Database Users

[Q] Which Galaxy S4 for AT&T / Root

Hello -
I'm considering getting a Galaxy S4. I heard and read elsewhere that there are some issues with rooting on the AT&T device (no good recovery procedures, etc.)? This will be my first android device, but I'm fairly technical (and a developer) - I used to be more active on these forums in the windows mobile days. Here are some details regarding what I'm looking for:
Ability to remove all the bloatware from the device, and run a fairly stock Android version, retaining my ability to customize
Ability to use all frequencies on AT&T, including 4G (and not just on one band)
Stability
Would like a ROM that has USB audio support - I have several USB DACs and when I am done using this as a primary phone, I'd like to try using it as a dedicated media player / 4G hotstpot in my car.
Large infrastructure for device compatibilty and accessories
Decent camera/camera software
Good navigation software that works even where data connections are spotty
Choice of colors (probably want a grey/black device - I do not like the white S4)
Expandable memory (or 64GB onboard)
Replaceable / expandable battery support - this one is a nice to have, not a must
It looked like the Google Play edition had all the same bands/antennas as the AT&T version, but I'm not sure. Deal breaker there is the 16GB and white only options. Which version of this phone should I get, assuming this is even the right phone for me? Will the Note 3 be better?

essaudio said:
Hello -
I'm considering getting a Galaxy S4. I heard and read elsewhere that there are some issues with rooting on the AT&T device (no good recovery procedures, etc.)? This will be my first android device, but I'm fairly technical (and a developer) - I used to be more active on these forums in the windows mobile days. Here are some details regarding what I'm looking for:
Ability to remove all the bloatware from the device, and run a fairly stock Android version, retaining my ability to customize
Ability to use all frequencies on AT&T, including 4G (and not just on one band)
Stability
Would like a ROM that has USB audio support - I have several USB DACs and when I am done using this as a primary phone, I'd like to try using it as a dedicated media player / 4G hotstpot in my car.
Large infrastructure for device compatibilty and accessories
Decent camera/camera software
Good navigation software that works even where data connections are spotty
Choice of colors (probably want a grey/black device - I do not like the white S4)
Expandable memory (or 64GB onboard)
Replaceable / expandable battery support - this one is a nice to have, not a must
It looked like the Google Play edition had all the same bands/antennas as the AT&T version, but I'm not sure. Deal breaker there is the 16GB and white only options. Which version of this phone should I get, assuming this is even the right phone for me? Will the Note 3 be better?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want a GS4 that works on AT&T, and you want LTE, you have two realistic choices:
1. The SGH-I337 AT&T carrier-branded variant. The pros are that you can get it in 32GB and you have color options. You also get a ton of software features that are built into Touchwiz, including the amazing camera app. The cons are that the most recent firmware has a bootloader that's locked down tighter than a crab's ass. You can root it, but custom recoveries and ROMs are off the table.
2. The GT-I9505G Google Play Edition. The pros are that it's got an unlockable bootloader, it gets Android updates very quickly, and it's not full of carrier and Samsung junk. You can root or flash custom recoveries, kernels, or ROMs very easily a-la Nexus devices. The cons are that it's 16 GB and it only comes in white. Also, you lack some of the cool software features that Touchwiz provides because the phone runs stock Android.
If you want a GS4 that runs on AT&T but don't care about LTE, you can also buy an unlocked GT-I9500 or GT-I9505 from Europe. With either of those devices, you'll get HSPA+ on AT&T, but no LTE.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4

oldblue910 said:
If you want a GS4 that works on AT&T, and you want LTE, you have two realistic choices:
1. The SGH-I337 AT&T carrier-branded variant. The pros are that you can get it in 32GB and you have color options. You also get a ton of software features that are built into Touchwiz, including the amazing camera app. The cons are that the most recent firmware has a bootloader that's locked down tighter than a crab's ass. You can root it, but custom recoveries and ROMs are off the table.
2. The GT-I9505G Google Play Edition. The pros are that it's got an unlockable bootloader, it gets Android updates very quickly, and it's not full of carrier and Samsung junk. You can root or flash custom recoveries, kernels, or ROMs very easily a-la Nexus devices. The cons are that it's 16 GB and it only comes in white. Also, you lack some of the cool software features that Touchwiz provides because the phone runs stock Android.
If you want a GS4 that runs on AT&T but don't care about LTE, you can also buy an unlocked GT-I9500 or GT-I9505 from Europe. With either of those devices, you'll get HSPA+ on AT&T, but no LTE.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help. If I get an AT&T S4 phone used, is there something I should ask about which firmware it's on, where I still have the ability to root without recovery restrictions?

essaudio said:
Thanks for your help. If I get an AT&T S4 phone used, is there something I should ask about which firmware it's on, where I still have the ability to root without recovery restrictions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. You'll want it on I337UCUAMDL or I337UCUAMDB. If it's on anything else, forget it. haha
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4

You have another choice.. get the tmobile s4.. works perfeft with att lte.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
---------- Post added at 01:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:12 AM ----------
And unlocked bootloader
Sent from my SGH-I337M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

niceppl said:
You have another choice.. get the tmobile s4.. works perfeft with att lte.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
---------- Post added at 01:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:12 AM ----------
And unlocked bootloader
Sent from my SGH-I337M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the problem is it's SIM locked to T-Mobile and they have a horrible device unlock policy.
Sent from my Galaxy S4 GT-I9505G using Tapatalk 4

oldblue910 said:
Yeah, the problem is it's SIM locked to T-Mobile and they have a horrible device unlock policy.
Sent from my Galaxy S4 GT-I9505G using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy an unlock code they are cheap

daraj said:
Buy an unlock code they are cheap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And it may or may not work.
Sent from my Galaxy S4 GT-I9505G using Tapatalk 4

... go cellunlocker.net my friend is tmobile s4 and it worked...
Sent from my SGH-I337M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

oldblue910 said:
And it may or may not work.
Sent from my Galaxy S4 GT-I9505G using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Usually these services have some sort of a guarantee or refund of the sorts. I, personally never had any problem with codes not working.
cellunlocker is a good site like mentioned above

what modelof note 3 to buy?

Hi guys i want to buy a note 3 but i dont know which model to buy. because i am going to china for a few months but im not sure which model would work where.seeing how there has been a lot of things about region lock.
so which model of the note 3 should i get?

vash0000 said:
Hi guys i want to buy a note 3 but i dont know which model to buy. because i am going to china for a few months but im not sure which model would work where.seeing how there has been a lot of things about region lock.
so which model of the note 3 should i get?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have n9005 international works everywhere.
N900 is octa core variant and gets overheated.
Sent from Galaxy Note 3 SM-n9005

thahim said:
I have n9005 international works everywhere.
N900 is octa core variant and gets overheated.
Sent from Galaxy Note 3 SM-n9005
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how would the 9005 get unlocked? there was sim problems for the us

vash0000 said:
how would the 9005 get unlocked? there was sim problems for the us
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get n9005 international factory unlocked model.
Sent from Galaxy Note 3 SM-n9005

alrite thanks!

It depends you want snapdragon quad or exonys octa
Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk

sorry one more question would the one region lock once its activated?

If region lock, U can use region lockaway though. Chainfire has the thread.
From what I know,
If u buy international unlock version n9005, there shld not be any lock.

Do you guys know what version the tmobile version of the note 3 is?
also would be use able for china?
i am ask for somebody

The other thing you need to worry about is what frequencies your network in the US uses.... N9005 might be locked in at 3G speeds due to it being set up for international bands but US using different ones... Means no LTE/4G...

TMobile VS International Note 4 (Like Note 3 or S5?)

When the Note 3 was released there was a pretty big difference between the two phones that initially made flashing roms from International on TMobile - wifi wouldn't work intially - internal SD Card was wiped frequently on flashing and a bunch of other issues made flashing International ROMS on TMOBILE phones difficult at first. (this was fixed later but it took a while)
The S5 was a lot different - I am not a technician or Developer by any means - but as a novice looking in - it almost seemed like International and Tmobile mobile note 3's were almost entirely different phones - whereas the S5's were almost identical.
I realize I maybe oversimplifying this - but doing so to make a point. I am very curious about what will happen with the Note 4. I doubt if there is any way to know until both phones are out and Devs start creating roms - but I wonder if the NOTE 4 will be more like it was with the NOTE 3 or will they be more like it was with the S5 ? Samsung will never listen to me but I think you know how I would vote -
looking forward to the NEXT BIG THING....

Not sure if you look at gsmarena or phonescoop, but kind of like the GN3, GS3 etc. The GN4 US variant has Q-com Snapdragon CPU, Int'l has Exynos (sp?) So some hardware is similar.
But T-mo variants vs other,like before T-mo rom has wifi call capability. Others do not.

papabear said:
Not sure if you look at gsmarena or phonescoop, but kind of like the GN3, GS3 etc. The GN4 US variant has Q-com Snapdragon CPU, Int'l has Exynos (sp?) So some hardware is similar.
But T-mo variants vs other,like before T-mo rom has wifi call capability. Others do not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint also has wifi calling

papabear said:
Not sure if you look at gsmarena or phonescoop, but kind of like the GN3, GS3 etc. The GN4 US variant has Q-com Snapdragon CPU, Int'l has Exynos (sp?) So some hardware is similar.
But T-mo variants vs other,like before T-mo rom has wifi call capability. Others do not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I realize that WIFI Calling is a major difference between international and TMOBILE - but I was more interested in the file structure of the phone and how wifi - or data works - not sure the reason, but it originally was difficult to flash International ROMS on the TMOBILE Note 3 - data wifi didn't work - data didn't work - and often the Internal SD card was wiped. When the S5 was released, the phones were so similar none of these problems happened. I was flashing International ROMS in the first day or two that the S5 was released.
I am not a dev so I can't speak to the reasons why it was this way on the NOte 3 - but except for the obvious differences (wifi Calling for example) I am only hoping that the Note 4 is more like it was with the S5 than it was with the note 3.

Lets make sure first that Tmobile keep its bootloader unlocked!

kinda like papabear was saying, i believe the S5 international vs US both had snapdragon, which made them very compatible. the GN3 had exynos/snapdragon, and that made them quite different. exynos didn't have near as much development.
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=6033&idPhone2=6434

The GS4 was really good with cross compatibility. The T-Mo and i9505 variants were very similar, both had the same CPU, etc. You could flash the same ROMs but not radios/modems or bootloaders. My concern is if the International Note 4 will work with T-Mo LTE since it doesn't have the 1700 band.

Dont forget about band 12.

Do we know If the international version N910F supportd Tmobile LTE? I think I saw a video on phonedog and the Josh was using an international version with a tmo sim card.
Any confirmation?

daraj said:
Do we know If the international version N910F supportd Tmobile LTE? I think I saw a video on phonedog and the Josh was using an international version with a tmo sim card.
Any confirmation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Notice how the symbol says 4G and not 4G LTE

Kawaisa said:
Notice how the symbol says 4G and not 4G LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, on the international models it doesnt say 4G LTE . It displays either LTE or 4G next to the reception bars.

mocsab said:
I realize that WIFI Calling is a major difference between international and TMOBILE - but I was more interested in the file structure of the phone and how wifi - or data works - not sure the reason, but it originally was difficult to flash International ROMS on the TMOBILE Note 3 - data wifi didn't work - data didn't work - and often the Internal SD card was wiped. When the S5 was released, the phones were so similar none of these problems happened. I was flashing International ROMS in the first day or two that the S5 was released.
I am not a dev so I can't speak to the reasons why it was this way on the NOte 3 - but except for the obvious differences (wifi Calling for example) I am only hoping that the Note 4 is more like it was with the S5 than it was with the note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used Samsung phone for a while, but from past experience I'm pretty sure that you only need to flash appropriate radio/kernel to get data and WiFi working again. just my 2 cents.
I've got my eyes on the note 4 and thinking about getting one to play with, I have Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013, yeah, I know I'm a Nexus junkie

Lancez said:
I haven't used Samsung phone for a while, but from past experience I'm pretty sure that you only need to flash appropriate radio/kernel to get data and WiFi working again. just my 2 cents.
I've got my eyes on the note 4 and thinking about getting one to play with, I have Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013, yeah, I know I'm a Nexus junkie
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That actually wasn't true with the NOTE 3 which is the main reason I did this thread in the first place. When the NOTE 3 was released, if you flashed an INTERNATIONAL ROM WIFI and DATA and blue tooth did not work at all. Someone eventually came up with a fix which had to be flashed anytime you flashed an international rom - I don't know why this was necessary - it just was - it was almost as if there was some major difference in file structure and programming on the International version versus the TMOBILE or Canadian Version.
The S5 wasn't like that at all - Virtually every International ROM worked beautifully from the get go on TMOBLILE phones. So - the NOTE 3 must have had something that was done differently on International Versions of the phone compared to TMOBILE and Canadian Versions - and I am hopeful that THE NOTE 4 doesn't do that.
So - I am excited about the Note 4 - can't wait for it to be released - I know all of our questions will be answered then - looking forward to it!

Bubbled said:
kinda like papabear was saying, i believe the S5 international vs US both had snapdragon, which made them very compatible. the GN3 had exynos/snapdragon, and that made them quite different. exynos didn't have near as much development.
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=6033&idPhone2=6434
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exynos doesn't have anything to do this. ALL of these phones come in both versions - Snapdragon and Exnynos - the note 3, S5 and NOte 4 each have both variations.
anyone on a tmobile snapdragon note 3 had problems with wifi and data when trying to flash roms from the international snapdragon phones Note 3.... I honestly don't know why the NOTE 3 had this issue and the S5 didn't - but it doesn't have anything to do with Exynos - but fingers crossed that the NOTE 4 behaves more like the S5 than the Note 3 in this regard - it will make flashing much easier.
(PS - there is no evidence that TMOBILE will lock bootloader. ATT and Verizon will for sure - both have said as much - every phone ATT and VERIZON releases are locked (except the developer version on Verizon) but TMOBILE has not given any indication they will be locking the bootloader - I don't expect they will lock the bootloader on the note 4 - we will find out for sure in a few weeks...

mocsab said:
That actually wasn't true with the NOTE 3 which is the main reason I did this thread in the first place. When the NOTE 3 was released, if you flashed an INTERNATIONAL ROM WIFI and DATA and blue tooth did not work at all. Someone eventually came up with a fix which had to be flashed anytime you flashed an international rom - I don't know why this was necessary - it just was - it was almost as if there was some major difference in file structure and programming on the International version versus the TMOBILE or Canadian Version.
The S5 wasn't like that at all - Virtually every International ROM worked beautifully from the get go on TMOBLILE phones. So - the NOTE 3 must have had something that was done differently on International Versions of the phone compared to TMOBILE and Canadian Versions - and I am hopeful that THE NOTE 4 doesn't do that.
So - I am excited about the Note 4 - can't wait for it to be released - I know all of our questions will be answered then - looking forward to it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If odin is still the tool to flash samsung official ROM, then you should be able to choose what to flash and what not to. well, i might be wrong but thats how i did on AT&T Captivate, Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Nexus. I remember that i've been switching between international and US version ROMs with just ROM without flashing any radios. Samsung may changed ROM structure, that I have no idea. And Sale is still sending all the samsung ROMs to me whenever he made one:victory:

Going to give a international a try.. this will be my first international device. .
This the one to get? Lte will work on usa tmobile right?Samsung Galaxy Note 4 SM-N910 Factory Unlocked International Model by samsung http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N2Y5ALK/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_oUSmub0HH4M79

Lancez said:
If odin is still the tool to flash samsung official ROM, then you should be able to choose what to flash and what not to. well, i might be wrong but thats how i did on AT&T Captivate, Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Nexus. I remember that i've been switching between international and US version ROMs with just ROM without flashing any radios. Samsung may changed ROM structure, that I have no idea. And Sale is still sending all the samsung ROMs to me whenever he made one:victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like you had said, you haven't had sammy devices in a while. Lol, things have changed with the note varients my friend, its not that "easy" anymore. How can you be debating with people who actually own the note 3 and was flashing international roms? lol

mgbotoe said:
Like you had said, you haven't had sammy devices in a while. Lol, things have changed with the note varients my friend, its not that "easy" anymore. How can you be debating with people who actually own the note 3 and was flashing international roms? lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was discussion my friend. and PDA is not the only option in odin.

markysd said:
Going to give a international a try.. this will be my first international device. .
This the one to get? Lte will work on usa tmobile right?Samsung Galaxy Note 4 SM-N910 Factory Unlocked International Model by samsung http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N2Y5ALK/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_oUSmub0HH4M79
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you hope to get by going with an international phone? It certainly won't have the optimum frequencies for tmobile network, it will likely work but they are opening new frequencies that the tmobile note 4 will be the first take advantage of...

p()()pypants said:
What do you hope to get by going with an international phone? It certainly won't have the optimum frequencies for tmobile network, it will likely work but they are opening new frequencies that the tmobile note 4 will be the first take advantage of...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont care much about the frequency. . Lte and 4g is fast my aera. . No need for wifi calling also.. I want the exynos octo

N910H

Hello,
I was so excited to finally get my Note 4, I walked out with a N910H without really realizing it's an HSPA device !
I had read online that the new Exynos 5433 (finally) supports LTE so I was excited about the 64 bit processor over the S805. I wanted the Exynos badly. But, I want LTE!!
I have two questions:
1- Will it be possible to use N910U/C firmware on this device, or is there hardware difference?
2- If yes to the above, is it possible to activate LTE bands on this device somehow?
I guess if it's not possible I'll wind up selling this and moving for N910C in the future.
Thanks!

Roms for 910C work on this variant i have the same variant 910H wait untill development gets traction you will be able to do everything
Sent from my SM-N910H using XDA Free mobile app

I made the same mistake as you Karim. Now patiently waiting whether to hold on on sell. :S

Is the hardware in the N9005 compatible with the N900T

I damaged the digitizer in my N900T and found it cheaper to buy a used phone then to buy a new digitizer. I found a N9005 but not sure if the hardware is compatible. They're both GSM, and I know T-Mobile used the N9005 a few years back, but I don't know if I can swap the mother board of the N9005 with the one from the N900T.

Try these links: (NOTE: make sure you swap the charge port as well as this has the LTE chip which is not compatible with other boards)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVBuuqd4zkc
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+Note+3+Teardown/19209
Good luck

princeferoz said:
Try these links: (NOTE: make sure you swap the charge port as well as this has the LTE chip which is not compatible with other boards)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVBuuqd4zkc
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+Note+3+Teardown/19209
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am VERY familiar with the teardown of the N900T. Are you suggesting that the N9005 does NOT have the LTE chip, or the N900T does NOT have the LTE chip? OHHHHH...I think I understand. the Charging port has the LTE chip on it, and MAY not be compatible with the N900T board. Kewl...Thank you.

Afaik, T-Mobile in the USA never used the n9005, only the n900t.

The N900T can not be used in the N9005. The boards are different sizes. Now I know. ?
Sent from my SM-N930F using XDA-Developers Legacy app