Hello guys, recently I dropped my LG G2 and broke its screen, so I decided to buy a new phone. I've searched a lot in the internet and I think I'm going to buy a Galaxy S7, but before doing so, I would like to get these questions answered (I would really appreciate if you could answer these questions, it'd help me a lot):
1. Which version would you recommend me to buy, S7 or S7 Edge? Is it purely up to my taste or are there any key differences? When it comes to my taste, I prefer S7 because I don't like the curved edges.
2. Should I pick the Snapdragon version or Exynos version? I have the possibility to choose, which one is better?
3. I'm afraid of burn-ins that are very common on AMOLED screens, does this phone suffer from kind of problem?
4. Is it possible for me to root this phone and then unroot it without letting Samsung know it was previously rooted (I mean, still get warranty after unroot)?
5. What about custom ROMs? Are they easy to install on this phone? what about camera driver, is it released by Samsung or is it closed source? (I'm asking this because my current phone, LG G2, doesn't have its camera driver released by LG, that means, we use a generic camera driver on custom ROMs like LineageOS and thus reduces the camera quality a lot)
Thank you for your time
1. Personal choice, same specs, bigger battery/screen in Edge
2. Exynos (Snapdragon is bootloader locked)
3. Not been many complaints, only a handful
4. No, once you flash custom you permanently trip KNOX, no reset
5. Not as easy as older phones but still fairly easy, camera driver not open source afaik, needs a touchwiz ROM for full quality
Thank you for your answers.
About question 4, all I want to do by now is root and use this app:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/08/12/hands-battery-charge-limit-rooted-devices-exactly-expect/
Don't you think I can root and use this, then unroot and still get warranty? (I'm asking this because you said "flash custom", maybe you got me wrong)
I think, re: 4, and what Detection said is that you will trip the Knox, and then Samsung will know the phone has been OS tampered at it's root level. What will Samsung do then about your warranty, knowing you intentionally breached their OEM OS?
Root is custom, root trips knox
Related
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Why you can't root your Samsung Galaxy S6 Verizon on 5.1.1.
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1.) The Bootloader is locked so you can't like flash a package to root your phone.
2.) There are no true exploits...
^ This means that there are no exploits for the Samsung Galaxy S6 Verizon, what do I mean by this ? Well I don't consider a FLASH FILE to be a exploit of some sorts mostly because this root method is using recovery or download mode.
3.) I hope knox dies in a fire somewhere.
4.) No one is developing a exploit to root the Samsung Galaxy S6 Verizon without tripping knox
^ Why is this ? Well unlike the iOS jailbreaking community where to jailbreak your iphone you need to use a exploit that somebody put into a executable that will also install cydia and mobile substrate. We have gotten to used to using recovery mode or download mode to root a device, so when a device comes out with a locked bootloader people don't want to take the time to make a exploit for this new device.
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If anybody can post a better thread about
why you can't root the Samsung Galaxy S6 Verizon on 5.1.1.
that will be much appreciated.
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1. So you can't like, root it, like ever ever?
2. Sure there are, some people may simply choose not to publicly share them.
3. Knox isn't so bad. It's no worse than a locked boot loader.
4. No one? Did you confirm with all of *them*?
Also: s/a/an is OK sometimes.
s6 is like the note 3 not enough people care about it,like an unjailbroken iphone were just another sheep in the flock ,i actually hate my s6 compared to my s5 (should of never switched)they took a great phone and in my opinion ruined it all the best features i used to love are no more i find myself using my iphone more and more lateley (jailbroken of course).just my thoughts have a great day all.
I feel the same way about my S6 compared to my S4. I didn't have a problem with the plastic build, the SD card, the removable battery, and the perfect size and screen. All they had to do was speed up the internals and that's it. I too should have kept my S4. Next phone is gonna be Nexus for sure.
I've only had the OG Droid and Nexus phones since so I'm a bit unfamiliar with non-Nexus devices.
I wanted to ask a few questions in one place.
In order
f I buy a carrier unlocked version (US) of the S7, is the bootloader unlocked/unlockable such that I could install TWRP?
Is there typically an AOSP rom available for the Galaxy S phones? (Such that Xposed + Gravitybox is a viable option)
If I do unlock the bootloader and install an AOSP rom, from what I heard there's a counter that gets tripped. (Knox?). Exactly how much of the waranty does that void if any?
I've heard that the RGB LED behaves differently under Touchwiz, is that strictly a software issue such that if I were using an AOSP based ROM, it would behave how I'm familiar from say the original Nexus 5?
(I'm currently still on my Nexus 5 and my hardware requirements for upgrading is RGB LED light + SD Card slot, so provided I can do what I want software-wise, this phone is looking like the winner)
Trel said:
[*]f I buy a carrier unlocked version (US) of the S7, is the bootloader unlocked/unlockable such that I could install TWRP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be careful with this one. Carrier unlocked != unlocked bootloader. You can SIM unlock an AT&T phone for example, but the bootloader will remain locked severely limiting it's "modability". You didn't say who your carrier was, but for us GSM folks, best bet is an unlocked international version or a T-Mobile phone (typically come with unlocked bootloader).
Trel said:
[*]Is there typically an AOSP rom available for the Galaxy S phones? (Such that Xposed + Gravitybox is a viable option)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and no. Previous generations have had a lot of developer support. The S6, OTOH, with it's proprietary Exynos chipset, has received a very luke-warm reception. Heck, currently my 3 year old $80 MotoG has a more functional version of CM13 than any of the S6 variants! With the US versions of the S7 sporting the SD820 chipset, I'd think this phone will get a boatload of developer support (but I make no guarantees).
Trel said:
[*]If I do unlock the bootloader and install an AOSP rom, from what I heard there's a counter that gets tripped. (Knox?). Exactly how much of the waranty does that void if any?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not always/entirely true. For example, there's a method to flash a custom rom on the locked down AT&T S6 that does not trip KNOX. That said, ROM options without tripping KNOX are very limited and usually lag significantly so many people just go ahead and trip it without giving it much thought. You may or may not void warranty, and will likely loose some proprietary functionality (Samsung Pay), but being able to "tinker" is well worth it.
Trel said:
[*]I've heard that the RGB LED behaves differently under Touchwiz, is that strictly a software issue such that if I were using an AOSP based ROM, it would behave how I'm familiar from say the original Nexus 5?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the RGB LED issues are software related and there are many options to address them (including Xposed modules that work with TW roms).
Trel said:
(I'm currently still on my Nexus 5 and my hardware requirements for upgrading is RGB LED light + SD Card slot, so provided I can do what I want software-wise, this phone is looking like the winner)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The S7 has a lot going for it. However, coming from a GED, you might want to wait a few months to see if the developer community does indeed embrace the new device before jumping on the bandwagon though...
dew.man said:
Be careful with this one. Carrier unlocked != unlocked bootloader. You can SIM unlock an AT&T phone for example, but the bootloader will remain locked severely limiting it's "modability". You didn't say who your carrier was, but for us GSM folks, best bet is an unlocked international version or a T-Mobile phone (typically come with unlocked bootloader).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know the difference. International doesn't have snapdragon or is that strictly the EU one with the Exynos chipset? I know AT&T and Verizon will never have the bootloader unlocked. I'm asking about a fully paid T-Mobile one or if I get a generic one somehow.
Yes and no. Previous generations have had a lot of developer support. The S6, OTOH, with it's proprietary Exynos chipset, has received a very luke-warm reception. Heck, currently my 3 year old $80 MotoG has a more functional version of CM13 than any of the S6 variants! With the US versions of the S7 sporting the SD820 chipset, I'd think this phone will get a boatload of developer support (but I make no guarantees).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are the international and the EU version separate phones? If so, then I'll probably get International and end up with the Snapdragon one, but if they're on in the same, I'd not go for that. I know how little support Exynos ends up with.
Not always/entirely true. For example, there's a method to flash a custom rom on the locked down AT&T S6 that does not trip KNOX. That said, ROM options without tripping KNOX are very limited and usually lag significantly so many people just go ahead and trip it without giving it much thought. You may or may not void warranty, and will likely loose some proprietary functionality (Samsung Pay), but being able to "tinker" is well worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A custom rom wouldn't include TWRP which would be useless to me then. Since I'd want a custom recovery as well, I'd be tripping Knox unless there's some new exploit. Specifically in the US, what do you lose if you trip the Knox counter?
Yes, the RGB LED issues are software related and there are many options to address them (including Xposed modules that work with TW roms).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's pure software, then that's perfect. I would only use an AOSP or AOSP based ROM anyway. I can't stand Touchwiz when I have to help relatives with their phone, so if the issues are limited to TW based ROMs, I'd never run into them.
The S7 has a lot going for it. However, coming from a GED, you might want to wait a few months to see if the developer community does indeed embrace the new device before jumping on the bandwagon though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably a good idea anyway. I've discounted this phone up until yesterday as I was told that it would have active display in lieu of an RGB LED which is strict 100% deal breaker for me. (huge storage could possibly make up for lack of SD Card support, but lack of LED = no go).
I'll wait it out then, as I can probably also get a good deal if I wait a bit.
so i haven't had a samsung phone since 2003 until the S7. the last few phones i had were running stock android, without all the crap and i loved it. now, i know that samsung ui brings with it some benefits. what would i lose (and gain) if i flashed a stock android rom on my S7? thanks
1) not sure there already is a stock rom for S7 ...
Pros:
+ Getting stock android
Cons:
- Loss of some/most/all "samsung" features (possibly also some fingerprint support and so ... )
im not sure if you know the home screen launcher (called samsung touchwiz) can be replaced with better ones like nova launcher and such... is that what you mean by Samsung UI?
changing roms actually change the functionality of the Android system wide functions/features, its different to the home screen UI.
the rom that came with your s7 is stock samsung you could say. Samsung made it, so everything, all the hardware works with the rom... some people want more software features or less features and so flash other roms, like vanilla stock roms or asop/cm roms, even though it may mean some software features wont work and even some hardware functions.
Every rom dev will tell you what's on offer and what the issues are.
the s7 is quite fast now, so you could just root the current rom (once root is available for your model) and remove/freeze apps known not to be required to clean the rom of Samsung junk. also install xposed to add new system wide changing features and such, but the more you mod the more risk of having issues.
"Stock" android is called AOSP okay? It's a little confusing when you say it like that.
Anyhoo, AOSP is faster than TW, and you will have constant update even when S7 is not supported by samsung anymore. However, Samsung made sure that TW is best compatible with their devices so you wouldn't notice any difference at all when it comes to speed. Also when flashing AOSP, you will lose almost all features TW has.
I wouldn't recommend flashing a stock android. Reasons:
1. you'll have to void your warranty and trip the Knox counter. This is a one way street, there is no known method to "untrip" this counter, so Knox will be disabled on your phone (even some samsung services like samsung pay MIGHT be disabled)
2. the s7 hase plenty of power and enough ram, so "having more free ram" or "faster app opening speeds" isn't hardly an argument nowadays anymore.
3. Bloatware removal? Well, at least my s7 (exynos version with dtm german telekom image) came surprisingly clean. Microsoft Office, the usual google apps and the usual samsung apps. No Bild.de, hrs hotels or such crap anymore. And you can disable the apps you don't want easily via the app manager or via another android app called psp (or similar, just search the s7 subforum a bit, you'll find it).
4. optimization: as the posters stated above: the s7 rom is designed for the s7, and just the s7. so all the hardware is probably supported the best under this rom. in the early days of android one just had to cope with the 2g/3g modem, acceleration/light sensor, wifi and perhaps gps. nowadays there is tons of stuff more: fingerprint, special bluetooth low energy functionality, special camera sdks (mostly not public), magnetometer, some people also believe there is a fm radio chip in the s7... and so on and so on... this is making things difficult to implement for the developers of rom bundles as cyanogenmod or aosp.
---> if your only concern is the newest android in case of security: the s7 has android 6.0.1 now, this version has a decent capability to get SECURITY updates from google directly. Meaning the most crucial android wide security loopholes will be fixed. no more "stagefreight will never be patched for my 2,5 year old phone" anymore.
---> if you always want the newest roms for the newest pure android features: I assure you, samsung is sometimes ahead of those. the 5.x rom I am currently using on my xperia mini pro is actually pretty similar in case of functionality/usability with the 4.x rom of my s5. many of the features I missed in the pure 4.x which samsung implemented are now standard in the 5.x "clean android".
I guess you should just lay low and wait for your guarantee to be over OR reconsider once a good rom is available which has features that you urgently want.
I'm also currently waiting for a rooting method which doesn't trip knox to appear so that I can root my s7 and start using it. It's just in the original packaging right now waiting...
-acid
AcidBurns said:
I wouldn't recommend flashing a stock android. Reasons:
1. you'll have to void your warranty and trip the Knox counter. This is a one way street, there is no known method to "untrip" this counter, so Knox will be disabled on your phone (even some samsung services like samsung pay MIGHT be disabled)
2. the s7 hase plenty of power and enough ram, so "having more free ram" or "faster app opening speeds" isn't hardly an argument nowadays anymore.
3. Bloatware removal? Well, at least my s7 (exynos version with dtm german telekom image) came surprisingly clean. Microsoft Office, the usual google apps and the usual samsung apps. No Bild.de, hrs hotels or such crap anymore. And you can disable the apps you don't want easily via the app manager or via another android app called psp (or similar, just search the s7 subforum a bit, you'll find it).
4. optimization: as the posters stated above: the s7 rom is designed for the s7, and just the s7. so all the hardware is probably supported the best under this rom. in the early days of android one just had to cope with the 2g/3g modem, acceleration/light sensor, wifi and perhaps gps. nowadays there is tons of stuff more: fingerprint, special bluetooth low energy functionality, special camera sdks (mostly not public), magnetometer, some people also believe there is a fm radio chip in the s7... and so on and so on... this is making things difficult to implement for the developers of rom bundles as cyanogenmod or aosp.
---> if your only concern is the newest android in case of security: the s7 has android 6.0.1 now, this version has a decent capability to get SECURITY updates from google directly. Meaning the most crucial android wide security loopholes will be fixed. no more "stagefreight will never be patched for my 2,5 year old phone" anymore.
---> if you always want the newest roms for the newest pure android features: I assure you, samsung is sometimes ahead of those. the 5.x rom I am currently using on my xperia mini pro is actually pretty similar in case of functionality/usability with the 4.x rom of my s5. many of the features I missed in the pure 4.x which samsung implemented are now standard in the 5.x "clean android".
I guess you should just lay low and wait for your guarantee to be over OR reconsider once a good rom is available which has features that you urgently want.
I'm also currently waiting for a rooting method which doesn't trip knox to appear so that I can root my s7 and start using it. It's just in the original packaging right now waiting...
-acid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the post. i'm not worried about the warranty. i've rooted the last 3 phones i had and never needed warranty claim. i just like running aosp as its very clean and when rooted gives me more customization options. i could care less about samsung pay or fingerprint scanner and such. so i'm ok with losing it. buying the s7 i was really looking for great hardware which it has and flashing aosp on it. the only reason i didn't go with nexus 6 is because there's no sd card.
You will not see any AOSP roms available for Exynos variants. Snapdragon variants have locked bootloader so unless Samsung unlock it (which I think may be a possibility) you will not see any roms for Snapdragon variants.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
If you want custom roms, the S7 isn't the phone for you.
Gesendet von meinem SM-G900F mit Tapatalk
Was never a fan of flashing aosp over touchwiz unless the S7 had a gpe counter part and a port was made or something. I hade the m8 on verizon but there was also a m8 gpe as well so that was a great experience because that was just ported over and all the features were still there the boomsound, HTC camera app ect. Usually you lose on a lot of factory features that were made for that phone and what I realized when flashing aosp Roms was the drastic downgrade in camera quality, that was during the s3 and note 3 for me.
I mean I'll definitely give a aosp rom a shot no doubt about that. if we even make it that far with the s7. We still need root and unlocked BL first to even be thinking about all that. Unless you got the exynos version.
One big thing for me usually is the camera...
Somehow the stock camera is always easiest, best, flexible and most comfortable. Never really found a camera which could replace it (either not all functionality available, or just not working as smooth). But yeah, it's not as if there is (or likely will be) an AOSP rom for the S7...
Hello guys!
I live in Romania and I just got an unlocked S7, and this phone is amazing compared to my old One m7. My only problem is waiting for Samsung to bring all the nice features from the Note 7 to the S7, and I am not that patient when it comes to software updates. I have been thinking about flashing a custom ROM(all my previous phones have had custom ROMs installed the day I opened the box), but I am afraid of triggering KNOX Warranty Void 0x1. I've searched on google about warranties in Europe and it seems that Samsung has to prove that a software modification I had made provoked the hardware failure in case I have a problem. However, I am not so sure about this and would like to hear from you guys (always trusted xda ).
I do not really care about Samsung Pay, as I am not really going to use it even though I am moving to the U.K. Other features I may lose because of 0x1?
In the light of all of the above, is it worth rooting/flashing a custom ROM, are there any other gains besides ported features?
draa34 said:
Hello guys!
I live in Romania and I just got an unlocked S7, and this phone is amazing compared to my old One m7. My only problem is waiting for Samsung to bring all the nice features from the Note 7 to the S7, and I am not that patient when it comes to software updates. I have been thinking about flashing a custom ROM(all my previous phones have had custom ROMs installed the day I opened the box), but I am afraid of triggering KNOX Warranty Void 0x1. I've searched on google about warranties in Europe and it seems that Samsung has to prove that a software modification I had made provoked the hardware failure in case I have a problem. However, I am not so sure about this and would like to hear from you guys (always trusted xda ).
I do not really care about Samsung Pay, as I am not really going to use it even though I am moving to the U.K. Other features I may lose because of 0x1?
In the light of all of the above, is it worth rooting/flashing a custom ROM, are there any other gains besides ported features?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
regarding warranty you have to check in your country , in most countries in Europe the maker has to honor all hardware defects independently of the knox bit state......
Regarding rooting , well you have other kernels , no bloatware , xposed , mods, tweaks..........
I got the green light (from the wife) to order a new phone. A new phone from Verizon in the U.S. This will be my first time picking a phone depending if it can be rooted or not. Actually, if the Bootloader can be unlocked. I got lucky with my previous Samsung phones. The S8 got root but my Note 10 was able to have the Bootloader unlocked. I will not have a locked Bootloader if I have the option.
I was looking at the "Samsung S20 FE", "Pixel 6", or possibly the "Motorola Edge+". What do you guys think? Maybe something else? I will be making payments, so that limits my options.
Number 1 factor is Bootloader unlock, even if I need to pay to have it unlocked like I did with the Note 10.
Thanks Guys!
I go for either a Note 10+ or a N20Ultra, preferably running on Q. You can still find new ones, personally I went with another new N10+ Snapdragon running on Q, no plans to root it.
The new flagship phones aren't worth a rat's arse. Overpriced, no SD card slot, running on R and many have multiple issues.
Or simply wait. So far nothing good in the pipeline from Samsung. I'm not holding my either as I think it may be close to a year or longer until Samsung gets it together.
That I have 2 N10+'s is shows how much confidence I have in new Samsung's and Android OS's releases at this point. Zero. Expect more dropped balls from both.
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