Unfortunately in the UK, the only way to get the Deep Sea Blue variant would be to buy the N9500. I understand that this was built specifically for China markets, but it should have the right network frequencies for the UK. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these before, and whether there's any quirks in the device compared to the UK model? Cheers
Using Note8 N-9500 for 3 weeks now
doubleluckstur said:
Unfortunately in the UK, the only way to get the Deep Sea Blue variant would be to buy the N9500. I understand that this was built specifically for China markets, but it should have the right network frequencies for the UK. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these before, and whether there's any quirks in the device compared to the UK model? Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Note 8 N-9500 is Hong Kong/China version. I have been using it for 3 weeks now, but I would not recommend it.
I have Hong Kong version. (China version doesn't support Google Play Store. Avoid it!)
Here are some negative things that I found out so far.
1. It works perfectly with UK network frequencies, however, you can't enable VoLTE or wifi cailling.
This is really downside. it keeps saying my current software does not support VoLTE.
2. It doesn't have Samsung Pass. Some apps require it to log in with your bio info (cf. finger print etc.), so it is bit annoying.
3. Android Pay works fine.
I have not use Samsung Pay yet, but Samsung Pay is registered as Hong Kong so you will get promotions from Hong Kong market only and you can't change it.
4. If you contact customer service through handset it automatically connect with Samsung Hong Kong Service centre. ha ha
I have tried to change it with other CSC roms such as Europe versions, but Note 8 N-9500 uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 not Exynos as Europe or Korean version.
At this point as far as I know it is impossible to use other CSC roms.
twotoy said:
Yes. Note 8 N-9500 is Hong Kong/China version. I have been using it for 3 weeks now, but I would not recommend it.
I have Hong Kong version. (China version doesn't support Google Play Store. Avoid it!)
Here are some negative things that I found out so far.
1. It works perfectly with UK network frequencies, however, you can't enable VoLTE or wifi cailling.
This is really downside. it keeps saying my current software does not support VoLTE.
2. It doesn't have Samsung Pass. Some apps require it to log in with your bio info (cf. finger print etc.), so it is bit annoying.
3. Android Pay works fine.
I have not use Samsung Pay yet, but Samsung Pay is registered as Hong Kong so you will get promotions from Hong Kong market only and you can't change it.
4. If you contact customer service through handset it automatically connect with Samsung Hong Kong Service centre. ha ha
I have tried to change it with other CSC roms such as Europe versions, but Note 8 N-9500 uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 not Exynos as Europe or Korean version.
At this point as far as I know it is impossible to use other CSC roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you managed to flash Europe firmware successfully?
I've also got N9500 deep sea blue, the only reason I bought this version was for the colour!
I quite like it but would like to have volte
SM N9500
No I haven't. As far as I know EU firmware doesn't work with this SM-N9500.
I ask some questions to Samsung customer service Hong Kong, but I haven't got the answer yet.
If I do, I will post it here. cheers!
Note 8 n9500
doubleluckstur said:
Unfortunately in the UK, the only way to get the Deep Sea Blue variant would be to buy the N9500. I understand that this was built specifically for China markets, but it should have the right network frequencies for the UK. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these before, and whether there's any quirks in the device compared to the UK model? Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the China variant of the N9500 in Deep sea blue
I I've had it for 3 months with no problems. I saw from one of the other posts that there had been some issues they had found with theirs. Just to comment on mine Samsung pay initially wouldn't let me load a card and work but now it works fine with no issues. Google play was installed and works without issue also. Unfortunately I have not been able to get VoLTE or WiFi calling to work as the firmware installed does not support the former and the latter, I'm still trying to get to work, but neither I or EE can come up with a reason why it doesn't. I've also not been able to install a European /UK firmware due to the Exynos/qualcom incompatability issue. mind you there are only a few reasons why you'd want to install the firmware as the phone works fine with the firmware installed bar the issues I've mentioned and f you can live without WiFi calling or VoLTE then there's no reason to use it. They are a great bit of kit as I they come with a much larger internal storage than is available over here. This was the reason I got mine in the first place as I store loads of books and music as well as videos and as an amateur photographer alongside my DSLR I still use this for photos as the shots are quite comparable in lots of cases. I hope this has helped, oh and one more thing, I i got mine new from a online phone store via ebay I ended up paying about £750-800 for it which was cheaper than the lower storage version that you can get in the UK so that's another plus
NDB19573 said:
I have the China variant of the N9500 in Deep sea blue
I I've had it for 3 months with no problems. I saw from one of the other posts that there had been some issues they had found with theirs. Just to comment on mine Samsung pay initially wouldn't let me load a card and work but now it works fine with no issues. Google play was installed and works without issue also. Unfortunately I have not been able to get VoLTE or WiFi calling to work as the firmware installed does not support the former and the latter, I'm still trying to get to work, but neither I or EE can come up with a reason why it doesn't. I've also not been able to install a European /UK firmware due to the Exynos/qualcom incompatability issue. mind you there are only a few reasons why you'd want to install the firmware as the phone works fine with the firmware installed bar the issues I've mentioned and f you can live without WiFi calling or VoLTE then there's no reason to use it. They are a great bit of kit as I they come with a much larger internal storage than is available over here. This was the reason I got mine in the first place as I store loads of books and music as well as videos and as an amateur photographer alongside my DSLR I still use this for photos as the shots are quite comparable in lots of cases. I hope this has helped, oh and one more thing, I i got mine new from a online phone store via ebay I ended up paying about £750-800 for it which was cheaper than the lower storage version that you can get in the UK so that's another plus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No volte is a biggie for some.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
i wonder if the wifi calling would work on the proper csc for n9500's or if like my provider, regardless of what mods are done to the phone's software, if its not a device purchased from them, they black list imei. well i should say they white list theirs and simply block everything else.
people on rooted 9500:
have you manualy extracted csc from relevant provider firmware and copyed to system/omc?
Limeybastard said:
No volte is a biggie for some.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/ appreciate that it must a deal breaker for some out. there .I guess its just never been such a huge issue for me really. Its the inactive wifi calling that's the pain in the rear for me. It's not that
its not working that annoys me the most, its more
that there is no actual reason why it shouldn't work. that's the most annoying thing. its just so usefull to have.
Sent from my SM-N9500 using Tapatalk
Related
I saw a surprising note on clove.co.uk I think it was, they said all Samsungs shipped after 2013 are region locked. This was a note on the bottom of the page for a Tab S2 LTE. They went as far to say they were no longer selling sealed boxes because they are region unlocking all devices before selling to international buyers.
Can anyone confirm/deny there's a region lock on Samsung's 4G/LTE tablets? Thanks.
midnightrider said:
I saw a surprising note on clove.co.uk I think it was, they said all Samsungs shipped after 2013 are region locked. This was a note on the bottom of the page for a Tab S2 LTE. They went as far to say they were no longer selling sealed boxes because they are region unlocking all devices before selling to international buyers.
Can anyone confirm/deny there's a region lock on Samsung's 4G/LTE tablets? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think that's true. My Tab S LTE is international unlocked made in mid 2014 and sealed.
Tab A 9.7 lte I bought last year same thing.
Thanks. I didn't buy from them after I read that, I bought from another place to make sure I didn't get an open box item for the prices everybody is charging. It has not been shipped yet although it was supposed to go out Friday. I guess I will use it on wifi just to be safe until I get to the region where I bought it. Heading there for work anyway. BTW I didn't mean carrier unlocked, I meant region unlocked. Not sure if that came through ok.
midnightrider said:
Thanks. I didn't buy from them after I read that, I bought from another place to make sure I didn't get an open box item for the prices everybody is charging. It has not been shipped yet although it was supposed to go out Friday. I guess I will use it on wifi just to be safe until I get to the region where I bought it. Heading there for work anyway. BTW I didn't mean carrier unlocked, I meant region unlocked. Not sure if that came through ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought my 715Y from Amazon in USA.
It is unlocked but I still haven't gotten MM and it is out for 715Y for more than a week.
However my local SIM card works fine.
There was a time when you had to activate the SIM in the country you bought it from (mine is built in Vietnam, impossible for me) and then it was OK anywhere.
None of that merry go round with the 715Y.
Shofar1 said:
I bought my 715Y from Amazon in USA.
It is unlocked but I still haven't gotten MM and it is out for 715Y for more than a week.
However my local SIM card works fine.
There was a time when you had to activate the SIM in the country you bought it from (mine is built in Vietnam, impossible for me) and then it was OK anywhere.
None of that merry go round with the 715Y.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much all of them are built in Vietnam.
In the end I couldn't find anyone to ship me an LTE model so I got the wifi only model which kinda sucks but is ok for now. I couldn't get the Exynos version either, the stores that would ship here only had the new one. I got a T819 with the Qualcom. I'll try to pick up an LTE version when I go to Europe for work later. Thanks guys.
ashyx said:
Pretty much all of them are built in Vietnam.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it even says "designed and built in Vietnam" Kinda interesting, I had no idea Vietnam was a high tech center or that Samsung had a facility there.
Samsung UK support says LTE tablets are definitely region locked. I don't know if I believe them since they were trying to push me to buy a tablet in my country- which has no Samsung store, and no Samsung presence except for a company that is the "official importer" that has nothing in stock and doesn't import the tab s2 in lte anyway. I call B.S. and I would bet money the tablets aren't region locked like you guys seem to be saying. But I can't prove it until I see an LTE tab box with the region lock warning.
My S2 bought in Hungary died the day after i took it to the usa and put in a local sim. Specially the imei and the baseband went null. Hungary tech support says it's due to the out of region sim. Believe it or not.
The whole thing is kinda stupid. It seems to make some sick kind of sense with phones from a corporate strong-arming the customer point of view. On the phones they say you have to make an actual 5 minute voice call to unlock, they specifically say using data won't work. The whole point of an LTE tablet is not to make calls, although you can. It's supposed to keep you connected when you're away from wifi. So what are people supposed to do? Hold up a ten inch brick to their heads and make a 5 minute call to region unlock it?
The phones that are region locked are supposed to come with a warning sticker on the box. Unless your tablet packaging specifically warns of the region lock I call B.S. on Samsung support on this topic. Otherwise they've been reasonably helpful.
Does the US, UK or Australia Samsung Pay work on Note 8 SM-N9500 or SM-N950FD models?
Anyone tested or confirmed this? With the S8's seems like it will work if you have the UAE model of the phone and you sideload the samsung pay app (not sure about the HK version). The note 8 UAE model is SM-N950FD which is also a global model so it might work on this if similarly one has the UAE firmware on it + sideloads Samsung Pay? SM-N9500 even work at all?
No one has used or uses or has tried to use Samsung Pay on SM-N9500 or SM-N950F/DS models anywhere? Can't be possible.
I have a SM-N9500, and Google Play claims Samsung Pay is not supported in my 'device country'. But indeed it is supported in the country where I leave and where my Google account is based (and by my bank). As I understand, SM-N9500 is a Chinese version (not my country), and yet Samsung Pay is well supported in China as well.
In any case, it looks like Samsung Pay will not work on this phone.
---------- Post added at 07:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:36 AM ----------
On a second thought, did you try to edit build.prop to spoof your device number? The hardware platform of those models is the same as any phone supporting Samsung Pay. So I cannot think for any reason it would not work other than country support.
@younoob
did you try it? did you try different sim card and reset? did you try sideloading Samsung Pay 2.7.03 (apk from apkmirror) and Framework 2.7.51 immediately after reset?
I tried resetting my google play localization, but it did not work. So I failed to install Samsung Pay at all. My problem is, if there is ever an apk that I do not want to install from an unofficial source, that's Samsung Pay. It has direct access to credit cards...
Resetting localization will not work. Sideloading SPay is not an issue now really is it if all you want to do is confirm whether it works to start with or not. And there is nothing wrong with sideloading in general so long as you are careful with your choices.
evangelionpunk said:
Resetting localization will not work. Sideloading SPay is not an issue now really is it if all you want to do is confirm whether it works to start with or not. And there is nothing wrong with sideloading in general so long as you are careful with your choices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Resetting localization indeed did not work. N9500 is a Hong Kong and China version. Any exported phone should come from Hong Kong -at least mine is. I am sure that Samsung Pay works abroad as well, no matter the country. So my guess is that if one installs and runs it in Hong Kong, then it should work in other supported countries as well. Isn't it? Maybe one can spoof the location somehow, not sure how to do that without root. Any idea?
As for sideloading, of course there is nothing wrong with it. Just, for something like Samsung Pay, you really really need to trust your apk source. A malicious person may get the original apk and somehow engineer a modification (basically send all the data to a server), and your bank cards AND identity would be totally compromised. At the best of my understanding, this can be done without any need to crack the Samsung Pay security features.
younoob said:
Resetting localization indeed did not work. N9500 is a Hong Kong and China version. Any exported phone should come from Hong Kong -at least mine is. I am sure that Samsung Pay works abroad as well, no matter the country. So my guess is that if one installs and runs it in Hong Kong, then it should work in other supported countries as well. Isn't it? Maybe one can spoof the location somehow, not sure how to do that without root. Any idea?
As for sideloading, of course there is nothing wrong with it. Just, for something like Samsung Pay, you really really need to trust your apk source. A malicious person may get the original apk and somehow engineer a modification (basically send all the data to a server), and your bank cards AND identity would be totally compromised. At the best of my understanding, this can be done without any need to crack the Samsung Pay security features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well according to what I read and some I asked, no. Samsung Pay may be localised via the model number and active sim card on first boot. You managed to spoof the model number?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/help/how-add-samsung-pay-to-sm-g950fd-dual-t3600699
You will see in above thread that the exynos model with XSG firmware is able to have the framework and samsung pay sideloaded and it works with US cards. On the Note 8's this likely means we can buy any SM-N950F/DS and do the same whereas the SM-N9500 SPay would work in HK and apparently if I read correctly HK has some more advanced SPay features... Now if only Samsung would release a 128 or 256gb mode of SM-N950F/DS already!
Actually changing the location in payments.google.com partly worked. I located myself in Hong Kong, then cleared Google Play data and rebooted the app. It took more than one day for Google to update the status, but now Samsung pay just appeared as one of my (preloaded) apps. Yet, basically only American Express will work worlwide (and Hong Kong cards). On the good side, you can successfully upload all the fidelity cards and other magnetic cards that are not related to your banks.
I did not spoof the model since the last time I checked taking root on Qualcomm note 8 looked risky and N9500 is not even mentioned in the thread. Did you get root?
---------- Post added at 09:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:13 AM ----------
But I have a 128gb model, and where I live Samsung did not yet realise 128gb official models
younoob said:
Actually changing the location in payments.google.com partly worked. I located myself in Hong Kong, then cleared Google Play data and rebooted the app. It took more than one day for Google to update the status, but now Samsung pay just appeared as one of my (preloaded) apps. Yet, basically only American Express will work worlwide (and Hong Kong cards). On the good side, you can successfully upload all the fidelity cards and other magnetic cards that are not related to your banks.
I did not spoof the model since the last time I checked taking root on Qualcomm note 8 looked risky and N9500 is not even mentioned in the thread. Did you get root?
---------- Post added at 09:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:13 AM ----------
But I have a 128gb model, and where I live Samsung did not yet realise 128gb official models
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not surprised that work as you got a HK model and enabled SPay HK. See if the same is possible for US or your own country.
A root was released just few days ago for qualcomm models that will not trip knox apparently but charge shows 80% or something.
Did you root? As they do not mention N9500 in that thread
I have 9500 hk version. It had samsung pay preloaded. My location is taiwan and using taiwan sim. When i open samsung pay it had a restore previous card option. (i used samsung pay on a previous samsung phone) i restored it but had to activate the card again. Have used it here in taiwan and no problem. The only downside is promotions on the app and store membership cards are all still hong kong.
Sent from my SM-N9500 using Tapatalk
Just flash XSA unlocked Australian firmware. Just bought a SM-N950F/DS and it has a limited version of Samsung Pay that works just like it did on my S8 950F and my S7 Edge 935F. Don't be in a hurry for updates on XSA still on August security patch but white pages works.
Panzerapple said:
Just flash XSA unlocked Australian firmware. Just bought a SM-N950F/DS and it has a limited version of Samsung Pay that works just like it did on my S8 950F and my S7 Edge 935F. Don't be in a hurry for updates on XSA still on August security patch but white pages works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't flash XSA on N9500. What do you mean by limited version of Samsung Pay on your SM-N950F/DS? What cards/banks are working on it and what aren't?
evangelionpunk said:
Can't flash XSA on N9500. What do you mean by limited version of Samsung Pay on your SM-N950F/DS? What cards/banks are working on it and what aren't?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sorry I thought you were looking for answer for either model so I posted regarding my experiences with the F model.
Samsung Pay features work off of your devices CSC. When I first set up my Samsung Pay account it was on a S6 Active obviously a US Model. With that said my F model devices have Samsung Pay with MST support, Membership Cards and that is it for options that I can us in the US. So I get Australian promotions not US promotions on and no rewards or gift cards. I still get rewards points when I use my F models but I have to access them through my ATT Note 5 or see the points through my Gear App for my Gear S3. Basically a huge cluster f#ck and hopefully they will make Samsung Pay dependent on your SIM not your CSC I highly doubt it though.
I have a Citi Visa and Citi MC on my phone and Gear S3. Samsung did change things around so you can import cards which worked on my Note 8. When I moved from my S6 Active to S7 Edge F model I had to setup all the cards and they worked. So the guess off the top my head would be any card that currently supports Samsung Pay should work but it is Samsung Pay so it is a guess.
Panzerapple said:
With that said my F model devices have Samsung Pay with MST support, Membership Cards and that is it for options that I can us in the US. So I get Australian promotions not US promotions on and no rewards or gift cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried the XSG firmware method that apparently is reporting success? Appears to involve flashing XSG and then sideloading framework and samsung pay app after which supposedly everything works fine.
evangelionpunk said:
Have you tried the XSG firmware method that apparently is reporting success? Appears to involve flashing XSG and then sideloading framework and samsung pay app after which supposedly everything works fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ran XSG on my S7 Edge for a while and flashed XSA. XSG you get the Ramadan calendar, no white pages and you have to screw around side loading and worry about an update breaking it. That is why I gave up on XSG it updated and broke my work around . Unless something has changed I don't recall having rewards or gift cards but that might have changed. XSA is just flash and your done Samsung pay updates with no issues. For me I need a backup device so to get all Samsung Pay features it is just as easy firing up my Note 5 to access them.
Panzerapple said:
Ran XSG on my S7 Edge for a while and flashed XSA. XSG you get the Ramadan calendar, no white pages and you have to screw around side loading and worry about an update breaking it. That is why I gave up on XSG it updated and broke my work around . Unless something has changed I don't recall having rewards or gift cards but that might have changed. XSA is just flash and your done Samsung pay updates with no issues. For me I need a backup device so to get all Samsung Pay features it is just as easy firing up my Note 5 to access them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On XSG you couldn't sideload white pages? What firmware are you running on your note 8?
evangelionpunk said:
On XSG you couldn't sideload white pages? What firmware are you running on your note 8?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
White pages is CSC dependent also. It's cooked into all the firmware and you can find it and try activating it through a Nova activity but it would never work. You can download Hiya apk which white pages is built off of but it doesn't integrate with the system like white pages does. I have fiddled with so many firmwares and Samsung Pay and Framework apk just got sick of experimenting.Running XSA and happy with the firmware and my Note 8. And if am wrong on anything I have said someone please correct me because I would like to know.
I can use Samsung Pay on my non-rooted SM-N950F/DS on AT&T as well as GoogleFi.
I want to buy a galaxy note 5 from Amazon while I'm in America and use it in a different country where I live.
The device I am considering is the sm-n920a. I've checked the cellular bands and they Mach.
I'm have a few questions since it is not the international version or the sm-n920c that is sold in my country.
1. I heard people saying that it won't fully support my language since it is an att phone. It seemed odd to me because I thought that if the international version supports the language any module should.
2. Will there be a problem with OTA updates?
3. At the price point of 360$, is the note 5 really the best phone to buy?
Thanks
chaimgross said:
I want to buy a galaxy note 5 from Amazon while I'm in America and use it in a different country where I live.
The device I am considering is the sm-n920a. I've checked the cellular bands and they Mach.
I'm have a few questions since it is not the international version or the sm-n920c that is sold in my country.
1. I heard people saying that it won't fully support my language since it is an att phone. It seemed odd to me because I thought that if the international version supports the language any module should.
2. Will there be a problem with OTA updates?
3. At the price point of 360$, is the note 5 really the best phone to buy?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an unlocked AT&T Note 5 and an international one, both work perfectly even though I live outside America. And about updates I am not sure but you can always search for custom roms with the latest features for the device on the forum. And overall the n5 is a great phone in my opinion, has everything you need in a phone and more.
HI All, I am ordered the note 9 from PDAPLAZA the N9600, to be able to use dual sim. I live in Canada I will be using it with Telus and rogers. Looking at the forums here it sounds like there are some issues using this model with the networks in Canda.
Can someone please who bought this model in Canada comment if the phone work fine with the networks. Also any limitation like play store, pay app, or otheres.
Also, if someone bought it from PDAPLAZA can you comment if the phone comes with English or Chinese?
thanks for the help
iyas87 said:
HI All, I am ordered the note 9 from PDAPLAZA the N9600, to be able to use dual sim. I live in Canada I will be using it with Telus and rogers. Looking at the forums here it sounds like there are some issues using this model with the networks in Canda.
Can someone please who bought this model in Canada comment if the phone work fine with the networks. Also any limitation like play store, pay app, or otheres.
Also, if someone bought it from PDAPLAZA can you comment if the phone comes with English or Chinese?
thanks for the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a complete dedicated Canadian thread on here. Maybe you'll get better responses there.
Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk
Thanks for the reply, where would i find the Canadian thread, new to this sorry.
iyas87 said:
Thanks for the reply, where would i find the Canadian thread, new to this sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=77279762
I got the SM-N9600 from PDAPlaza. It works fine, but the one thing I'm looking into right now is how to change the country code easily to a Canadian one without completely flashing the phone (as the firmware available for that specific model doesn't have a Canadian option, so I'd have to go with SM-N960W firmware, and I'm not sure if flashing with that version of firmware on a model number that doesn't match will have any negative effects). It's not a big deal, except that Samsung Pay doesn't work and assumes I'm in China. The other option I've read is to just keep it as it is and use Google Pay instead.
If you come across anything on that topic, let me know.
MikiMau5 said:
I got the SM-N9600 from PDAPlaza. It works fine, but the one thing I'm looking into right now is how to change the country code easily to a Canadian one without completely flashing the phone (as the firmware available for that specific model doesn't have a Canadian option, so I'd have to go with SM-N960W firmware, and I'm not sure if flashing with that version of firmware on a model number that doesn't match will have any negative effects). It's not a big deal, except that Samsung Pay doesn't work and assumes I'm in China. The other option I've read is to just keep it as it is and use Google Pay instead.
If you come across anything on that topic, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the info. If it just samsung pay is the limitation then it should be fine. Can I ask you when you got the phone, was it sealed? Also, was it in English when you first set it up? and did it have a US adapter.
iyas87 said:
Thank you for the info. If it just samsung pay is the limitation then it should be fine. Can I ask you when you got the phone, was it sealed? Also, was it in English when you first set it up? and did it have a US adapter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got it in the mail on Wednesday (ordered it on Sunday, so pretty quick turn around over the long weekend). Everything was totally sealed and when you start it up you can select English right off the bat. I just got rid of the additional Chinese keyboard language settings and made it either English (US or Canada). The charger is an Asian one, but they send an adapter with it. Also, the cord is USB, so it can be used with any other plug-in. I'm not sure if that affects the fast charging, so I'll probably get an induction charger instead anyways. If you're switching over from a different brand, the Samsung Switch app is awesome. I just finished it and got everything, including my messages transferred from my iPhone.
MikiMau5 said:
I just got it in the mail on Wednesday (ordered it on Sunday, so pretty quick turn around over the long weekend). Everything was totally sealed and when you start it up you can select English right off the bat. I just got rid of the additional Chinese keyboard language settings and made it either English (US or Canada). The charger is an Asian one, but they send an adapter with it. Also, the cord is USB, so it can be used with any other plug-in. I'm not sure if that affects the fast charging, so I'll probably get an induction charger instead anyways. If you're switching over from a different brand, the Samsung Switch app is awesome. I just finished it and got everything, including my messages transferred from my iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh great! can I ask you did you order the 512gb or the 128gb. The 512gb model lead time 15-25day!!!
iyas87 said:
Oh great! can I ask you did you order the 512gb or the 128gb. The 512gb model lead time 15-25day!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the 128 GB model.
Hey there, thanks for the helpful info. Just womdering, have you noticed anything megative with network speeds? And I presume you got that model so you can root, correct? Have you had any luck? I saw the whole guide and everything, just curious if it was worked out for a canadian as well.
I received the 512GB from PDAplaza, it is great! for some reason, I found it much faster than the unlocked one 512Gb i bought from amazon US Version. Please note the device comes with Chinese first, you need to change the language, samsung pay and samsung members are stuck to hong kong.
I got the N9600 from Hong Kong and I am with Fido network right now. As soon as booted it up it was all in chinese but quickly changed to english, so no problems there. However, sadly it only runs on 4G network, no LTE
Turbenator said:
I got the N9600 from Hong Kong and I am with Fido network right now. As soon as booted it up it was all in chinese but quickly changed to english, so no problems there. However, sadly it only runs on 4G network, no LTE
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You sure it's not just showing 4G instead of 4G LTE?
Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk
Turbenator said:
I got the N9600 from Hong Kong and I am with Fido network right now. As soon as booted it up it was all in chinese but quickly changed to english, so no problems there. However, sadly it only runs on 4G network, no LTE
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4G =Lte
Just 2 different terminologies bars on the Rom u have
Hi everyone!
I recently found that Amazon India is now selling the Snapdragon 888 variant of the S21 Ultra, planning to buy the same but I wanted to inqure here first if anyone has the snapdragon variant and has tried to change their CSC to INS? Also if all the services like VoLTE, WiFi calling work with the same or not?
Dev Jaskirat said:
Hi everyone!
I recently found that Amazon India is now selling the Snapdragon 888 variant of the S21 Ultra, planning to buy the same but I wanted to inqure here first if anyone has the snapdragon variant and has tried to change their CSC to INS? Also if all the services like VoLTE, WiFi calling work with the same or not?
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There are only 3 CSC's which can be enabled on the SM-G9980. CHC China, BRI Taiwan and TGY Hong Kong. If the device you referenced has it's Primary CSC as CHC China some content and certain apps are restricted. The TGY Hong Kong Primary CSC is best suited for international users. It isn't a Multi-CSC Device so any changes require flashing different firmware. The post you highlighted is misleading, it states Tmobile is the carrier but Tmobile doesn't sell a Branded SM-G9980. I have the same device in the US and have VoLTE, Wi-Fi Calling and timely Updates. In India YMMV. If Call Features and 5G are a priority your Service Provider's device is the best option.
Thanks for your reply!
You mentioned that you have the same model, which CSC are you on?
Yes, the Amazon Page says tmobile but it is an unlocked device that the seller is selling. In India we only get the exynos variant and this is the only Snapdragon variant that is available to us. The reviews say that Indian carriers are working fine my main concern is CSC related features like in-built call recording, does your device have that? I have it on my Note 20 (CSC = INS).
Also I'm curious when you say that it only supports those 3 CSC, does that mean it won't even change to INS if I tried? OR does it change but bricks the device or some other limitation happens (like Knox tripping)?
I'm on the TGY Hong Kong CSC, I wouldn't consider the CHC or BRI variants. Some users have reported the TGY and BRI have identical software but I'm not sure that's correct. The SM-G9980 TGY CSC is available on ebay or online from a number of retailers in Hong Kong, I purchased mine online from Hong Kong since most on ebay don't offer the 512GB option. The device doesn't offer native call recording however a number of apps can enable this function. At this time it's impossible to flash any Exynos Global Firmware on any Snapdragon variants and that's not likely to change going forward. You can't make a general rule that this or that feature will work in India, all service providers aren't using identical metrics. If your concern is maximizing call features acquiring your service provider's device is the best bet.
varcor said:
I'm on the TGY Hong Kong CSC, I wouldn't consider the CHC or BRI variants. Some users have reported the TGY and BRI have identical software but I'm not sure that's correct. The SM-G9980 TGY CSC is available on ebay or online from a number of retailers in Hong Kong, I purchased mine online from Hong Kong since most on ebay don't offer the 512GB option. The device doesn't offer native call recording however a number of apps can enable this function. At this time it's impossible to flash any Exynos Global Firmware on any Snapdragon variants and that's not likely to change going forward. If your concern is call features acquiring your service provider's device is the best bet.
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Thanks again for your help! Just one last thing, does your device support VoLTE and WiFi calling?
Dev Jaskirat said:
Thanks again for your help! Just one last thing, does your device support VoLTE and WiFi calling?
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Yes, as I mentioned previously.
Dev Jaskirat said:
Hi everyone!
I recently found that Amazon India is now selling the Snapdragon 888 variant of the S21 Ultra, planning to buy the same but I wanted to inqure here first if anyone has the snapdragon variant and has tried to change their CSC to INS? Also if all the services like VoLTE, WiFi calling work with the same or not?
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Click to collapse
oh man ive broken my head on this, bottom line, now warranty ! and no repair in india as far as i know! they wont have the parts and if anything happens, expect delays of 1+month for repair!
also, do you really think its a good idea to purchase this off of amazon? its freaking one lakh rupees man ! i said eff it and bought the exynos from local samsung store ! sure its exynos, still amazing for what it offers!
id suggest asking a friend whos in the USA to buy it for you and get it while coming down to india! thats the only safe way my friend
shriom_manerker said:
oh man ive broken my head on this, bottom line, now warranty ! and no repair in india as far as i know! they wont have the parts and if anything happens, expect delays of 1+month for repair!
also, do you really think its a good idea to purchase this off of amazon? its freaking one lakh rupees man ! i said eff it and bought the exynos from local samsung store ! sure its exynos, still amazing for what it offers!
id suggest asking a friend whos in the USA to buy it for you and get it while coming down to india! thats the only safe way my friend
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No friends coming anytime soon! Also that doesn't really solve the lack of warranty and delays in repair issues ...
Dev Jaskirat said:
No friends coming anytime soon! Also that doesn't really solve the lack of warranty and delays in repair issues ...
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yes but at least you are getting a bill and a sale receipt to ship it back and get it repaired under warranty. sure its a long shot, but i bet itll still be cheaper than buying a new s21 ultra
Did you ever get it to move to a different country firmware?
I have the same device, and the lack of timely updates and the control of carriers of what get released and what not is scare to say the least.. especially when u are holding a hongkong/china variant..
Let us know if u figured any way out or experimented with it..
shriom_manerker said:
yes but at least you are getting a bill and a sale receipt to ship it back and get it repaired under warranty. sure its a long shot, but i bet itll still be cheaper than buying a new s21 ultra
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My advice. Get your local version. Exynos this year wasn't bad. I got this 9980 for 16/512gb SD and am desperate to get other regions updates but so far haven't found a satisfactory way to do that. Either you figure that out or get the local version. That way your local carriers will be in charge not other country's.
kamirza said:
My advice. Get your local version. Exynos this year wasn't bad. I got this 9980 for 16/512gb SD and am desperate to get other regions updates but so far haven't found a satisfactory way to do that. Either you figure that out or get the local version. That way your local carriers will be in charge not other country's.
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Samsung has paused Android 12 Updates on the SM-G9980 at least until sometime this month. So far they’ve released 3 updates of Android 12 for the S21 and it still isn't stable. I'm not in any rush to receive A12, will wait a few weeks after it's available and see if they've finally fixed all the bugs. It's not so much Samsung's fault, blame Google, it causing problems on many different brands.