Develop Bugs

Unlocked US or wait for International unlocked?

Hi all
In the past I’ve had to buy international variants for the best possible coverage when traveling. Even the US unlocked did not cover as much as their international unlocked counterparts.
I spend a lot of my time overseas so I’m willing to have less then ideal coverage in the united states.
I’ve tried to look up information on the bands but so far have not had much look comparing to see if I should preorder the s20 ultra unlocked in the states or just wait until I go abroad and purchase the international version in a few months when I leave again. Even if I don’t get the deals on preorder.
Which would really be a downer if there isn’t a difference and I could buy it now with all the perks of the promos.
Can anyone enlighten me on if the unlocked US version or international unlocked variant would be more suited to travel outside the States?
Or is their a difference this time?
Thanks!

I have this same question, but here is my dilemma....
The US version work have a snapdragon and a $200 credit at samsung's website for pre-orders but the international version with have the ability to be rooted. Now i have the oneplus 7 pro, with root, i am able to force 90hz refresh rate on ALL apps. If i can root the s20 ultra, i can swap in a kernel that allows 120hz at qhd on alll apps, which is pure gold in itself.

the Kong kong and Latina american variants historically have been snapdragon AND rootable so you can have the better processor wnd root.
that said there has also not been a ton of development for those particular variants which i mever understood since your getting the best of both worlds

I'm in the same boat. My current GS8+ is international variant specifically because of dual sim and root.
I'm conflicted with all the international versions not getting things like 5G vs international. I pre-ordered, I still can cancel my order...
What's the likelihood that US Unlocked version can be rooted within few months? Anyone know if they're adding additional locks to it?

XtremeMaC said:
I'm in the same boat. My current GS8+ is international variant specifically because of dual sim and root.
I'm conflicted with all the international versions not getting things like 5G vs international. I pre-ordered, I still can cancel my order...
What's the likelihood that US Unlocked version can be rooted within few months? Anyone know if they're adding additional locks to it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is my understanding that traditionally, US unlocked version is SiM unlocked but bootloader locked. Therefore, the likelyhood that it will be rootable in a few months will be the same as with other recent phones, next to zero.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app

yeah, that's what I'm afraid of..

In thos age of hacking and malware. You couldnt pay me to have a rooted phone. The only advantage was titanium backup and that only half ass works when restoring data. Not worth it.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

johnwayne27 said:
In thos age of hacking and malware. You couldnt pay me to have a rooted phone. The only advantage was titanium backup and that only half ass works when restoring data. Not worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Viper4android!

very hard choice
- Snapdragon 865 is more power efficient and more powerful ( 10 % against exynos SOC)
but forget root
- Outside US 5G networks aver very very limited
- The exynos will receive more updates
- US version has only one card sim slot

johnwayne27 said:
In thos age of hacking and malware. You couldnt pay me to have a rooted phone. The only advantage was titanium backup and that only half ass works when restoring data. Not worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You couldn't be more wrong. But hey. Your choice.

Ricardo_G said:
very hard choice
- Snapdragon 865 is more power efficient and more powerful ( 10 % against exynos SOC)
but forget root
- Outside US 5G networks aver very very limited
- The exynos will receive more updates
- US version has only one card sim slot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
5G is all over Europe.

force70 said:
the Kong kong and Latina american variants historically have been snapdragon AND rootable so you can have the better processor wnd root.
that said there has also not been a ton of development for those particular variants which i mever understood since your getting the best of both worlds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
suppp force
so i'm struggling with the choice too, either the SA (latin american snapdragon) or exynos .
I don't really care about development beyond TWRP and Root , not sure what to do

From what I have seen there are also various versions of the international unlocked, some are dual sim and some ha e different bands (with or without 5G).

masri1987 said:
suppp force
so i'm struggling with the choice too, either the SA (latin american snapdragon) or exynos .
I don't really care about development beyond TWRP and Root , not sure what to do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
long time no talk bro, hope all is well?
the snap would be my choice,it will be rootable, could be already for all i know. plus the 865 is far superior to the exynos is pretty much every category.
for me the choice would be easy lol.

force70 said:
long time no talk bro, hope all is well?
the snap would be my choice,it will be rootable, could be already for all i know. plus the 865 is far superior to the exynos is pretty much every category.
for me the choice would be easy lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which model #'s should i be trying to get?
I'm asuming SA is south american models with S865
When's the last time we crossed paths? It wasn't 3xl was it?
Hope you staying safe from teh cabrona virus

masri1987 said:
which model #'s should i be trying to get?
I'm asuming SA is south american models with S865
When's the last time we crossed paths? It wasn't 3xl was it?
Hope you staying safe from teh cabrona virus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the Hong kong and brazil model number is just SM-G9880. no N,W Or anything else. but they both would be 865s yep.
couldnt have been the 3XL cause i didnt get one, def been awhile though. Im not on as much as I used to be...too many snowflakes lol.
Corona virus has everything shut down here in Ontario, Canada. movies, restaurants, gyms (that one hits hard with me being a bodybuilder).
its crazy.

what about the "N" Korean version? is it rootable? im debating whether to get the international one or the korean version. I want to be rooted with viper4android

yes it should be its exynos.
Korean/ international basically the same thing hardware other than possibly being capable of different network frequencies.
you cannot cross flash Korean and international firmware however if that matters
ive had lots of both and never had issues with either.
Player04 said:
what about the "N" Korean version? is it rootable? im debating whether to get the international one or the korean version. I want to be rooted with viper4android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

This may help you decide.
https://sea.pcmag.com/smartphones/3...-americas-first-unlocked-all-carrier-5g-phone

Im on att. What i wont be able to use the 5g network if i get an international verion. I might get the us verison then

Samsung S20 UK Exynos / Snapdragon

HI all,
The response to this will probably dictate where I purchase a new S20 from.
I've been using Apple for years, but wanted to move to Android for a while. I though the S20 looked like a safe bet to make that jump, however reading the reviews on-line - the UK Exynos version appears to suffer from bad performance, bad battery life and compatibility issues.
I've thought about getting the HK version from Wondamobile, but VoLTE and Samsung pay would not work. I wonder if I would be able to flash the phone with the UK firmware? If I could, would it trip KNOX?
I don't do any gaming, I just want a decent phone that's not an Apple. Is it worth the hassle for the Snapdragon or shall I just get the UK version of the phone and get on with my life?

lordofarch said:
HI all,
The response to this will probably dictate where I purchase a new S20 from.
I've been using Apple for years, but wanted to move to Android for a while. I though the S20 looked like a safe bet to make that jump, however reading the reviews on-line - the UK Exynos version appears to suffer from bad performance, bad battery life and compatibility issues.
I've thought about getting the HK version from Wondamobile, but VoLTE and Samsung pay would not work. I wonder if I would be able to flash the phone with the UK firmware? If I could, would it trip KNOX?
I don't do any gaming, I just want a decent phone that's not an Apple. Is it worth the hassle for the Snapdragon or shall I just get the UK version of the phone and get on with my life?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is impossible to use UK exynos firmware in a HK snapdragon version.
I have a HK snapdragon s9+ and is not possible, and it's true Samsungpay and others don't work. I was thinking the same but with this exynos bull**** a my previous experience I have decided to skip on s20 series and hope for the Note with better exynos chip or better optimize, or s21 [emoji1787]
Enviado do meu SM-G9650 através do Tapatalk

theholyguy said:
Is impossible to use UK exynos firmware in a HK snapdragon version.
I have a HK snapdragon s9+ and is not possible, and it's true Samsungpay and others don't work. I was thinking the same but with this exynos bull**** a my previous experience I have decided to skip on s20 series and hope for the Note with better exynos chip or better optimize, or s21 [emoji1787]
Enviado do meu SM-G9650 através do Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you think WIFI calling and VoLTE will work on the HK version in the UK? I don't think i'd miss Samsung pay, I could just use Google Pay

lordofarch said:
Do you think WIFI calling and VoLTE will work on the HK version in the UK? I don't think i'd miss Samsung pay, I could just use Google Pay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in Switzerland, wifi calling work, VoLTE just work after one year I still don't know why maybe swisscom fix it. Samsung Pay and others never worked.
For a 1200 gbp phone I think don't worth the headaches you might have.
Forget it. Buy exynos or wait. I will wait until August to see if Samsung manage to optimize camera and soc exynos, or for the Note.
Enviado do meu SM-G9650 através do Tapatalk

S20 FE 256Gb Dual SIM Snapdragon

I'm in a non-5G country and only the LTE version will be available here. I am told there is a 256Gb dual SIM version that will be here later this month but which will therefore be Exynos. For obvious reasons I would prefer Snapdragon and I would be happy to import from somewhere else but, as far as I can see, there is no such thing as a Snapdragon with 256Gb and dual nano-SIM. Am I wrong? Does a Snapdragon 256Gb dual SIM exist?

1. 5g 128gb - snapdragon
2. 4g 128gb- exynos
3. 4g 256gb- exynos
From what I can see on Amazon, at least in Europe, the Exynos ones are dual sim.
Why do you want the snapdragon considering there is so little community development on it?

Sp8ky said:
Why do you want the snapdragon considering there is so little community development on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it is the same Exynos 990 as in the S20 range that has compared badly with the Snapdragon eg in battery life. If I have to, I will go with Exynos because it's not that bad - just not as good as Snapdragon.

I know what you mean. But hopefully the increased battery and the 1080p only display will make it less worse.
I was definitely looking at buying the snapdragon but then found out you can barely root it and it was an easy decision afterwards. I cannot live anymore without call recording, adaway and yt vanced.

n-j-f said:
I'm in a non-5G country and only the LTE version will be available here. I am told there is a 256Gb dual SIM version that will be here later this month but which will therefore be Exynos. For obvious reasons I would prefer Snapdragon and I would be happy to import from somewhere else but, as far as I can see, there is no such thing as a Snapdragon with 256Gb and dual nano-SIM. Am I wrong? Does a Snapdragon 256Gb dual SIM exist?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung wants to milk the customers in big countries and makes the SD with 256GB only available in certain markets it seems.
SM-G781BZBHEUB -> BeNeLux, + "Nordic" EU?
SM-G781BZBHEUE -> CZ, "Eastern EU"?
Still waiting for availability though...

hell0 said:
Samsung wants to milk the customers in big countries and makes the SD with 256GB only available in certain markets it seems.
SM-G781BZBHEUB -> BeNeLux, + "Nordic" EU?
SM-G781BZBHEUE -> CZ, "Eastern EU"?
Still waiting for availability though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that. Typical of Samsung! I may have to keep an eye on that - particularly on Amazon.nl.

Samsung themselves list it in their shop for € 819,00, but Wordt verzonden op 22 oktober 2020

n-j-f said:
Because it is the same Exynos 990 as in the S20 range that has compared badly with the Snapdragon eg in battery life. If I have to, I will go with Exynos because it's not that bad - just not as good as Snapdragon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had every Exynos since the 7 and the battery issues are exaggerated
Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

Sp8ky said:
I know what you mean. But hopefully the increased battery and the 1080p only display will make it less worse.
I was definitely looking at buying the snapdragon but then found out you can barely root it and it was an easy decision afterwards. I cannot live anymore without call recording, adaway and yt vanced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you can still get youtube vanced and adguard non root . Who are you recording anyway ....

Sp8ky said:
I know what you mean. But hopefully the increased battery and the 1080p only display will make it less worse.
I was definitely looking at buying the snapdragon but then found out you can barely root it and it was an easy decision afterwards. I cannot live anymore without call recording, adaway and yt vanced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CubeACR works for recording calls.

Which versions of S20 can be rooted exactly?

For example does model SM-G981WLBAXAC of Snapdragon and all Exynos CPUs work? Is there a complete list of which can be rooted?

Snapdragon models need to be BL unlocked which requires a one time paid service.
I don't know about exynos

ChongoDroid said:
Snapdragon models need to be BL unlocked which requires a one time paid service.
I don't know about exynos
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can I find out more about the one time paid service?

I think every Exynos S20 can be rooted.

Anatart said:
Where can I find out more about the one time paid service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a telegram, shoot me a pm.

Exynos models are rooted.. snapdragon IDK..

Do you know how much does it cost on the Amazon?

Question Rootable S22 available in the US?

I know the S22 variant made for the US market does not have an unlockable bootloader. But is it possible to buy a rootable S22 that will work with a Verizon SIM? Order it from overseas maybe?

yeah you can get a Korean 908N version on eBay with a very reasonable price. I got mine several days ago.

52yt said:
yeah you can get a Korean 908N version on eBay with a very reasonable price. I got mine several days ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks. I wasn't sure which country to look for. I prefer a pocket-sized phone and it looks like SM-SS901N is the small one and it's readily available.
I'm still running SABS on my old S9 (installed before Samsung killed it) and I was afraid I'd have to switch to a Pixel to get root, but the smallest Pixel 6 is bigger than I want. The small S22 from South Korea seems like a perfect choice.

aurny said:
Awesome, thanks. I wasn't sure which country to look for. I prefer a pocket-sized phone and it looks like SM-SS901N is the small one and it's readily available.
I'm still running SABS on my old S9 (installed before Samsung killed it) and I was afraid I'd have to switch to a Pixel to get root, but the smallest Pixel 6 is bigger than I want. The small S22 from South Korea seems like a perfect choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem at all. I always got the Korean Variant instead of US one. Works for me all the time. I just didn't understand why they didn't provide an option of unlockinh BL on US variant. I feel like it's not even necessary.

are you looking for exynos or snapdragon? there is a large performance and compatability difference. Hong Kong and Singapore are where I got my last two phones from, bootloader unlockable snapdragons.

I'd have to say Snapdragon, which is also the South Korea variant (I'm guessing this is why it's popular for US buyers). Would there be any reason to consider an Exynos for use in the US? According to the reviews I've read, performance & battery life on the Exynos vary between meh and unusably awful.

52yt said:
No problem at all. I always got the Korean Variant instead of US one. Works for me all the time. I just didn't understand why they didn't provide an option of unlockinh BL on US variant. I feel like it's not even necessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, may I ask what carrier you're using this with in the US? On Ebay, it says that it doesn't work with Verizon (due to CDMA).
I'm aware that Verizon does a little bit more than CDMA these days, but their base is still CDMA from what I understand. Thanks in advance.