Was the article that the S7 will lock to the first Sim inserted true? - Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers

http://www.sammobile.com/2016/02/25...-will-carrier-lock-to-the-first-inserted-sim/
I know some t-mobile customers already have devices in hand (or will be getting it within a few days). Has anyone checked if the above article is true? Would be awesome to know for all US who aren't on T-mo or any major carrier (I'm on Cricket, No preorders, and no edge listed so far.)
Would be awesome to preorder the ATT version from a place like target, get those preorder bonuses (target has $100 GC + standard 5% off for target card members, so its probably the cheapest place to get it), and then use it on Cricket.
Note: This is primarily meant for US carriers and devices. not other countries, which has different laws and networks.

Yes I'm also wondering how this will work. When I spoke to sales team at CPW they said it would be completely unlocked but knew nothing about the so called locking feature which may happen to us. Uk

Good question, I'm surprised no one has posted the answer yet considering how many people are getting them.
I'm on cricket as well, and planning to get the tmobile s7 due to the unlocked bootloader (at&t is bootloader locked)... It would be nice not to have to pay some company to remotely Sim unlock it

I would like to know too. Thank you!

I'd also like to know whether the phone will download carrier software specific everytime a different SIM is inserted

Im buying mine from samsung direct so id be annoyed if they have the sim region lock in place. im sure they are selling it unlocked and this sim lock is carrier requested.

sonhy said:
Im buying mine from samsung direct so id be annoyed if they have the sim region lock in place. im sure they are selling it unlocked and this sim lock is carrier requested.
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Are you in canada? If so there is a sim lock when you put in your sim, but you're given an unlock code with the phone if you get it from a samsung store.

no not canada, well thats good to hear about unlock code, as said im pretty sure the sim lock is only for carrier bought gs7 phones.

Work for a carrier: it will lock upon first sim. If you put in a sim after initial Set up it wipes and reboots. Unlock codes are available like any other phone

CPW never lock their android phones. This feature is for carriers to lock if they want and helps Sammy to sell phones to multiple suppliers using the same SKU code rather than different variants. Anyone buying sim free won't have to worry about this and I'm 99℅ sure shops like cpw won't use this. Buying from an operator however is a different story
Sent from my XT1580 using Tapatalk

Seems like this SIM lock applies to carrier phones only and not Global/International aka Unlocked.

My guess is they do this so Samsung can provide everyone with the same standard S7 model to save hassle on carrier specific phones that are locked from the factory so the carrier can pick up any S7 and provide the sim that then locks to that network.

False.. i have 2 phones.. i just got my S7 and i have an iPhone as well ... just switched the sims and works fine...

bradbutter said:
False.. i have 2 phones.. i just got my S7 and i have an iPhone as well ... just switched the sims and works fine...
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Cool thanks for reporting.

bradbutter said:
False.. i have 2 phones.. i just got my S7 and i have an iPhone as well ... just switched the sims and works fine...
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I dont understand what you are saying...if you stuck a tmobile sim from your iphone and stuck it in your tmobile s7, its still possibly carrier locked to tmobile.
we want to know if you stick a cricket or at&t in your tmobile s7 first, will it lock to those carriers even though your on tmobile or will it require a remote unlock

I'd be curious to know that if id DOES lock, would a ODIN/reflash of stock reset it?

I would love it buying a AT&T version would work on Verizon or T-Mobile.
All this of course with the phone having access to all bands set on initial carrier SIM card boot up.

Is it possible to just flash a different version's os? Example, could i just flash the t-mo fw onto an att phone?

el7145 said:
I dont understand what you are saying...if you stuck a tmobile sim from your iphone and stuck it in your tmobile s7, its still possibly carrier locked to tmobile.
we want to know if you stick a cricket or at&t in your tmobile s7 first, will it lock to those carriers even though your on tmobile or will it require a remote unlock
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Oh well yeah in that case I'm not sure because I know my phone should be locked to T-Mobile from the start unless I pay it off in full. I highly doubt if I would have put a non T-Mobile Sim in it first that it would of even got service. You would have to ask someone with an unlocked device if another sim works because most devices from carriers are locked from the start.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

bradbutter said:
Oh well yeah in that case I'm not sure because I know my phone should be locked to T-Mobile from the start unless I pay it off in full. I highly doubt if I would have put a non T-Mobile Sim in it first that it would of even got service. You would have to ask someone with an unlocked device if another sim works because most devices from carriers are locked from the start.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
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Best answer here. I'm not sure what the confusion is here. A phone from T Mobile IS locked to T Mobile unless one removes the carrier lock. Its always been this way (sans int. phones). The carrier unlock app is in the S7 as well and by law all US carriers must provide the unlock if requested by a customer.
So if the OP buys an S7 outright then they can request and will receive the unlock for the phone. Otherwise its business as usual.

Related

Verizon

So are all verizon Rhodium phones CDMA with GSM only when out of country?
Which meaning at the moment have no HARD-spl and are able to flash?
I've added some custom apps to my phone which is from verizon and is not flashed. So i was just curious.
Thanks,
Alfredo
SlashX1896 said:
So are all verizon Rhodium phones CDMA with GSM only when out of country?
Which meaning at the moment have no HARD-spl and are able to flash?
I've added some custom apps to my phone which is from verizon and is not flashed. So i was just curious.
Thanks,
Alfredo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you call Verizon (and have their service for awhile, in good standing) they will guide you to unlocking the SIM slot 'for use outside of the country'. Once unlocked, it will work with TMobile, AT&T and any other GSM provider in the US that doesn't do IMEI checking, or that allow the TP2 on their network, in which IMEI checking wouldn't be a problem.
Anyways, get the unlock code for your device (specific to your device) from Verizon, scroll to SETTINGS on the homescreen, click ALL SETTINGS, click PERSONAL, click SECURITY and enter the unlock code they gave you and your phone will SIM unlock itself.
As for Hard-SPL, I haven't seen anything about it yet.. but I haven't been searching, since the phone already does what I'd like it to with simple cab installs.
I hope this helps!
-mak
Yeah ive had verizon for a good amount of years now. So i might give that a try. and yeah. I agree about hard SPL.
Are there any other advantages to unlocking the sim card other then being able to change services?
I am still new with all this, and unaware the advantages of unlocking the SIM card.
Curious for In Country and Out of country.
Like what are benefits of it while still in the states?
and what are the benefits if i go to canada? does this mean i don't have to pay extra for the plan while in canada to make phonecalls/texts/data?
.mak said:
Anyways, get the unlock code for your device (specific to your device) from Verizon, scroll to SETTINGS on the homescreen, click ALL SETTINGS, click PERSONAL, click SECURITY and enter the unlock code they gave you and your phone will SIM unlock itself.
-mak
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I believe you may be incorrect on that, check this out, I have yet to verify this my self but from what I have read here and other places the GSM will be unlocked for use overseas. This way you can use another country's SIM card instead of Verizon's SIM (expensive rates) while overseas for an extended period of time.
There are now several threads in several forums about this.
What people often leave out when they talk about what their phone can do is what carrier they have it on.
With Verizon, when you SIM Unlock the phone you can toss in any SIM and it'll work. I personally have a UK SIM and works fine in the US on my Verizon TP2 unlocked. Others have reported using TMobile (US) or AT&T (US) SIM's just fine in their Verizon TP2's after unlocking.
Sprint TP2's come unlocked but will NOT register at all on US carriers (even with a foreign SIM).
--Chris
Oh so i have to somehow get a hold of another sim card?
nowwww i get it.
so unless i plan on actually going out of country there really is no point in unlocking my phone.
SlashX1896 said:
Oh so i have to somehow get a hold of another sim card?
nowwww i get it.
so unless i plan on actually going out of country there really is no point in unlocking my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I unlocked mine, just in case I ever decide to leave Verizon to go to Tmobile or AT&T (yeah, right lol).. or for when I upgrade, it makes it more universal when it comes time to sell it.
It costs you nothing if you're a Verizon customer in good standing, I'd unlock it just in case
-mak
Yeah good point. I was more curious on flashing purposes, but TBH i have no use to flash it. Though once the markeplace comes out, im assuming its going to be like the iphones appstore? and hoping in time we find ways to "jailbreak" or something to get them free, thats always fun lol.
Now i do travel to canada a lot. But unlocking it has no use unless i actually pay for the plan and a sim card? I know verizon offers a plan for it, but i dont got that much to where il pay extra for the plan was just curious.
SlashX1896 said:
Now i do travel to canada a lot. But unlocking it has no use unless i actually pay for the plan and a sim card? I know verizon offers a plan for it, but i dont got that much to where il pay extra for the plan was just curious.
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some folks over at PPCGeeks pointed out that in some situations, it might be cheaper to just buy a prepaid sim card when traveling abroad, as the prepaid cards could prove to be a cheaper alternative to verizon's international roaming rates through verizon's sim card, included with the Rhodium.
Alright, thanks i'll look into that.
the problem with going to canada is the sim card has nothing to do with their network. it is still CDMA in canada and while you may have an unlocked phone and different sim card, verizons network will still pick up your phone and charge you accordingly.
gt3dan said:
the problem with going to canada is the sim card has nothing to do with their network. it is still CDMA in canada and while you may have an unlocked phone and different sim card, verizons network will still pick up your phone and charge you accordingly.
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If you have an unlocked phone and a different SIM card in, if you set it to GSM mode Verizon won't/can't charge you for using it in Canada.
Hope thatyour right iamrobk, elsewise im confused.

[Q] Why does my bootloader say "AT&T" with no SIM?

I bought an ATT frequency compatible NS (from negri) before it was available on ATT. Everything works as expected on ATT. However, the other day I removed my SIM, did a factory wipe, and then rebooted back into the bootloader and noticed that it reported "ATT" as my network even without the SIM installed. Does this mean my phone is somehow locked to ATT now? I don't care for my personal use but when I end up selling this thing later my expectation was that the next owner could use whichever frequency compatible carrier they choose. I don't have a way to test this with a different SIM. What's the deal here?
If you bought it from AT&T then it can only use AT&T's data networks. T-Mo and AT&T both use SIM so you can switch them out, but only shfor 2g/edge and voice.
That's just carrier info, if it wasn't a Google Nexus phone it would have influence on the phone. There's no downside of having a ATT in the bootloader carrier info.
Some ppl spread rumors that only "free", eg EUR (for Europe), phones get updates via Google, but it has yet to be proofed.
ellesshoo said:
I bought an ATT frequency compatible NS (from negri) before it was available on ATT. Everything works as expected on ATT. However, the other day I removed my SIM, did a factory wipe, and then rebooted back into the bootloader and noticed that it reported "ATT" as my network even without the SIM installed. Does this mean my phone is somehow locked to ATT now? I don't care for my personal use but when I end up selling this thing later my expectation was that the next owner could use whichever frequency compatible carrier they choose. I don't have a way to test this with a different SIM. What's the deal here?
Click to expand...
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No nexus phone is sold sim locked, even the carrier subsidized versions.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App
andythefan said:
If you bought it from AT&T then it can only use AT&T's data networks. T-Mo and AT&T both use SIM so you can switch them out, but only shfor 2g/edge and voice.
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Click to collapse
I said where I bought it (negri electronics) before it was even available from ATT.
The 9020a is frequency compatible with ATT, Canadian carriers, some others elsewhere in the Americas, and will do 2G/gprs in nearly every region.
My question was about the phone reporting ATT as the carrier info in the bootloader w/out a sim. Phone has zero relation to att other than it happens to support UMTS on the same bands.
krohnjw said:
No nexus phone is sold sim locked, even the carrier subsidized versions.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I realize this from reading it everywhere. I just find it odd for att to show even with no SIM. Maybe it just reports whatever the last installed sim was?
ellesshoo said:
I realize this from reading it everywhere. I just find it odd for att to show even with no SIM. Maybe it just reports whatever the last installed sim was?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The carrier info is independant from your last SIM card. Atm there's no hint to what the carrier info in bootloader is used for. For the European version (VDF, O2, EUR) you can change them around as you please via Odin w/o any effect on your phone.
krohnjw said:
No nexus phone is sold sim locked, even the carrier subsidized versions.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I understand that correctly: Any Nexus S, in its AT&T version bought at any Best Buy store in the USA is 100% SIM unlocked, correct?
But, what about the Operating system itself, Android: Does a Nexus S AT&T version bought at a Best Buy store has the pristine original version of Android as Google intended, with all its features (and describes on www (dot) google (dot) com/nexus/#/tech-specs ) ?
I have read of cases that, for instance, Nexus S AT&T phones from Best Buy had its tethering feature disabled ? If so, is this a tinkering of the OS by the carrier or store no matter the SIM (i.e. if I put in a SIM from my country's carrier, it'd still have tethering blocked)? or this presumed "disablement" of tethering is SIM/carrier dependent (i.e., not an Android alteration per se)?
Any comments on this are well appreciated. I plan on buying soon a Nexus S on Best Buy during a next trip to the USA. The phone will be used in Mexico where my carrier uses the same frequencies as AT&T or 3g.
Thanks in advance.

S7 AT&T or TMobile Model

Hey guys im going to be pre-ordering tomorrow and want to know your thoughts on which carrier variant to go with. I have AT&T where I live but I have heard that tmobiles phone are usually easier to get bootloader unlocked, or they come pre unlock. Which one do you think is a better choice?
I'm sure the tmobile one will have all. The band's requires for att.. Or at least the main ones. If you're looking at modding, go the tmobile route. But Idk how easy it will be to get the tmobile one and have them unlock it for you. I went through hell with my s6 edge and getting them to unlock it
Sent from my SM-N920G using Tapatalk
I am debating the same thing. Last time I got a TMOB, and paid for a 3rd party unlock which took a week. Then canceled the TMOB service before the 30 days were up.
TMOB won't unlock phones until they are on plan after two payment cycles and the phone is fully paid off.
Now TMOB unlocks via app and I understand there is a 3rd party vendor that might be able to get them unlocked, but might be troublesome. I asked my sister who is a TMOB customer if she could just outright buy the phone for me but she said under her plan they require her to surrender her old phone so I have to put it on their stupid plan.
Not sure if you can get the phone via MetroPCS as a pre-paid plan and avoid this nonsense but it seems their phone choices are severely limited.
Definitely looking for a better way to get an unlocked bootloader.
I'm in the same boat. Have an AT&T S4 and finally looking to upgrade but after the hell AT&T gave with the S4 locked bootloader I think T-mobile is the way to go. Just hope unlocking it for AT&T will be a straight forward process.
The guy that unlocked an S6 for me emailed me back that he was not sure yet if he could unlock a TMOB S7.
I believe AT&T has more bands than T-Mobile.
Will get the AT&T model as will use with prepaid carriers and AT&T supports most T-Mobile bands. T-Mobile does not support all AT&T bands.
Nextstep said:
I believe AT&T has more bands than T-Mobile.
Will get the AT&T model as will use with prepaid carriers and AT&T supports most T-Mobile bands. T-Mobile does not support all AT&T bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only bands that are missing from the 930T (t-mobile version) versus the 930A (AT&T) are bands 29 and 30 which don't appear to be used in the US at all. I found the bands on the product pages on both sites. You are better off getting the t-mobile one and hope for an unlocked bootloader. AT&T will be locked down for sure.
zcubed said:
The only bands that are missing from the 930T (t-mobile version) versus the 930A (AT&T) are bands 29 and 30 which don't appear to be used in the US at all. I found the bands on the product pages on both sites. You are better off getting the t-mobile one and hope for an unlocked bootloader. AT&T will be locked down for sure.
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Click to collapse
That's great news, thanks for checking.
What I'm currently debating is preordering the AT&T S7 from Best Buy to get in on the VR and MicroSD, then just selling once an unlocked T-Mobile variant becomes available No other way to preorder a 930T without an account right?
The TMOB preorder is up. You need to subscribe to a plan to order it. It does not let you pre-order it on a post paid or prepaid plan.
I am really hesitant to preorder it since TMOB sucks and won't unlock until after 2 billing cycles. And you have to unlock it using their app verses typing in a code provided by a 3rd party unlocker after you turn the phone on when a non-TMOB sim is inserted.
Guess I'll have to wait until some unlocked ones appear on Swappa or Fleabay. Hate doing that as I was just burned with a phone that that eventually popped up with a blacklisted IMEI.
Like Flame Red said, there's no way to get the T-Mobile one without signing up for a plan but you also get a year of Netflix with the t-mobile one that's worth WAY more than the microSD from Best Buy. You can cancel the plan immediately though and hope for a third party unlocking service to unlock the phone for a fee.
---------- Post added at 10:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 AM ----------
Bands detail links:
https://support.t-mobile.com/community/phones-tablets-devices/android/samsung_galaxy_s_7#id_1299991
https://www.att.com/cellphones/samsung/galaxy-s7.html#sku=sku7840239 (Click Details)
Is there a place to order the 930F Global version? Will that have all the bands required for ATT & TMO?
Are there any Galaxy S7 that will support CDMA and GSM.
I looking to go prepaid route and Sprint prepaid MVNO and T-Mobile prepaid MVNO with maybe some AT&T prepaid.
Any assistance greatly appreciated.
According to this thread, the underlying hardware is the same for all S7 variants and the bands are turned on/off via the radio files. http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7/how-to/finally-single-hardware-variant-carriers-t3308040
Should be interesting if I decide to get a t-mobile S7 and possibly being able to "turn on" the extra bands at a later date.
Looks like it doesn't matter which one you get anymore: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Cert...the-carrier-of-the-first-SIM-inserted_id78809
The S7 should "lock" to the first carrier's sim you insert. Would love confirmation of this if someone gets the T-Mobile one and puts in an AT&T sim.
Will see, hoping some users will get the phone soon, and confirm before I purchase.
clove.co.uk is now showing pre-orders for the unlocked international s7 (and edge). Interestingly enough, they're showing it having the SD820 whereas I thought EU was getting the Exynos!?
zcubed said:
Looks like it doesn't matter which one you get anymore: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Cert...the-carrier-of-the-first-SIM-inserted_id78809
The S7 should "lock" to the first carrier's sim you insert. Would love confirmation of this if someone gets the T-Mobile one and puts in an AT&T sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So technically speaking, no matter what version ill get it will be locked to att after I put in that sim card?
I wonder if that means the bootloaders will be the same on all the models, since they are all the same except for the radio differences?
Neither for me. International versions only
As far as unlocking goes, I've been in that scene for about 6 months. If it's an app unlock, no biggie, it'll just cost about $30 more than without the app unlock. You should expect to pay about $20-50 for the unlock once the phone comes out. No sweat!
The big difference between att and tmobile is not the sim lock, but the fact that att phones come with locked bootloaders thereby severely limiting their attractiveness to the mod community.

AT&T Gear S2 on other carriers possible?

I got an att gear s2 but I don't have att service so I wanted to know if I can use it to connect to let's say T-Mobile since its an esim.
Unfortunately this is why American carriers, at least that's what my knowledge covers, f&#king suck! Out comes this new technology that for the first time will allow people to have the potential to use any carrier with the same hardware, and then carriers like AT&T refuse to unlock them.
Yes, I called AT&T and T-Mobile and AT&T doesn't unlock watches. I hope someone finds a way to somehow port the T-Mobile software over to the AT&T hardware.
The esim should be universal right? Like it should work for any carriers. If so wouldn't it work if we pay for an unlock code? Even tho we wouldn't be inserting another sim, the imei would be released to be used by other carriers. Does it make sense at all? Lol
My n6 was like that. It couldn't be used by other carrier until I unlocked it and its imei was released from att to be used by others.
brainburnerco said:
The esim should be universal right? Like it should work for any carriers. If so wouldn't it work if we pay for an unlock code? Even tho we wouldn't be inserting another sim, the imei would be released to be used by other carriers. Does it make sense at all? Lol
My n6 was like that. It couldn't be used by other carrier until I unlocked it and its imei was released from att to be used by others.
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The problem I noticed is the fact that there are custom settings for AT&T and so even if you unlocked it, I think you would need to still flash the appropriate software. I'm just guessing though.
It's really frustrating that I've got the first big consumer device using an eSIM and I can't take advantage of it's most basic and essential feature.
Any updates on this? The AT&T watch is like half the price as T-mo and I'm interested in using AT&T watch on T-mobile if possible
Any updates? I just switched mobile carriers from ATT to TMobile and would like to use my watch on their network
I have the S2 Classic SM-R735AZKAATT (for AT&T obviously) but I'd like to have it set up with T-Mobile.
Can I take this into T-Mobile and set up service? If so, anyone know how much?

AT&T or T-Mobile for unlocked S8+ ?

The backstory.... Preordered an ATT Note 7 and had many headaches with delivery / billing. I am now living with my old Note3 using Goggle Voice/Hangouts because of my weak signal (all carriers) at home. I'm using a pre-paid Straight Talk plan when away from home.
I've been waiting patiently for the S8+ and now need to decide between AT&T and T-Mobile for a GSM phone. I plan on paying full cash price and having it unlocked to use a 3rd part prepaid plan (Straight Talk or ?).
I considered a factory unlocked phone (Best Buy, May 9th??) but I am told that those will also have a locked bootloader. Up until the Note 7 I always ran rooted with custom ROMS. I became a big fan of Samsung Pay which I think also means a locked bootloader with no root is needed. Of coarse, bloatware sucks. I had good luck with Package Disabler Pro on my Note 7. I will be using my Google number, if only for forwarding to another number. WiFi calling is a must one way or another.
My Note 7 from ATT let me run Mobile Hotspot at the same time WiFi was enabled. This made it easy for giving my Android head unit in my car Internet access. The T-mobile version at the time needed to be turned on and off.
I'm leaning toward T-mobile only because of my bad blood with ATT. ATT coverage is marginally better in my area.
Thoughts, comments.
Either and flash the OS on it with ODIN. It is the same hardware so it doesnt matter.
mweinbach said:
Either and flash the OS on it with ODIN. It is the same hardware so it doesnt matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and also if the T-Mobile version is going to have an unlocked bootloader, flashing T-Mobile firmware should allow you to unlock it through the OS.
But it's highly unlikely it will have an unlocked bootloader, although T-Mobile have supported it, I don't think it's happening.
No unlocked bootloaders on u.s.a. Carriers....
SBERG117 said:
No unlocked bootloaders on u.s.a. Carriers....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get that if you buy a carrier phone and then unlock it. But what about the factory unlocked phones sold in the US?
I've heard that the bootloader on those phones is also locked, but not from a real good source of info. I've also heard international versions do not have a locked bootloader and do not support Samsung Pay. They also do not support CDMA (which doesn't bother me at all).
Interceptor777 said:
Yes and also if the T-Mobile version is going to have an unlocked bootloader, flashing T-Mobile firmware should allow you to unlock it through the OS.
But it's highly unlikely it will have an unlocked bootloader, although T-Mobile have supported it, I don't think it's happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I flash via ODIN does that kill Samsung Pay? What about Knox?
Phredeee said:
The backstory.... Preordered an ATT Note 7 and had many headaches with delivery / billing. I am now living with my old Note3 using Goggle Voice/Hangouts because of my weak signal (all carriers) at home. I'm using a pre-paid Straight Talk plan when away from home.
I've been waiting patiently for the S8+ and now need to decide between AT&T and T-Mobile for a GSM phone. I plan on paying full cash price and having it unlocked to use a 3rd part prepaid plan (Straight Talk or ?).
I considered a factory unlocked phone (Best Buy, May 9th??) but I am told that those will also have a locked bootloader. Up until the Note 7 I always ran rooted with custom ROMS. I became a big fan of Samsung Pay which I think also means a locked bootloader with no root is needed. Of coarse, bloatware sucks. I had good luck with Package Disabler Pro on my Note 7. I will be using my Google number, if only for forwarding to another number. WiFi calling is a must one way or another.
My Note 7 from ATT let me run Mobile Hotspot at the same time WiFi was enabled. This made it easy for giving my Android head unit in my car Internet access. The T-mobile version at the time needed to be turned on and off.
I'm leaning toward T-mobile only because of my bad blood with ATT. ATT coverage is marginally better in my area.
Thoughts, comments.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in a similar situation and my first concern is what bands both phones support. Online it seems AT&T covers both GSM providers perfectly. The info on T-Mobile and its bands is extremely lacking. My second concern is the process of unlocking either fully paid off phone for use on the other. I think I can have TMobile unlock it for me but I'm not sure how it works with AT&T. The easiest solution is the unlocked version but thats not even got a release date set in writing anywhere.
Phredeee said:
If I flash via ODIN does that kill Samsung Pay? What about Knox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long you are flashing official firmware from Samsung nothing will break. Knox will not be tripped and Samsung Pay will work.
954wrecker said:
I'm in a similar situation and my first concern is what bands both phones support. Online it seems AT&T covers both GSM providers perfectly. The info on T-Mobile and its bands is extremely lacking. My second concern is the process of unlocking either fully paid off phone for use on the other. I think I can have TMobile unlock it for me but I'm not sure how it works with AT&T. The easiest solution is the unlocked version but thats not even got a release date set in writing anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is my understanding that all US (Snapdragon) phones cover all bands, including CDMA. That means you could even take an unlocked AT&T phone to Verizon. I'm not used to that! It even has LTE-U which TMo is supposed to be soon supporting.
I am an ex AT&T customer. They unlocked my Note 7, and again with the replacement, without issue. I seem to remember there was a wait period at first. 7 or 14 days?
The thing I'm considering is also the VR incentives for pre-ordering. I can tell you AT&T messed up my Note 7 pre-order. They shipped it on the release day by a slow method. I ended up going to a store and buying one outright and returning the unopened one once it arrived. That caused a billing nightmare that I had to call them every months until I finally turned it in and closed my account.
Phredeee said:
It is my understanding that all US (Snapdragon) phones cover all bands, including CDMA. That means you could even take an unlocked AT&T phone to Verizon. I'm not used to that! It even has LTE-U which TMo is supposed to be soon supporting.
I am an ex AT&T customer. They unlocked my Note 7, and again with the replacement, without issue. I seem to remember there was a wait period at first. 7 or 14 days?
The thing I'm considering is also the VR incentives for pre-ordering. I can tell you AT&T messed up my Note 7 pre-order. They shipped it on the release day by a slow method. I ended up going to a store and buying one outright and returning the unopened one once it arrived. That caused a billing nightmare that I had to call them every months until I finally turned it in and closed my account.
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Can you recall where you read the carrier versions support all the bands just like the unlocked versions? All the info I found from the carriers shows different bands on each model.
Phredeee said:
I get that if you buy a carrier phone and then unlock it. But what about the factory unlocked phones sold in the US?
I've heard that the bootloader on those phones is also locked, but not from a real good source of info. I've also heard international versions do not have a locked bootloader and do not support Samsung Pay. They also do not support CDMA (which doesn't bother me at all).
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You're missing what I'm saying... There will be no unlocked bootloaders on any Samsung S8 phones for the USA. You cannot get one from carrier or factory.
I think you may be mixing up Bootloader unlock and Sim unlock....
954wrecker said:
Can you recall where you read the carrier versions support all the bands just like the unlocked versions? All the info I found from the carriers shows different bands on each model.
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I do remember that it was a story about FCC approval of the factory unlocked (SIM) phone. Keep that in mind that it may be the unbranded, factory unlocked phone only, but the article did say they were all the same. The locked carrier phones may not be so flexible.
Other things I've found.. Best Buy SIM unlocked does not get the incentives. Best Buy, and their cheaper price, does not seem to offer a T-Mo phone.
The VR incentive is attractive to me, but is not a must have. At this moment, until I can find out for sure if Samsung Pay will work on an international version, I am leaning towards a T-Mo pre-order. But that is me and my preferences YMMV. I have a major dislike for AT&T.
Looking for where I read it. In the mean time this may be interesting to you.
Model numbers http://techbeasts.com/list-of-samsung-galaxy-s8-galaxy-s8plus-model-numbers/
Frequencies https://www.frequencycheck.com/models/OyqBp/samsung-sm-g955a-galaxy-s8-td-lte-samsung-dream
The link is for the AT&T model search for other models.
954wrecker said:
Can you recall where you read the carrier versions support all the bands just like the unlocked versions? All the info I found from the carriers shows different bands on each model.
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It appears that going by this information the factory unlocked and the AT&T are NOT the same https://www.frequencycheck.com/compare-devices/6MQWs05y/samsung-sm-g950a-galaxy-s8-td-lte-samsung-dream/samsung-sm-g950f-galaxy-s8-td-lte-samsung-dream
You're correct that it seems T-mo info is evasive.
Hello,
I would like to know, if it posible to buy the Galaxy S8 from the samsung web page (att version), then unlock it and after that flash the unlocked rom flashing it with odin.
Can someone help me?
thanks.
Just ordered the 955F from Clove...
I'm hoping that missing bands won't hurt my AT&T usage much. Or any prepaid sims I may throw in there.
Will see if the 955U info comes out before my phone, and will decide if I want to cancel.
:good::angel:

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