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Gray imports - bad news or not ???

Hello all,
I've just bought a Samsung Omnia i900 in the UK and have discovered that it's probably a gray import - as far as I know, a 'real' UK handset should have a version of something like i900XXHH3, but I have i900DXHH3. From what I've read elsewhere this tells me that this is a Far-Eastern phone from Singapore.
I really like the phone, but have the option to return it, pay a bit more at another supplier, and get a UK version.
What's the real deal on gray imports?
The chances of it failing during warranty should be fairly small, but if it does break is it likely that I'd have to ship it back to Samsung Singapore to get it fixed, or do you find that Samsung will fix it in your local country?
Does anyone have experience of getting a non-UK handset fixed by Samsung UK?
I'd also read that ROM updates can be a problem if the phone doesn't match the expected country from which it's supposed to come, but there seem to be plenty of posts here where people are downloading ROM updates from Singapore without worrying about what region-type their phone is.
In short, are there any problems with owning a gray import?
Thanks,
Mike

No opinions on this?

The Flag Galaxy S9 still has a call problem. Samsung is even facing a lawsuit!!!

I'm sorry for my english
Even though the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9 are considered to be one of the best smartphones on the market, it does not mean they have no problems. In the last few weeks, users have begun to complain about phone call problems. Indicates that sound is lost during the phone call, or the call is completely dropped. Since calling is one of the basic features of a smartphone, it is understandable that users are upset.
The petitioner found that sound was lost for a few seconds during a call. At the same time, the bugs appeared with a fragmentary sound that does not allow talking to the other party and requires the call to end and call again. Additionally, the user complains that the South Korean giant has removed the ability to record calls through third party software. The applicant claims that Samsung did not inform the aforementioned facts and thus deceived its customers.
The operator told the user that the problem is not related to the network but to the device software, and assured the user that Samsung is working on updating the software to solve the problem. The complainant also turned to Samsung itself, who admitted the problem and stated that two updates had been issued to correct the bugs. according to the plaintiff, none of the updates completely solved the problems.
The complainant concluded that the call problems were not due to the software, but due to the incompatibility of the processors used in the facilities and networks in Israel. However, the action does not state how the applicant reached that view.
https://samsungmagazine.eu/2018/04/25/samsung-galaxy-s9-problem-s-hovory-zaloba/

I wonder if this is just for Exynos?

Scott said:
I wonder if this is just for Exynos?
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Nope! I just got off the phone with Samsung Canada bout the same stuff. I bought the S9 Plus (G965W) yesterday and got an update last night. Ever since that update, call reliability and quality has been horrible. Samsung doesn't provide firmware downloads for Canadian models, at least according to their support line. I asked about flashing an older US model firmware for now and was told, that would void my warranty. I can't keep the phone with poor call quality and regularly drops calls! We shall see what their service center says tomorrow. If I don't like it, it's going back to the store I bought it from!

jcsww said:
Nope! I just got off the phone with Samsung Canada bout the same stuff. I bought the S9 Plus (G965W) yesterday and got an update last night. Ever since that update, call reliability and quality has been horrible. Samsung doesn't provide firmware downloads for Canadian models, at least according to their support line. I asked about flashing an older US model firmware for now and was told, that would void my warranty. I can't keep the phone with poor call quality and regularly drops calls! We shall see what their service center says tomorrow. If I don't like it, it's going back to the store I bought it from!
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Wow, that sucks. I cant believe Samsung would push out something like that.

Scott said:
Wow, that sucks. I cant believe Samsung would push out something like that.
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I am pretty disappointed with them also. The phone was fine the first day. After the update to ARC1, I have more than half of my calls dropped from today dropped. The call quality is a very noticeable difference as well. It was great the first day I had it. HD Voice (VoLTE) worked, people sounded crystal clear, and calls maintained LTE. Today, people sounded muffled at times and the call quality at best, sounded like there was no treble or bass to it at all. People sounded flat and bland, including background noise.

jcsww said:
I am pretty disappointed with them also. The phone was fine the first day. After the update to ARC1, I have more than half of my calls dropped from today dropped. The call quality is a very noticeable difference as well. It was great the first day I had it. HD Voice (VoLTE) worked, people sounded crystal clear, and calls maintained LTE. Today, people sounded muffled at times and the call quality at best, sounded like there was no treble or bass to it at all. People sounded flat and bland, including background noise.
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Holly crap. I would be pretty irate. I just checked my software version and I am on ARBG. This is the latest for Verizon in the US.
I just hope they dont push whatever it is you got to our phones.

No issues here at all AT&T S9 Plus April patch I'm on ARD3.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S9+ using XDA Labs

Canadian models are usually slow to get updates. I left the service center a message last night. They should call back around 10 this morning, eastern time. A user in another thread also managed to find a link to the previous Canadian firmware. Once that downloads, I can at least force the phone back but I am probably going to try flashing the U1 first, then T-Mobile firmware. If that works, I will leave it with that.

I rooted and updated the modem to ard4 on my s9+. Now it's just awesome no call drops and I could also record audio directly from my phone app. See the screen shots

Venom0642 said:
No issues here at all AT&T S9 Plus April patch I'm on ARD3.
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Gonna take May Patch ARD9 for AT&T S9 Plus is out will update later.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S9+ using XDA Labs

bump for interest (including whether the newer modem software will still block my USB microphone/headphones connected via OTG).

From what I could find about this issue. It seems to only affect the multi-carrier models with generic regional firmware. There is a video on YouTube of a guy that had issues with his S9+ on T-Mobile that he bought from BestBuy but the T-Mobile version worked fine. My Canadian unlocked version (G965W) had issues with 1ARC1. After flashing it to U1 and then to the T-Mobile carrier firmware. Everything is all good.

Call issues
Hi
Same problem for us in Europe too I myself have returned 2 x S9 (both dual sim) and 1 x S9+ (single sim) for the exact same issue. Samsung won't officailly admit the fault and just keep replacing handsets! Some people are on their 7th handset with the same problem. I returned mine and will buy it again once this issue is resolved.
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S9-S9/S9-speaker-phone-cutting-out-on-call/td-p/451835

Telstra V50

I bought a V50 here in the UK that was originally sold by the Australian network Telstra, The phone works fine but I didn't know before I bought it that Telstra V50's have not yet been updated to Android 10.
Is it at all possible to change the firmware so I can get Android 10 quicker ? Not changed any firmware before but if someone has a idiot's guide lol
Thanks

No...
Same boat over here in Oz...

Thanks for the reply, That's a shame the phone is nice but I am a bit concerned about the security updates are still saying October 2019.
Might have to sell and go for a S20 instead.

S20 is trash. Compared to this phone

guytano86 said:
S20 is trash. Compared to this phone
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Says someone ho has the benefit of being upgraded..
Seriously, still on Android 9 and security patch is October 2019...
No Android 10 in sight and LG passing the buck back to Google saying they haven't released the OTA to us here in Australia yet.
Hardware might be good but the software support is straight down the toilet. Honestly, this was supposed to be a flagship device, I've had $200 phones with better support, LG should be ashamed...

Android 10 has FINALLY been released for Australian V50's...

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G Security Updates

Hi,
I had purchased the Korean version of the Z fold 2 SM-F916N here in the UAE, its PDA is F916NKSU1ATK1 and CSC is F916NOKR1ATK1, yes it SK Telecom carrier tagged, but i can use with local service provider Etisalat without any issue except for Samsung Pay, what i wanted to know is why its still showing the October 2020 security patch as the latest, anybody having the same model got the November or December security patch?
Also will there any issues if I flash the phone to UAE CSC (XSG) from the current Korean CSC (KSU) ?
Thanks

Hi, I'm in the US. I have an unlocked, direct from Samsung Fold 2. I'm still on the Nov security patch. Samsung's time line for Android 11/One UI 3.0 update is Feb 2021. My guess is, I will get the December and Jan patch later this month. I would anticipate you getting those updates as well. Your updates may take a little longer only because it is carrier branded and so there is yet another chef in the kitchen, so to speak.
*Not sure about the flashing, sorry.

How can you still be on November security update living in USA? I have unlocked Fold using on AT&T network and I have December security update already since December 19, 2020?

atvxda said:
Hi, I'm in the US. I have an unlocked, direct from Samsung Fold 2. I'm still on the Nov security patch. Samsung's time line for Android 11/One UI 3.0 update is Feb 2021. My guess is, I will get the December and Jan patch later this month. I would anticipate you getting those updates as well. Your updates may take a little longer only because it is carrier branded and so there is yet another chef in the kitchen, so to speak.
*Not sure about the flashing, sorry.
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Thanks for your reply, yeah I get what you are saying with "another chef in the kitchen", carriers take their own sweet time pushing the updates, they have their own schedules as opposed to Samsung's monthly updates for premium flagships, was hoping it would be different with the Z Fold 2, being also an expensive phone.

r10f said:
Thanks for your reply, yeah I get what you are saying with "another chef in the kitchen", carriers take their own sweet time pushing the updates, they have their own schedules as opposed to Samsung's monthly updates for premium flagships, was hoping it would be different with the Z Fold 2, being also an expensive phone.
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Same. I'm a little confused by their timing with updates, however take as long as you need if it's going to ensure a good experience. Cheers

carlitos66 said:
How can you still be on November security update living in USA? I have unlocked Fold using on AT&T network and I have December security update already since December 19, 2020?
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I have an unlocked galaxy fold 2 on tmobile and I already had t
r10f said:
Thanks for your reply, yeah I get what you are saying with "another chef in the kitchen", carriers take their own sweet time pushing the updates, they have their own schedules as opposed to Samsung's monthly updates for premium flagships, was hoping it would be different with the Z Fold 2, being also an expensive phone.
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I also have an unlocked galaxy fold 2 on tmobile and I already had the December update as well.

carlitos66 said:
How can you still be on November security update living in USA? I have unlocked Fold using on AT&T network and I have December security update already since December 19, 2020?
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Depends where you buy it. The non carrier unlock receives updates last. Which why we still on Nov update. Once all carrier are approved we get pushed the update.
(SM-F916U1)
Notify Update

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?
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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.