yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] KidJoe:
There are some good questions in this thread, I realize that its an evolving situation... So I have to ask directly... I have a Verizon branded 950U that I followed https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817 to switch to XAA and flash the U1 firmware, and I have taken part in the Oreo beta.

Currently my phone has Baseband Version G950U1UEU2ZRA8. There is an OTA update pending right now that is G950U1EUE2ZRAE/G950U1OYM2ZRAE/G950U1UEU2ZRAE. From what I understand, and what I am reading about this BLV2 vs BLV3 issue, based on the numbers in this, if I take this update, I'll still be BlV2, and be ok? If I should want to return to stock Verizon firmware, I can still do it safely?

What I am unsure of is.. If the phone gets updated to BLV3 while I have the XAA/U1 setup on my Verizon branded 950U phone, will I still be able to flash back to stock Verizon, then just not change to anything else? or once I get on BLV3 I am stuck with whatever firmware I have on the phone? Or is that part still unknown for sure?
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] mhh84:
I am basically the same as you except AT&T beginning rather than Verizon. I currently have the ZRAE Oreo beta software running on my phone. Based on everything said so far, there is no danger yet in downloading that OTA because it is still BLv2. The danger would be if the final Oreo version drops with BLv3 and you apply it. Then we're left with these different scenarios that are still being figured out.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] raduque:
Absent any concrete info, I'm going to just avoid the Jan security patch on my Note8.

If I have to flash back the Verizon software to have a non-brick device, well I'll just sell this thing and buy a cheap unlocked phone with microsd, wireless charging and a nice screen.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] nfremd:
I'm similar to both of you in my confusion/questions. But for me I started on the unlocked firmware U1 and went to the T-Mobile firmware U. I then opted into the oreo beta. So I'm just trying to understand that if I take the stable oreo build which is coming out soon will I brick my device, or will I just be stuck on the T-Mobile firmware? Because if that's the case, I'm ok with being stuck on T-Mobile because it has multi-user support.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] panda6024:
I am now very concerned due to this issue. I have G950W and currently using G950U1 firmware for more language support, which is very important matter for me as several apps I have won't even work unless language is actually set to Japanese. (It is not an app that can be obtained from Play Store) And G950W firmware lacks it, so switching back to G950W firmware is not a choice for me.

1) Currently, I have G950W on G950U1 firmware, I already switched its csc to XAA. Will G950U1 blv3 brick my phone through OTA even if I am already on G950U1 firmware?

2) If the answer to 1) is false, I won't switch back to G950W firmware. And it will lock down my phone's firmware to G950U1, right?

3) If the answer to 1) is true, will I be safe when I remain on android 7.0? However, I also don't want to stay on older firmware version. Is there good alternative phone that I can make a switch? I don't mind losing headphone jack but would still prefer phones with headphone jack.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] cyberon:
Does anyone know what will happen to the unlocked international G950F (Exynos).

Will I still be able to flash multi CSC firmware, even if it only got released on another country (usually Netherlands)?

Enviado do meu Nexus 4 através do Tapatalk
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] crixley:
I'll stay on beta Oreo forever if it comes down to it. I refuse to go back to w8.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] ExileTM:
Yes, but I did not understand something.

Here we talk about the model number that in our case is SM-G950F.

But as in my case that I moved from the CSC TIM to the ITV should not happen anything if I upgrade to Oreo, unlike the Note8 that the code with the various brands (Vodafone, TIM, Wind) is SM-N950FD (because dual sim) , while the Note8 with CSC ITV is SM-N950F.

Do you confirm me?

I do not want to go back to the CSC TIM!
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] partcyborg:
So this paints a VERY different picture than the sky is falling Armageddon doom and gloom of the xda article:

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75360965&postcount=22

Im beginning to wonder what "testing" and "confirmation" actually took place, vs how eager people were to make headlines
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] dovid:
Danger Zone?

Or else what happens?

I have some G950U units which I flashed to G950W. I'd like to keep them that way.

Will accepting OTAs brick the device? Or just permanently keep it on G950W?

Thank you,
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mr. Orange 645:
Wow. Not "trying to make headlines." I was trying to save some bricks. When this initially came out, we weren't sure what all was affected. The author of that article is part of our group by the way, and he's a member of this forum. You can ask him about it.

EDIT: thought you linked to the article on the front page. That thread you linked is about the A7. That's a different device and different bootloader.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] dovid:
Article Line

Can you supply link to the home page article? Couldn't find it.

Thank you,
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jpcdeux:
The Oreo beta is v3 but is not fused to allow switching because it is still a beta

---------- Post added at 09:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:34 PM ----------

How exactly does this work? Do we know???

If you're running U1 FW on your U it identifies as a U1. So how would it brick with an update since you get U1 updates?

Worst case I could see is staying on U1 forever.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mr. Orange 645:
The S8/+ Oreo betas are NOT Blv3. They are still Bootloader 2.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jpcdeux:
"Even though the new update has rolled out to the Note8, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have yet to receive it. However, on the Android Oreo beta, the included bootloader has the same changes made. The reason flashing through Prince Comsy Odin still works is because the bootloader has not been fused, which means that the efuse on the motherboard has been incriminated and will not allow any program to downgrade it. Once these builds get the new BLv3 revision, it will be permanent and will not be downgradable so for Galaxy S8 users, this will have the same effect in patching root methods and flashing changes."

Doesn't matter anyway. Seems this amateur group jumped to conclusions and sent the world into a tailspin prematurely ?
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mr. Orange 645:
That's not at all what happened. We were trying to help people. Don't be a ****.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Legios6:
Hello everyone, in my case I have a SM-N950F exynos version. I moved from the CSC TIM to the ITV and last week I get an OTA to the version N950FXXU3BRA2. Everything is working fine. It's safe remain in this version? The N950F is the code of the brands version (TIM, VODAFONE, WIND...) while the ITV version is the N950FD. From what I could understand I should have brick my phone! is the blv3 this version of firmware?
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] vegetaleb:
I have a Middle East S8 so not branded by carriers and rooted, so I am concerned for future FW updates or as long as it unbranded FW updates it's all good?
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] ExileTM:
I agree with the question of Legios6.

Also in my case I have an S8 version Exynos (model code SM-G950F).

I bought it in a TIM store, and the original software was PDA G950FXXU1AQG5 and CSC G950FTIM1AQG5.

I proceeded to hack him through Odin with the generic software ITV (PDA G950FXXU1AQJ5 and CSC G950FOXM1AQJ5) always for the same model SM-G950F, then I made an update via OTA to the latest version of Android 7.0 (PDA G950FXXU1AQK7 and CSC G950FOXM1AQK7). My S8 is completely original (apart from the software), always the same model, knox zero, no root or recovery modified.

In Europe things work differently, because the SM-G950F remains the same for all operators and no-brand software, so it does not change as it happens in America (if I'm not mistaken).

From what I understand, with Blv3 you can no longer install software for different MODEL NUMBERS, as if I wanted (or had already installed) a software on my S8, made for the model SM-G950U (and not 950F).

I, who are in possession of an SM-G950F, can not install software for these models in any way:

SM-G9500

SM-G950FD

SM-G950U

SM-G950U1

SM-G950W

SM-G950N

Let alone install (even with the root and recovery modified, maybe rom cooked for S8 + (SM-G955F), as instead now you can do with Blv2.

But if you want I can switch from one operator to another or nation (changing the CSC), as both the software PDA and the model number (SM-G950F) is not changed.

But I look for clarifications and confirmations to my theory.

So I come to my question. This blessed Bootloader v3, once the Oreo update arrives through OTA, I who currently have the ITV software installed, if I install it blocks the phone (because maybe he sees that originally the software was from TIM, even if the model number remains the same), or I can easily install it without afraid to send the phone in brick (why maybe the model number SM-G950F remained unchanged) and then receive all the ITV software updates? I do not care about not being able to go back to the TIM version.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Geekser:
I won't try to answer your whole question, just a comment - I beleive that 950FD is exactly the same as 950F firmware - no difference from what I have read
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] ExileTM:
Thanks, in the end I speak only of the CSC.

Before I had the CSC TIM, while now I installed the software with CSC ITV.

Obviously the model code of my S8 has always remained SM-G950F
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] :
however if I continue with some cooked rom, nothing happens I hope, I do not think they update the security patch with blv3.

precise that I had taken the phone with the brand tim, if I instead of the firmware tim use ITV (the old version) and the update when there will be the btlv 3 nothing happens?
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] DeadlyByNite:
Proven to be a myth...

https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] partcyborg:
Shocking!!!!
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] SezBulent:
I was looking to ask the same question, thank you so much for rising this problem.

Even if this was proven that "maybe" this is a myth, it would be great if someone can confirm that the device brick may occur only for changes from firmware numbers like "950F to G950V" as example, and not for region change on the same model number(for example for model G950F instead of flashing the sweden region, flashing the one with the bulgaria region; here is a screen as an example for what i am talking about: http://prntscr.com/icxnkd )

Thank you again, and thank you to [MENTION=2925132]Mr. Orange 645[/MENTION] for warning us about the potential problems.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] TheMadScientist:
So how many people confirm that V3 is just fine or not with the bricks as if it is I will close this thread as not to arise any more confusion
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mr. Orange 645:
You can close it. It's been proven and verified to be a myth. And thus far the S8 line has not received an update to Blv3 anyway.

Thanks, MS
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] TheMadScientist:
This thread is closed as not to cause any panik For the most part disregard and always remember not to just jump the gun and update until you know what is what....This has been mentioned many many times since the start of it all....

Specially for locked bootloader devices Root methods may be patched or not but it is not worth the risk.....
[Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Questions & Answers] eto demerzel:
I installed redwolf and ressurection remix but I wanted to go back to the original system. for this we used adb but when installing the system we get the following message:

ERROR: usb_write failed with status e00002ed

FAILED (Undefined error: 0)

now what can I do? wants to reinstall the original system but it seems like I can not. I try another USB port, and cable. did not help me.
[LG V20 Guides, News, & Discussion] will5:
Well, I was trying to sync a ps4 controller to this phone. And controller sync fine, but no input is registered by the os or any game.

Funny I tried to sync to my samsung note 4 and worked perfect.

I guess is another LG bug. Any ideas or workarounds?
[OnePlus 3 Questions & Answers] salescmngc:
error occurs while opening an application " SWIFT HAS STOPPED OPEN APP AGAIN".KINDLY DO THE NEEDFUL
[Moto G5S Plus Themes, Apps, and Mods] Killer1987:
GooD news for Pixel Lovers Pixel Latest launcher v3.0.1 is now available for Our Moto G5s plus. Here is linkhttps://github.com/amirzaidi/launcher3/releases
[HTC Vox] butthefuko:
Dear All

What is currently the most stable rom for the vox and radio?

Currentley have Vodphone v1415

Love the phone but hate the Rom Build.

Many Thanks
[HTC Vox] Rolandh:
Not sure about Radio but the most stable ROM has to be Dr.G's New Guava ROM, it's based on the latest HTC ROM update with lots of extra apps included in the ROM image.

Roland
[HTC Vox] h4waii:
Most stable radio is 4.1.13.47_02.98.90 from my testing, and I think v5.0a of New Guava is the best release, but v1.0 is the newest and last release until WM6.1 ROM is ported.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] Megaromania:
About 100 bucks difference

I currently have a mate 10 pro that has a defective battery I am about to return (battery needs to be charged twice a day on a light use) .

But lost between ordering another or go for the pixel 2 xl?

I know huawei has a bad record of updating their phones.

They already released some updates but still no sign of them on ota.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] Reuben_skelz92:
I've had both and pixel 2 XL is much better imo.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] worldsoutro:
The problem that i had with EMUI is app compatibility. When I had the Mate 9 hulu didn't work and google locations wouldn't update. It looks like the Hulu issue was resolved but if you browse the xda mate 10 forums many people are having issues with widgets. I also think the menu interface is still too cluttered. The updates are far and few
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] wakers:
I had a mate 10 pro, hardware wise its a better phone in my opinion, nicer shape, I just really didn't like the software if they made a stock android version and got rid of the iOS wannabe software they would be on to a winner...
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] lexi250:
No persistent notifications on the lockscreen for EMUI was the reason I went back to Pixel phones.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] TheSt33v:
If fast/regular/guaranteed updates are important to you, Pixel is the only game in town.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] sirxdroid:
It's also a question of where you want your private data to go, Shanghai or Mountain View?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] Megaromania:
Whats the battery life on the pixel like? Big difference between mate 10 and pixel?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] Megaromania:
Lmao that's a good one ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] kdkinc:
If you don't want firmware updates in a timely manner go with Huawei.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] Reuben_skelz92:
There both good. The pixel seems better. But think the mate 10 pro still had some software tweaks to make the battery life better. I never run out of battery by bed time with the pixel. Lowest I get is maybe 30 percent with heavy usage. Could easily last couple days maybe bit more with light usage
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] andy6685:
With the recent 6P battery/bootloop of death issue (I had to return mine), not sure I'd even want to look at Huawei so soon.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] sirxdroid:
The 5X made by LG also has bootloop issues. I think there was something else there, like the SoC that year had issues, or maybe coincidence that both Huawei and LG had manufacturing issues.

Where are the $299 Nexus 4 phones from a few years ago ... It really sucks to spend this much on a phone these days and have all sorts of issues battery, bootloop, screen, ... I suppose you buy these phones with a credit card that extends the warranty by another 2 years, so on a Pixel 2 you get 2 years from Google + another 2 years from a good credit card and you're covered without buying an extended warranty plan.

So yeah to the OP, don't forget that the Pixel 2 has 2 yrs warranty from Google.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] Megaromania:
I ordered one and received it today from amazon

Dunno why I decided to search on amazon again and found the phone 130 bucks cheaper

I asked them if they can price match they said no

So I ordered the cheaper one and gonna return the one I received

It was 760 instead of 889
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] palexr:
Got both and use both constantly. Pixel 2 Xl as my private phone, Mate 10 Pro as my work one.

The Huawei "feels" better in hand to me. EMUI works well for me. I also like the camera on the Huawei, though the Pixels is better for point and shoot. As for the interface I really don't see the native one is a problem in any way, I simply downloaded the pixel 2 launcher and I see hardly any difference in real day to day use. The AOD isn't that useful as it only shows notifications from Huawei apps, you need to download third party AOD apps to work (Always On AMOLED).

The Pixel is very nice too and I like extras it has. Plain Google android, an Always On Display that actually works, the Shazam-like notifications, the way it is all just integrated.

I think if I was going to have a to choose it would be the Pixel but it wouldn't be a clear cut decision.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] kergefarkas:
As many various tier Huawei phones I have tested & used, I would never buy any phone made by them. Their CPU always feels inferior to the latest Snapdragon, and multitasking is still something that hasn't been solved by them: try running 3 apps and switching between them, and the phone will lag like hell. I was also baffled when I tried to unlock the Mate 10 Pro, and it took 4 seconds to get to the home screen and draw all the icons... I'm sure Huawei makes decent phones and they have their audience, but they never offered anything that would appeal to me... And the camera is a joke for this price, just check this video:

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfUvF_IAfhk[/YOUTUBE]

Also, due to my work I've had the "luck" to get to know their ways of working a bit better than most people ever will (no, I never worked for Huawei), and let me tell you that adhering to standards is not their strong suit (not that Apple or Samsung are better at that department either). The Samsung-like spamming of the market with 10-15 devices with nearly identical capabilities is just one example of how the company wants to gain big market share (basically flood the market at a low cost entry point and ramp up the costs down the road to the point where you came out with a significant deficit...) without providing anything but worse quality (terms of code quality, for example).

As you can tell I pretty much despise the whole brand & can't be really objective in the question, but these are personal experiences that made me decide never-ever to buy anything made by Huawei (also, the fact that when I faced them with the reality that their flagship can't run 3 of my apps smoothly without getting sluggish they cut almost all ties with me...). That $100 difference will buy you not just a superb phone, but 2 years warranty, the (current) best camera solution a phone offers out of the box, timely updates for 3 years, a clutter- and bloatware-free Android experience, unlimited Photos storage for original image uploads for 3 years (from account activation on the phone), I even got the free Google Music promotion although I've been a subscriber for years now, just to name a few.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] Elsydeon:
Quoted for the absolute truth. I was trying to make this same decision myself last year, coming from a Mate 9. All in all I did like the Mate 9, it did occasionally have very big lag moments, such as when launching Flipboard, but otherwise it really didn't feel any different from a Snapdragon to me. The camera is one of the weak points, as it has some serious issues with over exposing, and from reading reviews of the Mate 10, I'm not sure they got it right on the 10 either. But my biggest gripe by far would have to be the complete lack of any updates, especially security updates. I have a U.S. Mate 9, and it's still on a security update from June 2017. That plus reviews of the Mate 10 camera not being that great pushed me to get the Pixel 2 XL. The Pixel's camera on full auto is truly in a different league from the Mate 9's, even if you tried to use the Mate 9's manual modes...you can safely believe the hype about the Pixel 2's camera.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] Megaromania:
Dxo ranks mate 10 pro right after pixel 2

Alot of websites commended the mate 10s camera
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] Megaromania:
So i got to tinker with the pixel 2 for a bit and I miss some features from Huawei

1. Dark mode.

2. I got used to the navigation dock on the mate 10 it made the screen look fuller and nicer to look at lol, another thing in the pixel I can't swap the navigation bar buttons ?

3. Just find it weird that when I click the recent button I have to scroll up to clear all the apps

Other than that the phone is bad ass

The camera is amazing and no bloatware

Hopefully Google would enable these things
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] Badger50:
Hahahahahaha..I doubt Google will grant your request. However, the rom developers just might ??
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] Megaromania:
U know any good rim?