Samsung Galaxy Note 3 announcement and owners thread

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215 posts

Master Geek

#934189 15-Nov-2013 09:03

richms: I'm just annoyed as I assumed I was getting an unbranded note 3 and not a Vodafone one.

Is there a hidden menu to turn it on like there was on the s2 to turn off 2 when on a 2g/3g network?

It is not branded by VF.

When the phones came out Telecom was not on 4G/ Samsung did not have the operator details for Telecom to be a 4G provider. So all firmware which came with the phones did not support Telecom 4G. Since Vodafone was already a 4G provider all the firmware supported it. So if you have a note 3 with a VNZ firmware telecom sims will not work (4G) as the firmware does not have the required update on the other hand VF sims will work. Now the phones with the Telecom firmware also did not support 4G in the beginning until the last update which enabled the 4G for telecom sims. So until the VNZ firmware gets updates the telecom sims will not work on 4G.

If you want you can always flash the telecom firmware using ODIN on the VNZ one at your own risk.

PS: the VNZ firmware can be rooted without tripping knox. The latest updated firmware which telecom has recieved has an updated bootloader. No root

NikT

1710 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#934197 15-Nov-2013 09:27

richms: I'm just annoyed as I assumed I was getting an unbranded note 3 and not a Vodafone one.

Is there a hidden menu to turn it on like there was on the s2 to turn off 2 when on a 2g/3g network?

There is no unbranded NZ market model for any of Samsung's flagship smartphones. The only NZ software builds are telco-branded, although Vodafone & 2degrees' versions are largely untouched. To be clear, LTE would not be locked down in any NZ devices if Telecom had not requested this be done in their operator profile with Samsing - It's a real shame this has happened, as it's just unfortunate timing of updates vs. the network go-live date.

The service mode menu was initially quite rich on the S4, but updates locked it down - the Note 3 shipped in this state.

The problem is that the CSC file doesn't have Telecom's new operator profile in it, and the only way to fix this is by changing that CSC file - either waiting for an update, or flashing a different software build (Either Telecom's or a market that does not have Telecom's operator profile in the CSC, e.g. the open-market UK builds).

I would of course not officially recommend flashing a different market's software to your device as this has the potential to brick it or void the warranty or 'cause undesired operation' (Especially if a factory reset is not performed). I believe we're just waiting on Samsung to push out the update that will fix it at this point as updates for a number of flagship devices were approved on this end some time ago.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

Mono

74 posts

Master Geek

#934209 15-Nov-2013 09:37

scottjpalmer:
BreaKer: is 2dgrees on 4g?

No

My understanding from a 2degrees rep was that they will be by Q3 2014, but I have nothing firm to point you to on that count.

Mono

74 posts

Master Geek

#934212 15-Nov-2013 09:42

NikT:
richms: I'm just annoyed as I assumed I was getting an unbranded note 3 and not a Vodafone one.

Is there a hidden menu to turn it on like there was on the s2 to turn off 2 when on a 2g/3g network?

There is no unbranded NZ market model for any of Samsung's flagship smartphones. The only NZ software builds are telco-branded, although Vodafone & 2degrees' versions are largely untouched. To be clear, LTE would not be locked down in any NZ devices if Telecom had not requested this be done in their operator profile with Samsing - It's a real shame this has happened, as it's just unfortunate timing of updates vs. the network go-live date.

That's really interesting - so Telecom had to actively go to Samsung and ask that that be done? They seem to have shot themselves in the foot a bit there.

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#934224 15-Nov-2013 09:57

Pulled trigger on a Seidio Surface last night, should arrive next week. Will keep you all posted about how it is.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

NikT

1710 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#934228 15-Nov-2013 10:04

Mono:

That's really interesting - so Telecom had to actively go to Samsung and ask that that be done? They seem to have shot themselves in the foot a bit there.

Every operator that Samsung supports has a software profile that enables/disables certain network features. Telecom were testing their 4G network & didn't want users' devices to lock onto it accidentally/waste battery/have a bad experience, so it was disabled in their profile.

That profile is present in all NZ-sold devices, just as Vodafone & 2degrees' profiles are (It may also be present in Australian software builds, but I've not tested this). The Telecom-sold devices have been updated to allow 4G to work, so it's not anything intentional on Telecom's end either as there's probably very little they can do to update devices they don't sell. I'm sure they'd rather their customers could use their services - Just as I'd rather all customers with a Vodafone-branded device have a great experience regardless of which network they choose to use it on right now. :)

It's just a side-effect of waiting for updates on the non-Telecom devices sold in NZ. From what others have said, it sounds like there's some confusion with some retailers when it comes to which device is intended for which network, and people asking for 'A Galaxy S4' or 'A Galaxy Note 3' could end up with any of the three variants.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

Mono

74 posts

Master Geek

#934489 15-Nov-2013 15:41

NikT:
Mono:

That's really interesting - so Telecom had to actively go to Samsung and ask that that be done? They seem to have shot themselves in the foot a bit there.

Every operator that Samsung supports has a software profile that enables/disables certain network features. Telecom were testing their 4G network & didn't want users' devices to lock onto it accidentally/waste battery/have a bad experience, so it was disabled in their profile.

Oh, I understand now - I was trying to figure out why Telecom would bother blacklisting their network at all, but I'd forgotten that it was running as a test for quite some time - that makes sense why they wouldn't want people to be able to connect to prevent confusion.

Sharesies

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Yabanize

2350 posts

Uber Geek

#935304 17-Nov-2013 19:31

NikT:
richms: I'm just annoyed as I assumed I was getting an unbranded note 3 and not a Vodafone one.

Is there a hidden menu to turn it on like there was on the s2 to turn off 2 when on a 2g/3g network?

There is no unbranded NZ market model for any of Samsung's flagship smartphones. The only NZ software builds are telco-branded, although Vodafone & 2degrees' versions are largely untouched. To be clear, LTE would not be locked down in any NZ devices if Telecom had not requested this be done in their operator profile with Samsing - It's a real shame this has happened, as it's just unfortunate timing of updates vs. the network go-live date.

The service mode menu was initially quite rich on the S4, but updates locked it down - the Note 3 shipped in this state.

The problem is that the CSC file doesn't have Telecom's new operator profile in it, and the only way to fix this is by changing that CSC file - either waiting for an update, or flashing a different software build (Either Telecom's or a market that does not have Telecom's operator profile in the CSC, e.g. the open-market UK builds).

I would of course not officially recommend flashing a different market's software to your device as this has the potential to brick it or void the warranty or 'cause undesired operation' (Especially if a factory reset is not performed). I believe we're just waiting on Samsung to push out the update that will fix it at this point as updates for a number of flagship devices were approved on this end some time ago.

If this is the case (features enabled/disabled depedning on the sim) why do we even have 3 CSC's and not One for the whole of NZ?

LostBoyNZ

584 posts

Ultimate Geek

#936339 17-Nov-2013 23:14

I just ordered a 2 Degrees Note 3, I wonder has anyone got them to work on Telecom 4G? Someone earlier in this thread I saw mentioned about reflashing a phone with another phone companies firmware. Is that easy enough to find online?

Thanks!

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lofreq

334 posts

Ultimate Geek

#936518 18-Nov-2013 11:24

- my partner and i both bought Note3's on telecom, using telecom 3G-only sims.
- we both got the update to MJ6.
- i then swapped to a 4G telecom sim, and got on 4g right away.
- Partner switched to a Voda sim (for work) and her Telecom Note3 also switched straight to 4G without any settings changes or any fiddling.

none of the phones are rooted or flashed - all stock. So i can say at least that Telecom Note3's work fine on Voda 4G (both telecom and voda use LTE band 3 1800mhz as i understand, so physical radio frequency is not an issue in this case i guess... compared to the ole 850mhz/900mhz conundrum when on 3G)

dunno if this helps any debate, just contributing our experiences so far.

Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005, on Telecom 4G LTE. ROM: Stock Touchwiz, Android 4.3, XUDMJ6 MODEM: MJ4 Kernel: Stock (for now...:)

NikT

1710 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#936524 18-Nov-2013 11:48

So I caved and picked up a Note 3 of my very own on Saturday. Good to be back on the bandwagon. Pulled 145Mbps down outside my apartment, think that'll do quite nicely.

Now, if only Samsung would hurry up & release that snazzy official Protective Cover+..

Yabanize: If this is the case (features enabled/disabled depedning on the sim) why do we even have 3 CSC's and not One for the whole of NZ?

I'd assume this is for things like preloading browser bookmarks & so on. Some features like Fast Dormancy are only on or off for the handset's software revision & do not change if you insert a different SIM.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

djfscube27

11 posts

Geek

#936611 18-Nov-2013 13:25

Has anyone received the latest build update the discovered that Knox just won't boot up now?

tigercorp

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#937685 20-Nov-2013 08:24

I installed Plants v Zombies 2 last night and noticed quite quickly the back of the phone getting getting hot, between the Samsung logo and camera.

Anyone having the same thing?

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#937696 20-Nov-2013 08:46

Quite happy with my Seidio Surface if people were wondering how it is. Good protection up over the edges, but of course that kind of protection doesn't come without a little added bulk. All the ports/sensors etc are nicely exposed, fit is good, love the kickstand (even if it is really only suitable for use on hard flat surfaces). Now the question is whether it will work with the slim iLoome screen protector.

EDIT: According to XDA the iLoome flex is the only glass screen protector slim enough to work with the Surface. It's on sale for just slightly more than half price right now too, so I just grabbed a pair. Assuming I don't mess up application of the first one I'll have the second spare for someone on here.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

Yabanize

2350 posts

Uber Geek

#937710 20-Nov-2013 09:30

tigercorp: I installed Plants v Zombies 2 last night and noticed quite quickly the back of the phone getting getting hot, between the Samsung logo and camera.

Anyone having the same thing?

Thats where the motherboard/cpu is

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