Hi,
I got myself a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S7 (flat) but after small examination I realized that there are a lot of inconsistencies, After some research I didn't find out a clear scenario from anyone else so I decided to share with all you so that may be one can help me figuring this one out.
So at the back of the phone its written SM-G930T, while when opening About Device under Settings the model number is SM-G930F. But also everywhere there is a taste of Verizon software (example under Access Point Names there is one APN which is disabled with name "LTE - Verizon Internet with APN VZWINTERNET).
Antutu results range around 132420 to 135500 and it reads the following under My Device:
SM-G930F
Basic Info:
Brand: Verizon
Model: SM-G930F
Device: heroqltevzw
Board: msm8996
Hardware: qcom
Android: 6.0.1(64bit)
Renderer : Adreno(TM) 530
Resolution: 1440 x 2560
Rear: 12.2MP
Storage:
RAM 3307MB
System Storage: 22.83GB
CPU
Architecture: Qualcomm Kryo LP
Type: 64-bot
CPU Cores : 4
CPU Clock Range: 1190.4 ~2150.4MHz
CPU-Z also state the same like Antutu.
What I want to know is if there is anyone else with situation like mine, and how to go about when you want to update to Nougat or which ROM should I consider using in any case of failure, say bricking this device.
Thank you in advance.
Jonius said:
Hi,
I got myself a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S7 (flat) but after small examination I realized that there are a lot of inconsistencies, After some research I didn't find out a clear scenario from anyone else so I decided to share with all you so that may be one can help me figuring this one out.
So at the back of the phone its written SM-G930T, while when opening About Device under Settings the model number is SM-G930F. But also everywhere there is a taste of Verizon software (example under Access Point Names there is one APN which is disabled with name "LTE - Verizon Internet with APN VZWINTERNET).
Antutu results range around 132420 to 135500 and it reads the following under My Device:
SM-G930F
Basic Info:
Brand: Verizon
Model: SM-G930F
Device: heroqltevzw
Board: msm8996
Hardware: qcom
Android: 6.0.1(64bit)
Renderer : Adreno(TM) 530
Resolution: 1440 x 2560
Rear: 12.2MP
Storage:
RAM 3307MB
System Storage: 22.83GB
CPU
Architecture: Qualcomm Kryo LP
Type: 64-bot
CPU Cores : 4
CPU Clock Range: 1190.4 ~2150.4MHz
CPU-Z also state the same like Antutu.
What I want to know is if there is anyone else with situation like mine, and how to go about when you want to update to Nougat or which ROM should I consider using in any case of failure, say bricking this device.
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also I should mention that I'm not in US, and this phone is unlocked and I'm using gsm simcard and it works perfectly.
Boot into download mode to find the actual model number.
Hello, I actually have a similar example with my SM-930A. This phone is also factory refurbished and I as well had some suspicions. I RAN my IMEI# against imei.info.com to see if it was blacklisted. It gave me SM-G930F (SM-G930A). The problem is G930F is the international Exynos model and G930A is the USA Qualcomm model. They have different chipsets with different cores. I get mixed readings with different HW info apps including CPU-Z as if it's a hybrid between the two. The further I investigated, I found Verizon apps, IPhone apps and a suspicion that the firmware for ATT was flashed onto an International model but is using swapper and linker to hide it. I know it sounds crazy.
Youngster82 said:
Hello, I actually have a similar example with my SM-930A. This phone is also factory refurbished and I as well had some suspicions. I RAN my IMEI# against imei.info.com to see if it was blacklisted. It gave me SM-G930F (SM-G930A). The problem is G930F is the international Exynos model and G930A is the USA Qualcomm model. They have different chipsets with different cores. I get mixed readings with different HW info apps including CPU-Z as if it's a hybrid between the two. The further I investigated, I found Verizon apps, IPhone apps and a suspicion that the firmware for ATT was flashed onto an International model but is using swapper and linker to hide it. I know it sounds crazy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The hardware is NOT the same -- firmware is incompatible:
I don't think you can successfully flash the North American Qualcomm based firmware onto the Exynos hardware or vice-versa. At best it would give you an error, at worst it could brick the device. They are two completely different processors on different motherboards, and use different other hardware as well (power regulation chips, radio chips, etc).
What may have happened is that someone found a way to overwrite the model number and/or possibly the 3 character Samsung CSC (customer service code) code(s) in your refurbished phone. If the hardware says it is Qualcomm processor, then it probably is a North American hardware version of the S7.
Handy free hardware information tool for Samsung smartphones:
I use a free hardware information tool called "Phone Info *Samsung*" written by vndnguyen which is available on the Google Play store. It shows not only the phone model number, but the CSC codes, the date of manufacture, hardware, and all available sensor data. You might want to install it and see what that app finds. It has a few ads, but they are unobtrusive. Hint: disable notifications for it if you don't want to get "tips" from the author.
Discussion of hardware in North American models:
Note that the hardware for all the North American models is identical (with the exception of one Canadian carrier that uses the European/Asian version of the phone), and they all have the same Qualcomm processors and chipsets. All that differentiates them is the firmware and CSC code that is flashed onto them. The NA motherboards all have "SM-G930V/P/R4/A/T" printed on them. The cellular radios on the NA motherboard include the GSM radio bands used in North America and they also include a radio for the CDMA bands used in North America. IIRC, the GSM bands cover most but not all of the European/Asian GSM radio spectrum, so the phones should work outside North America, but possibly won't get quite as good reception as the European motherboard would get. One last comment about the NA version of the phone: If the phone has been carrier unlocked, it is possible to flash any of the various NA S7 carrier's firmware or the factory unlocked G930U firmware onto it. I have personally tested this. Flashing the G930U firmware onto a NA phone is a great way to get rid of all the carrier-installed "bloatware" apps, leaving only the Samsung interface and apps and the Android apps. However, flashing different firmware onto a phone does NOT carrier unlock the phone -- I found that out by trying it (the phone booted up, but when a non-original-carrier SIM was installed, it asked for and required a SIM carrier unlock code).
Discussion of hardware in European/Asian models:
The European/Asian version of the hardware is, as you mentioned, different than the North American version, and uses a Samsung manufactured Exynos processor and related chipset, and other hardware is different as well -- including the antennas, loudspeaker, and charging daughterboard. Interestingly, the European/Asian motherboards have "SM-G930FD SM-G930F/W8" printed on them, possibly indicating that the difference between the G930F and G930FD motherboards is, similarly to the NA motherboards, only the firmware and CSC code -- the actual hardware may be the same (other than the G930FD SIM tray which is capable of holding a 2nd SIM card OR a Micro-SD card). My understanding is that the European/Asian models do NOT have the capability to connect to CDMA networks -- and only will work on GSM networks. Again, IIRC, the GSM radio spectrum is slightly different in Europe/Asia and North America. However, I do know that the G930F and G930FD models will work in North America on the GSM networks, again, possibly with some reduced reception due to band differences. I have personally tested this by putting a US T-Mobile SIM into a G930FD phone I repaired and it worked well.
I have 3 questions for you folks in Europe or Asia that repair the G930F/G930FD phones:
1. Would you please clarify whether or not the motherboards for the SM-G930F and SM-G930FD are actually identical and only the firmware and CSC codes (and SIM tray) differentiate the two?
2. If a European/Asian phone has been carrier unlocked, can a different version of the European/Asian firmware be flashed onto it?
3. Are there factory unlocked versions of the firmware that have no carrier "bloatware" apps for the SM-G930F and SM-G930FD? If there are, please identify what they are, and supply links where to find them. I am not talking about custom builds -- but rather genuine Samsung firmware that is not carrier specific.
I hope this helps to clarify things a bit.
Philip
phreich said:
Note that the hardware for all the North American models is identical (with the exception of one Canadian carrier that uses the European/Asian version of the phone), and they all have the same Qualcomm processors and chipsets. All that differentiates them is the firmware and CSC code that is flashed onto them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to be "that guy" but the US models are Qualcomm-based while all Canadian SM-G930W8 models are Exynos-based, so there is no "North American" model for the S7.
As far as I'm aware, booting an S7 into Download mode is the closest thing to a foolproof method for determining the true model of the motherboard in the phone, no matter what the label, Android, or any system info apps tell you.
Hello guys, following up your comments, here are the results of phone info *Samsung*
audit13 said:
Boot into download mode to find the actual model number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Details under download mode are as follow
ODIN MODE (HIGH SPEED)
PRODUCT NAME : SM-G930V
CURRENT BINARY : Samsung Official
SYSTEM STATUS : Official
FAP LOCK : ON
QUALCOMM SECURE BOOT : ENABLED
RP SWREV : BE(2,1,1,1,1) K1 S3
SECURE DOWNLOAD : ENABLED
Sm-930v is the Verizon s7: https://www.samsung.com/us/business/support/owners/product/galaxy-s7-verizon/
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...ot-guide-verizon-s7-s7-edge-sm-g930v-t3411015
audit13 said:
Sm-930v is the Verizon s7: https://www.samsung.com/us/business/support/owners/product/galaxy-s7-verizon/
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...ot-guide-verizon-s7-s7-edge-sm-g930v-t3411015
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So just to make sure I understand your well, this phone has to be a Verizon variant even though at the back of the phone under glass is written SM-G930T?
Does the imei on the box or other labels match the imei when dialing *#06#?
Based on what is shown in download mode, the motherboard is from a Verizon s7 sm-g930v.
Bootloader from Samsung info screen begins with g930v too.
Jonius said:
So just to make sure I understand your well, this phone has to be a Verizon variant even though at the back of the phone under glass is written SM-G930T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All firmware is the same. I have the "t" varient, now running the "a" varient for Oreo, but I always run the "u" varient cause less bloat. Someone made a detailed post earlier, might have been to long to read.
---------- Post added at 08:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:05 PM ----------
audit13 said:
Boot into download mode to find the actual model number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not true at all. I'm running the att Oreo beta on cricket that was branded sm-g930t. Download mode shows it's the "a" varient now. When running "u", you bet it also says "u", same with any firmware, if I flash "v", it'll say "v"
Sorry if my posts were not clear. I was referring to USA s7 models with Qualcomm processors. Canada and other parts of the world are using Exynos versions.
From the original post, Antutu reports the phone as being a sm-g930f and, as far as I know, there is no 930f for the USA: https://www.sammobile.com/devices/galaxy-s7/specs/SM-G930F/.
I wanted the OP to confirm the model # before flashing files (either for Qualcomm or Exynos) and a quick way to do that is in download mode.
Okay,
Thank you everyone for your contributions so far, I am actually getting the picture of what I have with me.
These are the information I have with this phone and from your input the finding so far:
The phone got SM-G930T at the back hence T-Mobile variant
Under Download mode it says this phone is Verizon variant
Under some settings like APN there are some bits of Verizon like Verizon APN - Hence Verizon variant
Under About Phone, the model number is SM-G930F ( I believe the one who flashed this phone they knew they wanted it to end up in international market, hence they found a way of making the model number looks like its an international model (SM-G930F)
The details of IMEI under imei under imei.info gives this result: G930F GALAXY S7 (SM-G930T) - Which gives more questions than answers.
What I believe right now is this is Qualcomm variant phone with Qualcomm chipset.
Now I really wanna know if which latest ROM I can flash to get the latest possible Android version in here! Say Android 7.1.1 or Android 8, etc. But something stable because this is now my main and only phone I got.
Thanks again for all your inputs and contributions.
If I were in your situation, I would flash the latest stock Verizon ROM since the model number is sm-g930v.
Before flashing, I recommend testing the phone to ensure it functions with your carrier. If it doesn't, I would contact the vendor.
Jonius said:
Okay,
Thank you everyone for your contributions so far, I am actually getting the picture of what I have with me.
These are the information I have with this phone and from your input the finding so far:
The phone got SM-G930T at the back hence T-Mobile variant
Under Download mode it says this phone is Verizon variant
Under some settings like APN there are some bits of Verizon like Verizon APN - Hence Verizon variant
Under About Phone, the model number is SM-G930F ( I believe the one who flashed this phone they knew they wanted it to end up in international market, hence they found a way of making the model number looks like its an international model (SM-G930F)
The details of IMEI under imei under imei.info gives this result: G930F GALAXY S7 (SM-G930T) - Which gives more questions than answers.
What I believe right now is this is Qualcomm variant phone with Qualcomm chipset.
Now I really wanna know if which latest ROM I can flash to get the latest possible Android version in here! Say Android 7.1.1 or Android 8, etc. But something stable because this is now my main and only phone I got.
Thanks again for all your inputs and contributions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you think it's amerian latest is 7.0 with 8.0 coming next month. I'd recommend the "u" firmware, less bloat and less warning messages, like hitting airplane mode is one tap, not two cause a warning pops up
audit13 said:
Does the imei on the box or other labels match the imei when dialing *#06#?
Based on what is shown in download mode, the motherboard is from a Verizon s7 sm-g930v.
Bootloader from Samsung info screen begins with g930v too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
audit13 said:
If I were in your situation, I would flash the latest stock Verizon ROM since the model number is sm-g930v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not using Verizon line, I'm using Tigo line (Africa/Tanzania), so I'm not sure what Verizon ROM will do to this phone, whether will render this phone useless or because its now working then after flashing Verizon ROM it will continue working even though the SIM card is not Verizon SIM?
audit13 said:
Before flashing, I recommend testing the phone to ensure it functions with your carrier. If it doesn't, I would contact the vendor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I test the phone to ensure the functionality with my carrier?
I think my situation is a bit complicated, there is no vendor, no warranty, I can do whatever I want with this phone, the only problem is whatever I do I have to be careful and sure that I won't brick this phone as it is my only phone right now.
All I want to do is to flash it with the latest android version
Put a sim card in the phone and make a call, receive a call, turn on wifi, turn on data, send a text, receive a text, take a picture, take a video, and insert an SD card.
Can someone suggest the right ROM which is latest and stable for my phone? Which is official but without any carrier bloatware?
The one I'm having right now got no carrier bloatware, only inactive verizon APN, and also got Samsung Apps which is okay with me (After start using S Health I found it a little bit interesting).
Jonius said:
Can someone suggest the right ROM which is latest and stable for my phone? Which is official but without any carrier bloatware?
The one I'm having right now got no carrier bloatware, only inactive verizon APN, and also got Samsung Apps which is okay with me (After start using S Health I found it a little bit interesting).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to sammobile, write your phone model and get the lastest firmware available, select the default one without bloat and don't forget to disable frp lock before flashing.
Hi all, I'm asking here because there is no dedicated subforum for XCover 6.
So, I'm planning on buying Galaxy XCover 6Pro but I'm getting confused if there are different version of it out on the market? I've noticed that shops in my country (Poland) mark phones they are selling using these three different product numbers:
sm-g736bzkdeeb,
sm-g736bzkdeee,
sm-g736bzkd
with the first one (EEB) being called "Enterprise Edition" appearing in most of stores while the offical samsung.com store lists XCover 6Pro with "EEE" product number. Neverthless google shows up a samsung page for the "EEB" model too.
https://www.samsung.com/uk/business/smartphones/xcover/galaxy-xcover6-pro-sm-g736bzkdeeb/
https://www.samsung.com/levant/business/smartphones/xcover/galaxy-xcover6-pro-sm-g736bzkdeee/
So i checked the specs, in stores and on these samsung pages and they all appear to be the same XCover 6 Pro, 6GB 5G phones with Dual Sim in black colour.
So here is my question. Are they really the same phone or there is some difference that's my eye is missing?
The difference between the two devices you have named, is that one is made for the German market (EEB) and one is made for the eastern European and Swiss/Austrian markets (EEE).
There may be some issues with things such as samsung pay if you are using a device outside of its region but overall the device should work fine either way.
With the previous model (G715FN), I was able to flash to my local firmware without issue and all bands worked flawlessly as well as all localised features such as samsung pay. Unfortunately once this is done, you will not receive OTA updates any longer as it recognises your device has been modified. This may be because I tripped knox doing all this.
The only other thing to look out for is that you aren't buying a device that has been locked to a given carrier, or requires a sim from that carrier for activation.
Again, there's usually ways around this but you don't need to complicate your life like that.
If you are able to buy locally, surely they can give you some assurances that the device will work with your local providers?
There is no difference in specs, bands etc, it's just localisation support and operator specific configurations to worry about.
Samsung generally include all international MBN files in their modem config files so it's not such a huge deal these days as long as you can successfully register the device for use.
bandario said:
The difference between the two devices you have named, is that one is made for the German market (EEB) and one is made for the eastern European and Swiss/Austrian markets (EEE).
There may be some issues with things such as samsung pay if you are using a device outside of its region but overall the device should work fine either way.
With the previous model (G715FN), I was able to flash to my local firmware without issue and all bands worked flawlessly as well as all localised features such as samsung pay. Unfortunately once this is done, you will not receive OTA updates any longer as it recognises your device has been modified. This may be because I tripped knox doing all this.
The only other thing to look out for is that you aren't buying a device that has been locked to a given carrier, or requires a sim from that carrier for activation.
Again, there's usually ways around this but you don't need to complicate your life like that.
If you are able to buy locally, surely they can give you some assurances that the device will work with your local providers?
There is no difference in specs, bands etc, it's just localisation support and operator specific configurations to worry about.
Samsung generally include all international MBN files in their modem config files so it's not such a huge deal these days as long as you can successfully register the device for use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for detailed explanation!
Anyone tried root with Magisk?
bandario said:
Anyone tried root with Magisk?
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Click to collapse
I have one I got recently, but have not used Magisk. Doesn't one have to access bootloader to do that? Which is my question: Anyone have an unlock for the bootloader?
Yes. There's instructions Here