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
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No.
Edit: Oh, wait. Android Pay = Yes, Samsung Pay = No.
lopri said:
No.
Edit: Oh, wait. Android Pay = Yes, Samsung Pay = No.
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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
Related
I have the AT&T version which is locked but I want to get an unlocked version of the GS6. Which one is the best to get? International? T-Mobile? I want the one that has the most support on the development side.
I think the G920F (s6Flat) or G925F (s6Edge) would be the best, because I've seen some kernels just for the international variant and no other. Plus, it's compatible with all if not, most roms. made for the S6. It' s (I think) the cheapest too. Although, I'm not too sure about network bands and compatibility with AT&T.
I have a g-925f, the edge unlocked. Works great on AT&T. Just keep in mind that you aren't going to get samsung pay on an international unlocked model. Learned that the hard way.
Jonny_Whitey said:
I have a g-925f, the edge unlocked. Works great on AT&T. Just keep in mind that you aren't going to get samsung pay on an international unlocked model. Learned that the hard way.
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I don't care about Samsung pay. I will get the regular 920F since it's got the most support.
Capt said:
I don't care about Samsung pay. I will get the regular 920F since it's got the most support.
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If I'm right, most G920F roms, kernels, and recovery's should work the the G925F. So both have equal support.
Or should I get the nexus 6p?
I bought the S6 from B and H Photo online store. The phone is carrier and region unlocked which means it will work anywhere in the world. It came with no bloat except ANT radio which I disabled. It's a G920i from Australia and came with Australian wall charger but I called the store and they sent me a US travel charger for free. B and H is good for customer satisfaction.
I have a Samsung Galaxy s7 Edge international version g935f from Europe, I want to not root it and be able to get tmobile wifi calling and samsung pay, I saw there were forums on changing the csc code or adding a few files into the device but none were clear on how to do it, so how can do it without putting the tmobile firmware on and junk and having to go through a lot of hassle thanks
I've been trying too figure this out since I got my phone. If you have any luck please let me know
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
I don't know about the Tmobile wifi calling, but I have a G930F, I use a fireware(CSC code: XSG) , installed the latest Samsung Pay and Samsung Pay Frame from Apkmirror.com. I have made a couple of purchase by Samsung Pay with my BOA debit card.
Has anyone found an answer since this thread was made?
Looking to upgrade from my S6 and I'd like to know if I can get WiFi calling on the international model.
Why not buy the unlocked SM-G930U where samsung pay, wifi calling and VoLTE all works instead of SM-G930F?
Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk
Apparently the only way to wifi call is flash the tmobile rom which allows samsung pay, however if u want samsung pay u just change the Csc but it's easier to just go ahead and flash it with the entire rom for another country, i used to use wifi calling on my old phone, however, I don't plan on doing anything with my new p now but I can say it's worth it to buy international version over the T-Mobile, if it's only wifi calling you are about then it's not worth it, samsung pay will be available to all international versions soon, you may be lucky and get a phone from a country that has it allowed (I know newegg sells the us unlocked international version for 699 and it allows samsung pay) so far it's in 5 countries. The international version is faster, almost no bloatware (samsung makes u choose to install most apps that used to make bloatware). U can use any app that has calling over wifi. Also samsung added a feature that substitutes for wifi calling called enhanced messaging that's basically I message for Android so u can text over wifi.
EncryptedCurse said:
Has anyone found an answer since this thread was made?
Looking to upgrade from my S6 and I'd like to know if I can get WiFi calling on the international model.
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Check my latest reply get my answer, but in short the unlocked international (g935f and g 930f) is better
kirdroid said:
Why not buy the unlocked SM-G930U where samsung pay, wifi calling and VoLTE all works instead of SM-G930F?
Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk
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The unlocked international has a different processer (the Samsung built exynos chip which is basically made for it) and it outperforms the snapdragon counterpart in the us carrier versions. Also over a GB more of storage due to no carrier bloatware. No contract or ugly logos on the back, there are a few downsides to international unlocked but it overall is better and usually cheaper a bit
zakmza123 said:
The unlocked international has a different processer (the Samsung built exynos chip which is basically made for it) and it outperforms the snapdragon counterpart in the us carrier versions. Also over a GB more of storage due to no carrier bloatware. No contract or ugly logos on the back, there are a few downsides to international unlocked but it overall is better and usually cheaper a bit
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You didn't read my post .. did you? The unlocked US model is the G930U/G935U which is the non carrier version, it's not the useless carrier crap version with carrier logos and their bloat.
Only thing I agree was the exynos portion which is obviously better than the SD 820.
Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk
kirdroid said:
You didn't read my post .. did you? The unlocked US model is the G930U/G935U which is the non carrier version, it's not the useless carrier crap version with carrier logos and their bloat.
Only thing I agree was the exynos portion which is obviously better than the SD 820.
Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk
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Oops I read it but didn't know that the u was different I thought it was a carrier, got it confused with the x which is Verizon. I'm pretty sure it has everything but the volte and wifi calling I think that's different for each carrier, I agree with u then buy either the u or f, it's just sometimes u find the f cheaper a bit like on Amazon the edge f is 655 but the u is for 700 at newegg (cheapest) or 800 at bestbuy
Hello,
I am planning on purchasing the Galaxy S8+, but I think I'm going to get the unlocked version when it is released. My question is whether T-Mobile wifi calling would work or not on this version, and if it doesn't, then would it be possible to flash a T-Mobile rom on my phone without any problem? Would all T-Mobile features then work as if it was an official phone from T-Mobile? Also would there be any downsides in doing this? I know no one knows right now for sure, but I'm just asking based on the past and whether it has been done before with the galaxy s7.
Thank you!
enlildev said:
My question is whether T-Mobile wifi calling would work or not on this version, and if it doesn't, then would it be possible to flash a T-Mobile rom on my phone without any problem?
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I don't believe wifi calling will work on the US unlocked version, but if Samsung manufactured the phone's the same as the S7, I.E. same hardware, then you should be able to flash T-Mobile's firmware with minor to no problems (I just flashed AT&T firmware onto a Sprint S7 and the longest part was downloading the firmware. I didn't gave any issues while flashing. But there's no way to tell we have that capability with the S8 until the phone has been released.
enlildev said:
Would all T-Mobile features then work as if it was an official phone from T-Mobile?
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If you flash the T-Mobile firmware, yes. You should even receive updates from T-Mobile as well.
enlildev said:
Also would there be any downsides in doing this? I know no one knows right now for sure, but I'm just asking based on the past and whether it has been done before with the galaxy s7.
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It's been done to the S7 countless times. Check out the forums and you'll see. I'd say the biggest downside is carrier bloat and certain carriers block some features that Samsung included in the phones.
The axynos ones are cheap on ebay, but I can also buy an unlocked US version from Samsungs website.
Can you advice me on this?
I'm coming from the LG V20 side with the unlocked US996 model, and just looked at the non-existent G6 forums so please keep it in mind as I say this: I will never ever ever buy a major branded Android phone unlocked, ever again.
Signed, a likely future S8+ owner
midwhiteflava said:
I'm coming from the LG V20 side with the unlocked US996 model, and just looked at the non-existent G6 forums so please keep it in mind as I say this: I will never ever ever buy a major branded Android phone unlocked, ever again.
Signed, a likely future S8+ owner
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? Why ???
The exynos have an unlocked bootloader, the "unlocked" other version only has unlocked sim. The exynos will allow root, however root trips knox, and therefore breaks Samsung Pay.
I'm using a UK version and it's pretty flawless. Samsung Pay works out of the box. I bought it from a UK authorized reseller so its got a two year warranty (in the UK - I pay to ship it there) and BTU is typically in front of the line for updates. It has no bloatware but none of the unlocked versions do. I had a AT&T version first and the Exynos version seems a tad more fluid and responsive.
It has all AT&T's LTE bands except for 30 and gets better LTE speeds than the AT&T version. Do a search, there's a thread on it.
I'm going to sell it when the Note8 comes out and it was cheaper to buy outright and will fetch more when I resell it. I liked it so much I bought a EU LTE Tab S3 to keep it company. It doesn't do VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling but that too is common to unlocked phones.
BarryH_GEG said:
I'm using a UK version and it's pretty flawless. Samsung Pay works out of the box. I bought it from a UK authorized reseller so its got a two year warranty (in the UK - I pay to ship it there) and BTU is typically in front of the line for updates. It has no bloatware but none of the unlocked versions do. I had a AT&T version first and the Exynos version seems a tad more fluid and responsive.
It has all AT&T's LTE bands except for 30 and gets better LTE speeds than the AT&T version. Do a search, there's a thread on it.
I'm going to sell it when the Note8 comes out and it was cheaper to buy outright and will fetch more when I resell it. I liked it so much I bought a EU LTE Tab S3 to keep it company. It doesn't do VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling but that too is common to unlocked phones.
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I want to get a phone with a care plan . Is there something like that in the states?
I have tried and tried to root it but it always fails using odin. Could use some help.
G930P (sprint)
G930PVPSACSI2
Android Version 8.0.0
Samsung Experience 9.0
Build number R16NW.G930PVPSACSI2
Android Security Patch September 1, 2019
If someone can shoot me to a guide or working files for odin it would be greatly appreciated.
I've tried around 30 guides and 30 different odin twrp files and each one has failed when trying to use on odin.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7/help/help-rooting-snapdragon-galaxy-s7-g930a-t3977565
You can't. The G930P is locked down, with no known method to get around it.
All USA models are snapdragon SoC and locked down, some have work arounds that involves using a leaked engineering bootloader from the factory, but not the G930P.
TWRP also isn't possible, all the files you were likely flashing are for the G930F, which is Exynos SoC and able to be bootloader unlocked.
I figured as much, just my luck. If I was looking for a good device to root which phone would you suggest or should I go with like iPhone 7? main purpose im using this for is like pokemon spoofing lol is an iPhone 7 hard to jailbreak>?
How about galaxy s9 sm g960u that's my main phone which I could root if it was possible but the downside was id need to find something to hide root from snapchat and other apps.
You'd have to check the forums for that model specifically, but a general rule of thumb is a US model Samsung phones with snapdragons are bootloader locked. You'll have better luck with other phones, or importing the Exynos model (although that comes with less network band support in the US)
alliebart said:
How about galaxy s9 sm g960u that's my main phone which I could root if it was possible but the downside was id need to find something to hide root from snapchat and other apps.
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nope. no root love on the G960U models. The G960F model is rootable as well as the chinese snapdragon S9's, but none of the american S9s
Beanvee7 said:
You'd have to check the forums for that model specifically, but a general rule of thumb is a US model Samsung phones with snapdragons are bootloader locked. You'll have better luck with other phones, or importing the Exynos model (although that comes with less network band support in the US)
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it also should be said that the F model variants of the galaxy phones do not support CDMA which is what sprint and verizon uses. if you want to use T-Mob or AT&T with a euro phone, all good, theyre GSM which is what the F models are capable of working with solely. Do NOT get a euro spec phone if you want to use vzw or sprint
youdoofus said:
it also should be said that the F model variants of the galaxy phones do not support CDMA which is what sprint and verizon uses. if you want to use T-Mob or AT&T with a euro phone, all good, theyre GSM which is what the F models are capable of working with solely. Do NOT get a euro spec phone if you want to use vzw or sprint
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I'm not connecting it to service. Just trying to use it for wifi etc. So if I got a Galaxy S7 AT&T phone off amazon it would work? I don't really know how to get a euro phone when I live in USA and I normally buy everything from amazon. Is a iPhone 7 at&t jailbreakable?
alliebart said:
I'm not connecting it to service. Just trying to use it for wifi etc. So if I got a Galaxy S7 AT&T phone off amazon it would work? I don't really know how to get a euro phone when I live in USA and I normally buy everything from amazon. Is a iPhone 7 at&t jailbreakable?
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i bought a UAE market A8 phone from amazon last summer, and im sure you can buy other euro spec phones on there too. They are just advertised as "no warranty". Iphail discussions and jailbreak arent usual conversation topics on xda