Help with understanding how the different versions of the S9+ work - Samsung Galaxy S9+ Questions & Answers

I have an UNLOCKED Galaxy S9+ SM-G965U (Snapdragon). It's factory unlocked but isn't the G965U1 version (There isn't any branded booting or mobile network bloatware. I also haven't tripped my Knox or rooted my device but I have manually installed the Android Pie Beta. I know the Official Pie Update is out for the SM-G965F version but I'm not sure about any other. I'm not new to rooting or android devices in general as I've been using them for almost a decade now. However, I am new to understanding how the different versions of devices operate. Now my questions are:
1. Is there any huge difference between the G965U and the G965U1? or is the firmware interchangeable?
2. Is it possible to install firmware for the G965F onto the G965U without any negative impact?
3. Are all versions getting the Pie update eventually or is it reserved for a select few?
I would really appreciate it if someone could give me a breakdown of all this. Sort of a "Device Versions for Dummies" explanation but specific to the S9+
Thanks

Related

Which model to buy for easy rooting?

Hi Everyone,
I have finally decided to get the S6 edge as the prices have fallen within my budget. I want to get an unlocked 64 GB GSM model and root it using pingpong root. Can anyone tell me which variant I should get so that I can root and continue to sideload updates while not losing any features.
Thanks!
I suggest you get the international model SM-G925F.
It is unlocked and has the widest support of the community (I saw kernels only support international models G925F/I for the first few versions, before supporting other variants).
Any idea if I can root it and then update it to the latest firmware (while keeping the root)? Don't need OTA, just any way to do it is fine. I love this phone but it has so many hoops to jump through. I need root for adblocking and also need latest firmware for samsung pay.

FW SM-G965U1 (USA Unlocked) on S9+ SM-G9650 (China Unlocked), is it possible?

Hello, i'm in Italy and i bought S9+ 128GB SM-G9650/DS (China Unlocked Factory) to have Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU.
Can i flash FW SM-G965U1 (USA Unlocked Factory with Snapdragon also) with Odin?
Thank you
nothing?
Nope, because you will brick the device
No because the model number does not match, odin will not allow it to flash.
Prince comesy odin may allow it to flash but your un uncharted waters there so no idea what will happen
By any chance do we have any Odin method to root the Canadian Snapdragon versions, bypass the SM-G965W bootloader?
Nope. And dude a simple search would have told you that.
thank you all for the answers
you can make a rom out of the usa carrier firmware and flash it via twrp to your G9650 no problem. Don't let these noobs tell you otherwise.
@travis82
ahahahahaha I would need a guide to do it, so I was asking for the simplest thing, namely ODIN
I don't even know if it's better the G9650 version or the G965U1 version ...... in both cases, I have to use it in Italy with Italian SIM
He asked if he can flash firmware with odin, creating a rom and flashing via twrp is quite another matter lol
Can I flash the U1 Firmware with Mexico's Telcel CSC??
Hi guys, I made a quick comparison between 3 models (mine is the SM-G965W - Rogers) as recommended by some xda members. Some were saying it may be breaking the phone entirely, and some were saying it is working. Based on those specs all three models are pretty much the same including the Supported Cellular Bands. What is your opinion based on your expertise on this take?
http://phonedb.net/index.php?m=device&s=compare&ids=13050.13361.13301

S9+ Open China Upgrade

I'm in the US, but have a Samsung Galaxy S9+ SM-G9650/DS unlocked "International Version" bought from Amazon, running firmware G9650ZCU3ARK1, which I believe means it's Region "Open China" and uses Snapdragon not Exynos. I want to upgrade Android Oreo to Android 9 Pie, and there's no schedule given for availability of the upgrade for this config/region.
I'm with T-Mobile and I think I can flash G960USQS3BRK2, which is for Region "TMK USA", and convert the phone to a US version, thereafter allowing upgrade to Android 9 Pie in January 2019. And I'd prefer to have a US phone anyway.
My basic question is whether my plan will work, and/or, are there any gotchas I need to know about
(S9 vs S9+, Snapdragon vs Exynos, locked/unlocked, T-Mobile vs Samsung Experience, some apps might not work, etc)?
Thx, Gus
Hi.
There's a thread regarding this topic in this forum. As far as I've read and understood, the short answer to your question is no, it's not possible to flash the beta on our devices. We, G9650 owners (excluding China users), will most likely have to wait until the stable version releases in January. :crying:
I'm not thinking of flashing the Beta, but the release version when it comes out in January - G

Verizon SM-G965U on other carriers

It's been forever since I've been here, missed this place. I am practically a noob now.
Here is my scenario:
I have a Verizon-branded S9+ / SM-G965U on the firmware/baseband G965USQ3BRK2. It is paid off, assured it is carrier unlocked and has also never been modified, pure stock. I'm looking to switch carriers from Verizon to another service. It's also my understanding that Verizon phones are a pain in the hiney and there may be issues with data, features, and other nags and warnings because a non-Verizon SIM is in use. Had an S5 that worked on other carriers but was a nightmare to configure.
Will I be condemned to a similar nightmare of nags and warnings, or will it rebrand it's self and allow me to receive OTA updates on the new carrier? Just not sure of what my options are, the search results yields conflicting information where some had to flash some firmware and others didn't.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.
I converted an unlocked Verizon S9+ to an unbranded, unlocked device, using it on T-Mobile and couldn't be happier with it. You have the option of flashing your own carrier's firmware or the factory unlocked, and it will improve your situation, no more SIM card notifications and all that.
P.S. I was in the same situation as you, used to be on here all the time but felt like a noob all over again. But a super helpful member here guided me through the process and it was completely painless, one quick flash with Odin and it was all good.
YrrchSebor said:
I converted an unlocked Verizon S9+ to an unbranded, unlocked device, using it on T-Mobile and couldn't be happier with it. You have the option of flashing your own carrier's firmware or the factory unlocked, and it will improve your situation, no more SIM card notifications and all that.
P.S. I was in the same situation as you, used to be on here all the time but felt like a noob all over again. But a super helpful member here guided me through the process and it was completely painless, one quick flash with Odin and it was all good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Do you have any recommendations where I can find an up to date guide for flashing 8.0 devices?
Dr.Gonz0 said:
Thanks! Do you have any recommendations where I can find an up to date guide for flashing 8.0 devices?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome. Looks like there's some instructions here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...icial-stock-firmware-thread-samsung-t3764479. However you will want to make sure you find the patched version of Odin to get past the fact that you are flashing a different firmware than is currently on the phone. And you will want to flash G965U or U1 firmware, that also has a 3 as the fifth number from the end, just as the firmware that's already on your phone.
YrrchSebor said:
Welcome. Looks like there's some instructions here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...icial-stock-firmware-thread-samsung-t3764479. However you will want to make sure you find the patched version of Odin to get past the fact that you are flashing a different firmware than is currently on the phone. And you will want to flash G965U or U1 firmware, that also has a 3 as the fifth number from the end, just as the firmware that's already on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help and for answering the questions.
Is there any benefit to flash U1 or would just U work?
Would the firmware downloaded using SamFirm work with that version of ODIN you linked?
Do I have to go through a rooting process and install TWRP prior to going ODIN on my phone? Or can I just go into download mode on my device, click yeah about a custom OS, then do the ODIN bit?
Dr.Gonz0 said:
Thanks for your help and for answering the questions.
Is there any benefit to flash U1 or would just U work?
Would the firmware downloaded using SamFirm work with that version of ODIN you linked?
Do I have to go through a rooting process and install TWRP prior to going ODIN on my phone? Or can I just go into download mode on my device, click yeah about a custom OS, then do the ODIN bit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The U firmwares are those from carriers and the U1 is from the factory unlocked unbranded variant. so it's up to you if you want your carriers own firmware or just a generic Samsung version. If you need Wi-Fi calling and or volte, there might be a better chance of it working with your carriers firmware but the unlocked firmware does a good job with that as well, I have both of those features working perfectly with the U1 firmware and a T-Mobile SIM. Just make sure to use the CSC as opposed to HOME_CSC, so that your phone is fully wiped and configured for your sim card. I will say one advantage of the unlocked U1 firmware is free built-in caller ID ?
No rooting necessary, in fact it's not even possible on the US models, so just boot into Odin and flash the firmware using the patched version of Odin.

I want to Downgrade but I don't want to Trip Knox.

Hello!
I need to fix this issue it's ****ing annoying to be honest. So I have an ATT S9+ and after the Pie update my phone NEVER HAS FULL SIGNAL! I've even went as far as standing under the cell tower and nothing. I was on the CS7 and updated to the CS8 via Odin and the problem PERSISTS! When I was on Oreo I didn't have this issue, this problem started right after I upgraded to Pie.
I'm want to Downgrade or switch this one to TMB but I'm afraid of tripping knox or locking the phone to TMB. (It's code unlocked).
I really want to fix this issue. It's very annoying.
I know your frustrated but the answer won't change if you make a new thread asking the same thing as your old one...
Also standing under the cell tower won't give you realistic results. While capable of sending/recieving signals in a wide area they are not aimed at (or pointing) downwards at the tower base.
Flashing from G965U firmware to G965U1 firmware will not trip knox at all because your flashing official firmware files. I myself have gone from Sprint firmware to the unlocked firmware (G965U1) and to Tmobile firmware without any knox issues.
As for downgrading this is where your out of luck unfortunately. Downgrading is not possible because of the bootloader version your using. Specifically CSC8 uses bootloader version 4 and the last oreo release uses bootloader version 3.
You can only flash firmware that has a bootloader version that is the same (or higher) then what is installed on your phone.
TBH I would contact your cellular provider and ask them to look into the issue. Maybe they can do something to help resolve your issue.
scottusa2008 said:
I know your frustrated but the answer won't change if you make a new thread asking the same thing as your old one...
Also standing under the cell tower won't give you realistic results. While capable of sending/recieving signals in a wide area they are not aimed at (or pointing) downwards at the tower base.
Flashing from G965U firmware to G965U1 firmware will not trip knox at all because your flashing official firmware files. I myself have gone from Sprint firmware to the unlocked firmware (G965U1) and to Tmobile firmware without any knox issues.
As for downgrading this is where your out of luck unfortunately. Downgrading is not possible because of the bootloader version your using. Specifically CSC8 uses bootloader version 4 and the last oreo release uses bootloader version 3.
You can only flash firmware that has a bootloader version that is the same (or higher) then what is installed on your phone.
TBH I would contact your cellular provider and ask them to look into the issue. Maybe they can do something to help resolve your issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! Thank you for the info! I tried with another sim card from another carrier but the issue remained. I'm going to try to flash everything again with another version of odin and uncheck the auto-reboot option so that I can factory reset from the recovery after its done.
scottusa2008 said:
I know your frustrated but the answer won't change if you make a new thread asking the same thing as your old one...
Also standing under the cell tower won't give you realistic results. While capable of sending/recieving signals in a wide area they are not aimed at (or pointing) downwards at the tower base.
Flashing from G965U firmware to G965U1 firmware will not trip knox at all because your flashing official firmware files. I myself have gone from Sprint firmware to the unlocked firmware (G965U1) and to Tmobile firmware without any knox issues.
As for downgrading this is where your out of luck unfortunately. Downgrading is not possible because of the bootloader version your using. Specifically CSC8 uses bootloader version 4 and the last oreo release uses bootloader version 3.
You can only flash firmware that has a bootloader version that is the same (or higher) then what is installed on your phone.
TBH I would contact your cellular provider and ask them to look into the issue. Maybe they can do something to help resolve your issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By any chance, do you know where I can find the stock ATT files? I can't find the anywhere.
Pigoath said:
By any chance, do you know where I can find the stock ATT files? I can't find the anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry unfortunately I do not. I haven't been able to find them myself when I used my S9+ on AT&T before switching to T-Mobile...
When I was with AT&T I had just used the G965U1 firmware since I would not have gotten access to any VoLTE and etc that required an AT&T whitelisted IMEI (to be provisioned for the features) and my phone wasn't an AT&T branded phone (since it was originally from Sprint).

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