Should I cancel my back-ordered UNLOCKED Note 8 and get the T-MOBILE Note 8 instead? - Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers

Before going into detail, I'd like to mention what I read on here so far:
It IS possible to use ODIN to flash the unlocked firmware to the t-mobile Note 8
I found a step by step guide on here that describes how to flash the aforementioned firmware
The hardware in the unlocked Note 8 and t-mobile Note 8 is identical
Now considering the above facts, am I missing out on anything if I cancel my currently back-ordered unlocked Note 8 from Samsung's website and instead order the t-mobile version, which costs exactly the same and will ship this week?
Also, I am on Cricket Wireless (AT&T MVNO). Is unlocking the t-mobile Note 8 for use on other carriers a straightforward process? How long does this usually take?
Thanks in advance!

Yes, get the TMO one.

Unlocking can be difficult
Gnex1 said:
Before going into detail, I'd like to mention what I read on here so far:
It IS possible to use ODIN to flash the unlocked firmware to the t-mobile Note 8
I found a step by step guide on here that describes how to flash the aforementioned firmware
The hardware in the unlocked Note 8 and t-mobile Note 8 is identical
Now considering the above facts, am I missing out on anything if I cancel my currently back-ordered unlocked Note 8 from Samsung's website and instead order the t-mobile version, which costs exactly the same and will ship this week?
Also, I am on Cricket Wireless (AT&T MVNO). Is unlocking the t-mobile Note 8 for use on other carriers a straightforward process? How long does this usually take?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The firmware for unlocked should work fine on tmobile version. Infact i am using the unlocked firmware on my S7 edge which is better that the original in terms of bloatware and performance. Based on what i read in other forums, buying tmobile is fine but getting it unlocked in the future might be a pain. Because of this reason, i am going to wait for the backordered note 8 even though there is delay.

262jss said:
The firmware for unlocked should work fine on tmobile version. Infact i am using the unlocked firmware on my S7 edge which is better that the original in terms of bloatware and performance. Based on what i read in other forums, buying tmobile is fine but getting it unlocked in the future might be a pain. Because of this reason, i am going to wait for the backordered note 8 even though there is delay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Spending nearly $1000 on a phone and being expected to wait a month for it to ship does not work for me. Because of this, I have cancelled my order and will not be buying one anymore.

Related

Need a new phone, looking note 8 or gs 8/8+, unlocked vs carrier?

I'm currently using a nexus 6p on verizon and its getting long in the tooth. I want to buy an unlocked note8 directly from samsung or bestbuy, but not sure what I would give up vs buying one from verizon. Would I just pop a sim in, have them register my new imei and off I go?
I saw a mega thread thats like 50+ pages deep in the howto section about flashing between carriers, would I need to flash a certain file to the phone to get it to work properly on verizon? The unlocked seems to support all the bands. I just want the flexibility to use whatever carrier, so if I decide to switch my note over to TMO or cricket I won't have any concerns. Also might not get a note, but it looks nice, has newer software, was more recently released.
How is samsung with releasing OS updates? Would it be reasonable to expect android 8 on the note 8?

[Q] Which version should I get?

After a few years with my Samsung Galaxy Note Edge (AT&T) [SM-N915A], which wasn't bad until the last 6 months and then the inability to root it made it worse, I want to make my next upgrade worth it. I'm waiting for the 500 Gb version, and I want to be able to root it.
Of course, my eyes are on the Note 9, but which version should I buy?
International (SM-N960F)
International (SM-N960F/DS)
Unlocked
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint
U. S. Celular
Verizon
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/reserve/
jorgepr13 said:
After a few years with my Samsung Galaxy Note Edge (AT&T) [SM-N915A], which wasn't bad until the last 6 months and then the inability to root it made it worse, I want to make my next upgrade worth it. I'm waiting for the 500 Gb version, and I want to be able to root it.
Of course, my eyes are on the Note 9, but which version should I buy?
International (SM-N960F)
International (SM-N960F/DS)
Unlocked
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint
U. S. Celular
Verizon
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/reserve/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
International because it gets updates faster
And it has more development support (custom roms, kernels, etc)
Also ive been in this situation with the at&t note 4 ?
Looks like at&t doesnt want us to root our devices
So dont get at&t
jorgepr13 said:
After a few years with my Samsung Galaxy Note Edge (AT&T) [SM-N915A], which wasn't bad until the last 6 months and then the inability to root it made it worse, I want to make my next upgrade worth it. I'm waiting for the 500 Gb version, and I want to be able to root it.
Of course, my eyes are on the Note 9, but which version should I buy?
International (SM-N960F)
International (SM-N960F/DS)
Unlocked
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint
U. S. Celular
Verizon
https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/reserve/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simply put, If root is what you seek on Samsung devices these days, Don't get any of the U.S. carrier editions of the phone.
All of the U.S. Samsung devices ship with Snapdragons and Samsung has ultimately decided to lock all bootloaders on them as well, That's not to say that a Dev won't attempt to work on atleast a root method for Snapdragon devices but with a locked bootloader you won't be able to do much.
Samsung's also implemented a rather interesting tactic to deter rooting on Snapdragon devices, When they're rooted, The device will no longer be able to charge to 100% and instead will default to 80% only.
This can be demonstrated on the S8 and the Note 8.
The S9 Snapdragon U.S. variants still don't have root to this day, When and if it ever does, that same method may be usable to figure out the Note 9 as well, But don't get your Hope's up.
Now for the international and Unlocked devices they ship with an Exynos and subsequently unlocked bootloaders which allows for the creation of Mods, Roms, And the various other things most people root for nowadays.
All in all, You want an Exynos equipped Note 9, Hope this is useful for you.
Thanks,
Almost right after the the post I came upon this article
https://highonandroid.com/android-deals/best-deals-on-galaxy-note-9-new-galaxy-phones/
it goes a bit more in depth, covering GSM vs CDMA, when and where to buy it.
It seems that the Latin America Galaxy S9 and S9+ (SM-G9650) both had Snapdragon processors with an unlockable bootloader. You could then Odin firmware on them to be able to use them on Verizon, At&t, and T-mobile. I hope they will release a Snapdragon model of the Note 9 as well in Latin America! I need an unlocked bootloader on Verizon for sure.
Critical Detox said:
Simply put, If root is what you seek on Samsung devices these days, Don't get any of the U.S. carrier editions of the phone.
All of the U.S. Samsung devices ship with Snapdragons and Samsung has ultimately decided to lock all bootloaders on them as well, That's not to say that a Dev won't attempt to work on atleast a root method for Snapdragon devices but with a locked bootloader you won't be able to do much.
Samsung's also implemented a rather interesting tactic to deter rooting on Snapdragon devices, When they're rooted, The device will no longer be able to charge to 100% and instead will default to 80% only.
This can be demonstrated on the S8 and the Note 8.
The S9 Snapdragon U.S. variants still don't have root to this day, When and if it ever does, that same method may be usable to figure out the Note 9 as well, But don't get your Hope's up.
Now for the international and Unlocked devices they ship with an Exynos and subsequently unlocked bootloaders which allows for the creation of Mods, Roms, And the various other things most people root for nowadays.
All in all, You want an Exynos equipped Note 9, Hope this is useful for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesnt matter anymore which type of note 9 you get, because there is gonna be root protection where imei and network flies if you root, like the a8 on oreo
And also i agree with you, US carriers (especially at&t) prevent root all the way up to the fact that you cant root at all (the at&t note4 has no root but all the other note 4's have root)
will an international work on USA carriers?
oneandroidnut said:
will an international work on USA carriers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, if its unlocked, if you lived in canada, it wont matter if its unlocked or not because you can unlock for free in canada
SaboorTheCool said:
Yep, if its unlocked, if you lived in canada, it wont matter if its unlocked or not because you can unlock for free in canada
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm wonder if it will work on verizon
oneandroidnut said:
hmm wonder if it will work on verizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And i wonder which infinity wallpaper will be featured on the note 9
I'm interested in the unlocked version instead of the T-Mobile, but I've read that the bands are not the same and wifi calling doesn't work. I'm over flashing ROM's, so that isn't an option for me. I'll probably get the carrier branded one to make sure I get the 600 band and wifi calling.
Semantics said:
I'm interested in the unlocked version instead of the T-Mobile, but I've read that the bands are not the same and wifi calling doesn't work. I'm over flashing ROM's, so that isn't an option for me. I'll probably get the carrier branded one to make sure I get the 600 band and wifi calling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can though unlock the phone by visiting canada ? because you can unlock phones here in canada for free
SaboorTheCool said:
You can though unlock the phone by visiting canada because you can unlock phones here in canada for free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can unlock the phone here for free. Why go to Canada? I buy my phones for cash. I'm not stuck with a locked phone. The only reason I would go with the non-branded unlocked phone is the lack of bloatware.
Semantics said:
I can unlock the phone here for free. Why go to Canada? I buy my phones for cash. I'm not stuck with a locked phone. The only reason I would go with the non-branded unlocked phone is the lack of bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash CSC from the non-carrier version
oneandroidnut said:
hmm wonder if it will work on verizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely not
sent from my Exynos S9 plus, Pixel 2 XL or Note FE
force70 said:
Absolutely not
sent from my Exynos S9 plus, Pixel 2 XL or Note FE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the old gUDP plan so I need a phone that does NOT check for hotspot eligibility. I understand the unlocked Note 8 did NOT check, so it's likely the unlocked Note 9 would be okay as well. So I'm definitely stuck with the US unlocked version, right?
Geez, I kind of hate both Verizon and Samsung, but I want to stay on gUDP and want a good phone that will work for me out of the box.
geoclooney said:
I have the old gUDP plan so I need a phone that does NOT check for hotspot eligibility. I understand the unlocked Note 8 did NOT check, so it's likely the unlocked Note 9 would be okay as well. So I'm definitely stuck with the US unlocked version, right?
Geez, I kind of hate both Verizon and Samsung, but I want to stay on gUDP and want a good phone that will work for me out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have gUDP plan on verizon and wondering same thing, do i get verizon note or unlocked??
oneandroidnut said:
I also have gUDP plan on verizon and wondering same thing, do i get verizon note or unlocked??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding:
Verizon model WILL check for hotspot eligibility and thus won't work for us.
International unlocked models will not work on Verizon's network.
Therefore, we're stuck with the US Unlocked model. It has a locked bootloader, and thus may never be rootable, but will work with Verizon and NOT check hotspot eligibility.
To be clear, at this point I just think it's very likely the US Unlocked model will NOT check hotspot eligibility. I will probably wait to confirm that before I pull the trigger.
geoclooney said:
My understanding:
Verizon model WILL check for hotspot eligibility and thus won't work for us.
International unlocked models will not work on Verizon's network.
Therefore, we're stuck with the US Unlocked model. It has a locked bootloader, and thus may never be rootable, but will work with Verizon and NOT check hotspot eligibility.
To be clear, at this point I just think it's very likely the US Unlocked model will NOT check hotspot eligibility. I will probably wait to confirm that before I pull the trigger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So unlocked model it is? And also does the 512 gb version come with 8 gb of ram in USA?
oneandroidnut said:
So unlocked model it is? And also does the 512 gb version come with 8 gb of ram in USA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes

Flashing T-Mobile firmware on Unlocked Note 9

I often come across encouraging posts about flashing T-Mobile firmware on unlocked phones, specifically Note 9 in this case, and not having any drawbacks since the hardware is the same. However, after doing further research I found that the picture isn't as rosy as it seems when it comes to flashing T-Mobile firmware to unlocked phones. Here are some specific questions:
Can I roam on U.S. cellular network if I flash T-Mobile firmware on unlocked Note 9?
Will I get T-Mobile OTAs if I flash T-Mobile firmware on unlocked Note 9?
I remember that despite hardware being the same, the Note 8 UNLOCKED had only 2x2 MIMO capabilities, however the T-Mobile variant had 4x4 MIMO. Is it the same scenario with Note 9 Unlocked vs Note 9 T-Mobile as well?
I am 90% sure that Band 71 exists on Unlocked Note 9; will I have access to all T-Mobile bands if I flash T-Mobile firmware?
As mentioned in this thread, the camera LAGS on the Unlocked Note 9 variant. If I flash the T-Mobile firmware, does that make the camera better?
Please feel free to inform me if I am missing anything other than VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, DIGITS, RCS etc.
I understand, I should get the T-Mobile variant, but I am absolutely trying to avoid sending Samsung my phone for a trade-in, and don't want T-Mobile's bill credits for my phone trade-in. That's why I am interested in getting an Unlocked Note 9 and flashing a T-Mobile firmware on it.
tm2016 said:
I often come across encouraging posts about flashing T-Mobile firmware on unlocked phones, specifically Note 9 in this case, and not having any drawbacks since the hardware is the same. However, after doing further research I found that the picture isn't as rosy as it seems when it comes to flashing T-Mobile firmware to unlocked phones. Here are some specific questions:
Can I roam on U.S. cellular network if I flash T-Mobile firmware on unlocked Note 9?
Will I get T-Mobile OTAs if I flash T-Mobile firmware on unlocked Note 9?
I remember that despite hardware being the same, the Note 8 UNLOCKED had only 2x2 MIMO capabilities, however the T-Mobile variant had 4x4 MIMO. Is it the same scenario with Note 9 Unlocked vs Note 9 T-Mobile as well?
I am 90% sure that Band 71 exists on Unlocked Note 9; will I have access to all T-Mobile bands if I flash T-Mobile firmware?
As mentioned in this thread, the camera LAGS on the Unlocked Note 9 variant. If I flash the T-Mobile firmware, does that make the camera better?
Please feel free to inform me if I am missing anything other than VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, DIGITS, RCS etc.
I understand, I should get the T-Mobile variant, but I am absolutely trying to avoid sending Samsung my phone for a trade-in, and don't want T-Mobile's bill credits for my phone trade-in. That's why I am interested in getting an Unlocked Note 9 and flashing a T-Mobile firmware on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least 50% of what you "learned" was not true. Don't believe what you read on Reddit. Lots of idiots there. To answer your specific question: If you flash TMB firmware on your U1 device, it will become identical to anything sold in a T-Mobile store.
The only things you gain by using TMB firmware are video calling and digits integration. VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling have been on unlocked Samsung firmware for T-Mobile for at least 3 years. Digits is also usable on U1 if you're willing to use the standalone Play Store app.
The radio is the radio. There's no difference between U and U1.
Can this be done with the note 10+ as well? Flash the tmobile firmware on the unlocked exynos moldel to gain rooting power!
---------- Post added at 09:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 AM ----------
CrazyApe18 said:
At least 50% of what you "learned" was not true. Don't believe what you read on Reddit. Lots of idiots there. To answer your specific question: If you flash TMB firmware on your U1 device, it will become identical to anything sold in a T-Mobile store.
The only things you gain by using TMB firmware are video calling and digits integration. VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling have been on unlocked Samsung firmware for T-Mobile for at least 3 years. Digits is also usable on U1 if you're willing to use the standalone Play Store app.
The radio is the radio. There's no difference between U and U1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Radio is radio?
What's are you thoughts about the note 5
?
I have the note 5 international model and the network always so slow 3g says 4g icon (not true) and calls go directly to voice-mail for the past 3 years while using on tmobile. How are the radios the same when I put the same Sim card in to the tmobile branded note 5 network works like it should.
Tried to flash note 5 tmobile firmware on international model. Failed
revized said:
Can this be done with the note 10+ as well? Flash the tmobile firmware on the unlocked exynos moldel to gain rooting power!
---------- Post added at 09:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 AM ----------
Radio is radio?
What's are you thoughts about the note 5
?
I have the note 5 international model and the network always so slow 3g says 4g icon (not true) and calls go directly to voice-mail for the past 3 years while using on tmobile. How are the radios the same when I put the same Sim card in to the tmobile branded note 5 network works like it should.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
revized said:
Tried to flash note 5 tmobile firmware on international model. Failed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u make no sense.
search and read.
What does not make sense about trying to flash tmobile firmware on international phone and that did not work?
revized said:
What does not make sense about trying to flash tmobile firmware on international phone and that did not work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just even thinking of trying it is insane.
read b4 doing such things.
edit:
since about 4 years maybe more the US has snapdragon chips and the the international devices have exynos. you cant mix the 2.
btw ure odin is seeing 2 com ports....
Ok ok. I suppose I was misunderstanding the thread here
" Flashing T-Mobile firmware on Unlocked Note 9 "
I am trying this on a note 5 before buying a note 10 to avoid wasting money if the network is not going to work correctly. Again sorry i am such a noob.
revized said:
Ok ok. I suppose I was misunderstanding the thread here
" Flashing T-Mobile firmware on Unlocked Note 9 "
I am trying this on a note 5 before buying a note 10 to avoid wasting money if the network is not going to work correctly. Again sorry i am such a noob.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the thread is flashing n960u firmware on a device purchased unlocked with n960u1. they are both identical snapdragon devices.
Ha! Get trolled much?
I just checked the specs and wanted to ask what are your thoughts about the international note 5 and the t-mobile note 5 specs looking the same. Are these not identical devices as well? Attached is a screen shot of this.
N920T & N920I
revized said:
I just checked the specs and wanted to ask what are your thoughts about the international note 5 and the t-mobile note 5 specs looking the same. Are these not identical devices as well? Attached is a screen shot of this.
N920T & N920I
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
contrarily as today's devices in america, it would seem that those two note 5 models have the same SoC.
maybe post in the note 5 forums your inquiries since these are the note 9 forums.
Ok I will do post my question there. Although I do have one question for this thread of anyone knows the answer it would be much appreciated. . Does the unlocked note 9 network work correctly on t-mobile? Or does it have unmissed calls sent directly to voicemail and cell data 3g only?

Question : Is the Note 8 (SM-N950F/FD) the same as Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS..?

Hello, I've been flashing these Note's since back when Darthstalker was RULING the Note Series, ( One of the BEST to do it ), however, ever since T-Mobile decided to lock their bootloaders I've switched to the OnePlus. I am thinking about purchasing the International Note 8 (SM-N950F) because from the research I've done I've learned that this is the variant to get, I've also read that the Note 8 (SM-N950F/FD) can also be Rooted and Flashed via TWRP, However, when I search online to purchase that version (SM-N950F/FD) all I find is the Note 8 (SM-N950F/DS), are those 2 model numbers the same, or can it be flashed the same as the (SM-N950F and (SM-N950F/FD)? I ask cause i don't want to purchase the Note 8 SM-N950F/DS and not be able to flash it, or worse BRICK the Device.. If anyone can shed light to these questions i would gladly appreciate it, community and its yearssss of serving us enthusiast...!!! God Blessssss...!!!! In short, is the SM-N950F/FD the same as the SM-N950F/DS..????
They use the same firmware.
And T-Mobile didn't decide to start looking the bootloaders. ALL the US Galaxy phones have locked bootloaders. Even the factory unlocked, unbranded version you buy from Samsung.
T mobile and sprint were the last ones to lock up there boot loader, the ONLY 2 carriers that had locked boot loaders back then was AT&T + Verizon. So it was T mobile + Sprint that were that LAST Phone Carriers to Lock there Boot loader, this is a Fact, from the S7 and up is when they Started, ask anyone,,, thanks for your response Either way, Blessss....
N950F/DS is dual sim model where N950F is a single sim model. Aside from that everything else is identical

Unlocked vs Carrier s10

I currently use multi-line setting for my virtual number (Digits from Tmobile) and would like to continue using it for my future s10+. I'm tempted to go unlocked but I just don't know the difference.
I also heard about slow updates for unlocked? Is this true?
What's the advantage of getting one or the other?
Unlocked will have root + unlocked bootloader. It will run on Exynos. Tmos version will have Snapdragon and be completely locked down with no root.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL
I'm sure the US unlocked will be the Snapdragon just like the Note 9, exynos will be international. The unlocked version will see updates last after carrier updates according to Samsung this is because unlocked has to work on all carriers.
I tend to buy unlocked phones as they re-sell better and quicker
I always buy the US unlocked version (Snapdragon). No bloatware and I'm not tied to one carrier. I can change to the lowest cost month 2 month service any time I choose. No contracts.
Does this means that if I buy S10 locked to a carrier I will not be able to root my device? (assuming I buy the version in exynos)
Has anyone had success using unlocked Samsung devices with Xfinity Mobile (who does not currently support bring-your-own-android)?
compujock said:
I always buy the US unlocked version (Snapdragon). No bloatware and I'm not tied to one carrier. I can change to the lowest cost month 2 month service any time I choose. No contracts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, oh there's bloarware, like two of everything...but yes, no added carrier bloat. That would just be unbearable.
As far as I'm aware, all the recent US variants of Samsung Galaxy phones, including the factory unlocked variants from Samsung, have traditionally come with locked bootloaders. It is likely this is true for the S10 as well.
gotnoypi said:
I currently use multi-line setting for my virtual number (Digits from Tmobile) and would like to continue using it for my future s10+. I'm tempted to go unlocked but I just don't know the difference.
I also heard about slow updates for unlocked? Is this true?
What's the advantage of getting one or the other?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The built in multi-line setting is normally available with T-Mobile branded phone, such as S8 and so on. Unlocked model didn't have multi-line support, but you can always download their digits app. If you don't want the app, then you would have to flash your S10 with T-Mobile firmware and get all the features and I do prefer to go with this route as you won't get T-Mobile's bloatware
Charkatak said:
The built in multi-line setting is normally available with T-Mobile branded phone, such as S8 and so on. Unlocked model didn't have multi-line support, but you can always download their digits app. If you don't want the app, then you would have to flash your S10 with T-Mobile firmware and get all the features and I do prefer to go with this route as you won't get T-Mobile's bloatware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there even word that we can even use Odin to flash another firmware on to the S10 like the S8 and 9?
T-Mobile is offering a hell of a better deal on the S10 than Samsung directly with both the monthly payments (if you choose that option) and a better S8 trade in amount at $390 versus $330. It might tempt me to go that route even though carrier bootups and firmware labeling annoys the hell out of me. If it's still possible to flash with Odin, buying from a carrier would be a no brainer. Flash off to the unlocked firmware if you want better rates, and then flash back when you want something on the firmware side.
If its the case like the Note 9 and the S9, then even though you buy the unlocked version, once you pop in the carrier sim the phone will reset to that carriers CSC profile including all the bloatware and apps etc... Change to another carrier and the phone will switch profiles accordingly.
Please correct me if im wrong.
Tacoo said:
Is there even word that we can even use Odin to flash another firmware on to the S10 like the S8 and 9?
T-Mobile is offering a hell of a better deal on the S10 than Samsung directly with both the monthly payments (if you choose that option) and a better S8 trade in amount at $390 versus $330. It might tempt me to go that route even though carrier bootups and firmware labeling annoys the hell out of me. If it's still possible to flash with Odin, buying from a carrier would be a no brainer. Flash off to the unlocked firmware if you want better rates, and then flash back when you want something on the firmware side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin firmware flashing was possible on previous recent Galaxy phones, including the S9 and the Note 9, so I hope that is still the case with the S10.
If it is not, then honestly I would rather just buy the unlocked version based on principle alone: If I'm buying a phone at full price, then I would rather not buy one that is stuck with a particular carrier's firmware or branding. It's a Samsung phone, not a "TMobile" or "at&t" phone.
Tacoo said:
Is there even word that we can even use Odin to flash another firmware on to the S10 like the S8 and 9?
T-Mobile is offering a hell of a better deal on the S10 than Samsung directly with both the monthly payments (if you choose that option) and a better S8 trade in amount at $390 versus $330. It might tempt me to go that route even though carrier bootups and firmware labeling annoys the hell out of me. If it's still possible to flash with Odin, buying from a carrier would be a no brainer. Flash off to the unlocked firmware if you want better rates, and then flash back when you want something on the firmware side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I was preordering S10e, I was at two roads: T-Mobile variant or unlocked, but it didn't take me long to realize that unlocked would give me more flexibility.
When you flash unlocked unit, it is just a standard flash: using Odin pick a carrier firmware and flash. When you flash a carrier branded phone, in most cases
you would needed "factory binary" firmware because you would need to change CSC(unless your carrier phone was multi-CSC) to the one you need, than in the dial, type some commands to pull up CSC changing menu and after saving and restarting phone, then flash a firmware of your choice In other words it was a longer process. That I why unlocked phone would just be a regular flash and a fast one.
I can't guarantee that there will be a way to flash S10, but most likely it will be possible to do it. I even flashed Galaxy S3, S4 and so on.
I think couple of years ago Samsung made an unlocked firmware that would detect which sim card is inserted and tune the firmware to that sim, but to what extent, I don't know
Also unlocked phones mostly are approved for Samsung beta testing of new Android built(if you are into this)
Eudeferrer said:
Unlocked will have root + unlocked bootloader. It will run on Exynos. Tmos version will have Snapdragon and be completely locked down with no root.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Snapdragon unlocked, U1, is only sim unlocked, not bootloader unlocked.
Charkatak said:
When I was preordering S10e, I was at two roads: T-Mobile variant or unlocked, but it didn't take me long to realize that unlocked would give me more flexibility.
When you flash unlocked unit, it is just a standard flash: using Odin pick a carrier firmware and flash. When you flash a carrier branded phone, in most cases
you would needed "factory binary" firmware because you would need to change CSC(unless your carrier phone was multi-CSC) to the one you need, than in the dial, type some commands to pull up CSC changing menu and after saving and restarting phone, then flash a firmware of your choice In other words it was a longer process. That I why unlocked phone would just be a regular flash and a fast one.
I can't guarantee that there will be a way to flash S10, but most likely it will be possible to do it. I even flashed Galaxy S3, S4 and so on.
I think couple of years ago Samsung made an unlocked firmware that would detect which sim card is inserted and tune the firmware to that sim, but to what extent, I don't know
Also unlocked phones mostly are approved for Samsung beta testing of new Android built(if you are into this)
Click to expand...
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I'm wondering... regarding changing the CSC if flashing from a carrier-specific firmware to the unlocked firmware, is this the equivalent of needing to use a patched Odin that bypasses CSC match check? I've never actually done this process, but have been reading about it.
Kjn246 said:
I'm wondering... regarding changing the CSC if flashing from a carrier-specific firmware to the unlocked firmware, is this the equivalent of needing to use a patched Odin that bypasses CSC match check? I've never actually done this process, but have been reading about it.
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The last phones I flashed was my unlocked S8 and Sprint S8 Active.
So when I flashed my unlocked s8 to T-Mo firmware, I just used regular Odin because unlocked phones have multi-csc codes for many different carriers.
When I needed to flash back to unlocked XAA csc, then I had to use modified Odin and flashing completed successfully.
With Sprint S8 Active model, I had to jump through few hoops and it wasn't pleasant as at the time of my flashing, most people had other phones and no special "factory binary" firmware was freely available.
I don't recall exactly, but: I took Odin(possibly regular) flashed with special factory binary firmware which had the ability to change csc codes to the one I need, then it would restart my phone, than I think I used modified Odin to flash the final firmware of my choice. I wanted to convert Sprint model to T-Mobile

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