Samsung: Difference between revisions - Consumer_Action

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https://valkyrie.cdn.ifixit.com/media/2023/01/30193712/Repair-Coalition-Letter-for-FTC-Energy-Guide-Ruling-ANPR-R611004.pdf</ref>

* Repair manuals surveyed repair professionals where able to acquire from manufactures including Samsung: "Even when they get access to those manuals, technicians sometimes don’t find the information they need. Repair manuals are often lacking fault codes and schematic diagrams needed to complete repairs." <ref name=":6" />

==== Bootloader unlocking ====

Unlocking the bootloader of a device is an essential way to take back control of your own property and modify it to your liking. Many Samsung phones and tablets can have their bootloader unlockable, but this essential feature comes with many restrictions:

* Most devices sold in the US and Canada have no way of bootloader unlocking whatsoever, restricting user choice and freedom. <ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/androidroot/comments/1g2xhd9/unlock_bootloader_for_newer_samsung_devices_in/</ref>

* When bootloader unlocked, Samsung devices have their KNOX fuse tripped, which voids warranty and restricts access to apps such as the Secure Folder, Samsung Pay, Samsung Pass and 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>https://docs.samsungknox.com/admin/fundamentals/whitepaper/samsung-knox-for-android/core-platform-security/root-of-trust/#:~:text=The%20purpose%20of%20the%20Knox,feature%20like%20SELinux%20is%20disabled</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>https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gtowifi/install/#special-requirements</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 in this device<ref>https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/756811/Why+is+my+device+so+slow</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/17v87gh/how_can_i_speed_up_samsung_galaxy_tab_a_2019/</ref>.

== References ==

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 https://valkyrie.cdn.ifixit.com/media/2023/01/30193712/Repair-Coalition-Letter-for-FTC-Energy-Guide-Ruling-ANPR-R611004.pdf</ref>
 * Repair manuals surveyed repair professionals where able to acquire from manufactures including Samsung: "Even when they get access to those manuals, technicians sometimes don’t find the information they need. Repair manuals are often lacking fault codes and schematic diagrams needed to complete repairs." <ref name=":6" />
+==== Bootloader unlocking ====
+Unlocking the bootloader of a device is an essential way to take back control of your own property and modify it to your liking. Many Samsung phones and tablets can have their bootloader unlockable, but this essential feature comes with many restrictions:
+* Most devices sold in the US and Canada have no way of bootloader unlocking whatsoever, restricting user choice and freedom. <ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/androidroot/comments/1g2xhd9/unlock_bootloader_for_newer_samsung_devices_in/</ref>
+* When bootloader unlocked, Samsung devices have their KNOX fuse tripped, which voids warranty and restricts access to apps such as the Secure Folder, Samsung Pay, Samsung Pass and 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>https://docs.samsungknox.com/admin/fundamentals/whitepaper/samsung-knox-for-android/core-platform-security/root-of-trust/#:~:text=The%20purpose%20of%20the%20Knox,feature%20like%20SELinux%20is%20disabled</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>https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gtowifi/install/#special-requirements</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 in this device<ref>https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/756811/Why+is+my+device+so+slow</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/17v87gh/how_can_i_speed_up_samsung_galaxy_tab_a_2019/</ref>.
 == References ==