Develop Bugs

Help deciding on a new phone

So, I'm stuck in my contract with an iPhone 4 on Verizon. This phone is slower than tar. I can't take it anymore. I used to be an android user back when the original droid came out. I loved that phone. I think it's time to switch back as iPhone 5's cost way too much and I miss android a little bit.
I think the 2 phones I would consider are the Nexus and the S3. Now, I've noticed the S3 has a little better specs but is Samsung still really bad with updates? I had the original Galaxy S and it was stuck on 2.1? the whole time. I couldn't stand that phone for that reason. Is the Nexus vanilla android so it has the newest android software as soon as Google releases it? Which phone would be a better choice to root? I really like to mess around with the phone and customize as much as possible.
Sorry for all the questions and if this is the wrong thread. It has been a long time since I was last here. I'd just appreciate some input from everyone so I can purchase a new phone.

Nexus.
Simple to root and customize.
Updates straight from google when they are released. Unless you buy a Verizon branded Nexus, then Verizon will take a couple months to release the update.

speedyink said:
Nexus.
Simple to root and customize.
Updates straight from google when they are released. Unless you buy a Verizon branded Nexus, then Verizon will take a couple months to release the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has Verizon been pretty good about updates so far? The Verizon Nexus is the only option as of now.
Is battery life acceptable with this phone? Easily get a full days use out of it?

ScoobyDoo27 said:
Has Verizon been pretty good about updates so far? The Verizon Nexus is the only option as of now.
Is battery life acceptable with this phone? Easily get a full days use out of it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I vouch for the s3 great battery life and quite decent camera .. works as it should.. no issues whatsoever only thing is when i turn data on and browse the web i can notice it getting some heat but thats for the tmo idk about verizon..
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

If you get the VZW Nexus, be ready to flash some custom ROMs as Verizon drags their feet with updates.

If you live in an area with good t-mobile service, which is most large cities, leave version and get a Nexus 4
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

6 months to achieve root?

Hey all. I am looking to upgrade to the Note 4. I have used my Note 3 T- mobile version on AT&T for the past year which had an unlocked bootloader so it got root and custom recovery almost right away. Did it really take 6 months to just get root on the ATT version of the Note 3? And if so, what are the chances it will take that long again?
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

drmacrofish said:
Hey all. I am looking to upgrade to the Note 4. I have used my Note 3 T- mobile version on AT&T for the past year which had an unlocked bootloader so it got root and custom recovery almost right away. Did it really take 6 months to just get root on the ATT version of the Note 3? And if so, what are the chances it will take that long again?
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one will work on it. Even with a bounty no one really seemed to care about getting root on the N3, we all just gave up hope when suddenly GeoHot swooped in with towelroot totally surprising everyone, but this was months later. There are still no custom ROMs and with safestrap development going away it just seems there is little incentive to root, especially when it's possible we may get the L upgrade in the spring.
But we won't know until the phones are released. Maybe there is a simple exploit and we get lucky, maybe not and we wait months or forever and it never gets rooted.

Oh wow. I didn't realize the ATT version didn't get root till towelroot. Man, that was forever. I am debating getting the Note 4 on T mobile, but to get it right away may be a pain, plus I don't think I will be able to get the 200$ off from Samsung if I go that route. I kinda want to just buy the phone outright and 200$ off is pretty nice.
Maybe I will just go with the ATT version and see how it goes and if development sucks and I really want to root or run custom ROMS I could always sell it in the future and get a T mobile one later....
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

drmacrofish said:
Oh wow. I didn't realize the ATT version didn't get root till towelroot. Man, that was forever. I am debating getting the Note 4 on T mobile, but to get it right away may be a pain, plus I don't think I will be able to get the 200$ off from Samsung if I go that route. I kinda want to just buy the phone outright and 200$ off is pretty nice.
Maybe I will just go with the ATT version and see how it goes and if development sucks and I really want to root or run custom ROMS I could always sell it in the future and get a T mobile one later....
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe it did have Root when it was first released. But the update to KK fixed that root exploit, that's when we waited 5 or so months before towelroot came out. So the smart guys didn't update to KK, of course I was one of the stupid ones who did upgrade and I remember painfully waiting for root. Most of us had given up and assumed it would never happen, then literally one day GeoHot released towelroot with no warning at all.
I had the Tmobile one preordered, but I am pretty sure I'm going to cancel it and go with the ATT one. I'm reading here and there of reception and LTE issues with the Tmobile one on the Note 3 and really don't want to deal with that as my phone actually working is much more important than being rooted. I'll miss root greatly, but if I want to stay with ATT I guess that's the price I pay. And maybe we get lucky and a root pops up. Otherwise the only things I'm missing are titanium, and xposed which I mainly use for the multi windows module. I don't bother flashing custom ROM's so don't really care about that.

It did have root at launch and even with the first update. However for those who took the KK update, they were stuck until towelroot.

spinedoc said:
I believe it did have Root when it was first released. But the update to KK fixed that root exploit, that's when we waited 5 or so months before towelroot came out. So the smart guys didn't update to KK, of course I was one of the stupid ones who did upgrade and I remember painfully waiting for root. Most of us had given up and assumed it would never happen, then literally one day GeoHot released towelroot with no warning at all.
I had the Tmobile one preordered, but I am pretty sure I'm going to cancel it and go with the ATT one. I'm reading here and there of reception and LTE issues with the Tmobile one on the Note 3 and really don't want to deal with that as my phone actually working is much more important than being rooted. I'll miss root greatly, but if I want to stay with ATT I guess that's the price I pay. And maybe we get lucky and a root pops up. Otherwise the only things I'm missing are titanium, and xposed which I mainly use for the multi windows module. I don't bother flashing custom ROM's so don't really care about that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, that makes more sense. That is kinda what I remember now. Had forgotten all that and didn't pay too much attention cause I had the T mobile version. That was with that Root De La Vega or whatever.
Yeah, I am pretty sure I am gonna go with AT&T version at least at first. I can do it through Best Buy that way and get the 200$ instant credit with turning in a phone. Then on top of that hopefully sell my Note 3 and come out pretty good. At least that is the current idea. Will see for sure. At least now I know I don't want the iPhone 6+ after seeing the Note 4 in person.
As to reception issues, yeah, I don't think my Note 3 T mobile version ever got quit as good a signal or data speeds as the ATT note 3 does on AT&T network, which makes sense really. You don't have the ATT modem installed.
I initially had the Note 3 ATT phone too, and then the t mobile one which I got off ebay. I had both at the same time and did do some initial testing. The db signal was close, but not quite as good as the ATT version one was. That I do recall for sure. Not that the t mobile one was horrible, but just not as good. I am not sure about the data speeds however. I guess if you really want to be sure the phone is working the best it can, then better to use the one designed for the network you will use it on.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

The way I figure it is the Tmobile version is almost always cheaper on swappa/ebay. So if I really get sick of the locked bootloader, and also read reports on XDA that there are no reception issues I can always sell my ATT Note 4 and pick up a Tmobile one. Samsung phones seem to drop a bit in value at that 2-3 month mark, that plus the $200 rebate will mean I will prob make money off such a trade. That's the worst case scenario, realistically I'll probably just adjust to no root and keep the ATT one.

Randomly walked into an ATT store this morning and got a Note 4...

...So when are we getting a good root?

WwOliveros said:
...So when are we getting a good root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably never.

I bet by the end of this week. Root will be easy, bootloader will not be broken though. I just want my Titanium Backup and Root Explorer so root is all need.

I called a few att stores in my area and each of them said they have them in stock, but cannot sell them... How'd you pull this off?

Offline21 said:
I called a few att stores in my area and each of them said they have them in stock, but cannot sell them... How'd you pull this off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just walked in and asked? Ha. And would we not be able to flash custom ROMS? I need my CM11!

You'll never have CM11 on it. Never. But you can use exposed and do other mods. Just no ROMS.

Wow. I guess a lot of things have changed since my old S3.

WwOliveros said:
Wow. I guess a lot of things have changed since my old S3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. That was the most recent samsung phone I've had where everything was in happy order. But that's why I'm buying t mobile version
They already have root

fcb1 said:
Exactly. That was the most recent samsung phone I've had where everything was in happy order. But that's why I'm buying t mobile version
They already have root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shoot. I might consider returning it and getting a Nexus 6 then. I never even bothered doing my homework on this, I assumed it would always be possible

WwOliveros said:
Shoot. I might consider returning it and getting a Nexus 6 then. I never even bothered doing my homework on this, I assumed it would always be possible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was surprised when it happened because samsung phones were always so open. Nexus 6 looks good but it's just a big phone with no feature that I know of at least to take advantage if that screen. At least they finally went above 32gb now. But I don't think I'll ever buy an AT&T phone ever again.

I did the same. Walked into an AT&T near me during lunch and got a white Note 4. I wasn't expecting to be able to get one but they are selling them here in Milwaukee.
Much like some of you here, I don't need anything more than root to run titanium and a couple other things. I never understood the idea of getting a note device to throw an AOSP rom on it that negates the S Pen functionality and other Note qualities. Why not just get any other big phone?

Tikerz said:
Probably never.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you say that? Root and bootloader are two completely different things.
Root should be easy and we should get it. Custom recovery on the other hand, probably not.

I'm in Pa and just called my local store, they have them in as well and the guy said I can come get one now. I'M on my way to pick up note 4 also. I'm with u guys just want root for titanium backup and xposed , I really don't flash roms to often anymore.

verks said:
You'll never have CM11 on it. Never. But you can use exposed and do other mods. Just no ROMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I'm wrong but these custom ROMS don't support the S Pen. If that is true, what use is the ROMS if you can't use the S Pen. That is one major point of the whole note.

mpazevedo said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but these custom ROMS don't support the S Pen. If that is true, what use is the ROMS if you can't use the S Pen. That is one major point of the whole note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The S Pen was never a real selling point for me. HTCs have bad cameras, LGs have have horrible reliability from mine/my buddies experience with the G2 and the Note is still the spec king. I could definitely get behind a Nexus though.

alpinesun said:
I did the same. Walked into an AT&T near me during lunch and got a white Note 4. I wasn't expecting to be able to get one but they are selling them here in Milwaukee.
Much like some of you here, I don't need anything more than root to run titanium and a couple other things. I never understood the idea of getting a note device to throw an AOSP rom on it that negates the S Pen functionality and other Note qualities. Why not just get any other big phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which store did you go to? I tried at the Greenfield store on 76th and Layton but they said they will start selling it on the 17th.

I don't mind touchwiz myself and if you haven't played with a note 4 in store you might be pretty happy with touchwiz this time around, its snappy and actually doesn't look nearly as bad as it used to. Can just install nova or google now launcher if it is that bothersome though from a UI perspective. Setting wise I think Samsung offers more a better features than aosp.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

I got the Note 4 in Pasadena, they had 5 white and 2 black. They are technically not suppose to sell them until Friday, but all the corp stores got them. It took a bit of effort to get them to admit they had them, and I pulled the corporate partner card on them so they went ahead with it.
Now what sucks is I can't transfer any of my data with titanium backup, I am wondering when root will be available.
I also agree with others here, if you don't need or care for the S-Pen the Nexus 6 is probably the device you want...
So who will be first to release a root?

Hopefully we can get root for now... Maybe we should check out the G3 forum as they got root with the bootloader locked...
Sent from my Note3 Rocking DynamicKat or my G3

Got mine from a store in Austin today. Just walked in and they said they'd sell it.

Sad panda here :(

This is horrible not having root this long. It's a completely new and raw feeling. Every android phone I've ever had had got root the same day I picked it up. The og DROID was a development veteran. The Droid X, eh.. The galaxy nexus speaks for itself. The note 2 had great development as did my note 3. Then I pick up a AT&T note 4 thinking I had nothing to worry about as this is my first AT&T phone. A month later and even though this phone is awesome, its horrible not having root. I don't blame anyone but AT&T. What's a**holes. I LONG for Viper Audio & Xposed...

I feel your pain...which is exactly why I'm chomping at the bit for my Nexus 6 to arrive . I'll probably carry them both, as I think the camera is better in the Note 4..........but I want my Xposed! I gotta save those snapchats! LOL

treytreytaylor said:
This is horrible not having root this long. It's a completely new and raw feeling. Every android phone I've ever had had got root the same day I picked it up. The og DROID was a development veteran. The Droid X, eh.. The galaxy nexus speaks for itself. The note 2 had great development as did my note 3. Then I pick up a AT&T note 4 thinking I had nothing to worry about as this is my first AT&T phone. A month later and even though this phone is awesome, its horrible not having root. I don't blame anyone but AT&T. What's a**holes. I LONG for Viper Audio & Xposed...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hard to believe you didn't do your research.. AT&T has been requesting locked bootloaders from the OEMs since before the Note 3.
Sad to say this phone will probably not get cracked before Lollipop gets pushed down. After that, thenodds are probably even more unlikely. I don't think, (even though there is a long list of folks donating), that we have actually gotten confirmation that any devs are working on an exploit for this one.
If you just must have root, you'd be better off using the T-Mobile variant.

treytreytaylor said:
I don't blame anyone but AT&T. What's a**holes. I LONG for Viper Audio & Xposed...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it sucks but its the price we pay for having a more secure device.

nyydynasty said:
it sucks but its the price we pay for having a more secure device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I wanted a "more secure" device, I would have bought an iPhone. Not having root on the N4 is frustrating.

Sell the phone and get a T-Mobile... That's what I'm going to do if no root come out soon

flexfield said:
If I wanted a "more secure" device, I would have bought an iPhone. Not having root on the N4 is frustrating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would make sense except the iPhone is actually less secure... Already has jailbreak...
The fact is that AT&T and Verizon want non rootable phones. Period. And that isn't likely to change.
People that 'need' root need to make 100% sure a phone is rooted before they buy it. It is going to be more and more unlikely that phones with locked boot loaders will be rooted.
If you buy a phone that doesn't have root, then don't complain.

JasonJoel said:
People that 'need' root need to make 100% sure a phone is rooted before they buy it. It is going to be more and more unlikely that phones with locked boot loaders will be rooted.
If you buy a phone that doesn't have root, then don't complain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, this has been said enough, and most people have happily moved on to non root apps.

Honestly I can't believe I didn't do the research either. I should have known better smh. might have been a little to excited to snatch one up on my own line. But I'll definitely be selling it for a SM-N910T as soon as I can. What the f*ck AT&T.

Meh. You should have known before you bought it.

I am having a hard time believing all of this as well. I'm actually putting off my upgrade because of it. Sitting here with my year-old Note 3 that I rooted 2 hours after I bought it, kinda thinking about going another direction, I just really like my current plan
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

How long did it take for the ATT note 3 to get rooted?

Blame Samsung
The bottom line is SAMSUNG makes the phone, not ATT. They should stop being a bunch of ******* and just say our phone comes with an unlocked bootloader. PERIOD. What are they going to do? Not carry the hottest device out there? I doubt it

I might be in the minority but to me, for the first time ever since I started using Android, I don't feel like root is necessary. Sure, it would be nice to have Xposed and TiBu, but I seem to manage fine with this phone.

redstar299 said:
The bottom line is SAMSUNG makes the phone, not ATT. They should stop being a bunch of ******* and just say our phone comes with an unlocked bootloader. PERIOD. What are they going to do? Not carry the hottest device out there? I doubt it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And what business reason is there for Samsung to do that? As long as people are buying the phones, they won't bother.
If sales falter (people buying tmobile instead of the att version doesn't count) and people are vocal on why, then something may change... But I doubt it.

Nexus 6
Mistake!
I bought my nexus 6 3 week ago.. I noticed immediately that the phone is faster that my note buy that's about it because my note had way more features, better hardware and I miss all of that now....

redstar299 said:
The bottom line is SAMSUNG makes the phone, not ATT. They should stop being a bunch of ******* and just say our phone comes with an unlocked bootloader. PERIOD. What are they going to do? Not carry the hottest device out there? I doubt it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amen... just upgraded to Note 4 from Note 2, two weeks after my AT&T contract expired and got a note from AT&T that I could now unlock my phone... whoops for them, a bit too late. Patiently waiting for these phone manufacturers to stop bending over for the carriers and start insisting on unlocked devices right out of the factory.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Premium HD app

If you have chosen to buy an AT&T/Verizon phone then you're gonna have to live with it, buddy. That's why I kept my N3 and didn't rush for the N4. That's what I've always done. Once a phone (from those two carriers) comes out, I'd just wait and watch for a couple of months if it gets rooted. If not then sell the old one and add a little bit of money and buy me an unlocked one.
From my Allianced S5!

If you want root figure a way to do it yourself, otherwise just wait patiently.

I got over not having root after maybe 5 or 6 days. Ads suck but the Note performs better than my old rooted phone, and the camera is epic, I can live without root...

The Note 4's successor

So far, I'm relatively happy with my Note 4, with one big caveat- no root.
You've probably read the advance press on the Note 5. Sounds nice, but no SD and non-removable battery makes it a non option for me. To boot, I don't believe future Notes will be rooted, unless you buy a developer's edition.
Whilst shopping through coming phones... I find nothing I'm looking for in a top-end phone. Does anyone have a clue for me? What's next? Does the Note 4 even HAVE a successor?
Maybe someone can disillusion me about the future- and I'd appreciate getting rid of my illusions, seriously. Thanks for any help.
Steve

This fall LG is coming out with a phablet with a like s-pen of their own. It will have a removable battery and sd card slot. If the pen preforms like the s-pen then I'm all in.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

outcasted2003 said:
This fall LG is coming out with a phablet with a like s-pen of their own. It will have a removable battery and sd card slot. If the pen preforms like the s-pen then I'm all in.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the lead, bud. I'll see if I can find a link to the info. I was even crawling over huawei's site today.

I've been wondering the same thing. I don't even think I'll stick with Samsung after this, after years of loyalty. They are going downhill by making their phones like all the rest of them. :/

nh97103 said:
I've been wondering the same thing. I don't even think I'll stick with Samsung after this, after years of loyalty. They are going downhill by making their phones like all the rest of them. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Outcaster pointed out an interesting possible alternative on the horizon, the LG G Pro 3.
If it's anything like the specs it's rumored to have (stylus, sd card, removable battery, 4 gig ram, etc.) LG may be getting the market share they're looking to glean this year.

steven.rn said:
Outcaster pointed out an interesting possible alternative on the horizon, the LG G Pro 3.
If it's anything like the specs it's rumored to have (stylus, sd card, removable battery, 4 gig ram, etc.) LG may be getting the market share they're looking to glean this year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may be an awesome phone but I can't help but think Verizon will make them lock it down. Are other LG phones on Verizon unlocked?

Honestly not strongly considering messing with the Note 5 or any of the others. I'm on a Note 3 right now...maybe a Note 4 when a solid root method comes around?
I'll be tempted if it has a removable back/battery and card slot, but it's not a done deal unless it has more than 4gb ram. That's the only place my Note 3 makes me sad. It seems a waste to have made the leap the 64bit, and only have 4gb. How about 6-8? Any power consumption reasons this isn't likely? Or does it have to do with being strapped for space with an SOC?
The only other thing that might tip me over to a Note 5 would be a giant screen option. We're stuck without anything bigger than a Note on Verizon. My gf is vision impaired, and I was shocked to find out that none of the 6" phones were available with Verizon.

The bootloader is locked but they are all rootable.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

outcasted2003 said:
The bootloader is locked but they are all rootable.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the Note 4 the only unrootable phone out there? If it is that sucks because it's potentially a great phone. But bloatware and ads are a deal breaker for me.
Sent from my SM-N910V DE

outcasted2003 said:
The bootloader is locked but they are all rootable.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh... did you just send that from an unrootable phone?

I sure did steve .... lol. I think there are afew others that don't have root I'm sure of.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Nexus 6 is a 6 inch screen and rootable
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app

Due to my wife's health problems I really need the s-pen. I need to take notes when I talk to health providers.

Note 3 still has not root on 4.4.4.
Which sucks cus I just bought one on that version.
Back to my Note 2 I go.
Root is only part of it. A custom recovery is what I care about most. Amazing how invaluable the nandroids of my note 2 have been over the last three years.
Why should a phone owner not be able to make a backup of their phone??

I need your help dear
steven.rn said:
Thanks for the lead, bud. I'll see if I can find a link to the info. I was even crawling over huawei's site today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dear Friend ,
I have galaxy note 4 sm-n910v but i tried boot with other os and got stacked in "upgrading Android Optimization apps "
i have tried everything but no luck can you provide me Verizon software repair assistant for galaxy note 4 sm-n910v
Thanks in Advance
Regards
Vaibhav

VBpandya said:
Dear Friend ,
I have galaxy note 4 sm-n910v but i tried boot with other os and got stacked in "upgrading Android Optimization apps "
i have tried everything but no luck can you provide me Verizon software repair assistant for galaxy note 4 sm-n910v
Thanks in Advance
Regards
Vaibhav
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I can't help. I dumped my Verizon Note 4 for a T-Mobile Note 4. One of the best moves I've made in a long time. Verizon can lock down their phones forever if they like- but I will NOT buy them. The service is much much better on Tmobile anyway.

Need Verizon software repair assistant
steven.rn said:
Sorry I can't help. I dumped my Verizon Note 4 for a T-Mobile Note 4. One of the best moves I've made in a long time. Verizon can lock down their phones forever if they like- but I will NOT buy them. The service is much much better on Tmobile anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If anybody can help me in this forum will appreciable.....
Thanks in Advance

stueycaster said:
Is the Note 4 the only unrootable phone out there? If it is that sucks because it's potentially a great phone. But bloatware and ads are a deal breaker for me.
Sent from my SM-N910V DE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see you have a DE, so it's a moot point, but some people may be happy with disabling the bloatware instead of removing it and using Adguard. That's what I did with my roommates' retail Notes, and they're both quite pleased with the result. I'd hate my life without root and custom recovery, but to each their own.

pikacane said:
I see you have a DE, so it's a moot point, but some people may be happy with disabling the bloatware instead of removing it and using Adguard. That's what I did with my roommates' retail Notes, and they're both quite pleased with the result. I'd hate my life without root and custom recovery, but to each their own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah custom recovery and root are a couple of the other reasons why I bought my DE. Viper4android is another. One of the best perks of my phone is the awesome battery life. I still don't know why mine is so good when so many retail phone owners are unhappy with it. Does the method of bloatware removal you mentioned help?
Sent from my SM-N910V DE w/MoRom

Idk what the successor is for me and I just got the Verizon version. The wife bought it for Christmas because I've been paying rent a center $100 a month for a few months for their T-MOBILE Note 4 and she was hoping to save me money. I'm reluctant to let go of the rent a center version because I've unlocked the boot loader, rooted and flashed a stock debloated deodexed Rom on it. Its does what I want it to and Verizons version wont let me. Very upsetting.
I have an at&t HTC one m8 also. I'm thinking of selling the two phones and trying to get a note 4 dev edition somewhere