Develop Bugs

[Q] Worth waiting for Nexus edition or just get carrier version

Howdy all,
First off, let me apologize if this has been brought up before, I've been diligently researching the past couple of days and couldn't find anyone that asked a similar question, so I'm asking now.
Anyways I'm looking for a new phone and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with some variant of the s4. The question now, with the release of the nexus edition being so close, I can't decide which one to go for.
I do want something as close to stock as possible, hence my interest in the nexus edition.
Normally, it'd be no question, I'd just wait it out, however I was looking on Tmobile's site last night and it seems there might have been a price drop in the full retail price? It's saying it's now 579.
It wouldn't be a huge deal if I had to flash a new rom, but at the same time, it would be kind of nice if I didn't have to worry about functionality and compatibility issues, etc...
I basically want something that doesn't have TouchWiz
Just having a little trouble deciding and would appreciate opinions.
On a somewhat related note too, is the Tmobile's online price usually the same in the store?
Thanks everyone!

It will very the same either way. If you get the normal version or the GE version. Flashing an AOSP roms will pretty much be the same. The extra sensors will not work a day and all Samsung features will be gone. Nothing really special about the GE version. It is even rumored Samsung will still control the updates. If you can wait I would hold out for the next nexus due out soon.
Wayne Tech Nexus

sortofsleepy said:
Howdy all,
First off, let me apologize if this has been brought up before, I've been diligently researching the past couple of days and couldn't find anyone that asked a similar question, so I'm asking now.
Anyways I'm looking for a new phone and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with some variant of the s4. The question now, with the release of the nexus edition being so close, I can't decide which one to go for.
I do want something as close to stock as possible, hence my interest in the nexus edition.
Normally, it'd be no question, I'd just wait it out, however I was looking on Tmobile's site last night and it seems there might have been a price drop in the full retail price? It's saying it's now 579.
It wouldn't be a huge deal if I had to flash a new rom, but at the same time, it would be kind of nice if I didn't have to worry about functionality and compatibility issues, etc...
I basically want something that doesn't have TouchWiz
Just having a little trouble deciding and would appreciate opinions.
On a somewhat related note too, is the Tmobile's online price usually the same in the store?
Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I can tell you the T Mobile $579 price is available online and in stores. But I think it only lasts until July 13th.
And it's like an $80 difference between the T Mobile sale price and the Google price. Add in shipping and it's easily a $100 difference.
Yes the Nexus version will be pure AOSP and everything will work right. But you could put any of the CM or AOKP varient ROMs on the T Mobile version right now and have 99% funcationality with only an occassional hiccup here and there. They are pretty solid builds even for being early builds. And you can easily make any of those look and act like pure AOSP, with still having some of the functionality of CM under the hood if you need it.
On top of that I'd bet the Nexus version isn't out for a full day before the pure AOSP Sock rom that comes on it is available for download and flashing on your T Mobile version.
So my opinion, if you can root and mod a phone, save the $100 and buy now. Turn it into a put AOSP later.
The biggest disadvantage is that no one will push OTA updates to you. You'll have to download them and install them yourself.

Like the guy above said theres no difference between them you can flash the nexus edition roms to the carrier editions plus if you buy it now on tmobile you get it for a lot cheaper than google :good:

hmmmm all good points...
Given that I capped out of my highspeed data for this month anyways, I think I might as well wait it out just to see what happens after wed.
Thanks for the thoughts everyone, still welcoming any other opinions as well!

I echo the thoughts. With the T-Mobile version having an unlocked bootloader, all AT&T/T-Mobile bands available, and the fact that when using the proper procedures, one can flash any S4 variant's ROMs, I see no reason why NOT to save $100 or so now. Go ahead and get your S4, use CM or other AOSP type ROMs for now, then switch to pure AOSP once it's available. I don't think it will take much more than a day (if that long) after release for 100% pure AOSP to be available in some way, shape, or form for the S4.

lordcheeto03 said:
I echo the thoughts. With the T-Mobile version having an unlocked bootloader, all AT&T/T-Mobile bands available, and the fact that when using the proper procedures, one can flash any S4 variant's ROMs, I see no reason why NOT to save $100 or so now. Go ahead and get your S4, use CM or other AOSP type ROMs for now, then switch to pure AOSP once it's available. I don't think it will take much more than a day (if that long) after release for 100% pure AOSP to be available in some way, shape, or form for the S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same issues, buy T-mo or GE S4. Great thread so far!
I did not realize, however, that Tmo S4 was unlocked bootloader. I thought that one of the GE advantages was unlocked bootloader + root. So I thought IF you got a TMO, you had to unlock root it yourself, and with GE, you didn't.
Can someone confirm again for me that tmo S4 is unlocked?
Anyone know if the ATT one is unlocked?
Can the ATT S4 run on tmo with NO issues, or does it need a radio flash?
An advantage that I see is that the Tmo S4 with touchwiz DOES have benefits, I've heard that TW enables some sensors that GE will NOT, so that pure stock no TW GE S4 won't use all the hardware.
Can anyone elaborate on exactly WHAT sensors stock google will NOT have that TW version will?
Thanks for the help!

noneone said:
I have the same issues, buy T-mo or GE S4. Great thread so far!
I did not realize, however, that Tmo S4 was unlocked bootloader. I thought that one of the GE advantages was unlocked bootloader + root. So I thought IF you got a TMO, you had to unlock root it yourself, and with GE, you didn't.
Can someone confirm again for me that tmo S4 is unlocked?
Anyone know if the ATT one is unlocked?
Can the ATT S4 run on tmo with NO issues, or does it need a radio flash?
An advantage that I see is that the Tmo S4 with touchwiz DOES have benefits, I've heard that TW enables some sensors that GE will NOT, so that pure stock no TW GE S4 won't use all the hardware.
Can anyone elaborate on exactly WHAT sensors stock google will NOT have that TW version will?
Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of the special sensors will be disabled. No IR sensors and none of the TW features will work. No it doesn't come pre-rooted. You still have to manually root it. Only the ATT version has a locked boot loader. All the rest are up locked.
Wayne Tech Nexus

noneone said:
I have the same issues, buy T-mo or GE S4. Great thread so far!
I did not realize, however, that Tmo S4 was unlocked bootloader. I thought that one of the GE advantages was unlocked bootloader + root. So I thought IF you got a TMO, you had to unlock root it yourself, and with GE, you didn't.
Can someone confirm again for me that tmo S4 is unlocked?
Anyone know if the ATT one is unlocked?
Can the ATT S4 run on tmo with NO issues, or does it need a radio flash?
An advantage that I see is that the Tmo S4 with touchwiz DOES have benefits, I've heard that TW enables some sensors that GE will NOT, so that pure stock no TW GE S4 won't use all the hardware.
Can anyone elaborate on exactly WHAT sensors stock google will NOT have that TW version will?
Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile S4 does not have a locked bootloader. It IS SIM-locked, which I believe is what you're thinking here; but that's easily fixed. Also, the M1919 is so easy to root, it really shouldn't really even enter into the consideration of whether the GE is pre-rooted or not. AT&T, Verizon, etc are the ones which have the locked bootloader and are also obviously SIM-locked as well. I swear I read somewhere that the GE S4 is going to be pretty much the M1919 but with officially supported AOSP instead of TouchWiz. Don't quote me on that, I can't find the source nor am I really looking for it, I just believe I read that somewhere...
Any S4 (minus the i9500) can run any S4's (minus the i9500 again) custom CWM/TWRP flashable ROMs without flashing radios. I'm using a T-Mobile device on Net10 prepaid (but started out using it on AT&T's network) and all I did was SIM-unlock and change the APN and I had 4G LTE on AT&T's network straight out of the box. The AT&T S4 works *better* on T-Mobile networks with the AWS band enabled, which is a modified AT&T radio; but it will still pick up most of T-Mobile's network.
As for which features/sensors AOSP won't have that TW will: all TW-specific features. The IR blaster, for one; but if it's specific to TW, don't expect the GE to have in AOSP. I don't want to make an assumption here, but I would venture to say that the sensors won't actually be disabled, they just can't be made use of in AOSP. I would think that flashing TW on the GE would more than likely enable the use of all the sensors while in TW, seeing as the closed-source drivers for those sensors would then be present... not saying that will be the case, but I don't see why it wouldn't work unless those sensors were physically removed from the device for the GE.

noneone said:
I have the same issues, buy T-mo or GE S4. Great thread so far!
I did not realize, however, that Tmo S4 was unlocked bootloader. I thought that one of the GE advantages was unlocked bootloader + root. So I thought IF you got a TMO, you had to unlock root it yourself, and with GE, you didn't.
Can someone confirm again for me that tmo S4 is unlocked?
Anyone know if the ATT one is unlocked?
Can the ATT S4 run on tmo with NO issues, or does it need a radio flash?
An advantage that I see is that the Tmo S4 with touchwiz DOES have benefits, I've heard that TW enables some sensors that GE will NOT, so that pure stock no TW GE S4 won't use all the hardware.
Can anyone elaborate on exactly WHAT sensors stock google will NOT have that TW version will?
Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gagh!!!! Decided to just get the TMobile one, so I went today.
Just a FYI if you already have a TMobile account, went to two different stores today, neither would sell me a phone at the 579 price w/out moving to a more expensive plan for a month first.

sortofsleepy said:
Gagh!!!! Decided to just get the TMobile one, so I went today.
Just a FYI if you already have a TMobile account, went to two different stores today, neither would sell me a phone at the 579 price w/out moving to a more expensive plan for a month first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I got mine on Monday while still under a contract and they were happy to sell it to me for $579 at the store. I made no changes to my plan at the time, and then today I easily switched from a contract to a cheaper no contract plan
Sent from your phone. You should be careful where you leave that thing.

Skipjacks said:
Really? I got mine on Monday while still under a contract and they were happy to sell it to me for $579 at the store. I made no changes to my plan at the time, and then today I easily switched from a contract to a cheaper no contract plan
Sent from your phone. You should be careful where you leave that thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly yes. I think the reason it I couldn't get it is cause I have that $30 a month prepaid plan and I guess they can't sell em to people on prepaid for some weird reason? I may try other stores tomorrow.

sortofsleepy said:
Sadly yes. I think the reason it I couldn't get it is cause I have that $30 a month prepaid plan and I guess they can't sell em to people on prepaid for some weird reason? I may try other stores tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh. Yeah the 579 clearly only applies with the sign up or continuation of a qualifying plan.
The prepaid plans are not qualifying. So the rule is not that you have to get a more expensive plan to get the deal, but the qualifying plans are all more expensive than your current one.
Sent from your phone. You should be careful where you leave that thing.

Got mine for $128 no problem with $20 x 24 months

Skipjacks said:
Oh. Yeah the 579 clearly only applies with the sign up or continuation of a qualifying plan.
The prepaid plans are not qualifying. So the rule is not that you have to get a more expensive plan to get the deal, but the qualifying plans are all more expensive than your current one.
Sent from your phone. You should be careful where you leave that thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Drat! heh. I normally wouldn't mind swapping plans but given the price and the fact I mostly use data, and very rarely use it as a phone, I'm kinda kneen on keeping my plan.
They said they could swap me back to my current plan after the month is up but I'm a bit wary of that idea since it was kinda troublesome to get it in the first place.

sortofsleepy said:
Drat! heh. I normally wouldn't mind swapping plans but given the price and the fact I mostly use data, and very rarely use it as a phone, I'm kinda kneen on keeping my plan.
They said they could swap me back to my current plan after the month is up but I'm a bit wary of that idea since it was kinda troublesome to get it in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or just okay the $629 full price at the store. Spend the extra $50 on the device and keep your insanely low rate plan.
Sent from your phone. You should be careful where you leave that thing.

Can anyone confirm for certain that the tmo version will be able to use the Nexus edition roms immediately? I don't see where there would be a problem, just want to confirm.
I would love to buy a sgs4 but I would also like to use the latest Android right away. Currently on my nexus devices, I can flash something the day it comes out. Likely that will be the same for the sgs4 Google edition, which makes sense it would translate over to the tmo version as well. So in theory, you could flash within a day or so of the sgs4 version coming out. Thoughts?
Also, has anyone confirmed they will release the source as well?
It sounds like best case scenario, I could run my sgs4 either touchwiz or aosp bug free. With prompt Google releases
Why would anyone buy the Google edition one then? Clearly you can get it cheaper elsewhere with the same functionality
Sent from my Nexus 7

pnut22r said:
Can anyone confirm for certain that the tmo version will be able to use the Nexus edition roms immediately? I don't see where there would be a problem, just want to confirm.
I would love to buy a sgs4 but I would also like to use the latest Android right away. Currently on my nexus devices, I can flash something the day it comes out. Likely that will be the same for the sgs4 Google edition, which makes sense it would translate over to the tmo version as well. So in theory, you could flash within a day or so of the sgs4 version coming out. Thoughts?
Also, has anyone confirmed they will release the source as well?
It sounds like best case scenario, I could run my sgs4 either touchwiz or aosp bug free. With prompt Google releases
Why would anyone buy the Google edition one then? Clearly you can get it cheaper elsewhere with the same functionality
Sent from my Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Immediately? No. But I would bet heavily that the updates will be available here on xda within a day or two of the ota pushes.
Sent from your phone. You should be careful where you leave that thing.

Just wondering if/when we can flash AOSP from the Google Edition that it will somehow repartition the device to be able to use all the space since even with CM right now only about 9.75 GB is usable.

geekilized said:
Just wondering if/when we can flash AOSP from the Google Edition that it will somehow repartition the device to be able to use all the space since even with CM right now only about 9.75 GB is usable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Sent from my TI-82 using XDA Premium

Coming to T-Mobile GN3 as an AT&T Subscriber

Hi there,
Im currently on ATT and would like to be able to use the Galaxy Note 3 with all of the cool ROMs you folks have with an unlocked bootloader. Am I correct in my thoughts that I could simply buy an unlocked T-Mobile Galaxy Note 3 and it would work with my ATT SIM Card?
If so, where would be the best place to purchase one?
Thanks.

Yes att sim works. Not sure about all the ROMS. i'm just rooted using towelroot.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

magnumforce2006 said:
Hi there,
Im currently on ATT and would like to be able to use the Galaxy Note 3 with all of the cool ROMs you folks have with an unlocked bootloader. Am I correct in my thoughts that I could simply buy an unlocked T-Mobile Galaxy Note 3 and it would work with my ATT SIM Card?
If so, where would be the best place to purchase one?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought mine from t mobile. You have to wait 45 days for the unlock code though. I was at mobile customer until they stopped the employee discount for my work, so I went to att. Try out swappa, they have plenty for sale.
You can use att roms as well as t mobile and international with the n900t.
Sent from the dirty flashed note 3!

I got my from Ebay . I got tired of not being able to use custom roms like CM or Aosp and not being able to use custom kernels. You can unlock for cheap with Region unlock app. THERE IS A GUIDE ON THE att forum. You will not regret it. Keep in mind that we you flash the custom recovery your Knox Counter will trip and there is no way to reverse it so if you need Knox keep the AT&T Device as its basically the same thing but if you're like me and don't care about Knox go ahead.
---------- Post added at 12:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 AM ----------
Make sure you get one with a clean Imei from a reputable seller Bad Imei will not work.

carlosjcar said:
I got my from Ebay . I got tired of not being able to use custom roms like CM or Aosp and not being able to use custom kernels. You can unlock for cheap with Region unlock app. THERE IS A GUIDE ON THE att forum. You will not regret it. Keep in mind that we you flash the custom recovery your Knox Counter will trip and there is no way to reverse it so if you need Knox keep the AT&T Device as its basically the same thing but if you're like me and don't care about Knox go ahead.
---------- Post added at 12:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 AM ----------
Make sure you get one with a clean Imei from a reputable seller Bad Imei will not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically could I just buy an unlocked one from EBay and be set?

I concur with the poster that recommended Swappa. With so many financed T-Mobile phones out there, I'd be wary of eBay. Swappa checks IMEIs so you have a higher level of comfort. I've purchased my current N3 there at good price.
....

noobtoob said:
You can use att roms as well as t mobile and international with the n900t
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure about this? Or are you referring to the international ROM with the modem stripped out?

Anonymously_Unknown said:
Are you sure about this? Or are you referring to the international ROM with the modem stripped out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rom zips do not contain baseband info. You install it like any other, just download, flash, and enjoy. The only thing is if on touchwiz you will need to follow the directions above.
Flash rom
Flash kernel for n900t
Flash BT/WiFi fix
Profit!
Sent from the dirty flashed note 3!

magnumforce2006 said:
Hi there,
Im currently on ATT and would like to be able to use the Galaxy Note 3 with all of the cool ROMs you folks have with an unlocked bootloader. Am I correct in my thoughts that I could simply buy an unlocked T-Mobile Galaxy Note 3 and it would work with my ATT SIM Card?
If so, where would be the best place to purchase one?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rent a Center is now selling unlocked Samsung phones at semi reasonable prices.
$34 a week for a N900T Unlocked Note III
$800.00 if you pay all at once, more if you spread it out.
I also saw S5's, S4's and other style phones while I was there.
I purchased mine, new in the box, for substantially less from RAC because I was lucky I suppose you could say.
Good luck

I am on the N900T with att service, use RegionLock Away on the market, it works like a champ, use that anytime you switch modems, it will work every time, I haven't had one issue yet, and great reception also.
Also, as stated above, NO custom roms change the baseband (modem), it only changes if you change it.
Good luck!!
---------- Post added at 08:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:34 AM ----------
Ed Murray said:
Rent a Center is now selling unlocked Samsung phones at semi reasonable prices.
$34 a week for a N900T Unlocked Note III
$800.00 if you pay all at once, more if you spread it out.
I also saw S5's, S4's and other style phones while I was there.
I purchased mine, new in the box, for substantially less from RAC because I was lucky I suppose you could say.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I did not know this, good info, thanks. One route people can take.:good::good:

I got mine from RAC. Had the note 8 and a razr HD. Sold the phone an returned the tablet to RAC and got the note 3 and love it. Less on the bill now too
note 3 4.4.2 stock rooted N900T

ASUS ZenFone 2 USA model may 18th?

http://www.slashgear.com/asus-zenfone-2-usa-model-specifications-revealed-30381599/
for those still waiting, here is the news.

Its good that they are finally going to do a US release but I don't understand the mentality of only releasing the 2GB RAM version initially to "compete" with this years flagship phones like the M9 and S6. I bought mine from a website that sent it from China and 4GB RAM and it works great, I would love to see a US release mainly for the US based firmware so that it works better on the networks because its just not doing great on signal right now.

WTF. Why would you NOT sell the 4gb when that's like, the selling point of the phone for some people?

geegs8 said:
WTF. Why would you NOT sell the 4gb when that's like, the selling point of the phone for some people?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4gb is one huge selling point, but not have to purchase through a carrier is another. Will this also be available unlocked from Amazon or other?

oif0709 said:
Its good that they are finally going to do a US release but I don't understand the mentality of only releasing the 2GB RAM version initially to "compete" with this years flagship phones like the M9 and S6. I bought mine from a website that sent it from China and 4GB RAM and it works great, I would love to see a US release mainly for the US based firmware so that it works better on the networks because its just not doing great on signal right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great minds think alike, i'm just hoping if we could flash the us based firmware to get better signal

Man, I hope they won't put a carrier plan on it for
Sent from my SM-T230NU using XDA Free mobile app

um....sounds pretty bad....
is the taiwanese version works better than the china version in USA and Canada?

jdaclutch said:
great minds think alike, i'm just hoping if we could flash the us based firmware to get better signal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Thats the only thing I want to see out of this release now is better signal. I am not getting LTE for T-Mobile just H+ but it doesn't bother me to much. Everything I am able to do with this phone I am more than happy with. And an update to a 64 bit OS would be nice. Everything ASUS is putting out for this phone is still on 32 bit OS. Which is nonsense when you're spouting everything about 64 bit chips.
---------- Post added at 01:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 AM ----------
tabemasu88 said:
um....sounds pretty bad....
is the taiwanese version works better than the china version in USA and Canada?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neither one work good for US and CA. You can still call and text but browsing just isnt going to go over smoothly. When I first got it in, it had China's firmware which was difficult to navigate through and didn't have Gapps or any native google support. What I did, and pretty much everyone else that has bought it from overseas what flash the firmware to the European version which is WW. Switching the firmware in and of itself was a pain because the bootloader is still locked. China is CN, Taiwan is TW, and another they just released is JP which I assume is Japan. The European version still doesn't get LTE Signal but runs a lot more smoothly than CN, or TW and gets better signals. If you got it, just flash to a WW firmware and the phone will work awesome.

oif0709 said:
I agree. Thats the only thing I want to see out of this release now is better signal. I am not getting LTE for T-Mobile just H+ but it doesn't bother me to much. Everything I am able to do with this phone I am more than happy with. And an update to a 64 bit OS would be nice. Everything ASUS is putting out for this phone is still on 32 bit OS. Which is nonsense when you're spouting everything about 64 bit chips.
---------- Post added at 01:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 AM ----------
Neither one work good for US and CA. You can still call and text but browsing just isnt going to go over smoothly. When I first got it in, it had China's firmware which was difficult to navigate through and didn't have Gapps or any native google support. What I did, and pretty much everyone else that has bought it from overseas what flash the firmware to the European version which is WW. Switching the firmware in and of itself was a pain because the bootloader is still locked. China is CN, Taiwan is TW, and another they just released is JP which I assume is Japan. The European version still doesn't get LTE Signal but runs a lot more smoothly than CN, or TW and gets better signals. If you got it, just flash to a WW firmware and the phone will work awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What makes you say its 32bit? Surely as its 5.0+ its 64bit?

What will be the price?
What will be the price?

Hey guys they're talking about the zenfone 2 to be AT&T exclusive and stuff. Do you guys think it will be like any other flagship phone? What I mean by this is that do you still think it will be unlocked ? Because I will not be paying monthly for a phone.
Sent from my SM-T230NU using XDA Free mobile app

gsmyth said:
What makes you say its 32bit? Surely as its 5.0+ its 64bit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the phone, if you install antutu benchmark and check device info on it, it will give you details about the OS. Under it is says Android 5.0 (32bit). They're expecting with the 5.1 update that it will be a 64 kernel. I could be wrong, but this is just what I have seen and what has been mentioned quite a bit in zenfone forums by asus with people complaining.

oif0709 said:
On the phone, if you install antutu benchmark and check device info on it, it will give you details about the OS. Under it is says Android 5.0 (32bit). They're expecting with the 5.1 update that it will be a 64 kernel. I could be wrong, but this is just what I have seen and what has been mentioned quite a bit in zenfone forums by asus with people complaining.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, I see, that should be a great update then and make things more efficient.

I can't imagine they will make it an AT&T exclusive. Did you read that somewhere, and if so, can you share the link? If that's the case, then the darn thing will be locked to AT&T. And AT&T will have their nonsense stuff on it!
troy5890 said:
Hey guys they're talking about the zenfone 2 to be AT&T exclusive and stuff. Do you guys think it will be like any other flagship phone? What I mean by this is that do you still think it will be unlocked ? Because I will not be paying monthly for a phone.
Sent from my SM-T230NU using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

`The link is in the first post of the thread but I posted it for you again. First paragraph of the article. - "On the 18th of May in Manhattan, New York, ASUS will be visiting with a USA-based taste of their smartphone ZenFone 2. This device will subsequently be available at AT&T - like previous releases of ASUS phones in the United States."
http://www.slashgear.com/asus-zenfon...aled-30381599/
---------- Post added at 06:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:31 PM ----------
That Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 is looking better now. I hope they sell it unlocked but if it only works on AT&T networks that's okay. I'm leaving AT&T and going to H2O Wireless this month so I'm not buying a locked phone. And yes I know H2O and other virtual carriers will take locked AT&T phones. The good thing about the Alcatel Idol 3 is that it will work on AT&T and T-Mobile U.S. networks.

AT&T is going to render the phone less useful. Also, I doubt the AT&T version will be dual sim. I hope it's also available unlocked via 3rd party retailers, such as Amazon.

Just ordered the ZE550ML 2 GB model. I'll let you guys know about the camera and performance next week, so stay tune!
Sent from my SM-T230NU using XDA Free mobile app

2GB model, no thanks, I will stick with the 4/64 that I picked up in Taiwan

I think that it's smart that people ordered their's esrly, because maybe they might put the phablet on a AT&T. Just a prediction
Sent from my SM-T230NU using XDA Free mobile app

so order early is better?

Bootloader Locked?

Has anyone actually physically checked? I saw the Samsung chats, but nothing officially stating they are or are not locked.

Yes, FRP lock is on and no option to turn it off anywhere like on the Exynos model.

I don't see why samsung, and if not them the companies, have to be dicks about this and screw over their US clients.

Interceptor777 said:
Yes, FRP lock is on and no option to turn it off anywhere like on the Exynos model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is shame. One of the reasons that I switched to Tmobile was because their Samsung phones always had unlocked bootloaders.

I learned my lesson with the s7 edge and didn't buy the phone right away this time around. My Note 7 with root was amazing, but we all know what happen with it.

aggieranch said:
It is shame. One of the reasons that I switched to Tmobile was because their Samsung phones always had unlocked bootloaders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel your pain. I switched from at&t for that very same reason and now all us models have locked bootloaders, but with all the customization you could do to these phones rooting and flashing isn't really necessary for me anymore. I just like the phone all around. It's a great phone. [emoji4]
Sent from my SM-G955U using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Cancelled my T-Mobile pre-order awhile ago for this reason! Ordered the Exynos international model so that I can continue to enjoy unlocked on XDA!

galaxys said:
Cancelled my T-Mobile pre-order awhile ago for this reason! Ordered the Exynos international model so that I can continue to enjoy unlocked on XDA!
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But you won't be getting early updates and you may suffer when the gigabit network comes although don't quote me on that.

bossei said:
But you won't be getting early updates and you may suffer when the gigabit network comes although don't quote me on that.
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Lol... its a well known fact that the international devices get faster and more frequent updates than US or Canadian devices ever will.
I was laughing at all the guys on US/ Can s7s whining about no update to nougat..i had nougat on my international S7 edge mos before they did.
Sent from my Note 7, S7 Edge or S6

I had both TMobile branded S7 edges and international models as well. I found that I actually preferred the TMobile version for volte, rcs messaging, native video calling and a few more small percs. Yeah the international models was bootloader unlockable and had faster updates but I had to do so many work arounds to get it close to how I wanted and yet it still never did. I could have rooted and got everything I wanted but I actually use Samsung Pay and that'd kill that. To each their own. I also recall the TMobile S7 edge and note 7's having a locked bootloader​ still eventually got root.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S8+

Rydah805 said:
I had both TMobile branded S7 edges and international models as well. I found that I actually preferred the TMobile version for volte, rcs messaging, native video calling and a few more small percs. Yeah the international models was bootloader unlockable and had faster updates but I had to do so many work arounds to get it close to how I wanted and yet it still never did. I could have rooted and got everything I wanted but I actually use Samsung Pay and that'd kill that. To each their own. I also recall the TMobile S7 edge and note 7's having a locked bootloader​ still eventually got root.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S8+
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True the international versions lack some features but depending on your use they may or may not matter..for me I could care less about any of those so no biggie but others may need them.
Id rather have root,twrp and roms etc
The root on the s7 and note 7 snaps was via leaked engineering firmware and it wasnt ideal...buggy, slow and just a general pain to deal with.
Sent from my Note 7, S7 Edge or S6

Rydah805 said:
I had both TMobile branded S7 edges and international models as well. I found that I actually preferred the TMobile version for volte, rcs messaging, native video calling and a few more small percs. Yeah the international models was bootloader unlockable and had faster updates but I had to do so many work arounds to get it close to how I wanted and yet it still never did. I could have rooted and got everything I wanted but I actually use Samsung Pay and that'd kill that. To each their own. I also recall the TMobile S7 edge and note 7's having a locked bootloader​ still eventually got root.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S8+
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Yep, I had the s7 edge and rooted it but it wasn't the same as when I had the T-Mobile version of the phone. It was a pain. These phones are great and I rather use it to its fullest. I also use android pay and want to use samsung pay so for me I'm good without unlocked billiards for now. I have a bunch of phones I have rooted that I can get my flashaholic tendency out. Lol. My pixel gives me that pure android feel so having a vendor feel is ok with me. I will be going back and fourth. I also don't know how having an international version will affect the gigabit network update when it comes out.

Rydah805 said:
I had both TMobile branded S7 edges and international models as well. I found that I actually preferred the TMobile version for volte, rcs messaging, native video calling and a few more small percs. Yeah the international models was bootloader unlockable and had faster updates but I had to do so many work arounds to get it close to how I wanted and yet it still never did. I could have rooted and got everything I wanted but I actually use Samsung Pay and that'd kill that. To each their own. I also recall the TMobile S7 edge and note 7's having a locked bootloader​ still eventually got root.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S8+
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I got the international s7 edge and volte, WiFi calling work great with csc utility 2.3.5 for it
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers Legacy app

king3opobn said:
I got the international s7 edge and volte, WiFi calling work great with csc utility 2.3.5 for it
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers Legacy app
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same here
not sure what he's talking about
skipping the T mobile one again
waiting on swappa price to go down a bit
someone sold one for 700 new and i misssed that

force70 said:
Lol... its a well known fact that the international devices get faster and more frequent updates than US or Canadian devices ever will.
I was laughing at all the guys on US/ Can s7s whining about no update to nougat..i had nougat on my international S7 edge mos before they did.
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You get what you choose. I chose a carrier model because it is superior in network quality. I can't root my primary phone anymore because my work policies flag rooted phones automatically and I stop syncing. For my playground, I have Pixel XL. Fastest updates, unlocked everything. For a reliable phone I have TMobile S8+. Like i said, you get what you pay for and pick up.

I mean hey sure the bootloader is locked, but once the right person gets one of these in their hands Im sure there will be an exploit. Just gotta wait patiently good things come to those who wait!

jakobkay said:
I mean hey sure the bootloader is locked, but once the right person gets one of these in their hands Im sure there will be an exploit. Just gotta wait patiently good things come to those who wait!
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While it is software written by humans and anything is possible. S7 never got an unlocked bootloader. We got root with the eng_boot.imgs, but never an unlocked bl.
But I'm holding hope. The community is full of extremely clever people.

Really sucks, I recall the heyday of the Galaxy Note II and SIII, man back then there were like 200 ROM's out, Touchwiz, AOSP, CyanogenMod, etc... Root and Recovery available the first week the phones released.
And I'm talking the U.S. carrier phones too. Not just the international.
And then they all stopped after the Galaxy S4 came out. They released a firmware and locked the **** down like a Navy sub going deep. Note 3 too LOCKED. And forever the good days long gone.
Except the T-Mobile Note 5 was rooted and ROM. But that was a freak rarity.
Now root and recovery are things of dreams for Galaxy phones.
---------- Post added at 01:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 PM ----------
Whole reason I moved to T-Mobile two years ago, was for the unlocked bootloaders that T-Mo was famous for, even when Verizon and ATT didn't allow that anymore. The Galaxy Note 5 was their last unlocked phone, since then, the S7, and Note7 were LOCKED, and looks like the S8 is too.
Glory days are gone.
Almost like the Jailbreak scene, which has faded bad, and there's only a stable JB released maybe once a year or every 18 months.

Would the A70 go with MetroPCS?

I have an old Alcatel Fierce 4 and would like to upgrade to the A70. I was wondering if the A70 would be compatible with MetroPCS.

Leanlancer said:
I have an old Alcatel Fierce 4 and would like to upgrade to the A70. I was wondering if the A70 would be compatible with MetroPCS.
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Yes but make sure you buy a model that has LTE bands 2,4,5,12
Here is one https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/sear...msung+fct_model_4509|galaxy-a70&N=3955685938& or
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SAMSUNG-GA...=2738464290589d209234313b4052b1769356cbabbfaa

I bought mine from the ebay seller posted above.
If you notice the box in their advertisement, you'll get "2x Memory." This is true. You'll get a free 128 micro SD card. The seller advertises a 36gb card or something but it's 128 gb, as it should be if it's supposed be "2x" because the phone itself is 128gb.
Anyway, I'm on Tracfone and the A705MN works on At&T or T-Mobile sim cards. I tried both and it works on both.

Yes and no...
I've activated two Samsung Galaxy a70's under metro thinking that the initial one (which was brand new) had a defect. after installing my current one which is also brand new I've just realized that metro doesn't support this phone entirely and some features such as video call without having to download an app and Wi-Fi calling doesn't seem to function. When I spoke to MetroPCS they simply said they don't support the phone because the A series of Samsung galaxies are so new and they don't sell it in the US yet.
Hmm...
If anyone else has had this issue or has solved it please feel free
*Shii*

I'm using a70 on metro no problem wifi calling works only band 71 is missing and it's the a705mn

B__B said:
I'm using a70 on metro no problem wifi calling works only band 71 is missing and it's the a705mn
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Are you able to Video call? I've been having issues and I have the same variant as you.
And I mean directly video call not through an app...
If that makes sense
Thanks
Shii
Also, if you're not able to use your phone's browser while on a call without being connected to a WiFi network, you're not getting the full benefits of VoLte(to my understanding)...so if you get a moment could you test that out because I'm also no longer able to do that and I upgraded my A70 from an A20....

Don't really do vid call plus I use a custom rom
---------- Post added at 02:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:08 AM ----------
And metro has the a20 and a10e that it sells

B__B said:
Don't really do vid call plus I use a custom rom
---------- Post added at 02:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:08 AM ----------
And metro has the a20 and a10e that it sells
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Indeed, I had the A20 prior and expected the awesome features of the a70 along with the ones I was already getting...big dreams, epic failures
if I keep the device do you think they'll be coming out with an update that will fix this in the near future?
Thanks
Shii

Have no clue to be honest but their is an a705u coming out dunno what carriers will get it tho