I bought a Note 8 in swappa that was supposed to be factory unlocked (SM-950U1) but is actually an AT&T phone (950U). I verified this directly with Samsung. I am on Sprint and using their IMEI check site, this phone is compatible. Are there any differences between the factory unlocked and carrier unlocked? Is there any benefit to the factory unlocked? Basically what I want to know is whether I should keep the phone or whether the differences are enough that I should send it back to the seller.
Thanks
The carrier unlocked are capable of accepting sim cards from other carriers, just that, they have all the stuff related to the carrier like the boot animation, Volte calls, hotspot, mesaging service, and carrier bloatware, etc, the factory unlocked ones have the samsung usual bloat, in your case, you could flash the firmware specific to the carrier you will use, to be able to use the services offered by your carrier otherwise some things could be missing
Flashing the Sprint version would require root, yes? I love Samsung Pay so wouldn't be willing to root.
How do factory unlocked phones get updated? Would those still be pushed out by whatever carrier you are on?
The more I read, the more I think sending back the AT&T one is the right move. Then it comes down to Sprint vs unbranded. I don't have any immediate plans to leave Sprint so maybe the Sprint version is the way to go?
You can flash any firmare, providing it is intended for your device, in your case any firmware for USA devices(snapdragon) will work, if you flash official firmwares there will be no problem with knox, just do it with care
I'm surprised an AT&T phone will work on Sprint's network. AT&T is GSM and Sprint is CDMA.
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Hey everyone, I am about to pay full retail price for the S5 through AT&T which means it will be unlocked.
Question is...any root method or exploits that work for the international version also apply to the AT&T model?
Nope, paying full price for an "Unlocked AT&T" model, means it's carrier unlocked, bootloader is still locked down on all AT&T branded S5's. If your paying full price and want root, you should just buy an unlocked T-Mobile version from somewhere like swappa.com, supports AT&T frequencies and the bootloader comes unlocked.
It would be nice if XDA had a "Glossary of Terms" in the wiki that explained terms that are used often like"bootloader unlocked" and "carrier unlocked". Maybe, it wouldn't make much difference, but the some words and terms are often confused and are explained again. It might be easier to just link to the glossary.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Keep in mind the phones aren't usually unlocked (carrier unlocked) at the point of sale and you'll have to submit an unlock request once you've bought it.. As a side note, I highly recommend buying the T-Mobile version, as it's compatible with at&t and DOES have the bootloader unlocked by default. There's really no reason to buy the at&t version if you're buying at full price.
kevinco1 said:
Hey everyone, I am about to pay full retail price for the S5 through AT&T which means it will be unlocked.
Question is...any root method or exploits that work for the international version also apply to the AT&T model?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are going to pay full price, just go to T-Mobile store and by the T-Mo version which comes with an unlocked bootloader and supports all AT&T frequencies, then just replace your back cover for an unbranded or at&T branded one.
the AT&T one will not get Root anytime soon.
I purchased a factory unlocked Moto X. I'm trying to use softcard with AT&T. However, after going through registration and choosing a pin, the app reports that it isn't compatible with my phone.
Based on what I've read, you have to have an carrier locked phone and it might be looking at the CID (not 100% of this). Is there any way to change or fake the CID? Is there anyway to get softcard working on an unlocked phone? Or can I just install the AT&T android version?
I'm wondering the same thing except I have a Verizon LG G2 (VS980) to use on T-mobile. I talked to someone at softcard tech support who told me that I could only use softcard with a T-mobile branded phone because "unlocked" phones are not supported. The LG G2 comes unlocked with both CDMA an GSM radios from the factory and it isn't an aftermarket unlock.
I have 3 phones on T-mobile and none of them are T-mobile. I guess not allowing softcard on other brand's phones is just another way to get people to buy T-mobile's overpriced phones. Hopefully someone knows a workaround because there are some really good softcard promos. Would also love information about using softcard with an AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 3 on T-mobile.
I'm not sure about your question specifically.... But you would need an unlocked bootloader to attempt anything like that. ?
I'm going to take advantage of the Note 7 promotion. I'm currently on Sprint. From what I understand, there are no hardware differences between the carrier unlocked version and the Sprint version (per Samsung chat). The only major differences are in carrier software, I think? Also, it looks like software updates may be extremely slow? I would have expected the opposite since it's coming straight from Samsung.
From what I can tell, I can always flash the carrier ROM on the unlocked version, but I think this would trip Knox and I would lose Samsung Pay, right? Conversely, if I go with the carrier version, I can unlock it because I'll own it outright, correct?
I'm really stuck on which one to preorder. I always figured carrier unlocked was better, but perhaps not? Any guiding thoughts for me?
Wonder about this too.
Is the cellular bands listed on this site accurate?
https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-note-8-sm-n950-model-number-differences/
If it is, the unlocked may not have all the bands for, for example, T-mobile. So if sticking with one carrier and not planning to change, will getting the carrier one, though with more bloatware, be better for coverage?
Here is a screen capture for the Carrier Unlocked Note 8 from Best Buys Website.
just take this with a pinch of salt but carrier lock is way better than the other.
Someone Local to me is selling a note 8. It's supposed to be unlocked. Will it work on Sprint or no?
powerstroke said:
Someone Local to me is selling a note 8. It's supposed to be unlocked. Will it work on Sprint or no?
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Click to collapse
Before I'd buy,I'd visit T-Mobile with the seller & phone in-hand,to ensure the phone is free & clear of any financial obligations.
Otherwise,you risk the possibility of it being blacklisted if any remaining balances are unpaid.
Not sure about compatibility,but,if the T-Mobile S8+ is any indication,it's only compatible with LTE,probably won't get voice/calls:
https://willmyphonework.net/
Regardless,with it being a new phone,you're in uncharted territory,no one can know for sure at this point,less a visit to Sprint & the mentioned visit to T-Mobile.
powerstroke said:
Someone Local to me is selling a note 8. It's supposed to be unlocked. Will it work on Sprint or no?
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Click to collapse
Unfortunately, probably not. Sprint is very strict with the phones it allows under it's BYOD program, it'll only allow activation of Sprint and Unlocked models. It knows when phones are carrier versions as Samsung provides Sprint with the IMEIs of the Sprint and Unlocked models.
Sprint is the only major carrier that still uses a database whitelist for phones that can be activated on their network. Bit of a **** policy, but there's not much you can do about it.
Source: Just tried the same thing with my T-Mobile S8+. Even when I flashed the unlocked firmware on it(something you'd need to do anyway to enable the CDMA radio on the Note8, T-Mobile firmware has it disabled), still wouldn't work. Found out it was because of Sprint's stupid policy.
Just wanted to chime in on this in the hopes that no one wastes their time and money trying to activate AT&T/T-Mobile branded Note 8's with Sprint.
Flashed my AT&T device with unlocked firmware to enable CDMA features (MEID HEX/DEC)
Bought a Sprint BYOD SIM
Gave Sprint technicians device information in an attempt to add it to their inventory (HEC/DEX)
They kept getting random incompatibility errors, kind of silly given all US Note 8's have identical hardware.
Case closed, looking for a Sprint or Samsung official unlocked device now..
I just got a Note 9 on Amazon, I realize a small risk associated with that. The phone was sold as a factory unlocked device. I received it today and I checked it in the settings and the device is confirmed as a SM-N960U1 which is what it should be. However, when I go to register the phone on Samsung's website, I enter the IMEI and it registered as a SM-N960UZKASPR which is an unlocked sprint variant. I am using this phone on AT&T at the moment, but will be transferring to T-Mobile very soon. Am I going to have issues with this as far as bands and networks are concerned, or anything else? I know I am screwed when it comes to wifi calling and volte.
playerone_ said:
I just got a Note 9 on Amazon, I realize a small risk associated with that. The phone was sold as a factory unlocked device. I received it today and I checked it in the settings and the device is confirmed as a SM-N960U1 which is what it should be. However, when I go to register the phone on Samsung's website, I enter the IMEI and it registered as a SM-N960UZKASPR which is an unlocked sprint variant. I am using this phone on AT&T at the moment, but will be transferring to T-Mobile very soon. Am I going to have issues with this as far as bands and networks are concerned, or anything else? I know I am screwed when it comes to wifi calling and volte.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I assume happened is that the phone was a sprint model but was unlocked. The previous owner installed the U1 firmware which is the unlocked and unbranded firmware.
All US models are built with the same hardware, radios etc. Compatible with all networks.
You will be able to use it on Tmobile no problem.
You are not screwed if you want tmobile features
If you want tmobile related features wifi calling and the like, you will need to flash the tmobile firmware.