Samsung S8 from Expert Infotech Auckland questions

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Hiamie

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#215302 21-Jun-2017 10:16

I am considering purchasing a Samsung S8 from Expert Infotech in Auckland, but i have heard of a couple of things that might put me off.

Perhaps someone that has purchased one from Expert Infotech can advise? Looking for personal experiences.

(I was considering buying from Noel Lemmings (to take advantage of the free gifts), but their website indicates the phone is a 2degrees one, and I don't want 2degree bloatware on the phone that I will be using with Skinny). And anyway, the price at Expert Infotech is much better and hopefully has less or no bloatware installed!

My 5 questions are...

1. I have heard that these phones are sourced from Arabic countries and come with prayer time tables and maybe other stuff I don't want.

It this true? Can the extra apps (if present) be removed?

2. I also believe that the Spark network can use less common frequencies (a special part of 700Mhz band) for 4G.

Does the S8 from Expert Infotech work fully on the Spark network (IE are there any limitations etc)?

3. Any problems resolving issues should the S8 have a problem within the guarantee period?

4. If I buy the duel sim version, I heard this may not be fully compatible here - but cant remember the specifics of why. Anyone have any issues with the duel sim version?

5. Anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance... any advice gratefully received!

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#1804505 21-Jun-2017 10:20

The 2 degrees bloatware is the the least bloaty of them all, it comes with their app that you can easily uninstall! (Was the case with my android 6.0.1)
I would usually opt for a 2deg or VF firmware from sammobile on my S6.

I dont think we can get an international version or national version where there is no intended carrier.
You wont see any issues how ever using a 2 deg phone across both networks.

A dual sim international version will most likely miss out on our extended range 4G and or others, best to do your homework.

You should be covered by the CGA in the case of a warranty claim.

bradstewart

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#1804747 21-Jun-2017 16:39

One of the benefits of getting any G950F (S8)/G955F (S8+) is that you can flash the unbranded, bloat-free firmware onto them.

There is an unbranded one available for NZ with the CSC of XNZ. So even if the one you got from Expert Infotech was sourced from the middle east you could flash the NZ firmware and have one that works perfectly on the Spark network. I did this to my Spark one to get rid of the Spark boot logo etc.

Additonally all the international S8's will support the Spark frequencies. They identical hardware, just differing in software customisations.

Warranty note: Expert Infotech are somewhat painful to deal with for warranty issues, regardless of CGA.

jonathan18

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#1804780 21-Jun-2017 18:17

bradstewart:
One of the benefits of getting any G950F (S8)/G955F (S8+) is that you can flash the unbranded, bloat-free firmware onto them.

There is an unbranded one available for NZ with the CSC of XNZ. So even if the one you got from Expert Infotech was sourced from the middle east you could flash the NZ firmware and have one that works perfectly on the Spark network. I did this to my Spark one to get rid of the Spark boot logo etc.

Additonally all the international S8's will support the Spark frequencies. They identical hardware, just differing in software customisations.

Warranty note: Expert Infotech are somewhat painful to deal with for warranty issues, regardless of CGA.

Does some/all of the above apply to the S7? I have a work mate looking at getting an S7 from the same retailer, so interested in advising him of any matters pertaining to buying it from them.

He was looking at the standard G930 F, i.e. https://www.einfo.co.nz/samsung-galaxy-s7-sm-g930f-32gb-black.html
Thanks.

1eStar

1604 posts

Uber Geek

#1805302 22-Jun-2017 16:16

Yes. I have an S7 from einfo. It's easy to flash Spark (TNZ) firmware (or whatever variety you want). The dual SIM versions that are available are FD suffix which the F firmware will flash on to happily and retain dual SIM capability.

1eStar

1604 posts

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#1805306 22-Jun-2017 16:25

With regards to purchasing from eInfo, I've bought a few phones, but never had any issues. With respect to purchasing an S8, I'd wait until the phone has been out 3-4 months then the price often drops by a few hundred at the parallel importers.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

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#1805373 22-Jun-2017 19:08

bradstewart:

Warranty note: Expert Infotech are somewhat painful to deal with for warranty issues, regardless of CGA.

Yes, they have a poor reputation.

So, if we know, why doesn't our wonderful commerce commission do anything about these rogue retailers?

Decal

222 posts

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#1813995 6-Jul-2017 16:15

Hey Guys,

I have just bought the S8 Dual sim version from E-Info and was wondering if anyone had the XNZ firmware for the standard F version that I can flash onto mine?

Thanks

Sharesies kids

Free kids accounts - trade shares and funds (NZ, US) with Sharesies (affiliate link).

1eStar

1604 posts

Uber Geek

#1814023 6-Jul-2017 17:09

http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model

Edit, direct link: http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=398DA6EC345A11E7963AFA163EE8F90B

bradstewart

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#1814273 7-Jul-2017 10:33

1eStar: http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model

Edit, direct link: http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=398DA6EC345A11E7963AFA163EE8F90B

That is AQDG from May for the S8+. There are newer ones.

All XNZ Firmware for the S8 / SM-G950F sorted by date.

http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?q=SM-G950F&rpp=15&r=XNZ&order=date&dir=desc&exact=1

All XNZ Firmware for the S8+ / SM-G955F sorted by date.

http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?q=SM-G955F&rpp=15&r=XNZ&order=date&dir=desc&exact=1

NikT

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#1814297 7-Jul-2017 11:23

Don't flash a dual-SIM variant with single-SIM software. Very likely to lead to bad times. The dual-SIM versions have a different model number - G950FD.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

bradstewart

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#1814308 7-Jul-2017 11:30

NikT:

Don't flash a dual-SIM variant with single-SIM software. Very likely to lead to bad times. The dual-SIM versions have a different model number - G950FD.

No the F firmware has always flashed fine on the FD models with no side effects.

Hardware wise the F and FD are identical with the exception of the second sim card reader. The consensus on XDA is that they actually use the same firmware since the dual sim functionality still works.

allio

885 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1814316 7-Jul-2017 11:45

Coil:

You should be covered by the CGA in the case of a warranty claim.

You will need to go to the Disputes Tribunal to get them to honour their obligations under the CGA after their one year "warranty" has expired.

OzoneNZ

102 posts

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#1814349 7-Jul-2017 12:42

I picked up a G955FD (dual SIM S8+) from Expert Infotech a few weeks back. They do indeed come loaded with a United Arab Emirates firmware (CSC of XSG) which comes with some type of Muslim app which can be disabled, among other crapware.

Initially I left it alone and used the phone on the XSG firmware, however it looks like 4G LTE is very troublesome on Spark/Vodafone with this firmware.

The phone would almost never display a 4G LTE connection even when everyone around me was getting full strength 4G. Pretty much the only way to get 4G was to reboot the phone each time you wanted it, and even then it would downgrade to HSPA+ 3G as soon as it could.

Finally got sick of it and flashed the unbranded Australian (CSC of XSA) firmware from the single SIM S8+ (G955F) since the hardware is identical between the two phones. Seems to have fixed 4G LTE for me, phone now shows 4G much more often and doesn't downgrade to HSPA+ 3G nearly as much.

It would seem the change in CSC from XSG to XSA has a big effect on the radio and its tendency to hold onto 4G bands. Anyone else running into the same lack of 4G should give the XSA firmware a shot.

There's also branded firmwares for 2degrees/Spark/Vodafone if you don't want the unbranded Australian ROM. I've also heard of the XNZ CSC which is supposedly an unbranded NZ ROM.

Long story short:

- LTE is really spotty on NZ carriers using XSG firmware
- Single SIM firmware (G955F) CAN be flashed on the dual SIM hardware (G955FD)
- Dual SIM functionality is retained with the single SIM firmware

tripp

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#1814446 7-Jul-2017 14:10

ProxyChain: I picked up a G955FD (dual SIM S8+) from Expert Infotech a few weeks back. They do indeed come loaded with a United Arab Emirates firmware (CSC of XSG) which comes with some type of Muslim app which can be disabled, among other crapware.

Initially I left it alone and used the phone on the XSG firmware, however it looks like 4G LTE is very troublesome on Spark/Vodafone with this firmware.

The phone would almost never display a 4G LTE connection even when everyone around me was getting full strength 4G. Pretty much the only way to get 4G was to reboot the phone each time you wanted it, and even then it would downgrade to HSPA+ 3G as soon as it could.

Finally got sick of it and flashed the unbranded Australian (CSC of XSA) firmware from the single SIM S8+ (G955F) since the hardware is identical between the two phones. Seems to have fixed 4G LTE for me, phone now shows 4G much more often and doesn't downgrade to HSPA+ 3G nearly as much.

It would seem the change in CSC from XSG to XSA has a big effect on the radio and its tendency to hold onto 4G bands. Anyone else running into the same lack of 4G should give the XSA firmware a shot.

There's also branded firmwares for 2degrees/Spark/Vodafone if you don't want the unbranded Australian ROM. I've also heard of the XNZ CSC which is supposedly an unbranded NZ ROM.

Long story short:

- LTE is really spotty on NZ carriers using XSG firmware
- Single SIM firmware (G955F) CAN be flashed on the dual SIM hardware (G955FD)
- Dual SIM functionality is retained with the single SIM firmware

It's not the change of CSC, it the modem/radio in the firmware. You will find that if you flashed the spark firmware TNZ you battery life might be better than the XSA.

Decal

222 posts

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#1814449 7-Jul-2017 14:15

tripp:

ProxyChain: I picked up a G955FD (dual SIM S8+) from Expert Infotech a few weeks back. They do indeed come loaded with a United Arab Emirates firmware (CSC of XSG) which comes with some type of Muslim app which can be disabled, among other crapware.

Initially I left it alone and used the phone on the XSG firmware, however it looks like 4G LTE is very troublesome on Spark/Vodafone with this firmware.

The phone would almost never display a 4G LTE connection even when everyone around me was getting full strength 4G. Pretty much the only way to get 4G was to reboot the phone each time you wanted it, and even then it would downgrade to HSPA+ 3G as soon as it could.

Finally got sick of it and flashed the unbranded Australian (CSC of XSA) firmware from the single SIM S8+ (G955F) since the hardware is identical between the two phones. Seems to have fixed 4G LTE for me, phone now shows 4G much more often and doesn't downgrade to HSPA+ 3G nearly as much.

It would seem the change in CSC from XSG to XSA has a big effect on the radio and its tendency to hold onto 4G bands. Anyone else running into the same lack of 4G should give the XSA firmware a shot.

There's also branded firmwares for 2degrees/Spark/Vodafone if you don't want the unbranded Australian ROM. I've also heard of the XNZ CSC which is supposedly an unbranded NZ ROM.

Long story short:

- LTE is really spotty on NZ carriers using XSG firmware
- Single SIM firmware (G955F) CAN be flashed on the dual SIM hardware (G955FD)
- Dual SIM functionality is retained with the single SIM firmware

It's not the change of CSC, it the modem/radio in the firmware. You will find that if you flashed the spark firmware TNZ you battery life might be better than the XSA.

Now question my question is which firmware should I run? I am using a Vodafone SIM as primary and a Spark SIM as secondary. IM guessing Vodafone as its the one connected to 4G most of the time.

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