Hello guys! I'm thinking of buying a Harman Kardon SIM unlocked M8, but I've one serious question.
Is every ROM/Kernel cross flashable? Can I flash everything here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-one-m8/development) on it?
Sorry for the noob question, but please help me!
Harmon Kardon edition is Sprint, which is a US carrier with a CDMA network. Unless your local carrier is CDMA-based, I would not advise buying this version. The HK edition is known as a "CDMA" variant (along with the Verizon version). Yes, it does include some GSM support (mainly for Sprint customers while travelling abroad) but its different hardware from just about every other M8 version (which are known as "GSM" versions of the M8).
For the HK edition, you should only flash ROMs specifically intended for the Sprint variant. And that is part of the reason I would not recommend buying this version. Your choice or ROMs would be more limited, and you are better off with a "GSM" M8. Also, radios are interchangeable on the GSM versions, but can't be flashed to the CDMA variants. Meaning for the most part, band compatibility is set on the CDMA version, while on the GSM version, you can flash radios from other carriers and change band compatibility (if you need to do so to get service on your local carrier).
The HK audio mod can be flashed to just about any other M8 version, its just a software mod. So the only desirable thing (if you are not on a CDMA carrier) about the HK edition would be if you like the color scheme, or the HK earbuds.
And no, ROMs and kernels are not all cross-compatible. Sense kernels only work on Sense ROMs, AOSP kernels on AOSP ROMs, etc. Also, you can't mix a KitKat ROM with a Lollipop kernel, and so on. When in doubt, read the kernel thread to check for details.
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Hi guys,
Planning to buy the m8 and root it. But should I be specific on the variants?
Im not from the US (The Philippines) so Most likely not gonna get atnt, sprint etc.
So my options are:
The international model
Emea (a friend of mine is selling his but it was bought in riyad, KSA)
Or the asian version (s801 2.5ghz)
Do they have like different model nos.? Different ruus / rom versions etc?
Had a bad experience when i bought a phone (m7 sprint wls) before, since im not from the us. Had limited roms available compared to the international version
Your input would really help
Sent from my HTC One
I would agree that you should not get a US variant. For one thing, they will be SIM locked. Another thing, the Sprint and Verizon versions are CDMA. Different software, and possibly different hardware (although its been discussed here, and not clear - but I would err on the side of caution and assume the hardware is different). So if your area does not use CDMA I would stay away from those variants.
All GSM versions, be aware that they can all be converted to another carrier variant once bootloader unlocked and S-off. So as long as you avoid the CDMA versions, you are good for ROMs.
I would suggest the version that supports your local 3G and LTE bands out of the box. But again, as long as you are willing to s-off the phone, you can change that in software. So if that is the case, I would just go with the best deal.
From what I understand, the Asian version is the same as any other GSM version, just with a slight overclock.
Well if you do go with a us carrier Verizon has the best coverage and thier phones are :not: sim locked. You can use them with any carrier anywhere. My second choice would be t-mobile
str8str said:
Well if you do go with a us carrier Verizon has the best coverage
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The OP is from the Philippines. They aren't going to use a US carrier.
I would advise against CDMA variants for the reasons already mentioned.
redpoint73 said:
The OP is from the Philippines. They aren't going to use a US carrier.
I would advise against CDMA variants for the reasons already mentioned.
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Click to collapse
Thanks guys, I just want to be clear, so if I use a Rom or RUU on a GSM variant, as long as Im'm on S-Off / Unlocked Bootloader and/ or on SuperCID. I could use any Rom ./ RUU from different GSM variants (I checked the rooting guide for the M8 and is similar to the M7, so as far as unlocking the bootloader / root that I have an idea).
Do they have different RUUs at all??
Czai24 said:
I just want to be clear, so if I use a Rom or RUU on a GSM variant, as long as Im'm on S-Off / Unlocked Bootloader and/ or on SuperCID.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
Aside from the CDMA RUUs, which I wouldn't try on a GSM version unless you read definitive advice elsewhere that its ok.
Czai24 said:
Do they have different RUUs at all??
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Click to collapse
Only US versions have RUU, that I know of.
Yes you're right.
I thought all has ruus on it. But with supercid i could use any nandroid backup right? As long as its gsm
I think I will go for the Asian version (wwe right? Cause it has a higher clockspeed and updated s801) And go supercid and use international (gsm) roms. Will that work?
Sent from my HTC One
Czai24 said:
with supercid i could use any nandroid backup right? As long as its gsm
I think I will go for the Asian version (wwe right? Cause it has a higher clockspeed and updated s801) And go supercid and use international (gsm) roms. Will that work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that will work, yes.
WWE just means "world wide English". I think it refers to the Euro version.
I am looking to buy an HTC One M8, which would the community recommend? I am on AT&T but I love to root, and install CM, and other ROMS to any phone I own. Which Variant would be best for me? Or are they all supported under CM and custom recoveries? Thanks!
Also if anyone has one on the cheap let me know
lemonboi5 said:
I am looking to buy an HTC One M8, which would the community recommend? I am on AT&T but I love to root, and install CM, and other ROMS to any phone I own. Which Variant would be best for me? Or are they all supported under CM and custom recoveries? Thanks!
Also if anyone has one on the cheap let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The M9 is due out soon, might wait for that one.
Hondo209 said:
The M9 is due out soon, might wait for that one.
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Click to collapse
I was thinking about that, the problem is I always end up getting a phone a generation behind the newest thing! Lol m9 looks amazing though!!
lemonboi5 said:
I am looking to buy an HTC One M8, which would the community recommend? I am on AT&T but I love to root, and install CM, and other ROMS to any phone I own. Which Variant would be best for me? Or are they all supported under CM and custom recoveries? Thanks!
Also if anyone has one on the cheap let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the most part, I'd say whatever variant you can get for a good price. All the M8's (known as "GSM M8") are the same hardware internally aside from the following exceptions:
1) Dual SIM M8
2) Verizon/Sprint variants. These include CDMA radio, so different hardware. No benefit for you on AT&T, and less selection of ROMs.
3) Taiwan variant. Hardware is the same, but its overclocked out of the box. Some software from the other M8 versions won't work on this variant (including radios).
Aside from the variants above, all the M8 versions are essentially the same hardware, with minor differences of exterior color availability, and carrier logos on the back of some. Once bootloader is unlocked (and preferably s-off) you can flash CM to any of the versions.
One thing to note, AFAIK any M8 that has hboot 3.19 cannot be s-off by sunshine (and that is the only s-off method). Band compatibility for the various carriers/regions is software based on the M8. However, if you need to flash the radio to change band compatibility on a non-AT&T M8 variant, you will need s-off to do so. So unless you have a way of knowing what hboot is on the version you are buying, I tend to say that you might want to choose either the AT&T version or Dev Edition, to guarantee band compatibility on AT&T's network. Both of which fully support AT&T bands out of the box.
redpoint73 said:
For the most part, I'd say whatever variant you can get for a good price. All the M8's (known as "GSM M8") are the same hardware internally aside from the following exceptions:
1) Dual SIM M8
2) Verizon/Sprint variants. These include CDMA radio, so different hardware. No benefit for you on AT&T, and less selection of ROMs.
3) Taiwan variant. Hardware is the same, but its overclocked out of the box. Some software from the other M8 versions won't work on this variant (including radios).
Aside from the variants above, all the M8 versions are essentially the same hardware, with minor differences of exterior color availability, and carrier logos on the back of some. Once bootloader is unlocked (and preferably s-off) you can flash CM to any of the versions.
One thing to note, AFAIK any M8 that has hboot 3.19 cannot be s-off by sunshine (and that is the only s-off method). Band compatibility for the various carriers/regions is software based on the M8. However, if you need to flash the radio to change band compatibility on a non-AT&T M8 variant, you will need s-off to do so. So unless you have a way of knowing what hboot is on the version you are buying, I tend to say that you might want to choose either the AT&T version or Dev Edition, to guarantee band compatibility on AT&T's network. Both of which fully support AT&T bands out of the box.
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Click to collapse
Right so, Verizon M8 wouldn't work on AT&T? That sucks. I knew Sprint wouldn't but Verizon is nearly compatible with AT&T by now, so thats sad lol
The best price is the Sprint variant, but thats because sprint phones do not have high resell value at all. People hate to deal with them completely and that solely makes the value go down...
I have not looked at the other variants but I will check them out! Thank you! I repaired a One today, It was a lot of work, but nearly any HTC Phone never looks or feels the same after a screen repair, because of that uni body.
redpoint73 said:
For the most part, I'd say whatever variant you can get for a good price. All the M8's (known as "GSM M8") are the same hardware internally aside from the following exceptions:
1) Dual SIM M8
2) Verizon/Sprint variants. These include CDMA radio, so different hardware. No benefit for you on AT&T, and less selection of ROMs.
3) Taiwan variant. Hardware is the same, but its overclocked out of the box. Some software from the other M8 versions won't work on this variant (including radios).
Aside from the variants above, all the M8 versions are essentially the same hardware, with minor differences of exterior color availability, and carrier logos on the back of some. Once bootloader is unlocked (and preferably s-off) you can flash CM to any of the versions.
One thing to note, AFAIK any M8 that has hboot 3.19 cannot be s-off by sunshine (and that is the only s-off method). Band compatibility for the various carriers/regions is software based on the M8. However, if you need to flash the radio to change band compatibility on a non-AT&T M8 variant, you will need s-off to do so. So unless you have a way of knowing what hboot is on the version you are buying, I tend to say that you might want to choose either the AT&T version or Dev Edition, to guarantee band compatibility on AT&T's network. Both of which fully support AT&T bands out of the box.
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I have a question. Does T-Mo work with WWE firmware. I'm unsure of this, and have never looked it up. I know that AT&T versions are compatible with 401 firmware. Is T-Mo the same?
redpoint73 said:
...One thing to note, AFAIK any M8 that has hboot 3.19 cannot be s-off by sunshine (and that is the only s-off method). ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but you could check with the seller if it is S-OFF already (as you can be S-OFF with 3.19 if it was already done) if thats what you are going to do anyway.
lemonboi5 said:
Right so, Verizon M8 wouldn't work on AT&T? That sucks. I knew Sprint wouldn't but Verizon is nearly compatible with AT&T by now, so thats sad lol
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Click to collapse
Verizon variant will work on AT&T GSM and HSPA network (in addition to being SIM-unlocked out of the box); however, it doesn't have all the LTE bands to work on AT&T in all regions. And while the "GSM" variants can have radio software flashed to change band compatibility, you can't do this on the "CDMA" variants (at least you can't flash a GSM radio on a CDMA variant to open up all the needed LTE bands).
Similar situation on Sprint version. Except I think the Sprint comes SIM locked out of the box (you will need to get it SIM unlocked). And also the LTE bands are different from the Verizon version, but still not all the bands needed to work on AT&T in all regions.
My point in highlighting the hardware difference (CDMA versus GSM variants) is not only are the radio basebands not interchangeable (as mentioned) but neither are the ROMs. For the CDMA versions, you should only flash ROMs that specify that version is supported. The GSM versions can flash any of the GSM ROMs, and there is a much wider selection.
Again, there isn't a benefit to either of the CDMA variants (for use on AT&T), and several critical downsides, so I generally don't recommend them to basically any user that isn't on the specific carrier (Verizon or Sprint).
---------- Post added at 09:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 AM ----------
gazzacbr said:
but you could check with the seller if it is S-OFF already (as you can be S-OFF with 3.19 if it was already done) if thats what you are going to do anyway.
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Click to collapse
True, if the device is being sold second hand, you can (and should) always check to see if its already s-off.
---------- Post added at 09:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:28 AM ----------
xunholyx said:
I have a question. Does T-Mo work with WWE firmware. I'm unsure of this, and have never looked it up. I know that AT&T versions are compatible with 401 firmware. Is T-Mo the same?
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Click to collapse
Aside from the exceptions previously listed, all GSM M8's are the same hardware, and firmware should be interchangeable (with s-off). T-Mobile version should be able to flash WWE firmware. Although, if you want to be prudent, you can check and confirm to see if any T-Mobile owners have done so successfully.
hi there
i have an htc M8 Sprint Device (831C) and i want to change it to a normal stock M8.
I'm in Turkey, I've bought the phone from outside of the country and i can't use some features like wifi hotspot because of the devise is unlocked version. in other words, i want to get rid of Sprint M8 rom.
Is there any way to do this? ıf its possible, how?
deli_yusuf said:
hi there
i have an htc M8 Sprint Device (831C) and i want to change it to a normal stock M8.
I'm in Turkey, I've bought the phone from outside of the country and i can't use some features like wifi hotspot because of the devise is unlocked version. in other words, i want to get rid of Sprint M8 rom.
Is there any way to do this? ıf its possible, how?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best bet is probably to unlock the bootloader, and load a custom ROM (that specifically supports the Sprint variant), rather than a "stock" M8 ROM.
Reason being, the Sprint version is a CDMA (includes both GSM and CDMA radios) and actually different hardware from the other "GSM" phones (that you are calling "stock"). Trying to "convert" your Sprint version (installing "international" firmware, radios, etc.) is a very bad idea, as it probably won't work, and might even brick the phone.
Quite frankly, you probably bought the wrong variant for your country/region. Just about any version except Sprint/Verizon would have been better, and could be converted to be the "international" version.
oh got it. i think the custom rom is my only chance. thank you for your interest...
Hello. A question here. i have VERIZON sim-unlocked phone. I live in ukraine. So can i get s-off and install on it WWE firmware (or get a WWE x.xx.401.xx RUU) - thus convert it to WWE version to use all available roms and get OTA updates for xx.xx.401.xx version? And still catch the signal/3G and so on? Or it will cause problems and i need to stick to Verizon firmware and roms?
No.
Like I told you in another thread, you can't do it. But I didn't explain why.
Verizon and Sprint are CDMA models, WWE firmware is for GSM models. They are different devices.
It won't work.
As xunholys explained, the hardware is different (Verizon vs. WWE) and therefore the firmware is different. If you try to fully convert, it either won't work, or it will brick the phone.
Your best bet is probably to use a WWE based custom ROM, and change the kernel to make it work on Verizon. At least that is what a Verizon owner (using his phone on a non-VZN network) stated. You might check the Verizon specific forum section for more detail.
But you will not be able to add full "WWE" band compatibility. The band support is built into firmware; and the firmware is not cross-compatible.
my phone: m8, T Mo, carrier unlocked with ATT sim, s-off, super CID
does this mean I can use either the general m8 android dev, etc section as well as the ATT android dev, etc section?
I assume the carrier labeled sections have mostly to do with APN settings, and possibly specific radio bands.
what is diff between ATT and unlabeled m8 subforums?
Thanks!
rlr
runLoganrun said:
does this mean I can use either the general m8 android dev, etc section as well as the ATT android dev, etc section?
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Click to collapse
Basically, yes. You can flash any ROMs from the generic ("international") M8 forum section; as well as the AT&T section. For the most part, the ROMs in the AT&T section are also in the international forum; with the exception of the ROMs by Wonders_Never_Cease. He includes some AT&T specific features, like Visual Voicemail, and bases his ROMs (for most part) on AT&T base.
That last part (AT&T base) may also be important for you, as there is a quirk with AT&T's deployment of Voice over LTE ("HD Voice") that doesn't play well with non-AT&T based ROMs. Although one workaround (which will allow you to use "international" based ROMs) is to call AT&T, and have HD Voice turned off for your account: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61746473&postcount=9
runLoganrun said:
I assume the carrier labeled sections have mostly to do with APN settings, and possibly specific radio bands.
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Click to collapse
Its a bit more complicated than that. One specific example, you definitely want to steer clear of the "CDMA" (Sprint and Verizon) development sections. The CDMA version has different partitioning, and the ROMs are not compatible with your M8. And flashing a Sprint/VZN firmware or radio on your device can even result in a radio brick!
But for the most part, the other versions are the same (T-Mob, AT&T, international) with the differentiator being radio baseband, as you somewhat figured out. As mentioned above, you are probably best served to stick to AT&T and international Dev sections.