So I am looking forward to buy the S8 and I do want the unlocked bootloader. I heard that if you buy an S8 or S8+ from T Mobile then you get the U variant instead of T. Is it true? Because as far as I know the S8 and S8+ US variants got the U after the numbers which shows that the bootloader is unlocked.
T-mobile bootloader on the s8/s8+ is locked
KidKnowsTech said:
So I am looking forward to buy the S8 and I do want the unlocked bootloader. I heard that if you buy an S8 or S8+ from T Mobile then you get the U variant instead of T. Is it true? Because as far as I know the S8 and S8+ US variants got the U after the numbers which shows that the bootloader is unlocked.
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Every North American model is the U model, simply with different firmware. Whether you buy a carrier version or the US unlocked model (U1) they are all quite literally the very same U model. This means you CAN do carrier switching, with some work (for instance, install firmware from T-Mobile on to an unlocked model, or Verizon, or whatever) - this DOES NOT however, SIM unlock the device. There was misinformation on the internet that the model numbers would be like they were in the past, but it's not true. If you buy a T-Mobile model, it's the G950U, just like it's the G950U on Verizon and all other carriers (no longer are there "T" models, "V" models, etc). The unlocked model is the G950U1, but it's still the very same model, so the firmwares are interchangeable.
Currently, there is no known way to unlock the bootloader. As of this week, root is available (with some caveats), but no way to unlock the bootloader. The only models you can do that with are the international Exynos models, and the more rare Hong Kong Snapdragon model. I sincerely doubt we'll ever be able to unlock the bootloader, but I'd love to see the XDA community make it happen.
Damn, I guess the International version is better.
The U = carrier unlocked. Not unlockable bootloader. Besides most glass Mashers and text-while-driving people don't even know what the heck a bootloader is lol
Bootloader ? oem
I have been thinking about get a S8+, now my wife's S7 phone and tab S2 tablet you just go to developer options and turn on oem unlock dose the S8 not have that?
brightjh01 said:
I have been thinking about get a S8+, now my wife's S7 phone and tab S2 tablet you just go to developer options and turn on oem unlock dose the S8 not have that?
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No
stmims1124 said:
Every North American model is the U model, simply with different firmware. Whether you buy a carrier version or the US unlocked model (U1) they are all quite literally the very same U model. This means you CAN do carrier switching, with some work (for instance, install firmware from T-Mobile on to an unlocked model, or Verizon, or whatever) - this DOES NOT however, SIM unlock the device. There was misinformation on the internet that the model numbers would be like they were in the past, but it's not true. If you buy a T-Mobile model, it's the G950U, just like it's the G950U on Verizon and all other carriers (no longer are there "T" models, "V" models, etc). The unlocked model is the G950U1, but it's still the very same model, so the firmwares are interchangeable.
Currently, there is no known way to unlock the bootloader. As of this week, root is available (with some caveats), but no way to unlock the bootloader. The only models you can do that with are the international Exynos models, and the more rare Hong Kong Snapdragon model. I sincerely doubt we'll ever be able to unlock the bootloader, but I'd love to see the XDA community make it happen.
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So what you are basically saying is, 950U s8 models even though unlocked can only be used on other US carries and not internationally??
captainkbj said:
So what you are basically saying is, 950U s8 models even though unlocked can only be used on other US carries and not internationally??
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No, you should be able to use the U1 (North American implied variant) internationally, mostly without issue. I believe it supports most, if not all GSM/LTE bands (CDMA may be a different story). I was just saying you cannot unlock the bootloader on the North American models... Different than SIM/Carrier unlock
I'm looking to upgrade to the S9 and looking for advice on whether or not to get the US carrier unlock version or the T-Mobile version. So those of you who went with the US carrier unlocked S8, What are the Pros and Cons of it please?
supercharged5 said:
I'm looking to upgrade to the S9 and looking for advice on whether or not to get the US carrier unlock version or the T-Mobile version. So those of you who went with the US carrier unlocked S8, What are the Pros and Cons of it please?
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They do not support the same set of bands/frequencies. If you plan to use it in US on T-Mobile network it is better to get it from them.
vzaliva said:
They do not support the same set of bands/frequencies. If you plan to use it in US on T-Mobile network it is better to get it from them.
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So buy directly from from T-mobile or buy from Samsung for the T-mobile carrier?
supercharged5 said:
So buy directly from from T-mobile or buy from Samsung for the T-mobile carrier?
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It does not matter as long as you buy the right model. It looks like T-mobile model numbers are:
SM-G960UZKATMB (Midnight Black)
SM-G960UZBATMB (Coral Blue)
SM-G960UZPATMB (Lilac Purple)
But please do not trust me on this and double-check before purchasing
Also, see this thread for additional discussion:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s9/help/t-mobile-vs-unlocked-version-t3756999
Thanks
Hello everyone, wondering if I purchase this n9600 will it work on verizon?? Looks like there is a hk, latin american and international n9600. If i purchase this one will i be able to have cdma on verizon? Not too concerned with samsung pay working but I also don't want to root, I have pixel 3 for that. Just want to pop sim in and have working service like my n960u1 did
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-Ga...:dPcAAOSwdrdcR04G:rk:18:pf:0&var=522129757336
Hi all,
Going to be purchasing a Tmobile Galaxy s10 for my girlfriend and wondering what, if any, drawbacks there are to buying a TMO variant but activating it on ATT? I'm pretty sure wifi calling won't work, but what about updates? The splash screen will still be TMO I would assume and then would it still be on the TMO update schedule? Has anyone done this? Thanks.
First of all, I never buy from the carriers anymore. Bloated software, ads, etc. & LOCKED BOOTLOADERS, drive me nuts.
I would buy the International Unlocked Model. If you are looking for the S10, the SM-G973F is the international version. AND the local USA carriers will not sell you this model because they want you LOCKED on to their carrier!
But you can buy from SWAPPA or Ebay or AMAZON. I have the international S10E with the fingerprint unlock in the Power button (no problems with installing a glass screen saver).
xgerryx said:
Hi all,
Going to be purchasing a Tmobile Galaxy s10 for my girlfriend and wondering what, if any, drawbacks there are to buying a TMO variant but activating it on ATT? I'm pretty sure wifi calling won't work, but what about updates? The splash screen will still be TMO I would assume and then would it still be on the TMO update schedule? Has anyone done this? Thanks.
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I'm curious as to why you're not just buying an unlocked model if wifi calling doesn't matter. In reference to another rant posted, I doubt she will need to unlock the bootloader so I see no need for the international version off Ebay depending on what country she'll be using it in. On what you're asking, yes someone has done it I believe.
Anyone knows a cheap unlock service for S20 FE please? Can I use a Verizon locked one overseas? Thanks
good news it seems
Device Locking FAQs
To prevent identity theft and fraud, devices bought from Verizon are locked and cannot be used on another carrier's network for the first 60 days after purchase.
www.verizon.com