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Which Note Edge variant to buy?

Hi Everyone,
I would like to buy a Note Edge very soon but i wanted to ask which variant should I get - I do plan on rooting the device asap and flashing various themes so I want the most compatible variant for this. Currently I am now in Australia and the SM-N915G are very much available everywhere, however I did notice slightly more development for the SM-N915FY (EU version) will there be incompatibility between the G & Y versions?
Thanks.

GODSPD said:
Hi Everyone,
I would like to buy a Note Edge very soon but i wanted to ask which variant should I get - I do plan on rooting the device asap and flashing various themes so I want the most compatible variant for this. Currently I am now in Australia and the SM-N915G are very much available everywhere, however I did notice slightly more development for the SM-N915FY (EU version) will there be incompatibility between the G & Y versions?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first, NO n915F(Y) rom is not compatible with N915G.
i own an SM-N915G (snapdragon) which i love. as you noticed yourself, there are no custom ROMs for this variant. BUT hey who needs a custom rom when there is Xposed? i customize every thing with it. pretty much all the things that i love about the root is in Xposed.
My friend owns the 915F (which is compatible with 915FY), and he's got the same stuff i got (no custom Rom, only Xposed).
bottom line, i suggest N915G for you because it's Australian. and it's Snapdragon which i like more.
and the official Lollipop is already available for N915G too. :good: :good: it's smooth as hell

As mentioned above, its best to get the variant that is usable in your region for compatibility and service purposes.
I have the SM-N915G model but the Note Edge isn't sold in my country (at least not yet).
If I ever need repairs or service done to my Note Edge, all I need to do is fly to Singapore where I bought the phone from.
And the bonus part, the SM-N915G has an official Lollipop update.

so the sm-n915fy is an octacore?
will it work with lte att on USA?

No F(Y) it's SD-805

Essentially Samsung got sick of people buying grey import phones for cheaper from different regions and instead now make different models WITH THE SAME HARDWARE for different regions.
Unfortunately, you can't flash the ROMs of a different region...
Looks like Sammy is going the way of Apple.... Not so Dev friendly anymore if the ROM for 1 region can't be used on the same hardware but a different model number (region) device...

I can only speak of the FY variant. I bought it in Germany and so far very satisfied. The OS is really fluid, never experienced a hiccup so far, but I dont use facebook or twitter but all other messaging apps are there (z.B whatsapp, viber, skype and fring )with notifications turned on.
I get between 3,5-4 hours SOT depending on LTE Usage.
I'm still on kitkat and don't mind lollipop anyways cause I had the LG G3 before this handset and tried it already last year and can say that ART wasn't that drastic change as Android Hyped it. so I'm waiting for a stable lollipop.
Hope I helped

I live in the U.S. and bought a SM-N915T unlocked using AT&T and so far it's working out well.
I agree with staying with phones for your region. I have read that in the U.S. that you can use a F, FY, or G version unlocked but you may not get 4G LTE and you have to use a SIM card for overseas.

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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

Need buying advice on which version of S6

I'm looking to buy an S6, probably used or refurb, but that doesn't really matter.
I'm in the US on T-Mobile.
I need to decide between the G920T (T-Mobile model) and the G920I/F (international model)
Some things about me:
I need Band 12 support for good building reception and all 3 models support that, correct?
I will be rooting which removes Samsung Pay as a selling point for the T-Mobile version.
My residence does not get great reception so I am interested in WiFi Calling. As I understand it the T-Mobile version has it, but I also remember reading Google was going to add it to Android natively??
I am potentially also interested in custom roms, but it seems not much progress for any version of the S6, correct?
Thanks for your help

Dont buy s6 its disaster go with nexus 6p i have s6 its sucks ! dont buy s7 too its more suck than s6 do you research before doing any mistake...my advice dont buy s6 or s7 Nexus 6p is the best
Peace

don't get the I version! We are still waiting for MM when most models had it WEEKS ago, plus it also gets fewer updates than the rest!

I have the U.S. T-Mobile version on an international ROM but I am trying to find a MM ROM for it. Not sure if it's out specifically for T-mo. Going to go stock and upgrade to MM because my ROM doesn't let me answer calls sometimes and I a couples other issues. Plus, I want to try out Samsung Pay. (Google pay doesn't work on rooted phones either).

Get a Nexus 6P dude. It already has Project Fi. Custom ROMs for S6 have undefined future (due to Exynos and Sam not releasing source) and with the speculations that the S7 might NEVER get custom ROMs it's probably a good idea to stay away from the flagship series.

me_is_rushin said:
I'm looking to buy an S6, probably used or refurb, but that doesn't really matter.
I'm in the US on T-Mobile.
I need to decide between the G920T (T-Mobile model) and the G920I/F (international model)
Some things about me:
I need Band 12 support for good building reception and all 3 models support that, correct?
I will be rooting which removes Samsung Pay as a selling point for the T-Mobile version.
My residence does not get great reception so I am interested in WiFi Calling. As I understand it the T-Mobile version has it, but I also remember reading Google was going to add it to Android natively??
I am potentially also interested in custom roms, but it seems not much progress for any version of the S6, correct?
Thanks for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you need network specific features get the one from the network and resist rooting. This device is great even without root even better now with MM. I have resisted rooting for 10 months in the hopes of samsung pay (and significantly thinning my wallet) and it still isn't even available

Get a G920F. Ignore all the haters telling you to get a Nexus 6P. Huawei are awful and the support and product quality are awful.
Camera is iffy, stock Android has memory management issues, and it bends.
In all seriousness though, if you like rooting and custom roms, get a 6P. If you like good phones out of the box stock, get the G920F.

U.S. Unlocked vs International Unlocked phone

Hello
I'm looking at replacing my S4 with an S7. My carrier in the US is AT&T and that won't be changing. I've been looking at different unlocked versions and can't find a solid representation of what the real world differences are. I know they have different processors. Some say a band is missing, but does that matter. I don't use android or samsung pay, but i know there is a difference here too. I found one comment about some kind of samsung 'coverage' plan, but what is that?
Best Buy has US unlocked phones for about $700. B&H Photo has an International phone for about $640. Its a lot of money either way. Is one phone really better or different than that other?
I am planning a trip through Canada and maybe to Europe. I assume either would take a SIM from those areas and I could avoid getting raped by international fees.
Here is a summary of question I can think of:
Does the US unlocked phone from BestBuy have a warranty or insurance or anything like that?
Can the US phone be rooted. I only do this to remove apps I don't use.
Is the hardware one vs the other really better or just different?
Does a dual SIM do anything useful?
Does a band being missing make a real world difference?
Is there a good comparison somewhere to that can decide on a phone to purchase?

It comes with a limited warranty as stated on their site:
"This device is not warrantied through the manufacturer. This device has a limited 1 year warranty provided by CCR Warranty. To obtain technical or warranty assistance, please contact CCR Warranty at 866-579-8436."
What I don't know is how useful/limited that warranty is. I'd like the HTC 10 but the unlocked S7 is my runner up, and the warranty issue is one of the major factors in my hesitation.
I do believe it can be rooted.
As far as I know, through research, the only major difference between the two is battery life.

Hello, I'll just go straight to the answers.
1. I'm going to assume that if you go through a carrier (att, t-mobile etc etc.) they will offer an insurance plan. You will have to go to third party insurance for the international version
2. As far I know, the US version does not have a root option yet. Because of the locked bootloader.
3. Hardware will depend on which version you choose. Both are very good.
4. Dual sim is as the name implies, you'll be able to use 2 separate sim cards with their respective #s. that's the only benefit really.
5. Missing radio bands is something you may have to do some research on depending your location.
6. I'm sure YouTube or some online site will have some reviews/comparison of both.

I just looked at the best buy website again and something is different. The S7 listed for $690 is definitely the international version and not the US version. When I looked last month I was positive that the phone was listed as a US phone ... huh

A little late
a little late to the thread but just wanted to share what I learned while researching the matter.
There is an US unlocked version of the S7 (g930u) and available through a few places (Best Buy, B&H, Ebay). It goes for $679.99 retail and I have not been able to find one that goes for less. Probably because it just came out end of June. The biggest benefit of it is that it has a bunch of bands and CDMA-compatible. Thus, you can get full connection with AT&T and TMobile. Downside is no wifi calling or VOLTE (as those seem to be locked by the carriers to their own phones).
The international versions (930f/930fd) are both available on Ebay/Swappa for about $500. Upside are that they have the Exnyos chip and no bloatware. You can also root and flash them with new ROM. Another thing is that you get updates earlier. I got Marshmallow on my s6 a month or so before AT&T released its update. Downsides are no Samsung Pay or WiFi Calling/VOLTE and the biggie...missing bands. I had a g920i and it was missing support for bands 29 and 30 on AT&T...this led to poor LTE and indoor reception at times. I would have to turn on/off the mobile data switch sometimes to get good connection.
Finally, we have carrier based versions, which loads you down with bloatware and has the Snapdragon chip. But, it does support all features of your carrier. Slower updates also an issue and lack of support of all bands internationally are additional drawbacks. Cost is also about $500.
Personally, I am going with an unlocked 930a. Bloatware sucks but I can delete or disable almost all of them. Snapdragon seems pretty powerful to me. Samsung Pay, Wifi Calling, and Band support are just too important for me. Note, make sure you ask the seller on Ebay/Swappa about whether the phone is unlocked.
Hope that helps.

I did a lot of research into this before buying my S7 but was kind of screwed since I'm on Verizon (CDMA)...
Since you're on AT&T you have more options.
There are two different processors in the two different models, Snapdragon 820 in the US CDMA capable and an Eyxnos in the International GSM ONLY phone.
After doing my research, I personally recommend the Eyxnos, which I couldn't get :/
If for nothing else, better battery life, by far. Do some research into the comparison between the two.
However! When buying from Best Buy be careful!
Last I checked, on their website, the black/onyx S7 was an unlocked US Snapdragon 820 phone.... while strangely enough the other two, gold and silver? were both unlocked US (actually international) Eyxnos phones.
Also, last I checked Samsung themselves only sell the CDMA snapdragon processor model to the US.
Unless Best Buy made a mistake listing the Eyxnos processor, it is the only way to get that model without buying an "internationally sourced" phone on ebay.

Just a few notes:
1) The G930u is fully compatible with all the US Carriers
2) VoLTE works on both T-Mobile and Verizon
3) Wi-Fi Calling works on T-Mobile and potentially Verizon (but I am not positive about Verizon).
The big downside to the G930u is that for whatever reason it is not receiving updates from Samsung when its branded siblings are.

S7 Snapdragon on AT&T? International Exynos Ulocked? Help please!

Hi - several months ago I read a lot about choosing between Exynos (intnl through Best Buy) and Snapdragon/AT&T.
It seemed there were a few tradeoffs to consider.
First and foremost people said the Exynos performance and battery life were better, but then once the Exynos phones received a software update around May they started exhibiting the battery drain issue that seemed to be plaguing Snapdragon phones. So much so that numerous people were recommending flashing back to a previous update version to avoid the battery drain bug. Reading through the forums I havent been able to figure out whether these problems have been sorted out and corrected on either phone?
I also recall that the international version did not have ability to use Samsung Pay in the US? I cant understand based on the threads I have read whether this is now in fact possible?
I Have also read varying things on the data performance on AT&T networks of the international version. It seems people have concluded that certain functions may not work but that generally 4G LTE speeds and network reception should be the same.
Is this a good summary? I would love any thoughts or advice on deciding between these two models.
Thanks.

Exynos International all the way, faster phone, unlockable bootloader with a couple of settings changes, more development support
I own that phone and there is no battery drain running the latest firmware

Thanks for the quick feedback. Do you run that phone on AT&T with no issues?
Is Samsung Pay usable yet on that phone?

I was in the same position and went with the AT&T version. International version (G930F/G930FD) does not have full band support for AT&T (no 29 or 30), no Samsung Pay, and no Wifi Calling/VoLTE.
I had an international S6 and would lose connection at times. The lack of Samsung Pay was also annoying. The lack of bloatware was nice but you can uninstall/disable most of them.

lirong said:
Thanks for the quick feedback. Do you run that phone on AT&T with no issues?
Is Samsung Pay usable yet on that phone?
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Click to collapse
No, I'm in the UK, sorry didn't realise you wanted to use it on AT&T, just wondering between the two different models
If you can get full support for AT&T's services, the Exynos would be the best option