Samsung: Difference between revisions
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====Bootloader unlocking==== | ====Bootloader unlocking==== | ||
Unlocking the bootloader of an | [https://consumerrights.wiki/Bootloader_unlocking Unlocking the bootloader] of an Android device allows tech-savvy users to install a custom [https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom Android ROM], which replaces the whole system of the device.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Aug 2025 |title=Custom firmware |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custom_firmware#Android |access-date=17 Aug 2025 |website=Wikipedia |publisher=Wikipedia contributors}}</ref> Many Samsung mobile devices outside the US and Canada can have their bootloader unlocked by various means, but this feature comes with many restrictions:<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/androidroot/comments/1g2xhd9/unlock_bootloader_for_newer_samsung_devices_in/</ref> | ||
*When the bootloader is unlocked, Samsung devices have their KNOX fuse tripped, which voids the warranty and restricts access to apps such as: Secure Folder, Samsung | *When the bootloader is unlocked, Samsung devices have their KNOX fuse tripped, which voids the warranty and restricts access to apps such as: [https://www.samsungknox.com/en/solutions/personal-apps/secure-folder Secure Folder], [https://www.samsung.com/us/apps/samsung-wallet/ Samsung Wallet], [https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/samsung-pass Samsung Pass] and [https://www.samsung.com/us/apps/samsung-health/ Samsung Health]. These restrictions apply even after relocking the bootloader, meaning that gaining control over your own device requires you to give away some of the functionality you paid for and possibly hurting its aftermarket value.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 Mar 2025 |title=Trusted Computing Platform |url=https://docs.samsungknox.com/admin/fundamentals/whitepaper/samsung-knox-mobile-security/security-principles/trusted-computing-platform/ |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=Samsung Knox Documentation}}</ref> | ||
*In some instances, Samsung has sold devices capable of bootloader unlocking, but further restricted it with an update. This happened with the Galaxy Tab A 2019 (SM-T290), which had an update to its bootloader that restricted both the ability to flash new firmware and to downgrade to an older, working firmware,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Install LineageOS on Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) |url=https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gtowifi/install/#special-requirements |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=LineageOS Wiki}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/LineageOS/comments/119nz5t/bootloader_version_not_compatible_with/jabng43/?context=3</ref> therefore restricting users to the sluggish One UI which runs notoriously bad on this device.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 Nov 2022 |title=Why is my device so slow |url=https://it.ifixit.com/Risposte/Visualizza/756811/Why+is+my+device+so+slow |url-status=live |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=iFixit}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/17v87gh/how_can_i_speed_up_samsung_galaxy_tab_a_2019/</ref> | *In some instances, Samsung has sold devices capable of bootloader unlocking, but further restricted it with an update. This happened with the Galaxy Tab A 2019 (SM-T290), which had an update to its bootloader that restricted both the ability to flash new firmware and to downgrade to an older, working firmware,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Install LineageOS on Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) |url=https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gtowifi/install/#special-requirements |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=LineageOS Wiki}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/LineageOS/comments/119nz5t/bootloader_version_not_compatible_with/jabng43/?context=3</ref> therefore restricting users to the sluggish One UI which runs notoriously bad on this device.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 Nov 2022 |title=Why is my device so slow |url=https://it.ifixit.com/Risposte/Visualizza/756811/Why+is+my+device+so+slow |url-status=live |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=iFixit}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/17v87gh/how_can_i_speed_up_samsung_galaxy_tab_a_2019/</ref> | ||
*Devices that have shipped with OneUI 8 stable (which includes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7) or that will be updated to OneUI 8 stable already had or will have their bootloader unlocking mechanisms removed, even if the device was purchased outside of the US and Canada. This makes it impossible to downgrade or flash a new OS.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-26 |title=Bootloader unlocking option removed from One UI 8.0 |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/bootloader-unlocking-option-removed-from-one-ui-8-0.4751904/ |url-status=live |website=XDA developers}}</ref> | |||
*<!-- add a link to an internal article about Google Play services custom roms/ rooting / unlocking bootloaders | *<!-- add a link to an internal article about Google Play services custom roms/ rooting / unlocking bootloaders | ||
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{{Main|Samsung self-repair program restrictions}} | {{Main|Samsung self-repair program restrictions}} | ||
The terms of use provided to independent repair shop in exchange for parts has intrusive clauses regarding customer data and reporting of third party components, which suggests forced disassembly when those components are used. The pricing structure of Samsung's self-repair program frequently makes repairs economically impractical. The high costs of official replacement parts, coupled with forced bundling of components, mean that purchasing a single replacement part is often more expensive than buying a working used device. Additionally, Samsung's repair program imposes severe limitations on independent repair shops, effectively preventing them from providing cost-effective, high-quality repair options. | The terms of use provided to independent repair shop in exchange for parts has intrusive clauses regarding customer data and reporting of third party components, which suggests forced disassembly when those components are used. The pricing structure of Samsung's self-repair program frequently makes repairs economically impractical. The high costs of official replacement parts, coupled with forced bundling of components, mean that purchasing a single replacement part is often more expensive than buying a working used device. Additionally, Samsung's repair program imposes severe limitations on independent repair shops, effectively preventing them from providing cost-effective, high-quality repair options. | ||
===Samsung sued over S22 performance throttling=== | |||
{{Main|Samsung sued over S22 performance throttle}} | |||
In 2022, with the launch of their S22 line, it was discovered that Samsung's phones were thermal throttling while performing regular tasks. This was due to Samsung's Gaming Operation Service (GOS) software causing the phone to perform worse than expected across 10,000 different games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simons |first=Hadlee |date=2022-03-09 |title=Samsung answers questions about throttling in Galaxy S22 and other flagships |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-gos-faq-3130847/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/qS6pQ |archive-date=2025-08-21 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Android Authority}}</ref> Citizens of South Korea filed a class-action lawsuit against Samsung on the basis of these claims and the court ultimately ruled in favor of Samsung.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-12 |title='Controversy over performance' Galaxy S22 joint lawsuit, first trial Samsung Electronics wins (total) |url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250612056051004?section=search |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/okN3n |archive-date=2025-08-21 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Yonhap News}}</ref> | |||
==Products== | ==Products== | ||