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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
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
Which variant of the Note 4 should I buy? I live in the states, but don't use the LTE coverage, but would be great to future-proof my device. I travel around the globe at times. I would rather have the warranty in the states than having a warranty belonging to some other country that I never travel to. If I had to go between the T-Mobile and AT&T version (obviously Unlocking these devices will incur an additional fee), which one should I buy? What about the International version? What are your thoughts. Please let me know. Thank you.
arjun90 said:
Which variant of the Note 4 should I buy? I live in the states, but don't use the LTE coverage, but would be great to future-proof my device. I travel around the globe at times. I would rather have the warranty in the states than having a warranty belonging to some other country that I never travel to. If I had to go between the T-Mobile and AT&T version (obviously Unlocking these devices will incur an additional fee), which one should I buy? What about the International version? What are your thoughts. Please let me know. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile give you free Wifi calling, international texts and data, $.20 international calls if you can't get on Wifi, plus free texts and voicemail in the air through Go-Go. That's why I'm getting it.
Thanks for the information. I too am considering T-mobile and just signed up for their test-drive phone.
JimSmith94 said:
T-Mobile give you free Wifi calling, international texts and data, $.20 international calls if you can't get on Wifi, plus free texts and voicemail in the air through Go-Go. That's why I'm getting it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
arjun90 said:
Which variant of the Note 4 should I buy? I live in the states, but don't use the LTE coverage, but would be great to future-proof my device. I travel around the globe at times. I would rather have the warranty in the states than having a warranty belonging to some other country that I never travel to. If I had to go between the T-Mobile and AT&T version (obviously Unlocking these devices will incur an additional fee), which one should I buy? What about the International version? What are your thoughts. Please let me know. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The previous answers seem to be talking about using a T-Mobile Note 4 and getting T-Mobile service. Your question's about which device would be the most versatile used both in the U.S. and overseas. Definitely go with international version. Samsung's UK site shows it supports both AT&T and T-Mobile's LTE bands as well as additional international bands neither of the U.S. phones support.
While you may be able to use a AT&T Note 4 on T-Mobile and vice versa their radios are optimized for the networks they are designed to be used on. I'm in an AT&T VoLTE market and can use it on my Note 3. A friend here using a T-Mobile N3 on AT&T can't using the same APN.
My current Note 3 is my first carrier phone out of a half dozen over four years so I have a lot of Samsung international device experience. I've only used them on AT&T and have no interest in T-Mobile as a carrier. They've performed fine on AT&T. But none of them got the same level of connectivity and data speeds as friends with AT&T phones when tested from the exact same locations. In the year I've had my AT&T Note 3 I've never had a network connectivity problem. With my international phones they'd occasionally lose connectivity and I'd have to reboot them to get them back on the network. Like when turning them on when landing at destination after a flight; they couldn't find the network on their own when moving from one AT&T network design (they're different by region through acquisition) to another.
I'm typing this on an international 3G N10.1-14. 90+% of the time I have no network issues and it works brilliantly overseas. Going with an international device is always safer than a carrier device because Samsung's international radios are generic. Every carrier's device has its radio optimized for their specific network. If you read the forums where people are using T-Mobile (and even Canadian phones) on AT&T it's not all peaches and cream. My recommendation is to go with an EU international Note 4 because of its generic support for a ton of global bands. I'd avoid Asian phones because their bands are very different as is the pre-installed s/w.
Good luck.
Thanks for a very careful and thorough explanation. Are there any ebay sellers selling the UK Note 4 version? How should I go about adding warranty? Squaretrade?
BarryH_GEG said:
The previous answers seem to be talking about using a T-Mobile Note 4 and getting T-Mobile service. Your question's about which device would be the most versatile used both in the U.S. and overseas. Definitely go with international version. Samsung's UK site shows it supports both AT&T and T-Mobile's LTE bands as well as additional international bands neither of the U.S. phones support.
While you may be able to use a AT&T Note 4 on T-Mobile and vice versa their radios are optimized for the networks they are designed to be used on. I'm in an AT&T VoLTE market and can use it on my Note 3. A friend here using a T-Mobile N3 on AT&T can't using the same APN.
My current Note 3 is my first carrier phone out of a half dozen over four years so I have a lot of Samsung international device experience. I've only used them on AT&T and have no interest in T-Mobile as a carrier. They've performed fine on AT&T. But none of them got the same level of connectivity and data speeds as friends with AT&T phones when tested from the exact same locations. In the year I've had my AT&T Note 3 I've never had a network connectivity problem. With my international phones they'd occasionally lose connectivity and I'd have to reboot them to get them back on the network. Like when turning them on when landing at destination after a flight; they couldn't find the network on their own when moving from one AT&T network design (they're different by region through acquisition) to another.
I'm typing this on an international 3G N10.1-14. 90+% of the time I have no network issues and it works brilliantly overseas. Going with an international device is always safer than a carrier device because Samsung's international radios are generic. Every carrier's device has its radio optimized for their specific network. If you read the forums where people are using T-Mobile (and even Canadian phones) on AT&T it's not all peaches and cream. My recommendation is to go with an EU international Note 4 because of its generic support for a ton of global bands. I'd avoid Asian phones because their bands are very different as is the pre-installed s/w.
Good luck.
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arjun90 said:
Are there any ebay sellers selling the UK Note 4 version? How should I go about adding warranty? Squaretrade?
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I'd stay away from eBay. Most LTE Samsung devices sold there are Asian. The dollar's exceptionally strong right now. I'd buy it from handtec.co.uk if I were you. In fact, if I wasn't getting the Note 4 for free because I'm on Next I'd buy my Note 4 from Handtec too. You can even get it in bronze and be the first on your block. Converted from GBP it's currently $806 including two-day FedEx shipping; that's cheaper than AT&T's $826 without tax. Because you're buying a UK phone in the UK Samsung's 24 month UK warranty is intact. You'll have to pay to send it there if it needs service but it's better than nothing. I had a UK SGS2 that had a cracked bezel and Samsung UK was very accommodating in repairing it. I'd get SquareTrade anyway and they'll cover an imported UK phone. The UK is also one of the first region's to receive updates so that's a plus too.
Seems like Clove is able to take off the region-lock whereas Handtec is unable to. Do the UK LTE Note 4's support T-Mobile's Band 12. Seems like I just want as many bands as possible as you never know when you want to switch to another US Carrier.
I'm currently using an MVNO (PureTalk) that relies on AT&T's network; currently using an unlocked T-Mobile Note 2 in Mint Condition, soon to be sold.
I do see how the European Model N910F is more versatile and at the same time, most expensive if purchased in the states (~$1300) compared to the Korean LTE Variants and Hong Kong Exynos (910U) Variant. The T-Mobile units are available online for $~750.
JimSmith94 said:
T-Mobile give you free Wifi calling, international texts and data, $.20 international calls if you can't get on Wifi, plus free texts and voicemail in the air through Go-Go. That's why I'm getting it.
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Just to confirm, does Samsung consider the N910F to be an international unlocked Note 4?
I can't seem to tell what is the official International Unlocked version
http://www.clove.co.uk/samsung-galaxy-note-4
Would you go for the 910'F' or 910'C'?
Just received the Pre order for the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G and as the title says it doesn't have E-Sim functionality out the box.
I spoke to two Samsung Customer service representatives and they don't have a clue. I got so fed up trying to explain that I simply can't scan the QR code and enable the E-Sim that I'm going to return the phone as I need a dual sim device for personal and business needs.
I am aware that the Fold 2 had exactly same issue but it got enabled via a software update but I can't hang around for a software update to be sent out as I need to active lines.
Very poor product support by Samsung and it has soured my experience with them. They should release all their devices with e-sim support from the start and not rely on software updates further down the line.
if you are in the US, then eSIM is not supported yet.
when I contacted Samsung, they said T-Mobile USA (my carrier) needs to enable it. If i ask T-Mobile , they say that Samsung needs to release a firmware update.
I don't know who to believe.
It is extremely frurstating
mr_stoosh said:
Just received the Pre order for the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G and as the title says it doesn't have E-Sim functionality out the box.
I spoke to two Samsung Customer service representatives and they don't have a clue. I got so fed up trying to explain that I simply can't scan the QR code and enable the E-Sim that I'm going to return the phone as I need a dual sim device for personal and business needs.
I am aware that the Fold 2 had exactly same issue but it got enabled via a software update but I can't hang around for a software update to be sent out as I need to active lines.
Very poor product support by Samsung and it has soured my experience with them. They should release all their devices with e-sim support from the start and not rely on software updates further down the line.
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I wouldn't be so quick to blame Samsung - my understanding is that the lack of e-SIM support (or any kind of dual-SIM capability) in North America is being driven by the carriers. We're making progress though - at least now we can easily buy unlocked phones (or imported dual-SIM phones) which was nearly impossible not that long ago.
jtOttawa said:
I wouldn't be so quick to blame Samsung - my understanding is that the lack of e-SIM support (or any kind of dual-SIM capability) in North America is being driven by the carriers. We're making progress though - at least now we can easily buy unlocked phones (or imported dual-SIM phones) which was nearly impossible not that long ago.
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I'm based in the UK and was informed prior to ordering the phone by a Samsung customer service representative that the phone would be e-sim ready.
There is quite a demand for e-sims in this country and we have a fair few phones that offer the service out of the box.
Just a little annoyed that Samsung couldn't get this service up and running on the device prior to release.
Nevertheless not my problem any more as I have initiated a return and will be looking to buy something else.
Just a side note, other US modes in the S20 series do not have the eSIM enabled either, and those hasn't been released yesterday. The only Samsung phone that seems to have eSIM enabled in US is the Fold. Bottom line is, don't count on this feature. Kinda hope to find a viable workaround on XDA or other forums. The eSIM is the main reason i don't hit that "buy" button on this phone just yet, i'd really like to have an eSIM capability on my next device (not for a day to day use, but for traveling purposes).
but here in germany it is normal, that every samsung phone that has esim also have it enabled.
maik005 said:
but here in germany it is normal, that every samsung phone that has esim also have it enabled.
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Pay the most (per cost of living) and get the least.
'MERICA!
maik005 said:
but here in germany it is normal, that every samsung phone that has esim also have it enabled.
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But that means that your s20 fe 5g has esim?
Mine, from Spain, has no esim support and I also would like to have it.
Thanks.
manolito1998 said:
But that means that your s20 fe 5g has esim?
Mine, from Spain, has no esim support and I also would like to have it.
Thanks.
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No.
Because there is no S20 FE (5G) with eSIM support.
Sorry for bringing alive a zombie thread.
Do we know if the s20 FE will have esim support via software updates?
YYZviaYUL said:
Sorry for bringing alive a zombie thread.
Do we know if the s20 FE will have esim support via software updates?
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According to this (https://piunikaweb.com/2021/01/29/w...sim-support-on-samsung-galaxy-devices-in-u-s/), nope, and it will never have it in US. Now they say S21 may eventually get it. Bottom line is - forget about it.
Question 1. Is the bootloader unlockable on the UW version if purchased from google.com
Question 2. Will the 4a 5g (non UW version) still be fully supported on Verizon. **I don't care about 5g at this point in time
In other words... What I'm really trying to find out is if Verizon will "force" me into buying the UW version and refuse to activate the non UW version
Yes, Verizon's version will have the UW band and they will make you buy that one if you want that feature on it. No the bootloader is LOCKED.
https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/veri...pixel-4a-5g-again-reveals-the-millimeter-wave
My understanding though is that any unlocked pixel will work on Verizon but will not have the above-mentioned 5G UW support. Based on reading on previous devices like the One Plus 6 and higher you will have to take an extra step or 2 to get VZW to certify the device but it will work.
I have said goodbye to Verizon after 15+ years in October. I was convinced that they had the best coverage but I just couldn't continue to pay anymore. I should have switched years ago. I have Google Fi and have ZERO regrets. Not only do I have a bootloader unlocked device, if you act soon you can get the deals mentioned in the other parts of this forum if you want to switch.
*My Shameless plug and referral link to receive $20 Fi credit!
I have the unlocked model working on Verizon. Nothing special needed. Just put in your sim and off you go. I didn’t order the Verizon version because I don’t need that extra 5g band at this point.
I just got Google Fi deal 4a 5g which doesn't have UW. eSIM for my personal Fi, physical for my work Verizon sim, dual standby works wonder. Don't care about 5G anyway.
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