January Update

[mustang7757]

Just received US unlock TMO

 

[TMavC5]

Yup, that's a confirmed. AT&T Locked.

 

[ironass]

Samsung has started to roll out their latest update for the Fold5 international devices, F946B. bringing with it the January Security patch.

Build number = F946BXXS1BWL7

Build date = 27 December 2023

Android Security patch = 01 January 2024

Download size = 389.98MB

Camera version = 14.0.00.46


It is a FOTA, (Firmware Over The Air), update and you can check... Settings > Software update... to see if it is available for you. Alternatively, you can connect to the Samsung PC suite, Smart Switch and check via that.

 

[ironass]

Just noticed @mustang7757 , your T-Mobile (USA) build, BWL7, for your unlocked, F946U1, is the same as the stock Samsung European non carrier branded firmware for the international, F946B, devices with a build date of 27th December 2023. That's only about a 12 day lapse between build and release which is something that I don't usually associate with the U.S.A. models. I am guessing that if it is just a security patch involved, that T-Mobile (USA) just waves it through the certification process. I know it is unlocked but I assume that there is some carrier branded stuff on it. Either way, TMB are fast on their updates.

 

[mustang7757]

Just noticed @mustang7757 , your T-Mobile (USA) build, BWL7, for your unlocked, F946U1, is the same as the stock Samsung European non carrier branded firmware for the international, F946B, devices with a build date of 27th December 2023. That's only about a 12 day lapse between build and release which is something that I don't usually associate with the U.S.A. models. I am guessing that if it is just a security patch involved, that T-Mobile (USA) just waves it through the certification process. I know it is unlocked but I assume that there is some carrier branded stuff on it. Either way, TMB are fast on their updates.

Yeah T-Mobile has been fast on unlocked Samsung but no carrier bloat added for unlock US version

 

[ironass]

Yeah T-Mobile has been fast on unlocked Samsung but no carrier bloat added for unlock US version

So, why do they have a TMB, USC, VZW, etc; version for the F946U1 and not just a blanket USA unbranded release with one CSC code I wonder. Am I missing something?

I see that the Canadian version, F946W, is still on the November security update for its 16 CSC codes.

 

[mustang7757]

So, why do they have a TMB, USC, VZW, etc; version for the F946U1 and not just a blanket USA unbranded release with one CSC code I wonder. Am I missing something?

I see that the Canadian version, F946W, is still on the November security update for its 16 CSC codes.

I think they put different CSC for one that it's certified to work on the unlock firmware and other some features can be taken out depending on the sim you insert which normally Verizon does even on unlock, the build is never changed among the CSC codes. With the "U" firmware(Carrier version)the build can change between CSC codes depending bloat , features the carrier wants to add or remove. U1 firmware won't add bloat or carrier splash screen but like I mentioned Verizon can take features out with their sim inserted.

 

[ironass]

I think they put different CSC for one that it's certified to work on the unlock firmware and other some features can be taken out depending on the sim you insert which normally Verizon does even on unlock, the build is never changed among the CSC codes. With the "U" firmware(Carrier version)the build can change between CSC codes depending bloat , features the carrier wants to add or remove. U1 firmware won't add bloat or carrier splash screen but like I mentioned Verizon can take features out with their sim inserted.

Thank you @mustang7757 for taking the time and trouble to explain that to a non U.S.A. resident. Something that I have wanted to ask for a long time. I think I understand the situation a little better now. Apologies for the off topic.

 

[mustang7757]

Thank you @mustang7757 for taking the time and trouble to explain that to a non U.S.A. resident. Something that I have wanted to ask for a long time. I think I understand the situation a little better now. Apologies for the off topic.

No problem definitely a worthy topic you always great to communicate here and I like your post and help you give. The US versions are a little crazy

 

[ironass]

The US versions are a little crazy

... and the prize for, "Understatement of the Year", goes to... (drum roll)... @mustang7757

 

[mustang7757]

... and the prize for, "Understatement of the Year", goes to... (drum roll)... @mustang7757

 

[ironass]

If it's any consolation to the Canadians still on Android Security update for November 2023... so are the South Koreans, strangely enough, and the Chinese are on the October 2023 update.

In other news, some of the international models are receiving the first builds of 2024, BXA2. With a build date of 03 January 2024 it is still just a January security update.

 

[mustang7757]

If it's any consolation to the Canadians still on Android Security update for November 2023... so are the South Koreans, strangely enough, and the Chinese are on the October 2023 update.

In other news, some of the international models are receiving the first builds of 2024, BXA2. With a build date of 03 January 2024 it is still just a January security update.

Canadians version usually get updates last for some reason.

 

[ironass]

Canadians version usually get updates last for some reason.

Spain pop: 47.5m Fold5 CSC codes = 1 (stock Europe code)

India pop: 1.45bn Fold5 CSC codes = 1

Canada pop: 41.5m Fold5 CSC codes = 16

Guess which countries receive updates first.

 

[mustang7757]

Spain pop: 47.5m Fold5 CSC codes = 1 (stock Europe code)

India pop: 1.45bn Fold5 CSC codes = 1

Canada pop: 41.5m Fold5 CSC codes = 16

Guess which countries receive updates first.

India?

 

[ironass]

India?

India overtook China, (pop: 1.41bn CSC Fold5 = 1), last year, population wise and is a big smartphone market, (152 million units in 2022), particularly for Samsung who have around a 17% share.

India's smartphone market for 2024 is estimated to be US$44.6bn and China is estimated at US$105.5bn. The U.S.A. comes in at US$60.8bn. Little old U.K, (pop: 67m Fold5 CSC codes = 2), is forecast to be worth US$13.3bn with Europe as a whole is US$79.8bn. Canada's smartphone market in comparison, is worth around US$6.0bn.

(Sorry @mustang7757 ... I've gone wandering off on my own again!)