best buy offering unlocked s8 - T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S8 Questions & Answers

Just read that best buy will have unlocked s8s. Pretty sure just carrier unlock right?

Yes, not bootloaders

Related

The value of locked/unlocked phone

Hi, guys,
I want to get your opinion.
Let's say you want to buy Samsung Galaxy S3 from eBay.
The phone is from AT&T, for example, and you are with Rogers (Canada)
So, to use this phone with Rogers you need to unlock it.
Current price (on 10-JAN-2015) to unlock S3 is about $12-14
Would you buy AT&T for, let's say, $40 and unlock it for $12. ($52 in total)
Or you will buy unlocked S3 or Rogers' S3 phone for more $$$, let's say, $55-60
Thanks
Locked/unlocked is not really a concern except for Apple devices which are unlocked through a central database.

AT&T Galaxy S6 128GB

I am wondering if the 128gb of the S6 (non-edge) from AT&T (without contract) is easily unlockable to be used in Europe.
Are there any issues with unlocking?
All the requirements for unlocking a device at att.com/deviceunlock. You also submit the request from that same site. However if you plan on rooting the phone and can afford to just pay full price I would reccomend you get a international g920f instead of the at&t g920a so that you have more options for rooting and modding as the at&t is tightly locked down and cannot be rooted on the latest updates
Hmm. On that page it says this:
Prepaid / GoPhone®
The device must be active for at least six months of paid service.
So I guess you can't just buy it and unlock it right away?
Exactly but again if you can afford to pay full price for go phone you'd be much better off getting the international g9020f and its unlocked by default

Question about the bootloader for the S8 (T Mobile)

So I am looking forward to buy the S8 and I do want the unlocked bootloader. I heard that if you buy an S8 or S8+ from T Mobile then you get the U variant instead of T. Is it true? Because as far as I know the S8 and S8+ US variants got the U after the numbers which shows that the bootloader is unlocked.
T-mobile bootloader on the s8/s8+ is locked
KidKnowsTech said:
So I am looking forward to buy the S8 and I do want the unlocked bootloader. I heard that if you buy an S8 or S8+ from T Mobile then you get the U variant instead of T. Is it true? Because as far as I know the S8 and S8+ US variants got the U after the numbers which shows that the bootloader is unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every North American model is the U model, simply with different firmware. Whether you buy a carrier version or the US unlocked model (U1) they are all quite literally the very same U model. This means you CAN do carrier switching, with some work (for instance, install firmware from T-Mobile on to an unlocked model, or Verizon, or whatever) - this DOES NOT however, SIM unlock the device. There was misinformation on the internet that the model numbers would be like they were in the past, but it's not true. If you buy a T-Mobile model, it's the G950U, just like it's the G950U on Verizon and all other carriers (no longer are there "T" models, "V" models, etc). The unlocked model is the G950U1, but it's still the very same model, so the firmwares are interchangeable.
Currently, there is no known way to unlock the bootloader. As of this week, root is available (with some caveats), but no way to unlock the bootloader. The only models you can do that with are the international Exynos models, and the more rare Hong Kong Snapdragon model. I sincerely doubt we'll ever be able to unlock the bootloader, but I'd love to see the XDA community make it happen.
Damn, I guess the International version is better.
The U = carrier unlocked. Not unlockable bootloader. Besides most glass Mashers and text-while-driving people don't even know what the heck a bootloader is lol
Bootloader ? oem
I have been thinking about get a S8+, now my wife's S7 phone and tab S2 tablet you just go to developer options and turn on oem unlock dose the S8 not have that?
brightjh01 said:
I have been thinking about get a S8+, now my wife's S7 phone and tab S2 tablet you just go to developer options and turn on oem unlock dose the S8 not have that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No
stmims1124 said:
Every North American model is the U model, simply with different firmware. Whether you buy a carrier version or the US unlocked model (U1) they are all quite literally the very same U model. This means you CAN do carrier switching, with some work (for instance, install firmware from T-Mobile on to an unlocked model, or Verizon, or whatever) - this DOES NOT however, SIM unlock the device. There was misinformation on the internet that the model numbers would be like they were in the past, but it's not true. If you buy a T-Mobile model, it's the G950U, just like it's the G950U on Verizon and all other carriers (no longer are there "T" models, "V" models, etc). The unlocked model is the G950U1, but it's still the very same model, so the firmwares are interchangeable.
Currently, there is no known way to unlock the bootloader. As of this week, root is available (with some caveats), but no way to unlock the bootloader. The only models you can do that with are the international Exynos models, and the more rare Hong Kong Snapdragon model. I sincerely doubt we'll ever be able to unlock the bootloader, but I'd love to see the XDA community make it happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what you are basically saying is, 950U s8 models even though unlocked can only be used on other US carries and not internationally??
captainkbj said:
So what you are basically saying is, 950U s8 models even though unlocked can only be used on other US carries and not internationally??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you should be able to use the U1 (North American implied variant) internationally, mostly without issue. I believe it supports most, if not all GSM/LTE bands (CDMA may be a different story). I was just saying you cannot unlock the bootloader on the North American models... Different than SIM/Carrier unlock

[Question]Unlocked Note8 Snapdragon 835 unlocked bootloader?

I finally found this Note8 forum hehhe.. Anyways, I spoke to 2 Samsung tech and they confirmed to me that the unlocked version that has snapdragon 835 does have an unlocked bootloader! I made sure he was not confused between sim unlocked and bootloader unlocked, and he asks me right away you want to root your phone right? He said it will void your warranty, and I said that is fine. Anyways to verified what he said is true or not? I mean both of them responded yes to having a unlocked bootloader.
Wrong
No, you cannot buy the Note 8 with an unlocked boot-loader on any network or if it's carrier unlocked. That just means it can be used on any carriers network. I'd like to hope for boot-loader unlock exploit but I think the very best we can hope for is perhaps a boot-to-root sometime in the future.
I wonder why they are telling us it does have it? Anyway to check ourselves?
xterminater07 said:
I wonder why they are telling us it does have it? Anyway to check ourselves?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they want to have it secured,
Samsung is offering $200,000 for exploits so they can plug it up like Apple..
they have everything locked down for a few years now... and getting harder.. look at how it is... no development anymore for snap dragon models...
What we need, which won't happen, is for jcase to get a Note 8. My bet is he could figure out a way in but I don't think he is a Samsung guy. If we can get root at some point, I really don't care about a boot-loader unlock. When I buy a Samsung I go into it thinking I will never be able to unlock the boot-loader or root it. I was surprised when they got root on the S7 Edge but that was an engineering kernel that had it's share of problems.
The Exynos variant of the S8/+ are boot loader unlockable, so I'm assuming with the Note 8 being so similar, this will be the case for it as well. The issue is with the Snapdragon variant.
Further to this, some 'far eastern' models are bootloader unlocked out of the box. There are a number of threads on the S8/+ forums that attest to this.
Mike02z said:
What we need, which won't happen, is for jcase to get a Note 8. My bet is he could figure out a way in but I don't think he is a Samsung guy. If we can get root at some point, I really don't care about a boot-loader unlock. When I buy a Samsung I go into it thinking I will never be able to unlock the boot-loader or root it. I was surprised when they got root on the S7 Edge but that was an engineering kernel that had it's share of problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Bootloader unlocking is a pipe dream for Snapdragon (Verizon here, so no choice) models. I do hold out some hope for root, which honestly is all I probably need. Give me my backup apps, ad blockers, etc.
they should offer a dev edition like they did on the note 4's.
I agree
It's probably a safe assumption but has it ever been confirmed that the Exynos version can be BL unlocked? I know the s8 was easy so probably this will be also, but I sure would like a solid confirmation before I buy one.
Mike02z said:
What we need, which won't happen, is for jcase to get a Note 8. My bet is he could figure out a way in but I don't think he is a Samsung guy. If we can get root at some point, I really don't care about a boot-loader unlock. When I buy a Samsung I go into it thinking I will never be able to unlock the boot-loader or root it. I was surprised when they got root on the S7 Edge but that was an engineering kernel that had it's share of problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgetting @beaups wouldn't get you far.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Has anyone seen the Note 8 exynos bootloader UNLOCKED versions? are they available? I've only seen the SD bootloader LOCKED versions so far.
Araltd said:
Has anyone seen the Note 8 exynos bootloader UNLOCKED versions? are they available? I've only seen the SD bootloader LOCKED versions so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought they were all locked but easily unlockable. How are you telling the difference?
I stick with my promise to Samsung since note3
I will not buy another locked bootloader device, I will go with pixel 2 xl
Araltd said:
Has anyone seen the Note 8 exynos bootloader UNLOCKED versions? are they available? I've only seen the SD bootloader LOCKED versions so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a difference between Sim-unlocked and bootloader unlocked. In terms of bootloaders, Exynos variants are unlocked whereas almost all Snapdragons (except Korean model I think) are locked.
Birbey said:
I will not buy another locked bootloader device, I will go with pixel 2 xl
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok that's your prerogative. Note 8 Exynos models are not bootloader locked though, so you have choice
sefrcoko said:
There is a difference between Sim-unlocked and bootloader unlocked. In terms of bootloaders, Exynos variants are unlocked whereas almost all Snapdragons (except Korean model I think) are locked.
ok that's your prerogative. Note 8 Exynos models are not bootloader locked though, so you have choice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is any one of the carriers in USA using Exynos 9 series?
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Birbey said:
Is any one of the carriers in USA using Exynos 9 series?
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, North American carriers have Snapdragon. Exynos models bought elsewhere can still work though, but it depends on the specific model and on your carrier (e.g. does the particular model support the LTE bands your carrier uses, etc.).
Hi,
Is there any way to get the bootloader unlocked or we are talking about a dead end 100%?
For 100$ less I mistakenly bought my Note 8 is the US though where I live (Israel) they sell the Exynos variant. I never would have done it if I knew it can't be easly rooted without "side effects" I don't care about Knox.
I am considering to switch to the Exynos version though I don't know if someone will buy it since there is no option for Hebrew in the UI.
Merry Christmas
xterminater07 said:
I finally found this Note8 forum hehhe.. Anyways, I spoke to 2 Samsung tech and they confirmed to me that the unlocked version that has snapdragon 835 does have an unlocked bootloader! I made sure he was not confused between sim unlocked and bootloader unlocked, and he asks me right away you want to root your phone right? He said it will void your warranty, and I said that is fine. Anyways to verified what he said is true or not? I mean both of them responded yes to having a unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He said absolute garbage. If only what he said was true, though. Makes ZERO sense why the US Unlocked Note 8 can't have an unlockable bootloader since it's being sold direct from Samsung and not through carriers with carrier software.

Will there ever be OEM unlock on snapdragon chips?

I want to root my s20 Fe, it is the snapdragon model. Is it possible to ever unlock the OEM? And is there a place where people are working on this? I don't think I'm going to get a Samsung phone in the future if I can't root it.
It's not about the phone being Snapdragon or Exynos, both are unlockable and rootable. Phones in the US are bootloader-locked because US lacks consumer protection laws.
bladez said:
It's not about the phone being Snapdragon or Exynos, both are unlockable and rootable. Phones in the US are bootloader-locked because US lacks consumer protection laws.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this also apple on US unlocked carrier variant?
Also wondering if this will ever happen.
If its the non-us variant then yes, we already have OEM unlock - see the S20FE section of the forum.

Categories

Resources