So this is my second 10 this month. Had to send the last one back as it was being sold as new but it was clearly used.
Anyway so I bought this hoping it was the 6500 us unlocked version. The back casing has the 6500 lettering and nothing else. All was good till i put my tmobile sim card in and can only get EDGE networks. Fiddled with apn settings but nada. Booted into download mode and behold this thing has a 6500 mid. Now Im not even sure this is new phone either. It is clean and in mint condition but the box it came in could fool anyone. The charger was all etched with crooked lettering and the box had a glued piece of textured paper for the top to miminc an oem box, unless htc also did this.
Anyways before i send this back is there anyway to check if this phone is an original 6500 that was simply flashed with 6200 mid/rom? Software number has a 401 regional code, china is 400 so it may be a modified chinese phone? Do you guys need any specific info?
If i were to keep it, will flashing a radio make it possible to get the missing lte bands people dont get when simply ruuing/ flashing a rom? Or will it always not recognize certain lte bands?
Also where can i buy a new 6500 us unlocked phone? Everyone seems to only sell international versions.
Any help would be appreciated
Related
I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts as to how I should proceed. I purchased a close to mint s4 that didnt read the sim card. It was cheap and I needed a screen for my s4 that I cracked. I tinkered with it a bit before tearing it down and other than no sim error the phone seemed to work flawless. When I did the tear down I noticed the internal screen housing was i337 stamped. The circuit board for the charging port was as well. The mainboard was stamped i337/m919 but the sim slot was stamped gt-19505. the imei on the sticker doesnt match whats in the settings. The sticker says tmobile but a search of phone info online shows the imei in the settings is from a i337. Does anyone know if this may be a possible flash thats wrong and the board was actually at&t? I'm aware you can change the meid easily and that may be it as well but im hoping maybe there is some software I can push to read if this is the case. I did order a sim slot to put in this evening and see if the slot is just bad. My old screen is not cracked bad and works without any issue so I would like to get it resolved and just resale it for parts on ebay is my plan if I can get the phone straightened out.
tldr-will flashing at&t rom brick the tmobile since the hardware is basically identical? Is there any way to tell if the wrong rom has been flashed to the board?
Booting into dl mode shows m919 and that knox hasnt been tripped. write protection enabled and emmc burst mode is enabled so I'm going to assume its not been flashed.
Like the title says!
Bought a phone listed as new on Ebay, the *#06* IMEI and Battery Housing IMEI Match so I know the phone is not fake... I hope lol, the retail packaging IMEI don't match though.
Question it, How do I tell if the phone was a new handset replaced with a new handset by AT&T or if it's had replacement parts put it?
The phone Housing does look new, but that obviously doesn't say much. Also it's running 4.3 and the initial set-up screen time zone was default to Seuol (South Korea). Can someone give me insight? or some extra things I could look into? Thanks!
drago10029 said:
Like the title says!
Bought a phone listed as new on Ebay, the *#06* IMEI and Battery Housing IMEI Match so I know the phone is not fake... I hope lol, the retail packaging IMEI don't match though.
Question it, How do I tell if the phone was a new handset replaced with a new handset by AT&T or if it's had replacement parts put it?
The phone Housing does look new, but that obviously doesn't say much. Also it's running 4.3 and the initial set-up screen time zone was default to Seuol (South Korea). Can someone give me insight? or some extra things I could look into? Thanks!
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Other than an assessment of the physical & cosmetic condition, difficult to tell. Of course, there is always a risk when buying from that online auction site. The fact that the IMEI on the packaging does not match the phone shows evidence of tampering and who knows how far the tampering went? There are different sites you could go to check the IMEI (imei.info; imei-number.com etc) but these will only let you know if it's a valid ESN. You could, of course, call AT&T wireless support to find out if the phone has been previously activated on their network. You could tell them you want to switch to this handset but you'd like to find out if the ESN is clean.
Hi there,
Sorry if this is an obvious question - I'm a big mobile enthusiast, but probably not as technically minded as some of you folks
I'm in the UK right now but am moving to the US permanently in a few weeks. I'm getting the Note 7 and am torn between what to do - buy it here or there.
Here's my thinking: If I buy here, it will be free of all that yucky bloatware you get over there since I gather that even if I purchase from BestBuy, there's nothing quite like a sim-free unlocked phone of the type we would get here. And that carrier bloatware scares me. I don't want to have to be rooting my phone and messing about with it to make it run at an acceptable speed when it inevitably starts to slow down, down the line. Plus, I just hate the thought of having all of that rubbish on my phone. If I'm spending $900 or so, I want it to be pure as the driven snow!
I'm not sure which network I'm going to be going for in the US (as an 'Alien' new to the US with no credit history, it's not easy to get a contract) but what I'm looking at is either T-Mobile or AT&T (possibly Cricket, if not main AT&T.) Although I hear T-Mobile signal can be patchy. I'll be in Los Angeles, so I imagine signal should be good.
So what I'm wondering is - will it all work OK there? I'm assuming the GSM version we get in the UK will be compatible with those two networks, though not Verizon. Although I doubt I'll go with Verizon because their packages don't really look good for what I need and also I hear their bloatware in particular is immense!
I know we have a different processor in the Exynos edition (or is that the one you guys have and we have Snapdragon? Anyway, you know what I mean..) But would that processor make any actual difference in day to day use? Does the processor just run the software or does it have an influence on how the phone actually works with the network as a phone and data device? Am I likely to run into problems?
Also, you probably can't answer this - but worth a try.. I assume that Samsung's warranties are not international? Right now, I am on an iPhone and I know that if it breaks in the US, I can just take it to an Apple store in the US. My gut tells me if I buy in the UK and it starts playing up, I'll be on my own, unless you know different? But hey - it's a trade off. Bloatware vs warranty.
Anyway, any thoughts or advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks all.
Phil :good:
Definitely buy the Exynos International version of the phone. I live near Los Angeles and plan to purchase the international version as well because it has no bloatware. It will be my first purchase of an international unlocked phone. I'm on AT&T but my understanding is that T-mobile rocks in Los Angeles. You can't go wrong with AT&T or T-Mobile, but I would lean toward T-Mobile if I were you, they are really kicking butt right now.
The exynos version of the phone will have better battery life by just a bit and it will be only slightly faster. They both have trade-offs, but in the end, it doesn't make a big difference, just get the international version, which is what all of us Americans want. I don't know about the warranty, you might have to ship the phone off for that.
if you buy one in the UK, make sure you make a few phone calls before you move.
European Samsung phones usually refuse to accept US SIM cards unless you make a phone call for a few minutes using a European SIM.
thedicemaster said:
if you buy one in the UK, make sure you make a few phone calls before you move.
European Samsung phones usually refuse to accept US SIM cards unless you make a phone call for a few minutes using a European SIM.
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That's a very good point! I remember reading about this with my old Galaxy when it said that it locked it to the country where the first phone call was made.
But would this possibly present problems? If I made a few calls with my Vodafone sim, would that then mean that it locks it to UK networks and makes a T-Mobile USA or AT&T sim incompatible?
And bands-wise, they're all good to go, right? There's no reason a local US sim wouldn't work 100% in that model? And the processor doesn't make a difference? Just wondering why they bother to put two different processor types in the phone otherwise?
DuffmasterFresh said:
Definitely buy the Exynos International version of the phone. I live near Los Angeles and plan to purchase the international version as well because it has no bloatware. It will be my first purchase of an international unlocked phone. I'm on AT&T but my understanding is that T-mobile rocks in Los Angeles. You can't go wrong with AT&T or T-Mobile, but I would lean toward T-Mobile if I were you, they are really kicking butt right now.
The exynos version of the phone will have better battery life by just a bit and it will be only slightly faster. They both have trade-offs, but in the end, it doesn't make a big difference, just get the international version, which is what all of us Americans want. I don't know about the warranty, you might have to ship the phone off for that.
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Thanks - this is really helpful. Good to know TM are good there as had heard a few stories about bad coverage.
it's the opposite.
unless they changed it just for the note 7, you have to use the phone in the UK before you can use it in the US.
here's a quote from an article regarding the region lock in the S7 and S7 edge:
its box will be sealed with a sticker reading "European SIM card only."
The tab below this sticker explains how and why, albeit in tiny and rather verbose script. Essentially, in order for your unlocked European GS7 to be fully unlocked, you first need to make a total of five minutes worth of phone calls using a European SIM. If you don't do this, and try to use it with a SIM from outside of Europe, it won't connect to the network.
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this is to prevent shops from selling European phones in the US.
the unlocking method is so that people moving outside Europe after buying a phone can continue to use it.
thedicemaster said:
it's the opposite.
unless they changed it just for the note 7, you have to use the phone in the UK before you can use it in the US.
here's a quote from an article regarding the region lock in the S7 and S7 edge:
this is to prevent shops from selling European phones in the US.
the unlocking method is so that people moving outside Europe after buying a phone can continue to use it.
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Got it - just been reading up on it. Thanks for this.
Well, that all looks simple enough. Shouldn't be an issue.
In fact, my only fear is warranty now. If I smash or crack it (which I will try not to obvs, but heaven forbid, it happens), I may be spannered.
I doubt my insurance will cover it if it is an international model and Samsung look like they don't do international warranties.
That's the only thing stopping me sitting here pressing 'order' when I'm on the verge of it.
Also, I wonder if Samsung Pay will be affected, If maybe, somehow, that's region specific.
It's a big risk.. Eeek!
Screw it, I've ordered.
So just to clarify - the bands on the international (UK) unlocked version will be compatible with ATT/Cricket and T-Mobile?
Just bought a new HTC 10 with a respectable chain of stores in the Netherlands.
The serial number shows a production date of Sep 2017. Is this normal, half a year ago?
The battery setting shows ‘Last full charge’ 67 days ago. Did I buy a refurbished phone?
After two full charges the ‘Last full charge’ still shows 67 days ago.
Could be that when they got the phione they opened it up to make sure everything works and was there. Or if its anything like what ive been going thru its probably a 'used' phone
I think alot of the new in package phones that werent sold were either bought back by htc or some other company, reflashed with international roms and repacked in a crappy clone box with chinese accesories. Im on my second 'new' htc 10 but theyve all come used. I have not been able to find a brand new htc 10. This one i have now was flashed with chinese market firmware even though it was an original US unlocked phone. I flashed the us unlocked and then leedrid roms but i cant get LTE or data working.
So if yours came in a crappy box with a big textured sticker up top, charger with letters printed all crooked, a photocopied manual and with a generic sim removal tool (not the small square htc branded one) you most likely got one of these 'used' but new reflashed phones. I would simply take it out of the box inspect the phone for any damages or signs of use, plug you sim in and make sure it works. then do a imei and serial number check. If it comes up as something other than an htc 10 send it back.
Barracuz said:
Could be that when they got the phione they opened it up to make sure everything works and was there. Or if its anything like what ive been going thru its probably a 'used' phone
I think alot of the new in package phones that werent sold were either bought back by htc or some other company, reflashed with international roms and repacked in a crappy clone box with chinese accesories. Im on my second 'new' htc 10 but theyve all come used. I have not been able to find a brand new htc 10. This one i have now was flashed with chinese market firmware even though it was an original US unlocked phone. I flashed the us unlocked and then leedrid roms but i cant get LTE or data working.
So if yours came in a crappy box with a big textured sticker up top, charger with letters printed all crooked, a photocopied manual and with a generic sim removal tool (not the small square htc branded one) you most likely got one of these 'used' but new reflashed phones. I would simply take it out of the box inspect the phone for any damages or signs of use, plug you sim in and make sure it works. then do a imei and serial number check. If it comes up as something other than an htc 10 send it back.
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You bought yours from eBay...I don't think that's an equivalent comparison.
lol i bought last week a black HTC 10 from a respectable retailer in Europe and it showed in settings it was last charged 62 days ago. Could you tell me if yours has the CE 2200 marking on the back side of the phone or just a CE marking, i mean is the nymber 2200 there?
I am looking to get this phone and needed some advice. I haven't bought a cellular branded phone for a long while. I usually go with the USA Factory unlocked version. On this phone is the cellular named stamped on the back of the phone? I know the model for the USA Unlocked version is G820QM (with a 7 at the end at times) but it is honestly harder to find. What does everyone recommend on this phone in regards to getting the cellular branded one or should I keep trying to find the USA Unlocked version? What about bloatware with the different cellular branded ones? How is that? Can you get rid of the bloatware? I also like what I call the LG Branded ones as they get the updates faster do they not? Please help me. I am looking for a phone and this one stuck out at me unless someone suggests a different phone with similar specs to this one? Thanks so much! :good:
alias4ever said:
I am looking to get this phone and needed some advice. I haven't bought a cellular branded phone for a long while. I usually go with the USA Factory unlocked version. On this phone is the cellular named stamped on the back of the phone? I know the model for the USA Unlocked version is G820QM (with a 7 at the end at times) but it is honestly harder to find. What does everyone recommend on this phone in regards to getting the cellular branded one or should I keep trying to find the USA Unlocked version? What about bloatware with the different cellular branded ones? How is that? Can you get rid of the bloatware? I also like what I call the LG Branded ones as they get the updates faster do they not? Please help me. I am looking for a phone and this one stuck out at me unless someone suggests a different phone with similar specs to this one? Thanks so much! :good:
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Unsure where you're from, but stay away from the AT&T unlocked model (my model G820UM), I'm from the UK and ordered one, big mistake, AT&T does not send any update to their phones if they are not using an AT&T SIM card in the US, some users have been successful in updating they're OS, by just using a AT&T SIM card outside of the US, some haven't and I haven't tried it, because I don't want to waste more money on a SIM card when the results are not 100% guaranteed.
There is no way of cross flashing a different ROM, so you will be stuck without updates, until someone finds a way of cross flashing a ROM from an unlocked model. I'm checking this forum regularly hoping some has found a solution, but nothing so far
If you are in the US and on AT&T then it will fine, bloatware (which is a lot) can be removed/disabled easily
Honestly, for the price I paid (£280), I think the Xiaomi Mi9 would have been a better option, similar specs, updates every 2 months and you're able to unlock bootloader, not the best process to unlock the bootloader, but still possible (just need to wait for permission from Xiaomi which could take a few weeks), you'll be missing out on the best headphone jack, better cameras (not by much) and better battery life, for a similar price I think this is the best deal for snapdragon 855 phone.
If you don't mind paying a bit more and want the same features as the G8, go for the Samsung S10.
hugoprh said:
Unsure where you're from, but stay away from the AT&T unlocked model (my model G820UM), I'm from the UK and ordered one, big mistake, AT&T does not send any update to their phones if they are not using an AT&T SIM card in the US, some users have been successful in updating they're OS, by just using a AT&T SIM card outside of the US, some haven't and I haven't tried it, because I don't want to waste more money on a SIM card when the results are not 100% guaranteed.
.
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Have you tried updating after taking out the SIM card?
ChrisAG said:
Have you tried updating after taking out the SIM card?
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Yep no luck, I've sold the phone, I was wasting too much time trying to find a solution, so just sold it and claimed my sanity back xD
Going back to the trusty Xperia 5, timely updates and great software and they are going for around £260 so easily recommended.
That's too bad, AT&T must be interfering, because I just purchased an unlocked G8 in Canada, and it updated to 10 over WiFi, before I inserted a SIM from my carrier (Bell Mobility). Phone was not on Bell originally.
ChrisAG said:
That's too bad, AT&T must be interfering, because I just purchased an unlocked G8 in Canada, and it updated to 10 over WiFi, before I inserted a SIM from my carrier (Bell Mobility). Phone was not on Bell originally.
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Yep, this a AT&T "feature", want updates? Buy at AT&T SIM card and use it in the US, guess they don't want anyone outside the US to use their products, unsure why, but it is what it is...
hugoprh said:
Unsure where you're from, but stay away from the AT&T unlocked model (my model G820UM), I'm from the UK and ordered one, big mistake, AT&T does not send any update to their phones if they are not using an AT&T SIM card in the US, some users have been successful in updating they're OS, by just using a AT&T SIM card outside of the US, some haven't and I haven't tried it, because I don't want to waste more money on a SIM card when the results are not 100% guaranteed.
There is no way of cross flashing a different ROM, so you will be stuck without updates, until someone finds a way of cross flashing a ROM from an unlocked model. I'm checking this forum regularly hoping some has found a solution, but nothing so far
If you are in the US and on AT&T then it will fine, bloatware (which is a lot) can be removed/disabled easily
Honestly, for the price I paid (£280), I think the Xiaomi Mi9 would have been a better option, similar specs, updates every 2 months and you're able to unlock bootloader, not the best process to unlock the bootloader, but still possible (just need to wait for permission from Xiaomi which could take a few weeks), you'll be missing out on the best headphone jack, better cameras (not by much) and better battery life, for a similar price I think this is the best deal for snapdragon 855 phone.
If you don't mind paying a bit more and want the same features as the G8, go for the Samsung S10.
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Is 10 really that big a deal from 9? I have 9 on my phone i could care less if it gets 10 and I am pretty sure it wont , lol
I feel like if we have temp root then it's only a matter of time before we get TWRP and roms. I just picked up an AT&T model for $178. Not sure if it's unlocked, but fairly easy through AT&T. Just worried if we have an exploit, updating to 10 might invalidate it.
I come from PS3/xbox 360 hacking, haha.