Hey, I recently got my i9300 stolen and I am getting it back on insurance, however I was thinking to sell the new handset they give me and instead buy the LTE version PAYG from Orange (UK resident here).
Only issue is no-one in the Orange and T-Mobile branches can clarify to me whether the model has 2GB of RAM and is indeed the i9305.
In orange the phone they had on display under LTE version under 'About Device' showed to be i9300's with 1GB RAM but I'm guessing that's because they've just used a standard S3 for the sake of display?
No staff for some reason know whether it has the extra Gb of RAM, most people just stating the only difference is LTE.
In T-Mobile, the guy at least had the courtesy to say it WAS the i9305 they sell, but the device was locked if I tried to go to RAM manager or About.
My question is if anyone has bought a handset from Orange (only 450) and whether it is indeed the i9305 with 2GB RAM.
Also my second question I guess is, is there any point me getting this model or should I just keep my standard handset. I'm assuming as an ORange customer I could migrate to EE when it launches but I'm just not sure.
Thanks
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
personally if u enjoyed the s3 and samsung then go for it but i wudnt pay for another samsung roo problematic unless u wana flash custom roms to overcome them.
i too was thinkin the same but not confident with samsing the normal s3 is a big let dwn
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
I would go for it, because the phone will be as future proof as possible, 2GB RAM will allow heavy multi-tasking, and LTE will be there when it comes to your area.
And about them not knowing whether the ones in stock are I9305, go up to them and say "Oi clueless guy get a box and check what it says" seriously they turned me down for a job when I know more about Android than the iSheep that work there.
I might walk in sometime and ask them loads of technical questions.
delsus said:
I would go for it, because the phone will be as future proof as possible, 2GB RAM will allow heavy multi-tasking, and LTE will be there when it comes to your area.
And about them not knowing whether the ones in stock are I9305, go up to them and say "Oi clueless guy get a box and check what it says" seriously they turned me down for a job when I know more about Android than the iSheep that work there.
I might walk in sometime and ask them loads of technical questions.
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I assume it cant be phone insurance you got with the phone then as you have no choice but to get a replacement of the same model I would have though. Given the choice i'd get the updated model.
da.trute said:
I assume it cant be phone insurance you got with the phone then as you have no choice but to get a replacement of the same model I would have though. Given the choice i'd get the updated model.
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What the OP said is he plans to get a replacement I9300, then sell it to get an I9305 and I was just saying I would.
Get the i9305.
easiest way to find out it is the i9305 is to look at the box and it is on the bottom left at the back of the box.
also it would be locked to orange
+1 I9305. enough said i think you have more then enough opinions. Ill see you in the I9305 forum bye for now
lol yeah i got it in the end sooo nice to go back to the S3 from the now heavily dated desire HD.
the box doesn't state the 2GB RAM, and they told me if I open the box to check the phone, I have to pay first :|
you're right, they know nothing, I saw the model number and said well if it's i9305 it's 2GB RAM to which the sales assistant retorted (quite cockily i might add) no the 2GB RAM is a model only available in Japan the only difference with this is LTE.
Well luckily I knew my stuff so bought it, checked, 1.75GB of RAM on my system and a nice titanium grey finish.
felt the sting horribly on my bank card though, need to sell the replacement phone now (any takers...).
for anyone wondering I live in Nottingham which should be getting 4G by the end of the year so I felt it was definitely a worthwhile purchase.
THIS BULL**** LIFE STORY ASIDE ---------
I'm assuming I can't flash a ROM made for the i9300? anyone know where to browse some interesting i9305 ones?
it's rooted and CWM'd up but I'm already wanting to try something different and less bloaty.
thanks for your input guys
cant flash i9300 roms unfortunately:crying: but hopefully as more of us get onboard their maybe some more development soon:good:
Breaking my cherry post...
I'm also looking to break my android cherry, having been an iOS user so excuse the noob questions. I have been looking to get a i9305 from Orange. My question is if I get the phone from orange, have it unlocked but not rooted and use a sim card from another carrier like O2 or vodafone will I still get OTA updates as those network carriers don't even sell the i9305.
I'm probably going to go with T-Mobile as they have a good sim only deal at the moment but as only Orange sell the phone on payg, would a T-Mobile sim work without having to unlock the phone?
Lastly how easy is it to remove the stuff that network carriers put on the phone, simple a case of deleting apps or is that where rooting comes in?
Related
I'm trying to decide what model to buy. I'm not from US and I'll not use my cellphone there.
I've noticed that there are plenty of US variants. Since I'm not used to all of these, can somebody tell me what is the support for these variants out of US? I mean, OS Updates, Custom ROMs and even parts.
I'll take a GS2 to my country (Brazil) and I don't want to get there and find out that I'm stuck with a nice phone but that will not work properly, will not have updates and will not have parts for it, including nobody wanting to buy it as well.
Thanks for your advise.
gsmarena for differences
Ok, Atfish, let me add something to my first post: I ALREADY checked Gsmarena for all variants, even Wiki for that. I'm not asking about hardware specifics, I'm talking about personal experience, ROM update, parts, etc. As I said, I'm planning on buying one when I arrive in USA, but don't know what could be the problems faced after I leave the country with a US variant (band problem already checked as well).
I know that Cianogen supports AT&T, for example, but none of the others. So, accordingly to knowledge AT&T is the closest thing to the standard I9100, but it doesn't mean that I'll be able to have all the privileges of a I9100. I'm looking for the closest thing to the I9100 that I can buy, since all US variants are always 30-50% cheaper than the International version.
Thanks, though.
Get the I9100. Plenty of custom firmware. Most common variant. Should work with most networks in most parts of the world.
Parts ? What have parts got to do with anything ? Your phone breaks or doesn't work, you send it in to Samsung/an authorised repairer for warranty service or take it to a mobile repair shop if it's out of warranty.
Why would you even consider a US variant? The one for Sprint is designed for CDMA networks, and probably won't even work for any of the carriers in Brazil, and the ATT and T-mobile USA variants will both have a bunch of branding. And the T-mobile USA variant uses slightly different frequencies than the ATT one, so you would have to do your due diligence with researching which one would work with your carrier. An un-branded i9100 is your best bet.
MistahBungle said:
Get the I9100. Plenty of custom firmware. Most common variant. Should work with most networks in most parts of the world.
Parts ? What have parts got to do with anything ? Your phone breaks or doesn't work, you send it in to Samsung/an authorised repairer for warranty service or take it to a mobile repair shop if it's out of warranty.
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Mistah, you think it's not worth pay a little bit less for any of the US variants? I prefer to get the I9100, but the other are always cheaper.
Parts. Remember, I'll be outside of US, so get support for a US variant out of US could be very tricky.
ctomgee, thanks. I'm start to think that paying less now could cost me a lot more in the future.
I can't comment on that, because I don't own one of the US variants. What I do know is the I9100 is the 'most common' variant & it's easy to get help with it on places like XDA & there is plenty of custom firmware & mods for it.
We have a number of Brazilian members here on XDA who have the I9100, which suggests it works well with the networks in that country, and I'd be surprised if you didn't have repairers in the major cities at least who couldn't easily repair an I9100.
Up to you whether you want to get a cheaper US variant. Maybe ask on the specific boards on XDA devoted to those phones to get an idea from people who actually own those phones ?
hknoener said:
Mistah, you think it's not worth pay a little bit less for any of the US variants? I prefer to get the I9100, but the other are always cheaper.
Parts. Remember, I'll be outside of US, so get support for a US variant out of US could be very tricky.
ctomgee, thanks. I'm start to think that paying less now could cost me a lot more in the future.
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Click to collapse
MistahBungle said:
I can't comment on that, because I don't own one of the US variants. What I do know is the I9100 is the 'most common' variant & it's easy to get help with it on places like XDA & there is plenty of custom firmware & mods for it.
We have a number of Brazilian members here on XDA who have the I9100, which suggests it works well with the networks in that country, and I'd be surprised if you didn't have repairers in the major cities at least who couldn't easily repair an I9100.
Up to you whether you want to get a cheaper US variant. Maybe ask on the specific boards on XDA devoted to those phones to get an idea from people who actually own those phones ?
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Click to collapse
I came here just to check the general idea of I9100 owners. Sometimes there are things pretty obvious about some variants that I, as a totally new user to Android, have no idea.
I used a lot XDA during my Windows Mobile experience, tested several different ROMs and tools, but since 3-4 years ago I don't have any phone that actually requires my visit here (Blackberry, in that case). So I've dug up a bit to know more about the different versions in order to know where I was going into. But I couldn't decide without coming here and checking with the XDA community, since I'll use for sure the ROMs and Tools available here on this phone.
With the answers that I've got so far it's pretty clear that it would be a mistake to buy a variant, specially not being a US resident.
Thanks, again, for your help.
better to ask that in att forum as we are not using the variants.....
plus i dont know where you get that impression that us variants are cheaper....!
they are not see the full price not contract price
atifsh said:
better to ask that in att forum as we are not using the variants.....
plus i dont know where you get that impression that us variants are cheaper....!
they are not see the full price not contract price
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Where? eBay, Craiglist, Amazon... I'm not talking about phone with contract here, just carrier branded. A lot of times they are unlocked, but still branded.
I think I already bothered too much here, don't know if I want to annoy people there asking silly questions.
hknoener said:
Where? eBay, Craiglist, Amazon... I'm not talking about phone with contract here, just carrier branded. A lot of times they are unlocked, but still branded.
I think I already bothered too much here, don't know if I want to annoy people there asking silly questions.
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This is not a silly question at all.
From what I know, the ATT 3G one is closest to i9100 international. These phones are lightweight and have better screen (better clarity and contrast, not much though) than the 4.5 inch variants like Tmobile.
Tmobile has 4G and there are still a decent selection of roms.
sieudaochich said:
This is not a silly question at all.
From what I know, the ATT 3G one is closest to i9100 international. These phones are lightweight and have better screen (better clarity and contrast, not much though) than the 4.5 inch variants like Tmobile.
Tmobile has 4G and there are still a decent selection of roms.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for your info!
I've noticed, when looking for a Windows Phone for my wife, that the AT&T version could be normally used in Brazil. The frequencies are basically the same.
From what I have found out the AT&T version was the closest one, just wanted to have a confirmation. Thanks for that.
With news that AT&T will be bringing the S3 to the states this month, it prompts this question.
I currently have an international i9100 and love it. If I were to get the S3 via AT&T (at the subsidized price) would I be able to root, flash, and do anything "good" with it? Or would I be an indentured servant to AT&T?
AT&T locked the bootloader of HTC One X so I'm not really sure if they'll let you use it freely.
But then people found a way to unlock the bootloader so I think even if AT&T locked it, people would find a way around it.
And you'd also get 4G LTE, 2GB RAM but a Snapdragon S4 processor.
The S4 seems promising but it's only dual core.
AT&T has yet to make it so you cant root a samsung device. The locked bootloader is common with HTC devices so I wouldnt go off of that but I have had the S1 the S2 and the Note and all has been unlocked with little to no issues.
I spoke with a customer care rep in the executive's office today and was told the bootloader is going to be locked.
mfratella said:
I spoke with a customer care rep in the executive's office today and was told the bootloader is going to be locked.
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Of course they will say that, whether or not it's true is another story, and like mentioned it won't really matter if it is or isn't
Thanks. Once I get it I'll be back in here to get some direction with it. I'm fine with dealing with the international unlocked versions, but never tried anything with a carrier branded device.
mfratella said:
I spoke with a customer care rep in the executive's office today and was told the bootloader is going to be locked.
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Click to collapse
We will just have to wait and see... I don't believe much customer care says.. Hell
l the one i talked to didn't even know about the pre order starting yesterday.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
mfratella said:
With news that AT&T will be bringing the S3 to the states this month, it prompts this question.
I currently have an international i9100 and love it. If I were to get the S3 via AT&T (at the subsidized price) would I be able to root, flash, and do anything "good" with it? Or would I be an indentured servant to AT&T?
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Click to collapse
Never actually heard of any samsung phone from at&t shipped with locked bootloader. Mostly is HTC phones, and they are known to do that even on unsubsidized phone till a while ago after getting bash from the android community.
and imo, the only real advantage to get a branded phone is you get easy warranty. if you bricked your phone for good during a flash or there is some problem with display, you can just walk in and get a replacement in seconds. LTE or not, or the 2GB ram, I dont think it's going to matter that much in daily use unless u use ur phone as a hot spot or something.
As far as development goes... usually international version is always better, may not be so obvious back in the galaxy S days since most of the US variant are still using the same backbone with minor variation. But ever since the S2 that need snapdragon to support LTE.... development pace kinda forked from there.
Question, what is the likelihood of buying a new GS4 from a vendor and not have the newest software on the phone so that I can unlock the bootloader? Are all phones being shipped with the locked bootloader?
I recently got a "Like new replacement" from Verizon and it came without the update. I immediately turned airplane mode on and had no problem not taking the update.
I've heard other users suggesting that the version installed depends on where you buy it (i.e. from verizon or best buy).
I've also read stories from users that when buying from Verizon the salesperson will update the phone because they think the user wants the update and they do not ask first.
Hope this helps!
Got my S4 from Verizon Wireless online (delivered Monday). Did not cone with update (asked me to update right after I activated).
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
Cares said:
Question, what is the likelihood of buying a new GS4 from a vendor and not have the newest software on the phone so that I can unlock the bootloader? Are all phones being shipped with the locked bootloader?
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I think it's a pretty good bet if you go to a Verizon store and get a 16GB model you're likely to get a non-upgraded one. Even better, search for a store that you think would see less foot-traffic and go there. Going there closer to when they close will make it much less likely that the CSR who sets up your phone will bother with the update (though you can always say your in a rush to get somewhere once they get the phone turned on).
The 32GB models seem to be much more likely to ship with the update pre-installed from what I've heard.
White models are *probably* less popular, so stores will hold onto their stock longer than the black ones, so that may help tip the scales as well.
Good luck. I wouldn't wait too long to upgrade if you're dead set on having an unlocked bootloader.
I got a black 32gb 2 weeks ago and it did not have the update. The 32 gb is only available from Direct Fill warehouses ordered from Verizon themselves AFAIK. So there's not going to be any sitting around in boxes in a store from an old shipment. So when they replenish stock in the warehouse, that's what your phone will be, brand new stock. The 16 gb, however, is likely to have been there awhile. If you go to Best Buy, you can ask them to turn the phone on before they activate it and check the version. I don't see why they'd refuse you, and I highly doubt even Verizon salespeople have any idea of what the new update means and why we don't want it.
That all being said, in my previous experience, they don't typically make the phones with new updates pre-installed until there's a new Android version. They can force the update as soon as you activate it, so there's no reason for them to make Samsung change the factory images they JTAG it with in the first place until there's a significant change (since it's always best to wipe when upgrading Android versions, don't wanna do that in the middle of someone setting up their phone). And they certainly aren't going to open up boxes and start updating them, because again, most everyone will take the update out of the box.
That being said, I would still jump now if you want this phone. There will eventually be a point when all of them come with a newer software version, and there's no way to gauge progress toward another workaround or a true unlock, so you can't bet on that. There are some reports to suggest people got the phone with the update already installed, but that seems to be more refurbished phones, since it looks like even Verizon or Samsung themselves couldn't actually roll the phones back to an older build once the signature was blacklisted in the hardware. So you should be alright ordering now, just make sure you get a new one, and don't put your SIM in. Check the version, if it has ME7 already, take it back and say the phone doesn't perform well even after a factory reset, and you've heard it's likely that update, so you'd like one without it. If it is not updated yet, root it immediately, and block or remove SDM.apk and FWupgrade.apk, and then and only then is it safe to activate the phone.
Sent from my VZW Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition
My 16GB model came from Amazon yesterday without the update.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
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Hello as this is my first problem with a phone/phone company, I'm confused. I am a long time T-Mobile customer. But my son gave me an upgrade phone cause I am apparently severely outdated. However it is an AT&T phone. A Samsung Galaxy S2 SGH-i777. He moved and now goes with Verizon. So I put the phone in my name by buying a $10 prepaid deal. However its now been over a year & 8 requests and AT&T continues to deny me the unlock code. The phone was never under a contract , it was purchased outright and was a gift a few years back from his father. Now my ancient phone ha taken a crap and I cant afford to buy another one. I have looked into several sites and became a member here thinking I was more edumacted :cyclops: then I am. I just really want to unlock the damn thing. Please help......This is what Ive done thus far.
1.) Updated to 4.1.2
2.) Downloaded and Installed Framaroot getting the SuperSU
3.) Downloaded CSC Select & SGS unlock tool.
Still no unlock code. Maybe I messed up already ..... idk? 2 months ago I was laid off, my savings is damn near completely dry and I need help.( In more ways then 1....bahaha)!! I would like to remove anything & everything regarding AT&T from this device and run Google or WHATEVER. Is that possible?? I Thank You ahead for any time, advice and help anyone can give. Happy holidays and Namast'e :good:
Unlocking is the easy part:
a) Get the relevant information from your son, and use this AT&T website.
OR
b) I used Galaxsim unlock, and have used my i777 on other carriers (not t-mobile), and overseas.
Using the i777 on TMobile? I'm not sure that will work very well.
-The i777 GSM frequencies [850, 900, 1800, 1900] will not communicate beyond 2g on t-mobile network.
EDIT: Apparently T-mobile has refarmed a lot of its 3g+ services to the 1900 frequency, which will allow the i777 to communicate at full speed on t-mobile service. *assuming the relevant refarming happened in your area.
You want to use a de-branded, slimmed down version of the firmware? No problem.
If you like the touchwiz interface, look at cooked or shostock.
If you would like to run an AOSP flavored firmware, then there are several excellent choices in the development forum.
Happy flashing,
-Cyril
Mendified said:
Hello as this is my first problem with a phone/phone company, I'm confused. I am a long time T-Mobile customer. But my son gave me an upgrade phone cause I am apparently severely outdated. However it is an AT&T phone. A Samsung Galaxy S2 SGH-i777. He moved and now goes with Verizon. So I put the phone in my name by buying a $10 prepaid deal. However its now been over a year & 8 requests and AT&T continues to deny me the unlock code. The phone was never under a contract , it was purchased outright and was a gift a few years back from his father. Now my ancient phone ha taken a crap and I cant afford to buy another one. I have looked into several sites and became a member here thinking I was more edumacted :cyclops: then I am. I just really want to unlock the damn thing. Please help......This is what Ive done thus far.
1.) Updated to 4.1.2
2.) Downloaded and Installed Framaroot getting the SuperSU
3.) Downloaded CSC Select & SGS unlock tool.
Still no unlock code. Maybe I messed up already ..... idk? 2 months ago I was laid off, my savings is damn near completely dry and I need help.( In more ways then 1....bahaha)!! I would like to remove anything & everything regarding AT&T from this device and run Google or WHATEVER. Is that possible?? I Thank You ahead for any time, advice and help anyone can give. Happy holidays and Namast'e :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi everyone. It's been a minute since I've been here. I currently have a T-Mobile Note 3 rooted with a custom ROM (yikes...I know) that I only use for work since it's pretty freaking tough. I also have a T-mobile Note 4 that I use for when I'm not at work...also rooted with a custom ROM. Both are still going with not apparent issues but obviously they are becoming obsolete. I would like to "upgrade " to a Note 8 (T-Mobile) which eventually I'll be back here to see what great minds have accomplished for it, but as I'm looking online for purchase I get hit with different model numbers when searching for it. I doubt SM-N950T is a legit one but I see phones on sale with that description. I know for a fact the "true" model number from Samsung is SM-N950UZKATMB. Now I mostly see SM-N950U (or U1) for sale. Is that the correct (short version) of the model number for the T-Mobile version or is like the title says? If not then what is the correct one... and lets say if I do get a SM-N950U what would be the limitations of using it with T-Mobile? Difference between U and U1? Sorry I searched but I feel I would get the best answer here. Thank you very much for everyone's time!
mrrobc97 said:
Hi everyone. It's been a minute since I've been here. I currently have a T-Mobile Note 3 rooted with a custom ROM (yikes...I know) that I only use for work since it's pretty freaking tough. I also have a T-mobile Note 4 that I use for when I'm not at work...also rooted with a custom ROM. Both are still going with not apparent issues but obviously they are becoming obsolete. I would like to "upgrade " to a Note 8 (T-Mobile) which eventually I'll be back here to see what great minds have accomplished for it, but as I'm looking online for purchase I get hit with different model numbers when searching for it. I doubt SM-N950T is a legit one but I see phones on sale with that description. I know for a fact the "true" model number from Samsung is SM-N950UZKATMB. Now I mostly see SM-N950U (or U1) for sale. Is that the correct (short version) of the model number for the T-Mobile version or is like the title says? If not then what is the correct one... and lets say if I do get a SM-N950U what would be the limitations of using it with T-Mobile? Difference between U and U1? Sorry I searched but I feel I would get the best answer here. Thank you very much for everyone's time!
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Click to collapse
U = Carrier branded full of bloatware whether it's AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile it doesn't matter the phone will select the correct carrier based on the sim card you put in there.. U1 = No carrier bloatware.. The N950U and U1 are not exactly made for roms and mods and such because the bootloader cannot be unlocked in neither version.. If you have T-Mobile and you want to root and do roms and mods your best bet is to get the international N950F version since the bootloader can be unlocked but I suggest if you go this route that you do a lot of research and reading and don't do what others keep doing like deleting their /efs folder and not having the original backup thereby screwing themselves and making the phone a paperweight! Just do your research and you'll be fine!
MrMike2182 said:
U = Carrier branded full of bloatware whether it's AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile it doesn't matter the phone will select the correct carrier based on the sim card you put in there.. U1 = No carrier bloatware.. The N950U and U1 are not exactly made for roms and mods and such because the bootloader cannot be unlocked in neither version.. If you have T-Mobile and you want to root and do roms and mods your best bet is to get the international N950F version since the bootloader can be unlocked but I suggest if you go this route that you do a lot of research and reading and don't do what others keep doing like deleting their /efs folder and not having the original backup thereby screwing themselves and making the phone a paperweight! Just do your research and you'll be fine!
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Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply! So the U versions are gonna be the same headaches as my daughters S7E. I read that the Exynos and Snapdragon are fairly even and since I don't really use my phones for gaming then I should be good with the Exynos version. Questions though since I've never had an international model...do they allow use of T-Mobile wifi calling or do they limit any (usable) feature that you would get with the U version (besides useless bloatware)? Again, thank you.
mrrobc97 said:
Thank you for the reply! So the U versions are gonna be the same headaches as my daughters S7E. I read that the Exynos and Snapdragon are fairly even and since I don't really use my phones for gaming then I should be good with the Exynos version. Questions though since I've never had an international model...do they allow use of T-Mobile wifi calling or do they limit any (usable) feature that you would get with the U version (besides useless bloatware)? Again, thank you.
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Click to collapse
They're the same old headaches both the U and U1 and your last questions I don't know since I don't have T-Mobile but I would assume that with root access you can do anything you want but I wouldn't count on wifi calling working unless you have their bloatware versions..
MrMike2182 said:
They're the same old headaches both the U and U1 and your last questions I don't know since I don't have T-Mobile but I would assume that with root access you can do anything you want but I wouldn't count on wifi calling working unless you have their bloatware versions..
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Thank you for all your help!