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Unlocked S5?

So, I am wanting to get the S5, but I am tired of all the AT7T bloatware that comes on these phones. Plus, being in the military, prefer unlocked phones. So, what are my choices here. Where can I get an unlocked S5 that will fully work on the AT7T network?

dustintinsley said:
So, I am wanting to get the S5, but I am tired of all the AT7T bloatware that comes on these phones. Plus, being in the military, prefer unlocked phones. So, what are my choices here. Where can I get an unlocked S5 that will fully work on the AT7T network?
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The closest you could get is a TMO branded S5 which ships BL Unlocked (at least initial shipments) a few bands may not work though depending on the TMO radio. Also you would need to sim unlock the TMO S5 and buy it outright which I believe is 660.

djkinetic said:
The closest you could get is a TMO branded S5 which ships BL Unlocked (at least initial shipments) a few bands may not work though depending on the TMO radio. Also you would need to sim unlock the TMO S5 and buy it outright which I believe is 660.
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I was wondering about that. Heard the TMO boot loader is unlocked. Just wasn't sure all bands would work on AT&T.

Att LTE should work hspa+ not sure I haven't looked at tmo specs at length
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

Just called Tmobile, and the phones do not come unlocked if I buy at full price? How would I unlock it so it would work with AT&T?

dustintinsley said:
Just called Tmobile, and the phones do not come unlocked if I buy at full price? How would I unlock it so it would work with AT&T?
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pay a third party site, I've always used cellunlocker.net

djkinetic said:
pay a third party site, I've always used cellunlocker.net
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can i just go into a tmobile store a buy a s5 at full price if i do not have service with them?

dustintinsley said:
can i just go into a tmobile store a buy a s5 at full price if i do not have service with them?
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yes just say you want to buy it out right with no plan....you might get a rep who doesnt want to sell it though since they get commission on activations...if so just goto another store.

will give it a try tomorrow. thanks.

djkinetic said:
yes just say you want to buy it out right with no plan....you might get a rep who doesnt want to sell it though since they get commission on activations...if so just goto another store.
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looking on the site you gave me, it stated that all samsung devices would need to be activated on original carrier first or the phone would be region locked. is this correct?

dustintinsley said:
looking on the site you gave me, it stated that all samsung devices would need to be activated on original carrier first or the phone would be region locked. is this correct?
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ack im not sure, i thought that was a European specific thing, if anything find a friend that has Tmo and stick their sim in it when u get the phone. then unlock it.

djkinetic said:
ack im not sure, i thought that was a European specific thing, if anything find a friend that has Tmo and stick their sim in it when u get the phone. then unlock it.
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Samsung has gone "full retard" with their region locking on the S5
http://bgr.com/2014/04/11/samsung-galaxy-s5-region-locking/

osetivo said:
Samsung has gone "full retard" with their region locking on the S5
http://bgr.com/2014/04/11/samsung-galaxy-s5-region-locking/
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Makes no mention of NA Regions though, and the ATT Box doesnt have the sticker on it.

djkinetic said:
Makes no mention of NA Regions though, and the ATT Box doesnt have the sticker on it.
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Ah, yes, it's my American perspective, as I would like to import, but Samsung is trying to stop such behavior.

osetivo said:
Ah, yes, it's my American perspective, as I would like to import, but Samsung is trying to stop such behavior.
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The expectation is that all American models are region-locked as well. Here is an example of a N. America model with the region-lock warning on it: http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-s5-region-lock-367402/
FYI, I bought an AT&T S5, unlocked it and am using it now on Straight Talk and with other local SIMs as I travel. Check out my post here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2714535

Anyone know details about locked Note 4?

Hi,
If I purchase a Note 4 that is locked to EE network UK, does anyone know if it's possible to make the phone like a factory unlocked version direct from Samsung?
Or can I only use specific EE firmware on it?
Sorry, I don't really know much when it comes to UK network phones.
Would appreciate any help, thanks!

Hi. If you purchase the phone through carphone warehouse the handset will not be locked.
sent from my galaxy note 4

roryh86 said:
Hi,
If I purchase a Note 4 that is locked to EE network UK, does anyone know if it's possible to make the phone like a factory unlocked version direct from Samsung?
Or can I only use specific EE firmware on it?
Sorry, I don't really know much when it comes to UK network phones.
Would appreciate any help, thanks!
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You can flash any software for your variant on it. I think ee is the 910f so any rom from any carrier for the 910f will work but unfortunately it will be sim locked to ee and probably region locked to Europe. You can pay ee or an online website for the sim unlock code but unless you plan to use a different sim there's no point

Thanks! I'm actually thinking of going for the Exynos version now. The reason I was asking is because I found a good price for it on Gumtree but still not sure if a locked Snapdragon Note 4 phone is the way to go..

roryh86 said:
Thanks! Im actually thinking of going for the Exynos version now. The reason I was asking is because I found a good price for it on Gumtree but still not sure if a locked Snapdragon Note 4 phone is the way to go..
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Tbh I think most people would prefer the exynos but as most of us are getting it on contract we will end up with the snapdragon. The exynos may well be the better phone but with all us and most of Europe getting snapdragon that will probably be the most supported version.
What I will say I have yet to find an app I use that doesn't work on my 4 year old s2 so i very much doubt there will be anything in the next 2 years that the snapdragon can't handle with ease. Even the new nexus has a 32 bit snapdragon so google will not be pushing 64 bit any time soon

sawdoctor said:
Tbh I think most people would prefer the exynos but as most of us are getting it on contract we will end up with the snapdragon. The exynos may well be the better phone but with all us and most of Europe getting snapdragon that will probably be the most supported version.
What I will say I have yet to find an app I use that doesn't work on my 4 year old s2 so i very much doubt there will be anything in the next 2 years that the snapdragon can't handle with ease. Even the new nexus has a 32 bit snapdragon so google will not be pushing 64 bit any time soon
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I still have a year left on my Vodafone contract so getting one off contract is still the better option for me. But despite that, the SM-N910X Snapdragon version that I played around with at the O2 store seemed to lag somewhat, which worried me. The Exynos versions that I've seen online and YouTube seems to be smoother in my opinion.
Also, I haven't been hearing complaints from Exynos Note 4 holders, they all say its smooth and lag free. From the people that are complaining about lag, most of them seem to be Snapdragon holders. Not to mention that the Exynos is better in most of the benchmarks. Just take a look at this comparison:
http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench3/compare/750158?baseline=972742

roryh86 said:
I still have a year left on my Vodafone contract so getting one off contract is still the better option for me. But despite that, the SM-N910X Snapdragon version that I played around with at the O2 store seemed to lag somewhat, which worried me. The Exynos versions that I've seen online and YouTube seems to be smoother in my opinion.
Also, I haven't been hearing complaints from Exynos Note 4 holders, they all say its smooth and lag free. From the people that are complaining about lag, most of them seem to be Snapdragon holders. Not to mention that the Exynos is better in most of the benchmarks. Just take a look at this comparison:
http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench3/compare/750158?baseline=972742
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My ee upgrade arrives in the morning so will have a better idea. Twizz lags a bit on any device due to its design, i've seen one person complain about lag in several different posts tbh. It's your choice obviously and if you are spending a lot of money you should get the model that you actually want so for that reason exynos might be better but make sure you check which bands the device and your carrier are supporting or ot could be a waste of money. I really can't see anything with a 2.7g quad core processor lagging with anything, any games that lag will some be fixed with optimisation

What about buy it outright from the Sumsung store??
If it is still locked to a carrier, can I just unlock it by paying for an unlock code online?
Or it is still locked to the carrier's frequency or something even after the unlock??

ToyMusha said:
What about buy it outright from the Sumsung store??
If it is still locked to a carrier, can I just unlock it by paying for an unlock code online?
Or it is still locked to the carrier's frequency or something even after the unlock??
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If you bought it from Samsung it wont be locked.

ToyMusha said:
What about buy it outright from the Sumsung store??
If it is still locked to a carrier, can I just unlock it by paying for an unlock code online?
Or it is still locked to the carrier's frequency or something even after the unlock??
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The phone will not be locked to the carriers frequency, as already posted sim free won't be sim locked and any sim locked phone can be unlocked for a small fee. What can't be changed is the phone hardware. Whatever bands the phone has can't be changed, there are several thread's stating what bands each model supports so just make sure to get a model that supports the bands your carrier uses

Just for the record things like tap to pay won't work on a unlocked phone. I had a S4 and a G3 all unlocked none work. My Z2 did and that was locked

sawdoctor said:
My ee upgrade arrives in the morning so will have a better idea. Twizz lags a bit on any device due to its design, i've seen one person complain about lag in several different posts tbh. It's your choice obviously and if you are spending a lot of money you should get the model that you actually want so for that reason exynos might be better but make sure you check which bands the device and your carrier are supporting or ot could be a waste of money. I really can't see anything with a 2.7g quad core processor lagging with anything, any games that lag will some be fixed with optimisation
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Can I ask what deal you got from EE? I'm going to push them for an early upgrade but not sure what deal I can squeeze out of them....
Best deal atm is £28 pm plus £99 upfront with O2, unlimited calls / text plus 1GB data
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Free mobile app

dannysmith43 said:
Can I ask what deal you got from EE? I'm going to push them for an early upgrade but not sure what deal I can squeeze out of them....
Best deal atm is £28 pm plus £99 upfront with O2, unlimited calls / text plus 1GB data
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Free mobile app
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I'm on a business tariff so it's a bit different. I got unlimited calls and texts plus 5gig data for £40 a month and free phone but I was due an upgrade

How can i tell if i have snapdragon or exynos?

daz_2000 said:
How can i tell if i have snapdragon or exynos?
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What model do you have? Settings>About Device>Model number

roryh86 said:
What model do you have? Settings>About Device>Model number
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SM-N910F

daz_2000 said:
SM-N910F
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That's the European version which is Snapdragon.
Edit: It says it on the back of the box as well.

roryh86 said:
That's the European version which is Snapdragon.
Edit: It says it on the back of the box as well.
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Thanks. Is one supposed to be better than other? Is there much in it?

daz_2000 said:
Thanks. Is one supposed to be better than other? Is there much in it?
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I haven't tried the Exynos. I have the 910F like you and its extremely fast. I suppose the Exynos is slightly faster but nothing to lose sleep over.

Unlockable Snapdragon proccessor

Now I take everything samsung says with a grain of salt and some hot sauce but the lady I just talked to (I recorded it) said that the snapdragon verizon s9+ had a unlockable bootloader (but she highly recommended against it). Has anyone else called samsung and asked them?

pretty sure all US variants will get a s9 with a locked down, just like the S8 and S7.

Reminds me of this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/galaxy-s8-unlocked-s-bootloader-t3563973

Yup there was a similar thread for te Note 8 also. Probably just another case of confusion of sim unlock vs unlock bootloader. Most consumers don't even know what a bootloader is. It's not likely that Samsung will train low level reps about bootloaders, there's no reason to. When a rep hears unlocked they probably refer to sim lock. Many low level reps probably don't know what bootloaders are either.

kevinrocksman said:
Now I take everything samsung says with a grain of salt and some hot sauce but the lady I just talked to (I recorded it) said that the snapdragon verizon s9+ had a unlockable bootloader (but she highly recommended against it). Has anyone else called samsung and asked them?
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You must be new here, welcome to xda...

peachpuff said:
You must be new here, welcome to xda...
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I use to be a RC... that is until samsung started locking thier stuff down. I'm hoping that what the lady said was right.. if not then I might go with the zx2, only issue is it doesnt have 4k @60fps. Irritates me they turned off 4k hdr on the s9

Why would she "highly recommend against it" if she was just talking about a sim unlock though. Not saying I think it's unlockable or believe what she says.
Sent from my SM-N950F using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Look, can we just take a second to remember that the Samsung reps have NO F-ING CLUE what they're talking about? When I had issues with my Note 5, they recommended I take off the back and pull the battery to get it to reboot.
So... Yeah. Don't get your hopes up here.

Yes more than likely the woman confused bootloader with sim unlock
There is no way sammy is going to unlock the bl on the snap...
I miss how they at least used to make developer editions at least for verizon and several others

kevinrocksman said:
I use to be a RC... that is until samsung started locking thier stuff down. I'm hoping that what the lady said was right.. if not then I might go with the zx2, only issue is it doesnt have 4k @60fps. Irritates me they turned off 4k hdr on the s9
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The odds that this lady knows what a bootloader is is slim to none, when you said unlocked bootloader she probably thought of the phone being carrier unlocked. We've been through this a few times and its always locked on snapdragon phones.

TheMadScientist said:
Yes more than likely the woman confused bootloader with sim unlock
There is no way sammy is going to unlock the bl on the snap...
I miss how they at least used to make developer editions at least for verizon and several others
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That's what I thought but when she said "this will void your warranty if you unlock the bootloader", that's what makes me wonder.

kevinrocksman said:
That's what I thought but when she said "this will void your warranty if you unlock the bootloader", that's what makes me wonder.
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Just stop wondering, it'll be easier, assume its locked.

TheMadScientist said:
Yes more than likely the woman confused bootloader with sim unlock
There is no way sammy is going to unlock the bl on the snap...
I miss how they at least used to make developer editions at least for verizon and several others
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peachpuff said:
Just stop wondering, it'll be easier, assume its locked.
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Makes me wonder what the point of buying another Samsung is then

kevinrocksman said:
Makes me wonder what the point of buying another Samsung is then
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Exynos is the answer

peachpuff said:
Exynos is the answer
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Question is where do I get it and will it work in the US on verizon.

kevinrocksman said:
Question is where do I get it and will it work in the US on verizon.
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You can order one and get it shipped to the US but you will not get it to work on Verizon.

nrage23 said:
You can order one and get it shipped to the US but you will not get it to work on Verizon.
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why wouldn't it work on version? From what I read the exynos version is capable of the same radio band Verizon uses.

kevinrocksman said:
why wouldn't it work on version? From what I read the exynos version is capable of the same radio band Verizon uses.
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It has no CDMA bands so it will not work on Verizon.
http://www.phonemore.com/samsung-galaxy-s9-plus-sm-g965f/specs/3887

nrage23 said:
It has no CDMA bands so it will not work on Verizon.
http://www.phonemore.com/samsung-galaxy-s9-plus-sm-g965f/specs/3887
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are you sure?
https://www.androidheadlines.com/2017/06/rumor-galaxy-s9-feature-exynos-9810-cdma-support.html
https://www.anandtech.com/show/12460/samsung-announces-the-galaxy-s9

kevinrocksman said:
are you sure?
https://www.androidheadlines.com/2017/06/rumor-galaxy-s9-feature-exynos-9810-cdma-support.html
https://www.anandtech.com/show/12460/samsung-announces-the-galaxy-s9
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The first link is from June of last year so it does not matter. The quote you miss from Anandtech.
"Indeed the Exynos 9810’s new modem supports CDMA. Samsung’s licensing dispute with Qualcomm and their recent reconciliation points out to issues beyond “simple” technical matters."
Even if it has the radios it cannot use them in the US without paying Qualcomm. Hence the reason they only sell the Snapdragon model in the US.

When buying an unlocked LG v40, does sprint or AT&T unlocked matter?

Does it matter with whom the carrier is from?
can they be flashed or rooted?

Currently there's a procedure to unlock boot loader for all models *except* t mobile. The procedure isn't simple though. Look in rom/devs sub forum.

barth2 said:
Currently there's a procedure to unlock boot loader for all models *except* t mobile. The procedure isn't simple though. Look in rom/devs sub forum.
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Alright thank you
does it matter if I buy a AT&T version or Sprint Version?
Would it affect performance or what bands I can connect to?

aceofpilots said:
Alright thank you
does it matter if I buy a AT&T version or Sprint Version?
Would it affect performance or what bands I can connect to?
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That I don't know. I got a Sprint model and it seems to work fine with att, though I've been stuck at home like everybody else so I haven't really tested the network. The Sprint model is on Android 9. I don't know what the situation is on att.
Sprint does load the phone with a bunch of bloat and spam ware, most of which you can disable. I imagine att does the same. I'd just buy what is available at lowest price.

barth2 said:
That I don't know. I got a Sprint model and it seems to work fine with att, though I've been stuck at home like everybody else so I haven't really tested the network. The Sprint model is on Android 9. I don't know what the situation is on att.
Sprint does load the phone with a bunch of bloat and spam ware, most of which you can disable. I imagine att does the same. I'd just buy what is available at lowest price.
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Im just worried cause its my first real phone and i dont wanna spend $150+ on the wrong one and get crappy reception or use it properly.

aceofpilots said:
Im just worried cause its my first real phone and i dont wanna spend $150+ on the wrong one and get crappy reception or use it properly.
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What made you decide to get this phone? If you explain what you want/need people will be able to advise you better.

barth2 said:
What made you decide to get this phone? If you explain what you want/need people will be able to advise you better.
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Really the Quad DACs mainly and Camera Quality
i'm upgrading from an S6

Get the AT&T version...it has more bands than the Sprint version.

Medevac1 said:
Get the AT&T version...it has more bands than the Sprint version.
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from what I was told you could just flash the firmware on it to the US unlocked and that would allow more band usage?

,,,

,,,

B1itzy said:
I currently have an S10 with a Snapdragon processor. Therefore I can not turn on OEM Unlocking.
Is there anyway I can root my Samsung without OEM Unlocking?
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As of now no and unless something changes in the future probably not. Its the reason I personally went out of my way to buy an exynos model.

Joe333x said:
As of now no and unless something changes in the future probably not. Its the reason I personally went out of my way to buy an exynos model.
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Is this still the case? I got this phone as a free hand me down since i owe sprint a f*ck ton and can't use my roote V40...

Ainz_Ooal_Gown said:
Is this still the case? I got this phone as a free hand me down since i owe sprint a f*ck ton and can't use my roote V40...
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Yeah unfortunately US snapdragons never seen root anymore, u need to buy an exynos version. I always research if a device can be rooted before buying.