Related
Just a word of warning for potential buyers that the region locking on the Samsung galaxy S5 is different to that on my Note 3. My note 3 is unlocked and can use different sims and software update without issues.
But had a Samsung Galaxy S5 for more than a week, got it before UK official launch as it was a Korean model 32GB LTE snapdragon version, it was unlocked and was able to use several different sims from various UK networks but couldnt software update as phone would keep asking for SKT (south korea telecom) sim for software update even though would work with other UK sims for calls data and text for more than a week of me using phone. worked fine for streaming thousands of songs via google music and deezer and calls and texts but no luck with software update. see alert shown by phone on attempting to do software update https://plus.google.com/108877366358490804054/posts/X38mPrxYHmf
wireless charging worked fine though with Qi insert as shown on my youtueb uploads for the S5 which can be seen from my tagline below
Just a heads up to people wanting to import a Samsung galaxy S5 from abroad that their region locking is getting worse with every new phone.
Dont have the S5 anymore and wont be buying a samsung phone again..... due to region locking blocking features... like fingerprint scanner use in ebay app in the UK even though unlocked phone and also samsung has blocked use of triple sim adapters as it has blocked the loading of sim app need for triple sim adapters to work. The same adapters work fine on my s4 and note 3. The adapter was inserted correctly as my main sim works through the adapter but cant access the extra sims as samsung has blocked the sim app from launching on the S5 but works fine on S4 and note 3 and other phones.
Not sure about internationally, however North America region lock seems to be disabled if you first activate with the carrier that the phone was built for and then unlock. If you just buy a phone from a carrier that has it region locked and you never activate it with them, you will have issues.
bubblesmoney said:
Just a word of warning for potential buyers that the region locking on the Samsung galaxy S5 is different to that on my Note 3. My note 3 is unlocked and can use different sims and software update without issues.
But had a Samsung Galaxy S5 for more than a week, got it before UK official launch as it was a Korean model 32GB LTE snapdragon version, it was unlocked and was able to use several different sims from various UK networks but couldnt software update as phone would keep asking for SKT (south korea telecom) sim for software update even though would work with other UK sims for calls data and text for more than a week of me using phone. worked fine for streaming thousands of songs via google music and deezer and calls and texts but no luck with software update. see alert shown by phone on attempting to do software update https://plus.google.com/108877366358490804054/posts/X38mPrxYHmf
wireless charging worked fine though with Qi insert as shown on my youtueb uploads for the S5 which can be seen from my tagline below
Just a heads up to people wanting to import a Samsung galaxy S5 from abroad that their region locking is getting worse with every new phone.
Dont have the S5 anymore and wont be buying a samsung phone again..... due to region locking blocking features... like fingerprint scanner use in ebay app in the UK even though unlocked phone and also samsung has blocked use of triple sim adapters as it has blocked the loading of sim app need for triple sim adapters to work. The same adapters work fine on my s4 and note 3. The adapter was inserted correctly as my main sim works through the adapter but cant access the extra sims as samsung has blocked the sim app from launching on the S5 but works fine on S4 and note 3 and other phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
risestar2 said:
Not sure about internationally, however North America region lock seems to be disabled if you first activate with the carrier that the phone was built for and then unlock. If you just buy a phone from a carrier that has it region locked and you never activate it with them, you will have issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have any way to unlock it with no issue in the future?
risestar2 said:
Not sure about internationally, however North America region lock seems to be disabled if you first activate with the carrier that the phone was built for and then unlock. If you just buy a phone from a carrier that has it region locked and you never activate it with them, you will have issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is already unlocked as I used different UK sims For more than a week. The region locking only becomes apparent when trying to software update the phone. The phone was on Kitkat but there was an update available but couldn't update due to the issue mentioned.
If it is the international model (G900F) just flash it with the stock UK S5 rom.
electric0ant said:
If it is the international model (G900F) just flash it with the stock UK S5 rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know if it's possible to root and flash something else without having removed the region lock?
Dont have the phone anymore with me and think the person having it now is flashing cyanogen mod rom for this phone.
Dont think will be getting a samsung phone again as tired of the pr1ck5 at samsung p1ssing off paying customers with some locking cr4p or the other. Presently still have 3 other samsung phones (S4 note 3 and note 1) and many of my playlists on youtube have loads of samsung phone related. But really fed up with samsungs locking idiocy and will look to sony or LG from now on.
electric0ant said:
If it is the international model (G900F) just flash it with the stock UK S5 rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the SK Telecom model is the same as the G900F.
I think Korea uses some different network brands.
---------- Post added at 09:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:31 AM ----------
bubblesmoney said:
Dont have the phone anymore with me and think the person having it now is flashing cyanogen mod rom for this phone.
Dont think will be getting a samsung phone again as tired of the pr1ck5 at samsung p1ssing off paying customers with some locking cr4p or the other. Presently still have 3 other samsung phones (S4 note 3 and note 1) and many of my playlists on youtube have loads of samsung phone related. But really fed up with samsungs locking idiocy and will look to sony or LG from now on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't look at Sony.
You will receive software updates like 7 months after the release of that android version.
My Xperia Z still doesn't have kitkat.
Region lock on the 900A
I am looking to buy the galaxy s5 for use in several Sub-saharan African countries. I already have an old ATT sim with me and I will probably be ordering the 900A in/from the US and i want to make sure that the region-lock is not an issue. Will i be able to region unlock with an ATT sim card while in Africa or do i need to have someone make the 5min call for me while the phone is in the US? and is this call meant to be to or from the s5?
Thanks!
No one likes self serving restrictions by manufacturers or carriers. But Samsung is far from the only manufacturer doing things like this. And region locking is one of the easiest obstacles to overcome.
On single SIM phones at least removing the subsidy lock nullifies the region lock as well. In any event if you couldn't make a few calls in the area that the phone originated, you could simply have edited the region lock blacklist to circumvent the region lock.
.
bubblesmoney said:
Dont think will be getting a samsung phone again as tired of the pr1ck5 at samsung p1ssing off paying customers with some locking cr4p or the other. Presently still have 3 other samsung phones (S4 note 3 and note 1) and many of my playlists on youtube have loads of samsung phone related. But really fed up with samsungs locking idiocy and will look to sony or LG from now on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes that completely legal regioin lock this discourages grey market selling and scams
does this mean you arent buying blu rays or DVDs??
-PiLoT- said:
yes that completely legal regioin lock this discourages grey market selling and scams
does this mean you arent buying blu rays or DVDs??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the S5 but no longer have it. Bought the one plus one which is half the price but 64gb and miles better with no region locking crap and call recording apps work on it unlike on my several samsung phones. Call recording apps did work earlier on samsung phones and after software upgrades by samsung they no longer work on them. But they work on other android phones. So samsung is deliberately gimping android with their "updates". Sane way triple sim adapters don't work on the S5 but they do on my s4 and note 3 and other phones.
Coming to your reference to dvd and bluray. .. i don't but them anymore as have several paid digital subscription packages and don't buy dvd and bluray anymore as realised i haven't bothered to open the packs of several of my earlier purchases.
Several other android manufacturers don't region lock or block call recording apps or triple sim adapters so there are better and cheaper options.
bubblesmoney said:
I had the S5 but no longer have it. Bought the one plus one which is half the price but 64gb and miles better with no region locking crap and call recording apps work on it unlike on my several samsung phones. Call recording apps did work earlier on samsung phones and after software upgrades by samsung they no longer work on them. But they work on other android phones. So samsung is deliberately gimping android with their "updates". Sane way triple sim adapters don't work on the S5 but they do on my s4 and note 3 and other phones.
Coming to your reference to dvd and bluray. .. i don't but them anymore as have several paid digital subscription packages and don't buy dvd and bluray anymore as realised i haven't bothered to open the packs of several of my earlier purchases.
Several other android manufacturers don't region lock or block call recording apps or triple sim adapters so there are better and cheaper options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you research if the s5 was region locked, or had issues with call recording apps or sim adapater issues before you bought it. or did you buy it assuming they would work?
-PiLoT- said:
did you research if the s5 was region locked, or had issues with call recording apps or sim adapater issues before you bought it. or did you buy it assuming they would work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did research like i do all my purchases. My opinions are just that. ... my opinions!
Are you a Samsung employee or funded by samsung in any manner!
edit: If you see my youtube videos for the S5 you might notice that i had uploaded my video BEFORE the UK release date as it was imported from korea.
bubblesmoney said:
I did research like i do all my purchases. My opinions are just that. ... my opinions!
Are you a Samsung employee or funded by samsung in any manner!
edit: If you see my youtube videos for the S5 you might notice that i had uploaded my video BEFORE the UK release date as it was imported from korea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
region locking isnt an opinion. its an actual thing
heres my point
you want to buy a phone, you want it to have multi sim adapters support, no region locking and ability to record in calls.
you do your research like you do "all your purchases"
then you buy a device knowing these things wont work. then you ***** about samsung doing it anyway?
Dude pull that bee out of your bonnet. Dint you have anything better to do than dig up a few months old thread of mine!
Triple sim adapters work on the S4 and note 3.
Call recording apps do work on android phones and even older samsung phones and other new android phones and don't work on new or software updated older samsung phones.
Yes i know what region locking is.
I now choose to spend my money on other companies android products which i think are better. If that bothers you then that is not my problem. I have better things to do today than argue on the Internet with someone i don't know.
Good night.
bubblesmoney said:
Dude pull that bee out of your bonnet. Dint you have anything better to do than dig up a few months old thread of mine! .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didnt actually dig it up, read back a page
bubblesmoney said:
Triple sim adapters work on the S4 and note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But research you said you did said it wouldnt on the s5
bubblesmoney said:
Call recording apps do work on android phones and even older samsung phones and other new android phones and don't work on new or software updated older samsung phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you said you did research so you knew this
bubblesmoney said:
Yes i know what region locking is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one said you didn't. ever
bubblesmoney said:
I now choose to spend my money on other companies android products which i think are better. If that bothers you then that is not my problem. I have better things to do today than argue on the Internet with someone i don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My issue isnt with you buying anything. my issue is with you being such a vocal detester of certain features or lack thereof, when you bought them knowing full well they had these things wrong with them because you did the proper research.
why would you even buy a phone that you know wont work the way you want, better yet why moan about samsung doing this. even though you knew they did it before you bought it
bubblesmoney said:
Good night.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One last time. .. my trile sim adapters did work then on my note 3 and S4 but they didn't on the s5. That was my experience as I hadn't come across posts regarding that it didn't work on the S5. The adapter actually 'works' on the s5 too in the sense that the sim number 1 works via the connector but the other sims can't be used as samsung blocks the launch of the sim app but it doesn't get blocked on older samsung phones. Ps. they work on iPhones and other android phones.
Getting to call recording apps. . They did work on s4 and note 3 and stopped working on note 3 after software updates. Sometimes software have glitches so I gave them the benefit of the doubt but since on the newer s5 it didn't work either and works on other new android phones like my one plus one it is my understanding that samsung is blocking some features which you can gather if you read up more on the topic.
As explained AGAIN above and
in my personal experience the triple sim adapters worked in s4 and note 3 (but not after software update indicating it is samsung doing the blocking) and didn't work on the s5.
Call recording still works on loads of android phones including my one plus one. It used to work on my older samsung phones till later software updates and didn't Work on the S5.
If you need more of my reasons why I think the are better ones out there than the S5....
water proofing is **** as shown in my videos. Sony is better.
Internal memory is loads better on cheaper phones like the one plus one.
Camera is worse than much cheaper one plus one.
Speaker is much louder on the one plus one.
Battery life "without cutting back any features" is better on the one plus one. But would be better on s5 using that black and white ultra power saving mode which stops many features working.
Edit. I still have my note 3 and note 1 and s4 but I do like my gadgets and have other 6 android phones, 5 android tablets and 2 android mini pc's and ipad air. So after owning the and using many other android devices which I no longer have my personal impression of the S5 is that there are better ones out there.
If the above bothers you then not much I can do but say agree to disagree. Cheers.
eezeh said:
I am looking to buy the galaxy s5 for use in several Sub-saharan African countries. I already have an old ATT sim with me and I will probably be ordering the 900A in/from the US and i want to make sure that the region-lock is not an issue. Will i be able to region unlock with an ATT sim card while in Africa or do i need to have someone make the 5min call for me while the phone is in the US? and is this call meant to be to or from the s5?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ignore some of the apologists for Samsung on this thread trying to pester people who purchase their own android devices unlike the usual reviewers on many websites who get their free review phones and do your own research before spending your money.
Word of warning even when buying an unlocked or no region lock samsung phone in a country with no region lock, it can subsequently get region lock if you do any software updates while traveling or moving to another country with region lock as shown long time ago in the Note 3 thread (thread with hundreds of posts) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=47664261&postcount=1380 As you can see paying customers who bought unlocked (no region lock phones) samsung phone later got region lock with software update while travelling and working in the Eu and their phone would no longer work with their home country sim. Please note phone was bought from official samsung store and not so called grey market what ever that term grey market may mean! So any person who travels and works across countries or even travelling abroad and wants to use roaming or local sims would be at risk of region lock unless they never want to update their phone or need to resort to hacking the software which most wont be able to do.
Mod Edit
Thread Closed
ronnie498
Forum Moderator
Unfortunately in the UK, the only way to get the Deep Sea Blue variant would be to buy the N9500. I understand that this was built specifically for China markets, but it should have the right network frequencies for the UK. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these before, and whether there's any quirks in the device compared to the UK model? Cheers
Using Note8 N-9500 for 3 weeks now
doubleluckstur said:
Unfortunately in the UK, the only way to get the Deep Sea Blue variant would be to buy the N9500. I understand that this was built specifically for China markets, but it should have the right network frequencies for the UK. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these before, and whether there's any quirks in the device compared to the UK model? Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Note 8 N-9500 is Hong Kong/China version. I have been using it for 3 weeks now, but I would not recommend it.
I have Hong Kong version. (China version doesn't support Google Play Store. Avoid it!)
Here are some negative things that I found out so far.
1. It works perfectly with UK network frequencies, however, you can't enable VoLTE or wifi cailling.
This is really downside. it keeps saying my current software does not support VoLTE.
2. It doesn't have Samsung Pass. Some apps require it to log in with your bio info (cf. finger print etc.), so it is bit annoying.
3. Android Pay works fine.
I have not use Samsung Pay yet, but Samsung Pay is registered as Hong Kong so you will get promotions from Hong Kong market only and you can't change it.
4. If you contact customer service through handset it automatically connect with Samsung Hong Kong Service centre. ha ha
I have tried to change it with other CSC roms such as Europe versions, but Note 8 N-9500 uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 not Exynos as Europe or Korean version.
At this point as far as I know it is impossible to use other CSC roms.
twotoy said:
Yes. Note 8 N-9500 is Hong Kong/China version. I have been using it for 3 weeks now, but I would not recommend it.
I have Hong Kong version. (China version doesn't support Google Play Store. Avoid it!)
Here are some negative things that I found out so far.
1. It works perfectly with UK network frequencies, however, you can't enable VoLTE or wifi cailling.
This is really downside. it keeps saying my current software does not support VoLTE.
2. It doesn't have Samsung Pass. Some apps require it to log in with your bio info (cf. finger print etc.), so it is bit annoying.
3. Android Pay works fine.
I have not use Samsung Pay yet, but Samsung Pay is registered as Hong Kong so you will get promotions from Hong Kong market only and you can't change it.
4. If you contact customer service through handset it automatically connect with Samsung Hong Kong Service centre. ha ha
I have tried to change it with other CSC roms such as Europe versions, but Note 8 N-9500 uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 not Exynos as Europe or Korean version.
At this point as far as I know it is impossible to use other CSC roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you managed to flash Europe firmware successfully?
I've also got N9500 deep sea blue, the only reason I bought this version was for the colour!
I quite like it but would like to have volte
SM N9500
No I haven't. As far as I know EU firmware doesn't work with this SM-N9500.
I ask some questions to Samsung customer service Hong Kong, but I haven't got the answer yet.
If I do, I will post it here. cheers!
Note 8 n9500
doubleluckstur said:
Unfortunately in the UK, the only way to get the Deep Sea Blue variant would be to buy the N9500. I understand that this was built specifically for China markets, but it should have the right network frequencies for the UK. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these before, and whether there's any quirks in the device compared to the UK model? Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the China variant of the N9500 in Deep sea blue
I I've had it for 3 months with no problems. I saw from one of the other posts that there had been some issues they had found with theirs. Just to comment on mine Samsung pay initially wouldn't let me load a card and work but now it works fine with no issues. Google play was installed and works without issue also. Unfortunately I have not been able to get VoLTE or WiFi calling to work as the firmware installed does not support the former and the latter, I'm still trying to get to work, but neither I or EE can come up with a reason why it doesn't. I've also not been able to install a European /UK firmware due to the Exynos/qualcom incompatability issue. mind you there are only a few reasons why you'd want to install the firmware as the phone works fine with the firmware installed bar the issues I've mentioned and f you can live without WiFi calling or VoLTE then there's no reason to use it. They are a great bit of kit as I they come with a much larger internal storage than is available over here. This was the reason I got mine in the first place as I store loads of books and music as well as videos and as an amateur photographer alongside my DSLR I still use this for photos as the shots are quite comparable in lots of cases. I hope this has helped, oh and one more thing, I i got mine new from a online phone store via ebay I ended up paying about £750-800 for it which was cheaper than the lower storage version that you can get in the UK so that's another plus
NDB19573 said:
I have the China variant of the N9500 in Deep sea blue
I I've had it for 3 months with no problems. I saw from one of the other posts that there had been some issues they had found with theirs. Just to comment on mine Samsung pay initially wouldn't let me load a card and work but now it works fine with no issues. Google play was installed and works without issue also. Unfortunately I have not been able to get VoLTE or WiFi calling to work as the firmware installed does not support the former and the latter, I'm still trying to get to work, but neither I or EE can come up with a reason why it doesn't. I've also not been able to install a European /UK firmware due to the Exynos/qualcom incompatability issue. mind you there are only a few reasons why you'd want to install the firmware as the phone works fine with the firmware installed bar the issues I've mentioned and f you can live without WiFi calling or VoLTE then there's no reason to use it. They are a great bit of kit as I they come with a much larger internal storage than is available over here. This was the reason I got mine in the first place as I store loads of books and music as well as videos and as an amateur photographer alongside my DSLR I still use this for photos as the shots are quite comparable in lots of cases. I hope this has helped, oh and one more thing, I i got mine new from a online phone store via ebay I ended up paying about £750-800 for it which was cheaper than the lower storage version that you can get in the UK so that's another plus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No volte is a biggie for some.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
i wonder if the wifi calling would work on the proper csc for n9500's or if like my provider, regardless of what mods are done to the phone's software, if its not a device purchased from them, they black list imei. well i should say they white list theirs and simply block everything else.
people on rooted 9500:
have you manualy extracted csc from relevant provider firmware and copyed to system/omc?
Limeybastard said:
No volte is a biggie for some.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/ appreciate that it must a deal breaker for some out. there .I guess its just never been such a huge issue for me really. Its the inactive wifi calling that's the pain in the rear for me. It's not that
its not working that annoys me the most, its more
that there is no actual reason why it shouldn't work. that's the most annoying thing. its just so usefull to have.
Sent from my SM-N9500 using Tapatalk
So, after many frustrating hours on the phone with different Samsung agents who insisted that the US S21 Ultra supports eSIM (but couldn't get it to work), one agent finally admitted that eSIM is not enabled "as of now". This is despite the fact that Samsung expressly promised eSIM functionality on their US website:
"Does Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G support eSIM?
Yes, you can use an electronic SIM, known as eSIM, with Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. The eSIM allows you to activate a mobile network plan right on your phone, so you can switch data plans or add an overseas phone number without the physical Nano SIM."
https://www.samsung.com/us/smartphones/galaxy-s21-ultra-5g/#!
As of this post, the above Q&A is still on Samsung's US website. Isn't this blatant fraud? Where can I file a complaint?
While I am still within the return window, simply getting a refund isn't good enough as I already paid money to my carrier to convert my physical SIM into an eSIM in anticipation of being able to use it with my S 21 Ultra.
Until the carriers enable the eSim they will not work. It has been disabled or not enable from all US carriers for a reason. No one knows exactly why. My guess is compatibility, or issues arising. Who knows. It is supposed to be enabled but no set date has ever been given. The same thing happened with the Note and s20. As much as I would love the eSim support is just won't happen for a bit.
Also do note if you scroll down it does say "The Galaxy S21 does not currently support eSim in the U.S."
I am not sure why people seriously keep falling for the eSim instead of reading the several post regarding it in the previous years posts.
jeremyvbk said:
Until the carriers enable the eSim they will not work. It has been disabled or not enable from all US carriers for a reason. No one knows exactly why. My guess is compatibility, or issues arising. Who knows. It is supposed to be enabled but no set date has ever been given. The same thing happened with the Note and s20. As much as I would love the eSim support is just won't happen for a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That logic doesn't make sense when it comes to the unlocked version bought directly from Samsung's website. Also my eSIM is from an international carrier and not a US carrier, and it works on my previous Samsung device (bought in Asia).
jeremyvbk said:
Also do note if you scroll down it does say "The Galaxy S21 does not currently support eSim in the U.S."
I am not sure why people seriously keep falling for the eSim instead of reading the several post regarding it in the previous years posts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They changed it a few days after the launch. The previous Q&A was as shown in my quote above. I scrolled through the website carefully (including reading the endnotes) and there was no such caveat previously.
Also, I am new to the US and was not aware of this issue previously. I have used Samsung devices in Asia for many years and never had this issue. I'm not sure why US customers put up with this blatant fraud if it is happening each time.
draykin said:
That logic doesn't make sense when it comes to the unlocked version bought directly from Samsung's website. Also my eSIM is from an international carrier and not a US carrier, and it works on my previous Samsung device (bought in Asia).
They changed it a few days after the launch. The previous Q&A was as shown in my quote above. I scrolled through the website carefully (including reading the endnotes) and there was no such caveat previously.
Also, I am new to the US and was not aware of this issue previously. I have used Samsung devices in Asia for many years and never had this issue. I'm not sure why US customers put up with this blatant fraud if it is happening each time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the unlocked version has to work with those carriers, and having esim support turned on could lead to more issues than what is currently out there. Samsung has disabled it so you don't have droves of people going to carriers saying service doesn't work when the carriers haven't supported the phones for eSim. Because those carriers will send you right back to Samsung for warranty exchanges. Costing Samsung money.
The phones do support eSim. It is no different than the phones disabling bands depending on csc. Also the US unlocked versions apply the csc based on the carrier, also why the eSim is disabled. Its not fraud. The information isn't fraud
jeremyvbk said:
Until the carriers enable the eSim they will not work. It has been disabled or not enable from all US carriers for a reason. No one knows exactly why. My guess is compatibility, or issues arising. Who knows. It is supposed to be enabled but no set date has ever been given. The same thing happened with the Note and s20. As much as I would love the eSim support is just won't happen for a bit.
Also do note if you scroll down it does say "The Galaxy S21 does not currently support eSim in the U.S."
I am not sure why people seriously keep falling for the eSim instead of reading the several post regarding it in the previous years posts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it mean s21 ultra supports esim?
works on mine - Vodafone UK - been with an esim since s20 and now also on s21
makes no difference really to being on a sim or e-sim
jacklivehere said:
Does it mean s21 ultra supports esim?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of the phones support it but have it disabled on purpose because the carriers do not support it. Its like the S21 supports N71 and band 71 but on ATT CSC those bands are disabled.
jeremyvbk said:
All of the phones support it but have it disabled on purpose because the carriers do not support it. Its like the S21 supports N71 and band 71 but on ATT CSC those bands are disabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Samsung website quoted above only says s21 and s21 plus doesn't support esim. Doesn't say about s21 ultra
jacklivehere said:
The Samsung website quoted above only says s21 and s21 plus doesn't support esim. Doesn't say about s21 ultra
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are saying you can't use them in the US. The devices have the hardware already included in the devices. They are disabled. The same with the Ultra, as it has been the same for the last years worth of phones
Same in canada. Its been a coming soon with an update feature for years now. Another small thing I miss about my pixel.
I wonder if this is why i can not get my s21 U to take an upgraded T mobile sim. I have been trying since Friday to get the Upgraded network sim from T mobile to install on my phone. I had been on sprint and since the merger last year my sprint connections had been getting progressively worse as the year went on - dropped calls and phone going into roaming mode at home for example, I had a note 10+ i traded in for the s21U and about 3 weeks ago was able to ditch the old sprint sim for the new t mobile one on the note and what a difference ! So anyway, i have been into a t mobile store a couple time and they could not get the t mobile sim to activate, and called sprint a couple times to try and activate it and they could not either but was finally able to active a sprint sim which i dont want. They had said that my s21 was not for some reason compatible with the new t mobile sim. I got the 512gb S21 ultra unlocked direct from samsung.
Disabled esim...
Is it because Samsung is weak compared to Apple or Google? Can't stand up to US carriers?
They can't say it is not compatible with carriers when Apple already went through the motions and is not compatible with all the carriers. They could have used this excuse two phones ago but for us to be having this discussion now is uncalled for. I'm returning this crap now until Samsung stops committing this fraud on its customers and gets its act together.
thdaddy34 said:
They can't say it is not compatible with carriers when Apple already went through the motions and is not compatible with all the carriers. They could have used this excuse two phones ago but for us to be having this discussion now is uncalled for. I'm returning this crap now until Samsung stops committing this fraud on its customers and gets its act together.
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Agreed!
NasTraDooMis said:
I wonder if this is why i can not get my s21 U to take an upgraded T mobile sim. I have been trying since Friday to get the Upgraded network sim from T mobile to install on my phone. I had been on sprint and since the merger last year my sprint connections had been getting progressively worse as the year went on - dropped calls and phone going into roaming mode at home for example, I had a note 10+ i traded in for the s21U and about 3 weeks ago was able to ditch the old sprint sim for the new t mobile one on the note and what a difference ! So anyway, i have been into a t mobile store a couple time and they could not get the t mobile sim to activate, and called sprint a couple times to try and activate it and they could not either but was finally able to active a sprint sim which i dont want. They had said that my s21 was not for some reason compatible with the new t mobile sim. I got the 512gb S21 ultra unlocked direct from samsung.
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My S21 Ultra works fine with the T-Mobile R15 SIM. To be fair, though, I think I might have activated it on my iPhone 12 Pro Max first and then just dropped it in the S21 Ultra. I don't remember now. But it should work.
It pays off to do some research before dropping a stack of cash on a smartphone. All this fuss over eSIM. Carrier's in the US don't want to give their subscribers the option to switch Service Provider's, they lose money. Same reason no Dual-Sim devices are offered by US Carriers. Samsung could lean on them to enable eSIM but for whatever reason they won't. Simple solution, buy a Non-US S21 Ultra Dual Nano-SIM device.
Hi, in Russia e-sim it works perfectly on all operators( carriers). Its very strange why in US you have this problem.
varcor said:
It pays off to do some research before dropping a stack of cash on a smartphone. All this fuss over eSIM. Carrier's in the US don't want to give their subscribers the option to switch Service Provider's, they lose money. Same reason no Dual-Sim devices are offered by US Carriers. Samsung could lean on them to enable eSIM but for whatever reason they won't. Simple solution, buy a Non-US S21 Ultra Dual Nano-SIM device.
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It's true except for the fact that if you want 5G in the US, the non-US dual sim samsung devices don't have the appropriate bands for it. So you get dual sim but no US 5G.
I confirm esim working in S21 Ultra Snapdragon SM-G998U1 in Android 12 Colombia Bogota but keep in mind that in Colombia the esim only works with movistar
Hello everyone,
Could you help me answering my questions?
I'm planning to buy Samsung S21 Ultra, so I was searching for good prices here and there...
I found out that on Samsung US, it is much cheaper (Unlocked version), moreover, you'll get 250$ credit value to buy other accessories, while Samsung Canada is way too expensive without such promotions!
I tried to place the order through Samsung US and to type the shipping address to Canada .m.but unfortunately it wasn't working!
My two questions as following:
1- Is there anyway to get the S21 Ultra to Canada from Samsung US?
2- I heard that I might face problems in connection compatibility (even with the unlocked version), especially the 5G as it won't be compatible with the Canadian courriers ....so is that true? Will I face any problem if I buy S21 Ultra from Samsung US to Canada?
Will appreciate your replies ...
Thanks
Depending on your carrier in Canada, Wifi Calling and VoLTE may not/will not work. Here is a long thread about purchasing from the US etc. This will answer all your questions:
[Samsung USA] Samsung USA S21 Trade-In Deal Thread - RedFlagDeals.com Forums
i have the W version with the US U1 software on it (I love ODIN) and works it great on Telus for 5G (except the Wi-Fi calling; Telus asks for your number and then it never connects but I also have a partner account so maybe that is why). On Freedom Mobile/Shaw Mobile with the U1 software, everything works (except 5G as that is not available for everyone yet).
Thanks
May I know which re-shipping company had you dealt with? Any recommendations?
peterg21 said:
Depending on your carrier in Canada, Wifi Calling and VoLTE may not/will not work. Here is a long thread about purchasing from the US etc. This will answer all your questions:
[Samsung USA] Samsung USA S21 Trade-In Deal Thread - RedFlagDeals.com Forums
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Thanks
May I know which re-shipping company had you dealt with? Any recommendations?
crazyut said:
i have the W version with the US U1 software on it (I love ODIN) and works it great on Telus for 5G (except the Wi-Fi calling; Telus asks for your number and then it never connects but I also have a partner account so maybe that is why). On Freedom Mobile/Shaw Mobile with the U1 software, everything works (except 5G as that is not available for everyone yet).
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Thanks
May I know which re-shipping company had you dealt with? Any recommendations?
AMD-CA said:
Thanks
May I know which re-shipping company had you dealt with? Any recommendations?
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It is the Canadian version bought in Canada flashed with the US U1 software
So here's my question. I was waiting for the T-Mobile version of the s21 ultra to be in stock in the 256gig version, but it seems like that is taking too long so I had purchased the unlocked version. Yesterday when I went into the T-Mobile store, I was told that it wouldn't be able to pick up 5g and a lot of the phone itself wouldn't be compatible. Does anyone know if this is true? Sorry I know I sound like a Noob because I am, but I'm just a bit worried. If that's the case I see about people flashing stuff. Would it be possible to flash say the T-Mobile stuff to the unlocked phone so it would work? Sorry for writing a book, just wanted to be thorough. Appreciate any feed back or answers.
Filmore
They either lied to try and sell you a T-mobile version or they don't know what they are talking about. The US unlocked model works well with all the US carriers and has no issues picking up 5G and even supports WiFi calling.
beserker15 said:
They either lied to try and sell you a T-mobile version or they don't know what they are talking about. The US unlocked model works well with all the US carriers and has no issues picking up 5G and even supports WiFi calling.
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Thanks a lot for responding with that info. I appreciate it.
I have TMobile and an unlocked s21 ultra. They work perfectly together. No issues whatsoever with 5g.
chetly968 said:
I have TMobile and an unlocked s21 ultra. They work perfectly together. No issues whatsoever with 5g.
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Dude that's awesome, I'm feeling way better about my purchase. Thank you for replying and letting me know. I appreciate it.
I have a S21 Ultra unlocked and carrier is TMobile, no problem so far.
T-Mobile has the least number of issues if you bring-your-own-device. It's Verizon that's a real PITA.
I'm grateful for everyone posting and sharing their experiences and uses. Thank you to everyone. Appreciate it.
Go to a different store. They lied to you. I bought mine from Amazon, it's the unlocked 128gb version, (the 256gb wasn't in stock during the sale. They both priced the same) and it works without a problem. T Mobile 5G works really good on it.
I'm getting 5G via T-Mobile on my unlocked S21 Ultra direct from Samsung. That shady store or salesperson straight up lied to you, they are ignorant about unlocked devices, or both.
I want to change IMEI of Samsung galaxy s21 ultra 5g
Changing of imei is illegal in most countries (if not all). You will not get any help with that on XDA...
As others have said, this isnt true.
One thing that is (ior certainly was a couple of years ago) was that Three didnt allow non three branded handsets to connect to their 800MHz supervoice service, which IME made a huge difference in the LTE days