[Q] Getting a GN today, Q's about the phone (i9250 v. SC-04D) - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

I am going to be purchasing an unlocked GSM GN from somebody on craigslist today, but I had some questions first. I know I read that there are 2 different types of these, the i9250 and the SC-04D. From what I have read, one should be leary of the SC-04D as it could have a defective IMEI? Is this right? And my next question, how do I tell which one it is once I'm looking at the phone? And is there anything else I should be looking out for? Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Towle said:
I am going to be purchasing an unlocked GSM GN from somebody on craigslist today, but I had some questions first. I know I read that there are 2 different types of these, the i9250 and the SC-04D. From what I have read, one should be leary of the SC-04D as it could have a defective IMEI? Is this right? And my next question, how do I tell which one it is once I'm looking at the phone? And is there anything else I should be looking out for? Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an SC-04D from Newegg, and for me at least it is functionally identical to the I9250. No IMEI problems, mine matches the one printed on the box. I flashed it to yakju IMM76D using the factory images as soon as I got it, and I received IMM76I last weekend, OTA.
Physically - the SC-04D has a different battery door (but stock doors are available from any number of sources and fit as they should), a battery with Japanese writing and Japanese language stickers inside the battery compartment.
I've seen other posts saying that the battery in the SC-04D is not NFC, but I believe that it is.
Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on an SC-04D.
HTH

UnusualSuspect said:
I have an SC-04D from Newegg, and for me at least it is functionally identical to the I9250. No IMEI problems, mine matches the one printed on the box. I flashed it to yakju IMM76D using the factory images as soon as I got it, and I received IMM76I last weekend, OTA.
Physically - the SC-04D has a different battery door (but stock doors are available from any number of sources and fit as they should), a battery with Japanese writing and Japanese language stickers inside the battery compartment.
I've seen other posts saying that the battery in the SC-04D is not NFC, but I believe that it is.
Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on an SC-04D.
HTH
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. I'm actually doing a straight up trade for my Tmobile SGS2. The guy told me he bought the GN about a month ago, and from what I have been reading, the only US specific model is the one Google just started selling this week, correct? So the only thing I need to look for is making sure the IMEI matches the one on the box?
And how do I know if it's yakju or not? Does yakju come with the i9250 and the SC-04D does not? I'm just a little confused as to what the difference between all of this stuff. Like, if the i9250 and SC-04D are both unlocked GSM, why are there 2 models? Sorry if this is stuff is answered elsewhere, I will be continuing to read through these forums during slow times at work today.

There really isn't a US-specific GSM Gnex yet, they're all unlocked international phones. Being pentaband, they work fine on AT&T and TMobile in the US.
The SC-04D is a carrier-branded (NTT) version of the international GSM model. When I got mine I didn't take the time to look over the build it came with, I just immediately flashed the IMM76D build.
I don't know what OS you'll find installed on the phone you're looking at. "yakju" indicates a "pure Google" version of ICS, straight from Google - no manufacturer or carrier modifications such as TouchWiz, Sense, bloatware. There are tons of threads here at XDA that can assist you in loading whatever version of the OS you choose. I've chosen "pure vanilla Google".
It seems to me that the folks complaining about IMEI corruption all got their phones from Negri electronics. You might ask your seller where he got his phone... just a thought.

UnusualSuspect said:
There really isn't a US-specific GSM Gnex yet, they're all unlocked international phones. Being pentaband, they work fine on AT&T and TMobile in the US.
The SC-04D is a carrier-branded (NTT) version of the international GSM model. When I got mine I didn't take the time to look over the build it came with, I just immediately flashed the IMM76D build.
I don't know what OS you'll find installed on the phone you're looking at. "yakju" indicates a "pure Google" version of ICS, straight from Google - no manufacturer or carrier modifications such as TouchWiz, Sense, bloatware. There are tons of threads here at XDA that can assist you in loading whatever version of the OS you choose. I've chosen "pure vanilla Google".
It seems to me that the folks complaining about IMEI corruption all got their phones from Negri electronics. You might ask your seller where he got his phone... just a thought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the one Google is selling is the i9250 right?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Related

GN "Official words" about yakju and yakjuxw differences

OK, mid you that the answers I got from Samsung Romania customer support where over the telephone not mail so......
According to the support ppl there are no differences between yakju and yakjuxw. They both get updates from Google not one from Google (yakju) and the other one from Samsung (yakjuxw). They also said that yakjuxw is for more specific countries or zones as well as for certain carriers, thus some phones with yakjuxw may have some personalized software, ring tones or wallpapers that other yakjuxw don't have. The yakju version is the, let's say universal version with no specific crap in it so the updates come first and quicker to this version then the yakjuxw.
I can confirm that the service support for GN phones of Vodafone Romania told me that I will not loose my warranty if I install yakju version on the phone, of course they official Google version found on their site. They also told me that if I unlock my phone via code from any other source except Vodafone that will void the warranty, so bummer there.
The fact of the matter is that there are ppl that flashed yakju to a yakjuxw Gn and still didn't get the 4.0.2 update while other got it.
The are ppl with yakju by stock that didn't get 4.0.2 yet.
Again this was over the phone with a customer support person, although I have sent Samsung an email about 11 days ago I have still yet to receive an answer from them.
For those of us with yakjuxw all that remains for us to do is wait and see how long will it take for 4.0.2 to get to us or flash to yakju and hope OTA updates will be on their marry way to our GN and that flashing yakju will actually mean getting the updates as quick as the ones with stock yakju.
One question for those who flashed yakju over yakjuxw:
After flashing yakju in Android System info does it still say Samsung in Brand? Or does it say Google? We all know that yakjuxw have Brand: Samsung while yakju have Brand: Google.
Cheers
I changed from yakjuxw to yakju and Android System Info says Brand: google. It was samsung before..
But still no update to 4.0.2, but I guess that Google stopped the updates for some reason. Many people with original yakju devices don't have the update yet, too..
My verizon galaxy nexus (mysid) shows google as the brand as well. can someone with a gsm galaxy nexus post a screenshot of android system info for comparison?
It's good to know that the brand also changes from samsung to google.
Here is the screenshot
Here's a shot of mine.
What does the host line mean?
In most phones, at Brand section apears the name of the carrier, like T-Mobile, Vodafone or any other company, In this case is Samsung.
Samung Kies is incompatible with GN so the question remains: who is responsable with deploying updates for these phones and how?
The support person from samsung told me that if I try to update GN with Kies, it won't work. I haven't tried it yet to see if it's true.
Like I sayd in my first post, according to samsung all GN are supported and updated via OTA by google and only by google as it's a full google phone. If this is true or not, remains to be seen with future updates.
As mentioned in other threads, Samsung made the region/carrier changes to original yakju build to support different regions/carriers, thus the various yakju** variants. Ideally they should send these changes back to Google to be incorporated into the main AOSP branch. So hopefully with a major future OTA release, Google will bring all GSM GN's into a single OTA profile.
Scovik said:
The fact of the matter is that there are ppl that flashed yakju to a yakjuxw Gn and still didn't get the 4.0.2 update while other got it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've flashed yakju over yakjuxw and did get the 4.0.2 the 2nd day after it was officially released, so it goes to say that there are people who flashed yakju and got the update.
Scovik said:
They also said that yakjuxw is for more specific countries or zones as well as for certain carriers, thus some phones with yakjuxw may have some personalized software, ring tones or wallpapers that other yakjuxw don't have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the rep wasn't lying about what he said above, because 1 of the differences between yakju and yakjuxw that I've seen is that Samsung's build, yakjuxw had 30-40 more ringtones than the official Google build. Also maybe some more wallpapers. Other than that, I didn't see any changes.
My question on this problem is the following: is there some IMPORTANT part of the firmware that is different ? Something like the baseband or settings missing or etc. ? That kind of important. Ringtones are not that important, so it doesn't really matter that they are missing from Google build, I can live with that. But if a baseband is different and it affects the reception, now that is something very important. So, are there any important differences like that ?
Scovik said:
I can confirm that the service support for GN phones of Vodafone Romania told me that I will not loose my warranty if I install yakju version on the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's really good to know. So if I check in the service store with my phone with unlocked bootloader and yakju build, everything's fine ?
Scovik said:
They also told me that if I unlock my phone via code from any other source except Vodafone that will void the warranty,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was obvious. What isn't necessarily obvious is the fact that the phone came locked on Vodafone. Is it true, did you check ?
The phone is locked on Vodafone.
I really can't say what would happen if you would go to vodafone service with the bootloader unlocked and yakju instead of yakjuxw. Let's hope it wont come to that....
melterx12 said:
Here's a shot of mine.
What does the host line mean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But that's the CDMA version...not what these guys are talking about. Ours is different anyway (since we're using Toro).
I was just pointing out that even though the phone is on Verizon, the brand is still shown as Google.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

[Q] where can I get a gsm GNex

I'm looking to buy a GNex but I want one with a “yakju,” build because I want updates from Google
spaceman860 said:
I'm looking to buy a GNex but I want one with a “yakju,” build because I want updates from Google
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've purchased two from amazon. One was a yakju, the other was not. It seems to be a crapshoot to me?
It doesn't really matter where you buy it from. You can convert any non-yakju build to yakju. It's a matter of luck when it comes to buying a GSM Galaxy Nexus, you're not guaranteed a "yakju." Very simple to switch.
You can view this thread, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1387777&highlight=yakju -- use search next time :/
j c m said:
I've purchased two from amazon. One was a yakju, the other was not. It seems to be a crapshoot to me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing. Just flash it afterwards on the google android site.
I know you can flash it to yakju just wanted to avoid it if possible
Next phone: GNex GSM
Current phone: Nexus One CM7/Sidekick 4G stock
R.I.P: G1
spaceman860 said:
I know you can flash it to yakju just wanted to avoid it if possible
Next phone: GNex GSM
Current phone: Nexus One CM7/Sidekick 4G stock
R.I.P: G1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why avoid? Warranty purposes? Backups of other builds are available (look around) If you flash custom ROMs, yakju/yakjuxw won't even matter.
Like I said again, it's really based off luck. Some people have gotten yakju from Negri, Expansys. Some people have received other builds of yakju from them. It's completely random. It's not like you can go walk into a store in America (not many places I imagine sell this with a few exceptions) and check the build before leaving the store.
You can buy from www.clove.co.uk . thats were i picked up 2 G Nexus . both were yakju build and i picked them up on different dates.

[Q] Update and other noob questions

I've tried searching for answers but I just get more confused...I have absolutely no knowledge on the subject...
Recently bought a Galaxy Nexus (19250) in Hong Kong, and turned it on while still in Hong Kong and it updated itself to 4.0.2 (great!)
So now I'm back in Canada, and am on the telus network. Did some research and seen that there is Android 4.0.4, yet I'm still at 4.0.2. Is this normal? I downloaded this app called GNofficialUpdateChecker that told me my product name is YAKJU if that makes any difference.
I don't really want to do anything special, I'm just curious if it is normal that I don't have a notification to update to the most recent version.
Ok, and further questions...don't laugh but...is my phone GSM, LTE, HSPA, CDMA (pretty sure it's not as I have a sim card), and what does it mean to me. I think I read that it could mean a different size, with regards to choosing a hard case???
any help is really appreciated!
DynoNobel said:
So now I'm back in Canada, and am on the telus network. Did some research and seen that there is Android 4.0.4, yet I'm still at 4.0.2. Is this normal? I downloaded this app called GNofficialUpdateChecker that told me my product name is YAKJU if that makes any difference.
I don't really want to do anything special, I'm just curious if it is normal that I don't have a notification to update to the most recent version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't want to do anything special than just wait, and you'll get 4.0.4 when you're meant to get 4.0.4. Rumors are the 4.0.4 OTA has been halted for radio issues to be fixed.
Ok, and further questions...don't laugh but...is my phone GSM, LTE, HSPA, CDMA (pretty sure it's not as I have a sim card),
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is GSM and HSPA+. There are just 2 models (basically) of the GNex. i9250 is your model with GSM/HSPA+, and i515 which is Verizon only and is CDMA/LTE. The i515 does have a SIM card for authenticating LTE. They're easy to tell apart because the VZW model is thicker, has a "Verizon" logo on it, and has the SIM and battery in different places under the back cover.
and what does it mean to me. I think I read that it could mean a different size, with regards to choosing a hard case???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The i515 is about 1mm thicker than the i9250. Most cases fit both and unless they specifically offer 2 versions of the case, 1 for each model, then you're probably okay just getting the one model they have.
Awesome!
Thanks for the reply. I have no problem waiting, just wasn't sure if It was normal or now. answered all my questions.
So, who decides when the update goes out? Is it Google, Andriod, Samsung, or the network provider (Telus in my case)? I'm going to guess google...?
DynoNobel said:
Awesome!
Thanks for the reply. I have no problem waiting, just wasn't sure if It was normal or now. answered all my questions.
So, who decides when the update goes out? Is it Google, Andriod, Samsung, or the network provider (Telus in my case)? I'm going to guess google...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With yakju build, your updates will come from Google, yakjuxw builds have updates from Samsung.
DynoNobel said:
Awesome!
Thanks for the reply. I have no problem waiting, just wasn't sure if It was normal or now. answered all my questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem.
So, who decides when the update goes out? Is it Google, Andriod, Samsung, or the network provider (Telus in my case)? I'm going to guess google...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yakju is decided by Google, and doesn't involve your carrier. You can accept it over WiFi.
Yakju** models are updated by Google, who hands it to Samsung to customize for the region the build is made for, then pushed out by Samsung.

[Q] galaxy nexus 16GB & 4G LTE difference

hi everyone
so, I was watching a review of Galaxy Nexus because I'm gonna buy one,
& I crossed over this only in Cnet's review, they said 16 GB one is unlocked, & also the 4G one is thicker as they showed.
now my question is if I buy the 32 one, can I unlock it later? myself?
& also if it's true 16GB is thinner, how thin is it in hand? because I already took one 32GB in hand & it was not that bad to take in hand
Unlock it to use on a GSM network? No (at least not as far as I know), the internal hardware in Toro (32GB version) is different than that in Maguro (16GB version).
The thickness isn't really too noticeable for me, depending on what phone you are coming from you probably won't notice a huge difference when held compared to the Toro model, It has a nice quality feel no matter which one you choose.
I hope this helps!
The 4G is used on CDMA, there's not point in unlocking it as you couldn't use it on another CDMA carrier's 4G (such as Sprint).
The 16 GB is GSM, not CDMA. So depending on what network you plan on using it on, that should dictate which one to use.
Since I'm on Tmo, the GSM is the one for me.
theking_13 said:
The 4G is used on CDMA, there's not point in unlocking it as you couldn't use it on another CDMA carrier's 4G (such as Sprint).
The 16 GB is GSM, not CDMA. So depending on what network you plan on using it on, that should dictate which one to use.
Since I'm on Tmo, the GSM is the one for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, it's the first time I also hear it's CDMA
then if it's CDMA, why are they selling it where I live here in Cyprus?
cause there's no CDMA in here as far as I know.
is there any chance u might be wrong & 32GB also has a GSM version?
Nope just 16g
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
mehras1991 said:
thanks, it's the first time I also hear it's CDMA
then if it's CDMA, why are they selling it where I live here in Cyprus?
cause there's no CDMA in here as far as I know.
is there any chance u might be wrong & 32GB also has a GSM version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well actually, some GSM 32 GB WERE sold a LONG time ago, near launch. Samsung quickly discontinued this model however, and made it a CDMA exclusive for some reasons (only reason I envy my gfs Sprint Gnex).
Anyways, I've seen a few sell on eBay, but as far as everyone knows, they stopped making them, and I don't see why they'd start selling them exclusively there. Maybe a misprint?
theking_13 said:
Well actually, some GSM 32 GB WERE sold a LONG time ago, near launch. Samsung quickly discontinued this model however, and made it a CDMA exclusive for some reasons (only reason I envy my gfs Sprint Gnex).
Anyways, I've seen a few sell on eBay, but as far as everyone knows, they stopped making them, and I don't see why they'd start selling them exclusively there. Maybe a misprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, let's say, the one I saw is from the first few 32gb GSM
if I buy that, will I have problem with updating to other ROMs, because of hardware differences?
(like as u know these people release some ROMs according to the device model number for some brands)
mehras1991 said:
So, let's say, the one I saw is from the first few 32gb GSM
if I buy that, will I have problem with updating to other ROMs, because of hardware differences?
(like as u know these people release some ROMs according to the device model number for some brands)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should not have problems.
No, the only change would be the 32 vs 16 gb storage. All GSM are maguro models.
theking_13 said:
Well actually, some GSM 32 GB WERE sold a LONG time ago, near launch. Samsung quickly discontinued this model however, and made it a CDMA exclusive for some reasons (only reason I envy my gfs Sprint Gnex).
Anyways, I've seen a few sell on eBay, but as far as everyone knows, they stopped making them, and I don't see why they'd start selling them exclusively there. Maybe a misprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.. they were never sold as 32GB and GSM. It was a rumor. The "pre orders" were sold but no one got an actual device.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
joshnichols189 said:
No.. they were never sold as 32GB and GSM. It was a rumor. The "pre orders" were sold but no one got an actual device.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw a few on eBay when I was shopping for my Nexus, this one is the only one that shows up. Maybe I'll find another.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-Goo...Cell_Phones&hash=item1c27ed4940#ht_500wt_1202
theking_13 said:
I saw a few on eBay when I was shopping for my Nexus, this one is the only one that shows up. Maybe I'll find another.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-Goo...Cell_Phones&hash=item1c27ed4940#ht_500wt_1202
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably straight from Google.
"Long is the way, and hard, that out of hell leads up to light."

Different Versions of Device?

I see ads for various versions of the Galaxy Nexus hardware, some international . Will all of them work identically with US Tmobile?
No. There are 3 different versions sold in the U.S. Only the GSM version, the i9250, will work on T-Mobile.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
najaboy said:
No. There are 3 different versions sold in the U.S. Only the GSM version, the i9250, will work on T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry, I should have been clearer. I am only talking about GSM versions. Even so there are some that have been imported from other countries, and I'm trying to be sure they are identical and will work on T-mobile with HSDPA+.
there's only 1 GSM version.
There are different model numbers like i9250M and others, but it's the same hardware.
Just don't get the docomo gnex, i personally feel it's too much trouble.
like mach said they have different name but are the hrdware is the same.. you could even flash the yakju (the one that is sold on play store) image to another build and make it yakju
k786 said:
like mach said they have different name but are the hrdware is the same.. you could even flash the yakju (the one that is sold on play store) image to another build and make it yakju
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The variant sold in playstore is takju. Yakju is the first variant sold, just for the record.
sent from my i9250
Is the issue with Docomo Gnex just getting it unlocked prior to flashing it?
kmandel said:
Is the issue with Docomo Gnex just getting it unlocked prior to flashing it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some of the vendors taking liquidated docomo handsets and reselling them in NA/Europe did a real hack job on the unlock (that being said the lock itself was an ugly hack apparently added at the last minute) which caused the IMEI to change. A real Docomo-performed unlock (by the carrier in a shop in Japan) will not change the IMEI and will persist over reflashes 4.0.4 or higher.

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