I live in China and just bought a Galaxy S3 here, apparently the i9308 model that is sold by China Mobile.
Big mistake, it is bundled with loads of Chinese bloatware that replaces crucial software like Google Play and replaces those with proprietary Chinese services that I cannot use (I can't read Chinese). So, although the phone works and have English language for the most basic functions, it takes all the smart out of the smartphone. I cannot even install an app on it.
The seller refused to refund the money, which is the common way to do business here, so in desperation I turned to custom ROMs, even though I know my hardware is probably not identical with the i9300 which they are usually designed for.
I followed this procedure to install the Omega 2.5 ROM on the i9308:
- Installed CF-Root-SGS3-v6.3 with Odin 3.04
- installed the I9300_Omega_v5.2_XXALF2, using no bloatware option
- Factory data reset
After this it works great, with everything running as I hoped for - except the modem does not work!! So, basically , I now got a dead phone running as a PDA over WIFI only.
So, apparently the modem is not working any longer since it is different from the one in the i9300.
I took a note of the original baseband version used by the i9308 though: I9308ZMLEA
Is there anything I can do to get my phone working again with an English system?
EDIT -UPDATE
I gave up, and tried to restore to the original Chinese ROM as provided here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1722247
But although the modem seems to be working and I got antenna bars, I could not be connected to the network, so basically the phone was dead AND I had a Chinese system. Could hardly be worse.
Finally I just took the phone back to the store, said it is broken, and negotiated to get the proper i9300 version as a replacement. It's working fine, and the only problem is it is butt ugly as they only have the i9300 in white color.
Anyway, a big warning to anyone who wants to pick up a phone in another country. Although the phone seems to be the same, some local teleoperator might have completely screwed it over until it's practically useless and nothing like what you have been reading about in the reviews. Samsung has been way too flexible in allowing China Mobile to basically ruin an otherwise great phone.
not to bump this old thread but you wouldn't happen to jnow of the tech support email for chian mobile? or another way to exchange this relatively new Gt-I9308 for the GT-I9300 model as you did in store? because otherwise I'm here in america stuck with a chinese galaxy s3
Hollow704 said:
not to bump this old thread but you wouldn't happen to jnow of the tech support email for chian mobile? or another way to exchange this relatively new Gt-I9308 for the GT-I9300 model as you did in store? because otherwise I'm here in america stuck with a chinese galaxy s3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
China mobile doesn't offer the I9300 only the I9308. China Unicom is I9300. My guess is they bought it through a retailer and made the exchange that way.
old post late reply, i know but nvm that, anyway if anyone is still interested in this, here i have the right solution to this. recently i have been collecting some old Samsung phones, i managed to get hold of a Chinese 9308, as u know, all i9300 roms/twrp work on 9308, but can't detect SIM card/mobile network, however i found one version of the MIUI6 roms, so far so good, everything appear to work perfectly, has all languages, Google play & framework (services), most importantly, 3G works fine too. i will shortly provide links to the downloads.
noobically_sane said:
old post late reply, i know but nvm that, anyway if anyone is still interested in this, here i have the right solution to this. recently i have been collecting some old Samsung phones, i managed to get hold of a Chinese 9308, as u know, all i9300 roms/twrp work on 9308, but can't detect SIM card/mobile network, however i found one version of the MIUI6 roms, so far so good, everything appear to work perfectly, has all languages, Google play & framework (services), most importantly, 3G works fine too. i will shortly provide links to the downloads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would be best starting you own thread with your downloads as it'll get lost in all the clutter if you post it in this thread.
Beamed in by telepathy.
Related
I got this Samsung Galaxy 70 korean model YP-GB70EW.
I chosen english in settings yet some programs and error messages are still in korean.Is there any way to translate it without flashing new rom?
P.S. if i have to flash room is there very stable room for this model?
Not normal at all.
This device has korean and english ONLY. Choice is to be done at first start.
If you have problem a factory wipe should refresh and in case of not solving you just reflash the stock KPL firmware available from here.
http://ts.daumcdn.net/custom/blog/8...me.html?http://supportgp.tistory.com/notice/2
I am not sure your device was not "used" before you?
I am absolutely positive its new and stock firmware i just updated it trough Samsung Kies software and its the same. I even did factory reset, and chosen english. All menus show in english and all core android apps. However there's some 3rd party apps pre installed i guess that still in korean.
Also the welcome goodbye screen is korean and error messages are. Guess its as close to english as it gets.
Now the phone has antenna however when i run app to listen radio it finds zero stations tv, zero stations its because its programmed for Korean frequencies? how i reprogram so i can watch tv/listen radio in USA?
Also how i can root it without loosing stock ROM, only way i found so far ppl here say its only possible with custom ROM, which ROM is best to use if i dont care for anything new just stability of ROM.
Only one i found that works on Korean version is AOKP ROM which is ported and camera and bluetooth don't work its unacceptable for me other one " Rice Rom" has english option and fully works other one RJ's rom is not clear if supports Korean version?
Is it possible to install International or USA firmware instead of korean so i can use more ROM's?
It is working fine I see you have menu in english.
Korean dedicated applications will open "only" in korean language, they are not useful for us, forget them.
About the antenna it is not for radio, this antenna is for digital korean TV only available there. FM radios you get them through hearphone cable as antenna.
I don't know what country you are living by now, but no risk you copy it! And it will be 100% korean language.
About new roms, I have opened a third try to get some foreign support, but success is very tiny.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1757341
See yourself!
About ROMS, easy to say that if you want all the fonctionnality working (especially 5m camera), wise is to stay with KR KPL and root.
Welcome to the club
lolo9393 said:
I don't know what country you are living by now, but no risk you copy it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in USA. what you talking about when you say "but no risk you copy it".
lolo9393 said:
IAbout ROMS, easy to say that if you want all the fonctionnality working (especially 5m camera), wise is to stay with KR KPL and root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did did not found any info on how to root stock ROM. Can you help?
Hello
to copy a radio station or TV means to catch it, to receive it clearly. this usage with the military military operators. (as exemple It is used incessantly in the Stargate serie)
DAB Korean TV has FM radio like maximum range, so no risk for you to receive it! sorry
About the "rooting kernel" here is the link:
http://soon-s.tistory.com/m/post/list
just make use of odin, do not touch at the option and only flash the kernel in PDA place.
You can also flash the rooted KPH Rani rice white wine 2, it is very light but not based on KPL .
If link's dead, ask the forum for refresh them.
rgrds
Hi all
I hope that I am in the right place.
I currently have a MyTouch phone but was in China last week and saw these Galaxy S3 knockoffs and figured I would buy one.
I am now back in the States and the Galaxy works quite well but there are a few things I cannot get to work and was hoping someone could help.
Firstly the data connection from my service provider seems quite slow compared to the MyTouch.
Secondly the GPS does not seem to work. I have tried a few different combinations but no luck. I have enabled and disabled the Google location in the settings to no avail. I have left the phone on for more than 15 minutes trying to get a GPS signal but still no luck.
I know that the phone is a knockoff and did not expect much but it sure does work faster than the MyTouch – apart from the GPS and data.
So my question is –
Is there a way to get it to work? Would it be possible to reload the software on the phone with one from an original Galaxy? I am not sure of the terminology but does that mean I would need to flash the phone or root the phone – if this is the case, how easy is it to do and would it brick my phone?
Where would I get the firmware from to do so?
Any (detailed) help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
kouger1 said:
Hi all
I hope that I am in the right place.
I currently have a MyTouch phone but was in China last week and saw these Galaxy S3 knockoffs and figured I would buy one.
I am now back in the States and the Galaxy works quite well but there are a few things I cannot get to work and was hoping someone could help.
Firstly the data connection from my service provider seems quite slow compared to the MyTouch.
Secondly the GPS does not seem to work. I have tried a few different combinations but no luck. I have enabled and disabled the Google location in the settings to no avail. I have left the phone on for more than 15 minutes trying to get a GPS signal but still no luck.
I know that the phone is a knockoff and did not expect much but it sure does work faster than the MyTouch – apart from the GPS and data.
So my question is –
Is there a way to get it to work? Would it be possible to reload the software on the phone with one from an original Galaxy? I am not sure of the terminology but does that mean I would need to flash the phone or root the phone – if this is the case, how easy is it to do and would it brick my phone?
Where would I get the firmware from to do so?
Any (detailed) help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as i know these SGS3 knockoffs or clones do not have the same hardware as the SGS3 so you can't use custom SGS3 roms.
This forum is of no use to you unfortunately, do a search for your model on Google and you should find some forums that might help you
slaphead20 said:
This forum is of no use to you unfortunately, do a search for your model on Google and you should find some forums that might help you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do, thanks
I know I'm "new", but I've actually lurked these forums many a time. I was around to pick up the first official Bell SGS2 ICS ROM back at the end of 2011, and I just finished installing NeatROM 4.0 for SGS2 (that one thread on Google if you search it up); it's INSANELY awesome.
The one problem I have right now is my inability to use NFC.
I know NFC did not ship with the "UK" and "international" SGS2s (beginning of the run); especially those that came with the Bell Canada's SGS2 run (at the very start - got my phone in July of 2011).
I wanted to know how hard it would be to install an NFC chip into this phone.
While I'm Canadian pure and simple, I'm interning in the US and would like the ability to use NFC to pay for things via Google Wallet (I've actually been hyped up since it's launch in the US and several other countries).
Please let me know how this can be done, if it can be done - I've Google'd and a bunch of other methods, but all I get is useless specification pages about the SGS2. I figured this was possible since the later versions of the AT&T and T-Mobile SGS2 phones shipped with NFC, and they were essentially the exact same hardware + NFC chip.
I don't believe my phone already has it (I've Google'd how to "enable" it, but Z-Device Test doesn't show NFC, and I believe it).
I rooted the phone already, etc... I can usually find my way around as long as someone gives me a good start. What major parts would I need to purchase to make this possible?
Thanks in advance for the help.
There are micro sd cards with nfc in them being developed
Hi Everyone,
I am new to this forum and have a questions about a Samsung Galaxy Note N717 that I am using at working to test a new app we have been approached with. The Note was bought in Korea and is a Genuine Samsung Galaxy Note N717 LTE.
It is running Android 2.3 and We need it to run Android 4.0 at least for the application to work.
From the research I have done, I have seen other having similar issues upgrading the software. I recently had a friend who is a Samsung Qualified Repair Agent try to install the latest software however it has crash his PC and now the Handset.
I need to get his phone working again with Android 4.0 on it. Can anyone suggest anywhere near London, UK that can do it? Or provide me with the correct details of how to do it, like a walkthrough almost. I am fairly tech savvy and have worked with mobiles for the past 7-8 years but his has totally confused me.
PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!
elllloz said:
Hi Everyone,
I am new to this forum and have a questions about a Samsung Galaxy Note N717 that I am using at working to test a new app we have been approached with. The Note was bought in Korea and is a Genuine Samsung Galaxy Note N717 LTE.
It is running Android 2.3 and We need it to run Android 4.0 at least for the application to work.
From the research I have done, I have seen other having similar issues upgrading the software. I recently had a friend who is a Samsung Qualified Repair Agent try to install the latest software however it has crash his PC and now the Handset.
I need to get his phone working again with Android 4.0 on it. Can anyone suggest anywhere near London, UK that can do it? Or provide me with the correct details of how to do it, like a walkthrough almost. I am fairly tech savvy and have worked with mobiles for the past 7-8 years but his has totally confused me.
PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sure this is way out of my league and I myself cannot provide a solution. it is very possible that the device has been bricked. I am US based and the only fix I am aware of here is called a J-TAG which costs about $50 here and takes about a week.
whether that is the final diagnosis or not? im sure someone else will chime in.
but isn't part of the solution knowing what you did wrong? I don't think you provided enough information.
maybe you need to check again your device for what it is...........I ran a google search for n717 myself (which is what you should do) and the main result in that search is an address so I don't know.
also tried variances of 717 and found everything from flight path software to medication.
I originally thought maybe you had a Canadian version bought in Korea ???
anybody is going to need more info..........
what phone is ?
software currently?
what did you try to flash?
was what you tried to flash for the right model phone?
can you get download mode?
does phone even vibrate?
at this point could be anything from wrong software to something as simple as a stuck power button
gonna have to narrow things down a bit........if you don't know what you did, how is anybody else?
A Note N717 is a knockoff I believe. It is not a samsung phone and will not run samsung ROMs.
Thanks for your help
The phone is a Samsung N717 Note, the software was Gingerbread 2.3 until Samsung tried to reinstall the software. it has now crashed the device. As mentioned I need the latest version of android or better than 2.3 at least. I currently do not have the phone so cannot try vibrate or download mode.
Under the battery it is either a n717 or i717, it is a LTE device with an aerial that can come out.
What can zendesk do for me?
I would really like to get this resolved, from the research I have done it can be sorted but it is beyond my capabilities.
Thanks
elllloz said:
The phone is a Samsung N717 Note, the software was Gingerbread 2.3 until Samsung tried to reinstall the software. it has now crashed the device. As mentioned I need the latest version of android or better than 2.3 at least. I currently do not have the phone so cannot try vibrate or download mode.
Under the battery it is either a n717 or i717, it is a LTE device with an aerial that can come out.
What can zendesk do for me?
I would really like to get this resolved, from the research I have done it can be sorted but it is beyond my capabilities.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well which is it??? I717 or N717. kind of important.
and if Samsung TRIED to re-install software and then it crashed, it would then be their responsibility. I would be asking them where your new phone is.
if you don't make them responsible, then I am sorry to say, what kind of chump are you?
either you are not telling us everything, or you did not tell Samsung everything.
whats the DEALIO ?
I have a SM G900H (that's what the sticker inside says) that was an e-bay purchase from a Hong Kong seller. I have had a couple of small problems using it, but recently it has started getting worse so I want to try to flash another ROM. The problem now is, after trying to find out more about the phone I'm not sure exactly what hardware I have. Is there a PC utility that can "investigate" my phone, and tell me what exactly I have ?
Flash with Official Firmware
gafflad said:
I have a SM G900H (that's what the sticker inside says) that was an e-bay purchase from a Hong Kong seller. I have had a couple of small problems using it, but recently it has started getting worse so I want to try to flash another ROM. The problem now is, after trying to find out more about the phone I'm not sure exactly what hardware I have. Is there a PC utility that can "investigate" my phone, and tell me what exactly I have ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please mention the types of problems you are facing. G900H is the International Exynos model. I have the same phone.
The ROM development for G900H is slow for some odd reason. To fix issues you are facing, which may be software related, I'd suggest you download and flash the official firmware.
Thank you for replying. I have had problems sometime with charging, the screenbegins to fade and if I'm too slow to respond by disconnecting the phonewill not turn on for a couple of hours. Some apps do not appear to work but iI think that the problem there is related to GPS issues. My GPS is rubbish. When I get to another device later I can state what shows as the model on Bluetooth. I can only remember the beginning which is ALPS. I would like to consider flashing a new ROM but I'm trying to discover what exactly I have inside so that I install the correct ROM for the phone. I have requested information from the eBAY seller but had no response.
Thank you again. More details later.
Apologies for not responding sooner, recent personal issues had taken priority and I've since become accustomed to some of the peculiarities of this phone. The issue I've had with charging (see above) could probably be explained away with a suspect charge cable/connector, as since then I have replaced the cable and secured it for my own personal use. Where the maps are concerned (including sat-nav) the GPS leaves a lot to be desired, in some instances it would appear to be up to a half-mile wrong. This also affects another APP that I cannot use for work purposes (OMNICOM'S Track Locater) that defines my location to help me establish if I'm within a "safe" area. Another APP I still cannot use is a reader of the new QR codes, that relies on the camera function and not the GPS though. I also keep getting notified that "the Galaxy Note 3 widget has stopped working". I have no idea what that means to me, or what it does for this phone. I'm glad that I've now found someone else with this phone, I was beginning to think that it was unique. I include this screen shot taken from the "about" section of the phone, maybe this build has been improved.