So a couple years back on Black Friday I bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 from Cricket Wireless at a price of $200 and at first I felt like I got a great deal. I thought I was going to get the AT&T branded S4 (i337), but instead I got an obscure Cricket branded S4 (i337z). I was frustrated when the AT&T version received the update to lollipop but mine didn't. I'm looking to buy a new phone and have been doing a little research into it, but I still have a few questions.
1. Are unlocked cell phones more likely to get an android OS update than a carrier branded phone? Do they get them faster?
2. If I bought an unlocked Samsung or a Google Nexus, would I be able to update the OS without a Carrier OTA?
3. I've heard that Samsung & Google are now offering monthly security updates, do they rely on the carrier to push these updates or does it update directly from Samsung/Google? Will I still receive these security updates on a prepaid carrier like Cricket?
4. Are carrier branded phones even worth considering in your opinion?
Thank you for your time, and sorry for the newb questions.
Anyone have anything at all to add to this thread?
Hey there, I'm ready to buy a Pixel 2 and right now it's $100 off through Google. I'm with Telus and I heard they don't let you use features like VoLTE and Wifi Calling unless you buy the phone from Telus. So since Wifi calling is supposed to be rolling out for Android devices on the Telus network soon I don't want to buy it from Google unless I know those features will work.
Does anyone know if the Canadian Pixel 2s run carrier specific firmware, or will the Pixel bought from Google be the same as the Pixel bought from Telus?
Thanks
AndroidMark said:
Hey there, I'm ready to buy a Pixel 2 and right now it's $100 off through Google. I'm with Telus and I heard they don't let you use features like VoLTE and Wifi Calling unless you buy the phone from Telus. So since Wifi calling is supposed to be rolling out for Android devices on the Telus network soon I don't want to buy it from Google unless I know those features will work.
Does anyone know if the Canadian Pixel 2s run carrier specific firmware, or will the Pixel bought from Google be the same as the Pixel bought from Telus?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 8.1.0 image with December security fixes has a different image for Telus, and on my Pixel 2, I have yet to receive the January security updates (I'm on telus with a phone received as a warranty replacement).
Does your Carrier get in the way of receiving updates, I've had a Nexus 5X and a Pixel 2 before and as far as i remember the carriers Virgin Mobile and Bell never got in the was of updates. Then again i did used to flash updates sometimes so idk maybe they did? Anyway i have the Essential Phone from Koodo and i never got the July Security patch also i still never got Android 9.0 according to to Essential Sprint? and Telus do further testing before releasing updates. I contacted Koodo and they said they do testing on Pixel and Essential updates So i want to know if anyone has a Pixel phone with a carrier in Canada, Do the carriers delay and test updates on them? I wanna get a Pixel 3 but not from koodo if i gotta wait a month or more for updates. Oh and i was told and read many people take out the Koodo sim cards and slap in a different carrier sim card and thats how they've been downloading the 9.0 update on Essential from Koodo.:silly:
I have pixel 2 on Koodo, I got the Android 9 update the day it was released.. I've had multiple Nexus, pixel devices and never once missed or was late with an update.
k.s.deviate said:
I have pixel 2 on Koodo, I got the Android 9 update the day it was released.. I've had multiple Nexus, pixel devices and never once missed or was late with an update.
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Good to know, idk why they fool around with the Essential Phone, Just gimme my update.
So I know that carrier versions of the Pixels have locked bootloaders. That doesn't really bother me anymore as i haven't rooted my phone in awhile.
However, I remember that before (Pixel 2 3 4 5 days) if you had a Pixel from the carrier vs a Unlocked one directly from google. After Google released an update (mainly an OS update) it would first have to be approved by the carrier somtimes significantly delaying the update vs people who had one straight from google got the updates right away. Is this still the case or do all pixels get the update when google releases it.
Thinking of doing the ATT trade in promo to get the Pixel 7 pro for free but delayed updates would turn me off the offer.
krolla03 said:
So I know that carrier versions of the Pixels have locked bootloaders. That doesn't really bother me anymore as i haven't rooted my phone in awhile.
However, I remember that before (Pixel 2 3 4 5 days) if you had a Pixel from the carrier vs a Unlocked one directly from google. After Google released an update (mainly an OS update) it would first have to be approved by the carrier somtimes significantly delaying the update vs people who had one straight from google got the updates right away. Is this still the case or do all pixels get the update when google releases it.
Thinking of doing the ATT trade in promo to get the Pixel 7 pro for free but delayed updates would turn me off the offer.
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I have had the T-Mobile variant of the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and now the 7 Pro and all of my updates have come from directly from Google.
It may vary with other carriers.
truckerdewd said:
I have had the T-Mobile variant of the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and now the 7 Pro and all of my updates have come from directly from Google.
It may vary with other carriers.
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Probably. In January the VZW was dropped wit the Google and in Feb it was the T-Mobile that dropped at the same time
Pixel 7 Pro on AT&T here. I haven't noticed any delays in Android updates. They seem to be coming straight from Google.
I'm a bit confused.
I just purchased an unlocked Pixel 7 Pro 256GB from Amazon -- Amazon is seller, NOT 3rd party seller with Amazon Fulfilment. I'm trying to root it now. I've been able to unlock the bootloader already. So I'm attempting to download the latest factory image but I'm quite confused as to which one to download. My current build number is TD1A.220804.009.A2. The A2 suffix seems to indicate that this build that came on this phone is for Telstra (AU) Australian market. My question is why is it on the unlocked model that Amazon USA is selling? But then there's no US image except for T-Mobile/Google Fi. Should I download the Global image or stick with the Telstra AU image?
Very confused.
I think all 3 are essentially the same; the only differences are special modifications to the radio for specific carrier (Telstra, Fi, T-Mobile) signals. I imagine, for your purposes, the A2 would be fine.
You might want to wait a couple of days as Google will release a new security firmware update in the next few days...
simplepinoi177 said:
I think all 3 are essentially the same; the only differences are special modifications to the radio for specific carrier (Telstra, Fi, T-Mobile) signals. I imagine, for your purposes, the A2 would be fine.
You might want to wait a couple of days as Google will release a new security firmware update in the next few days...
Click to expand...
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Thanks for the suggestion. May I ask what build you're on? And what country you're in?
Lakino said:
Thanks for the suggestion. May I ask what build you're on? And what country you're in?
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No problem!
I'm in the US, on the Verizon network; that's how I learned since I asked the same thing about the difference between the verizon firmware update and the global one -- that it's basically the same other than special considerations to a specific network. The build I'm in is the Feb image TQ1A.230205.002.
Get on Google's website, get a US Verizon image, and flash it. Done. No issue.
Schroeder09 said:
Get on Google's website, get a US Verizon image, and flash it. Done. No issue.
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I believe the OP is on Telstra (or at least his device has its firmware version), the last Verizon image was in November -- so that is very outdated -- and it might do OP best to wait until March's images are released as it will in a couple of days...
But, if anything, flashing a Global image probably wouldn't do any harm even if OP decided to flash that one either...
simplepinoi177 said:
I believe the OP is on Telstra (or at least his device has its firmware version), the last Verizon image was in November -- so that is very outdated -- and it might do OP best to wait until March's images are released as it will in a couple of days...
But, if anything, flashing a Global image probably wouldn't do any harm even if OP decided to flash that one either...
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I guess my confusion stems from getting a Pixel 7 Pro from US Amazon that has a Telstra AU image preloaded. I'm in CA and my carrier is Xfinity -- which uses Verizon as their backbone. I'm not sure if I can just flash any of these builds on my Pixel 7 pro. Are their hardware differences between the models that are sent around the world? Can I flash the global build onto my Pixel 7 Pro?
So I think you "should" be fine but maybe someone else has a better answer for ya....however, if you can d/l an image just get the standard non-carrier version. I have been on Verizon forever and never use their image. Sometimes I will pull the radio out from it and see if that works better, but usually it does not as best as I can tell.
Also, maybe try this for your version answer...in Settings go to About Phone and then Regulatory Labels. There you will see the Model number for your particular P7P. Do a Google search on that and see what you find and post here to see if anyone can assist further.....mine is GE2AE as an example and I purchased direct from Google in California. Your CA maybe Canada
GL!!!
cmh714 said:
Also, maybe try this for your version answer...in Settings go to About Phone and then Regulatory Labels. There you will see the Model number for your particular P7P. Do a Google search on that and see what you find and post here to see if anyone can assist further.....mine is GE2AE as an example and I purchased direct from Google in California. Your CA maybe Canada
GL!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Mine is also GE2AE. I'm in California.
It's got regulatory approval for USA, Canada, EU, UK, AU/NZ, and JP.
So it sounds like I should be able to flash the generic Global build then.
13.0.0 (TQ1A.230205.002, Feb 2023)
There actually is a variant specifically for Verizon and Verizon MVNOs -- of which Xfinity is one.
13.0.0 (TD1A.221105.003, Nov 2022, Verizon, Verizon MVNOs)
But that Verizon variant is Nov 2022. I'll try the latest Global version I guess once March 2023 update comes out in a few days
edit: It still seems exceptionally odd to me that the P7P that Amazon is shipping from their USA warehouses came with an .A2 suffix variant which indicates it's meant for Telstra -- a big carrier in Australia.
Like I said, I dont use the Verizon version, I have always used the standard version. Also as I mentioned, usually the Verizon radio file is differnet, so I have tried flashing that, but never see any real gain. YMMV.
Also, since the March update will be this week, you may as well wait a few days.....IMHO. GL!
Use whatever version is the most recent. If there isn't a Feb Verizon version that means the Verizon specific network changes have been merged into the main branch.
Happens all the time, there will be separate versions now and then until they get it all merged into one. It has always been that way for the Pixels.
Lakino said:
I'm a bit confused.
I just purchased an unlocked Pixel 7 Pro 256GB from Amazon -- Amazon is seller, NOT 3rd party seller with Amazon Fulfilment. I'm trying to root it now. I've been able to unlock the bootloader already. So I'm attempting to download the latest factory image but I'm quite confused as to which one to download. My current build number is TD1A.220804.009.A2. The A2 suffix seems to indicate that this build that came on this phone is for Telstra (AU) Australian market. My question is why is it on the unlocked model that Amazon USA is selling? But then there's no US image except for T-Mobile/Google Fi. Should I download the Global image or stick with the Telstra AU image?
Very confused.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A2 is what I've been using on unlocked same phone from Google play.
Just a heads up, but the global image works on every carrier in the United States. Just stick with the global builds so that some carrier bloatware isn't pulled in during your re-imaging.
So, although there are separate T-Mobile and Verizon factory images - you do not need to use them as the radio images in all of the US builds (and the global build) have the same available bands. The bands that are used are dictated by your SIM or eSIM. This information was provided to me when I had asked a Google rep why there was a T-Mobile factory image (as at one point, there hadn't been separate T-Mobile builds in the past).
Regardless, I have tested this as I have a pSIM (T-Mobile) and an eSIM (Verizon). I only use the global builds and get full network speeds and can connect to the UC and UW towers with both services - no issues whatsoever.
I'm on Verizon. I noticed the best battery life on November. I suspected I may have been because it's the only month since the p7p released that had a VZW-specific release file. I even asked if anyone else could confirm that the differences in radio files between the VZW update and the global could be the reason why many, many people noticed the best battery life on the November update. I asked multiple times to people noting the best battery life during November if they happened to be VZW customers who had chosen this update file. I never have heard an answer or discussion, so I'll ask here again since the topic of discussion is now in the foreground.
Could all the idle drain issues many people discovered since nothing that November update as the best all be VZW users who are now suffering from un-optimized, global radio.imgs in the update . zip? Are past radio files compatible with newer versions? For example, if tomorrow there is no VZW-specific update . zip file could I replace the march radio.img in the .zip with the VZW radio.img from November and then flash_all.bat that modified update .zip to be able to enjoy the optimized VZW radio? What other files are specific to VZW?
Just an FYI, I got an A2 Pixel from Amazon also. It sounds like it's safe to use the global image to root, correct?
bird333 said:
Just an FYI, I got an A2 Pixel for Amazon also. It sounds like it's safe to use the global image to root, correct?
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For the final time, YES, it is safe to use the global image even if you have an Australian Telstra firmware version on your device even though it was bought from Amazon US...please be finally reassured that it won't break anything and/or be of any issue...
simplepinoi177 said:
For the final time, YES, it is safe to use the global image even if you have an Australian Telstra firmware version on your device even though it was bought from Amazon US...please be finally reassured that it won't break anything and/or be of any issue...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better to be safe, asking questions thrice, than to end up with a bricked paper weight.
Samuel Holland said:
A2 is what I've been using on unlocked same phone from Google play.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for your data point.
NippleSauce said:
Just a heads up, but the global image works on every carrier in the United States. Just stick with the global builds so that some carrier bloatware isn't pulled in during your re-imaging.
Regardless, I have tested this as I have a pSIM (T-Mobile) and an eSIM (Verizon). I only use the global builds and get full network speeds and can connect to the UC and UW towers with both services - no issues whatsoever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback.
bird333 said:
Just an FYI, I got an A2 Pixel from Amazon also. It sounds like it's safe to use the global image to root, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for chiming in with your A2 build from Amazon. At least now I know I'm not the only one getting an A2 build from Amazon USA.
simplepinoi177 said:
and it might do OP best to wait until March's images are released as it will in a couple of days...
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I'm starting to getting antsy waiting. The previous 3 months, they've released an update by the 6th or earlier, but nothing yet on Google site. Come on Google! Release the March 23 update already!
Lakino said:
I'm starting to getting antsy waiting. The previous 3 months, they've released an update by the 6th or earlier, but nothing yet on Google site. Come on Google! Release the March 23 update already!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel you! This is rather unusual (although it has happened from time to time)...
many in other threads are voicing how anxious they are in waiting too... Google usually aims for the 5th, unless the 5th lands on the weekend (as it was in this case), then it usually aims for the Monday after. What's really crazy is the fact that Samsung has released their March update before Google; Samsung in the past would release months, close to year after Google's update!
We're all