Unlocked vs. AT&T - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

With news that AT&T will be bringing the S3 to the states this month, it prompts this question.
I currently have an international i9100 and love it. If I were to get the S3 via AT&T (at the subsidized price) would I be able to root, flash, and do anything "good" with it? Or would I be an indentured servant to AT&T?

AT&T locked the bootloader of HTC One X so I'm not really sure if they'll let you use it freely.
But then people found a way to unlock the bootloader so I think even if AT&T locked it, people would find a way around it.
And you'd also get 4G LTE, 2GB RAM but a Snapdragon S4 processor.
The S4 seems promising but it's only dual core.

AT&T has yet to make it so you cant root a samsung device. The locked bootloader is common with HTC devices so I wouldnt go off of that but I have had the S1 the S2 and the Note and all has been unlocked with little to no issues.

I spoke with a customer care rep in the executive's office today and was told the bootloader is going to be locked.

mfratella said:
I spoke with a customer care rep in the executive's office today and was told the bootloader is going to be locked.
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Click to collapse
Of course they will say that, whether or not it's true is another story, and like mentioned it won't really matter if it is or isn't

Thanks. Once I get it I'll be back in here to get some direction with it. I'm fine with dealing with the international unlocked versions, but never tried anything with a carrier branded device.

mfratella said:
I spoke with a customer care rep in the executive's office today and was told the bootloader is going to be locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We will just have to wait and see... I don't believe much customer care says.. Hell
l the one i talked to didn't even know about the pre order starting yesterday.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

mfratella said:
With news that AT&T will be bringing the S3 to the states this month, it prompts this question.
I currently have an international i9100 and love it. If I were to get the S3 via AT&T (at the subsidized price) would I be able to root, flash, and do anything "good" with it? Or would I be an indentured servant to AT&T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never actually heard of any samsung phone from at&t shipped with locked bootloader. Mostly is HTC phones, and they are known to do that even on unsubsidized phone till a while ago after getting bash from the android community.
and imo, the only real advantage to get a branded phone is you get easy warranty. if you bricked your phone for good during a flash or there is some problem with display, you can just walk in and get a replacement in seconds. LTE or not, or the 2GB ram, I dont think it's going to matter that much in daily use unless u use ur phone as a hot spot or something.
As far as development goes... usually international version is always better, may not be so obvious back in the galaxy S days since most of the US variant are still using the same backbone with minor variation. But ever since the S2 that need snapdragon to support LTE.... development pace kinda forked from there.

Related

i717 vs GT N7000

Hey guys
I just bought the international version of the note N7000 a month ago and now they are available here in Toronto. Rogers and Bell has them and they seem to be the AT&T i717 version. I went to purchase the Flip Cover for the note but the AT&T cover does not fit the international one. So in order to do so I was planning on selling my International Version to get the Bell version.
Anyone got any suggestions or comments in the difference between N7000 and i717? Also can i unlock the phone to use another sim card?
or if someone has the international cover black and lives close to markham,toronto msg me too!
You should be able to find a flip cover for the international fairly easy online.
However, there are pros and cons to either version. The main differences are:
International has the Exynos processor, i717 has the Snapdragon. Either processor is adequate, however people seem to have more love for the Exynos.
International will recieve ICS sooner, as it is scheduled to be released within a month I'm pretty sure. Hoever, the i717 will receive it this year most likely, and being as you are in Canada, your i717 will likely receive it before the US version.
i717 has LTE, international only has HSPA+. However, if you are going to unlock it for another carrier, it is unlikely that you will be able to use LTE on the i717. Also, if you are not in an LTE area, it doesn't make any difference until your area has LTE.
You cannot use international ROMs on the i717, and vice versa. The i717 will still have a great community once things ramp up though, so you will likely be happy ether way.
If you choose the i717, you will have warranty through your carrier.
Either way, both phones are great, but you will be able to get the subsidized pricing on the i717 through your carrier with an upgrade, so it will be slightly cheaper, though you will be locked into a new plan.
From what I have heard, there is various success with which carriers you can use your device on if you carrier unlock it. Best to do some research into which other phone service you are wanting to use, just to make sure it is possible before buying. I suggest contacting the other carrier and asking if they will support the unlocked i717.
FM Radio not enabled on North American i717 version:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1521016
Wait.. you want to switch phones because you can't use the flip cover on your version..?
joshnichols189 said:
Wait.. you want to switch phones because you can't use the flip cover on your version..?
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Click to collapse
Right lol!!
To each his own
Sent from a rock on fire in the middle of the sea
I had the i717 and sold it and bought an N7000. LTE in Vancouver is so hit or miss that it wasn't worth having the phone set on searching for LTE and wasting battery when it wasn't available. For me, HSPA is fine in terms of data speed, and the bigger dev community was the icing on the cake. They're both excellent devices, but the N7000 satisfied my needs more than the i717.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
International devices will always be better than the US version. Because it has to go through the hands of AT$T first before it reaches the consumer. Only advantage the AT$T Note has is LTE.
My opinion, yes. Hands on experience, yes too.
Edit: Perfect example, since there so much talk about it.
International version: http://www.htc.com/www/smartphones/htc-one-x/#specs
AT$T version: http://www.htc.com/us/products/htconex-att#tech-specs
Xstop said:
International devices will always be better than the US version. Because it has to go through the hands of AT$T first before it reaches the consumer. Only advantage the AT$T Note has is LTE.
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Click to collapse
Which yields the capability to run with an AWS provider like Wind Mobile Canada.
If I were the OP i'd be selling it too, since the i717 has much more potential now that AWS 1700 can be flashed on demand
while the international version can only do NAM bands
so the switching the phone due the cover thing... that's a ver weak excuse
it's so cheap and easy to find international note covers or accessories on ebay with free shipping or even any of the local shops in the malls
Xstop said:
International devices will always be better than the US version. Because it has to go through the hands of AT$T first before it reaches the consumer. Only advantage the AT$T Note has is LTE.
My opinion, yes. Hands on experience, yes too.
Edit: Perfect example, since there so much talk about it.
International version: http://www.htc.com/www/smartphones/htc-one-x/#specs
AT$T version: http://www.htc.com/us/products/htconex-att#tech-specs
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Click to collapse
I could be wrong, but the International version doesn't have NFC built in at all, while the AT&T version has it, just disabled. So there's that as another advantage. BTW, love the redirection.
Dacian said:
I could be wrong, but the International version doesn't have NFC built in at all, while the AT&T version has it, just disabled. So there's that as another advantage. BTW, love the redirection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Advantage? AT&T disabled it. How is that an advantage? Is yours enabled? Why cripple the phone when it is clearly capable of doing it.
Edit: Not trying to start anything, but my point is that ATT tends to cripple the phone one way or another. Yes you have NFC, but why disable it? If the phone came with it, don't prevent the end user to use it. Or at least give you the option to enable or disable it. It's your phone.
When I first got the Galaxy S Captivate, I was wondering how to turn on the front facing camera. But it's just two holes that looks cool there
Xstop said:
Advantage? AT&T disabled it. How is that an advantage? Is yours enabled? Why cripple the phone when it is clearly capable of doing it.
Edit: Not trying to start anything, but my point is that ATT tends to cripple the phone one way or another. Yes you have NFC, but why disable it? If the phone came with it, don't prevent the end user to use it. Or at least give you the option to enable or disable it. It's your phone.
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Click to collapse
Because it can be enabled. Have fun with that on the international version.
johnus said:
Because it can be enabled. Have fun with that on the international version.
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Click to collapse
Yea, huge deal breaker. And NFC is so much fun.
BTW, I have both. So don't know why you guys are getting so defensive. I'm just saying... Which is an opinion from my experience.
It already has been...the mod with the .xml files for the I717 already available and working!
No NFC is moot.
Sent from a phone suffering from an identity crisis!
erad1 said:
It already has been...the mood to enable the.xml files is already available!
Sent from a phone suffering from an identity crisis!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but I have no reason to enable it. It's not a deal breaker for me like I said, I'm just saying ATT shouldn't of disable it in the first place.
You guys need to relax. So quick to defend.
Xstop said:
Yes but I have no reason to enable it. It's not a deal breaker for me like I said, I'm just saying ATT shouldn't of disable it in the first place.
You guys need to relax. So quick to defend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree...just wanted to share about the mod for those who didn't already know about it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
nfc is something i dont really care bout. same with lte..
And atm the dont really care to root etc.
So those 3 things are what made me sell my att note, and get the int note.
int for me
better battery life
home button
no lag
everyone is diff and has diff tastes and needs..but that doesnt mean one note is better than the other. lol
spiritcrusher33 said:
nfc is something i dont really care bout. same with lte..
And atm the dont really care to root etc.
So those 3 things are what made me sell my att note, and get the int note.
int for me
better battery life
home button
no lag
everyone is diff and has diff tastes and needs..but that doesnt mean one note is better than the other. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what haven't you heard the news? now that the at&t note can do tmobile fast data which covers 1000 people or so haha
now the at&t note is the bestest!!
who cares people...buy phone+play with phone=happy

[Q] Carrier Question (Verizon)

Am looking to upgrade my phone (DroidX right now). As with many pieces of technology buying the next generation down often makes a lot of sense. Usually.
In lieu of the SIII, (and yes, I know VZW did not "officially" sell the SII) would there be any reason buying an unlocked SII "not" work on the Verizon network?
Oh and also, if given the chance, would you buy the SII again? Knowing what you know now.
Just curious.
Thanks all.
skeeterpro said:
Am looking to upgrade my phone (DroidX right now). As with many pieces of technology buying the next generation down often makes a lot of sense. Usually.
In lieu of the SIII, (and yes, I know VZW did not "officially" sell the SII) would there be any reason buying an unlocked SII "not" work on the Verizon network?
Oh and also, if given the chance, would you buy the SII again? Knowing what you know now.
Just curious.
Thanks all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This forum is for the i9100, a GSM phone. Verizon is a CDMA network. Try as you might, this phone will never get voice service oh Verizon's network.
I've heard rumors about people being able to unlock the US Cellular (SCH-R760) or Sprint (SPH-D710) Galaxy S2 variants to work on Verizon, but nothing actually substantiated with evidence.

I9305 or not ?

Hey, I recently got my i9300 stolen and I am getting it back on insurance, however I was thinking to sell the new handset they give me and instead buy the LTE version PAYG from Orange (UK resident here).
Only issue is no-one in the Orange and T-Mobile branches can clarify to me whether the model has 2GB of RAM and is indeed the i9305.
In orange the phone they had on display under LTE version under 'About Device' showed to be i9300's with 1GB RAM but I'm guessing that's because they've just used a standard S3 for the sake of display?
No staff for some reason know whether it has the extra Gb of RAM, most people just stating the only difference is LTE.
In T-Mobile, the guy at least had the courtesy to say it WAS the i9305 they sell, but the device was locked if I tried to go to RAM manager or About.
My question is if anyone has bought a handset from Orange (only 450) and whether it is indeed the i9305 with 2GB RAM.
Also my second question I guess is, is there any point me getting this model or should I just keep my standard handset. I'm assuming as an ORange customer I could migrate to EE when it launches but I'm just not sure.
Thanks
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
personally if u enjoyed the s3 and samsung then go for it but i wudnt pay for another samsung roo problematic unless u wana flash custom roms to overcome them.
i too was thinkin the same but not confident with samsing the normal s3 is a big let dwn
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
I would go for it, because the phone will be as future proof as possible, 2GB RAM will allow heavy multi-tasking, and LTE will be there when it comes to your area.
And about them not knowing whether the ones in stock are I9305, go up to them and say "Oi clueless guy get a box and check what it says" seriously they turned me down for a job when I know more about Android than the iSheep that work there.
I might walk in sometime and ask them loads of technical questions.
delsus said:
I would go for it, because the phone will be as future proof as possible, 2GB RAM will allow heavy multi-tasking, and LTE will be there when it comes to your area.
And about them not knowing whether the ones in stock are I9305, go up to them and say "Oi clueless guy get a box and check what it says" seriously they turned me down for a job when I know more about Android than the iSheep that work there.
I might walk in sometime and ask them loads of technical questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume it cant be phone insurance you got with the phone then as you have no choice but to get a replacement of the same model I would have though. Given the choice i'd get the updated model.
da.trute said:
I assume it cant be phone insurance you got with the phone then as you have no choice but to get a replacement of the same model I would have though. Given the choice i'd get the updated model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What the OP said is he plans to get a replacement I9300, then sell it to get an I9305 and I was just saying I would.
Get the i9305.
easiest way to find out it is the i9305 is to look at the box and it is on the bottom left at the back of the box.
also it would be locked to orange
+1 I9305. enough said i think you have more then enough opinions. Ill see you in the I9305 forum bye for now
lol yeah i got it in the end sooo nice to go back to the S3 from the now heavily dated desire HD.
the box doesn't state the 2GB RAM, and they told me if I open the box to check the phone, I have to pay first :|
you're right, they know nothing, I saw the model number and said well if it's i9305 it's 2GB RAM to which the sales assistant retorted (quite cockily i might add) no the 2GB RAM is a model only available in Japan the only difference with this is LTE.
Well luckily I knew my stuff so bought it, checked, 1.75GB of RAM on my system and a nice titanium grey finish.
felt the sting horribly on my bank card though, need to sell the replacement phone now (any takers...).
for anyone wondering I live in Nottingham which should be getting 4G by the end of the year so I felt it was definitely a worthwhile purchase.
THIS BULL**** LIFE STORY ASIDE ---------
I'm assuming I can't flash a ROM made for the i9300? anyone know where to browse some interesting i9305 ones?
it's rooted and CWM'd up but I'm already wanting to try something different and less bloaty.
thanks for your input guys
cant flash i9300 roms unfortunately:crying: but hopefully as more of us get onboard their maybe some more development soon:good:
Breaking my cherry post...
I'm also looking to break my android cherry, having been an iOS user so excuse the noob questions. I have been looking to get a i9305 from Orange. My question is if I get the phone from orange, have it unlocked but not rooted and use a sim card from another carrier like O2 or vodafone will I still get OTA updates as those network carriers don't even sell the i9305.
I'm probably going to go with T-Mobile as they have a good sim only deal at the moment but as only Orange sell the phone on payg, would a T-Mobile sim work without having to unlock the phone?
Lastly how easy is it to remove the stuff that network carriers put on the phone, simple a case of deleting apps or is that where rooting comes in?

S7 bootloader unlock petition

Anybody interested in the bootloader and unlocking it I encourage you to sign this petition. These phones are ours to use how we see fit and the more noise we make the better our chances are. I bought this phone under the assumption that nothing had changed and for Samsung to change their policies without notice isn't acceptable for me and hopefully you as well. Thank you
Petition
brendan802 said:
Anybody interested in the bootloader and unlocking it I encourage you to sign this petition. These phones are ours to use how we see fit and the more noise we make the better our chances are. I bought this phone under the assumption that nothing had changed and for Samsung to change their policies without notice isn't acceptable for me and hopefully you as well. Thank you
Petition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootloaders have been locked down on samsung devices for a long time. Tmobile was lucky enough to have them open. This will never happen.
this is the end..
signed.
Signed
Never happened with the Note 3 despite similar petitions, likely never going to happen with the S7 either. I do agree that if you own the phone outright (not on a lease from AT&T) then you should be able to do as you please with it and once you completed the lease then you should be allowed to unlock the bootloader.
naiku said:
Never happened with the Note 3 despite similar petitions, likely never going to happen with the S7 either. I do agree that if you own the phone outright (not on a lease from AT&T) then you should be able to do as you please with it and once you completed the lease then you should be allowed to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to say that technically through ATT it is not a lease, it is a payment plan. That would be like buying a house or a car not leasing in which case they are both considered yours right off the bat. Yes you are making payments on it but if the deal is done properly you will never return the phone to ATT making it yours, unlike a lease.
whoamanwtf said:
I would like to say that technically through ATT it is not a lease, it is a payment plan. That would be like buying a house or a car not leasing in which case they are both considered yours right off the bat. Yes you are making payments on it but if the deal is done properly you will never return the phone to ATT making it yours, unlike a lease.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a very good point, however I can at least understand with AT&T that until you pay for that phone in full it is not considered yours. I would not be surprised if they have something in the fine print on the Next plan that says something to that effect. Note - I do agree with you entirely, I am paying for a phone and should be able to do whatever the heck I want with it.
If you're going to write a petition to these companies, you should run it through a proofreader and spell check. Nobody will take that seriously written the way it is. Also, if you want it to gain more traction, you should probably share it in the Galaxy S7 subreddit as well at www.reddit.com/r/galaxys7.
Don't think it will happen with Samsung Pay. They are very protective of it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
With no upgrade availability for any of the phone numbers on my account, I paid full price for my S7 Edge, so I own my phone outright and want the bootloader unlocked!
What happens when this reaches 1500? With a locked bootloader aren't things such as root and safestrap still feasible?
TheZander said:
What happens when this reaches 1500? With a locked bootloader aren't things such as root and safestrap still feasible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes root it possible. Not sure about safe strap.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
billydroid said:
Yes root it possible. Not sure about safe strap.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root is still a longshot and I'd go as far as saying that safestrap won't happen at all. Look at the past, the AT&T S6 barely got root, still doesn't have more than like 2 ROMs, and is entirely dependent on one root method that supports two specific builds and an app called Flashfire. Samsung, on behalf of the carriers, is doing everything in their power to make rooting and custom ROMs an impossible feat. With that being said, let's take a look at the AT&T Note 5. It still has just received root from the same people who are supporting root on the S6 (from what I've seen, PingPongRoot was born and died with an earlier S6 build). The majority of the big devs who used to put in the work for supporting Samsung devices have all jumped ship to devices that aren't as heavily locked down. Unfortunately, I think the dev scene for Samsung devices that aren't the international or T-Mobile versions is pretty much dead (even the Tmo Note 5 isn't getting much love). The only redemption here is that the S7 uses a qualcomm processor, not an exynos, which is much more heavily documented, meaning that if someone is able to crack open the bootloader, the ROMs (and more importantly, the kernels) will be much easier to build. This is all just my 2 cents, I hope someone does accomplish the unthinkable and achieve all of this, but in the meantime, if you want to stick with Samsung, buckle up and enjoy the stock touchwiz. You'll probably be on it for a while.
TekGadgt said:
Root is still a longshot and I'd go as far as saying that safestrap won't happen at all. Look at the past, the AT&T S6 barely got root, still doesn't have more than like 2 ROMs, and is entirely dependent on one root method that supports two specific builds and an app called Flashfire. Samsung, on behalf of the carriers, is doing everything in their power to make rooting and custom ROMs an impossible feat. With that being said, let's take a look at the AT&T Note 5. It still has just received root from the same people who are supporting root on the S6 (from what I've seen, PingPongRoot was born and died with an earlier S6 build). The majority of the big devs who used to put in the work for supporting Samsung devices have all jumped ship to devices that aren't as heavily locked down. Unfortunately, I think the dev scene for Samsung devices that aren't the international or T-Mobile versions is pretty much dead (even the Tmo Note 5 isn't getting much love). The only redemption here is that the S7 uses a qualcomm processor, not an exynos, which is much more heavily documented, meaning that if someone is able to crack open the bootloader, the ROMs (and more importantly, the kernels) will be much easier to build. This is all just my 2 cents, I hope someone does accomplish the unthinkable and achieve all of this, but in the meantime, if you want to stick with Samsung, buckle up and enjoy the stock touchwiz. You'll probably be on it for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you. The real kicker for me is what T-Mobile is doing, which is my carrier. Almost every device on tmo had the ability to get root and be unlocked. But they are getting on board with Verizon and AT&T and requested devices be locked down. Then they lie to us and say it's the manufacturers. They had them lock down the LG g5, which LG always gave us a unlock method,.garbage.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
dubbactrumpetmsu said:
If you're going to write a petition to these companies, you should run it through a proofreader and spell check. Nobody will take that seriously written the way it is. Also, if you want it to gain more traction, you should probably share it in the Galaxy S7 subreddit as well at www.reddit.com/r/galaxys7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you, I would love to sign a petition and I'm glad someone started one, but this petition has too many mistakes to even count. I doubt any company is going to take it very seriously. No disrespect intended to the person who wrote it, but it needs to be re-written.
Best hope for us is for the mandatory arbitration clause to go away. That would enable a group of users to sue when a locked bootloader prevents them from upgraded their phone. Older phones are susceptible to vulnerabilities because AT&T doesn't continue to roll out updates and the locked bootloader prevents you from updating the phone on your own.
I could be wrong, but I think this could be a pathway.
In the history of these sites and smartphones I don't think any company has ever unlocked the bootloader for any petition, and there have been plenty of them. I don't think they ever will. As much as I agree that it shouldn't be locked, especially if you outright own the phone, this is just a lost cause.
This thread about an app called "crom" in China is interesting: http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-s7-edge/help/code-t3379915/page24
Posted in the Sprint S7 edge forums. I guess the China varient is able to have its bootloader unlocked with this app...
xjimmy said:
This thread about an app called "crom" in China is interesting: http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-s7-edge/help/code-t3379915/page24
Posted in the Sprint S7 edge forums. I guess the China varient is able to have its bootloader unlocked with this app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
China's bootloader isn't as locked down as ours in the states is...[emoji30]
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA-Developers mobile app

Unlocked Galaxy S9 Question

Hello guys,
I did see 5hat the Galaxy s9 plus is cheaper through Samsung or through Best Buy Friday. The phone that is cheaper is the unlocked version that works with any carrier including Verizon which I get. My question is will the unlocked version work with, or have a way to download Verizon Visual Voicemail, and will it work? Appreciate the feedback.
mdonnelly1127 said:
Hello guys,
I did see 5hat the Galaxy s9 plus is cheaper through Samsung or through Best Buy Friday. The phone that is cheaper is the unlocked version that works with any carrier including Verizon which I get. My question is will the unlocked version work with, or have a way to download Verizon Visual Voicemail, and will it work? Appreciate the feedback.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To piggy back off of this question (since I am in similar boat with AT&T) - Is it possible to flash the phone with the carrier version after purchasing unlocked version? Unfortunately, WiFi calling is a must where I live.
Thanks
I'm also in the same situation with Verizon. I want to get the unlocked version, but will everything work just like the verizon branded device? Also does anyone know if the Samsung trade in offer will work with a Verizon phone that's on payment plan?
Also wondering if sideloading the app will work for this purpose.
LgG2-Ttrain said:
I'm also in the same situation with Verizon. I want to get the unlocked version, but will everything work just like the verizon branded device? Also does anyone know if the Samsung trade in offer will work with a Verizon phone that's on payment plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see why they shouldn't take it. I've sold phones on Verizon payment plan and haven't had any problems. The carriers only care that you continue to make payments and fire that they bill you monthly.
Bxrider117 said:
I don't see why they shouldn't take it. I've sold phones on Verizon payment plan and haven't had any problems. The carriers only care that you continue to make payments and fire that they bill you monthly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I just finished reading the fine print in Samsung's trade in offer. So the only phones they will not accept as trade ins are leased phones.
Just went through this at Best Buy on Friday, also.
Was strongly considering the unlocked S9+ and porting it to the VZW network. I inquired with the blue-shirt if there would be any loss of functionality should I make such a choice. The answer was "no".
The Samsung representative was in attendance, so I put the question to him as well. After glazing over while he went into an analogy of how your IMEI and SIM card are like licensing a car - and how they all can drive on the same road - I directed him back to the issue at hand, and his response was "no difference".
Then I called VZW, waited for the obligatory 15 minutes on hold, and asked the representative the same question. The answer was "No. None. Exactly the same."
Did a few searches on the feature I was specifically concerned about - that being Wi-Fi calling - and it appeared, from an historical perspective, there would be the potential for that functionality to be absent unless one purchased the branded device.
The VZW store was across the street, so I brought my question to them. In an experience that is as unique as it was surprising, I was lucky enough to get a salesperson who genuinely seemed to want to know the definitive answer as much as I did. He researched his on-line documentation for a few minutes before calling what he claimed to be their "network engineer".
The answer came back that VoLTE would work but Wi-Fi calling would not, on an unlocked S9+ ROM in the VZW network.
I've subsequently read contradicting indications but, considering the self-assigned importance of that capability, I decided not to chance it and find out the hard way that it would not work - should that be the case.
While this does not address your Visual Voice Mail concern, it does demonstrate exactly how many differing answers one can get from supposedly knowledgeable resources.
So, my solution was to lease the branded device with the understanding that I will need to deal with all of the pre-loaded stuff that I (or for that matter, just about anyone) do not need, want or use.
I have seen this questions asked hundreds of times, and I have seen both answers regarding WiFi calling. I know I have purchased unlocked phones right from Google in the past and never had an issue with any feature on VZW. I guess I will find out soon if anything has changed, as I ordered the 9+ unlocked from Samsung (they offered $100 more in a trade and a cheaper base price = no brainer). Will the confusion ever end?
Having had a unlocked s8+ and a Note 8 with VZ I can say VVM does not work. I've tried various applications and am not a fan of using google voice so I reached out and had standard messaging applied to my account and basic VVM removed. I'll get a notification but have to call in to check my voicemail which is no biggie. Never tried wifi calling but HD Voice does work ok. I preordered an unlocked S9+ so I'm sure it'll be the same boat
Verizon had the demo for the s9 plus in their store today, and the model of the phone is IDENTICAL to the unlocked US model. Also kinda wishing I'd stuck to the purple one I'd ordered by accident and cancelled, as it looks amazing in person.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
With the S7, you could flash the any of the carrier or unlocked firmware on the phone. This would give you access to verizon VVM, WiFI calling, etc if you flashed that firmware. I heard the S8 was the same since the hardware in them are the same between carriers. Here's to hoping that the S9 is the same.
MaddnessX said:
To piggy back off of this question (since I am in similar boat with AT&T) - Is it possible to flash the phone with the carrier version after purchasing unlocked version? Unfortunately, WiFi calling is a must where I live.
Thanks
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If you want WiFi Calling on Att - you MUST buy an ATT phone. ATT WiFi calling will only work with Branded ATT Phones - NOT unlocked ones. Sorry.
Geekser said:
If you want WiFi Calling on Att - you MUST buy an ATT phone. ATT WiFi calling will only work with Branded ATT Phones - NOT unlocked ones. Sorry.
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This is true. If you want wifi calling (which I do), you need an AT&T phone. You can't flash anything on the phone to make it work. A few extra AT&T apps is not a big deal on a phone like this to get the features they provide. If you pay for their service you should get all the benefits but that's not how it is for now.
dmb219 said:
This is true. If you want wifi calling (which I do), you need an AT&T phone. You can't flash anything on the phone to make it work. A few extra AT&T apps is not a big deal on a phone like this to get the features they provide. If you pay for their service you should get all the benefits but that's not how it is for now.
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And that is very unfortunate. I am hoping that one day they will open up WiFi Calling to non carrier phones - but I doubt it will happen any time soon if at all.
Is it the same for tmobile?
Just got off the phone with a Tier 2 Tech Coach with VZW and they said that they can only "guarantee the VZW branded phones will work with their features." I specifically asked about VVM and WiFi calling. They suggested I stick to the VZW branded model. I explained that their model was virtually $100 more than the unlocked version from Samsung and I wasn't sure why that was on "basically the same phone." She was kind and courteous, but certainly it's another way for Big Red to make more money.
tcabrino said:
Is it the same for tmobile?
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GS8 Unlocked worked with both VoLTE and Wifi Calling on TMO so there is no reason for the GS9+ unlocked not to support these features.
---------- Post added at 01:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 PM ----------
tcabrino said:
Is it the same for tmobile?
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raejr78 said:
Just got off the phone with a Tier 2 Tech Coach with VZW and they said that they can only "guarantee the VZW branded phones will work with their features." I specifically asked about VVM and WiFi calling. They suggested I stick to the VZW branded model. I explained that their model was virtually $100 more than the unlocked version from Samsung and I wasn't sure why that was on "basically the same phone." She was kind and courteous, but certainly it's another way for Big Red to make more money.
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Problem with VZW is support for integrated video calling thru the phone app which is different from the Samsung default. On VZW the unlocked USA version will support VoLTE but not WIfi Calling, VVM, Video Calling.
my 2 cents.
raejr78 said:
Just got off the phone with a Tier 2 Tech Coach with VZW and they said that they can only "guarantee the VZW branded phones will work with their features." I specifically asked about VVM and WiFi calling. They suggested I stick to the VZW branded model. I explained that their model was virtually $100 more than the unlocked version from Samsung and I wasn't sure why that was on "basically the same phone." She was kind and courteous, but certainly it's another way for Big Red to make more money.
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They're wrong. I tested a Verizon model in stores, and it's literally the exact same model number as the unlocked one I've got on order from Samsung. But of course they want you to buy the Verizon one, the mark up in the price is pure profit for them, and they probably get a commission for selling it to you.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
raejr78 said:
Just got off the phone with a Tier 2 Tech Coach with VZW and they said that they can only "guarantee the VZW branded phones will work with their features." I specifically asked about VVM and WiFi calling. They suggested I stick to the VZW branded model. I explained that their model was virtually $100 more than the unlocked version from Samsung and I wasn't sure why that was on "basically the same phone." She was kind and courteous, but certainly it's another way for Big Red to make more money.
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Don't forget their useless $30+ "activation fee" they charge when you buy a device through them. I shouldn't have to pay $30 to take the SIM out of my old phone and put it in my new phone. I'm going with the unlocked version because I'm considering switching to T-Mobile due to all this type of crap Verizon pulls.
LgG2-Ttrain said:
Yes I just finished reading the fine print in Samsung's trade in offer. So the only phones they will not accept as trade ins are leased phones.
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So I'm curious what happens if you have a leased phone. Do they just not accept it and then charge your card for what you weren't charged at time of checkout?

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