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Hi everyone,
For anyone out there that won't be trading in a phone and paying full price, it looks like B&H has the best deal on the Note 9 that's compatible with T-Mobile U.S.A. They are throwing the new QI wireless charger duo, a dex dock and the AKG headphones (although via rebate )
My question: How's Samsung's software updates for their unlocked phones? I know they caught some heat in the past for doing quarterly security updates instead of monthly which they have now fixed but is that true for their major OS updates? I don't want to be stuck on 8.0 till this time next year when 9.0 is starting to roll out now..
Anything else I would be losing by going the unlocked route? I have TMobile here in the U.S and the specs sheet pretty much covers everything including bands 66 and 71.. I'm assuming wifi calling is a given although it doesn't say so..
No tax and the additional freebies have me lingering on the preorder click button.. What say you?
Avoid T-Mobile since it would come with a locked bootloader. I am still rocking a Note-4 on TMO since the bootloader was unlocked. It is probably better to get an international model of the phone.
I'm on the fence as the OP as well. Has band 71 been totally confirmed for the US unlocked version!?
It is my understanding that the international version will have full band support for the US-Based GSM carriers (AT&T and T-Mo) but not for CDMA (Verizon and Shint).
If I'm not mistaken, Carrier versions get the update from Samsung, after Samsung does their tweaks, and then the carrier puts their little changes, and then the update rolls out. Unlocked versions should get updates sooner since there's no carrier involved right?
---------- Post added at 12:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 PM ----------
mike2518 said:
I'm on the fence as the OP as well. Has band 71 been totally confirmed for the US unlocked version!?
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According to BestBuy.com
LTE Band 1, LTE Band 12, LTE Band 13, LTE Band 17, LTE Band 18, LTE Band 19, LTE Band 2, LTE Band 20, LTE Band 25, LTE Band 26, LTE Band 28, LTE Band 29, LTE Band 3, LTE Band 30, LTE Band 38, LTE Band 39, LTE Band 4, LTE Band 40, LTE Band 41, LTE Band 5, LTE Band 7, LTE Band 8
As far as wifi calling it should work on a unlocked Note 9. I have the unlocked Note 8 and wifi calling works on tmobile.
I am not sure about the bands support as phone arena also says that it does t have B71 support.
But if the US unlocked S9 can be used as an example, it has b71 support. So I wouldn't see why Samsung would drop b71 support on the US unlocked Note 9.
jayr04 said:
If I'm not mistaken, Carrier versions get the update from Samsung, after Samsung does their tweaks, and then the carrier puts their little changes, and then the update rolls out. Unlocked versions should get updates sooner since there's no carrier involved right?
You would think it works that way but no. All carriers are satisfied first before unlocked units. My unlocked note 8 always received updates well after carriers. I guess unlocked users represent a smaller percentage and thus lower priority.
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PC Mag review has confirmed that tmobile wifi calling works on the unlocked Note 9 but not for any of the other carriers. Still don't know about band 71 coverage though b&h has it listed on their website.
FYI Oreo on tmobile note 8 was released April 1st while Oreo on unlocked version was released April 4th.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Tmobile band 71
Does anyone know if an unlocked Sprint Note 9 is compatible with TMobiles band 71?
I bought on Ebay a note 9 that was listed as a factory US unlocked SM-N960u1. Based on the imei number, it turns out that it is a sprint carrier unlocked note 9 that someone flashed the U1 firmware onto it. I talked to Samsung support and tmobile tech support who do Not know if this phone will work with band 71.
Sorry if I'm asking in the wrong location.
Appreciate the input.
Yes it should be compatible I think. You can try dialing *#2263# then go to band selection then LTE then look for listed bands, it should say 71 in there.
sl5400 said:
Does anyone know if an unlocked Sprint Note 9 is compatible with TMobiles band 71?
I bought on Ebay a note 9 that was listed as a factory US unlocked SM-N960u1. Based on the imei number, it turns out that it is a sprint carrier unlocked note 9 that someone flashed the U1 firmware onto it. I talked to Samsung support and tmobile tech support who do Not know if this phone will work with band 71.
Sorry if I'm asking in the wrong location.
Appreciate the input.
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Yes. All the US Note 9s are the same exact hardware. There's no difference at all between the carrier models or the U1 model. It will be 100% compatible and has band 71 support. If you want video calling and rcs texting, just flash the T-Mo firmware. WiFi calling and VoLTE both work on the U1 firmware on T-Mo.
I've had a T-Mobile branded Note 9, an actual factory unlocked U1, and most recently an ATT brandes Note 9 flashed with the U1 firmware on T-Mobile. No difference whatsoever in signal strength and speed.
Just put your TMB SIM card in it and enjoy!
You also have one distinct advantage: ONLY Sprint branded phones and the factory unlocked U1s work on Sprint. So when you sell that one, you can say it's truly unlocked for all carriers.
EDIT: Added a screen shot from the *#2263# menue on my ATT Note 9 running the U1 unlocked firmware. I circled all the LTE bands it supports. Again running on T-Mobile.
So great to hear that. Thanks so much for your thorough reply. Can I leave it as is or will I need to flash the sprint firmware back to use the warranty ever. The knox counter remains at 0×0.
Thank you
sl5400 said:
So great to hear that. Thanks so much for your thorough reply. Can I leave it as is or will I need to flash the sprint firmware back to use the warranty ever. The knox counter remains at 0×0.
Thank you
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You can leave it as is. It's running official Samsung firmware.
I understand that the tmobile variant has a locked Bootloader as well.
My last note was the note 4 which I loved because I could carry spare batteries. Since that phone, I've been on the huawei mate 8,9 and 10. Great UI and 4000 mah batteries that I easily could get more than a days usage. Most recently, I sold my mate 10 and bought a Nova 3 because I wanted a better selfie cam than 8mp. The Nova has a 24mp and a 2mp selfie.
Compared to my new note, the selfies are appreciably sharper. I want to take advantage of band 71. My wife has a s9 plus and she gets double the download speeds I ever got with huawei. Guess I'm looking for the best of all worlds. I've missed the note. I'm glad samsung finally put in a big enough battery. Personally, I still think the user replaceable battery was always the best and distinguished android from Apple by having expandable memory too.
My main complaint with this note is that I am unable to tweak the settings for better battery.
I think I've tried everything even tweaked the developer settings. Maybe the s pen is a drain even when not in use.
Best regards and thanks again!
sl5400 said:
I understand that the tmobile variant has a locked Bootloader as well.
My last note was the note 4 which I loved because I could carry spare batteries. Since that phone, I've been on the huawei mate 8,9 and 10. Great UI and 4000 mah batteries that I easily could get more than a days usage. Most recently, I sold my mate 10 and bought a Nova 3 because I wanted a better selfie cam than 8mp. The Nova has a 24mp and a 2mp selfie.
Compared to my new note, the selfies are appreciably sharper. I want to take advantage of band 71. My wife has a s9 plus and she gets double the download speeds I ever got with huawei. Guess I'm looking for the best of all worlds. I've missed the note. I'm glad samsung finally put in a big enough battery. Personally, I still think the user replaceable battery was always the best and distinguished android from Apple by having expandable memory too.
My main complaint with this note is that I am unable to tweak the settings for better battery.
I think I've tried everything even tweaked the developer settings. Maybe the s pen is a drain even when not in use.
Best regards and thanks again!
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ALL the US models have locked bootloaders. If you want to unlock and root, you need an international model, but you'll lose band 71.
No the SPen won't drain your battery.
What kind of battery life are you getting?
Averaging 14 to 18 hours. I've put all but 2 apps to sleep and am allowing no more than 1 app to run in the background. I also go into device maintenance frequently and optimize everything. My Huawei Nova 3 with it's 3750 battery lasts at least 25% longer.
Am I missing anything?
Thank you
sl5400 said:
Averaging 14 to 18 hours. I've put all but 2 apps to sleep and am allowing no more than 1 app to run in the background. I also go into device maintenance frequently and optimize everything. My Huawei Nova 3 with it's 3750 battery lasts at least 25% longer.
Am I missing anything?
Thank you
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That doesn't really tell me anything. How much screen on time do you have? How much of that 14 to 18 hours is the phone being used?
Screen on time about 4 hrs, talk time 2 1/2 hrs
DarkManX4lf said:
As far as wifi calling it should work on a unlocked Note 9. I have the unlocked Note 8 and wifi calling works on tmobile.
I am not sure about the bands support as phone arena also says that it does t have B71 support.
But if the US unlocked S9 can be used as an example, it has b71 support. So I wouldn't see why Samsung would drop b71 support on the US unlocked Note 9.
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I can confirm that WiFi calling works on unlocked USA note 9. Carrier T-Mobile.
Looking to buy the S10 but wanted to know which would be best. The factory unlocked version or Verizon version? Will be using a Verizon prepaid SIM like I've been using for years.
Pros and Cons?
Thanks
I have the unlocked version. After spending some time in the forums all I can tell you is,
Branded phones get updates faster than unlocked versions. I would assume that would include pre-paid service with a branded phone.
Verizon blocks some services for unlocked versions. The big one is probably WiFi calling.
They also block some services for branded phones. Samsung's Find My Mobile for one, but Google's Find My Device still works.
Unlocked phones only come with Samsung's bloatware, branded phones come with both Samsung's and Verizon's bloatware.
Verizon phones unlock after 30 or 60 days.
That's all I can think of at the moment.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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
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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
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
Just broke my loathsome old Note 9 and need to upgrade. Have my eye on a 5a but I'm looking to emigrate to the US from Aus in the next few months and I was wondering if it would be compatible on US networks. It'll be unlocked.
I would think here it depends on the carrier, mine works on T-Mobile the only carrier here worth a ****, I'd just check with whatever carrier you plan on mate. It's a great phone for the $ I love mine.
this website will probably help answer a lot of questions
Will Google Pixel 5a work in Australia?
In this page we are going to show you the compatibility of Google Pixel 5a with the mobile networks of Australia and with the telephony operators that provide service in Australia.
www.kimovil.com
you can change countries and phones to check to see what phone works where.
At least initially the 5a was only sold in the U.S. and Japan, so it works in those countries. If it works in Oz and you can get one there you will be happy here. I second the recommendation for T-mobile as a network provider. They were the first to bin the required 2 year contract with phone upgrade; their plans are very flexible. If you are looking for an economy provider then consider Metro, which is the economy label for T-mobile and uses their network. T-mobile has a pretty extensive 5G network.