Galaxy S7 Edge dual sim G935FD on Spark

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reupatrick

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Wannabe Geek

#214490 14-May-2017 17:45

Can someone help RE Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge dual sim (G935FD) used on the Spark network. Phone starts up on 4G but once start using data switches from 4G/4G+, to H/H+. It then won't switch back to 4G unless restart or toggle airplane mode on/off. Have searched forums, and while some comments are that dual sim causes problems, can't see anything specific.

Spark sim is in the lower slot as upper slot is only 3G or microSD. Phone is parallel import bought from EInfotech on North Shore, who say phone should work fine. Spark helpline didn't seem to know and suggested just turn LTE/4G off, which doesn't address issue.

Is this a known issue? If so is it due to the supported bands/frequencies in the G935FD (compared to single sim S7E), or an issue with Spark 4G? In Balmoral in Auckland so assume coverage should be fine. Thanks.

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Hammered
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#1782036 14-May-2017 17:50

4G is data only still at this point I believe, so voice is still 3G anyway. Are you trying to get it back to 4G in one spot, or have you tried moving around the city to see if changing cells/coverage area sorts it out?

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reupatrick

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Wannabe Geek

#1782104 14-May-2017 20:10

Yes, referring to data usage only as understand voice is 3G still. I work from home so mostly I'm in or around Balmoral, will look to see specifically what happens when out and about. Thanks.

hio77

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#1782118 14-May-2017 20:55

I'm not aware of any known issues with 4G service in that area.

Is it noticed with other devices?

being parallel imported there could always be compatibility issues in the ROM.

Dual sim will likely be 4G/3G standby since that's what most of the flagship chipsets can do these days.

i roll dualsim this way with my V20, spark sim happily sits on 3G unless i want to use its data, can call out via 3G on spark and hold solid 4G on VF. Technology has come so far from the 4G/2G dualsims

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reupatrick

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#1782125 14-May-2017 21:25

My wife has a Galaxy S5 which is on Vodafone. Her phone consistently sits on 4G. The two phones can be side by side on the bench doing a Google search, the S5 will be on 4G and the S7E will be on H. The S5 was also a PI from EInfotech. Thanks.

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#1782128 14-May-2017 21:31

Here is the issue using a parallel imported handset with different software on it not tested by the carrier, Does not matter if the 2 handsets were purchased from the same importer

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reupatrick

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Wannabe Geek

#1782171 15-May-2017 07:31

I took chance with the S7E because of a good experience with the S5, also the G935FD is a "global" model so thought risks would be less. Phone will switch to 4G on idle with all background apps closed, but as soon as use data it will switch to H/H+, so its actually functions a 3G phone. I will check this in other parts of Auckland over the next few days. Thanks.

Stu

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#1782174 15-May-2017 07:38

"Global" doesn't necessarily mean the device supports all of the LTE bands used by NZ telcos.

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reupatrick

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#1782185 15-May-2017 08:03

Understood. I also used the www.frequencycheck.com website where you can check different phone models for compatibility in different countries, from that website the G935FD seemed OK in NZ. BTW if NZ telcos were different enough in their bands to affect a major brand like Samsung, wouldn't that be an issue for a lot of people?

Seems three possibilities: 1. parallel import/untested software is the issue on this particular phone; 2. dual sim phone has slightly different bands etc than single sim version; 3. local Spark tower issue. Option 3 again would affect a lot of people. Thanks.

hio77

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#1782502 15-May-2017 12:59

reupatrick:

My wife has a Galaxy S5 which is on Vodafone. Her phone consistently sits on 4G. The two phones can be side by side on the bench doing a Google search, the S5 will be on 4G and the S7E will be on H. The S5 was also a PI from EInfotech. Thanks.

This is a invalid test completely.

For it to be comparable, you would need your wifes phone to also on sparks network not vodafones.

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#1782535 15-May-2017 13:39

One of the nice things about the G935FD is that you can flash the G935F single sim Spark firmware onto it. That is if you don't care about the dual sim functionality.

Latest Spark firmware can be found here: https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s7-edge/SM-G935F/TNZ/

Obviously you do this at your own risk, but it went without a hitch when I did it for a friend.

reupatrick

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Wannabe Geek

#1783549 17-May-2017 10:07

Thanks for the info about the G935F firmware. Presumably as its Spark firmware it should not have any data access issues? Was your friends G935FD has having data access issues? Always a bit risky but might be worthwhile.

For 36 hours straight (midday Mon-Tues night) the phone has been perfectly OK in my location, on 4G/4G+ for data consistently, not switching down to H/H+ at all.

From late last night its started switching down again, i.e. won't update twitter feeds on 4G/4G+, will switch down to H/H+ then data comes in.

Is there any way to tell from this if its a phone or tower issue?

Any comments appreciated. Thanks.

bradstewart

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#1783552 17-May-2017 10:09

It *should* behave just like a Spark sourced S7 with it flashed. We had no issues with it at all. There are definite advantages to running the correct modem firmware for the network you are connected to.

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#1783555 17-May-2017 10:10

Honestly, so long as you follow the instructions and don't power off the phone during the flash it is a pretty safe process.

reupatrick

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Wannabe Geek

#1783614 17-May-2017 12:02

So would need to unlock as a first step. Where are instructions for the whole process? thanks.

bradstewart

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#1783818 17-May-2017 18:32

No unlocking required.

Download the latest Spark firmware here (faster than Sammobile which takes hours): http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=9C11AA7A364911E7963AFA163EE8F90B

Also they have a great guide here: http://updato.com/how-to/how-to-install-an-official-samsung-stock-firmware-using-odin

This walks you through the process and includes a link to the latest version of the Odin firmware flashing tool.

There looks a lot to it, but its relatively straight forward.

Download ZIP file, extract the contents to a temp folder and flash each of the extracted files using Odin.

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