yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Raymondlikesroot:
bootloaders

Hi guys,

I currently have the verizon s4 with the locked bootloader. Are there any top end phones I should be careful of when upgrading? Like for example, are the bootloaders of the sony xperia z2 or htc one m8 locked? So far, I only know that samsung devices are locked
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] maxyoda:
Took the plunge - switched to T-mobile

I have 5 smartphones in my family: 2 Android and 3 iPhone 5's. After several consecutive months of $370+ monthly bills from Verizon, I decided to try T-Mobile. First I bought a 1 month prepaid sim with unlimited data for $70 and plugged it into my verizon-branded mdk s4 running hyperdrive. Calling worked immediately; data, sms and texting worked after adding T-Mobile's APN settings. After about 3 weeks of signal testing around the southeast US, I decided to move my whole family over. I had to pay almost $700 in ETF's (OUCH), and since I am using all my old Verizon devices (no upgrades as I do not want a long-term contract with T-Mobile or any carrier anymore), I did not have T-Mobile pay them for me. I now have 3 unlimited 4G data lines and 2 lines with 2.5 GB 4G data (after which there is throttling to 3G, but still data access). So far all of the phones work well with T-Mobile's network, and my bill is almost cut in half with no data limits.

I save 370-210 = 160 per month. I will break even with the savings in July, after which I will save almost $1000 in this year alone. My coverage is not quite as good, but the trade-off was worth it for me. My data speeds are about the same ranging from 12 MBPS to a max of 30 MBPS where I live.

Net result: comparable data seeds, not quite as extensive of coverage, but $210 per month with no contracts.

MaxYoda
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] NellyD04:
Thinking about HTC One 2014 Version

I switched to a moto x and I love it but of course the M8 comes out a few months after I get it and it is awesome. Still hanging on to my s4 but don't know the best place to sell it. Where do you guys recommend for selling a phone?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] s44:
Swappa
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] cbmggm:
+1 Swappa.com is probably your best bet to sell.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Mistertac:
I've sold and bought a few phones on Swappa and it was very easy. I've heard others getting more money on EBay but I prefer a site just for phones and people know what their getting into on Swappa. Really it's up to you I guess

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] JRowMe:
Anyone know anything on whether the Sony Z2 will be coming to 'Murica let alone verizon?

Thank good looks fantastic.

The camera is stunning too.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
Probably not happening unfortunately... Definitely not on Verizon.

Tmobile just got the Z1 lol.

Seems that they're having a lot of manufacturing problems as well, according to reports out of Asia and the fact that they haven't expanded past launch markets at all since the release.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ElijahD407:
I recently broke my s4 and have purchased a s5 but I'm still really torn between it and the htc one m8. S5 looks really good and all but I'm really going to miss root and tweaking my phone. Guess I'll wait for s5 to ship and just try it out.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] naturalstamina:
Had an s4 and i jumped the gun, sold my phone and waited to get my new s5, without root and no wifi tether capability its a drag, i can live without the other features but wifi tether is extremely important to me.

I would consider going back and getting an s4 to retain this functionality, and the way the s5 community is taking the big stick from big red, it doesnt seem like much people are even up for the challenge, s4 may have been the last "open" device that samsung will offer.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Super_Dork_42:
Looked but couldn't really find the answer. I'm switching to Verizon on Wednesday and am having trouble deciding between the S4 and the One (M7). Which do you all suggest, and why?

I've only ever had an HTC android before and love the build quality, especially on the One series. I also love the speakers in the One series as well. And the fact that it's got 32GB onboard is awesome too. I like to have music, pictures, and sound available in case I find a low signal area.

That said, I love taking pictures, and a low resolution camera is something that I think could ruin a phone for me over time. I also play Ingress, so the battery being replaceable is a nice feature, should I need it. And having the option of increasing the total storage to 80GB by a microsd card is awesome for the few times I might be at some kind of event and there's low signal there and I want to take loads of pictures and video and can't upload them to the cloud right away. Plus, the fact that the S4 has such a great camera to begin with is also a huge plus.

My brother works at Best Buy and will be getting me a deal so that either device is free. Given that, and this question goes out more to those that have had both devices, which phone should I get and why? I've asked reddit but they are ... less than helpful.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jwhistler:
Life After the Samsung Galaxy S4

I now fully expect that when it comes time to retire my Samsung S4, its replacement will NOT be another Samsung phone. I loathe how locked-down the Samsung line has become, and despise all the Samsung/Verizon crapware.

I want to start thinking about a replacement and am thinking the HTC One M8 would be a good candidate. My understanding is that S-Off is easily obtained, the bootloader can be unlocked, and an ASOP ROM flashed with impunity.

Anyone have any thoughts on the best non-Samsung (Verizon subsidized phone) successor to the Samsung Galaxy S4?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
For development, the M8. It will almost definitely the second most popular Android phone in this generation (behind the S5) and we already have full S-Off.

Looking towards the future, there's been leaked press images of a Verizon Sony Xperia Z2 and we can safely assume the LG G3 coming out on 5/27 will be on VZW. IDK what the development states of these phones will be, but probably not as good as the M8. Regardless, I'm holding out for the G3.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
Wow that new XKCD phone blows everything else out of the water
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jon53179:
Sim Card

I will be going to Cancun next week, and with that i was hoping someone could tell me that If i just swap sims with a prepaid TelCel should that work? Thanks
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] s44:
It should. The i545 is totally carrier unlocked. Just make sure the add in the APNs if you need data.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 318sugarhill:
I went to St Maarten over Easter. Had a place rent me a sim card for $8. Loaded $5 in credit on it and got data for $0.55 a day. They didn't have 3g service and the price per minute charge was outrageous. I just used it for Google hangouts messaging. But yes...A local sim will work as the VZW S4 is sim unlocked. ..but you will need the APN settings.

---------- Post added at 12:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:03 PM ----------

I'm in that delema now.have an s4...but it gets too hot...battery life sucks with KK.still on MLK and thinking about selling and using upgrade on another line (still have unlimited) to get the G3 or M8. I don't need a ton of development (although I like it) I just NEED root and tethering.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Mistertac:
The G3 actually looks cool. Crazy 2k display + SD Card + Removable Battery.... I know we've all debated that screen resolution on here before but hey it's cool.

May be able to unlock the thing for a custom recovery... That would be sweet.

Or... Spend almost 700 on a Dev S5... Hmmmmm
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tech_head:
The phone is just big though.

Anything much bigger than the S4 is too big for my tastes.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
Lol well all the flagship's are bigger than the s4, the g3 is basically the same size as the s5 and m8 so pretty impressive that the screen is half an inch bigger. Reviews are saying battery life has been phenomenal, of course it's removable either way. I definitely want to go with the g3.

Sent from my HTC6600LVW using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] lazer9:
Interesting. Will it be the G3 in my scopes or the Note 4 which should be around at the time of my upgrade date.

Wonder which one will be "rootable" and possibly an unlocked bootloader (I know the Note 4 won't have the latter.... :silly:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Mistertac:
From the little I gathered from the G2 threads it seems they are all still rootable and able to have custom recovery.... Unless i missed something.

So that should hopefully hold true for the G3 .

I'll probably go that route too. I'll miss having my KToonsez Kernel though.. He just ordered his Dev S5
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] thesoldier:
Is it just me or does anyone else not like giant screens becoming our only choice. My s4 is already uncomfortable to use with one hand, and I couldn't imagine enjoying a 5.5 inch screen. I think ~4.8 inch screen is almost perfect...are they any flagships coming out about that size?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Mistertac:
You want to feel ridiculous... Try holding the One Max lol
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] thesoldier:
Yeah no thanks lol
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1454:
No, you are not alone. They are all way too big if you want a flagship phone. I mean they usually produce a "mini" version too, but they are usually much lower spec'd and not worth the money. I don't under stand why we can't go back to about 2.5ish inch wide phones, they were the perfect width for the average person.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Raymondlikesroot:
Hey guys,

Currently, I'm on a two year contract with verizon on my s4. Would it be possible if i just removed the sim card and just put it in another phone? Like would everything work including LTE? I'm planning to get a one plus one so if swapping sims would work that would be great.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] thesoldier:
Pretty sure you won't have a problem. As long as you're still paying your bill I don't think they care what phone you put your Sim in.

Edit: actually you'll definitely be fine...I recently upgraded a different line to keep my unlimited data, then put that line back to a dumb phone.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1454:
Doubtful. You still have to have the phones esn in the vzw data base or it won't connect. Or so I have heard. Also, you have to confirm it supports vzws bands. So, from everything I understand, that's a no. I wanted to get a nex 5.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] s44:
Yeah, swapping SIMs will work, but that phone won't. Has to be a Verizon device (or dev device for Verizon).
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1454:
Yeah, this is what I meant. Unfortunately.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rwSN1PER:
My next phone definitely will not be a Samsung one. I don't like the locked-down direction they are heading in. (I'm really thankful for my MDK S4.) Also, the burned-in status bar on my screen has turned me off to AMOLED devices.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] thesoldier:
Yeah I feel the exact same way. My status bar burn in is pretty noticeable, at least to me. It's also not bright enough in direct sunlight.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1454:
The openness of Samsung was originally what turned me onto them. But, the battery life was just short enough on my s4 that it would die on me right at the end of the day. So I gave it to my fiancee and got the maxx. But this is the only thing preventing me from going with the s5. I was an HTC fan until the thunderbolt and rezound debacles. Vzw just has no phones I am willing to pay for now.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] con100:
So I'll be trading my S4 for a S5 tomorrow with someone off craigslist. We're meeting at a grocery store that's close to both of us. We just have to switch out the sim cards right? Also someone on Reddit is saying that if the phone isn't paid off and even though the phone is activated on my account and the other guy stops paying his phone bill the phone I traded for will stop working. Is he correct? Is there anything else I need to worry about?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
Always meet somebody at a Verizon store to make sure the phone works on your account and is your phone according to Verizon. NEVERRRR do it anywhere else. Anyone that isn't willing to meet at a Verizon store to get the phone activated right then is scamming you.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] con100:
Even if after switching I call Verizon to make sure everything is good? We agreed before I hand over the cash that both phones are activated on our accounts.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
I'm just saying you do the switch at the Verizon store so you can activate it right then and know your good. Once it's activated on your account it should be considered your phone
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] con100:
Well I ended up trading and every thing went good. I went against everyone's advice and met at the grocery store. The guy works at the car dealership where my Mom bought her car so if he somehow scams me I know where he works lol. We just exchanged sim cards and it worked fine.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] scrillakev:
I still have another year or so on my contract but I was really considering using a family members upgrade to get the G3 and give them my S4. Not that I have any problems with my S4 I just wanted something different. However, after flashing the GPE 4.4.2 ROM onto my phone its peaked my interest again might be holding onto this phone for a little while longer.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] con100:
So the guy I traded with wants to know if I would sell back the phone for more than I paid.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Blindprophet32:
Well... once my contract is up in about a year... I'll either be grabbing a Oneplus One or an Oppo Find.... I'm def. not ever getting another Samsung device if they continue this lock down way....I like the route HTC is going as well on hardware/looks... Also... not going to do the silly trade-in and "upgrade" through Verizon... I'll just buy my own phone... seems more logical to me!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Mistertac:
No One Plus one or Nexus on Verizon.

Figures right
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Blindprophet32:
Ya... I like Verizon.. coverage and data wise.. but their phone selection is rather dull.... granted Appo and onePlus are rather new hardware.... but still...there is so much rave about both companies I can't believe Verizon hasn't picked them up to sell in-store.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] s44:
They're the same company. And most of the "rave" is an internet hype campaign.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Blindprophet32:
I understand they are the same company...well tech. not but they are... but there isnt "internet hype".... every person who is a respected reviewer that has touched either phone.. loves it.... Find7, Find7a, or the onePlus... I have yet to see anyone have an issue with the phones.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 06sharpshot:
I really like the direction HTC is going. I think the new Sense UI looks pretty good and HTC seems to be way more lenient on their phones. Granted I'll be looking for the best available on Verizon when I can upgrade but I really doubt I'll end up with another Samsung. I hate how locked down my s4 is and the UI for the menus has a color scheme I'm not a big fan of. I wish Verizon had the Nexus line phones as stock android would be really nice.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] darker_slayer:
Well, my local craigslist pricing has reached some equilibrium between used S4s and used G2s, so I sold my 16GB S4 for $250 and bought a 32GB G2 for $250. :)

Can't believe I took this long to try this type of craigslist swap (went back to my GNex for a couple days waiting for a reasonable G2 seller)

I know it seems silly to care so much about menu appearance, but touchwiz color schemes haunt my nightmares these days. I really did miss AOSP menus, and I'm excited to see how much more stable voice+ has become (icing on the cake is that Carbon and other roms have included it)

No more samsung for me ever unless they return to their AOSP friendly S3 days. I cringe when I see the amount of S5 sales. I know average people don't care, but touchwiz is so poor and now they've put resilient effort into keeping you stuck with it

Hopeful that my new G2 can hold a value of $100-$150 long enough for the used value of a VZW Xperia Z2 to reach $300 or so (I'd be willing to take a $150-$200 bath to upgrade to it -- unlimited data until VZW turns on their customers and forces us off)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 4ktvs:
There are users in the Verizon form that are getting early upgrade offers and trade swaps for there S4 due to a host of issues. Mostly from the OTA 4.4.2 but I don't know if it would be a good idea to try for that when I still have unlimited data that if lost would make me leave Verizon for T-Mobile.

If for say I took an upgrade offer to get an S5 and put it on one of my other non unlimited lines does that still let you keep unlimited or did they kill that?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] darker_slayer:
It seems like people are always saying this still works. I've never had an additional line to attempt it with, and honestly the full resale price of phones diminishes so quickly I don't think it's worth the extra cost that some people pay (adding additional lines they don't use to swap the contract phone on unlimited and a dumb phone on the limited line)

Oh my, to report back in it's nice to root recover and flash again. The G2 is, in my opinion, so much better than the S4 in every possible way. I can't believe they've reached similar pricepoints on ebay and craigslist. Samsung has solidified itself in the numerous smartphone sheep these days with their ads and branding, but they used to be so aftermarket friendly. Living with touchwiz for so long and no light at the end of the tunnel for the S5 puts me in the same position as others here who are quite fed up samsung at this point. I do wish some other manufacturers would ip67 rate their phones
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 1454:
It does work. I have two unlimited plans and one dumb phone plan. If you add a line just to get the subsidy, depending on your fees and taxes, you will pay more over the long term. My dumb phone line(my mother's line) costs me about 360(15/month*24months) dollars for two years of service. I use it to transfer upgrades to if I want it. So if you have an extra line, it works fine. But I would never add one just to do it. That's how I got the s4 and the maxx. However, I haven't found anything recently I feel like upgrading to.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jwhistler:
The S4 is an okay phone, made better only because I am rooted and have removed/frozen most of the bloatware. Most of the phones "features" are simply little more than gimmicks that execute poorly or not at all. And I'm not a fan of the TW interface.

At upgrade time, I'll be looking for alternative manufacturer phones. Ideally, I want something with a bootloader that can be unlocked, allowing me to run a more AOSP ROM.

Do I understand correctly that the HTC ONE M8 has S-off and will allow a pure Google ROM to be installed? Anyone have any other recommendation for phones that would fulfill my hopes?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] spjetrovic:
Yes you can S-off and install asop roms. Most are buggy. would recommend reading other forums. Before , I didnt!

I have both S4 & M8. If you are going from the S4 to M8 just because of flashing rom$. fine if that what you want it for. I Took my sim card out of my M8 the other day and fired up my S4, I wasn't very happy with the radios on my M8 I was constantly cycling data/airplane mode to get the radio to switch from 3G to 4G.

I got tired of flashing. I just want all around stable smartphone that does what I tell it to (wish I could say the same for the wife ?) it's just my opinion.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Mistertac:
If your S4 is MDK I suggest using SlimSaberKat ROM. It's the most stable ROM I've had and very very snappy.

On another note . . I'm seriously thinking about getting the G3 when it comes our way. . I'll wait a few to see if a true Custom Recovery can be flashed to it first however. I need AOSP as an option.

Too bad really that I can't have a Verizon S5 with AOSP unless I fork out $600+, for the dev edition.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] darker_slayer:
I would recommend trading out now. Scan your local craigslist to see if you can pick up a G2 for what your S4 will sell for (that's what I did)

G3 didn't seem like much at all of an upgrade to me. A phone with a beyond 1080p screen is a ridiculous bragging rights spec grab that adds no value to me, hampers battery life, and will probably be raved about by every lame tech blogger this coming summer. G2 rooted with custom recovery already

LG left me questioning from my history with their dumb phones (which I didn't actually own, but played with). However, they made the nexus 4 and 5. There build quality today is very nice. To me, the G2 is essentially the verizon model Nexus 5 with weird button placement -- after you flash an AOSP or GPE ROM that is

An interesting point to me was how AOSP friendly samsung was when they were making nexus phones (2nd and 3rd, Nexus S and GNex vs SGS2 and SGS3) With LG making the nexus line they are quite AOSP friendly with the G2. I would like to think that will hold true with the G3 as well
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Cinderella17:
Hello, i will like to know if the galaxy S4 from verizon use any galaxy s4 case? Thank you
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tech_head:
Yes.

---------- Post added at 12:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:58 PM ----------

The G3 adds one important feature over the G2; removable microSD. That alone makes the G3 an option and not the G2.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] joshm.1219:
Any of you guys buying those cheap Galaxy Throwbacks that Samsung just released with Cupcake on them?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Mistertac:
Think I'll have to pass lol.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 52brandon:
truth be told, it looks as if LG would be the way to go for what you want. I've got Hyperdrive on my S4 and love it. But I like touchwiz. It seems like it gets more stable data service than my S3 which I'm assuming is also the reason the battery life is so much better on my S4 than on my S3
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Mistertac:
So I just grabbed the G3 over the weekend and I have to say it's an awesome phone.

Coming from an MDK S4 I'm obviously missing my custom recovery but from what I've been told from a couple different people a custom recovery should be on its way, just have to be patient.

The G3 is definitely a totally different beast vs the S4. The screen is amazing. Although the S4's was still a great one too.

Stock LG Android actually isn't bad at all in my opinion. It's way better than Touchwiz!!

I've been getting rid of bloat and hibernating things and the battery is actually decent too.

I'd recommend the G3 to anyone looking at a new phone for sure
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] tech_head:
I just picked one up earlier today.

I paid retail (Swappa).

First thing I did was root the thing.

Set it up with no SIM.

Need to restore aps via Titanium.

Daughter will get the S4 later this week.

She'll be happy.

So long KNOX........ :)