42 Galaxy S5 models - Dummies Guide

[ironass]

#1.1. Think that everyone's Samsung Galaxy S5 is the same as yours...
Think again!

There are currently 42 models of the Samsung Galaxy S5 phone. Most of which are covered in this General Galaxy S5 forum.

Some of these models have already had as many as 24 different stock Samsung firmware releases since launch.

So, you can see that when you take into account the different locations worldwide and those locations unbranded and carrier branded firmwares, there is no such thing as one Samsung Galaxy S5 and one firmware but rather, 42 different phones with, currently, over 6,000 different variations of firmware for Android 4.4.2, Android 4.4.4, Android 5.0, Android 5.0.1, Android 5.1.1 and Android 6.0.1.

Therefore, it is important if you are seeking help or are offering advice, to know the precise model and firmware that a device is running as there is the potential to, "brick", (render unusable), a phone with incorrect information.


#1.2. Your MODEL

To locate your model version, go to...

Settings > More > About device > Model number

This will give you the model of Samsung Galaxy S5 that you have.

Now that you know your Galaxy S5 model number, lets see what it means...


#1.3. International models

SM-G900F
This is the 4G/LTE, quad core, phone with around 200 different firmwares for non carrier branded and lightly, (0, 1, 2 or 3 removable apps and possibly a boot screen), carrier branded. This phone, along with the, "H", model below can be considered as Samsung's benchmark handsets since the hardware can not only run the Android firmware with Samsung's TouchWiz overlay and apps but also the limited carrier branding. So called, "bugfix", and security updates for these unbranded models is therefore very easy for Samsung to release and can be as often as every 4-8 weeks. Because there is the option of unbranded firmware models, carriers tend to try and keep abreast of the updates sent to them by Samsung.

U.K., Spain, Poland, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Papua New Guinea, Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Montenegro, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Greece, Croatia, Czech Republic, Portugal, Baltic Countries, France, Uzbekistan, Ireland, Singapore, Philippines, Italy, South America, Nordic Countries, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, South East Europe, Hong Kong, Switzerland, New Zealand, Cyprus, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Israel, Kazakhstan, Albania, Belgium, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Venezuela, Iraq, Romania, Hungary, etc:


SM-G900H
This is the budget, non 4G/LTE, octa core variant of the above and has around 70+ different firmware versions, based on location, branded or unbranded and network. Like the, "F", model, this can be considered as a benchmark phone for Samsung in that it offers both unbranded and lightly carrier branded firmwares that the hardware is designed to handle. So-called, "bugfix", and security updates on this model tend to be less frequent than the, "F", variant.

Argentina, Trinidad & Tobago, Paraguay, Russia, South Africa, Israel, Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, Uruguay, Kenya, Jamaica, Guatemala, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tunisia, Algeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Egypt, Afghanistan,


#1.4. Regional models

Hardware and firmware on these models can differ from the International models for technical, political or legal reasons. Based on the G900F firmware, these models offer both unbranded, (except for Canada), and carrier branded firmwares and, "bugfix", and security updates can vary by model and carrier.

SM-G900FD
"Duos", dual sim. Middle East, U.A.E., Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Caucasus Countries, Uzbekistan, Russia, Israel. Both branded and unbranded.

SM-G900I
Covers Australia, India, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand and has about 10 firmwares, both branded and unbranded for this model.

SM-G900M
Covers South America, Uruguay, Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina, Guatemala, Panama, Mexico and Chile. Both branded and unbranded.

SM-G900MD
Brazil unbranded and branded

SM-G900W8
Canadian, (all branded), and Puerto Rican variant of the Galaxy S5. There are around 13 different firmwares for this model. Carriers include, Videotron, GlobalAlive Wind, Virgin (Canada), Koodoo, SaskTel, Fido, EastLink, MobilCity, Rogers, Telus and Bell.

SM-G9009W
China unbranded.


#1.5. Carrier minority variants

These are carrier branded minority models. Hardware can differ from the International models and firmware is governed by each carrier with branding and modifications to Samsung's original TouchWiz firmware. This carrier branding can vary between medium or heavy, depending on the carrier and although Samsung pass on all their, "bugfix", and security updates to these carriers, it is down to each carrier whether to spend the time and money to make the modifications and return it to Samsung for release. You may also see issues that are only relevant to a certain model and not applicable to all phones.

WARNING! If a poster on these models declares they are running a, "stock", app, it may only apply to that model and not to all Samsung TouchWiz firmwares generally.

China

SM-9008V = China Mobile

SM-G9006V = China Mobile (WCDMA network)

SM-G9009D = China Telecom (CDMA/EV-DO version)

SM-G9006W = China Unicom (Dual sim)

SM-9008W = China Mobile


Japan

SM-G900J a.k.a SCL23 = au KDDI

SC-04F = NTT Docomo


Korea

SM-G900K = KT

SM-G900L = LG Uplus

SM-G900S = SK Telecom


Turkey

SM-G900FQ = La Fleur


U.S.A.

SM-G900R4 = US Cellular

SM-G900AZ = Cricket

SM-G900P = Sprint

SM-G900T = T-Mobile (U.S.A. only)

SM-G900T1 = Metro PCS (T-Mobile U.S.A.)

SM-G900T3 = T-Mobile (U.S.A. only)

SM-G900R6 = Bluegrass Cellular

SM-G900R7 = C Spire


#1.6. Non Samsung firmware models

These models are hybrid, carrier customised, minority variants. Whilst Samsung supply the handsets and the basic TouchWiz firmware details, these carriers then set about heavily adapting that stock firmware to fit in with their eco-system by adding more apps, (25+), to elicit extra revenue and thus reducing their phones storage by around 1.5GB, as well as numerous Android system modifications, (locked bootloaders that now do not permit downgrading of firmware back to KitKat or rooting * and forced firmware updates for instance), to Samsung's original TouchWiz firmware and as such, can be considered as, "clone", firmwares. Also, unlike all the preceding models, these phones are not updated through Samsung but modified and released directly by the carriers themselves. Therefore, any firmware issues on these models, should be addressed directly to the carrier and not Samsung. These models are not usually updated via Samsung's PC Suites, Kies or Smart Switch, and you need to be registered on the carriers networks to receive their OTA updates. These modifications therefore render them totally unsuitable for use on other carriers networks. Whilst the carriers receive all the, "bugfix", and security updates from Samsung as other models, it is up to these individual carriers whether to spend the not inconsiderable time, (around 2 months), and money on incorporating all their modifications and releasing them. Consequently, these tend to receive far fewer, "bugfix", and firmware updates than other models. You will also see issues that are only relevant to these models and not applicable to all phones.

WARNING! If a poster on these models declares they are running a, "stock", app, it may only apply to that model and not to all Samsung TouchWiz firmwares generally.

U.S.A.

SM-G900A = AT&T

SM-G900V = Verizon

(* A rooting exploit may be available for the G900V, here)


#1.7. Other Galaxy S5 forums on Android Forums are:-

Galaxy S5 Active
SM-G870A

SM-G870D

SM-G870F

Galaxy S5 Mini
SM-G800F

SM-G800H

Galaxy S5 Sport
SM-860P

Galaxy S5 Plus
SM-G901F

Galaxy S5 Prime
SM-G906L

SM-G906K

SM-G906S

Galaxy S5 Neo
SM-G903F

SM-G903W (Canada)


#1.8. Your FIRMWARE

To locate your current firmware version, (not baseband/modem), go to the dial pad and type in...

*#1234#

This will give you your, "Version", details in full, usually 3 lines of information which are all relevant. The important one to note in this case is the first, "AP:", (a.k.a PDA), detail. This is important because, as previously mentioned, some models have had a number of updates and improvements to their original firmware.***

Example:-
AP: G900FXXU1BOA3 (Model Build no: see #1.9 )
CP: G900FXXU1BOA2 (Model Baseband/modem/radio build may not always match Build no: above)
CSC: G900FOXA1BOA4 (Model CSC code Build)

*** If code *#1234# has been disabled on your firmware, you can download and install, free from the Play Store, Phone Info and it will give you, under FIRMWARE... PDA, Baseband, CSC, versions. This app also has the advantage of showing your phone's PRODUCT CODE, (the last 3 digits are the code), which can be useful if there is more than one firmware for your CSC code.

The CSC, (Customer Software Customisation), code, which dictates the customisations for your location/region/carrier. The 3 letter code comes directly after the model version shown in #1.2 above.

Therefore, it is always useful to ascertain the model of phone and firmware as some problems may only occur with certain models or versions of firmware and may not apply across the board to all Samsung Galaxy S5 models and firmwares. Also, a firmware update may have been released that corrects a problem.

Tip: It is a good idea to make a note of your full firmware details in case you ever need to manually re-install your firmware without voiding your warranty.

#1.9. Samsung releases are categorised as follows:-

P = Year = 2016 (16th letter of alphabet)

E = Month of year (May in this case, 5th letter of the alphabet)

A = Build of that month (10th for, "A", as they start 1-9 first, before letters)


#1.10. Your device's current firmware version is not supported to update firmware via Kies or OTA

This indicates a mismatch with your CSC, (Consumer Software Customisation) code, see #1.8 to obtain this. This can happen for a number of reasons.

You will not be able to receive an update via Kies/Smart Switch, the Samsung PC Suites, or OTA, (Over The Air), if you are rooted, on a custom ROM, had your phone unlocked, (in some instances), or have flashed a stock Samsung firmware with a different CSC code not originally intended for your phone, and may receive the message,"YOUR DEVICE'S CURRENT FIRMWARE VERSION IS NOT SUPPORTED TO UPDATE FIRMWARE VIA KIES" or "YOUR DEVICE DOES NOT SUPPORT SOFTWARE UPGRADING VIA KIES", depending on your version of Kies .

It has also emerged that sometimes vendors have been flashing phones with a different stock Samsung firmware prior to sale in an attempt to sell to a wider market and therefore upgrades via Kies/Smart Switch or OTA are not possible. There are also reports that people who have had their phones repaired at a Service Point and re-flashed with different firmware are unable to receive updates via Kies or Smart Switch or OTA.

Provided that your phone has never been rooted, unlocked, flashed or altered by you in any way, then the best advice is to take it to a Samsung Service Point and ask them to update the firmware for you.

#1.11. Alternatively, if available for your phone model number, you can download a stock Samsung firmware of your choice and flash this via a PC suite called Odin3 v3.12.3.

Warning: This is for competent users and could void your warranty by flashing any firmware other than that intended for your original CSC and Product codes, see #1.8 above, as well as preventing future updates through Kies/Smart Switch or Over The Air, (OTA).
.

#1.12. TIP

If you are a poster it is a good idea to mention your model number and firmware version in case this has a bearing on your problem.

Better still, if you have 25+ posts to your name, you can go to the black bar at the top of this forum and click on your Username, which will show a drop down menu. Just select, "Signature", and you can enter in the signature box the details of your phone, i.e. - "Galaxy S5 G900F".This ensures that your device details are shown in every post you make. You can update this as often as you like and will help other users immediately identify your phone and firmware.

See, also...
Lollipop Update Problems - Dummies Guide
GPS fix S5 - Dummies Guide
Galaxy S5, Fake Clone or Genuine - Dummies Guide
Galaxy S5 Lollipop User Manuals


E&OE This guide is written solely for, and on behalf of, Android Forums and may not be reproduced, in part or whole, without permission.

 

[ironass]

My favourite poster is the one with a specific model or firmware related question and does not include any of the information in post #1 and requires a lengthy Q&A session before their query can be addressed. Therefore, to save time and trouble, I now have a stock reply for this, as follows in the next post. Feel free to copy and paste or refer to it, if needed...

 

[ironass]

Thank you for your post.

There are currently 42 different models of the Samsung Galaxy S5 and over 4,000 different stock Samsung firmware versions, worldwide, covering 7 different Android platforms, Android 4.4.2, Android 4.4.4, Android 5.0, Android 5.0.1, Android 5.0.2, Android 5.1.1 and Android 6.0.1. Not all issues will affect all models or firmware releases and your answers to the following questions will help in the forum's answers to your specific query.

#1. Could you post your Model number and Android version...

To locate these, go to...

Settings > More > About device > Model number and Android version

This will give you the model of Samsung Galaxy S5 that you have and which Android version you are on.


#2. Your current Firmware, (not just Baseband), version .

To locate your current firmware version, go to the stock, Samsung, dial pad and type in...

*#1234#

This will give you your, "Version", details in full, usually 3 lines of information, AP: CP: CSC:, which may all be relevant.

*** If code *#1234# has been disabled on your firmware, you can download and install, free from the Play Store, Phone Info and it will give you, under Firmware... PDA, CSC and Baseband, versions as well as your Product code under the CSC CODE heading.


#3. Also helpful would be your carrier, (service provider), location, (UK, India, Russia, USA, etc: ), and if your phone is rooted or not and running a custom ROM, (give details).


Thanks. The above helps us to help you and hopefully someone will be able to reply to you shortly.


For more information, see, 42 Galaxy S5 models - Dummies Guide

(TIP If you are a poster it is a good idea to mention your model number and firmware version in case this has a bearing on your problem.

Better still, if you have 25+ posts to your name, you can go to the black bar at the top of this forum and click on your Username, which will show a drop down menu. Just select, "Signature", and you can enter in the signature box the details of your phone, i.e. - "Galaxy S5 G900F".This ensures that your device details are shown in every post you make. You can update this as often as you like and will help other users immediately identify your phone and firmware.)

 

[mikedt]

As there's some very useful information here that will benefit many, I've made this an S5 forum sticky.

 

[ironass]

Yet another model added to the list, taking it to 34 models, so far.

At this rate there will be a model of S5 specifically for the Ruritanian Underwater Yak Strangling Team!

 

[mikedt]

^^^
LOL

There's five variants of the S5 just for China, not including HK. No other manufacturer has managed to achieve that AFAIK. We only have three carriers here, no MVNOs. The SM-G9009D is a CDMA/EV-DO version for China Telecom. "Anycall" is a brand that Samsung sometimes uses in China, as an alternative to "Samsung". The China Mobile versions have TD-SCDMA 3G, which is unique to that carrier.

Oppo only makes four versions of the Find 7 for the whole world, two for China, one for the Americas, and one for everyone else.

EDIT:

The main difference for the Chinese models, is that they don't have GMS(Google Mobile Services) on them, i.e. no Google Play etc.

 

[ironass]

^^^
LOL

There's five variants of the S5 just for China, not including HK. No other manufacturer has managed to achieve that AFAIK. We only have three carriers here, no MVNOs. The SM-G9009D is a CDMA/EV-DO version for China Telecom. "Anycall" is a brand that Samsung sometimes uses in China, as an alternative to "Samsung". The China Mobile versions have TD-SCDMA 3G, which is unique to that carrier.

Oppo only makes four versions of the Find 7 for the whole world, two for China, one for the Americas, and one for everyone else.

Thanks for the heads-up on the SM-G900D model, mikedt. I had a devils own job in tracking down the various differences and carriers for China. One question... like Canada, Korea and the USA, I could not find any unbranded handsets available for China... is that the case? In most other countries of the world, unbranded handsets are available so that customers can select one and then choose a carrier. This means that there is little, or no, incentive for carriers to plonk on the huge amounts of, "bloatware", and make the modifications and add-ons, that we see in areas where no unbranded handsets are allowed. It also means that because there is very little branding on these carrier handsets, if at all, they can receive quicker and faster, "bugfix", updates. For instance, the heavily branded and modified SM-G900A for AT&T has only ever had the old NCE firmware, (March 2014), it was launched with whilst the International, unbranded, SM-G900F for Russia has had no less than 9 firmware releases on Android 4.4.2, alone and is now on NK4, (Nov: 2014), firmware release.

The equation seems to be... the more heavily modified the phone = far fewer updates = more complaints on the forum.

 

[mikedt]

The situation in China is, while the carriers do sell their own branded versions of the S5, like China Unicom, which often have their branding stamped on them, as well as customized firmware and carrier bloat. Even if you're not buying from a carrier and buying from an independent, you have to chose the particular S5 that suits your carrier's network technology. Branded and customized S5s supplied by the carriers are not subsidized, locked or subject to contracts in any way. Unlike in the US, UK, etc.

China Mobile is GSM/EDGE, TD-SCDMA 3G, TD-LTE
China Unicom is GSM/EDGE, WCDMA 3G, TD-LTE, FD-LTE
China Telecom is CDMA, EV-DO 3G, TD-LTE, FD-LTE

LTE 4G in China is still very regional, mainly prefecture level cities only so far. Xilinhot where I am, only got LTE service from China Mobile 9 months ago.

So for example you chose the non-carrier SM-G9009W WCDMA, FD-LTE model, and try and use it with a China Mobile SIM you'll only get GSM/EDGE 2G service with it, and on China Telecom, likely get no service at all.Which means is pretty much limited to China Unicom, if you want 3G or 4G.

TD-SCDMA is unique to China and China Mobile, and basically it was invented to avoid licensing costs and patent fees to western companies for their 3G technologies. China Mobile(government owned) is by far the largest carrier with most subscribers, in fact the largest carrier in the world.

It's not just the S5, most of the time when you're buying a phone, you either chose the TD-SCDMA or the WCDMA variant. And if you need CDMA/EV-DO you usually have to buy it from China Telecom. People for a long time where using Samsungs, iPhones, LGs with 2G EDGE only on China Mobile, because those companies just didn't make TD-SCDMA models until fairly recently.

 

[ironass]

Thank for clarifying the situation mikedt.

So, there is an unbranded carrier model available for China, the SM-G9009W, even if it is limited on which networks it can use?

 

[mikedt]

Yes there is, the G9009W, I'm certain it's similar to the G900F quad-core, which is the unbranded, non-carrier, international model. Which is sold in Europe and SE Asia. Main difference is the firmware, one has Google, the other does not, it has Chinese apps and services instead, like Baidu and Tencent. As well as Samsung's own stuff, like their app store, S-voice etc.

Can use it on China Mobile, but will only have EDGE 2G service with it. I know a few of people with Samsung S4s and iPhones, and they're using them EDGE 2G only, and those phones were not supplied by China Mobile. China Mobile is the cheapest network to use, Unicom is comparatively expensive.

 

[terry42]

thanks for this info ironass, very useful and duly noted for future postings. Luckily in Australia we don't have carrier branding and can buy a phone from any retailer and then select a carrier. Makes life a lot easier as far as updates and commonality goes.

 

[ironass]

Luckily in Australia we don't have carrier branding and can buy a phone from any retailer and then select a carrier. Makes life a lot easier as far as updates and commonality goes.

I am afraid that Australia does indeed have carrier branded firmware on the SM-G900i models. Apart from the unbranded firmware, CSC code XSA, there is...

Vodafone = VAU
Telstra = TEL
Optus = OPS

 

[terry42]

oh ok thanks. didn't know that and thankfully I'm not with any of those carriers. Well not directly, my carrier uses the Optus network but my phone is not branded.

 

[ironass]

Updated post #1 to show the SM-9008W, China Mobile, (not to be confused with the SM-900W8 for Canada and Puerto Rica), model.

Now, 35 models... and counting!

 

[volimte21]

Updated post #1 to show the SM-9008W, China Mobile, (not to be confused with the SM-900W8 for Canada and Puerto Rica), model.

Now, 35 models... and counting!

that means is a great phone (ha ha ha ) keep on counting for us you always made me laugh

awesome thread BTW!

 

[ironass]

Now 36 models. Added the SM-G906S QHD LTE-A model for Korea.

Back to 35. The above phone is the S5 Prime. (plot... lost it!)

 

[Steven2610]

Very good information thanks.
I just updates my s5 to lollipop 5.0
With odin... Because my carrier said there was a problem...
So i took an official firmware from poland. No problems at all. Works fine!
Even when i go check for updates it gives no error message... Only that it is the latest version... So will i get updates ota? I have a sm900f from belgium (PRO)

 

[ironass]

Very good information thanks.
I just updates my s5 to lollipop 5.0
With odin... Because my carrier said there was a problem...
So i took an official firmware from poland. No problems at all. Works fine!
Even when i go check for updates it gives no error message... Only that it is the latest version... So will i get updates ota? I have a sm900f from belgium (PRO)

I'm afraid that Lollipop has not yet been released for CSC code PRO, Proximus-Belgium.

However, flashing the stock, unbranded Samsung firmware for Poland, CSC code XEO, will void your warranty and prevent future updates via OTA and Kies. See #1.11 above.

 

[Steven2610]

Ok thanks if the update is online can i change back tot(PRO) ? And will i get the updates then back again?
Thanks

 

[Steven2610]

If i connect it kies3 this is what its saying look picture... I thought it would give an error message or somerhing... Even on my phone when i search for an update it all works fine no error message... Is this normal?

 

[ironass]

If i connect it kies3 this is what its saying look picture... I thought it would give an error message or somerhing... Even on my phone when i search for an update it all works fine no error message... Is this normal?

Sorry, my Flemish is a bit rusty.

Since you are up to date on both the Polish XEO and the Belgian PRO firmware, I would not expect a problem until there is an update for one or the other.

 

[ironass]

Updated to 37 different Galaxy S5 models with the addition of the SM-G900J a.k.a. SCL23 Galaxy S5 specifically for the Japanese network au KDDI.

SCL23 spec's

and the SC-04F for NTT Docomo, Japan.

SC-04F spec's

Stupid me!

How could I have possibly missed those?

 

[ironass]

Updated thread title to 40 models with the addition of the 3 Korean LTE-A carrier variants...

SM-G906K = KT QHD LTE-A

SM-G906L = LG Plus QHD LTE-A

SM-G906S = SK Telecom QHD LTE-A

So, now if someone doesn't include any details about their phone or firmware, you have a 1 in 40 chance of guessing the correct phone and less than a 1 in 3,000 chance of guessing the correct firmware!

 

[ironass]

Updated post #1 to reflect the first releases of Android 5.0.1.

 

[Jer Yit]

I want to ask that can I install a stock rom with different baseband version on my galaxy s5.
Now my phone's baseband version is G900FXXU1ANG8. So, can I use a stock rom with version G900FDXU1BOA2???
I'm new here and I'm not sure whether my question is related to this topic or not , if not sorry for the inconvenience.