Question Best Firmware for USA (G996b) - Samsung Galaxy S21+

I'm looking for the best firmware to run on the model G996b for the USA. I'm not getting 5G using Verizon or T mobile. I'm getting mixed messages doing research on if changing firmware can enable network bands or not and even I got the phone, it mentioned supporting n71 for 5g and that's the band my area mostly uses. So even if that specific band isn't built into this model, what would be the best firmware to run to use in the USA?

G996b does not officially support 71.
1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-G996B

Related

Using European version in the US?

Hello,
I'm a European living in the US but also spending my time quite a bit in Europe. Therefore I want the dual sim version of the S10e.
Now I'm wondering how bad will it be using the European version in the US in terms of carrier support, reception, functions like WiFi-Calling etc?
As far as my research got me I found that the EU version is called SM-G970F and supports these LTE bands:
1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 17(700), 20(800), 28(700)
Compared to factory unlocked US version:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71
The US carriers use these LTE bands (bold for main usage):
T-Mobile: 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71
Verizon 2, 4, 5, 13, 66
I guess that implies that for instance Verizon is not really usable at all and for T-Mobile I'd only have sort of half the network. Is this correct?
Is there anything else I need to consider before buying?
Thanks guys!
Floppy1009 said:
Hello,
I'm a European living in the US but also spending my time quite a bit in Europe. Therefore I want the dual sim version of the S10e.
Now I'm wondering how bad will it be using the European version in the US in terms of carrier support, reception, functions like WiFi-Calling etc?
As far as my research got me I found that the EU version is called SM-G970F and supports these LTE bands:
1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 17(700), 20(800), 28(700)
Compared to factory unlocked US version:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71
The US carriers use these LTE bands (bold for main usage):
T-Mobile: 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71
Verizon 2, 4, 5, 13, 66
I guess that implies that for instance Verizon is not really usable at all and for T-Mobile I'd only have sort of half the network. Is this correct?
Is there anything else I need to consider before buying?
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using international version in the US for two weeks now, with Ultramobile (T-Mobile MVNO). I live in NY/NJ area and didn't experience any problems with reception, call quality on network speeds. WiFi Calling works great. On one hand I noticed that S10e shows less 'signal strength bars' than my previous phone (ZUK Z2), but on the other with Samsung I get some reception in placed where Z2 could not connect.
The only problem I've had are delayed notifications when screen is off (or even when app runs in the background). I didn't get notification when someone was calling me on WhatsApp, Signal or Messenger Lite. Only after couple minutes a missed call notification appeared. Turned off battery optimization and memory usage checking for those apps, but that didn't help. Searched the internet and many people have the same problem with Android in general (e.g. my wife experiences same issue with her Nokia 7). One thing that solves the issue is having a permanent VPN connection. I have NordVPN subscription and after turning it on all notifications appear immediately.
Floppy1009 said:
Hello,
I'm a European living in the US but also spending my time quite a bit in Europe. Therefore I want the dual sim version of the S10e.
Now I'm wondering how bad will it be using the European version in the US in terms of carrier support, reception, functions like WiFi-Calling etc?
As far as my research got me I found that the EU version is called SM-G970F and supports these LTE bands:
1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 17(700), 20(800), 28(700)
Compared to factory unlocked US version:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71
The US carriers use these LTE bands (bold for main usage):
T-Mobile: 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71
Verizon 2, 4, 5, 13, 66
I guess that implies that for instance Verizon is not really usable at all and for T-Mobile I'd only have sort of half the network. Is this correct?
Is there anything else I need to consider before buying?
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the SM-G970F with North American CSC but it is TPA (Panama).
I use tmobile and I get LTE+, wifi calling works, Volte (video calling works, HD calling works.
Only thing unfortunately that doesn't work is the "Caller ID and Spam Protection" in call settings. Anyone have a CSC they use that Caller ID and Spam Protection feature works?

Question How can I enable n78 band 5G on my US variant device?

I just got an SM-G996U1 US variant snapdragon 888, however, it does not natively support n78 band 5G that is used in my country, is there anything I can do to enable it?
I have tried the revice menu but it is to no avail.
csc is XAA.
Thank you for lending your time.
Thelese said:
I just got an SM-G996U1 US variant snapdragon 888, however, it does not natively support n78 band 5G that is used in my country, is there anything I can do to enable it?
I have tried the revice menu but it is to no avail.
csc is XAA.
Thank you for lending your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mate
I am afraid not , that band is available only on the exynos models and to the
SM-G9960
SM-G9968Snapdragon 888China
Hong Kong
Japan2G GSM: GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900
3G WCDMA: B1(2100), B2(1900), B5(850), B8(900)
4G LTE: Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G: Bands n1, n5, n41, n78, n79
But i doubt you can flash a G9960/8 firmware into a US variant
Which country are you from Australia?
MAX 404 said:
Hi mate
I am afraid not , that band is available only on the exynos models and to the
SM-G9960
SM-G9968Snapdragon 888China
Hong Kong
Japan2G GSM: GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900
3G WCDMA: B1(2100), B2(1900), B5(850), B8(900)
4G LTE: Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G: Bands n1, n5, n41, n78, n79
But i doubt you can flash a G9960/8 firmware into a US variant
Which country are you from Australia?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I somehow made it work by playing around on the service menu.
Thelese said:
I somehow made it work by playing around on the service menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great
You should explain how you did it , so other can benefit from your finds
Probably really not enabled.
Thelese said:
I somehow made it work by playing around on the service menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
n78 frequency activation successful on g996u1?
Is that possible?
MAX 404 said:
Hi mate
I am afraid not , that band is available only on the exynos models and to the
SM-G9960
SM-G9968Snapdragon 888China
Hong Kong
Japan2G GSM: GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900
3G WCDMA: B1(2100), B2(1900), B5(850), B8(900)
4G LTE: Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G: Bands n1, n5, n41, n78, n79
But i doubt you can flash a G9960/8 firmware into a US variant
Which country are you from Australia?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I somehow made it work by playing around on the service menu..
whitemilk_kor said:
n78 frequency activation successful on g996u1?
Is that possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am still doing some research on why 5G is showing up.
Limeybastard said:
Probably really not enabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tested the speeds with a local device that supports n78 band and it is at par. I am also baffled with what is happening.
Thelese said:
I somehow made it work by playing around on the service menu..
I am still doing some research on why 5G is showing up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you reveal your valuable solution here?
I also need n78 frequency unlock
Please tell us how you did it
Probably he has done it on Android 11 where the service menu was accessable
Now, there is no valid solution yet to activate or access to service menu on Android 12
Same issue I also need a solution. Android 12 unfortunately

Question Network Bands

If i bought a snapdragon version of the S22 ultra from Hongkong or US, will its network bands work in middle eastern countries like Lebanon? how can i check on that?
Also I found this model of the phone SM-R908N and wonder if it could work on the network bands of Lebanon. Any thoughts on this issue I'd really appreciate it.
Oh, one more thing, will i encounter any firmware-related problems too? considering the different firmware models.
Easy to check....go to Alpha, see devices they sell, check specs
Alfa | Lebanon's first mobile network
Alfa is Lebanon’s first mobile network, managed by OTMT. Browse Personal, Business & Broadband offers as well as a wide range of devices & accessories.
www.alfa.com.lb
it uses
FDD LTE Bands: B1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32
TDD LTE Band: B38
UMTS Bands: 1, 3, 8
LTE CA UL Bands: B7+B7, B38+B38
>>>bands 7 & 38 are main there
so now go to gsmarena
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G - Full phone specifications
www.gsmarena.com
see specs
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - SM-S908B
So s22 ultra should work as it supports Band7 and Band 38 as Alpha provides, if no special locks at network, your s22 ultra shoulbe fine (max download speed are unknow)

Question S22 Ultra: Is The Trade-off Of Getting Call Recording In The US Worth It?

I could really use some help and advice on a subject I've spent countless hours trying to research. I live in the US and just bought the S22 Ultra without fully understanding what I now know, that the Call Recording feature - which I must have - is entirely disabled on the native "U" and "U1" variants sold in the US.
Why Samsung does this when recording is predominantly legal in most states is beyond me. And why someone hasn't yet figured out how to hack the software to turn it on everywhere is a shame, but this is where we are now, and so I am trying to find a practical workaround.
I have been using Skvalex Call Recorder for years on other phones with mediocre results because of its inability to properly record the audio from the other side of the call with the microphone, so when I heard that this Samsung phone allowed native, actual call recording, I jumped at the chance to get my new S22 Ultra.
Boy was I wrong, because that's when I realized that the CR feature is enabled in only a handful of countries, not the US, and that the only solution short of rooting the phone is to change the CSC code Samsung uses to identify which country-based phones are permitted to use the CR feature.
Okay, I thought, that's a great solution, but boy was I wrong again!
Well, that sounded easy enough until I learned that you can only change the CSC code on a phone designated for the same region as the country, in this case either the "B" variant (for Ukraine) or the "E" variant (for India and all the remaining CR-permitted countries), but definitely not the "U" version I now own.
It quickly became clear that no US phone can ever have CR without rooting, and beyond the complicated process of rooting an S22 Ultra for most, not only does that step void your warranty and completely disable the Samsung Knox functionality which breaks many apps, it also disables all future OTA updates, and you lose most of the trade-in value after Samsung charges you hundreds of dollars for a new motherboard once the Knox fuse chip is tripped. So, rooting is really not a great option for the normal user who wants to trade in every year or two, and doesn't want to hassle with having to manually apply updates every month.
Okay, I said to myself, the only other alternative is to bite the bullet and buy one of the "B" or "E" variants from overseas and then change the CSC ode, which sounded like a perfect solution (setting aside the need to buy another phone) until I discovered that the US and International versions of the phone actually have slightly different specs, and this is where it all comes down to - and I really need some help with this! - whether the International version will even properly work in the US at all.
Well, I'm sure at least the "E" version with the same Snapdragon chipset as the US version will work, but the question is will it work well, will it work as well as the US version for everyday use, not for someone merely traveling to the US and is happy just making a connection??? What will I lose in either speed or connectivity on the AT&T network?
The issue seems to be that the two variants operate on slightly different bands, as you can see below. There is a fairly large amount of overlap between the two sets of bands, but from what I can tell the main difference that could/would affect performance is the lack of any 5G mmWave connectivity on the International variant.
Now, I have zero knowledge about most of this, and from what I can read in most cases mmWave is not all that useful, but again, the issue is whether getting call recording on my phone is worth the trade-off of not having the most complete set of available bands on my phone?
If I could ask you good folks to give me your best advice as to what is else is actually missing from the list below on the International specs that would affect everyday performance?
ANY HELP WITH THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!
S22 ULTRA - US VARIANT
GSM MHz band Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G network CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
Primary 4G network LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71)
TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48)
VoLTE
Primary 5G network SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71)
mmWave (260, 261)
Primary data network GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, 5G SA/NSA, 5G NR
Secondary 2G network GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Secondary 3G network CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
Secondary 4G network LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71)
TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48)
VoLTE
Secondary data network GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, 5G SA/NSA, 5G NR
S22 ULTRA - INTERNATIONAL "E" VARIANT
GSM MHz band Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G network GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
Primary 4G network LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66)
TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41)
VoLTE
Primary 5G network SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78)
Primary data network GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, 5G SA/NSA
Secondary 2G network GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Secondary 3G network UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
Secondary 4G network LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66)
TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41)
VoLTE
Secondary data network GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, 5G SA/NSA
I'm no telco expert & not in the US, but I think you should be largely good with the E variant on 4G/LTE. If you need 5G, you may need to choose a provider who provides the widest assortment of bands. Moreover it seems the E variant supports far more bands than the US variant. You may check here:
5G bands cheat sheet: Verizon vs AT&T vs Sprint vs T-Mobile vs World
What 5G bands are used by the major carriers in the USA? What 5G bands does Verizon use? What about AT&T's 5G bands and the 5G bands that Sprint and T-Mobile employ...
www.phonearena.com
US 5G Bands Cheat Sheet: Verizon vs. T-Mobile vs. AT&T
A complete list of US carrier 5G bands, 4G LTE, and 3G for Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and US Cellular. 5G mmW, low-band, mid-band, Sub-6.
www.droid-life.com
If for some reason you are not satisfied, you may sell off the phone on Swappa etc. There are plenty of buyers interested in international variants as well.
I've traded in 2 rooted phones in the past and both recd full trade in value, $800 with no issues. However I do agree with your main point that it sucks that the US variants are absent call recording.
Just use Skvalex. It records fine on my unlocked NA s22u on AT&T. Even records wifi calls and VOLTE calls. Only one side on Bluetooth though.
Shadoe_Lance said:
Just use Skvalex. It records fine on my unlocked NA s22u on AT&T. Even records wifi calls and VOLTE calls. Only one side on Bluetooth though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link? Didn't see it in the playstore..
dj24 said:
Link? Didn't see it in the playstore..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There arent any call recorders in the play store that work correctly due to new Google policies. You will have side load it.
[Android 4.0+] Call Recorder - SKVALEX, record phone calls from the phone line
Call Recorder - SKVALEX version: 3.5.5 Last update of the app in this post: 21.02.2023 Download Purchase over PayPal/AliPay via website: https://callrecorder.skvalex.com/purchase Description: Call Recorder - SKVALEX is intended for automatic...
forum.xda-developers.com
what's wrong with installing a 3rd party recording app?
Callapp Contact record perfectly on USA or unlocked s22 ultra

Question SM-S908B/DS Enable all bands like US based model?

Been here about 5 years at XDA, mostly just a lurker from time to time. I found it very interesting about enabling additional base for the US bands S22.
I bought the UK version at launch, wanted the dual SIM and eSIM as well, as I travel often around Asia and previous dual SIM models were extremely handy.
Here in Japan, 5G is very strong, hitting 900+Mbps when I hit a band that my phone supports, however the bands allocated for 5G in Japan are the 3.7 GHz band (n77, n78), the 4.5 GHz band (n79), and the 28 GHz band (n257). n77, n78, n79 and n257 (NTT Docomo).
The UK model supports 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78- so I am missing the n79, and n257 which has the best coverage here in Japan.
I would appreciate any feedback you may have, I have tried the US model instructions in the other posts, however I can't get into that service menu dialing the short code.
Many thank in advance. Wes
I'm on S9080 and would love to know as well...

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