlock the bootloader so the bootloader on the carrier version isn't a problem. Samsung on the other hand won't budge, so no more carrier branded Samsung phones for me after the S4. I don't see the S4 bootloader getting unlocked anytime soon, by the time it does get unlocked, everyone would probably be moving onto the S7.
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You could go with the s4 gpe. I sure we will see s5 gpe. I was surprised to see the htc m8 gpe so soon.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

[Q&A] Anyone working on Root for AT&T?

Q&A for Anyone working on Root for AT&T?
Some developers prefer that questions remain separate from their main development thread to help keep things organized. Placing your question within this thread will increase its chances of being answered by a member of the community or by the developer.
Before posting, please use the forum search and read through the discussion thread for Anyone working on Root for AT&T?. If you can't find an answer, post it here, being sure to give as much information as possible (firmware version, steps to reproduce, logcat if available) so that you can get help.
Thanks for understanding and for helping to keep XDA neat and tidy!

AT&T Note Edge help
I know that there is not a root for this phone yet. I'm very upset with myself for not researching this first. I now strongly regret moving from T-Mobile to AT&T. I'm having more trouble with this almost $1000 phone than I've had with $150 huawei phones. All of this AT&T bloat is ridiculous. The AT&T stuff on top of the Samsung bloat makes my phone borderline unusable. The lollipop update has made it much worse. Now it's not only freezing constantly, but the battery life is half of what it used to be and what it should be. It over heats like crazy. AT&T keeps telling me to factory reset or pay $250 for a new phone. AT&T might be the worst of allthe carriers.
Is there anything i can do to fix any of these issues at all? i've factory reset twice now just to be sure it wasn't that. I'm very close to getting rid of AT&T. The reason i prefer android is because of more options and now AT&T has taken that away from me.

root note edge
i just bought a note edge att but i dont want to switch from s5 because no root for edge is there any way i can get wifi hotspot without root

SM-N915A Firmware
So I am reading different things, but I understand I need the firmware for my Note Edge (AT&T) if I want to try and rooting the device. Some say the firmware has been released, but I can't seem to find it.
Anybody have information for the SM-915A firmware?

shonnick01 said:
i just bought a note edge att but i dont want to switch from s5 because no root for edge is there any way i can get wifi hotspot without root
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Is there 2 different AT&T's? Been with AT&T for 3 years or so, had hotspot free since day 1. Guess you are still on a old plan?

Oditius said:
Is there 2 different AT&T's? Been with AT&T for 3 years or so, had hotspot free since day 1. Guess you are still on a old plan?
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AT&T phone but straight talk service! sorry i should have mentioned that

Any news on perm root?

Any news for Root on the ATT side of Note Edge?
So, any news?

I'm not sure how roms are offered but no root?? sorry to ignorant but Iv been rooting for years look at my join date. I assume if roms are offered there must be a way to root. Unfortunately no one shared that.

robandcathy said:
I'm not sure how roms are offered but no root?? sorry to ignorant but Iv been rooting for years look at my join date. I assume if roms are offered there must be a way to root. Unfortunately no one shared that.
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There is a temp root, not sure if you can load a rom for it. But making Roms for the N915A (AT&T) isn't that hard since the N915T (Tmobile) is a close cousin. Maybe the Dev knows they are getting close?

Oditius said:
There is a temp root, not sure if you can load a rom for it. But making Roms for the N915A (AT&T) isn't that hard since the N915T (Tmobile) is a close cousin. Maybe the Dev knows they are getting close?
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Click to collapse
Actually its pretty hard.. and close to impossible, the boot loader is locked and there is currently NO chance of unlocking without the signature keys. Therefore no ROMS will be available. As for ROOT, there is a temp root but a permanent root is very difficult unless they find a way around WP (Write Protect). Tmobile and AT&T are nothing alike in software... which is the issue here.

IceTwig said:
Actually its pretty hard.. and close to impossible, the boot loader is locked and there is currently NO chance of unlocking without the signature keys. Therefore no ROMS will be available. As for ROOT, there is a temp root but a permanent root is very difficult unless they find a way around WP (Write Protect). Tmobile and AT&T are nothing alike in software... which is the issue here.
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It would seem that not sure where you get they are not alike. I can use my AT&T edge on the T-MOBILE network and visa-versa. I get LTE on both. But I do find it crappy that AT&T locked the boot loader, therefore preventing us from installing custom roms. As for what it takes to craft a custom Rom, I know very little about.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk

Oditius said:
It would seem that not sure where you get they are not alike. I can use my AT&T edge on the T-MOBILE network and visa-versa. I get LTE on both. But I do find it crappy that AT&T locked the boot loader, therefore preventing us from installing custom roms. As for what it takes to craft a custom Rom, I know very little about.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk
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I don't assume that.. its a fact really... the software that AT&T implements is TOTALLY different than T-Mobile, for one T-Mobile usually never locks their bootloader. Both models are GSM so yea you can interchange providers assuming the SIM is unlocked... but that goes for ANY GSM phone... LG, HTC, they can also be used on T-Mobile if they are GSM.
AT&T has locked all their bootloaders since S3 as far as I remember.

IceTwig said:
I don't assume that.. its a fact really... the software that AT&T implements is TOTALLY different than T-Mobile, for one T-Mobile usually never locks their bootloader. Both models are GSM so yea you can interchange providers assuming the SIM is unlocked... but that goes for ANY GSM phone... LG, HTC, they can also be used on T-Mobile if they are GSM.
AT&T has locked all their bootloaders since S3 as far as I remember.
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Except for some European models won't get LTE on AT&T. I guess I should separate hardware from software. TMO hardware is what is similar to AT&T. As far as locking the bootloader, yep. But that is also different than the OS. The HTC One was finally unlocked.. I believe that someday it would be unlocked.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk

Oditius said:
Except for some European models won't get LTE on AT&T. I guess I should separate hardware from software. TMO hardware is what is similar to AT&T. As far as locking the bootloader, yep. But that is also different than the OS. The HTC One was finally unlocked.. I believe that someday it would be unlocked.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk
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Lets hope so

downlgrade to Android v4 from Lollipop Note edge N915A
Anyone can show direction and files to downgrade Galaxy note edge N915A (ATT) from Android Lollipop to Kitkat ?
Thanks in advance

Root

[Q] Which one do I want? D:

Tried posting this in the S6 Edge forum already, but got no response, so hopefully you guys can help me out.
I'm upgrading from a very buggy Galaxy S4. (The bugs are my fault and I'm not savvy enough to fix them, so I just deal with them.) I have a few questions about which version of the S6 I should get because I'm seeing a lot of info and I'm not really sure what all of it means, so hopefully you guys can give me straight and simple answers.
1. Which version of the S6 do I want if I want to be able to switch between AT&T and Verizon? I'm currently on Straight Talk using AT&T. However, Verizon is overall the best in my area and areas I work, so if I get switched to a new client where AT&T doesn't work I may need to change back to Page Plus on Verizon quickly. I'm seeing conflicting information on these phones, some say all should work while some say only certain ones will work well (all of them seem to be speculating really, I can't find any "for sure this works" posts). At least there does seem to be hope out there that it's possible for some versions to be able to switch between the two easily, one of them being the Verizon one, which also lacks some apparently annoying features the AT&T one has.
2. An out-of-the-box, working mobile hotspot feature is extremely important to me if at all possible. My S4 is messed up primarily because my attempt at making things work, like the hotspot, didn't go so well. I've seen on these forums that some users are saying that at least the Verizon version will work if you use FoxFi, no rooting or tether file hacking required (so no risk of me breaking my phone, yay). I have the paid version of FoxFi already, so that's good news if it's true. Confirm/deny and is the same true for the AT&T version if I had to get that instead? I also just saw some mention of a file that can be downloaded to a rooted S6, but am unsure.
Thanks all!

I would say but the unlocked s6. U could switch the sim cards out np. Yes there is root for vzw s6 now
Sent from my risiculously powered S6 using Tapatalk

holla420 said:
I would say but the unlocked s6. U could switch the sim cards out np. Yes there is root for vzw s6 now
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But which version of an unlocked S6 do I want? They all still have branding on them which can make some things work or not work from what I've been reading. Am not sure if the Verizon branded one will work for what I need or if I need a different one.
Am not really interested in rooting if I can avoid it because I might break a rather expensive device if I muck something up like I did with my S4. Just need a working hotspot and if I have to root to get it then I guess I have to, but I won't need the root for anything else.

T-mobile S4 + Cyanogenmod on AT&T network?

I want to stick with an S4 for now but I'd like to run non-touchwiz roms like cyanogenmod. To get around the locked bootloader issue I'm thinking of just buying a t-mobile SGH-M919 unlocked s4 (and possibly selling my at&t s4). I would then install cyanogenmod and use it with at&t. Will I run into any problems or is this a workable approach? Anything I need to be aware of at any step of the process?

Anyone? Just hoping for a little reassurance that my understanding is right before shelling out some cash for another phone.

TheShanMan said:
Anyone? Just hoping for a little reassurance that my understanding is right before shelling out some cash for another phone.
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This should be in the Q&A section, not general.
Make sure the phone you purchase has been unlocked from T-Mobile or you won't be able to use it.
A T-Mobile device is 100% compatible with AT&T as far as which bands are supported. You shouldn't run into any issues. Just make sure you only flash firmware / bootloaders / basebands for your T-Mobile model and don't pull anything from the AT&T section.
For LTE to work you will need to call AT&T support and give them the IMEI from the phone.
I would highly recommend that you upgrade to an S5, seeing as you are replacing your phone anyway. It's not that big of a price jump.
Remember XDA has a phone buying/selling website (Swappa) and it's very good. I've purchased three phones this way.
Also, custom ROMs are not all they're cracked up to be. I ran custom ROMs for a long time, but here recently I've gone back to stock and it's just so much more stable. It's nice not having to troubleshoot issues or deal with problems all the time. Stock just works. Root it if you want, maybe install the GPE rom (yes you can still run several roms even with a locked bootloader, you just have to keep the stock kernel) and keep your S4. Switching to another S4 is a waste of money.

Locked Bootloader

Do we know, or have we heard if the Sprint variant will have a locked bootloader?

tenorband said:
Do we know, or have we heard if the Sprint variant will have a locked bootloader?
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That's the million dollar question right now. :fingers-crossed:
FYI ... Questions belong in the (Questions & Answers) section.

Good question. My guess is yes. Only because it is Samsung

My guess is yuuuuup even Samsung decided to switch from an exynos to a snapdragon processor for Canadian users.

According to Samsung Customer Support...
bootloader will be locked if ordered directly through/from Sprint
bootloader will be UNlocked if purchased from online store or brick and mortar store (Samsung Customer Support Agent specifically mentioned Best Buy)

lennykravitz2004 said:
According to Samsung Customer Support...
bootloader will be locked if ordered directly through/from Sprint
bootloader will be UNlocked if purchased from online store or brick and mortar store (Samsung Customer Support Agent specifically mentioned Best Buy)
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Click to collapse
If that is true i will be taking mine back and getting one from best buy.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using XDA-Developers mobile app

brownchm said:
If that is true i will be taking mine back and getting one from best buy.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
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Screenshot of chat with Samsung CS yesterday
ETA: me too. and it looks like the only way to cancel an order with Sprint is to simply not sign for it when delivered, although I'm going to call later this morning and see if that gets me anywhere.

Called to cancel order through Sprint, and basically got nowhere. Have to wait for it to show up from UPS, then take to my local Sprint store for return/refund. Going to Best Buy and purchase there with new 2 year agreement. $500 difference in price. Freebie of the sd card or Fit watch isn't as important now since price would be substantially less. If available still, I'll stick with getting the Fit like I planned.
If you're thinking about doing the same thing, Sprint rep told me to NOT OPEN THE BOX when delivered from UPS as that will require a $35 restocking fee. Just sign for it, then take it to the Sprint store by my house and the store will be able to do refund right then and there. We'll see...
International variants appear to have root capability (i.e. unlocked bootloader) already, just looking around on the web. Hopefully Sprint retail versions will be just as easy.

lennykravitz2004 said:
According to Samsung Customer Support...
bootloader will be locked if ordered directly through/from Sprint
bootloader will be UNlocked if purchased from online store or brick and mortar store (Samsung Customer Support Agent specifically mentioned Best Buy)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find this a little hard to believe (I usually take what reps say with a grain of salt)
Regardless of who's selling it, don't all Sprint phones originate from the same place? So they can get all their bloatware (and locked bootloader, if it is?) on there? Do the Sprint phones from Best Buy not have all of the bloatware?
I guess we'll know soon enough.

fgr said:
I find this a little hard to believe (I usually take what reps say with a grain of salt)
Regardless of who's selling it, don't all Sprint phones originate from the same place? So they can get all their bloatware (and locked bootloader, if it is?) on there? Do the Sprint phones from Best Buy not have all of the bloatware?
I guess we'll know soon enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And after looking at the Best Buy page for the N7, the "unlocked" spec is labeled as "No". Maybe Samsung makes more money if sold from retailers as opposed to carriers??? I have no idea. Another reason why I'm cancelling my order, regardless at this point. Or maybe sit on it and see if anything develops once they start getting in dev's hands for a week. After waiting 4 years for an upgrade, what's another few weeks to wait and see what's really happening. Seems Samsung and/or Sprint is moving to locking down the phones for good now, or as much as possible.

lennykravitz2004 said:
After waiting 4 years for an upgrade, what's another few weeks to wait and see what's really happening.
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My guess is by Thursday or Friday night at the latest, we will know everything about what's locked and what's not.
Probably have the first reports of a brick from someone trying to root also... lol

I find it hard to believe that a best buy sprint n7 would be any different than one directly from sprint. I would imagine they are all shipped from the same place with the same setups.
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Do know why you posted this here this is not DEVELOPMENT. More than likely it will have a locked boot loader get over it
Sent from my SM-N920P using XDA-Developers mobile app

jbadboy2007 said:
Do know why you posted this here this is not DEVELOPMENT. More than likely it will have a locked boot loader get over it
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Respectful posts please. Also, finding out and working towards root methods and unlocking bootloaders are at the core of Development. Thank you, and appreciate your comments which add nothing to the discussion.

Honestly as long as we get a viable root and unroot method i will be happy. I can live without having custom roms.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using XDA-Developers mobile app

I think that is bs. I don't see the difference from a best buy Sprint Note 7 and one that is directly bought from Sprint. I'm almost certain that either one will be locked.
Also the s7 edge got root but no working recovery. So at some point we might get the same.
On the other hand the exynos versions of the Note 7 have a wip root and recovery.

It will be locked. Don't get your hopes up. Not going to be any different than the s7.

Silly question I presume but does locked bootloader mean we could obtain root but no custom recovery?
Sent from my SM-N920P using XDA-Developers mobile app

anahataray said:
Silly question I presume but does locked bootloader mean we could obtain root but no custom recovery?
Sent from my SM-N920P using XDA-Developers mobile app
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The way the s7 got root was from a leaked engineer firmware so if the bootloader is locked than well have to wait for someone to get their hands on the engineer bootloader or find another way to get root
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA-Developers mobile app

Just like zune mentioned its going to be a wait for us to get something concrete as far as boot loaders but we might have root a little earlier at least you can use rooted apps IE titanium backup with a locked boot loader is a plus. although if your a flash junky like myself it would have been great to get an unlocked boot loader for recoveries backups and new roms but only time will tell there are some of the greatest Devs here on XDA so you never know...