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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.
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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

T-mobile Wi-fi calling and Samsung Pay on Samsung Galaxy S7 Unlocked International?

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

Galaxy S7 G930F on AT&T - Advice?

I've seen a variety of conflicting reports online so I wanted to get some more expert opinions from XDA:
If I buy an international Galaxy S7 (specifically, the G930F):
(1) I'm in the US. Will I be able to use that on AT&T's LTE network? I know some bands are supposedly different but I've heard that's really only a problem for T-Mobile's LTE.
(2) Does Samsung Pay work out of the box? If not, is there a way to easily make it work while still being able to take software updates?
EDIT: Looks like people have got it working by flashing Australia, Germany, or UAE CSCs and then sideloading Samsung Pay. Which leads to another question…
(3) What disadvantages are there to being on a different CSC than your actual country? Will it be a problem downloading apps, regionally restricted videos, etc? And will Samsung Pay break after phone software updates?
Answers to these would be appreciated!

Is it possible to make samsung pay work in another country?

Hello everyone! I got the note 20 ultra in another country where samsung pay isn't supported(i didn't care because it isn't supported in my country either).
But now it is supported (perfect timing), but still isn't supported in origin country where i bought it. I've tried factory resetting with sims installed to trigger region change, didn't work(although 2 sims was installed from different countries, it could be an issue, but I'm tired of resetting the phone and guessing).
Then I tried installing my countries firmware from sammobile.com using odin. It went horrible, odin was stuck 60% at super.img and my phone turned to a brick. But installing original firmware worked and I've managed to restore my phone.
When downloading the samsung pay app from play stores it check for compatibility and then says that it is coming soon.
Tried to download it from galaxy store, but the app isn't there.
Is there anything I can do to make it work here? Am I stuck with samsung phone that doesn't support samsung pay?

GalaxySFUN said:
Hello everyone! I got the note 20 ultra in another country where samsung pay isn't supported(i didn't care because it isn't supported in my country either).
But now it is supported (perfect timing), but still isn't supported in origin country where i bought it. I've tried factory resetting with sims installed to trigger region change, didn't work(although 2 sims was installed from different countries, it could be an issue, but I'm tired of resetting the phone and guessing).
Then I tried installing my countries firmware from sammobile.com using odin. It went horrible, odin was stuck 60% at super.img and my phone turned to a brick. But installing original firmware worked and I've managed to restore my phone.
When downloading the samsung pay app from play stores it check for compatibility and then says that it is coming soon.
Tried to download it from galaxy store, but the app isn't there.
Is there anything I can do to make it work here? Am I stuck with samsung phone that doesn't support samsung pay?
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You're stuck, at least as far as the phone is concerned (more on that in a minute). Samsung Pay is apparently driven by the point-of-sale country CSC, which you can't change. I have the same issue with my S9+ SM-N9650, which is TPA (Panama) even though I booted it up with a Canadian SIM. As you mentioned, the Samsung Pay app from the Play Store will check for availability (based on the point-of-sale CSC) and then inform you if Samsung Pay is available based on its availability in that country - so you won't be able to use it on the phone until it is.
I get around this by using it on my Gear S3, which has a Canadian CSC, and therefore Samsung Pay, and links to the Wearables app on the phone. I actually prefer using Samsung Pay on my watch, so the availability on my phone is a non-issue for me (except for the fact you can't add debit cards to the watch). That said, one of the reasons I ordered my Note20 Ultra from Hong Kong is that they have Samsung Pay there, so it will work on the phone, which is a plus.

jtOttawa said:
You're stuck, at least as far as the phone is concerned (more on that in a minute). Samsung Pay is apparently driven by the point-of-sale country CSC, which you can't change. I have the same issue with my S9+ SM-N9650, which is TPA (Panama) even though I booted it up with a Canadian SIM. As you mentioned, the Samsung Pay app from the Play Store will check for availability (based on the point-of-sale CSC) and then inform you if Samsung Pay is available based on its availability in that country - so you won't be able to use it on the phone until it is.
I get around this by using it on my Gear S3, which has a Canadian CSC, and therefore Samsung Pay, and links to the Wearables app on the phone. I actually prefer using Samsung Pay on my watch, so the availability on my phone is a non-issue for me (except for the fact you can't add debit cards to the watch). That said, one of the reasons I ordered my Note20 Ultra from Hong Kong is that they have Samsung Pay there, so it will work on the phone, which is a plus.
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Oh, no...
So if sometime in the future samsung pay will become supported in the country where I bought the phone, I'll be able to change the region of samsung pay and start using it?
And I didn't understand about that I can't add debit cards to the watch, do you mean you can only use credit cards? Cause I don't use credit cards.
God, I switched to android again after 8 years of using ios, last android phone was galaxy s(it's funny how this forum kept my account for all these years). And only thing I'm missing so much is apple pay.

GalaxySFUN said:
Oh, no...
So if sometime in the future samsung pay will become supported in the country where I bought the phone, I'll be able to change the region of samsung pay and start using it?
And I didn't understand about that I can't add debit cards to the watch, do you mean you can only use credit cards? Cause I don't use credit cards.
God, I switched to android again after 8 years of using ios, last android phone was galaxy s(it's funny how this forum kept my account for all these years). And only thing I'm missing so much is apple pay.
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No, you will never be able to change the region for Samsung Pay. Folks can use Samsung Pay on the Hong Kong Note20 Ultra because it is available in Hong Kong - but it is the Hong Kong version of Samsung Pay.
And that's correct - at least here in Canada on the Gear S3 (YMMV for newer watches and other countries - suggest you check Samsung's website for what's available on a given watch in your country), you can only use credit cards in Samsung Pay on the watch.

jtOttawa said:
No, you will never be able to change the region for Samsung Pay. Folks can use Samsung Pay on the Hong Kong Note20 Ultra because it is available in Hong Kong - but it is the Hong Kong version of Samsung Pay.
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But you can add your cards even they are not from Hong Kong bank?

GalaxySFUN said:
But you can add your cards even they are not from Hong Kong bank?
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Other users have successfully added a wide variety of cards even though they are not Hong Kong based. That said, in my experience, some cards (particularly debit cards) won't work in Samsung Pay from another country. Suggest you check out the thread on the Hong Kong Note20 Ultra for more info.

jtOttawa said:
No, you will never be able to change the region for Samsung Pay. Folks can use Samsung Pay on the Hong Kong Note20 Ultra because it is available in Hong Kong - but it is the Hong Kong version of Samsung Pay.
And that's correct - at least here in Canada on the Gear S3 (YMMV for newer watches and other countries - suggest you check Samsung's website for what's available on a given watch in your country), you can only use credit cards in Samsung Pay on the watch.
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That's sad, I should've been more patient and buy my Note after I got back home. Who would know...

jtOttawa said:
Other users have successfully added a wide variety of cards even though they are not Hong Kong based. That said, in my experience, some cards (particularly debit cards) won't work in Samsung Pay from another country. Suggest you check out the thread on the Hong Kong Note20 Ultra for more info.
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Now I can put up with it. Thank you very much for your time.

GalaxySFUN said:
Now I can put up with it. Thank you very much for your time.
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I live in Japan, use US debit card and credit cards on HK N20U... Samsung Pay works just fine... It is the HK version but no issues using it... Samsung Pay is based off of the phone's original country... As far I know there is not a way to flash and change it

GalaxySFUN said:
Now I can put up with it. Thank you very much for your time.
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Happy to help. Just so you know, as I think you're new here, hitting the 'Thanks' button on a helpful post is always appreciated...

Samsung Galaxy XCover 6 Pro - are there different versions?

Hi all, I'm asking here because there is no dedicated subforum for XCover 6.
So, I'm planning on buying Galaxy XCover 6Pro but I'm getting confused if there are different version of it out on the market? I've noticed that shops in my country (Poland) mark phones they are selling using these three different product numbers:
sm-g736bzkdeeb,
sm-g736bzkdeee,
sm-g736bzkd
with the first one (EEB) being called "Enterprise Edition" appearing in most of stores while the offical samsung.com store lists XCover 6Pro with "EEE" product number. Neverthless google shows up a samsung page for the "EEB" model too.
https://www.samsung.com/uk/business/smartphones/xcover/galaxy-xcover6-pro-sm-g736bzkdeeb/
https://www.samsung.com/levant/business/smartphones/xcover/galaxy-xcover6-pro-sm-g736bzkdeee/
So i checked the specs, in stores and on these samsung pages and they all appear to be the same XCover 6 Pro, 6GB 5G phones with Dual Sim in black colour.
So here is my question. Are they really the same phone or there is some difference that's my eye is missing?

The difference between the two devices you have named, is that one is made for the German market (EEB) and one is made for the eastern European and Swiss/Austrian markets (EEE).
There may be some issues with things such as samsung pay if you are using a device outside of its region but overall the device should work fine either way.
With the previous model (G715FN), I was able to flash to my local firmware without issue and all bands worked flawlessly as well as all localised features such as samsung pay. Unfortunately once this is done, you will not receive OTA updates any longer as it recognises your device has been modified. This may be because I tripped knox doing all this.
The only other thing to look out for is that you aren't buying a device that has been locked to a given carrier, or requires a sim from that carrier for activation.
Again, there's usually ways around this but you don't need to complicate your life like that.
If you are able to buy locally, surely they can give you some assurances that the device will work with your local providers?
There is no difference in specs, bands etc, it's just localisation support and operator specific configurations to worry about.
Samsung generally include all international MBN files in their modem config files so it's not such a huge deal these days as long as you can successfully register the device for use.

bandario said:
The difference between the two devices you have named, is that one is made for the German market (EEB) and one is made for the eastern European and Swiss/Austrian markets (EEE).
There may be some issues with things such as samsung pay if you are using a device outside of its region but overall the device should work fine either way.
With the previous model (G715FN), I was able to flash to my local firmware without issue and all bands worked flawlessly as well as all localised features such as samsung pay. Unfortunately once this is done, you will not receive OTA updates any longer as it recognises your device has been modified. This may be because I tripped knox doing all this.
The only other thing to look out for is that you aren't buying a device that has been locked to a given carrier, or requires a sim from that carrier for activation.
Again, there's usually ways around this but you don't need to complicate your life like that.
If you are able to buy locally, surely they can give you some assurances that the device will work with your local providers?
There is no difference in specs, bands etc, it's just localisation support and operator specific configurations to worry about.
Samsung generally include all international MBN files in their modem config files so it's not such a huge deal these days as long as you can successfully register the device for use.
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Thanks for detailed explanation!

Anyone tried root with Magisk?

bandario said:
Anyone tried root with Magisk?
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I have one I got recently, but have not used Magisk. Doesn't one have to access bootloader to do that? Which is my question: Anyone have an unlock for the bootloader?

Yes. There's instructions Here