Which version for ATT - Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers

I've been searching around the forums but I'm a little overwhelmed with all the info and I'm not quite sure what I need to be looking for. I used to flash a lot of ROMS but I really haven't messed with that much for a couple years.
Which version of the Galaxy S7 should I get that will allow root/custom ROMS and work on US ATT? (I don't care about Samsung Pay).
From what I can tell maybe G900U? or G900W8? or G900F?
I don't want to flash a rom unless I have to, but I can't stand bloatware or certain factory settings that can't be turned off (like the volume warning notification every time I connect to my car stereo with Bluetooth that I used to get on my Galaxy S5 before I flashed a custom rom).
Thanks

unfortunately, SM-G930 US version with snapdragon chipset cannot flashing any custom rom (bootloader locked). flash the US firmware on your S7 ATT for much less bloatware

Thanks, but I don't currently own an S7. Just trying to figure out which version to buy that will work with ATT but also allow root/etc.

if you really need to root your device, maybe international version of S7 is for you. or the canada version SM-G930W8

Rooting US models means using an engineering bootloader, which restricts your charging capacity to 80% and causes stability issues.
If your desire is to root and/or custom ROM you'll want the G930F/FD/W8
All will work with US carriers, but they don't have the full band support so network speed may vary. But there's plenty of G930F posters here inside the US.

Related

Which Note Edge variant to buy?

Hi Everyone,
I would like to buy a Note Edge very soon but i wanted to ask which variant should I get - I do plan on rooting the device asap and flashing various themes so I want the most compatible variant for this. Currently I am now in Australia and the SM-N915G are very much available everywhere, however I did notice slightly more development for the SM-N915FY (EU version) will there be incompatibility between the G & Y versions?
Thanks.
GODSPD said:
Hi Everyone,
I would like to buy a Note Edge very soon but i wanted to ask which variant should I get - I do plan on rooting the device asap and flashing various themes so I want the most compatible variant for this. Currently I am now in Australia and the SM-N915G are very much available everywhere, however I did notice slightly more development for the SM-N915FY (EU version) will there be incompatibility between the G & Y versions?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first, NO n915F(Y) rom is not compatible with N915G.
i own an SM-N915G (snapdragon) which i love. as you noticed yourself, there are no custom ROMs for this variant. BUT hey who needs a custom rom when there is Xposed? i customize every thing with it. pretty much all the things that i love about the root is in Xposed.
My friend owns the 915F (which is compatible with 915FY), and he's got the same stuff i got (no custom Rom, only Xposed).
bottom line, i suggest N915G for you because it's Australian. and it's Snapdragon which i like more.
and the official Lollipop is already available for N915G too. :good: :good: it's smooth as hell
As mentioned above, its best to get the variant that is usable in your region for compatibility and service purposes.
I have the SM-N915G model but the Note Edge isn't sold in my country (at least not yet).
If I ever need repairs or service done to my Note Edge, all I need to do is fly to Singapore where I bought the phone from.
And the bonus part, the SM-N915G has an official Lollipop update.
so the sm-n915fy is an octacore?
will it work with lte att on USA?
No F(Y) it's SD-805
Essentially Samsung got sick of people buying grey import phones for cheaper from different regions and instead now make different models WITH THE SAME HARDWARE for different regions.
Unfortunately, you can't flash the ROMs of a different region...
Looks like Sammy is going the way of Apple.... Not so Dev friendly anymore if the ROM for 1 region can't be used on the same hardware but a different model number (region) device...
I can only speak of the FY variant. I bought it in Germany and so far very satisfied. The OS is really fluid, never experienced a hiccup so far, but I dont use facebook or twitter but all other messaging apps are there (z.B whatsapp, viber, skype and fring )with notifications turned on.
I get between 3,5-4 hours SOT depending on LTE Usage.
I'm still on kitkat and don't mind lollipop anyways cause I had the LG G3 before this handset and tried it already last year and can say that ART wasn't that drastic change as Android Hyped it. so I'm waiting for a stable lollipop.
Hope I helped
I live in the U.S. and bought a SM-N915T unlocked using AT&T and so far it's working out well.
I agree with staying with phones for your region. I have read that in the U.S. that you can use a F, FY, or G version unlocked but you may not get 4G LTE and you have to use a SIM card for overseas.

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Edit: Oh, wait. Android Pay = Yes, Samsung Pay = No.
lopri said:
No.
Edit: Oh, wait. Android Pay = Yes, Samsung Pay = No.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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

Need buying advice on which version of S6

I'm looking to buy an S6, probably used or refurb, but that doesn't really matter.
I'm in the US on T-Mobile.
I need to decide between the G920T (T-Mobile model) and the G920I/F (international model)
Some things about me:
I need Band 12 support for good building reception and all 3 models support that, correct?
I will be rooting which removes Samsung Pay as a selling point for the T-Mobile version.
My residence does not get great reception so I am interested in WiFi Calling. As I understand it the T-Mobile version has it, but I also remember reading Google was going to add it to Android natively??
I am potentially also interested in custom roms, but it seems not much progress for any version of the S6, correct?
Thanks for your help
Dont buy s6 its disaster go with nexus 6p i have s6 its sucks ! dont buy s7 too its more suck than s6 do you research before doing any mistake...my advice dont buy s6 or s7 Nexus 6p is the best
Peace
don't get the I version! We are still waiting for MM when most models had it WEEKS ago, plus it also gets fewer updates than the rest!
I have the U.S. T-Mobile version on an international ROM but I am trying to find a MM ROM for it. Not sure if it's out specifically for T-mo. Going to go stock and upgrade to MM because my ROM doesn't let me answer calls sometimes and I a couples other issues. Plus, I want to try out Samsung Pay. (Google pay doesn't work on rooted phones either).
Get a Nexus 6P dude. It already has Project Fi. Custom ROMs for S6 have undefined future (due to Exynos and Sam not releasing source) and with the speculations that the S7 might NEVER get custom ROMs it's probably a good idea to stay away from the flagship series.
me_is_rushin said:
I'm looking to buy an S6, probably used or refurb, but that doesn't really matter.
I'm in the US on T-Mobile.
I need to decide between the G920T (T-Mobile model) and the G920I/F (international model)
Some things about me:
I need Band 12 support for good building reception and all 3 models support that, correct?
I will be rooting which removes Samsung Pay as a selling point for the T-Mobile version.
My residence does not get great reception so I am interested in WiFi Calling. As I understand it the T-Mobile version has it, but I also remember reading Google was going to add it to Android natively??
I am potentially also interested in custom roms, but it seems not much progress for any version of the S6, correct?
Thanks for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you need network specific features get the one from the network and resist rooting. This device is great even without root even better now with MM. I have resisted rooting for 10 months in the hopes of samsung pay (and significantly thinning my wallet) and it still isn't even available
Get a G920F. Ignore all the haters telling you to get a Nexus 6P. Huawei are awful and the support and product quality are awful.
Camera is iffy, stock Android has memory management issues, and it bends.
In all seriousness though, if you like rooting and custom roms, get a 6P. If you like good phones out of the box stock, get the G920F.

Advice on Buying Exynos Galaxy s8+ For U.S. T-Mobile and Knox Tripping

Hello everyone,
T-Mobile's galaxy avant was my first phone, and being a budget phone, it wasn't all that great. However, I did learn the basics on rooting/flashing on it. I naively upgraded to the T-Mobile s7 edge thinking i could continue my custom roming, only to find out the boatloader was unlockable with research. Out of pure frustration, I downgraded to the s6 edge plus which did have the unlocked bootloader. The battery life, however, is very disappointing, even with deodexed/debloated rom.
So now, I want to upgrade to the s8+, but before I do so I would like your expert opinion on which would work best for me. I know the carrier versions of the phone will have the locked bootloader, so those should be out of question. However, I do need it to function properly on T-Mobile's network, and would like the biggest options in custom roms possible. I would assume that would point me towards the SM-G9550, but I saw various devices with the same model number but different processor exynos/snapdragon.
I don't want to make the same mistake I made with the 7, so all help is greatly appreciated!
LEGONIKES said:
Hello everyone,
T-Mobile's galaxy avant was my first phone, and being a budget phone, it wasn't all that great. However, I did learn the basics on rooting/flashing on it. I naively upgraded to the T-Mobile s7 edge thinking i could continue my custom roming, only to find out the boatloader was unlockable with research. Out of pure frustration, I downgraded to the s6 edge plus which did have the unlocked bootloader. The battery life, however, is very disappointing, even with deodexed/debloated rom.
So now, I want to upgrade to the s8+, but before I do so I would like your expert opinion on which would work best for me. I know the carrier versions of the phone will have the locked bootloader, so those should be out of question. However, I do need it to function properly on T-Mobile's network, and would like the biggest options in custom roms possible. I would assume that would point me towards the SM-G9550, but I saw various devices with the same model number but different processor exynos/snapdragon.
I don't want to make the same mistake I made with the 7, so all help is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The G9550 although does have a Snapdragon 835 and an unlockable bootlooader, has 2 issues:
1) Virtually no custom ROMs available for it.
2) Not fully compatible with T-Mobile.
Get yourself the International model, SM-G955F or FD (Dual SIM).
Both are identical in terms of hardware, have the same custom ROMs, and since you'll be rooted anyway, you can flash the T-Mobile CSC to get T-Mobile features working, like VoLTE and WiFi calling.
You can get the phones off a UK based retailer like Clove, or from eBay.
Sent from my SM-G955F
LEGONIKES said:
Hello everyone,
T-Mobile's galaxy avant was my first phone, and being a budget phone, it wasn't all that great. However, I did learn the basics on rooting/flashing on it. I naively upgraded to the T-Mobile s7 edge thinking i could continue my custom roming, only to find out the boatloader was unlockable with research. Out of pure frustration, I downgraded to the s6 edge plus which did have the unlocked bootloader. The battery life, however, is very disappointing, even with deodexed/debloated rom.
So now, I want to upgrade to the s8+, but before I do so I would like your expert opinion on which would work best for me. I know the carrier versions of the phone will have the locked bootloader, so those should be out of question. However, I do need it to function properly on T-Mobile's network, and would like the biggest options in custom roms possible. I would assume that would point me towards the SM-G9550, but I saw various devices with the same model number but different processor exynos/snapdragon.
I don't want to make the same mistake I made with the 7, so all help is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get yourself a OnePlus 5T, if you insist on custom ROMs and all. Yes, it doesn't have as many features like the S8, resizable Multi Windows, Edge, AOD, etc., but when you unlock bootloader and flash it (i.e. you trip Knox), this time around you lose actual features, Secure Folder, Samsung Pay, a few others, essentially you get a cut-down version of the real thing. Battery life should be on par with the S8+, from what I understand.
Moved away from my OnePlus 3 because got bored with it, and screen was too small. Got the Exynos G955F instead, and for the first time I haven't flashed the new phone as soon as I got it because of these reasons I listed above.
murtaza02 said:
The G9550 although does have a Snapdragon 835 and an unlockable bootlooader, has 2 issues:
1) Virtually no custom ROMs available for it.
2) Not fully compatible with T-Mobile.
Get yourself the International model, SM-G955F or FD (Dual SIM).
Both are identical in terms of hardware, have the same custom ROMs, and since you'll be rooted anyway, you can flash the T-Mobile CSC to get T-Mobile features working, like VoLTE and WiFi calling.
You can get the phones off a UK based retailer like Clove, or from eBay.
Sent from my SM-G955F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed you have the SM-G955F. What are your impressions on the phone?
sirobelec said:
Get yourself a OnePlus 5T, if you insist on custom ROMs and all. Yes, it doesn't have as many features like the S8, resizable Multi Windows, Edge, AOD, etc., but when you unlock bootloader and flash it (i.e. you trip Knox), this time around you lose actual features, Secure Folder, Samsung Pay, a few others, essentially you get a cut-down version of the real thing. Battery life should be on par with the S8+, from what I understand.
Moved away from my OnePlus 3 because got bored with it, and screen was too small. Got the Exynos G955F instead, and for the first time I haven't flashed the new phone as soon as I got it because of these reasons I listed above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I hear what you're saying about the features cut. I thought I would've had the same issue on my s6, but with this custom rom I flashed (Khongloi's s8 port) samsung pass, health, and secure folder worked perfectly fine! I feel like pay would have worked if I had gotten magisk working right before i uninstalled it, but still. I've done a little research on the forums as to how to fix everything after root, but all I found was a fix for health. If there could be a way to extract whatever the hell that rom had for other roms, I think that would be great.
I was thinking about the OP 5T, but then the cost to feature ratio just didn't make it for me. I know for sure I would've bought the OP 3T when it was new atless than 400 USD.
LEGONIKES said:
I noticed you have the SM-G955F. What are your impressions on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing bad to say about it. Great display, great battery life, great camera as well. Only thing I want is for Samsung to put a bit more effort into the software updates, but other than that, it's perfect.
Sent from my SM-G955F

Rootable non-VZW S7?

My wife's S5 is almost dead - so many problems it's close to bricked. The plan is to give her my current rooted SM-G930U (rooted and up to 7.0). I'm quite happy to replace my S7 with another S7 but... no effin' VZW!! We're condemned to using VZW, so the new S7 has to be able to live with VZW (CDMA needed). And it must be root-able without resorting to custom ROM's. I need support for FX, V4A, TI, and one or two other apps - life without them is a deal breaker.
I looked into a Pixel 2. $750 for a 128 Gb version with no phone jack or SD slot? Fail.
Question: what are my options for buying an S7 that meets the above requirements?
ADDED: Oreo isn't a requirement. 7.0 works just fine here.
I'm not entirely clear on the question. Any US model will work with any US carrier so long as it has been carrier unlocked.
You can also flash any CSC from any US model onto another US model to maximise carrier support.
I've done some more reading. Check me on this: The SM G930U is carrier unlocked and supports CDMA for VZW. This phone's bootloader is /not/ unlocked and never will be. I can root this phone and bring it to Andy 7.0. (Don't need or want 8.0)

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