I was thinking of getting a Google Fi phone unlocked... and it seems the best options are the Google 6 Pro or Ultra S22.
From what I can tell the S22 blows the Google phone out of the water but it has the stupid Samsung bootloader and software on it.
Can the S22 Ultra from USA/Can have the boot loader unlocked? Who's doing it and how much does it cost?
I like to run LineageOS on phones eventually and get really pissed with manufactures doing the bootloader lock.
Motorola, Google and One+ seem to be the only brands that don't suck for bootloader locks.
To my knowledge no Us S22 phone is bootloader unlockable.. I purchased mine from Samsung. It doesn't even have the OEM unlock option in developer mode..
Get the 6 Pro. The S22U is the better phone but if stock OS is not your bag, the Pixel will let you do what you want to do.
Has anyone tried using foreign (Exynos) versions of the S22 on US carriers (e.g. T-Mobile)? Are there any issues with band support?
timg11 said:
Has anyone tried using foreign (Exynos) versions of the S22 on US carriers (e.g. T-Mobile)? Are there any issues with band support?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's missing band 71 so indoor and rural coverage will suffer and 5G will drain a lot more battery since it will only be able to use the n41 with bad signal propagation properties. That's assuming you get the 908E which is the best according to cacombos.
4G/5G Bands & Combos
Check your device 4G and 5G Bands, Carrier Aggregation and Dual Connectivity Combinations here
cacombos.com
Related
Verizon just announced there low band 5G network to compete with at&t and tmobile. Will our ultra 20 support this network?
Yes. You will need a software update from Verizon to enable N5.
Verizon N20U variants already got the update for activating low-band 5G.
The unlocked variants are waiting for Samsung to release the update. Shouldn't be too long though.
TheForceUnleashed said:
Verizon N20U variants already got the update for activating low-band 5G.
The unlocked variants are waiting for Samsung to release the update. Shouldn't be too long though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope so. When called Samsung yesterday I got the huh? response. But I didn't go up the support tiers to get someone who knew what I was talking about. Does the unlocked Note20 Ultra 5G out of the box work if you happen to be in one of the select places that has UWB or does that require an update too.
Bobsacto said:
Does the unlocked Note20 Ultra 5G out of the box work if you happen to be in one of the select places that has UWB or does that require an update too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a 5G SIM card, then yes. When I used my older Verizon SIM card it wouldn't connect to 5G UWB, but once I picked up a new one from a Verizon store (that does say 5G on it), it started working on my unlocked Note20 Ultra. Incredibly fast when you have a signal...
TheForceUnleashed said:
Verizon N20U variants already got the update for activating low-band 5G.
The unlocked variants are waiting for Samsung to release the update. Shouldn't be too long though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon has a list of compatible 5G phones that will work on Nationwide 5g. On their site it says it could take weeks to a couple months to update these devices. I have a couple unlocked phones. Looks like the OnePlus 8 pro is excluded. That's messed up! Same chip set as the S20 phones. Guess I'll call and try to get a for sure answer.
I have an unlocked note 20 ultra. And am supposed to be living in an area of nationwide 5g. I'm not getting it. So I called Verizon, and tried to see if there was something that needed to change for me to get it. At 1st I was told it wasn't in my area. And then I was told I needed to wait for an update for it to happen. I'm totally confused
ptko15 said:
I have an unlocked note 20 ultra. And am supposed to be living in an area of nationwide 5g. I'm not getting it. So I called Verizon, and tried to see if there was something that needed to change for me to get it. At 1st I was told it wasn't in my area. And then I was told I needed to wait for an update for it to happen. I'm totally confused
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There will be an update pushed to your phone that will allow you to connect to Verizon's nationwide 5g. The unlock model will just take a little longer to get the update versus the Verizon model.
droidrev71 said:
There will be an update pushed to your phone that will allow you to connect to Verizon's nationwide 5g. The unlock model will just take a little longer to get the update versus the Verizon model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only question/worry I have, is, does this require a specific sim card? Such as a 5g sim card? Or does any newer sim card work?
ptko15 said:
The only question/worry I have, is, does this require a specific sim card? Such as a 5g sim card? Or does any newer sim card work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you need to get a Verizon 5g sim card. I just called Verizon and asked for one and they sent it to me for free.
I ordered one and am waiting for it to arrive.
ptko15 said:
I ordered one and am waiting for it to arrive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice.. I wish this update would get pushed to our phones already.
Deleted
I'm going to Verizon to see if I can get my 4G sim from my old Note 8 reactivated. There is 5G in this area but the signal where I'm at is marginal. It's strong enough to keep my phone from falling back to 4G but weak enough to be essentially useless. 4G was never that great around here either, but it's better than the 5G. And Verizon disabled the ability to just shut 5G off.
usmaak said:
I'm going to Verizon to see if I can get my 4G sim from my old Note 8 reactivated. There is 5G in this area but the signal where I'm at is marginal. It's strong enough to keep my phone from falling back to 4G but weak enough to be essentially useless. 4G was never that great around here either, but it's better than the 5G. And Verizon disabled the ability to just shut 5G off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious if the app called Samsung band selection would help? What I did was lock the phone to bands 2,4,5,13,66 and it would stay on 4glte+ vs the 5g.
Note 20 Ultra 5G Verizon UltraWide and NationWide 5G
It's November 29. 2020. Was there an update for the Unlocked Note 20 Ultra 5G to use either the UW or Nationwide 5G band using Verizon as the carrier?
Does Samsung's unlocked Note 20 Ultra 5G cover both Verizon's 5G UW and Nationwide signal.
Thank you so much.
History: I bought the Note 10 Plus 5G from Verizon about a year ago with the promise (I know I know) of their 5G reaching my San Diego off-skirt area within the year. Well, come to find out that my Note 10 Plus UW 5G isn't supported by their alternate 5G Nationwide. Nationwide IS in my area whereas the UW is not. So, I bought out my phone contract to get the new 5G Nationwide support, which apparently the Note 20 Ultra 5G has. I bought this from Verizon yesterday and have 14 days to decide if that was the right move. In the meantime, Samsung has a like deal with a few extras that I might want to cancel the Verizon Note 20 Ultra 5G and get Samsung's Unlocked variant. I'm wondering if the Samsung Unlocked variant will support BOTH Verizon 5G networks, being UW and Nationwide.
Have a great day!
o/
ParakeetJohn said:
It's November 29. 2020. Was there an update for the Unlocked Note 20 Ultra 5G to use either the UW or Nationwide 5G band using Verizon as the carrier?
Does Samsung's unlocked Note 20 Ultra 5G cover both Verizon's 5G UW and Nationwide signal.
Thank you so much.
History: I bought the Note 10 Plus 5G from Verizon about a year ago with the promise (I know I know) of their 5G reaching my San Diego off-skirt area within the year. Well, come to find out that my Note 10 Plus UW 5G isn't supported by their alternate 5G Nationwide. Nationwide IS in my area whereas the UW is not. So, I bought out my phone contract to get the new 5G Nationwide support, which apparently the Note 20 Ultra 5G has. I bought this from Verizon yesterday and have 14 days to decide if that was the right move. In the meantime, Samsung has a like deal with a few extras that I might want to cancel the Verizon Note 20 Ultra 5G and get Samsung's Unlocked variant. I'm wondering if the Samsung Unlocked variant will support BOTH Verizon 5G networks, being UW and Nationwide.
Have a great day!
o/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The UW 5g is already supported on the unlocked model. As of now the unlocked does not support the nation wide 5g but in the s20 forums they said that one of the betas enabled the nation wide 5g for them. So I'm sure we will get it with the next big update.
I've tried both the Verizon firmware and the unlocked firmware and i prefer the unlocked way more. If you can return it and get the extra stuff then i would do it.
Or if you want the 5g now then still get the unlocked note 20 but then flash the Verizon firmware into it.
But the best thing about the unlocked firmware is caller id on both calls and text for free. And nation wide 5g is not faster at this time so i can happily wait.
Hello, I'd buy Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra with Snapdragon chipset. But now is complicated. I don't know which one is better to buy N986U1 or N9860? I'll not root phone, even if I'll root than no problem with USA variant to unlock bootloader (xda-developers I read one thread samsung pwned). Other thing is 5G. Will it work in UK or not? I read tutorial how to enable all bands on LTE, 5G via service menu, so maybe will work. I'll be happy if FM radio works.
N9860 (TGY - Hong Kong) should work with 5G on the Three network in the UK, probably also with Vodafone. Definitely not with EE. Not much feedback about O2.
But the N9860 is getting appalling support from Samsung. No Android 11 yet and still stuck on November security updates. When updates are released they can undo service menu changes required to enable 4G+.
I can't comment on how the experience might be in the UK with the US versions, but so far I'm not impressed with Samsung and this phone. The hardware is great. The imported software support is a scandal. I would probably not risk importing again.
Thanks for repley. Maybe now doesn't makes a sense between Snapdragon and Exynos variant. Most S10 Plus, Note 10 Plus previously been imported from USA. But for Note 20 Ultra is absolutely different more from China. What is the reason for it. Because bootloader vy default can be unlocked or something specific. I'm using EE. So if 5G doesn't work I'll not worry so much.
I get up to 200 Mbps on EE with 4G+ and I'm really not sure whether the 5G coverage extends to my neighbourhood, so I'm not fussed that 5G does not work for me. I tried to find signal where it is claimed to exist and got nothing. 4G+ coverage is very good for me though, so happy days.
I don't know why it does not work. The required bands are supported and I've tested with 5G SIMs from EE, 3 and Voxi. I've contacted EE support and Samsung (UK) support and nobody gives a **** as the phone is imported.
My only real beef is the complete lack of updates. My S10+ is more up to date than this N9860. I have no idea why Samsung are dragging their feet over this specific model.
I will say this the N986U1 do get updates frequently and I'll the specs far as signals in your area
dallen5 said:
I will say this the N986U1 do get updates frequently and I'll the specs far as signals in your area
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I had Note 10 Plus with Snapdragon USA for short time and coverage was very better than with Exynos. With Snapdragon signal was perfect but with Exynos was weak and many times impossible to make calls.
Nettwerk said:
Thanks, I had Note 10 Plus with Snapdragon USA for short time and coverage was very better than with Exynos. With Snapdragon signal was perfect but with Exynos was weak and many times impossible to make calls.
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Click to collapse
Yea I had the Exynos Note 9 and the signal sucked in the US
Thanks for repley, so, I bought Note 20 Ultra USA variant.
N9860 has got Android 11 on Feb 3rd. And it is amazing.
Phone recieved and I'm happy with it. Flashed XAA U1 and no problem at all. Only for the moment is it issue on my side or phone, but ebay app doesn't work. It says:"
Try searching for something above or tap "Reload" to try again. Rest apps works without issues.
Update: I believe it was ebay issue. eBay app working now. All is perfect.
Cause I bought a exynos note 20 ultra last year off amazon and it could only get to lte but not 5g and I got it to get 5g and be able to root. So I returned it and just got a snapdragon version and just lived without root which is honestly fine btw. Will the same thing happen if I buy an exynos s22 ultra? Or can the snapdragon version be rooted this time? Pls don't yell at me if this has been asked but the search bar here is confusing and I'm baked af
tripdastati0n said:
Cause I bought a exynos note 20 ultra last year off amazon and it could only get to lte but not 5g and I got it to get 5g and be able to root. So I returned it and just got a snapdragon version and just lived without root which is honestly fine btw. Will the same thing happen if I buy an exynos s22 ultra? Or can the snapdragon version be rooted this time? Pls don't yell at me if this has been asked but the search bar here is confusing and I'm baked af
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like 5G Bands 5 & 41, that's it, if this source is accurate:
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra: Price, specs and best deals
Here you will find where to buy the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Global · 12GB · 1TB · SM-S908B, for the cheapest price from over 140 stores constantly traced in kimovil.com
www.kimovil.com
tripdastati0n said:
Can you explain what that means. Maybe explain like your doing it to a 6 year old so I understand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, not knowing which carrier you use, I don't know what else to say.... Perhaps take a look at the source the next time you're not "Baked AF".....
No ill will intended, but, if you give the site a good look, you'll be able to figure it out.
tripdastati0n said:
Cause I bought a exynos note 20 ultra last year off amazon and it could only get to lte but not 5g and I got it to get 5g and be able to root. So I returned it and just got a snapdragon version and just lived without root which is honestly fine btw. Will the same thing happen if I buy an exynos s22 ultra? Or can the snapdragon version be rooted this time? Pls don't yell at me if this has been asked but the search bar here is confusing and I'm baked af
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The most reliable way to ensure your device will support 5G is aquire your Service Provider's device.
Typically with the Exynos variants you can access root but since it's a brand new version ask a Exynos user if bootloader unlock is available in developer options. If you're going to be in US it probably won't connect.
Again typlically only the Snapdragon version from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong (SM-G9080) will offer unlocking the bootloader. If you're going to be in US it probably won't connect.
Be aware OneUI 4.1 may have eliminated bootloader unlock.
tripdastati0n said:
Thanks bud, what a gentleman I have tmobile in the US. So your saying if I get a tmobile exynos I can have 5g in the US no prob? And is snapdragon s22 ultra rootable or is it just the exynos version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile device is a Snapdragon variant, if that's your carrier and you need 5G it's your best option. The T-Mobile device, if it's the same as it's predecessor the S21 Ultra, can't be rooted. T-Mobile only sells Snapdragon variants.
My experience with a HK s21 ultra that has the same bands as exynos s21 is that 5G doesn't work in the US asot didn't have
the key 5G bands. On TMobile it sometimes says 5G as the device has one if the bands tmob uses for 5G in the US but it's phantom, and you only get 4G.
ekerbuddyeker said:
My experience with a HK s21 ultra that has the same bands as exynos s21 is that 5G doesn't work in the US asot didn't have
the key 5G bands. On TMobile it sometimes says 5G as the device has one if the bands tmob uses for 5G in the US but it's phantom, and you only get 4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I have the SM-G9980 on T-Mobile and Network Mode displays 5G but it never connects. For me 5G is close to useless and I'd rather not have T-mobile's bloatware and prefer the unlocked bootloader. Not to mention no long term carrier commitment if you're looking for a discount on a new device.
I am having trouble with 5g on my ROG Phone 5 I have verified and reverified that I have 5g coverage with t mobile, that it's turned on in the phone, and that all the imei info on my phone is right. Get 4g but no 5g. I am rather new at this so if it's obvious I'm sorry but I didn't see this in any threads I searched for so I'm at a loss.
azoth428 said:
I am having trouble with 5g on my ROG Phone 5 I have verified and reverified that I have 5g coverage with t mobile, that it's turned on in the phone, and that all the imei info on my phone is right. Get 4g but no 5g. I am rather new at this so if it's obvious I'm sorry but I didn't see this in any threads I searched for so I'm at a loss.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you in a 5g zone? Do any of your family or friends have 5g in that same area?
Even if all of that is a yes, the RoG Phone 5 only has two (out of 4) 5G bands on tmobile (n41 - 2500 and n71 - 600) so you would only be able to get 5G if the cell tower is using one of those bands in your area.
If the tower is using one of those bands and you still dont have 5G then I am at a loss. You can check tower info by using an app like "Network Cell Info Lite & WiFi" or something similar.
The 5G SA/NSA support for TMB and other US carriers are not good due to the lack of bands supported by phone itself (2 out of 4 for US variant, 1 out of 4 for EU and None for CN). had the same problem. No quick fix for it as you'll likely have to swap to a US version to be semi-fully compatible.
Sometimes you'll also need to enable SA in settings for it to have reception.
Another deep hole: even thought both regarded as WW, EU and US var actually have different supports and it's really hard to tell the diff
yurishouse said:
Another deep hole: even thought both regarded as WW, EU and US var actually have different supports and it's really hard to tell the diff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea ASUS is really weird with their versions and one of the hardest phones to figure out. Assuming OP has the US versions, he would have better luck with 5G on Verizon (5 out 7 bands). The global versions and even if you converted a CN version to WW will practically have no 5G.
I have the RoG Phone 5S Pro which has the same version issues as the regular Phone 5 and 5S. I have the US versions and use Verizon so I get pretty decent 5G service in the US.
I have an s22 Ultra from T-Mobile that is unlocked and on Verizon. Both should have amazing coverage where I live but it seems I'm getting a lot of 4g LTE and very much less 5g than I was while I was on t-mobile. Do the the Verizon and T-Mobile variant have different bands?
Nickdroid86 said:
I have an s22 Ultra from T-Mobile that is unlocked and on Verizon. Both should have amazing coverage where I live but it seems I'm getting a lot of 4g LTE and very much less 5g than I was while I was on t-mobile. Do the the Verizon and T-Mobile variant have different bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, they have different bands & VZW's 5G coverage isn't anywhere close to T-Mobile's, so, that doesn't surprise me that you aren't on 5G most of the time on VZW.
https://www.droid-life.com/2022/03/...sm-cdma-wcdma-lte-verizon-att-sprint-tmobile/
KOLIOSIS said:
Yes, they have different bands & VZW's 5G coverage isn't anywhere close to T-Mobile's, so, that doesn't surprise me that you aren't on 5G most of the time on VZW.
https://www.droid-life.com/2022/03/...sm-cdma-wcdma-lte-verizon-att-sprint-tmobile/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But my question is, are the phones themselves identical on the inside as far as the bands they're equipped with go?
Nickdroid86 said:
But my question is, are the phones themselves identical on the inside as far as the bands they're equipped with go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, they're identical.
Edit, taking a deeper dive into that, BRB....
KOLIOSIS said:
Yeah, they're identical.
Edit, taking a deeper dive into that, BRB....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Nickdroid86
It appears that they have the same hardware.
However, & I'm not sure about this, but, if you're still running T-Mobile firmware, you might want to switch to VZW's firmware, or, run the US Unlocked firmware.
Again, I'm not sure if the firmware is going to make a difference.
FWIW, I have a T-Mobile S22 Ultra on US Unlocked firmware (XAA) & I'm getting every band available in my area (on T-Mobile's network).
Hopefully, someone else in a similar situation as yours w/an S22 Ultra will chime in.
Good point. I did flash the unlocked 908u1 firmware, that was listed under TMobile though. Back when I wanted to get rid of the bloat and splash screen.
Nickdroid86 said:
Good point. I did flash the unlocked 908u1 firmware, that was listed under TMobile though. Back when I wanted to get rid of the bloat and splash screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked on this site for possible hardware (antenna) differences & it seems to indicate all US Models are identical in that regard:
https://phonedb.net/ (formerly PDADB.net & IIRC,the site is affiliated/owned/etc... by XDA).
I know there are other mfgs that have carrier-specific (VZW) models,to accommodate their flavor of 5G,but,it doesn't seem to be the case w/the S22 Ultra (appears all US Bands are supported).
KOLIOSIS said:
I looked on this site for possible hardware (antenna) differences & it seems to indicate all US Models are identical in that regard:
https://phonedb.net/ (formerly PDADB.net &IIRC,the site is affiliated/owned/etc... by XDA).
I know there are other mfgs that have carrier-specific (VZW) models,to accommodate their flavor of 5G,but,it doesn't seem to be the case w/the S22 Ultra (appears all US Bands are supported).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool thanks for that info.