Database Info

My GS3 was stolen at gunpoint, Is the S4 worth it?

I really loved my GS3, It was pretty much perfect. The question is, Is the S4 worth the upgrade?

samehhesham4 said:
I really loved my GS3, It was pretty much perfect. The question is, Is the S4 worth the upgrade?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that sucks.
But yes the S4 is an all round better phone and worth the upgrade.
Where are you from btw?

Shocky2 said:
Well that sucks.
But yes the S4 is an all round better phone and worth the upgrade.
Where are you from btw?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Egypt

Yes! I upgraded from the s3 to the s4.
The display on the s4 is waaaaaay more gorgeous than that of the s3!
Sent from my GT-I9505

If you have 4g network get the
S4 4g LTE its awesome

Thanks guys. GS4, HERE I COME!.

samehhesham4 said:
I really loved my GS3, It was pretty much perfect. The question is, Is the S4 worth the upgrade?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn dude. Well i'm glad you didn't lose more than your S3. Get the S4!

samehhesham4 said:
My GS3 was stolen at gunpoint
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As much as you could sell iPhones / Galaxies on craigslist for I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often to people
It's basically like if you're in public showing off that you have $400 - 500 on you that is easily taken.

ap3604 said:
As much as you could sell iPhones / Galaxies on craigslist for I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often to people
It's basically like if you're in public showing off that you have $400 - 500 on you that is easily taken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have the right software law enforcement can track down the phone. I would assume that people who steal phones at gunpoint aren't very tech savvy.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

JihadSquad said:
If you have the right software law enforcement can track down the phone. I would assume that people who steal phones at gunpoint aren't very tech savvy.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly, Samsungdive was my only option. The phone has probably been sold and factory resetted already but i'll be sure to install some tracking apps next time. Experience comes at a price!.

When I saw the the thread name I thought to myself, this is definetly a South African as this happens far too often down here with some people losing their lives over a damn phone.
Shocked to find out it happened on the northern tip of Africa, Egypt .So sorry to hear that mate, glad they only took the phone and not your life. Where were you when it happened?
The GS4 is worth it, definetly, got my GS4 as my GS3 broke, used my GS2 for 2-3wks and got GS4 on launch day, and I've been happy ever since, it's a lovely phone, more refined than GS3.

samehhesham4 said:
Sadly, Samsungdive was my only option. The phone has probably been sold and factory resetted already but i'll be sure to install some tracking apps next time. Experience comes at a price!.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get one that you can install as a system app so that when it is factory reset it doesn't go away unless the buyer knows about rooting.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

One of my s3's got stolen also
I was thinking to skip the s4 this year and replace them both with s5...but i sorted out with my insurance and on monday i go to get a s4

JihadSquad said:
Get one that you can install as a system app so that when it is factory reset it doesn't go away unless the buyer knows about rooting.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you suggest any apps that do this?

samb222 said:
Can you suggest any apps that do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cerberus is brilliant and totally controllable from your laptop / pc / or another phone... it can take photos of whoever tries to unlock and puts in to many false attempts.....
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

dandan_00000 said:
Cerberus is brilliant and totally controllable from your laptop / pc / or another phone... it can take photos of whoever tries to unlock and puts in to many false attempts.....
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brilliant, thanks a lot

You should move to the UK. Everyone else seems too be lol, joking apart, it is terrible what happened and I hope you are ok.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app

rixsta said:
You should move to the UK. Everyone else seems too be lol, joking apart, it is terrible what happened and I hope you are ok.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll get robbed at knife point or some little youth on his bike. Uk is messed as well. Robberies will happen wherever you are.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Got an MDL refurb today from AT&T

A little happiness on a Monday!!!
I had issues with my recently purchased S4 so I called AT&T and they sent me a refurb. The first refurb had screen issues and much to my dismay, was on MF3. I called AT&T last week and they said they would ship one out right away and what do you know, the one I got today was an MDL with a perfect screen.
Just wanted to share a success story in case someone else wants to play the refurb roulette game an possibly score and MDL.

I know your happy. Glad to hear it. This phone is to good to be slapped down by MF3.

I was a lucky winner of the black screen of death today on my s4 that I traded someone a note 2 for, the guy that gave me the s4 had already updated to mf3. Life has sucked for the past couple months stuck with mf3. Went to at&t support center in atl, not only did I get a brand new s4, (they stated that it wasn't a refurb) but the replacement has MDL! WE'RE IN THE SAME BOAT! HAPPY DAY!!! lol
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Lucky you guys. I got a refurb from AT&T and it came with MF3. I can't escape it.
Sent from the other side of the Milky Way with my S4.

MOD EDIT: DO NOT DISCUSS WARRANTY FRAUD ON THIS SITE!!

I got an MDL 32gb also like 3 weeks ago. It seems that they are not flashing the software on the phones if it is a hardware problem.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

I was lucky enough to get an MDL right when I bought it. Thank you Best Buy mobile!

Anyone else getting an MDL version lately?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

hecpilot said:
Anyone else getting an MDL version lately?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got an MDL from Bestbuy a few days ago!
Sent from my AOKP Galaxy S4

I got my refurbished online from AT&T for $30. Took the update the first day I in boxed it not knowing. And before I did my research. Due to coming off Verizon RAZR maxx HD. Bricked it trying to install TWRP, took it to AT&T corporate store. Told them what I did and how it happened. The cool Kat behind the counter said no problem, and reflashed MDL to it.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2

I traded a 16g iPhone 5 for a 32 gig gs4 in almost brand new condition. The iPhone was like beat up and headphones were used and dirty and I didn't have the original charger. But came with mf3 :/ oh well got a better deal because people are going crazy for iphones.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

mattwheat said:
I got my refurbished online from AT&T for $30. Took the update the first day I in boxed it not knowing. And before I did my research. Due to coming off Verizon RAZR maxx HD. Bricked it trying to install TWRP, took it to AT&T corporate store. Told them what I did and how it happened. The cool Kat behind the counter said no problem, and reflashed MDL to it.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please tell us how or what he used to downgrade? Get in contact if possible. As far as I or anyone else knows, it is impossible to downgrade to MDL once the OTA MF3 has been installed.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I have no idea how he did it. I was thinking he would swap me out to another phone. I even asked asked and he said "just some software that's on our PC in the back". I asked for a copy of the software .... He chukled and said "man I can't do that". I don't think he knows a lot about this stuff much less knew the difficulty we have trying to figure out mf3 ... I don't know if he knew whether or not he was supposed to reflash for me. I read on here somewhere that best buy has a Samsung kiosks that can do it also.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2

As far as I know, BB can't even downgrade... I must know what this software is.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

graydiggy said:
As far as I know, BB can't even downgrade... I must know what this software is.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone can not be downgraded from MF3 to MDL. In order to do so with any "software" method would require at least a partial re-write of the MDL bootloader to completely emulate parts of the MF3 bootloader. Once operational in theory, it would need to be signed with Samsung's encrypted key to make it actually function on the phone. We do not have the encrypted key required to do so. Any other method would require replacing parts of the phone itself.
People that claim this, don't know what they are talking about.

What you are failing to see here is that you are still wrong. Even if you did not actually boot the system after an MF3 update, there is still the qfuse that got blown. That is the single thing that keeps the device from being downgraded. The burden of proof is in your hands. There is no need to be so hostile towards someone that explained the process.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

mattwheat said:
I have no idea how he did it. I was thinking he would swap me out to another phone. I even asked asked and he said "just some software that's on our PC in the back". I asked for a copy of the software .... He chukled and said "man I can't do that". I don't think he knows a lot about this stuff much less knew the difficulty we have trying to figure out mf3 ... I don't know if he knew whether or not he was supposed to reflash for me. I read on here somewhere that best buy has a Samsung kiosks that can do it also.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There has not been one substantiated case of an MF3 phone running MDL. If you have it, you should dump those bootloaders ASAP and collect the bounty.

Thread cleaned and closed
Warranty fraud discussions will not be tolerated on this site and may result in your account being deactivated
Also profanity filtered or not, flaming and name calling will not be tolerated
This is a development site, not a social site
Act professionally
Thank you for your cooperation
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator

Wanted to give some hope, New S4 with MDL

Just bought my S4 today at Costco and its MDL!!!!!
I wanted to give you guy's hope they are still out there.
P.S. the guy offered to buy/swap me because it was MDL.
Thanks goes to the guides and developments so far, I hope to contribute in the coming weeks.
Happy Halloween!

BehrendsTech said:
Just bought my S4 today at Costco and its MDL!!!!!
I wanted to give you guy's hope they are still out there.
P.S. the guy offered to buy/swap me because it was MDL.
Thanks goes to the guides and developments so far, I hope to contribute in the coming weeks.
Happy Halloween!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's awesome! Though, I don't think anyone looking for a new S4 should count on MDL phones as even a remote possibility. You probably got one of the last MDL phones outside of the used market.

jh64dsb877r said:
That's awesome! Though, I don't think anyone looking for a new S4 should count on MDL phones as even a remote possibility. You probably got one of the last MDL phones outside of the used market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got a white one at walmart just last week. The guy even opened it for me to check first!

Is there no way to tell on the outside?
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app

sbrown23 said:
Is there no way to tell on the outside?
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will say on the bottom of the box what it comes with
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

sbrown23 said:
Is there no way to tell on the outside?
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, definitely. On the side of the box with all of the barcodes. It will say the firmware version.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

I just called AT&T about my speratic reboots on my phone. He did some reset on his end, he told me it might have fixed it. I told him if I elected to have it replaced could I request a replacement phone with firmware MDL? He said that's a different department but he recommend that I go to my local store and have it replaced there if I choose that route. The odds that the store has one is quite slim I'm sure but worth the time since I see that ppl still manage to get one from time to time. First thing I guess I'd need to do is remove root from my current phone, head over, tell them my issue, refuse a master reset (last time they reset my phone I lost everything, including my sdcard...never again). They should then offer me a replacement, I ask for a MDL model, I tell them how to tell. If they don't have any which I'm sure they don't, would I receive another MF3? My store is actually pretty cool, I may just walk in an ask if they have any MDL's...if so than I'll about getting an exchange.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
---------- Post added at 03:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:46 PM ----------
The more I think about it, really whats the point. I asked here the other day "is locked boots the new norm" all so far have said yes, as far as version and AT&T goes. Even if I get a MDL model, im still getting an upgrade next summer...Ill have the same issue then as I'm sure we all will. Its a dark time. I'm sure we'll always have root but flashing custom Roms is what we all what (safe assumption). If this is the case and the modding community is as large as I think it is, I see the 2 carries taking a large hit in sales due to their nonsence. Sorry guys, had to vent
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I went to my local Wal-Mart today and they actually had a brand new MDB. The first released. But they wanted $700 for it new. I told them they were crazy and that att sells then online for 500
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

Very important PSA!

DO NOT ACCEPT OTA UPDATES!
if you like to hack and mod that is. If ralekdev and other devs find an exploit for boot loader unlock chances are it will be in the release firmware. Remember Loki on the S4. How many of you still have that?
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using xda app-developers app

Sold that MDK S4 just last week for $400.. Makes a device valuable at Swappa
Edit: to be clear, having firmware that is unlockable is valuable.
Sent from my HTC One M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Chiming in here to say +1

open1your1eyes0 said:
Chiming in here to say +1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice lol
i'll def listen to that. rooted my s4 like a day after i got it, and i too sold my MDK for a decent price on swappa.

jayochs said:
nice lol
i'll def listen to that. rooted my s4 like a day after i got it, and i too sold my MDK for a decent price on swappa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I keep this noted and not be OCD when I get mine tomorrow. :victory:

jayochs said:
nice lol
i'll def listen to that. rooted my s4 like a day after i got it, and i too sold my MDK for a decent price on swappa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does MDK stand for?

wonderrx said:
What does MDK stand for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
was the original firmware that was easily rootable for the s4.
Sent from my Nexus 7 2013 using Tapatalk

jayochs said:
was the original firmware that was easily rootable for the s4.
Sent from my Nexus 7 2013 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the firmware has been rootable for S4......MDK was special because loki worked on it for bootloader bypass.

TechSavvy2 said:
All the firmware has been rootable for S4......MDK was special because loki worked on it for bootloader bypass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh right right. when i left the s4, mr2 still wasn't rootable.. so i guess that's what I was thinking.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

nice one men!

jayochs said:
nice lol
i'll def listen to that. rooted my s4 like a day after i got it, and i too sold my MDK for a decent price on swappa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have to +1 on that too. haha. Just sold my MDK S4 on Swappa day before yesterday. I'm digging my M8. Totally done with Verizon.

nicholi2789 said:
Have to +1 on that too. haha. Just sold my MDK S4 on Swappa day before yesterday. I'm digging my M8. Totally done with Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish I could be done with VZW. Wish wish wish.. I just need the the coverage. I'm so tired of them. The only time I have to deal with them is when I have exchange a defected device.. Which happens every time I buy one but it's enough. I pay $90 a month for unlimited data/txt and 450 minutes. So I'm happy about that. Oh yeah, I deal with them when I want control of my device. They don't want me (or anyone) to have it.
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Don't know about where you live, but where I live Verizon murders 4g service compared to other companies. I'm always in 4g

Bump so people know not to OTA for the new possible exploit
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app

hibby50 said:
Bump so people know not to OTA for the new possible exploit
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The exploit is actually kinda 'old' however doesn't the OTA just happen anyways? So unless you're paying attention to your phone it will just download
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app

Dennisg34 said:
The exploit is actually kinda 'old' however doesn't the OTA just happen anyways? So unless you're paying attention to your phone it will just download
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to my knowledge ive always had to accept an OTA.. hopefully the devs could give us root way before an update to fix it so we can get rid of the damned ota
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Premium HD app

elliwigy said:
to my knowledge ive always had to accept an OTA.. hopefully the devs could give us root way before an update to fix it so we can get rid of the damned ota
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only update I've ever dealt with was last year with my S4 when it upgraded from the MDK baseband. I don't remember the original one, but I remember I lucked out big time and when I ruined my phone and got a new one when I turned it on it basically almost immediately did an OTA to which I put in airplane mode to stop. Now I'm not 100% sure but I don't remember having to click yes or OK for that OTA
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app

hibby50 said:
Bump so people know not to OTA for the new possible exploit
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if people have already accepted OTA before now, they are OK, right? Because this exploit is very new so I doubt it would've been fixed before that. The first fix I see for linux was on June 4th and I have no idea how that translates to phone OTAs
https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/3.11.0-23.40 2014-06-04

tutorialbs said:
But if people have already accepted OTA before now, they are OK, right? Because this exploit is very new so I doubt it would've been fixed before that. The first fix I see for linux was on June 4th and I have no idea how that translates to phone OTAs
https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/3.11.0-23.40 2014-06-04
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely you are correct. The OTA they have been pushing is older so it's likely that the exploit will still work. I wouldn't accept any at all however if you can avoid it. I'd imagine they'll push the patch for this soon.

How do we know if our phones have the update already? I got a new s5 and have had zero Ota pop up since I got it 3 weeks ago.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

TOWELROOT

Has anybody tried towel root with their Edge yet?
I will have mine on Wednesday, maybe I will try if no one has yet.
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app

drbveb88 said:
Has anybody tried towel root with their Edge yet?
I will have mine on Wednesday, maybe I will try if no one has yet.
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get mine Tuesday Ill let you know ASAP if no one else has

WhiteReign said:
I get mine Tuesday Ill let you know ASAP if no one else has
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope we're not the only 2 people who are getting the edge. Lol...
Development is going to be sloooooooow.! [emoji14]

Tried it and it tells me that my phone is not supported.

drbveb88 said:
I hope we're not the only 2 people who are getting the edge. Lol...
Development is going to be sloooooooow.! [emoji14]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Towelroot won't work..
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

BUmmer. They will have some thing soon they have to be. I got this phone because they have no Dev edition. Hope that stands true.

WhiteReign said:
BUmmer. They will have some thing soon they have to be. I got this phone because they have no Dev edition. Hope that stands true.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dev Edition:
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SM-N915VMKEVZW?CID=AFL-hq-mul-0813-11000279

longview41 said:
Dev Edition:
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SM-N915VMKEVZW?CID=AFL-hq-mul-0813-11000279
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sold out. Or not available right. Unless I would jump on it.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

drbveb88 said:
Has anybody tried towel root with their Edge yet?
I will have mine on Wednesday, maybe I will try if no one has yet.
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck with that. I would be happy to hear it works but very surprised

kdizzleh85 said:
Good luck with that. I would be happy to hear it works but very surprised
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I'm gonna end up holding out for the developer edition.
F**!! Verizon and there locked phone.

drbveb88 said:
I think I'm gonna end up holding out for the developer edition.
F**!! Verizon and there locked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got one from best buy the day Dev edition showed up on Sammy site. Hopeing its available before the end of the return period.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app

Hitman3984 said:
Got one from best buy the day Dev edition showed up on Sammy site. Hopeing its available before the end of the return period.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 Same here ....I'm a Best Buy Elite Plus Member, but I need that Developer Edition to theme it. I hate all the white backgrounds!

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2945942
Anyone tried this yet?
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app

drbveb88 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2945942
Anyone tried this yet?
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't work. CF Auto Root requires an unlocked bootloader as it temporarily flashes a custom recovery.

drbveb88 said:
I think I'm gonna end up holding out for the developer edition.
F**!! Verizon and there locked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally got sick of dealing with vzw. Today we just switched to sprint and my wife and I both are getting the edge. We got the note 4 (retail) on vzw. It's gonna be nice to have root and all the other stuff that vzw hates us enjoying.
Trolling xda with my Note 4 in full on beast mode!

djsbad said:
Finally got sick of dealing with vzw. Today we just switched to sprint and my wife and I both are getting the edge. We got the note 4 (retail) on vzw. It's gonna be nice to have root and all the other stuff that vzw hates us enjoying.
Trolling xda with my Note 4 in full on beast mode!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good for you guys!! Id love to make the switch but Sprint Service is awful where i live. I have my own home building company, i need good service over all else. Have fun with root,, the developer edition is coming soon.(I hope)..

drbveb88 said:
Good for you guys!! Id love to make the switch but Sprint Service is awful where i live. I have my own home building company, i need good service over all else. Have fun with root,, the developer edition is coming soon.(I hope)..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude that really sucks you can't get decent signal on sprint in your area. Sooner or later vzw and at&t are going to realize that their bs is driving their customers away in droves. It really has a special way of pissing me off knowing I dropped all this money on these phones and I can't even do what I want with them. It's almost like going to a furniture store and buying a recliner and then that store owner dictating certain times I'm allowed to sit in that recliner, what times I'm allowed to put the foot rest up, what I'm allowed to do while sitting in it, and then being forced to sit in it with the store owner at the same time, and then being forced to wait a year to be able to buy a new slipcover for it.
That's just my example of comparing to vzw and their locked bootloaders, insane bloatware, ridiculously long-delayed updates and ridiculous push notifications, (vvm anyone?).
I really hope you get the dev edition if you can't switch and then I hope you torture the ever living hell out of vzw with it!
Best of luck to you my friend!