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No doubt this is a question that has already been asked and answered. However, since I can't find it, I'm forced to bring this up one more time. I'm getting ready to shop for a new smartphone, and I am trying to choose between the S4 and the S5. It is my intent to get an unlocked phone, and I use primarily AT&T's networks. There are multiple variants of each of these phones out there, some of which will work for 4g LTE in the US on AT&T's networks, and some which will not. So, my first question is which models, or variants, of each of these devices do I want to consider? My second question is one of is it worth it to pay the premium for the S5 over the S4. I would have thought my timing was such that prices on the S4 would be dropping around now, just like they did on the S3 when the S4 came out. But I'm not seeing much in the way of a reduction in prices. If it's less than $100 premium for the S5, I guess I might as well bite the bullet. So, any direction or help will be greatly appreciated.
Pay extra and get the S5, or save money and get the S4. The S5 is flashier of course, but really isn't worth the extra cost, imo. I upgraded from the S3 to the S4 and in hindsight I shouldn't of done so. It was not anywhere near worth it as an upgrade and my S3 didn't and still doesn't have a locked bootloader. Most likely in getting the S4 you will be on mf3 or mk2, but being AT&T the S5 will have a locked bootloader as well. Contrary to popular belief this doesn't make it the end of the world for the S4 or S5 as they're still awesome phones. This boils down to what you want to do with your phone and if you're wanting to root and install custom roms with anything asides of the stock kernel. So back to the beginning. Get the S4 if saving money is important, get the S5 if latest and greatest is most important. Both are great choices and you won't go wrong with either unless of course you do want to install non touchwiz custom roms.
Please go here...http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2433789
I currently have an HTC M8 and I am considering the Verizon S7 Edge but don't want to make the jump unless I will be able to root and maybe flash custom ROMs. I know it's probably too early to tell but what do you guys think the likelihood of root and an unlocked bootloader are? I like Best Buy's deal and would take a chance if it's probable for at least root access.
Thanks
root will probably have pretty soon but it will trip the knox as usual so....
Does tripping the knox disable anything other than Samsung Pay? I wont be using that anyway..
As above, root will probably be available prior to the 11th of March, but by tripping Knox. Personally, I can't live without Viper4Android so I'll be doing this regardless of the knox flag. Besides, I tripped the knox flag on my S4 a few years back and it didn't stop Samsung replacing the system board when it went faulty.
However, if I hear that there is a possibility of rooting without tripping knox (this was the case to begin with on the S6) then I will hold off and take that route. I have read however the chances of this on Marshmallow is non-existent.
As for custom roms like AOSP and CM, this will really only be possible on Snapdragon variants. But as you're discussing Verizon I would assume that isn't a problem as the American S7 comes with the Snapdragon 820. The one I'll get is the Exynos model so I'll be pretty much stuck with Touchwiz, which is far less of an issue nowadays than it would have been 3-4 years ago. It's far better now.
Don't get the Verizon one if you love to have root, at least as they tend to lock the boot-loaders so get the T-Mobile one if you like Snapdragon
Blart said:
I am considering the Verizon S7 Edge but don't want to make the jump unless I will be able to root and maybe flash custom ROMs.
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Don't get a Samsung device from Verizon if you want an unlocked bootloader or a rooted phone. Ever. Period.
CafeKampuchia said:
Don't get a Samsung device from Verizon if you want an unlocked bootloader or a rooted phone. Ever. Period.
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So true.
It would be nice if they released an unlocked version that worked on Verizon.
Until that happens, Samsung will never get my money.
I have a Nexus 6P and until Samsung does something different, I'll buy Nexus devices.
I miss the number of accessories and cases that are available for Samsung, but the locked down bootloader on Samsung is something I can't live with.
tech_head said:
So true.
It would be nice if they released an unlocked version that worked on Verizon.
Until that happens, Samsung will never get my money.
I have a Nexus 6P and until Samsung does something different, I'll buy Nexus devices.
I miss the number of accessories and cases that are available for Samsung, but the locked down bootloader on Samsung is something I can't live with.
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Pretty much why I won't grab the S7, will most likely grab a 6P (upgrade from my S5). If only AT&T would stop locking down the bootloaders.... They used to be friendly with it.
Beefheart said:
As above, root will probably be available prior to the 11th of March, but by tripping Knox. Personally, I can't live without Viper4Android so I'll be doing this regardless of the knox flag. Besides, I tripped the knox flag on my S4 a few years back and it didn't stop Samsung replacing the system board when it went faulty.
However, if I hear that there is a possibility of rooting without tripping knox (this was the case to begin with on the S6) then I will hold off and take that route. I have read however the chances of this on Marshmallow is non-existent.
As for custom roms like AOSP and CM, this will really only be possible on Snapdragon variants. But as you're discussing Verizon I would assume that isn't a problem as the American S7 comes with the Snapdragon 820. The one I'll get is the Exynos model so I'll be pretty much stuck with Touchwiz, which is far less of an issue nowadays than it would have been 3-4 years ago. It's far better now.
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This x100
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
Thanks for the responses from everyone.
Since I am stuck with Verizon for work reasons I will probably go with another device. I might be able to live with a locked bootloader but I am too attached to apps like Tasker, AdAway and such to not have root. Who knows, maybe somebody will come up with a way to make another carrier's S7 work on VZW or even unlock VZW's model. I will watch the forums.
I guess I got lucky with my VZW HTC M8. It was very easy to root and unlock the bootloader thanks to the hard work of several developers.
-Blart
This will be my first samsung phone (prrviously had xperia z3 compact, og moto x, razr maxx hd, etc). What does tripping knox actually do? I know there's a counter, butbis knox still the same or is it weakened or what?
Crewville96 said:
This will be my first samsung phone (prrviously had xperia z3 compact, og moto x, razr maxx hd, etc). What does tripping knox actually do? I know there's a counter, butbis knox still the same or is it weakened or what?
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Click to collapse
nothing really happens...
Crewville96 said:
This will be my first samsung phone (prrviously had xperia z3 compact, og moto x, razr maxx hd, etc). What does tripping knox actually do? I know there's a counter, butbis knox still the same or is it weakened or what?
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You lose the ability to pay with your phone using Samsung Pay.. but who's using that anyway when there's credit cards?
Subscribing. I really like (almost) everything about the S7 Edge. First Samsung phone I have cared for in years. If I can get a variant that allows me an unlocked BL, then it will be replacing my trusty and loved Nexus 6. On AT&T here, maybe I can snag a T-Mobile variant and use it on ATT. Will be keeping up with this thread for more info. No custom roms is definitely a deal breaker.
Yea I'm in New Zealand and just found out we get the exynos version... usually we get the international versions. This is nearly a deal breaker as I love custom roms, xposed etc which I'm pretty sure only works on snapdragon. Don't know what to do atm
You know, its funny you should say that, because I too am now at a dilemma lol. I really want the 64GB version (I will be using a 128GB SD card too), but that one isn't coming to the US where I am, and it has me wondering something. Are ALL the Snapdragon variants 32GB and the exynos 64GB? I really hope they make a Snapdragon variant with a 64GB option that will work in the US, I don't mind importing if need be. I guess we have to wait until more info is known. I plan to wait until probably april to buy anyway.
The exynos version we get here is 32gb
Ah, that puts holes into my theory then (thank God lol). Good to know.
MRDOCA said:
Yea I'm in New Zealand and just found out we get the exynos version... usually we get the international versions. This is nearly a deal breaker as I love custom roms, xposed etc which I'm pretty sure only works on snapdragon. Don't know what to do atm
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Xposed works on touchwiz http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/unofficial-xposed-samsung-lollipop-t3180960
http://www.xda-developers.com/samsung-galaxy-s6-boots-up-its-first-aosp-rom/ aosp booting on exynos, all hope is not lost.
Thanks. Support is limited though. I still don't know what to do. Not sure if I order a 820 from the states if it will even work on our networks.
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.
Back in the day all the snapdragons were rooted either before release or shortly after. It seems like now the exynos is the one devs flock too... What has changed with snapdragon that devs don't seem to like it or focus on it anymore.
2 words: Locked bootloader
Carriers need to make that good cash by locking devices down and restricting users from being free, international variants (Exynos) don't have a locked bootloader because there's no money to be made by locking people down
Basically, Exynos is the only possible platform to develop for
Yep, just another Big Brother control!
Really sucks, I recall the heyday of the Galaxy Note II and SIII, man back then there were like 200 ROM's out, Touchwiz, AOSP, CyanogenMod, etc... Root and Recovery available the first week the phones released.
And I'm talking the U.S. carrier phones too. Not just the international.
And then they all stopped after the Galaxy S4 came out. They released a firmware and locked the **** down like a Navy sub going deep. Note 3 too LOCKED. And forever the good days long gone.
Except the T-Mobile Note 5 was rooted and ROM. But that was a freak rarity.
Now root and recovery are things of dreams for Galaxy phones.
Ahhh ok. I thought locked boot loaders were a issue that only Verizon and att mandated I thought Sprint and T-Mobile didn't have those issues. Ok. I've been out of the game a while and haven't been keeping my ear to XDA like I used too, so I'm behind on a lot of stuff.... There used to be exploits a dime a dozen for locked boot loaders though. Those don't pop up anymore?
Whole reason I moved to T-Mobile two years ago, was for the unlocked bootloaders that T-Mo was famous for, even when Verizon and ATT didn't allow that anymore. The Galaxy Note 5 was their last unlocked phone, since then, the S7, and Note7 were LOCKED, and looks like the S8 is too.
Glory days are gone.
Almost like the Jailbreak scene, which has faded bad, and there's only a stable JB released maybe once a year or every 18 months.
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
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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.
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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?
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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