Hardware differences between S7 & S7 Active / flashing S7 firmware - Samsung Galaxy S7 Active Questions & Answers

Does anyone know how much of the hardware (aside from the obvious exterior stuff & battery) is different? Mainly interested in the radios. I'm with Sprint but really interested in the S7A's durability and larger battery and there is one on Craigslist in my area for $150. With the normal S7, from what I've heard from other XDA threads, all the US versions are the same hardware wise and you can use Odin to flash the firmware of any US model onto any other US model and everything would work (example, flash G930P firmware onto a G930T to get sprint service or G930U firmware to switch between sims at will.)
So what happens if someone flashes another carrier's S7 firmware on the S7A?

NONE of the other S7 firmwares work on our S7Active(G891A)
not even the Qualcomm S7 variant will work, thinks its mainly due to button layout, which i presume changes things on touch screen too ? ..
so registers must be different etc plus sim/mem tray is in dif place remeber so there must a few hardware differences in there.. thus dif firmware ..
althou the underlying hardware is the same, and you probably 'could' port it, but thats not easy ! ..
PLUS .. there is only ONE firmware variant for the S7Active, and thats from AT&T ! as its an exclusive to them... (or is the rumor right its on Bell Cananda ? althou thats just a offshot of AT&T isnt it ??)
there isnt even a Simfree none branded S7active either !
but once carrier unlocked, it does work worldwide it seems

Related

what the different between the HTC's

hii guys ,,
im going to buy the HTC m8 next week
i'v seen many type of version of the phone
like AT&A , Verizone , Sprint , Google Edition
so anyone can tell whats the different between them if there any !!
thank you
I believe the hardware is the same on all M8 variants (apart from the dual SIM ones) so all the differences lie in the software side.
AT&T, Verizon and Sprint will have a few differences to each other due to the bloatware they decide to add in.
The Google Play Edition (GPE) is running vanilla android rather than Sense (the same as Nexus devices). As they're Google devices, they'll get updates quicker than the other M8 variants (just slower than Nexus).
There's the developer edition which runs Sense but comes with an unlocked bootloader and will get updates quicker than the other Sense M8's, but not as quick as the GPE.
Then finally there's the Windows M8. This is simply running Windows 8.1 (I think) instead of Android.
It would help to know what region you are located in.
Some of the US carriers (Verizon, AT&T) have their logo on the phone, so you might not like that. And there is some difference in the colors available (for instance Verizon has red, Sprint Harmon Kardon edition has black back and sides with gold front). Other than those minor cosmetic differences, the hardware is identical, from what I understand.
Band compatibility is different on each carrier version, but is software based and can be changed by installing the proper radio (S-off required, which will probably also require sunshine s-off, which costs $25 US).
And as mentioned, the only other difference is the stock ROM, which for US carriers will have their own carrier branding and (tons of ) bloatware. Again, easily changed with unlocked bootloader or S-off.
redpoint73 said:
It would help to know what region you are located in.
Some of the US carriers (Verizon, AT&T) have their logo on the phone, so you might not like that. And there is some difference in the colors available (for instance Verizon has red, Sprint Harmon Kardon edition has black back and sides with gold front). Other than those minor cosmetic differences, the hardware is identical, from what I understand.
Band compatibility is different on each carrier version, but is software based and can be changed by installing the proper radio (S-off required, which will probably also require sunshine s-off, which costs $25 US).
And as mentioned, the only other difference is the stock ROM, which for US carriers will have their own carrier branding and (tons of ) bloatware. Again, easily changed with unlocked bootloader or S-off.
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Click to collapse
Software wise theres carrier bloatware on each device. But hardware wise the Verizon / Sprint ones have an added CDMA chipset and from what ive read they are different from the GSM units hardware wise.
Blowing a GSM rom into a CDMA unit will brick it, or so ive read.
IAmSixNine said:
hardware wise the Verizon / Sprint ones have an added CDMA chipset and from what ive read they are different from the GSM units hardware wise.
Blowing a GSM rom into a CDMA unit will brick it, or so ive read.
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Click to collapse
I thought and had heard the same as well (hardware difference between CDMA and GSM M8's). But several folks here have strongly claimed otherwise, that the radio difference is still in software; and that all M8's are the same hardware-wise aside from the dual SIM M8. So I'm not really sure what to believe.
That being said, the OP should probably get the version offered by their carrier, or intended for their region. Even if it can be "converted" by software, it just makes for less steps and less hassle. Unless there is some strong reason to do otherwise, like a much lower price.
IAmSixNine said:
Software wise theres carrier bloatware on each device. But hardware wise the Verizon / Sprint ones have an added CDMA chipset and from what ive read they are different from the GSM units hardware wise.
Blowing a GSM rom into a CDMA unit will brick it, or so ive read.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
redpoint73 said:
I thought and had heard the same as well (hardware difference between CDMA and GSM M8's). But several folks here have strongly claimed otherwise, that the radio difference is still in software; and that all M8's are the same hardware-wise aside from the dual SIM M8. So I'm not really sure what to believe.
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I'm not too sure about this either. I've seen a lot of people saying they have the same hardware and seen a lot of people saying CDMA have different hardware.
KidCarter93 said:
I'm not too sure about this either. I've seen a lot of people saying they have the same hardware and seen a lot of people saying CDMA have different hardware.
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Click to collapse
And I haven't actually seen any definitive evidence for either case.
Looking at specs, both (GSM and CDMA versions) use the same chipset (Qualcomm MSM8974AB). I would think if there was a difference due to CDMA, it would have a different chipset number. But that's just a guess.
OP should stick to the version that matches their carrier (GSM versus CDMA) to be safe.
redpoint73 said:
And I haven't actually seen any definitive evidence for either case.
Looking at specs, both (GSM and CDMA versions) use the same chipset (Qualcomm MSM8974AB). I would think if there was a difference due to CDMA, it would have a different chipset number. But that's just a guess.
OP should stick to the version that matches their carrier (GSM versus CDMA) to be safe.
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I actually thought the most "obvious" difference in hardware was the actual circuitry itself. They use similar components etc but the way it's "wired" is a bit different, but I don't recall where I got that info from
BerndM14 said:
I actually thought the most "obvious" difference in hardware was the actual circuitry itself. They use similar components etc but the way it's "wired" is a bit different, but I don't recall where I got that info from
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It would be great if you could link the source, it would settle this debate.
So you mean the copper trace/tracks between components on the board are different? I would assume that some of components and/or the layout is also different, otherwise why have different trace paths?
The following teardown shows the layouts of the Verizon PCBs, but I can't find similar into for the GSM version to compare it to:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/HTC+One+%28M8%29+Teardown/23615
Anandtech actually has a great write-up on the differences between the various models.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7893/the-htc-one-m8-review
Specifically, the chart on the supported bands is useful.
Thanks for the help guys
I think all the versions supported here with operator, im located on Israel for now
If there is no hardware different is it possible to flash a firmware from Google edition HTC to another versions?
So I dont have to wait too long for updates
Thanks again
sparxx4 said:
Thanks for the help guys
I think all the versions supported here with operator, im located on Israel for now
If there is no hardware different is it possible to flash a firmware from Google edition HTC to another versions?
So I dont have to wait too long for updates
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main difference in GSM version is the frequency/band it uses for 3G/LTE.
Everything about the GSM version is the same except for each have different frequencies enabled.
So find out in Israel what cellular company you will be using and what frequencies their 3G and what LTE band if any. Then you'll be able to pick which m8 is right for you.
jshamlet said:
Anandtech actually has a great write-up on the differences between the various models.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7893/the-htc-one-m8-review
Specifically, the chart on the supported bands is useful.
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Click to collapse
what ever model its a amazing phone .
It is amazing indeed
It seem im getting the Gunmetal version
Any ideas about it!?
When an update roll out for HTC Google edtion is it possible to flash it on my phone after unlocking bootloader?
Thanks
sparxx4 said:
It seem im getting the Gunmetal version
Any ideas about it!?
When an update roll out for HTC Google edtion is it possible to flash it on my phone after unlocking bootloader?
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Click to collapse
Gunmetal finish is available for a great many versions/regions, so telling us that alone doesn't say much.
But GPE full conversion is possible with unlocked bootloader and I think S-off also.

Clove SM-960F Exynos root on AT&T

I'm leaning towards a new phone after one of my beloved S6 edge logic board went bad all of a sudden. I have a backup S6 edge but I'm concerned this one will one day give out too. This is not a root debate I want to keep root for various reasons.
Question is for those who are using an unlocked and rooted international version 960F on ATT, what features are not working, lack radio bands (i believe 30 and maybe more depending on source) missing is affecting your daily usage. Wifi Calling/Video calling. etc
Bands S9 missing more than S8 according to site below but other sites contradict
https://www.frequencycheck.com/carr...axy-s9-td-lte-samsung-star/at-t-united-states
https://www.clove.co.uk/samsung-galaxy-s9
http://www.samsung.com/uk/smartphones/galaxy-s9/specs/
Looking for user feedback and experience.
Thanks
If for some reason the S9 Exynos doesn't have the correct radio bands like all the previous one have you could look into the Latin American Variant with unlock-able bootloader.
I have not, I looked at Clove b/c it seems like a reliable source to purchase and they are aware of Region lock.
That said based on the specs only Band 30 is missing which is not a deal breaker i checked a few different sites and Band 30 is not even in my area.
I would still like feedback on other issues with using Exynos out here in the USA on ATT network.
bump

Octopus Box/Dev Patched LGUP Thoughts

ChazzMatt said:
You mean like an Octopus box?
I mentioned it in this post:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76325684&postcount=42
Just remember that post was written back in April 2018, when we were still figuring out the Frankenstein method. But these "boxes" were allowing online sellers and online unlockers to convert V30 phones to OTHER variants seemingly willy nilly. We found LS998 V30+ which had been converted to Canadian H933 V30+. Canada H933 doesn't officially have a V30+! Just like there's no VS996 V30+! But you can make one.
Once we figured out the PC based Frankenstein system with dev patched LGUP, then we could do almost the same thing ourselves. Since then, I even bought two mint LS998 V30+ myself and converted them to US998 V30+.
But when I made that post I expressed severe reservations about buying LS998 in the first place -- since they were SIM card locked to Sprint. Like I said, we didn't know everything we know now, and I've changed my mind on the topic.
Whether one of these boxes could help you or not. My understanding is it basically does what dev patched LGUP does. Maybe it does it more automatically and there's less chance for error? I don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, ChazzMatt, you started something... I just thought I'd share these details with you guys in hopes that it gets the ball rolling on something big.
But these "boxes" were allowing online sellers and online unlockers to convert V30 phones to OTHER variants seemingly willy nilly.
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I remember these boxes... My first experience with them was back in the days when Nokia was a huge name in phones. I had a Bell locked Nokia RM-579, which was the NA market 2730. Used BB5 SL3 security. Made it almost impossible to remove the USIM lock too... But from playing around with some of the software, uncovering factory service manuals, and playing with Nokia Diego, I found out that (at least, the Nokia factory boxes) those boxes interface with the phone in ways i only dream of. For all of Nokia's phones, they make special jig's that connect with contacts found on the PCB, typically under the SIM/USIM tray. To use them, you also need the special power adapter tool as well since the battery typically needs to be removed. I would guess that these boxes converted a standard serial port or USB port from serial signaling, to something similar (I think) to TTL or Transisitor-Transistor logic. Those boxes would allow you to make that phone your... you know what. You could repair any issues that had anything to do with software... Somehow obliterated the firmware? Fixed! Accidently flashed the wrong baseband and bricked your modem? No Problem! Need to reprogram baseband parameters? Piece of cake!
With the ushering in of the non removable battery, I assumed they'd go by the wayside... But apparently not... How they interface with the phone, I can only imagine... For TTL to work, you only need three pins... Your Tx, Rx and Ground. You could have the phone wired so that pin 4 of your micro USB port is hooked up to the Rx on the serial port of the CPU, then use pin 3 as your Tx and 5 is already your ground... Just saying. With USB-C there are a multitude of pins to choose from, and you only need three. Apparently they're doing something like this with those boxes because of the Franken-phones that have been reported... Which makes me wonder how those boxes worked...
I personally assume that those boxes also rewrite the security keys that tell the phone the software is valid. And at least in my mind, so long as the V30 you're flashing has the same hardware as another in terms of baseband and radio frequency support, then theoretically speaking you can reflash any portion, such as the modem firmware and paramaters as well as the system partition, you could theoretically speaking make a Canadian V30+ variant, or any other variant out there.
Now, the other thought I had comes from my days with HTC.... Ingenious people really... My last phone prior to the V30 was an HTC 10. Quick rundown on how it worked... HTC allowed unlocking the bootloader on all their phones except Verizon ones (for the 10 at least). Using their unlock would allow you to flash unsigned images to the System, User, and Recovery partitions for a custom firmware... This however left S-On, or Security On. The Sunshine team figured out how to set S-Off. This allowed you to flash whatever to wherever and change whatever you wanted. This meant you could change your general North American variant to a European or Asian variant and then back again if you so desired. You would change the model ID, then run the HTC firmware recovery executible on your PC, or boot into download mode on your phone with the firmware on your SD card, and presto, your phone would become that model as though it was that from day one. No signal issues, no battery drain issues, perfect software operation. I can vouch for this, as I converted my 2PS6500 (the NA variant), to a 2PS6200 (the EU variant) which worked flawlessly. I then realized I made it a European model and converted back to a North American one but needless to say, there were no problems at all... I don't know why the HTC 10 can be converted between variants with no baseband issues at all... I personally would think that when flashing a North American phone with European firmware it would cause the baseband to crash and cease working at all. That's what it does with all other phones I've accidently done it to...
I hope this helps to spur some of the brilliant minds on this forum to figure out if this is possible with the LG V30, or to help figure out the deeper darker secrets of this phone.
For.anyone wanting to dig further, I'm not familiar with the octobox but this sounds like a JTAG interface.
Sent from my LG-US998 using Tapatalk
atirox said:
HTC allowed unlocking the bootloader on all their phones except Verizon ones (for the 10 at least). Using their unlock would allow you to flash unsigned images to the System, User, and Recovery partitions for a custom firmware... This however left S-On, or Security On. The Sunshine team figured out how to set S-Off. This allowed you to flash whatever to wherever and change whatever you wanted. This meant you could change your general North American variant to a European or Asian variant and then back again if you so desired. You would change the model ID, then run the HTC firmware recovery executable on your PC, or boot into download mode on your phone with the firmware on your SD card, and presto, your phone would become that model as though it was that from day one. No signal issues, no battery drain issues, perfect software operation. I can vouch for this, as I converted my 2PS6500 (the NA variant), to a 2PS6200 (the EU variant) which worked flawlessly. I then realized I made it a European model and converted back to a North American one but needless to say, there were no problems at all... I don't know why the HTC 10 can be converted between variants with no baseband issues at all... I personally would think that when flashing a North American phone with European firmware it would cause the baseband to crash and cease working at all. That's what it does with all other phones I've accidently done it to...
I hope this helps to spur some of the brilliant minds on this forum to figure out if this is possible with the LG V30, or to help figure out the deeper darker secrets of this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some manufacturers basically create one "global" phone with all bands activated, then lock down bands via firmware to create their "regional" or "carrier" models. This is their business model. If they created and sold a "global" model, then you would import the cheapest phone you could find from some developing country and Verizon/AT&T wouldn't make any money on hardware sales.
IF you Google: "unlock Qualcomm LTE bands", you will see a few years ago people figured this out, and started unlocking extra LTE bands which were present originally on their phone but firmware locked down to become a carrier model. You could turn your phone into a "global" phone. Caveat: Using this method, you could not activate bands out of thin air, they had to be there already, and the hardware (like antenna) had to support them. But similar to the the "hidden menu" stuff, you use this method to activate ALL the bands listed and they would work.
Most times you also needed root to do this. Also more recently this doesn't work much any more as OEMs have taken steps to thwart this freedom.
But in the same way, the North American V30/V30+ (except the T-mobile H932, due to different RSA encryption) seem to all be the same phone except for firmware. The carrier unlocked US998 is the closest to a "universal" North American V30 -- but it's missing some Sprint bands (found on the LS998), some minor AT&T bands (found on the H931), and the new T-mobile band 71 (while the H932 has that). I'm sure somewhere in an LG vault, there's a "super" US998 that has ALL those bands. Maybe even a "Master" V30 with every GSM/CDMA/HSPA/LTE band -- but LG won't sell that because it would make the carriers mad.
This is why they put different RSA encryption on different models.
ChazzMatt said:
Some manufacturers basically create one "global" phone with all bands activated, then lock down bands via firmware to create their "regional" or "carrier" models. This is their business model. If they created and sold a "global" model, then you would import the cheapest phone you could find from some developing country and Verizon/AT&T wouldn't make any money on hardware sales.
IF you Google: "unlock Qualcomm LTE bands", you will see a few years ago people figured this out, and started unlocking extra LTE bands which were present originally on their phone but firmware locked down to become a carrier model. You could turn your phone into a "global" phone. Caveat: Using this method, you could not activate bands out of thin air, they had to be there already, and the hardware (like antenna) had to support them. But similar to the the "hidden menu" stuff, you use this method to activate ALL the bands listed and they would work.
Most times you also needed root to do this. Also more recently this doesn't work much any more as OEMs have taken steps to thwart this freedom.
But in the same way, the North American V30/V30+ (except the T-mobile H932, due to different RSA encryption) seem to all be the same phone except for firmware. The carrier unlocked US998 is the closest to a "universal" North American V30 -- but it's missing some Sprint bands (found on the LS998), some minor AT&T bands (found on the H931), and the new T-mobile band 71 (while the H932 has that). I'm sure somewhere in an LG vault, there's a "super" US998 that has ALL those bands. Maybe even a "Master" V30 with every GSM/CDMA/HSPA/LTE band -- but LG won't sell that because it would make the carriers mad.
This is why they put different RSA encryption on different models.
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Everyone is talking about the band , I did not understand if there is any benefit to add more band ,Is it an improvement to lte. and Does Korea model v300s need more lte band or this is unnecessary?
Please I just want to know. I am from Algeria and my networks are "Djezzy" and "Mobilis".
the signal is good and lte work great no problem.
seloka180 said:
I am from Algeria and my networks are "Djezzy" and "Mobilis".
the signal is good and lte work great no problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you probably don't need any additional LTE bands.
Korea variants are hard to mess with. You risk losing the mobile signal, if you convert to another variant.

Buying the S9 - G960F vs SM-G960FD Duos Any Advantages/Disadvantages between the two?

Just got the G960U here in USA and its great.
But that fact that its my first bootloader locked Samsung is bugging me and im pretty sure i'll return it.
I use UltraMobile mvno -T-mobile sim with Wifi calling enabled.
Both the bootloaders on these models are unlocked correct? They are both Exynos? If there another model that has unlocked bootloader?
Is one more desirable than the other?
Any major drawbacks/differences with these models if i were to use in USA?
for example, do devs create more custom roms for one or the other?
Or would one model be more likely to be able to get wifi calling better like if i flashed the right CSC?
Thanks
Hey I'm thinking about buying a G960FD as well for use in the US. I have G930FD's and G950FD's currently. The F models don't have LTE bands 30 (AT&T) or 71 (T-Mobile) - frequencycheck.com is a great site to look up phone/carrier compatibility. The lack of these frequencies in the radio is not a deal breaker because these are just for extra capacity at this point, though band 71 with T-Mobile offers additional outdoor range being low frequency. You will need to root to in order to get VoLTE in the US, and this will be necessary for T-Mobile since T-Mobile only has 4G coverage and some crappy 2G coverage outside of large cities. So without 3G coverage calls WILL fail outside of large cities if you don't root to enable VoLTE since the phone will not be able to place a call on 4G LTE bands without VoLTE. AT&T doesn't typically allow non AT&T unlocked phone IMEI's to use VoLTE, and AT&T will be shutting down 3g in a few years. At that point, their IMEI whitelisting may go away and they'll start allowing an phone to use VoLTE, otherwise they'll start losing customers. If they don't change their attitude though, your phone will also not work on AT&T in a couple years (they don't have 2G enabled anywhere anymore). Verizon is also shutting down their 3G network in a couple of years.
I actually came searching XDA to see if anyone had a SM-G960F or SM-G965F working with VoLTE (and specifically dual VoLTE on the FD since it's supported) on any US carriers. I haven't come across anyone yet. On the Exynos S7 and S8, if you don't need WiFI calling, it's actually pretty easy to get VoLTE working without having to install an bunch of crap. There's just 4 files you need to edit or overwrite in /system/csc and one additional VoLTE settings file you have to place there as well. I'm thinking it would be the same with the Exynos S9. I just need someone with an S9 to confirm. Since you need WiFi calling, it's going to be a bit more work. You can look at the CSC selection tool easily found by searching here on XDA for the Exynos S7/S8 to see what you'll need to get WiFi calling to work (it's not that bad to go through the code and files in the zip installer). You may end up having to extract the US Qualcomm S9 T-Mobile firmware to get the required files out of it, or you might even be able to get away with simply flashing edited portions of the S8 CSC selection tool files to your G960F to get VoLTE and T-Mobile WiFi calling to work. (If you flash the CSC selection tool to directly to the stock ROM, it will break a lot of things due to the permissions XML file). I would plan on spending a few weekends to get VoLTE and WiFi calling working on it though.
If anyone has any additional experience, please chime in here!!
Also, one thing to pay attention to whenever you flash stock firmware using ODIN is Samsung's stupid e-fuses that prevent you from downgrading to a different bootloader level which will lock you out of downgrading stock firmware. It's the first number in the firmware descriptor. For example, if you blindly flash a U3 or S3 firmware, you can NEVER go back to a U2 or S2 firmware outside of a custom ROM. And even with a custom ROM, you may end up with compatibility issues with the new bootloader.
Another thing is when you root Samsung phones, it trips another permanent e-fuse that not only voids your warranty, but prevents apps like Knox and Samsung Pay from working ever again on the device.
To answer your questions:
The FD is just dual SIM - no other advantages. There's actually a hack for the Exynos S7's that will convert them to dual SIM since it's the same hardware. I'm not sure if it's like that with the Exynos S9.
Yes, the Exynos international versions have an unlocked bootloader (just have to go to enable developer options in the OS then go into developer options and enable OEM unlocking)
Yes, having an unlocked bootloader means there will be MUCH more custom ROMS and development out there.
It looks like the SM-G9600 or SM-G9650 (Chinese/Latin American) are the versions to get. They have the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, is bootloader unlocked, and apparently even working on Verizon and T-Mobile (see the thread below). They don't have bands 30 or 71, but that's not the end of the world since most older phones as of a few years ago don't have those bands. I'm still wondering if dual VoLTE is working on these.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s9/how-to/guide-sm-g9600-sm-g9650-verizon-t3890695

A505U verizon with stock sprint firmware

Does anybody know if I can use Odin to put stock Sprint A505U firmware into my Verizon A505U? There's no OEM unlock option on the A505U (US version) phone so the bootloader is locked. I prefer not to root so I can use google-pay without any masking shenanigans.
The sprint firmware has a different set of enabled FDD-LTE bands that makes it more useful. Thanks.
Edit:
I've just learned that some carrier unlocked galaxies s8, s9, s10, etc. running pie will auto rebrand and adjust available bands to adapt to whatever Sim is installed. Does the A505U do this? This would be far easier than flashing if it works for the A505U.
The Samsung BYOD rebranding feature for U models based on sim insertion is always released about 10 months after the phone's initial release.
This has been the case for S8, Note 8, S9, and Note 9. It is not even released yet for S10.
So it will probably be getting close to mid-2020 before it is released for A505U, if even then.
Thanks for the response. I am still trying to wrap my head around how Samsung does their "BYOD Experience" rebranding. It appears that Samsung has gone the route of common hardware for US phones while supporting all the major carrier CSC's (multi-CSC?) within a given branded firmware .
Since only the CDMA carriers Xfinity, Sprint, and Verizon have the A505U, I'll try to find somebody with an ATT or TMO sim to see how my supposedly unlocked Verizon A505U reacts. I haven't seen any reports of what happens posted yet as it relates to the A505U.
I have a Galaxy A505U through Sprint. As you've said it is bootloader locked by the carrier. The 7 day trick does not work to show/enable Oem Unlock. I forget the reason now but I have reflashed stock firmware in Odin before which would modify system partion despite a locked bootloader. So I believe that you could in theory flash the sprint firmware in odion but I don't know how this will affect coverage. I do know sprint has roaming agreement in place with vzw so it should work.... But you're coverage may be degraded as I believe it's not going to support all of vzw lte bands... On a slightly separate note I am curious if there's some way to get around the lock using Odin. I am rusty on my Samsung modding(not eisnce sgs4) and terminology but I'm wondering if we could flash just the bootloader itself from another variant.
cominteldb said:
The Samsung BYOD rebranding feature for U models based on sim insertion is always released about 10 months after the phone's initial release.
This has been the case for S8, Note 8, S9, and Note 9. It is not even released yet for S10.
So it will probably be getting close to mid-2020 before it is released for A505U, if even then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is not accurate.. the devices contain multi csc in the omc partition so once the device is sim unlocked all the firmwares for usa variants have the csc for all the carriers.. you can use an app like phoneinfo and see the available csc's.. it has been this way as you stated since the S8 and up...
now if you are talking about U1 devices then thats a different story.. U1 devices typically have the same csc's but are just unbranded meaning little to no carrier bloat for example.
this is typically why all the firmwares are interchangeable because they are all containing the same csc. The only difference sometimes will be the userdata which might b labeled specific to a carrier but ultimately this doesnt matter either as they typically would contain only a few extra carrier bloat apps that shouldnt impact overall function at all..
heck, if you know what ur doing you can even change the csc code without even flashing any other firmware or putting another sim in.. i typically for example use sprint sales code with vzw network code bcuz i have verizon but sprint has more dialer codes..
as an example my g975u was purchased from verizon but i currently set the csc to GCF for research purposes and all my vzw services work great and to start I used a U firmware that had userdata labeled for SPR lol I also removed the last bit in the carrier code for research purposes.. when i toss a tmo sim in it automatically loads the apns and carrier mode for tmo and it just works without even rebooting
occams-razor said:
Thanks for the response. I am still trying to wrap my head around how Samsung does their "BYOD Experience" rebranding. It appears that Samsung has gone the route of common hardware for US phones while supporting all the major carrier CSC's (multi-CSC?) within a given branded firmware .
Since only the CDMA carriers Xfinity, Sprint, and Verizon have the A505U, I'll try to find somebody with an ATT or TMO sim to see how my supposedly unlocked Verizon A505U reacts. I haven't seen any reports of what happens posted yet as it relates to the A505U.
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you are correct.. the usa variants are multi csc so they should work anywhere.. international devices also contain multi csc for w.e region it is purchased in. once sim unlocked if u say try to take ur phone to china or something ur device wont contain that csc but you should be able to get it to work with apn edits for example and might not have all the bells and whistles since couldnt flash their specific csc if that makes sense..
These phones nowadays are all world capable for the most part and contain the hardware to work on the differet networks (cdma gsm etc)
Samsungs "byod" experience just means its carrier unbranded so its sim unlocked out the box and can b used on any usa network without all the carrier bloat.. this is sort of pointless in my opinion since usually these firmwares can also b flashed to carrier branded variants..
on a side note, i have a tmo sim but mainly i use verizon and am getting an A50 from big red tomorrow so I will test this out for u and let u kno how tmo is in a vzw a50.
i have a tmo purchased a10e and my vzw sim works great in it.. in fact, vzw works better in the tmo phone than tmo haha but thats bcuz tmo isnt as good service wise in my area
elliwigy said:
you are correct.. the usa variants are multi csc so they should work anywhere.. international devices also contain multi csc for w.e region it is purchased in. once sim unlocked if u say try to take ur phone to china or something ur device wont contain that csc but you should be able to get it to work with apn edits for example and might not have all the bells and whistles since couldnt flash their specific csc if that makes sense..
These phones nowadays are all world capable for the most part and contain the hardware to work on the differet networks (cdma gsm etc)
Samsungs "byod" experience just means its carrier unbranded so its sim unlocked out the box and can b used on any usa network without all the carrier bloat.. this is sort of pointless in my opinion since usually these firmwares can also b flashed to carrier branded variants..
on a side note, i have a tmo sim but mainly i use verizon and am getting an A50 from big red tomorrow so I will test this out for u and let u kno how tmo is in a vzw a50.
i have a tmo purchased a10e and my vzw sim works great in it.. in fact, vzw works better in the tmo phone than tmo haha but thats bcuz tmo isnt as good service wise in my area
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Thanks for the great info! Please let us know how the TMO sim works out. I'm most curious about whether TMO features like their VoLTE and VoWIFI are enabled.
An Interested Observer...
elliwigy said:
the usa variants are multi csc so they should work anywhere...
These phones nowadays are all world capable for the most part and contain the hardware to work on the differet networks (cdma gsm etc)
i use verizon and am getting an A50 from big red tomorrow so I will test this out for u and let u kno how tmo is in a vzw a50.
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Hello..
Your comment sparked my interest.. as I'm a new owner of the Xfinity variant of the Galaxy A50.
Although I have no plans to leave Xfinity for the remainder of 2019.. as I'm waiting for my $250.00 Promo Rebate which comes around the 4th Month of service to cover just under 65% of my investment in the A50... leaving me with a $135.00 balance.. But, if what you state is indeed the case.. and these devices have the guts to run on traditional GSM Carrier's.. this add much more intrigue into the equation..:angel:
I'm not one to pry.. but, did you follow through with your purchase? and if so... what were your findings?
elliwigy said:
These phones nowadays are all world capable for the most part and contain the hardware to work on the differet networks (cdma gsm etc)
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Click to collapse
That is correct but as someone who works in the industry and works with 3 out of 4 nationwide carriers I can say Att typically has there iphones manufacturered without a cdma attena making it gsm only.
I just checked my sprint A505U and it does have csc codes for many carriers including att, spt, vzw and t-mob among others. So generally another firmware should work fine then?
I had purchased a used SM a505u from dubai market. 1 YEAR IT WORKS FINE and after that I understand phone is not getting updates and there was issue with fingerprint sensor. And I decided to flah march2020 update from samfrew . But after that I am not getting network .it says networ error. Sim card crash.contact carrier etc...

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