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LukutusNZ

6 posts

Wannabe Geek


#164272 3-Feb-2015 21:32
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I have successfully updated my NZ Galaxy S5 (SM-G900I) to Android 5.0 using the G900IZTU1BOA1 firmware from sammobile website using Odin 3.09.

This firmware is intended for the Taiwan region, but after doing a little research, I found that their cell frequencies are the same here in NZ, the SM-G900I is only available to NZ, AU, IND, and parts of Asia because of this, you will also find that the SM-G900I supports the lower LTE frequency "700" which I believe Telecom and Vodafone will be using soon if not already.

Anyhoo, I've been running the new firmware since Saturday 1/02/ and haven't had any issues as yet. Not saying that yall should go out and update your phones, but more just to let you know that its doable, and KNOX doesn't get tripped, everything is official!!! Do this at your own risk.

After updating to the new firmware via Odin, on the first reboot into the welcome screen, I had to change the language to NZ English, it was in Chinese (Taiwan) by default. I also had to change the input language of the keyboard to ENG US, but once that was done, everything else seem to just work.

List of common items checked off:
- Battery - OK -  at least 65% remaining after day at work (outlook mail, wifi, calls etc)
- Texts and Calls - OK
- Mobile Data - OK
- GPS - OK
- Wifi - OK
- All apps running OK so far (Viber, FB, FBMsgr, Spotify, All Google Apps, Sammobile, Drippler)
- Google and Samsung accounts - OK
- UI fluid, no lagging
- RAM has reduced from TOTAL 1.87GB to 1.66GB
- BlueTooth - OK
- NFC - OK
- Ultra Power Saving Mode - OK (very fast to change to this mode too!!)
- All the gesture activated features - OK
- Finger Print Sensor - Still POOS as in 4.4.2 - but hey what would you expect lol

So for the most part, everything seems to be running pretty sweet, I'm going to stay of this F/W version until 2Degrees/Vodafone bring out NZ build.

Any questions, feel free to reply to post, this will come through via email to me.

Hope this information serves useful??

Luke


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uglyb0b
335 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #1231114 4-Feb-2015 13:45
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This part here could be misinterpreted

"This firmware is intended for the Taiwan region, but after doing a little research, I found that their cell frequencies are the same here in NZ, the SM-G900I is only available to NZ, AU, IND, and parts of Asia because of this, you will also find that the SM-G900I supports the lower LTE frequency "700" which I believe Telecom and Vodafone will be using soon if not already."

The firmware is not compatible because Taiwan uses the same network bands, it is compatible because the firmware is for the same model.

I just thought I'd mention this in case anyone attempts to flash firmware for another device, assuming that it will be compatible because the country uses the same bands. Firmware is always model specific.



LukutusNZ

6 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #1231130 4-Feb-2015 14:21
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Hey UglyBob

Yes you are correct, wasnt intended to come across like that, but thank you for pointing that out :)

Taiwan Firmware as mentioned above, is for GS5 SM-G900I handset only.

Cheers, Luke.

kiwijunglist
2981 posts

Uber Geek

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  #1233623 9-Feb-2015 17:59
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so when you flashed with odin, did you lose all your app data / text history / call log / etc?




HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.




johnr
19282 posts

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  #1233624 9-Feb-2015 18:01
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L700 has been in use for quite a while now

kiwijunglist
2981 posts

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  #1233625 9-Feb-2015 18:04
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@ johnr - do u know if any of the telcos in NZ have received firmware for 900i for testing.

Wouldn't be ideal if i flashed the TW firmware, only to have the local firmware come out 2-3 weeks later.




HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.


jeffnz
2870 posts

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  #1233626 9-Feb-2015 18:08
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kiwijunglist: so when you flashed with odin, did you lose all your app data / text history / call log / etc?


yes you do




Galaxy S10

 

Garmin  Fenix 5




LukutusNZ

6 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #1233654 9-Feb-2015 18:43
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Hey kiwijunglist,

before i upgraded to TW firmware, i backed my text messages, call logs and other settings using samsung built in cloud backup and restore, and apps using Google's builtin apps and settings backup/restore.

As JohnR has said, if you flash firmware, you will loose personal data and apps if you dont backup before hand.

 
 
 

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LukutusNZ

6 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #1233658 9-Feb-2015 18:45
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Update on TW firmware:
I was in hamilton over the weekend, and i can confirm that LTE also works as expected for 2Degrees and Vodafone.

johnr
19282 posts

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  #1233664 9-Feb-2015 19:11
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kiwijunglist: @ johnr - do u know if any of the telcos in NZ have received firmware for 900i for testing.

Wouldn't be ideal if i flashed the TW firmware, only to have the local firmware come out 2-3 weeks later.


VodafoneNZ has not seen lollipop for testing as I understand well not last week

jeffnz
2870 posts

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  #1233684 9-Feb-2015 19:20
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kiwijunglist: @ johnr - do u know if any of the telcos in NZ have received firmware for 900i for testing.

Wouldn't be ideal if i flashed the TW firmware, only to have the local firmware come out 2-3 weeks later.


probably the most disliked thing about Android is the ways its updated, or not as the case maybe. The great thing about android is you can update whenever they are released, sure there is some mucking around but once you have done it a few times its really easy. As suggested use google and Samsung backup for data, as for apps unless you have heaps they are in playsore under 'myapps' so you can install reasonably easily. If you go the 'whole hog' and do custom rom's then Titanium backup makes it a breeze to restore apps and data.

Even if the firmware for your telco comes out you can easily just grab it off Sammobile and flash through Odin.




Galaxy S10

 

Garmin  Fenix 5




LukutusNZ

6 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #1233999 10-Feb-2015 11:03
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LukutusNZ: Update on TW firmware:
I was in hamilton over the weekend, and i can confirm that LTE also works as expected for 2Degrees and Vodafone.


To elaborate on this, my phone is on 2Degrees, when there wasn't any 2D coverage, it switched over to Vodafone (roaming). Both providing LTE overage where applicable.

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