[Q] Best Root Option for MJ4? - Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Hi, I've had my N3 for a week now, I was going to wait until development had matured for this device, but not having root is really bugging me. Question is, what is the best Knox 0x0 root for MJ4? I'm not entirely averse to tripping Knox, but I'd like to leave that for at least a while longer.
I've read the threads here exhaustively, and this is my understanding of the current landscape.
1. KingoApp, what's the deal? It was removed for questionable data collection and servers, but has the Nov. 7 update resolved this and been verified by anyone?
2. Universal Root de la Vega, not possible? It appears to rely on firmware files that are not available for MJ4. These files may not be available until the next update?
3. Chainfire Auto Root, works but trips Knox?
4. VRoot, same risky deal as Kingoapp?
My local Sprint stores have confirmed that root is OK, and TEP will still apply. However Samsung is less direct and what with the touchscreen bugs and loose home buttons I'm reading about, the warranty has some appeal.
So what is the best course of action here? Reason says to wait, but root is quite the temptation...

If you have TEP why would you send to Samsung just hit the sprint repair center for fix or swap

I believe the kingoapp is the way to go .. those concerns wwere blown out of proportion as I understand it. All the other things you said are true. CF auto trips knox (and I thought I read it didn't work on mj4 but maybe that was someone's operator error) and the vega needs the official package and there is none for mj4.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Xparent Purple Tapatalk 2

Lingo worked for me..
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Kingoapp is the way to go. They just released a new version 1.1.2 that addresses the concern that some people had. They were capturing the IMEI # on the phone along with other information so that they could identify the phone and pull the proper root scripts. In this latest version they no longer capture the IMEI #.
Just FYI - there have been one or two people who claim that Kingoapp tripped Knox on their Note 3 but I believe that they were international versions. May have been user error as well.

I just walked in the door from Bestbuy with a replacement Note 3 (after a bootloop issue), took the OTA and used Kingoapp. No problems, TB worked like a charm. Odin got TWRP right back on there and all is well...

Well, I took the jump and rooted using KingoApp, it was very easy and pretty much foolproof. Now I'm happily rocking SuperSU, Titanium backup, and Wanam Xposed. Knox is still 0x0. Here's hoping they really did fix those issues!

I took the mj4 update yesterday and rerooted with CF Autoroot and it worked fine for me. I was already knox 0x1 so it didn't matter.

Related

So who is rooting & flashing roms regardless of Knox?

I thought that i was going to stay with my GS4 for awhile, since I decided that i didn't want to spend money every time a new phone came out. But out of curiousity, i chatted with Sprint to see how much credit they were giving for a GS4. They stated that they were only giving $135.00 credit trade in value on the GS4, but i was browsing Best Buy Mobile, and they gave me $310.00 for my GS4! So, out of pocket expense with upgrade was $40.00 + tax (roughly $25.00), came out to be $65.00 out of pocket expense...i couldn't say no and took the deal since i didn't want my trade in value to decrease later on.
But here I am, new phone (which i love - but if you have a Note 2, i am not sure the upgrade to the Note 3 is worth it) and i want to root & flash badly. Knox, however, is making me think twice about doing so. How many of you are rooting it anyways? I saw a root method that won't trigger the Knox flash counter, but flashing a rom would, which is the main reason i would want to root anyways.
I was running Beanstalk 4.3 on my GS4, and it was faster than my Note 3 (completely stock at the moment), and the battery life was pretty good, i could go a full day, with about 4 hours on screen time. I can only imagine the results would be better if i do the same for my Note 3.
So how many of you have taken the plunge and rooted + rom'd? Aside from void of the warranty, are their any other drawbacks from tampering with Knox?
I want to badly, but just wanted to see if it has adversely affected anyone who already has.
Thanks,
JD
Honestly I am not rooted (although every day it gets harder and harder not to) but not because of warentee but rather because of all the problems people are having. . From force closing to root disappearing for no reason. I don't feel we know enough about the ramifications to the inner workings of what Knox is doing.
http://swappa.com/listing/ZZV485/view
note 2 for sale
jdizzle316 said:
I thought that i was going to stay with my GS4 for awhile, since I decided that i didn't want to spend money every time a new phone came out. But out of curiousity, i chatted with Sprint to see how much credit they were giving for a GS4. They stated that they were only giving $135.00 credit trade in value on the GS4, but i was browsing Best Buy Mobile, and they gave me $310.00 for my GS4! So, out of pocket expense with upgrade was $40.00 + tax (roughly $25.00), came out to be $65.00 out of pocket expense...i couldn't say no and took the deal since i didn't want my trade in value to decrease later on.
But here I am, new phone (which i love - but if you have a Note 2, i am not sure the upgrade to the Note 3 is worth it) and i want to root & flash badly. Knox, however, is making me think twice about doing so. How many of you are rooting it anyways? I saw a root method that won't trigger the Knox flash counter, but flashing a rom would, which is the main reason i would want to root anyways.
I was running Beanstalk 4.3 on my GS4, and it was faster than my Note 3 (completely stock at the moment), and the battery life was pretty good, i could go a full day, with about 4 hours on screen time. I can only imagine the results would be better if i do the same for my Note 3.
So how many of you have taken the plunge and rooted + rom'd? Aside from void of the warranty, are their any other drawbacks from tampering with Knox?
I want to badly, but just wanted to see if it has adversely affected anyone who already has.
Thanks,
JD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a method now to root without tripping KNOX, it involves flashing back to Stock MI3 firmware and something something KNOX binary counter gets reset to 0x0. Custom ROM will still trip the counter. Essentially you could run Stock with root access on MI3 and even flash the hotspot fix mod.
Don't root or modify your device if you even think twice about the warranty, you're taking a risk by flashing via ODIN and Recovery and you will be responsible for any potential damage to your phone, if you're within your 14 return period chances are they'll take it back no questions asked.
Root access, custom ROMs, themes, mods/fixes/improvements, battery and performance optimizations, debloated apps, free tethering... There are just so many reasons to root and not a lot of reasons not to.
I've removed all the KNOX files from my system, device still runs fine. The Knox counter was tripped as shows 0x1 but I don't care, what does that even do? KNOX is just a security system implemented for whatever reason, a minor annoyance that will soon have complete workarounds.
Just a warning though, some people do experience issues, from "force closing apps" to "soft-bricking" ... Just follow the directions listed on the OP of the developer thread exactly as they're listed and you should be okay.
Thanks for the info!!!
I've always rooted all my other phones, and i guess you're right!
Knox, being new is just a little intimidating. May I ask if you rooted via the method without tripping the counter? Also, did you flash a rom or did you debloat yourself?
Thanks for your time and advice
Kompster said:
There is a method now to root without tripping KNOX, it involves flashing back to Stock MI3 firmware and something something KNOX binary counter gets reset to 0x0. Custom ROM will still trip the counter. Essentially you could run Stock with root access on MI3 and even flash the hotspot fix mod.
Don't root or modify your device if you even think twice about the warranty, you're taking a risk by flashing via ODIN and Recovery and you will be responsible for any potential damage to your phone, if you're within your 14 return period chances are they'll take it back no questions asked.
Root access, custom ROMs, themes, mods/fixes/improvements, battery and performance optimizations, debloated apps, free tethering... There are just so many reasons to root and not a lot of reasons not to.
I've removed all the KNOX files from my system, device still runs fine. The Knox counter was tripped as shows 0x1 but I don't care, what does that even do? KNOX is just a security system implemented for whatever reason, a minor annoyance that will soon have complete workarounds.
Just a warning though, some people do experience issues, from "force closing apps" to "soft-bricking" ... Just follow the directions listed on the OP of the developer thread exactly as they're listed and you should be okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jdizzle316 said:
Thanks for the info!!!
I've always rooted all my other phones, and i guess you're right!
Knox, being new is just a little intimidating. May I ask if you rooted via the method without tripping the counter? Also, did you flash a rom or did you debloat yourself?
Thanks for your time and advice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted and installed JellyBomb right away because performance>warranty to me. I have been having some of The connectivity issues others have mentioned, they are the same worth our without root. All in all, I, m glad I rooted.
Good info on the knox free root here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2484095
From my Note 3
We now have MI5!!!
jdizzle316 said:
Thanks for the info!!!
I've always rooted all my other phones, and i guess you're right!
Knox, being new is just a little intimidating. May I ask if you rooted via the method without tripping the counter? Also, did you flash a rom or did you debloat yourself?
Thanks for your time and advice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome.
I rooted with the CF-AutoRoot method that tripped the KNOX binary counter.
Initially I flashed freeza's Deodexed Stock ROM and debloated it myself.
I posted a thread in the "General" category called "Potentially" Safe to Freeze/Remove Apps (SM-N900P)
I was not quite satisfied with stock and wanted a bit more, backed up everything and flashed JellyBomb ROM. No regrets. This ROM is awesome and just keeps getting better.
Sent from my Rooted, TWRP'd & JellyBombed SM-N900P using XDA...
I waited all of a day to root and have had no issues other than a bluetooth problem which turned out to be a problem with my Alpine. Haven't looked back and am looking forward to some new ROMs.(at the very least a Sprint 1X 3G mod) I have a warranty through squaretrade so the factory one doesn't bother me.
did you go the route of not tripping the Knox counter, or the other method (CF)?
Thanks, I'm just trying to gather as much info as i can before i take the dive myself....not having root/custom rom is killin me!
appreciate the input, thank you
piaa_nissan said:
I waited all of a day to root and have had no issues other than a bluetooth problem which turned out to be a problem with my Alpine. Haven't looked back and am looking forward to some new ROMs.(at the very least a Sprint 1X 3G mod) I have a warranty through squaretrade so the factory one doesn't bother me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing available when I did mine was CF. My counter is tripped. My theory is the Knox counter is more of a thing for a corporate IT department to verify security. I've only seen one foreign post where the person was supposedly told it would void the phone warranty. My Motorola X explicitly stated it will void the warranty when I unlocked the boot loader and I would think Samsung would do the same when put intov download mode. That's just my opinion though
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
piaa_nissan said:
The only thing available when I did mine was CF. My counter is tripped. My theory is the Knox counter is more of a thing for a corporate IT department to verify security. I've only seen one foreign post where the person was supposedly told it would void the phone warranty. My Motorola X explicitly stated it will void the warranty when I unlocked the boot loader and I would think Samsung would do the same when put intov download mode. That's just my opinion though
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you had any issues. . I am not concerned about the warrantee but I am worried about all the issues people have had. . Losing root, selinux issues etc. . What has your experience been?
http://swappa.com/listing/ZZV485/view
note 2 for sale
As I said in my original post, no issues. YMMV
I'm rooted, running stock, loving the phone. My only issue was that I couldn't get 5 rows of icons on my home screens to maximize real estate... so I ventured for the first time into launchers, and I'm very happy with Nova right now.
caffeiNater said:
I'm rooted, running stock, loving the phone. My only issue was that I couldn't get 5 rows of icons on my home screens to maximize real estate... so I ventured for the first time into launchers, and I'm very happy with Nova right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nova and Apex are considered the best.

Samsung Warranty and Knox

So I messed up my phone pretty good the other day by corrupting my efs partition (constant bootloop). Sprint was pissy that I couldn't get system status to official, just binary. So I called Samsung and explained the situation. I was informed your factory warranty is still valid regardless of Knox being tripped and that the only way to void it was water damage or some other physical damage. Has anyone considered that Knox only trips to show phone has been tampered with for security issues? Maybe has nothing to do with our little hobby. Just a thought. Anyway, found it interesting and thought yall would too.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
DevilDog512 said:
So I messed up my phone pretty good the other day by corrupting my efs partition (constant bootloop). Sprint was pissy that I couldn't get system status to official, just binary. So I called Samsung and explained the situation. I was informed your factory warranty is still valid regardless of Knox being tripped and that the only way to void it was water damage or some other physical damage. Has anyone considered that Knox only trips to show phone has been tampered with for security issues? Maybe has nothing to do with our little hobby. Just a thought. Anyway, found it interesting and thought yall would too.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, they say as much on their site on the issue (security for enterprise users and it being a secure countermeasure for the bring your own device to work crowd), though their message to consumers may be changing, as others have contacted Sammy and reported just the opposite.
I believe that this is very useful information, and let us hope that it entails a sea change on the rise. Perhaps I and others can place calls to them and see what we are told.
On a side note, if your still having trouble with your EFS, flash the file below from recovery and see if that doesn't just put your phone back into action.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jszle9kklqnkaa0/Brick_Loop_FIX_afterRestoringBackup.zip
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
Thank you Sir. File Saved for future reference. That phone is at sprint now. Have brand new device. I agree 100% on calling them to find a general concensus on the issue. They have the ability to flash back so don't see why they'd care. Anyway, I appreciate your help and feedback. Loving this sprint note 3 community here.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
Can you tell me if triangle away in combination with the stock Tar file will enable OTA update after rooting and flashing?
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

[Q] Is there a master link to stop Verizon's forced install. of 4.3?

I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note II and enjoyed it for 20 days before I saw it auto-updating and I stopped it mid-stream. Then I let it (where it still remains) in Airplane mode.
I learned since that if the update from auto-update is done, 4.3's bootloader is no longer available and it can no longer be restored to 4.1.2.
I am learning terms and procedures to the best of my novice abilities, but I am still confused on how and IF I can keep my 'download-in-progess' GNII that is still 4.1.2 at 4.1.2.
Verizon and Samsung say absolutely not as you probably know and that it would be a forced installation and factory reset now or afterwards = 4.3.
SO , my question is:
is there a master link for this procedure (and a best ROM?!)
&
Also do all procedures to accomplish my goal of not updating to 4.3 involve rooting that would void the warranty as FAQ#19 states (? Or is there a non-rooting method?
[OK moderator, be kind as this is my 1st post!]
To stop the update you need to freeze an app called SDM 1.0. You will need to be rooted to do that. I guess you need to decide what direction you want to go in. If you want to unlock and flash roms then you need to do that now, before it updates. If you don't want to do that you can update and stay stock. Just be aware that if you update to 4.3 there is no going back. You can root 4.3 but you cannot unlock the bootloader.
Thank you. I see that xda's FAQ #19 says:
"Q19: Can Verizon scan my phone to see if it is rooted?
There are security features on the VZW servers that can block rooted phones from access. Know that when calling Customer Service, they can actively search your phone and see what version of Android Software you are running."
SO: Question>>> Does it not make sense to root since Verizon might actively search phone and shut me out since I did not do their forced installation?
Perhaps the answer is at best "maybe" since there are members here for sure that have rooted this and not been cut off by Big Red Verizon?
Thank you for the reply. I will look up the info. on that 1.0 program. I will prefer being rooted when I find the proper process (here is superior than youtube vids)
but the possibility of Verizon blocking phone if they can legally makes it illogical to purse rooting, unless I am missing something.
wherewasNORAD? said:
"Q19: Can Verizon scan my phone to see if it is rooted?
There are security features on the VZW servers that can block rooted phones from access. Know that when calling Customer Service, they can actively search your phone and see what version of Android Software you are running."
SO: Question>>> Does it not make sense to root since Verizon might actively search phone and shut me out since I did not do their forced installation?
Perhaps the answer is at best "maybe" since there are members here for sure that have rooted this and not been cut off by Big Red Verizon?
Thank you for the reply. I will look up the info. on that 1.0 program. I will prefer being rooted when I find the proper process (here is superior than youtube vids)
but the possibility of Verizon blocking phone if they can legally makes it illogical to purse rooting, unless I am missing something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is false. Verizon customer service cannot scan your phone. They do not know if you are rooted. Even if they did, they are not going to cancel your service. They want your monthly payment. If all of us on here have rooted several phones and still have service, don't you think that info you found is false? And if you do believe it to be true, why worry about taking the 4.3 OTA?
Sent From My Sticky Note, Too?
wherewasNORAD? said:
I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note II and enjoyed it for 20 days before I saw it auto-updating and I stopped it mid-stream. Then I let it (where it still remains) in Airplane mode.
I learned since that if the update from auto-update is done, 4.3's bootloader is no longer available and it can no longer be restored to 4.1.2.
I am learning terms and procedures to the best of my novice abilities, but I am still confused on how and IF I can keep my 'download-in-progess' GNII that is still 4.1.2 at 4.1.2.
Verizon and Samsung say absolutely not as you probably know and that it would be a forced installation and factory reset now or afterwards = 4.3.
SO , my question is:
is there a master link for this procedure (and a best ROM?!)
&
Also do all procedures to accomplish my goal of not updating to 4.3 involve rooting that would void the warranty as FAQ#19 states (? Or is there a non-rooting method?
[OK moderator, be kind as this is my 1st post!]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you really think that you will want to root your device eventually then now is the time to do it so you can update when you would like to. Adam Outlet has a step by step method that sounds scaryer than it is, just read throughly and you'll be fine. Good luck in which ever way you decide. :thumbup:
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Thank you
TonikJDK said:
To stop the update you need to freeze an app called SDM 1.0. You will need to be rooted to do that. I guess you need to decide what direction you want to go in. If you want to unlock and flash roms then you need to do that now, before it updates. If you don't want to do that you can update and stay stock. Just be aware that if you update to 4.3 there is no going back. You can root 4.3 but you cannot unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was what I was looking for for a while now. Thanks for answering my question.

[Q] Best Way to Root without Tripping Knox?

Hi all,
I couldn't find anything on Sprint/Asurion insurance that makes me comfortable tripping Knox. I'm clumsy and poor and need to be able to have the phone fixed for free. That being said, street much reading, I think my best course of action is:
- Factory reset
- I'm on OC5, so flash NH7 using Odin
- Factory reset
- Use towelroot
- Hope that Knox won't trip
- Enjoy TiBu and other root benefits
- In a year when I can afford paying the remainder due on this phone to get a new phone using Easy Pay, stop caring about Knox and install a custom recovery and all the ROMs
Is this technically/theoretically possible? Am I missing anything?
I heard towelroot steals IMEI and other personally identifying info. I also see that it requires "phone number and identity" when installing the apk. Is this necessary as part of the exploit to gain root? Does XDA endorse towelroot or support it as legitimate?
Thank you in advance!
Sprint doesn't really care about Knox, Samsung does.
Tripping it does not affect functionality of the phone and if anything, only inhibits your experience with the phone.
I tripped it an hour after I bought the phone and haven't looked back since. I also cracked my screen and had to make insurance claim...Sprint didn't say a word about it being tripped.
For add'l opinions, see this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2561241
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk 2
rpenrod23 said:
Sprint doesn't really care about Knox, Samsung does.
Tripping it does not affect functionality of the phone and if anything, only inhibits your experience with the phone.
I tripped it an hour after I bought the phone and haven't looked back since. I also cracked my screen and had to make insurance claim...Sprint didn't say a word about it being tripped.
For add'l opinions, see this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2561241
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw that poll. Helped me decide that if my Knox is tripped during a root method that ISN'T supposed to trip I wouldn't cry over it. Still, I read that tripping Knox will prevent Knox app functionality and my company may use it, so I don't want that to be a problem either.
I'm still looking for verification that towelroot won't steal my phone info.
Psychotacon said:
Hi all,
I couldn't find anything on Sprint/Asurion insurance that makes me comfortable tripping Knox. I'm clumsy and poor and need to be able to have the phone fixed for free. That being said, street much reading, I think my best course of action is:
- Factory reset
- I'm on OC5, so flash NH7 using Odin
- Factory reset
- Use towelroot
- Hope that Knox won't trip
- Enjoy TiBu and other root benefits
- In a year when I can afford paying the remainder due on this phone to get a new phone using Easy Pay, stop caring about Knox and install a custom recovery and all the ROMs
Is this technically/theoretically possible? Am I missing anything?
I heard towelroot steals IMEI and other personally identifying info. I also see that it requires "phone number and identity" when installing the apk. Is this necessary as part of the exploit to gain root? Does XDA endorse towelroot or support it as legitimate?
Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do you "hear" these rumours? Links? First you said cf auto root was bad cause you read that somewhere, no link and now this. Knox doesn't matter at all if you're clumsy. One has nothing to do with the other. You break or lose your phone insurance isn't going to ask if you tripped Knox. If you download any apps at all then you should be reading what they have access to when installing. Lots of legit apps access your phone information. Pretty sure Knox is one of them. Fyi I'm on easy pay now and I'm not a millionaire and I don't care that I tripped Knox. Root and start living life to the fullest lol.

Samsung G5 Last samsung phone I ever plan to buy!

I am so ****ing sick of this bull**** knox! I am ****ing stuck with 4.4.2 since I can not root without tripping ****ing knox! All I want root for is to use Titanium Backup, SU, and Busybox!
I'm fed up with Samsung and do not understand why people continue to buy there crap when they are definitely hateful against rooting!
molitar said:
I am so ****ing sick of this bull**** knox! I am ****ing stuck with 4.4.2 since I can not root without tripping ****ing knox! All I want root for is to use Titanium Backup, SU, and Busybox!
I'm fed up with Samsung and do not understand why people continue to buy there crap when they are definitely hateful against rooting!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL considering you're on 4.4.2 your warranty has been up for close to 2 years LOL which no one could care less about because tmo replaces trip Knox left and right as long as the system is stock.
Some people do not have the money to buy new phones. I had 2 year payment plan and got about 3 more months left to pay. I have a warranty on it that I do not want to void by tripping Knox.
I don't think Knox is an unreasonable way for Samsung to proceed. For an enterprise-class phone, the alternative is to completely lock down the device. To me, Knox seems like the perfect solution, especially since, as Shiny says, T-Mobile are honouring warranties regardless of Knox status so long as you return the phone to stock (which again, isn't an unreasonable request, imo). How often is a warranty required on a modern phone anyway? I'm on my seventh Android device, and I've yet to send any of them back.
I actually agree that the GalaxyS5 will be the last phone I will ever purchase from Samsung, and it's mostly because of Knox...However my main issue with Knox isn't that you cant root anymore without tripping the counters, but that Samsung decided to remove one of the most useful features that Android has ever added to the OS, MULTIUSER MODE.
Samsung had Multiuser Mode on the 4.4.4 builds but "hid" it and could only be enabled again with an Xposed Module. Once the Lollipop Roms were released they completely stripped it out, only to add it back in the form of "My Knox" which you cant even install when it detects that you've tripped the flash counters. But since this phone is now over 2 years old i've just switched over to an AOSP ROM that has Multiuser mode again.
So yeah, the GS5 is the last Samsung smartphone I will ever willingly purchase, but thats only because Samsung does dumb things like not making phones anymore with a removable battery + SD card slot + My Knox bull****. Tripping the flash counters doesn't matter anymore.
I spoke with the T-Mobile helpdesk a few days ago about a connectivity issue with one of our GS5s. It's a CPO device with a 90 day warranty. The problem was the connection with the tower which he reset, but before we'd diagnosed it, I asked him what my warranty situation was since there were 60 days left, but I'd rooted the phone. He confirmed exactly what Shinyside said, that they'd honour the warranty despite that, so long as I returned the phone to stock before sending it back, which includes reinstalling the original recovery image. To T-Mobile, at least, Knox doesn't matter.
molitar said:
I am so ****ing sick of this bull**** knox! I am ****ing stuck with 4.4.2 since I can not root without tripping ****ing knox! All I want root for is to use Titanium Backup, SU, and Busybox!
I'm fed up with Samsung and do not understand why people continue to buy there crap when they are definitely hateful against rooting!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung S5 will also be the last Samsung phone I buy (unless it is another S5) for 2 main reasons -- Galaxy S6 has a sealed battery and no microSD slot. Galaxy S7 gave back the microSD slot, but still leaves the battery non-swappable. Those are the 2 features that had me as a hardcore Samsung Galaxy fan. as soon as those went away so did my fandom. There are other vendors out there that have high end models of phones (*ehrm* LG) containing those features I prefer.
My suggestion for you is this: Wait your 3 months (2 now) and do your update to MM. But really, knox trip count is pretty pointless as far as T-Mobile is concerned. They don't care as long as you are running a stock unrooted/unmodified OS on your phone which are readily available off of sammobile - or here.
Until I got the S5, I would have agreed with you about the battery. However, running Marshmallow on the S5, the battery life is so good that I can't see that I'll have any need for a second battery anymore, and the original battery on my S4 is still fine after 2 or 3 years, so I don't have any worries about its longevity either. I was looking wistfully at the S7 the guy next to me at the buying the other day in the store..... Once they're on CPO for $200, I might well be tempted!
I agree with others about the S5 being my last Samsung as well unless I see the swappable battery and microsd.

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