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I have T-mobile service, but a friend of mine gave me a Note Edge for Verizon, because my phone died on me. I couldn't turn down a free phone even if it isn't originally for my carrier. Being that the Verizon phone is unlocked it will work on T-mobile's network however it comes with all of their software, and lacks some of the features the T-mobile version would else wise come with. This may be a silly question, but has anyone found a way to root and change maybe the rom or software boot sequence of a verizon phone to flash it to T-mobile software? Is that possible?
I placed my preorder for my Gold S7 Verizon from BestBuy a few days ago and am now wondering if I shouldn't cancel that and try getting one from another carrier? I want to to be able to flash custom roms but we all know how Verizon is... Are there any other variants I can use? Thanks!
I am in the same boat as you. I have the Note 4 with locked bootloader and no root. My wife is up for an upgrade and her line is up in May. I want to get her the S7 for her upgrade, but the way Verizon and Samsung are, it's unbearable, but for her, it's no big deal, she just uses it as is. I want to see the phone in person, hopefully tonight I can before I pre order the gold one for her. I don't think she will really utilize the edge features, still feels like another year or Note 6 away from better use.
Can anyone chime in?
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
T-Mobile and I believe Sprint are the only carriers which don't make it a point to lock bootloaders; or at least give you the option to unlock. Since the Qualcomm S7 is not carrier specific you should be able to bring one from any carrier and use it on Verizon. However, im not sure if Verizon lets you bring your own phone (unless it's an approved Verizon phone). The s7 will be the same for carriers, but i wouldnt be surprised if Verizon installed some proprietary software on their s7's to distinguish it from other carriers. Meaning that any s7 not purchased from them would be unable to register on their network.
Really not sure though. I just know how they normally operate as I used to be a customer before switching to TMo.
I want to buy a Note 8... I don't want to get locked into any Carrier, but I want Wifi calling and other options to work... I know that ATT needs a ATT Rom to get Wifi Calling... I may switch to T Mobile later this year...
Can I Buy a ATT Note 8 and flash TMobile Rom? Or Vice Versa?
If so, is there any reason to buy one Carrier's Note 8 over another?
THANKS!!!
Shanghai.Knight said:
I want to buy a Note 8... I don't want to get locked into any Carrier, but I want Wifi calling and other options to work... I know that ATT needs a ATT Rom to get Wifi Calling... I may switch to T Mobile later this year...
Can I Buy a ATT Note 8 and flash TMobile Rom? Or Vice Versa?
If so, is there any reason to buy one Carrier's Note 8 over another?
THANKS!!!
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All usa models are the same now, since the S7. Buy the carrier you want to use it on or buy the unlocked.
ShrekOpher said:
All usa models are the same now, since the S7. Buy the carrier you want to use it on or buy the unlocked.
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Att WiFi calling only works on ATT Rom... So although hardware is the same, not all software is the same. Att also turns off some LTE bands so you cannot use theirs on other networks...
Also, If I take a att phone to t mobile or Verizon, will WiFi calling work?
So, same question, can I simply Odin any rom onto any note 8?
Shanghai.Knight said:
Att WiFi calling only works on ATT Rom... So although hardware is the same, not all software is the same. Att also turns off some LTE bands so you cannot use theirs on other networks...
Also, If I take a att phone to t mobile or Verizon, will WiFi calling work?
So, same question, can I simply Odin any rom onto any note 8?
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From past experience you can just Odin to whatever carrier software you want. At least you could on the S8 and the S7. I've seen a few people say they went from the best buy note 8 unlocked firmware to the AT&T firmware to enable LTE-A and wifi calling.
I still recommend just buying the model for the carrier you are going to use though. I've had the best experience doing that myself.
ShrekOpher said:
From past experience you can just Odin to whatever carrier software you want. At least you could on the S8 and the S7. I've seen a few people say they went from the best buy note 8 unlocked firmware to the AT&T firmware to enable LTE-A and wifi calling.
I still recommend just buying the model for the carrier you are going to use though. I've had the best experience doing that myself.
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I have an unlocked Note 8 currently that I flashed via odin to AT&T firmware and still couldn't get Wifi Calling to work... I got VoLTE to work but Wifi Calling wouldn't activate and didn't bother with Video Calling...
I think AT&T has to whitelist your IMEI for their carrier features to work unlike T-Mobile...
Best to just buy carrier version and then flash to unlocked later if you want. They are all the same phone.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Since att is the most difficult to work with, it sounds like I should buy att then if I switch, I can flash t mobile... That gives me the freedom to move back...
Do we have confirmation I can flash t mobile over att firmware?
Best to buy the one you can unlock easier an cheaper then flash which ever firmware you want, which is what I did. Works great?
How do I unlock my phone to switch carriers
I'm trying to switch carriers , please help
I almost started a thread of my own, buy my question fits here so here goes.
Witch modle would you buy?, I am leaning towards the Exynos, Note 8, but I dont know where to buy it, can anyone drop me a link?
Exynos vs Snapdragon
I think exynos, purely because it's already rooted, Your thoughts?
Lady red said:
I'm trying to switch carriers , please help
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Carrier switching guide on its way...
I'm wondering the same. Thinking about switching from att to tmobile. Would wifi calling and other features work on the tmobile variant if I flashed the unlocked FW? Also, do you know if there are any specific features att or tmobile has removed from the stock phone?
First of all, I don't live in the US. I have a friend there who can order one and ship it to me.
The Kinda Blue Pixel 2 looks nice and I wonder if I can just order it despite being limited to Verizon option? I don't root my phone so the bootloader locking isn't really an issue for me. I have read some threads saying that it's not carrier-locked. Can someone please clarify if I can just order it and ignore all the Verizon things? Will I need to register the SIM card that is included (can I just throw it away)? With whom do I need to contact if I were to send it back for replacement later? (Google or Verizon)
Any additional info is appreciated, thanks.
You can buy the kinda blue and put your own sim in. It is not carrier locked. You will have all the Verizon bloatware on it which you can disable. But it'll work. I almost did it too, but decided to go with Google black one in case I wanted to flash it although likely hood is very low.
docmalc said:
You can buy the kinda blue and put your own sim in. It is not carrier locked. You will have all the Verizon bloatware on it which you can disable. But it'll work. I almost did it too, but decided to go with Google black one in case I wanted to flash it although likely hood is very low.
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I believe you can't unlock the bootloader for the Verizon version. The Pixel was that way. You had to use a hack to do it. There may be some delay as the original tool may not work this time around.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Tidbits said:
I believe you can't unlock the bootloader for the Verizon version. The Pixel was that way. You had to use a hack to do it. There may be some delay as the original tool may not work this time around.
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Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've seen in confirmed somewhere that you cannot unlock the bootloader on the Verizon Pixel 2 (just like with the Pixel 1). Also, I think you will be dependent on Verizon for software updates (although with the Pixel 1, I think they have just stuck to Google's schedule). I don't think it's worth it for just a color.
My understanding for the bloatware, however, is that it's on all of the Pixels (that's, I believe, how it worked with the Pixel 1). It just doesn't show up unless you put a Verizon SIM in the phone.
So from what I have read online, Verizon phones will have the bootloader locked. The bloatware will come pre-installed on "Verizon" branded phones. The unlocked phones will get Verizon crap if a Verizon sim is installed. I believe about 4 programs will be pushed down. However, it could be uninstalled vs just being disabled. As for the software updates, Google will release updates to both versions of the phone. Verizon will not be able to touch the software and will have to release it immediately to "Verizon" branded Pixels.
I have an S20U now that is unlocked. What I love is that I get the updates faster it seems (although, the S20 has had way more updates than normal). I am thinking of getting the branded Tmobile one, I have never had any issues using their software and it seems to work better on the network. I do not honestly care about "bloatware" as I will at least be getting a 256GB model.
Anyone have any experiences either way?
I don't have any experience with TMO specifically, but what I do know is that typically the carrier branded devices get their updates WAY fast and more often than the Unlocked ones. I'm in the same boat, I don't really care much one way or another about the bloat. If I don't like it I uninstall it if I can or at the very least disable it
kangi26 said:
I don't have any experience with TMO specifically, but what I do know is that typically the carrier branded devices get their updates WAY fast and more often than the Unlocked ones. I'm in the same boat, I don't really care much one way or another about the bloat. If I don't like it I uninstall it if I can or at the very least disable it
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It is my understanding that the unlocked one can be used in any country and any network. Just switch sim card and you are done. The TMobile one, may be locked until you pay off the device. You also don't get the bloatware with unlocked (one less thing to Uninstall if you don't care for it).
Sent from my SM-N976U 5G using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Eudeferrer said:
It is my understanding that the unlocked one can be used in any country and any network. Just switch sim card and you are done. The TMobile one, may be locked until you pay off the device. You also don't get the bloatware with unlocked (one less thing to Uninstall if you don't care for it).
Sent from my SM-N976U 5G using XDA-Developers Legacy app
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There are 2 "Kinds" of Unlocked, you're referring to SIM unlocked, the other is the U1 devices sold by Samsung. Which I suspect what the OP is referring to
kangi26 said:
typically the carrier branded devices get their updates WAY fast and more often than the Unlocked onest
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That used to be true, but not for the last couple of years. The unlocked US Note10+ (N975U1), for example, has gone through 18 software releases in the 12 months it's been out. Many of its updates came out within the first few days of the month, and included that month's Android security patch.
T-Mobile has been lagging for the past few months in its updates for both the N975U and the N975U1, but you can manually download and flash the latest unlocked software immediately.
Also, it is my understanding that Tmobile tweaks it's cellular radio's to perform slightly better than the unlocked version of any phone used on it's network.
From my experience, AT&T, the branded phones have the extras like wifi calling and VoLTE enabled and the unlocked ones don't. Some of the video call features are missing. I wouldn't have a problem with the bloatware but AT&T seems to force it back on and there is no way to remove it without root (which i don't do anymore). This has been my experience from Note 5 , 2 of the 7's ,note 8 and the note 9 I currently use, all have been unlocked.
Sent from my Samsung SM-N960U1 using XDA Labs
Unlock has free caller ID builtin, Tmobile you have to pay for it. Unlock has no Tmobile branding or bloatware. Unlock version is easier to bypass tmobile hotspot apn, and usage limits
T-Mobile version has video calling on the phone app, unlock use to, but not anymore. There might be a few more things but I can't remember right now.
Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk
I'm on sprint/tmo but I got the unlocked for the first time because I paid outright for the phone this time
*Omnipresent* said:
Also, it is my understanding that Tmobile tweaks [its] cellular [radios] to perform slightly better than the unlocked version of any phone used on [its] network.
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Are you referring to the APN settings, or to something else?
https://www.t-mobile.com/support/devices/not-sold-by-t-mobile/byod-t-mobile-data-and-apn-settings
*Omnipresent* said:
Also, it is my understanding that Tmobile tweaks it's cellular radio's to perform slightly better than the unlocked version of any phone used on it's network.
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This simply isn't true with the Samsung phones. I have had both and there definitely is no difference in connectivity in either data or calls between unlocked and carrier version.
Sent from my SM-G986U1 using Tapatalk
agree - that was a bunch of talk on this forum last year when the note 10+ was shipping . lots of cats on here were trying to say this and it was just not true. i had 3 unlocked phones on tmo and service was consistent.
Gary02468 said:
Are you referring to the APN settings, or to something else?
https://www.t-mobile.com/support/devices/not-sold-by-t-mobile/byod-t-mobile-data-and-apn-settings
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I think he's referring to carrier aggregation. I don't know if it's a thing licked phones have that unlocked don't. I always go unlocked (so the phone feels like it's mine, lol) and can't say I've noticed a difference.
d_ganggreen said:
I have an S20U now that is unlocked. What I love is that I get the updates faster it seems (although, the S20 has had way more updates than normal). I am thinking of getting the branded Tmobile one, I have never had any issues using their software and it seems to work better on the network. I do not honestly care about "bloatware" as I will at least be getting a 256GB model.
Anyone have any experiences either way?
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Click to collapse
Thank you for your post. Does the Wifi Calling on Tmobile work on the Unlocked phone? I am looking at buying the unlocked 512gb model but have to have wifi calling when I am traveling internationally.
Does anyone know if the stock firmware can be flashed on any device if it's factory unlocked? I think the answer is yes, but just want to make sure before I purchase one used. I know your can flash the carrier firmware so I assume you can do the reverse.
ccommcomm said:
Thank you for your post. Does the Wifi Calling on Tmobile work on the Unlocked phone? I am looking at buying the unlocked 512gb model but have to have wifi calling when I am traveling internationally.
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Yes. and if you follow a few of the guides here you can "unlock" video calling and RCS in Samsung messages as well. And if you are really creative, there is another guide to expanding bands and tweaking receiving antennas
And the last question, if you buy the U1 unlocked, you can flash carrier firmware or unlocked firmware either way all you want, but keep in mind going from u to u1 firmware requires a wipe.
The old "unlocked" was slower to get updates is only true if you wait for Tmobile to release it. If you use Frija and Odin, you can pretty much get it the same day Samsung releases it. I'm too impatient to wait for Tmobile to "get around to" reviewing it and re-releasing what Samsung released weeks before.
Most of the "negatives" of having unlocked are long gone at this point and it tilts more into the positives.
Compusmurf said:
Yes. and if you follow a few of the guides here you can "unlock" video calling and RCS in Samsung messages as well. And if you are really creative, there is another guide to expanding bands and tweaking receiving antennas
And the last question, if you buy the U1 unlocked, you can flash carrier firmware or unlocked firmware either way all you want, but keep in mind going from u to u1 firmware requires a wipe.
The old "unlocked" was slower to get updates is only true if you wait for Tmobile to release it. If you use Frija and Odin, you can pretty much get it the same day Samsung releases it. I'm too impatient to wait for Tmobile to "get around to" reviewing it and re-releasing what Samsung released weeks before.
Most of the "negatives" of having unlocked are long gone at this point and it tilts more into the positives.
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U and U1 have the same radios in them, they are made specifically for the USA market. Depending on what carrier sim card you insert those bands for said USA carrier will be made available for the user. No need to expand bands. The technical specifications of the U1 and U models are listed on samsung USA website for cross referencing.
Anyone successfully using call recording feature on either version? Still looking for my U.S t-mobile variant..
T-Mo non-unlocked Samsung phones (maybe just the Note 20 Ultra though since I haven't been with Samsung since the Note 3 lol) have a bunch of issues. They're about one month behind on updates when compared to all of the other companies. Additionally, I saw someone mention that they have better mobile data quality. That is also true... I found that out once I manually switched to the Android 11 beta as my 5G speeds went from a constant 130mb/s down to 0.5 - 2mb/s without the firmware being specifically from T-Mo. In my settings, all of the mobile connection stuff is exactly the same as it was before...
Also, I don't have voicemail support. Yet another T-Mo problem (but you can easily add Samsung as a possible cause of that problem too)... Had to switch back to the Google Phone app just so that I could get old-school style voicemail (where you have to call your own phone number to get in).
---------- Post added at 11:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:25 AM ----------
dj24 said:
Anyone successfully using call recording feature on either version? Still looking for my U.S t-mobile variant..
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This hasn't worked for me either. It's starting to seem like Samsung pushed some of their development onto the phone carriers now lol.
Hey Samsung, why not just leave Android alone when you get it from Google so you don't have to cause so many problems with your own, customized (ad filled, feature removing) version moving forward? Heck, I've already had some problems with a bunch of your apps and have gotten zero help or answers from you guys. That's the reason I've switched back to a bunch of Google apps, however, half of those didn't even work on this phone!!! But I messaged Google about these problems as well, and you know what? They fixed ALL OF THEM within two weeks.
I'll definitely be buying from a different manufacturer moving forward. Even more so since there's rumours spreading around online right now that the Note 20 was the last Note phone to be released since the upcoming S21 is going to have stylus support...
The difference between unlocked and t-mobile is that unlocked gets its updates directly from Samsung and is not branded.
While t-mobile version is branded and you receive the updates from t-mobile and not from Samsung. So delay or longer waiting time on updates would happen and maybe even won't get few of the updates.
Since t-mobile has to release them, which take longer time.
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