Database Info

New Note 5 (Sprint) owner

I've owned a few phones, notably my long-time companion Note 4 (TMobile). Recently my office announced they're flipping our TMobile account to Sprint. We get a "new" phone but not quite cutting edge... though a Note 5 seems a nice move forward despite the loss of removable battery and extra sd-card slot. But can someone explain to me the strangely unpopulated page here compared to the Note 4's page (or even the One Plus 2 page, where actual Oreo roms are popping up like weeds)? Is it all about the Exynos chip, or Sprint, or what? There's a dearth of new development going on here compared to my other two phones and I'm baffled. Thanks....

The 920P it is not very compatible. Being just a USA phone, It doesn't get enough attention from developers*. All Note5 and S6 phones are Exynos, but the Sprint models just have poor support. And they are also 3 years old.
*The Sprint model doesn't work very well outside the Americas (continent)

cachanilla86 said:
The 920P it is not very compatible. Being just a USA phone, It doesn't get enough attention from developers*. All Note5 and S6 phones are Exynos, but the Sprint models just have poor support. And they are also 3 years old.
*The Sprint model doesn't work very well outside the Americas (continent)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that's not what I want to hear. Tell me something comforting! HAHAHAHA.
If at some stage I want to unlock the phone (say in 8 months or less when TMobile and Sprint merge) will it have all the hardware inside it to function as a TMobile or other provider's phone? Incl. LTE, wifi calling, and the rest?

shonkin said:
If at some stage I want to unlock the phone (say in 8 months or less when TMobile and Sprint merge) will it have all the hardware inside it to function as a TMobile or other provider's phone? Incl. LTE, wifi calling, and the rest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so, this being a carrier specific model it is very limited so you can't use it elsewhere. In Mexico I get LTE with the most popular carrier and some other people in Vietnam and India. You can wait to see if it works for you.

I did find this thread on sprint that discusses unlocking (domestically) the Sprint Note 5 for use as a GSM phone (TMobile, AT&T and the like). At some point it may be of use to me or someone else...
https://community.sprint.com/t5/Sam...ng-Note-5-for-Domestic-use-on-GSM/td-p/960238
I did finally get the Sprint Note 5, by the way.... first thing I noticed is that compared to my old Note 4 its battery life *sucks*. But such a nice phone otherwise, despite no switchable battery or microsd slot. (I solved the latter to a degree by getting a 64gb version of the phone).

I unlocked my Note5 via a paid service...
Hello to Everyone:
This is my first post so please don't hold it against me. Thank you in advance.
I used the unlock service of idoneapps.com. it ran $35. Opted for the debranding option as well but skipped the MetroPCS option.
My phone is no longer Sprint branded and got rid of their bloatware. TWRP with SuperSu installed and I can pull out my T-Mobile SIM out and put in an AT&T SIM in and it works seamlessly.
Get access to the hidden menu and hotspot is unlocked while I get to manually select, (if desired), WDCMA, GSM, etc... Connects at LTE and the wireless switching works great. WiFi hotspot also works great.
Couldn't be more pleased as I also can turn off anything as the package comes with an app manager. It is great not to have Facebook, Snapchat, or the Sprint crud running. No more stupid Sprint boot animation.
I am currently running a Samsung branded Nougat 920P that I had my own IMEI number generated TWRP let's me access the recovery mode and let's me flash perfectly.
XPosed is installed with, AdAway 3.3, ViperFX 6.5.0.5, YouTube ad blocker, rootcloak. Upgraded to SuperSu pro however I still haven't managed to go systemless.
I play Crash Fever so I am stupid and actually spend money that game so my Google Play code redeeming works fine. Samsung Pay won't ever work because of rooting but oh well... ACMarket, MS office mobile, the Samsung Suite of apps, and all the S-Pen features work seemlessly.
Anyways, I hope I didn't violate any rules by my posting as I love XDA as this community is phenomenal.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me as I would be glad to field any questions or facilitate details as may be needed.
Eagerly awaiting an Oreo update.
Gellybean777

Overall Compatibility in the US

Hey guys, so I was exploring purchasing a Mi Mix 3 on Aliexpress for use in the United States. However, I had some concerns about usage in the United States, especially with the international version. Could someone please tell me about their experience with this phone in the United States, including carrier signal (preferably T Mobile), any issues you've come across using this phone in the United States, and other similar dilemmas. Thanks!

Its name Global Version for a reason, so i think it will work fine all around the world, IF its a true Global Edition.
Check carefully, many seller flash the global/eu rom on CN variant and sell them as "Global Edition".

It will work internationally whether it's a global edition or not, there's no difference in the bands between the Chinese and Global variants. The software is different, however. The Chinese software works fine in the US, but you have a bit of work to do to get the Google apps on it. The other issue is if the seller is buying the Chinese variant then loading the Global software and relocking the bootloader, because if you subsequently install an official update, you will hard-brick your device. Having said that, I can't think of any reason why sellers would be bothering with that now that the Global version is readily available, at least the more reputable ones. Gearbest always clearly mark their devices on the website as either Chinese or Global. I suppose if you wanted to be absolutely sure, you could buy from a European retailer, assuming you don't want the 8/256 model. The other option, of course, is to unlock the bootloader and (optionally) install an unofficial rom, that way you also get regular Android security updates.

I would recommend spending the extra to get the 8/256 if there is any chance you are going to get a "chinese" version. The "global" version is *supposed* to have all the bands enabled on all storage/ram configurations. However, the chinese version only has full band support on the 8/256 device. It is possible that we may be able to find a way to use QXDM and stuff to enable additional bands regardless, but I wouldn't count on that. I spent the extra to get an 8/256 which now has the leaked global rom on it. The global software works great and I have atleast equivalent coverage to my work Pixel 2 XL, usually with slightly better signal levels.
I have no complaints about this device, the only thing I have noticed is it seems that the glass is not as hard on some units. I bought my wife an 8/256 device and she is not exactly gentle on her device. Her screen has no scratches, but mine has many already after about 2 months, and I'm pretty careful with my devices. And to be clear, these are light surface scratches that are only visible when tilting the device with the screen off, not something you can see with the screen on.

I have T Mobile. I get better reception on Mi Mix 3 than I got on both my Note 8 and my iPhone 7. I know this because there's a spot I park every day and the MiMix works there when the others didn't.
I got 96mbps on 4G LTE when I tested it.
Of note: I did have an original MiMix 1 and it was not good for reception. At all. But the 3 has something like 42 bands in, and it has the best reception of any phone I've had.

PWn3R said:
I would recommend spending the extra to get the 8/256 if there is any chance you are going to get a "chinese" version. The "global" version is *supposed* to have all the bands enabled on all storage/ram configurations. However, the chinese version only has full band support on the 8/256 device. It is possible that we may be able to find a way to use QXDM and stuff to enable additional bands regardless, but I wouldn't count on that. I spent the extra to get an 8/256 which now has the leaked global rom on it. The global software works great and I have atleast equivalent coverage to my work Pixel 2 XL, usually with slightly better signal levels.
I have no complaints about this device, the only thing I have noticed is it seems that the glass is not as hard on some units. I bought my wife an 8/256 device and she is not exactly gentle on her device. Her screen has no scratches, but mine has many already after about 2 months, and I'm pretty careful with my devices. And to be clear, these are light surface scratches that are only visible when tilting the device with the screen off, not something you can see with the screen on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I just want to confirm. If I buy a mix 3 in China and then flash itd to a global ROM (e.g. EU) then I should have no issues using it in the US (I'll be on T-Mobile).

There is a serious problem to me not sure if it's because of Mi MIX or TMobile combination (Los Angeles area)
Same problem on my wife's MIX 2S and my MIX 3, both official global version and latest firmware.
When the phone is on wifi, even though the mobile connection looks connected, it might have been disconnected actually.
No call and message will come through. People's calls will go to voice mail.
You will not know that until someone tell you they can't call you on the phone, or when turning off wifi suddently all missing text/MMS messages will arrive.
I'm still searching on more information on this and if some others have the same issue.
One of you friends used to have similar issues using a Samsung Galaxy on TMobile before he switched to iPhone.

Working great here in MN on T-Mobile no issues at all. I have the global edition.

It works for the most part on Verizon (a carrier which doesn't technically support it), the only issues I have are with MMS messaging (which is fixed in another thread) and my mobile hotspot which Verizon seems to be unable to turn on properly. Other than that I haven't had any issues. I would imagine on a GSM carrier like T-Mobile you would see even fewer problems, if any.

Rockmadeofrock said:
It works for the most part on Verizon (a carrier which doesn't technically support it), the only issues I have are with MMS messaging (which is fixed in another thread) and my mobile hotspot which Verizon seems to be unable to turn on properly. Other than that I haven't had any issues. I would imagine on a GSM carrier like T-Mobile you would see even fewer problems, if any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get it to work with Verizon? I entered my IMEI and it isn't compatible.

Matt0817 said:
How did you get it to work with Verizon? I entered my IMEI and it isn't compatible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you need to do is pop in a Verizon SIM card and change the APN settings and it'll work. Sometimes the SIM card won't let you change them (because Verizon locks them down), but that didn't happen to me. If that's the case, grab someone else's SIM card that has like T-Mobile, put it in your phone, add a new APN, then put the Verizon one back in and select the APN you made. I detailed the settings you need to set in these posts: _1_, _2_. If you need any additional help let me know.
Also, if you want to enable VoLTE check out this thread.

Question USA Customization on xperifirm

Hi,
I'm trying to get my Xperia 5iii vowifi working on Freedom mobile in Canada.
I want to test if they USA customization would work.
It might not, I see my XA2 H3123 had a customization for Freedom, which I know won't exist on anything newer.
I can see in xperifirm a usa customization for the 1iii with firmware 61.0.A.23.20
For the 5iii there is no USA customization but has the same firmware number.
Is there a usa customiztion on the way? Or can I download the firmware for the 1iii

It seems the phone is not out in the US yet. That’s what I’m waiting for to pick one up. I’ve seen pre-orders at US retailers saying Jan 11 is the date they will ship. So, you might find the firmware in a few weeks. I wouldn’t recommend trying to load the 1 III firmware.

Hi @Yakkosmurf ,
Thanks for the reply!
I'm really torn between trying to get this to work, and selling the device before messing around with it.
I think I'm going to give the MBN method a try

Any updates on this?
Several news articles say the 5 iii is out in USA now, but I cannot find any stores shipping or carrying it in north america (Canada)
I do find shippers selling what they call the "international version", apparently versions from Taiwan or Hong Kong.
If it turns out the "international" 5 iii is the same as the USA 5 iii and can just be reflashed to USA (I did this once with an older xperia) now the USA 5 iiithen that starts to look like a possibility…

Confusing me further the "international" XPeria 5 III is model number XQ-BQ72 and the USA model number is XQ-BQ62. No idea if there's an actual difference.

Hi @mcc111 ,
I'll tell you what's happened with mine. I bought the XQ-BQ72 and it does work on the networks here, but you can't get any of the added services like VoLTE or VoWifi (this one was important for my uses).
I tried flashing most of the roms from XQ-BQ72, but it seems the problem is there needs to be a configuration file in the modem, which basically won't exist if they haven't launched in the country (none for Canada).
I then tried flashing XQ-BQ52 which seems to be the European model, but that was even worse. The signal would connect and disconnect repeatedly, so there might be some hardware difference keeping it from playing nicely. Or, the 52 just has modem settings that don't work here. But I am not experienced enough to know which.
Because of that, I doubt flashing the 62 is a good idea. I haven't tried because I gave the phone to my wife who doesn't need the extra network features, and it'll be a headache to take back to screw around with more.
I bet since the 62 has been launched, it'll be available online eventually.

mavicanuck said:
Hi @mcc111 ,
I'll tell you what's happened with mine. I bought the XQ-BQ72 and it does work on the networks here, but you can't get any of the added services like VoLTE or VoWifi (this one was important for my uses).
I tried flashing most of the roms from XQ-BQ72, but it seems the problem is there needs to be a configuration file in the modem, which basically won't exist if they haven't launched in the country (none for Canada).
I then tried flashing XQ-BQ52 which seems to be the European model, but that was even worse. The signal would connect and disconnect repeatedly, so there might be some hardware difference keeping it from playing nicely. Or, the 52 just has modem settings that don't work here. But I am not experienced enough to know which.
Because of that, I doubt flashing the 62 is a good idea. I haven't tried because I gave the phone to my wife who doesn't need the extra network features, and it'll be a headache to take back to screw around with more.
I bet since the 62 has been launched, it'll be available online eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you discribe who you got to flash the os? I tried flahstool but it didn't recognize my 5iii, then I tried newsflasher and got stuck in a boot loop. Saw a couple people in the newflasher thread getting bootloops as well.
Do you mind share your process?

There is a solution reported as working for both Xperia 1 III & Xperia 5 III posted here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/5ii-1-5iii-volte-patch-guide-to-release-the-root.4363269/

So, can anyone confirm that they were able to Flash a Xperia 5 III US Rom with 5G working, VolLTE and Volwifi working?

teostar said:
Can you discribe who you got to flash the os? I tried flahstool but it didn't recognize my 5iii, then I tried newsflasher and got stuck in a boot loop. Saw a couple people in the newflasher thread getting bootloops as well.
Do you mind share your process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used new flasher.
Newflasher guide to install new firmware for Xperia XZ Premium, XZ1 and more | Xperia Blog
One of the most frequent questions we get asked from Sony Xperia owners is how to change the firmware. Whether that relates to upgrading/downgrading major Android versions, debranding the handset or simply changing the firmware region for faster updates. Using
www.xperiablog.net
This was a few months ago. My flashing to other firmwares for the same model worked fine, but none had the modem configurations to work with freedom. If I flashed the other model, my cellular connection wouldn't work properly.
I haven't tried the USA version, and can't as I gave the phone to my wife who doesn't need the wifi calling.

&(*) said:
There is a solution reported as working for both Xperia 1 III & Xperia 5 III posted here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/5ii-1-5iii-volte-patch-guide-to-release-the-root.4363269/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't get this to work in Canada, but I'd love to hear if anyone else got it to work.
My understanding of this method is your configuration files need to exist on some other version, which it seems mine were not.

A note, it turns out that the XQ-BQ72 (international) and XQ-BQ62 (usa) actually support different bands. The XQ-BQ62 supports more bands. You can see this on this site and some other places: https://www.phonemore.com/compare/p...xq-bq72-vs-sony-xperia-5-iii-xq-bq62/17024281
The bands missing on the XQ-BQ72 are N20, N66, and N71.
No idea whether the remaining bands are adequate for USA 5G and/or on which providers.
I eventually got a XQ-BQ62. I'm having some issues with it but I'll make a new thread for that.

Motorola One 5g Ace - retail unlocked, on Verizon?

Verizon will sell you a somewhat stripped down version of this phone, the One 5g UW Ace, with 64GB ram and 4GB rom, vs. 128/6 on the retail variant.
I'd like to get the retail unlocked version for slightly better specs and to avoid having all the Verizon crapware that becomes permanently embedded on the phone.
Does anyone have any real life experience using the retail version on Verizon? I am especially concerned with Wifi calling, as parts of my home absolutely require this feature.
Thanks for any input!

I am using the retail version on AT&T. The wifi calling works great.

jwhistler said:
Verizon will sell you a somewhat stripped down version of this phone, the One 5g UW Ace, with 64GB ram and 4GB rom, vs. 128/6 on the retail variant.
I'd like to get the retail unlocked version for slightly better specs and to avoid having all the Verizon crapware that becomes permanently embedded on the phone.
Does anyone have any real life experience using the retail version on Verizon? I am especially concerned with Wifi calling, as parts of my home absolutely require this feature.
Thanks for any input!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had the retail phone for over 6 months and it is solid in call quality / WiFi calling (I'm on T-Mo) but if pictures are important to youm it will disappoint" the camera quality is similar to a 2014 Moto G's camera.

FoneWatcher said:
I've had the retail phone for over 6 months and it is solid in call quality / WiFi calling (I'm on T-Mo) but if pictures are important to youm it will disappoint" the camera quality is similar to a 2014 Moto G's camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My interest is to have a decent phone that works with Verizon and that isn't stuffed with carrier crapware. Photos are secondary...

My Metro variant 5G Ace is currently on US Mobile's Verizon network. What I did was:
1. Input another IMEI to port my phone number because the 5G Ace isn't on Verizon's "compatible" phones list (I used an unlocked iPhone in my case)
2. Put the SIM card into the iPhone to activate the card. (My 5g Ace didn't have service right after porting, YMMV)
3. Put the SIM card into the 5g Ace
Also, I'm not able to change the preferred network type and the signal bars in the status bar change to a different design for some reason.
WiFi calling works as well.

FoneWatcher said:
I've had the retail phone for over 6 months and it is solid in call quality / WiFi calling (I'm on T-Mo) but if pictures are important to youm it will disappoint" the camera quality is similar to a 2014 Moto G's camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Fonewatcher, I am glad to find this thread as I just bought a plan through T-Mobile yesterday, and chose another Moto (the Moto One 5G Ace). Am not sure I have wifi calling, but I would like to know a lot more about this phone. I found an excellent tutorial to follow here, but I also like to find others that use the phone & service just for occasional tips if I get stuck.
For the thread topic I wanted to check and see how to get rid of as much bloatware, T-Mobile apps, ads. I don't believe I can actually make the phone "retail" because I know some apps I can't uninstall, like my last Moto G6 from Verizon. When I closed my Verizon Acct. I still was unable to uninstall the apps Verizon put on there. I found one video this a.m. here and I think it was pretty good on clearing off but if there is more I can do I would like to learn.

G0ldengirl68 said:
Hi Fonewatcher, I am glad to find this thread as I just bought a plan through T-Mobile yesterday, and chose another Moto (the Moto One 5G Ace). Am not sure I have wifi calling, but I would like to know a lot more about this phone. I found an excellent tutorial to follow here, but I also like to find others that use the phone & service just for occasional tips if I get stuck.
For the thread topic I wanted to check and see how to get rid of as much bloatware, T-Mobile apps, ads. I don't believe I can actually make the phone "retail" because I know some apps I can't uninstall, like my last Moto G6 from Verizon. When I closed my Verizon Acct. I still was unable to uninstall the apps Verizon put on there. I found one video this a.m. here and I think it was pretty good on clearing off but if there is more I can do I would like to learn.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look in the guide section here. Getting rid of TMO stuff seems to be a big part of the motivation for the writers of the guides.

jwhistler said:
Verizon will sell you a somewhat stripped down version of this phone, the One 5g UW Ace, with 64GB ram and 4GB rom, vs. 128/6 on the retail variant.
I'd like to get the retail unlocked version for slightly better specs and to avoid having all the Verizon crapware that becomes permanently embedded on the phone.
Does anyone have any real life experience using the retail version on Verizon? I am especially concerned with Wifi calling, as parts of my home absolutely require this feature.
Thanks for any input!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this phone and I use Total Wireless (Verizon). Wifi calling does not work on this phone.
jwhistler said:
Verizon will sell you a somewhat stripped down version of this phone, the One 5g UW Ace, with 64GB ram and 4GB rom, vs. 128/6 on the retail variant.
I'd like to get the retail unlocked version for slightly better specs and to avoid having all the Verizon crapware that becomes permanently embedded on the phone.
Does anyone have any real life experience using the retail version on Verizon? I am especially concerned with Wifi calling, as parts of my home absolutely require this feature.
Thanks for any input!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Question VoLTE

I hope everyone is doing well.
I am not that tech savvy, and have been having trouble getting calls on this A53 5G that I recently purchased off eBay....
Do you know if all A53 5G's have VoLTE support? I need VoLTE enabled for T-Mobile. I can only get calls when I select 3g/2g, which is no good since T-Mobile is shutting that off. When I have selected 5g/4g/3g/2g or 4g/3g/2g I can only make calls and not receive them. A circle with a backslash shows up at the signal bars icon.
Would someone be able to explain how to enable it please?
I do not have the option through Mobile Networks.
I tried to use that samsungband app, but there was no option there either.
I tried to use the *#9090# code too, and then I see what I attached in the images.
Then I don't know what to do further.
I assumed that it does support VoLTE based on Samsung's website, but I have a global version. I think it's from Taiwan.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G price in Taiwan - Phoneaqua
phoneaqua.com
Galaxy A53 5G 蜜桃豆豆 256 GB | SM-A5360ZOLBRI | 台灣三星電子
Galaxy A53 5G (SM-A5360ZOLBRI) - 透過台灣三星電子了解更多產品的功能與特色，並找到最適合你的智慧手機。
www.samsung.com
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
This mid-range phone sports a high-quality display and camera system, plus a large battery with 25W fast charging. Other features include IP67 water resistance, NFC, stereo speakers, and expandable storage.
www.phonescoop.com
Thank you for any time and help.
I think I'll be returning the phone, but if somehow I can get it to work...that would be great.

It does have volte yes. About phone > status > sim > mobile voice network type is listed as lte (which equals volte).
I'm aware some are having phone related issues supposedly with the July update. It you don't yet have the July update then it just some people have that issue then for whatever reason lol. Maybe its some sort of settings combination bug but its difficult to say.
I have seen the bars disappear but come back on display wake. But that's the extent of anything there. I receive calls just fine. Haven't updated to July update as of yet though.

Thank you, sansofmyst, for your reply.
I did go through with the July 1 update once I got the phone, but I never tested it out before making that update....
Do you know what this security update is...is the update from Samsung...is there a website that says they know there is a problem and will fix it?

qubbeenie said:
Thank you, sansofmyst, for your reply.
I did go through with the July 1 update once I got the phone, but I never tested it out before making that update....
Do you know what this security update is...is the update from Samsung...is there a website that says they know there is a problem and will fix it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can look up the update info from browsing to settings > software update > last update. That also includes a link to Samsung's update database where on Google you can use "site:" on it and ie A53 and see when all models are getting updates and their info, etc.
The updates are pulled in relation to the sim card carrier. So if you had a different carrier then it gets pulled in relation to that carrier. Its kind of weird that way with unlocked models and Samsung
So, editing as I looked into that further. The carriers do their own locked models. Samsung does the updates on unlocked but in relation to the carriers which is opposite of what one expects. Custom rom works around that where possible.
[Discussion] OTA updates for factory unlocked phones are dependent on carrier
I bought factory unlocked S9+ (SM-G965U1) phone a year ago. I always thought that software updates for unlocked phones are independent of carrier, and this was one of the advantages of owning one. However, after Pie update I was stuck with...
forum.xda-developers.com
The reports for July and A53 are scattered around. Other Samsung phones with July update also had similar if not the same issue with fixes expected in Aug update. You could ask Samsung directly. I don't know anything further.

sandsofmyst said:
You can look up the update info from browsing to settings > software update > last update. That also includes a link to Samsung's update database where on Google you can use "site:" on it and ie A53 and see when all models are getting updates and their info, etc.
The updates are pulled in relation to the sim card carrier. So if you had a different carrier then it gets pulled in relation to that carrier. Its kind of weird that way with unlocked models and Samsung
So, editing as I looked into that further. The carriers do their own locked models. Samsung does the updates on unlocked but in relation to the carriers which is opposite of what one expects. Custom rom works around that where possible.
[Discussion] OTA updates for factory unlocked phones are dependent on carrier
I bought factory unlocked S9+ (SM-G965U1) phone a year ago. I always thought that software updates for unlocked phones are independent of carrier, and this was one of the advantages of owning one. However, after Pie update I was stuck with...
forum.xda-developers.com
The reports for July and A53 are scattered around. Other Samsung phones with July update also had similar if not the same issue with fixes expected in Aug update. You could ask Samsung directly. I don't know anything further.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so so much!!!!!

Hello, im using a5360 bri Taiwan edition and it was july security patch that broke phone calls for me on Tmobile. Thankfully August security patch has fixed the issue. Im able to make phone calls and receive them on 4glte with hd voice. Haven't found the option to switch volte on or off. I will check the forums from now on, for future security updates or os upgrades with issues before installing. Have a good day or night. <;

Thank you so much for your help and suggestions about checking feedback for updates! Do you mean the xda forums?
Thanks for confirming what I thought was one of the issues since one of the Samsung representatives mentioned possible issue with update, but for other phones...and that they did not have a date for the fix at the time.
I did not get to try the new update since it was unavailable before my product return date. Sigh, so I returned it before it was too late. I got the USA version with lower ram and memory =/ It still said volte weak cell signal when using that code, but it works on 5g and call this USA version.

I mean Samsung and xda forums or any that discuss the a53 specifically.
I haven't checked that code. I get 5g almost everywhere in h-town. Now im seeing that more consistently after the update. I turn that off on the go though to gain some extra battery life. 4glte works well enough 3 to 5 bars everywhere too.
i thought about getting the unlocked US version cause of the issue too. Recent flaships start with 8gigs ram. thats my logic for getting this model and i haven't been able to fill it completely yet based on my usage no social media or gaming. Everything else i use.
Once software support 4yrs os and 5yrs security is done. I'll consider another upgrade. next patch if i see an issue on any forums with network or phone calls, I'll leave it alone. Im in awe how smooth this phone performs. upgraded from note 3 tmobile edition. Only issue for myself was the broken phone calls.