Parallel imported Samsung Galaxy S20 5G, no software updates

[TheEdge76]

Like I mentioned the US carrier's turn this off most likely to have Root find those files and turn on and best place for that is XDA forums and US version are very hard to root

Oh true...can you please suggest a link? I wouldn't mind at least exploring what would be involved (and if it's too complex or not).

I think I've just about got everything transferred over/setup - interestingly the option for wifi calling has completely disappeared! Not sure if that will return when I install my SIM card in the new phone or not - will have to see.

 

[mustang7757]

Oh true...can you please suggest a link? I wouldn't mind at least exploring what would be involved (and if it's too complex or not).

I think I've just about got everything transferred over/setup - interestingly the option for wifi calling has completely disappeared! Not sure if that will return when I install my SIM card in the new phone or not - will have to see.

Here's a start just explore around the site

Can the Samsung S20 FE reproduce local FM radio without network connection?

I am a new user of the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and I am wondering if it can reproduce local FM radio without network connection. My question comes as this device has no wired earbuds jack, the wire serves as FM antenna. Please advise if you have...

xdaforums.com

 

[TheEdge76]

Thanks, I think that may end up in the too-hard basket, sadly.

On the good news front, I think I've got everything transferred over successfully (bar the Signal app) so I'm going to test drive it while out and about tomorrow and see how it goes.
Weird thing - now I have my Vodafone SIM in again, wifi calling appears to be enabled again! Very odd.

 

[TheEdge76]

Right, looks like I'm good to go. Of interest, it does show an indicator when I'm on 4G - on the A41 it was the arrows and had the title "4G" or "4G+", on the S20 it says "LTE" - so that means 4G, right?
When I'm on 5G the indicator is a clear "5G".

Will do some more walking around today and see how it goes - surprised to find 5G coverage in a few places I wasn't expecting it!

 

[TheEdge76]

Interesting!
Turns out this phone does show the 3G and H+ indicators:



As above, I've learned that "LTE" means 4G, so that's what I'm going on as my indicator for that one.
5G shows up quite a bit around the place, too.

Also re Network Cell Info Lite - I actually got a reply to asking them what was going on, apparently they used a third party service for the maps, locations, etc that is no longer supported. They're currently working on a replacement service for it, so here's hoping

 

[mustang7757]

Interesting!
Turns out this phone does show the 3G and H+ indicators:
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As above, I've learned that "LTE" means 4G, so that's what I'm going on as my indicator for that one.
5G shows up quite a bit around the place, too.

Also re Network Cell Info Lite - I actually got a reply to asking them what was going on, apparently they used a third party service for the maps, locations, etc that is no longer supported. They're currently working on a replacement service for it, so here's hoping

Yeah that's why I mentioned don't trust 3rd party for these things

 

[TheEdge76]

Hello again
After going through all I did with my S20 above, it now has awful screen burn in the place I bought it from wanted $450 to replace the screen - the phone itself was $500! Apparently their warranty considered it as "wear and tear".

Instead of going through all the hassle of getting another 981U I just purchased a new, unopened 981B variant for about $450 off eBay. It arrived last week so I've started setting it all up.

Seems okay so far and I haven't had to muck around with the firmware as I did with the old one to get it to work. Just bumping this thread in case I need some guidance/advice on getting everything setup again - hope that's okay!

One thing I've noticed is this one gets quite warm when being used, but I'm hoping that's just due to everything being setup/installed on it and it using a lot of battery power - would hate to burn my leg when I'm out and about with it in my pocket!

Thanks again for all the guidance above with the last one, no doubt you'll be hearing from me over the next few days as I set this one up

 

[TheEdge76]

Okay, I've gone back to my SM-G981U1. Here's why.

First thoughts on the SM-G981B:

Positive:
The screen is really nice and sharp and clear, and quite responsive to different light levels.
I was able to copy over all my apps/settings etc and update the phone without too many issues.
Wifi Calling seems to be available to use on this phone.
The colour is nice

Negative:
I suspect there's an issue with the radio. Since this morning I've had either no service or "Emergency calls only" on this phone - this is using it in exactly the same spot as the 981U1. Also the wifi dropped off at some point overnight (which I don't think ever happened on the 981U1). This delayed me doing an update on the phone's software as well as transferring over some data from the old phone.
This phone (as above) also seems to get extremely warm, something I never noticed with the 981U1. I guess it depends on what's being done with it but I haven't had this happen previously.

The no signal is the biggest issue for me - I checked the bands that Vodafone/One NZ use and the 981B seems to have them all, so I'm baffled as to why a supposed non-supported handset (the 981U1) would work just fine yet the 981B doesn't? Could it be the version of my firmware? Looking back earlier in this thread I recall I had to update the firmware to get it functioning correctly.

I have picked up a Vodafone prepay SIM to test out the signal to see if I can find out why it's not working - but can post any information about the phone (software/build version etc) if that would be of any help?

Thanks in advance

 

[TheEdge76]

The Vodafone prepay SIM has the same issue - no signal. I hope this isn't a dud phone

Any help (please) gratefully appreciated.

 

[TheEdge76]

Weirdest thing of all, it just started getting a 5G signal! Very odd indeed.
Does this sound normal to anyone?

 

[TheEdge76]

Okay now I can post a bit more as I'm finished work for the day.
The signal on this thing seems very flakey.
One minute it has a signal, next minute nothing. This is in a location with 2G and 3G (for now), 4G and 5G. In fact my old S20 gets a signal in the exact same spot, consistently. Heck I even think the wifi dropped off overnight and didn't reconnect (see above).

Does this point to an issue with the radio, or is it a faulty handset?
Here's the software information if this can help anyone decipher what's going on with my new phone:


Hopefully someone can help me decide what's going on - I would prefer not to return this if I can help it

 

[mustang7757]

Which is giving the issue the A41 or S20?

 

[TheEdge76]

Which is giving the issue the A41 or S20?

Sorry - the new S20 5G which I just purchased (this one is the B variant).

 

[TheEdge76]

I took some screenshots of what's happening with the signal using Netmonster if this is any help - all taken over a very small radius of about 20-30m:












Does this help explain why this phone is having signal issues?

 

[mustang7757]

I took some screenshots of what's happening with the signal using Netmonster if this is any help - all taken over a very small radius of about 20-30m:

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Does this help explain why this phone is having signal issues?

Sorry my friend I couldn't tell by that , maybe reach out to the carrier

 

[TheEdge76]

Sorry my friend I couldn't tell by that , maybe reach out to the carrier

Thanks anyway, I think it's a handset fault so I'm going to get a return organised. Appreciate your help