I'm not terribly well versed when it comes to the workings of phones, so I truly have no clue.
Before I go out and buy one of these expensive phones, I want to know if when Tmobile brings in LTE I will be able to use it without buying a completely new phone. I know that by default it can't use it, however, I read in an article one might be able to crack it so it can...
...and I know that they're going to start releasing LTE to the public sometime next year, and I want to be able to utilize that.
So the question remains - can you actually make it so Tmobile's version will run LTE?
Thank you!
It is a SG3 from Verizon. The owner says it has been used for just 2 months.
Questions:
1. What is the specifications of Verizon SG3? Do they ever change?
2. Does the phone support networks other than Verizon? I am planning taking the phone abroad.
3. How will this work out for the original owner? I don't want to use Verizon, just want to use it as a media box. Will this make the phone locked up and have a bad ESN?
I mean: Does the owner needs to break his contract with Verizon in order to sell me this phone? I don't want to have anything to do with Verizon and I just want to use this phone as a camera and media box.
I don't want any complications or a locked phone after buying it.
I am new to smart phones and US phone plans. Please help.
pizzapro said:
It is a SG3 from Verizon. The owner says it has been used for just 2 months.
Questions:
1. What is the specifications of Verizon SG3? Do they ever change?
2. Does the phone support networks other than Verizon? I am planning taking the phone abroad.
3. How will this work out for the original owner? I don't want to use Verizon, just want to use it as a media box. Will this make the phone locked up and have a bad ESN?
I mean: Does the owner needs to break his contract with Verizon in order to sell me this phone? I don't want to have anything to do with Verizon and I just want to use this phone as a camera and media box.
I don't want any complications or a locked phone after buying it.
I am new to smart phones and US phone plans. Please help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try posting in the correct section....this is the i9300 section.....NOT the Verizon model forum
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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Click to collapse
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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So this seems like a pretty basic thing, but I just wanna be sure I'm not missing anything. I ordered the LG G3 under my Dad's phone number and it should be coming tomorrow. He was on a different plan, but had an upgrade and agreed to trade me the upgrade for my S4. Now I currently have it rooted and I was just going to leave it that way with HD ROM installed. Now my question is, is there a proper way to deactivate and reactivate it? Or is it as simple as swapping SIM cards? Any info would be appreciated.. thanks guys!
When signed into your Verizon account just hit manage devices on the left hand side of the account homepage. The menu will have an option for switching devices on the same plan to different lines
Crossoverdoc said:
So this seems like a pretty basic thing, but I just wanna be sure I'm not missing anything. I ordered the LG G3 under my Dad's phone number and it should be coming tomorrow. He was on a different plan, but had an upgrade and agreed to trade me the upgrade for my S4. Now I currently have it rooted and I was just going to leave it that way with HD ROM installed. Now my question is, is there a proper way to deactivate and reactivate it? Or is it as simple as swapping SIM cards? Any info would be appreciated.. thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you activate the LG G3 on his account *FIRST* with the SIM that came with the phone.
After that it's as easy as swapping the SIM.
I want to learn to root. I bought an unlocked Nexus One to try it on. But thought I'd ask if there's an easier phone to start with? Or is that one good? It's never been used. It's Android version 2.3.6. GSM... I have two phone numbers, Verizon unlimited grandfathered plan with a Samsung s5 & an AT&T Go Phone with a broken HTC One. I don't care which carrier I use & no problem to get another one if that's better. Any ideas? Bill
32blownhemi said:
I want to learn to root. I bought an unlocked Nexus One to try it on. But thought I'd ask if there's an easier phone to start with? Or is that one good? It's never been used. It's Android version 2.3.6. GSM... I have to phone numbers, Verizon unlimited grandfathered plan with a Samsung s5 & an AT&T Go Phone with a broken HTC One. I don't care which carrier I use & no problem to get another one if that's better. Any ideas? Bill
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UP-DATE; I see there's a thread here titled 'What Phone Should I Get'... Would a moderator please move this to there? Thanks! Bill