Develop Bugs

What if I loaded a STOCK FIRMWARE from AT&T on my T-Mobile?

I was wondering since both the AT&T and Tmobile phones are the same I could possibly flash a stock firmware from AT&T on to my T-mobile SGS III and then use an AT&T sim? I'm trying to use an AT&T sim card. Thought this might be an alternative to unlocking the phone. thanks.

I doubt that it would work
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

JoJo2211 said:
I was wondering since both the AT&T and Tmobile phones are the same I could possibly flash a stock firmware from AT&T on to my T-mobile SGS III and then use an AT&T sim? I'm trying to use an AT&T sim card. Thought this might be an alternative to unlocking the phone. thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no

Can you guys elaborate please.

NOooooo
JoJo2211 said:
Can you guys elaborate please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because you flash an att rom doesn't mean its gonna unlock the phone to use it on a different carrier. If you try that it will brick or crash. DON'T DO IT! Seriously, if you want to use it for another carrier you can request a subsidy unlock from Tmobile if you have an account in good standing every 90 days. If you bought it threw a third party try another method to get the device unlocked. Or if you bought it right out full price from Tmobile they can process the subsidy unlock request as well. Once you have your unlock code it should come with instructions or if not you can go to Tmobile.com support section for your phone the Samsung T999.

hucesar1017 said:
Just because you flash an att rom doesn't mean its gonna unlock the phone to use it on a different carrier. If you try that it will brick or crash. DON'T DO IT! Seriously, if you want to use it for another carrier you can request a subsidy unlock from Tmobile if you have an account in good standing every 90 days. If you bought it threw a third party try another method to get the device unlocked. Or if you bought it right out full price from Tmobile they can process the subsidy unlock request as well. Once you have your unlock code it should come with instructions or if not you can go to Tmobile.com support section for your phone the Samsung T999.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just curious why would it brick the phone? Both of these phones are the SAME hardware wise. Even under the IMEI sticker of my tmobile s3 it says i747..

Radios are different, kernel I believe is slightly different. Just not a good idea unless a dev specifically says its safe.

It also wont help with the unlock. Thats not ROM dependent.

Also, the phones are NOT the same. I don't know why some seem to think they must be the same. What are they basing this on? They are very similar yes, and perhaps the ROM from AT&T will work. I don't know. However, sometimes very similar phones may have some very important differences, like a kernel, radio, or one or more partition/s that may be offset by one perhaps because of some aforementioned reason. Or any combination of those. Don't assume the phones are identical because the Internet says so. If you are confident that the phones are in fact identical, then by all means, flash away. Just let us know how it turns out. It may work.
Do a "getprop" in terminal and you may note some very important differences in there, besides the device name/model, etc. Has anyone seen the ril.modem.board or crypto values from an AT&T SGSIII?

If the mount points are different, which they probably are, you copuld end uup with a very expensive paper weight unless you know how to make the needed changes to the updater-script, which you would have to hack to even flash the rom in the forst place because the ro.device props will be different.

Unlocking a phone has nothing to do with the ROM, most phones give you 10 chances to enter a correct unlock code until the phone it carrier locked with whatever carrier the phone is for.
The unlocking of the phone is usually hard flashed and if you exhaust all attempts, you have to send it in to get reflashed from the carrier.
T-Mobile will generally offer you a free unlock code after 60-90 days of a phone purchase, but that does not mean you can flash ATT on T-Mobile and vice versa.
They are on different bands and have different setups, if they were the same they would just have one phone for both carriers.

OP should try it for the lulz. Phones are SAME! XD

Chances are a repartitions flash in Odin would fix it, but i'm jot sure about that. It's just a bad idea.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Which Note II for AT&T MVNO

I currently own a GT-N7000 Note and am going to upgrade by purchasing a Note II, but I am having some trouble figuring out which exact version to get.
I tried purchasing Galaxy S III once and AT&T refused to unlock the device despite me having paid the full $699 for it. (I ended up having to return it because of this)
I have 4 requirements for the phone but can't figure out what model meets all of them. Any help or suggestions from the community would be greatly appreciated.
1. I will be using the phone on AT&T MVNO's (am currently on RedPocket).
2. I would like to have working LTE (US is 700Mhz Class 17 I believe.
3. I would like to either have the phone come without carrier modifications to the OS and without bloatware, or if that is completely non-existant at the very least have a version of the Note II that will allow me to easily load a stock ROM on it with all features (especially tethering built in), and without any loss of functionality (i.e. I don't want to deal with firmware incompatibility problems like no working LTE radio or instability or the like)
4. I will be using the phone overseas every now and then so it definitely needs to be unlocked.
Thanks guys.

none
Has anyone ordered from here?
cellgsmphones.com
Supposedly they are shipping the phones straight from Korea and it has 700 band LTE.
If so, did the phone really come with 700Mhz LTE?
The site says the specs/info came from a wiki, so I am guessing it might be all wrong.

Well if you want to use a MVNO of AT&T you wont be getting LTE, They don`t allow it, its ONLY for AT&T Contract and or Prepaid but it does not work on AT&T`s MVNO`s none of them currently.

I say just buy the ATT Note2 and try to get ATT to unlock and if not pay the $25-30 to get the unlock code from; http://www.cellunlocker.net/.
Hyelton is correct, no ATT MVNO has LTE and I read an article that ATT will be bringing LTE to GoPhone but it's at least a year out.
I have a N7100 on an ATT MVNO and I am getting 5-8Mbps down so it's not bad.
Not quite sure why someone would want to pay extra for a Korean version of a phone to use on ATT when you can just buy the ATT version and pay to unlock it cheaper. Unless your trying to get it on a dumb phone plan and are hoping that the Korean Imei never gets blocked.

gedster314 said:
I say just buy the ATT Note2 and try to get ATT to unlock and if not pay the $25-30 to get the unlock code from; http://www.cellunlocker.net/.
Hyelton is correct, no ATT MVNO has LTE and I read an article that ATT will be bringing LTE to GoPhone but it's at least a year out.
I have a N7100 on an ATT MVNO and I am getting 5-8Mbps down so it's not bad.
Not quite sure why someone would want to pay extra for a Korean version of a phone to use on ATT when you can just buy the ATT version and pay to unlock it cheaper. Unless your trying to get it on a dumb phone plan and are hoping that the Korean Imei never gets blocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its actualy cheaper to buy the N7100 than the AT&T one. AT&T is $699 plus tax. I only Paid about $600 for mine with free shipping and no tax

Non-Windmobile Note ll. Please.

Hi
I don't know if I am asking in the right place but if someone knows the answer I would really appreciate it.
I found a good deal on a Note ll that would save me a lot of money, only thing is I'm with Windmobile/Canada (which uses 1700/2100 frequency/bands and AWS network similar to T-Mobile in the USA as some of you know) but the phone isn't (works with Rogers, Bell, Fido...).
Now, I'm just dying to know, is there ANYTHING I can do to make the phone work with Wind? I've read and read and read I can't find a definitive answer. Some people selling Note ll phones on Craigslist claim their phones work with any carrier including Wind or Mobilicity. But some people say no way in hell that's possible.
So, please, can someone give me an answer to my question? Yes or no?
Thanks.

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Electroman365 said:
Hi
I don't know if I am asking in the right place but if someone knows the answer I would really appreciate it.
I found a good deal on a Note ll that would save me a lot of money, only thing is I'm with Windmobile/Canada (which uses 1700/2100 frequency/bands and AWS network similar to T-Mobile in the USA as some of you know) but the phone isn't (works with Rogers, Bell, Fido...).
Now, I'm just dying to know, is there ANYTHING I can do to make the phone work with Wind? I've read and read and read I can't find a definitive answer. Some people selling Note ll phones on Craigslist claim their phones work with any carrier including Wind or Mobilicity. But some people say no way in hell that's possible.
So, please, can someone give me an answer to my question? Yes or no?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is possible. There is an unlock method before upgrading to 4.1.2. When the Note II came out with 4.1.1, there is a method used (go to the general forums to find more about this) without rooting the device.
If I were you, though, I would not trust online purchases of the Note II. Some people claim it stolen after you buy it so they get compensation for it if they have insurance for their phone.
Sent from my SGH-T889V using xda app-developers app

Caveat emptor. There are stolen devices out there, and fraudulent sellers.
With this disclaimer out of the way, your sellers with I317Ms claiming they'll work on Wind and Mobilicity have simply applied the mod outlined in this thread which you could do yourself.
If I were to buy another Note 2 via classifieds now, I'd pick a locked I317M (I'd avoid a locked BMA3 running T889V due to its modem-related bootloop issues), flash its initial release modem with Odin, unlock, update, and apply the AWS mod. (Granted I'm using Virgin Mobile, but having AWS could come in handy stateside with a T-Mobile prepaid SIM.)

Thanks kennyglass for moving my question to the right place. I wasn't sure where to ask because I'm not a frequent user of this site.
Thanks a million to Crinkypops and Darkshado for answering my question. I appreciate that. The good news is that now I know it is possible to make the phone work on an AWS network. The bad news is I have no clue how to do any of that stuff myself. I have zero experience or knowledge in this stuff, which means l'll probably have to get someone else with the necessary expertise to do this for me.....if l can find one.
Now a couple of things, if I get a new phone (factory unlocked) and it's already 4.1.2, would it be possible to change it to the older 4.1.1 ?
Is doing all the stuff you guys told me about involve rooting or whatever? I really don't want to mess up the phone with changing all kinds of things on it because I don't want to get stuck without a phone if something goes wrong and like I said I don't know anything about this stuff.
So, what if I buy a phone that was made to work with Wind or T-Mobile, would it be possible to modify it to make it work with other companies too? I really don't know why things have to be this complicated.

You have to start somewhere, it'll take a fair amount of reading, but it can be done.
Aside from their previous Nexus models, as of writing these lines, there's no such thing as a "factory unlocked" phone for Samsung Canada. All the SIM-unlocked devices you encounter were sold through carriers, and originally locked. Some sellers might also have grey market imports that were indeed never locked, but that's beyond the scope of this discussion, since we're interested in the North American variants of the Note 2.
You can downgrade the ROM back to 4.1.1 on all Canadian Note 2 variants, although I wouldn't try it on the T889V because it's been known to cause issues. Seems like there's a bug specific to this model.
You said you didn't want to be stuck without a phone if things went wrong, how about having a backup phone? The nice thing with two Android phones is that it's easy to keep their contacts and calendars synchronized.
The downgrade-to-unlock procedure can be done entirely using official (leaked) Samsung ROM images and tools, and does not require root. Done properly it will not trip the custom flash counter.
The AWS mod uses hidden factory built-in menus with leaked (QPST/QXDM) or reverse engineered tools (NV reader-writer / CDMA Workshop / EFS Pro). Again, it doesn't involve root and won't trip the flash counter. I317Ms that have had the AWS HSPA mod applied still work with their original carriers as before.

Thanks again, darkshadow.
Quick question. How do I know if the phone is I317M or BMA3 and running T889V ? Is l317M or BMA3 written on the back (once the cover is removed)?

Electroman365 said:
Thanks again, darkshadow.
Quick question. How do I know if the phone is I317M or BMA3 and running T889V ? Is l317M or BMA3 written on the back (once the cover is removed)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can check it at the bottom of the box with the IMEI. I would advise you to actually go on the phone, though, and go to settings>about phone and then you'll see the IMEI, baseband, and model number in there. Make sure that the IMEI matches with the box. Some people steal phones and then just buy boxes so beware.
Good luck on your purchase!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

Crinkypops said:
You can check it at the bottom of the box with the IMEI. I would advise you to actually go on the phone, though, and go to settings>about phone and then you'll see the IMEI, baseband, and model number in there. Make sure that the IMEI matches with the box. Some people steal phones and then just buy boxes so beware.
Good luck on your purchase!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, crinkypops. I appreciate it and thanks for the info. If I buy a used phone I'll ask for the receipt and the box too.

Electroman365 said:
Thanks, crinkypops. I appreciate it and thanks for the info. If I buy a used phone I'll ask for the receipt and the box too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just trying to help a fellow Canadian PM me how the purchase goes.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

Thanks again, crinkypops. I will. I first have to find out if the phone the guy can get me is an i317m and I'll go from there.

Well, looks like the only option I have is to buy a used Note II on CL. My "friend" who was going to hook me up with a new phone through a buddy of his is an unreliable scum bag of a "friend" and I'm not going to bother with him any more.
So now I'm looking on CL but I'm trying not to buy any phone unless the seller has the sales receipt to make sure I'm not buying something that's stolen.However, some sellers don't want to give the receipt -although willing to show it- because it has their personal information and my question is, would the receipt have the ID # (if that's what it's called) of the particular phone printed on it? If the phone is still under warranty, would it be possible to get it repaired (if there's a need) without a receipt?
Any other advice on how to avoid getting scammed buying a phone on CL?
Thanks.

Which city are you from? I am in vancouver and might consider selling if the price is right. I have the box and receipt. Phone is rooted running x14 with wind. Its still locked though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

I don't know what the problem is. I tried to send private messages to vseslija and crinkypops but I don't think they went through.
vseslija, was your phone purchased from Wind?
---
I'm a bit confused. Some guy is telling me I need to get the T889 and not the i317m if I want to use my phone with Wind, but from the answers here and from what I see on CL that can't be correct. Am I right? He says the i317m will be slow and unstable. Speed of T889 vs i317m : 42 mbps vs 21 mbps. Any thoughts?
Thanks.

Yup mine was purchased directly from wind.
That guy is bsing you
Sent from SGH-T889v Canadian Wind Mobile

Hmm, the guy isn't completely wrong, but he's not completely right either...
The (Canadian) T889V and I317M as well as the (US) T889 and I317 are all capable of 42 Mbps DC-HSPA. The 21 Mbps numbers you might have seen are due to AT&T's HSPA network not supporting dual channel operation, unlike most (all?) Canadian HSPA networks.
The T889 and T889V work on AWS HSPA carriers like Wind, Mobilicity, Videotron or T-Mobile USA out of the box. (The T889V won't work on LTE if you decide to switch back to Robellusfivirkoo, but that's another story, and there's also a way to enable that.)
The I317 and I317M won't, but are very easy to modify in order to enable the AWS HSPA you'll need. There have been a handful of reports of flaky connections on the AWS mod thread, but the ratio is so low that I'm lead to wonder if: there's an undocumented hardware revision for which the mod won't work, their phones or cellular networks had other issues, or if those trying to apply it did something wrong along the way.
I haven't checked Kijiji or CL for phones in a while, but I do recall the T889V commanding a slight premium over the I317M at one point because they were rarer.

Thanks again guys for replying. Man this has given me a lot of headache. Get a Wind Note and get it over with or get an i317m and mod it (have someone do it for me) to get it to work with AWS? I guess listening to what you guys had to say, plus asking a local cell phone shop is making me feel confident that it IS possible to get an i317m work on the AWS without any problems. Now, I think I'm going to take my chances and look for one on CL. In the worst case scenario if for some reason it gives me a headache I'm assuming I can have the process reversed (restore it to its original system) and I'll just sell it and get me a Note that was made specifically for Wind.
To those who helped me and answered my questions, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Just noticed the i317. So I guess there's an i317 and an i317m. Did some reading but the only difference I can see is that the "M" model is for the Canadian market. Am I right? Does an i317 work in Canada just fine?

The AT&T I317 should work just fine. But, (there's always one, isn't it?) its baseband has some "annoying" limitations (RAT lock is the term you'll want to search) that prevent you from toggling between network modes easily, i.e. you can't switch it between GSM only, WCDMA only, GSM/WCDMA/LTE like you can the Canadian model. Plus there are all the import related considerations you have to keep in mind (taxes and brokerage fees), plus buying something expensive sight-unseen.
The other differences are more benign and software-related. Nothing that can't be fixed with some ROM-flashing, like non-Robellusfivirkoo CSC settings.

Darkshado said:
The AT&T I317 should work just fine. But, (there's always one, isn't it?) its baseband has some "annoying" limitations (RAT lock is the term you'll want to search) that prevent you from toggling between network modes easily, i.e. you can't switch it between GSM only, WCDMA only, GSM/WCDMA/LTE like you can the Canadian model. Plus there are all the import related considerations you have to keep in mind (taxes and brokerage fees), plus buying something expensive sight-unseen.
The other differences are more benign and software-related. Nothing that can't be fixed with some ROM-flashing, like non-Robellusfivirkoo CSC settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply and the info. I just got an i317m. Finally.

[Q] How to unlock Note 4 from Sprint

Hello:
I have a note 4 from sprint and needs to be unlocked to be used with a different Carrier
Can you please advise how to be able to do this ? additionally how can remove the sprint start up and sprint apps ?

ali.sulaiman1980 said:
Hello:
I have a note 4 from sprint and needs to be unlocked to be used with a different Carrier
Can you please advise how to be able to do this ? additionally how can remove the sprint start up and sprint apps ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
on what carrier you are planing to use it? You cannot use sprint Galaxy note 4 on domestic GSM carriers like AT&T, T-mobile and their MVNOs (Straighttalk , etc). The phone can be unlocked for international GSM use (voice and 3G only, not LTE). Internationla unlock can be done officially through Sprint or unofficially via app in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/spr...print-samsung-unlocker-unlock-sprint-t2928250

My question is how did you come across a Sprint Note 4? Did you not do your homework before acquiring the Sprint Note 4? Maybe you somehow got the phone for free? Why would somebody actually pay for a nice phone (released only a month or so ago) without knowing if it will work on a completely different network/carrier... then turn around and look for help on how to activate it on a GSM carrier? This makes no sense to me.

Im curious too.
Can a Sprint phone be unlocked and set up for use on ANY other carrier in the USA,
ie: Verizon?

No no no
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

I am pretty sure that if the phone had a clean ESN that you can activate it on Ting Mobile. I have also saw a thread where someone had flashed a T-Mobile Rom to the Sprint note 4 but they where not getting LTE of course I'm sure in time someone will come out with something stable.

tx_dbs_tx said:
My question is how did you come across a Sprint Note 4? Did you not do your homework before acquiring the Sprint Note 4? Maybe you somehow got the phone for free? Why would somebody actually pay for a nice phone (released only a month or so ago) without knowing if it will work on a completely different network/carrier... then turn around and look for help on how to activate it on a GSM carrier? This makes no sense to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Off topic here.
I came up for upgrade in June. I was gonna go Nexus 5 and then the Nexus 6 rumors started to fly. So I waited and along came the Note 4. After much research I ended up with arguably the best phone on the planet. Imo it is.

Unlock Code
I am in Canada, got this as xmas gift from my father in law

You can root and try Galaxy Tools 4 root users https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.idone.galaxymenu
Or you can use this app from the S5 thread you don't need root with this app http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2928250
Hope this helps a little
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

sliverr7x said:
No no no
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So...Sprint phones can ONLY be used on Sprint carrier here is the good 'ol U,S of A???..
if unlocked, then another Sprint user can use it.. but other carriers?? correct???
Once Sprint, Always Sprint???
thanks...

jimmbomb said:
So...Sprint phones can ONLY be used on Sprint carrier here is the good 'ol U,S of A???..
if unlocked, then another Sprint user can use it.. but other carriers?? correct???
Once Sprint, Always Sprint???
thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which question would you like answered?

xxSTARBUCKSxx said:
Which question would you like answered?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about you answer what you can. Starbucks
see. I just answered your question,
so take a stab at answering too...
even if its a wrong answer, id like to hear .
thanks

jimmbomb said:
So...Sprint phones can ONLY be used on Sprint carrier here is the good 'ol U,S of A???..
if unlocked, then another Sprint user can use it.. but other carriers?? correct???
Once Sprint, Always Sprint???
thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No
2. Customers can switch devices by calling on a different phone to CS or going into store and switch devices, no unlocking necessary.
3. Just switch Sim cards and edit and tweak where necessary or pay someone if you dont know how.
4. Correct, but no unlocking necessary.
5. That depends on the person.

Thank you for your answers

sliverr7x said:
No no no
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes yes yes it can be used with other carriers in the USA. Are people forgetting about flashing of modems and firmware. What decade are we in 1960? Our maybe 1950 when phone were still two way radios. Remember sprint can't stop everything Samsung does in making their phone. Ask the right questions to right people get right answer. If someone in XDA hasn't figured it out yet just wait & keep on looking. XDA is also not the only place to look for answers to everything Samsung, sometimes Samsung is were to look or Samsung blogs. All I hear is everyone that talks about Samsung first thing everyone says is it CAN'T be done. When are the tech, crackers, & hackers of this world going to stop saying everything is impossible & realize we are the ones that make everything possible. If we are going to do that why do we become techs or crackers or hackers or even developers in the every first place?.... LET'S STOP PUTTING LIMITS ON OU OURSELVES & SHOW SPRING WHAT WE CAN DO! Sprint is not GODZ. We created what sprint & Every carrier in the world uses to try to put limitations one everyone with. Are we going to let the carriers use or phones against us or are we going to use them the way the phone manufactures wanted the phones to be used ( without restrictions of the carriers of the world.)

after unlocking your sprint device you can only use it with carriers outside the USA. If you are planning to use it with local sim cards after unlocking like at&t and t-mobile (gsm) then you cannot.

rscooldesire said:
after unlocking your sprint device you can only use it with carriers outside the USA. If you are planning to use it with local sim cards after unlocking like at&t and t-mobile (gsm) then you cannot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm if its not under payments u can

Yep once the phone is paid for per new laws that went active in Feb or March if you ask the carrier to domestic unlock your phone they are required to do it by law. Some models this will not be possible but the note 4 should. I think the carriers have a grace period to make this available. Not sure how long. I could quote the legislation but Id have to search for it.
Sent from my SM-N910P using XDA Free mobile app

B to the S. If you can unlock a 720t a note 4 can be unlocked!! Period!! It picks up signal just no antenna for that signal because the phone antenna is tuned in the wrong station or radius degree. I think if the people who can unlock 720t s can try the same methods with busy box or Verizon modems. Like guy said earlier " Si se puede"!! It can be done!! Just need to tweak frequency angles and remove face security options a little.

By law you can have it unlocked for a limited time, but that will not make the LTE radio magically work on your carriers band unless they support the same band. Or unless you know someone who can JTAG flash the radio to another carrier as well you will not be able to use the LTE/DATA band on a carrier that does not support the frequency. This is nothing something that can be done over USB or by a new kernel. This will have to be done with JTAG and by someone who has access to the various carriers radio firmware which is tightly guarded. So basically you will be using a Note 4 on 3G only. Might as well just sign up with SPRINT then, you will get the same service speed.

Looking To Buy This Phone...Need Advice...

I am looking to get this phone and needed some advice. I haven't bought a cellular branded phone for a long while. I usually go with the USA Factory unlocked version. On this phone is the cellular named stamped on the back of the phone? I know the model for the USA Unlocked version is G820QM (with a 7 at the end at times) but it is honestly harder to find. What does everyone recommend on this phone in regards to getting the cellular branded one or should I keep trying to find the USA Unlocked version? What about bloatware with the different cellular branded ones? How is that? Can you get rid of the bloatware? I also like what I call the LG Branded ones as they get the updates faster do they not? Please help me. I am looking for a phone and this one stuck out at me unless someone suggests a different phone with similar specs to this one? Thanks so much! :good:

alias4ever said:
I am looking to get this phone and needed some advice. I haven't bought a cellular branded phone for a long while. I usually go with the USA Factory unlocked version. On this phone is the cellular named stamped on the back of the phone? I know the model for the USA Unlocked version is G820QM (with a 7 at the end at times) but it is honestly harder to find. What does everyone recommend on this phone in regards to getting the cellular branded one or should I keep trying to find the USA Unlocked version? What about bloatware with the different cellular branded ones? How is that? Can you get rid of the bloatware? I also like what I call the LG Branded ones as they get the updates faster do they not? Please help me. I am looking for a phone and this one stuck out at me unless someone suggests a different phone with similar specs to this one? Thanks so much! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unsure where you're from, but stay away from the AT&T unlocked model (my model G820UM), I'm from the UK and ordered one, big mistake, AT&T does not send any update to their phones if they are not using an AT&T SIM card in the US, some users have been successful in updating they're OS, by just using a AT&T SIM card outside of the US, some haven't and I haven't tried it, because I don't want to waste more money on a SIM card when the results are not 100% guaranteed.
There is no way of cross flashing a different ROM, so you will be stuck without updates, until someone finds a way of cross flashing a ROM from an unlocked model. I'm checking this forum regularly hoping some has found a solution, but nothing so far
If you are in the US and on AT&T then it will fine, bloatware (which is a lot) can be removed/disabled easily
Honestly, for the price I paid (£280), I think the Xiaomi Mi9 would have been a better option, similar specs, updates every 2 months and you're able to unlock bootloader, not the best process to unlock the bootloader, but still possible (just need to wait for permission from Xiaomi which could take a few weeks), you'll be missing out on the best headphone jack, better cameras (not by much) and better battery life, for a similar price I think this is the best deal for snapdragon 855 phone.
If you don't mind paying a bit more and want the same features as the G8, go for the Samsung S10.

hugoprh said:
Unsure where you're from, but stay away from the AT&T unlocked model (my model G820UM), I'm from the UK and ordered one, big mistake, AT&T does not send any update to their phones if they are not using an AT&T SIM card in the US, some users have been successful in updating they're OS, by just using a AT&T SIM card outside of the US, some haven't and I haven't tried it, because I don't want to waste more money on a SIM card when the results are not 100% guaranteed.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried updating after taking out the SIM card?

ChrisAG said:
Have you tried updating after taking out the SIM card?
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Yep no luck, I've sold the phone, I was wasting too much time trying to find a solution, so just sold it and claimed my sanity back xD
Going back to the trusty Xperia 5, timely updates and great software and they are going for around £260 so easily recommended.

That's too bad, AT&T must be interfering, because I just purchased an unlocked G8 in Canada, and it updated to 10 over WiFi, before I inserted a SIM from my carrier (Bell Mobility). Phone was not on Bell originally.

ChrisAG said:
That's too bad, AT&T must be interfering, because I just purchased an unlocked G8 in Canada, and it updated to 10 over WiFi, before I inserted a SIM from my carrier (Bell Mobility). Phone was not on Bell originally.
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Yep, this a AT&T "feature", want updates? Buy at AT&T SIM card and use it in the US, guess they don't want anyone outside the US to use their products, unsure why, but it is what it is...

hugoprh said:
Unsure where you're from, but stay away from the AT&T unlocked model (my model G820UM), I'm from the UK and ordered one, big mistake, AT&T does not send any update to their phones if they are not using an AT&T SIM card in the US, some users have been successful in updating they're OS, by just using a AT&T SIM card outside of the US, some haven't and I haven't tried it, because I don't want to waste more money on a SIM card when the results are not 100% guaranteed.
There is no way of cross flashing a different ROM, so you will be stuck without updates, until someone finds a way of cross flashing a ROM from an unlocked model. I'm checking this forum regularly hoping some has found a solution, but nothing so far
If you are in the US and on AT&T then it will fine, bloatware (which is a lot) can be removed/disabled easily
Honestly, for the price I paid (£280), I think the Xiaomi Mi9 would have been a better option, similar specs, updates every 2 months and you're able to unlock bootloader, not the best process to unlock the bootloader, but still possible (just need to wait for permission from Xiaomi which could take a few weeks), you'll be missing out on the best headphone jack, better cameras (not by much) and better battery life, for a similar price I think this is the best deal for snapdragon 855 phone.
If you don't mind paying a bit more and want the same features as the G8, go for the Samsung S10.
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Is 10 really that big a deal from 9? I have 9 on my phone i could care less if it gets 10 and I am pretty sure it wont , lol

I feel like if we have temp root then it's only a matter of time before we get TWRP and roms. I just picked up an AT&T model for $178. Not sure if it's unlocked, but fairly easy through AT&T. Just worried if we have an exploit, updating to 10 might invalidate it.
I come from PS3/xbox 360 hacking, haha.