[Q] Is sim activation needed for US unlocked S9+? - Samsung Galaxy S9+ Questions & Answers

Hello,
Seeing as in this gen SD845 version totally wins over Exynos version in terms of battery life and snappiness, I am thinking of buying the US unlocked version to be used here in EU. I am almost 100% sure the LTE bands are all compatible, but what worries me a bit is the region lock, as we have it here for the EU version of S9+, which requires we insert a EU sim card to activate the phone. I haven't seen anything similar in the US, but just to be sure, my question then is: Is a US sim card necessary in order to activate a US unlocked S9+, or I can simply insert my EU sim card and the phone will work? Thanks!

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help with picking the right phone

hello, i bought an "unlocked" moto e 2nd gen lte phone from amazon, theyve sent me att go phone with network unlock code, phone itself is locked and impossible to unlock, theres so many versions and models of this phone out there, just need someone to advice which model (place to buy) can be fully unlocked and used with att regular lte sevice, thanks
Xt1524 is the model you want. Some xt1527 can be bootloader unlock(us cellular model) but if you can get your hands on a xt1524 you will be fine
Sent from my XT1526 using XDA-Developers mobile app
xdaxxlelvis said:
hello, i bought an "unlocked" moto e 2nd gen lte phone from amazon, theyve sent me att go phone with network unlock code, phone itself is locked and impossible to unlock, theres so many versions and models of this phone out there, just need someone to advise which model (place to buy) can be fully unlocked and used with att regular lte sevice, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For AT&T usage, if you want an unlockable bootloader, you'll need to get either a Moto-direct XT1527, a Canadian XT1527, or the US Cellular XT1526 (with GSM-enable trick).
Due to the lower price, the AT&T/GoPhone/Cricket XT1527 has flooded the market, so you really have to look hard to find a Moto-direct XT1527 (Canadian ones are relatively easy to identify, just look at the seller's location!).
For the Moto-direct XT1527, the key is to look for a listing that does not say "carrier packaging", and does not say "unlock code" or "unlocking procedure" (the Moto-direct model is SIM unlocked by default). Unfortunately, most of the descriptions on Amazon don't give much detail. You'd probably have better luck on Ebay, since sellers tend to include more details and sometimes photos of the device and boxes. Did a quick look on ebay, and this listing seems to suit your need, but it's pretty expensive: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Motorola-MOTO-E-XT1527-8GB-Black-Unlocked-Smartphone-LTE-/251923588971
Alternatively, the US Cellular XT1526 has all of the AT&T bands, is SIM unlocked, can be bootloader unlocked, and is readily available ($40 new on Amazon). If you want to stick with the stock ROM, you need to perform this trick in order to enable GSM mode: http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-e-2015/general/help-confirm-5-1-how-to-verizon-moto-e-t3264258 If you want to go custom, you may not need to perform the trick, I'm not sure.
903tex said:
Xt1524 is the model you want. Some xt1527 can be bootloader unlock(us cellular model) but if you can get your hands on a xt1524 you will be fine
Sent from my XT1526 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The XT1524 does not have any US LTE bands.
The US Cellular model is the XT1526.
Yea got my model numbers confused
Sent from my XT1526 using XDA-Developers mobile app

Would ordering s9+ unlocked version from samsung work ok on ATT without any issues?

Pros/Cons?
Pro: No AT&T preinstalled bloat
I'm using an Essential PH-1 unlocked with AT&T. No problems.
Used a Mate 9 unlocked on ATT with no problem. Most US unlocked phones should work without any problems on ATT
VoLTE or HD calling as AT&T calls it might work on an unlocked phone if they will provision your line for the service. They did it for my Pixel 2 and it worked after I got a new sim. I don't think wifi calling will work on any phone except an AT&T device. I would make good use of this service so I'm opting for the AT&T version. If I find wifi calling works on an unlocked model I may switch but I don't think it will. We do some vacationing at a place with wifi but no cell service. My wife's AT&T iphone has it and it's pretty cool.
If the unlocked version is snapdragon then it will work just fine and lock to USA AT&T. With the S8 phones they were unlocked until you put a SIM in it and then it locks to that carrier. I'm curious is the unlocked version the exynos or the Snapdragon?
highaltitude said:
If the unlocked version is snapdragon then it will work just fine and lock to USA AT&T. With the S8 phones they were unlocked until you put a SIM in it and then it locks to that carrier. I'm curious is the unlocked version the exynos or the Snapdragon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The snapdragon is the only processor sold in the usa whether you are unlocked or carrier specific.
Having issues with SM-G965F on AT&T LTE
I just activated my SM-G965F and I'm only getting 3G and 3.5G (H+). No LTE. If I change the mobile networks settings to nxtgenphone, it connects to LTE, then drops and I get no data. I can only use the 'phone' version. My AT&T account has a grayed out device for my account. Checking compatibility with the IMEI checker for AT&T says it cannot determine if it is compatible. the 2nd SIM slot IMEI number is considered invalid!
Heading to the AT&T store at the mall later... not expecting much help.
I have the Note 8 and it was a PITA to get it full working on AT&T. Only thing that interest me was the Volte for talking on the phone and data at the same time, never got it working 100%. Had AT&T provision with new chip still not working good, so I sold the unlocked and got an AT&T model and had it unlocked and all is working well.
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
[Resolved] Having issues with SM-G965F on AT&T LTE
poodull said:
I just activated my SM-G965F and I'm only getting 3G and 3.5G (H+). No LTE. If I change the mobile networks settings to nxtgenphone, it connects to LTE, then drops and I get no data. I can only use the 'phone' version. My AT&T account has a grayed out device for my account. Checking compatibility with the IMEI checker for AT&T says it cannot determine if it is compatible. the 2nd SIM slot IMEI number is considered invalid!
Heading to the AT&T store at the mall later... not expecting much help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was not the APN settings, entirely. It was that myAT&T would not recognize my IMEI number as a 9+. So, working with a store clerk at the local mall, she suggested to punch in a fake(last number altered) IMEI number using the in-store SM-G965U models. Since this has nothing to do with actually logging in or SIM verification, it worked. The SIM does its job and my account has an S9 (not a plus) on it, so when I changed to the 'nxtgenphone' APN settings, it is 'allowed' to log in (that's my best guess, anyway).
There is no other reason why the SM-G965F would NOT work on AT&T LTE since it has 3 of the 4 LTE bands (band30 is not included, but is only used in new, dense environments to alleviate network congestion -- my understanding).
dmb219 said:
The snapdragon is the only processor sold in the usa whether you are unlocked or carrier specific.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I buy and ship an unlocked Galaxy S9 from Samsung website, it will have Snapdragon and not Exynos? I'm in a US territory.
I'm getting a good deal off their website with accessories and whatnot buying unlocked but I prefer Exynos
I'd rather not post and make a new thread. If someone else can confirm, I'd be much obliged
Yep it does. Just make sure it's on Snapdragon.

991U1 dual sim?

I have the sm-G991Gu1 that I ordered from samsung in the US. Currently using it with a tmo aim card.
I've read that all s21 models are dual sim. Is this true? Can I put in another sim card from my European carrier and use it when traveling etc? (not esim).
f10a said:
I have the sm-G991Gu1 that I ordered from samsung in the US. Currently using it with a tmo aim card.
I've read that all s21 models are dual sim. Is this true? Can I put in another sim card from my European carrier and use it when traveling etc? (not esim).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
I think your model 1 sim only , you can double check under settings / about phone if you have 1 or two Imei, also your sim try has one or two slots?

Is it possible to install stock S21 ROM on S21 AT&T (USA) version?

I am thinking of getting an S21 from AT&T because of the deal they have right now, but I don't like AT&T bloatware. I'm a noob when it comes to phone firmware and such, so I'm not sure what is or isn't possible.
My understanding is as follows:
Carrier unlock is possible via AT&T website to use other carrier SIM cards.
Bootloader unlock is not possible on AT&T devices (starting at V2 seemingly?).
I'm just not clear if you need an unlocked bootloader to flash the stock S21 ROM on an AT&T device. If not needed, what is the point of unlocking the bootloader, just for root?
Any clarity is appreciated.
You can use "patched ODIN" to do flash "U1" firmware, which removes bloatware.
Not sure about the bootloader, I think you're correct on that.
I flashed an Xfinity Mobile S21 (carrier unlocked by them) to U1 but so far the phone is refusing to use the proper carrier settings for VoWIFI (I have a VZW sim in it now). It worked for 1-2 weeks previously. Everything else seems to work properly including VoLTE.
I'll probably switch back to Xfnity Mobile to get VoWIFI working again.
Thanks for the response.
can I ask something related? I got my Samsung S21 from Amazon unlocked and I'm in International market. the phone has esim capability but it's locked up. my question is (can) I flash international firmware or let's say the one being sold in the middle east? I'm stuck with single sim which is pretty annoying. what do you guys recommend
mohawahba said:
can I ask something related? I got my Samsung S21 from Amazon unlocked and I'm in International market. the phone has esim capability but it's locked up. my question is (can) I flash international firmware or let's say the one being sold in the middle east? I'm stuck with single sim which is pretty annoying. what do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is that the international firmware is not compatible with the US phones because the US version uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, whereas the international phones use the Exynos chip. I think you're stick with single SIM, unfortunately.
quadrun1 said:
My understanding is that the international firmware is not compatible with the US phones because the US version uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, whereas the international phones use the Exynos chip. I think you're stick with single SIM, unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the snapdragon version is only sold in the US solely?
"International and Korea models of the S21 utilize the Exynos system-on-chip, while the U.S., Canadian, Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Japanese models utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888."
Samsung Galaxy S21 - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
quadrun1 said:
"International and Korea models of the S21 utilize the Exynos system-on-chip, while the U.S., Canadian, Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Japanese models utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888."
Samsung Galaxy S21 - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
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Click to collapse
so flashing the HK to the US G991U1 model applicable? I need to activate eSIM to get dual sim working. also volte doesn't work for me at all.
Hello , can I ask a related question, I've an unlocked s21 5g with the Three carriers SM-G991B .. Can I install the global version ??

Question Should I Get An Unlocked Google Pixel 6 Or An AT&T Google Pixel 6?

I have tried other forums and I am getting conflicting information.
I am looking for an Android smartphone that is capable of dual SIMs. I know that Apple iPhones can
do this, but I want an Android.
Some places I have read that the software on some smartphones designated for the United States
market have that feature disabled.
Anyway, my ideal smartphone would be:
Dual SIM (one physical and one e-SIM is acceptable)
Will work on AT&T and Verizon Wireless MVNO (like Total Wireless)
Has 5G bands for both AT&T and Verizon.
Will do wifi calling and texting, natively, on AT&T.
I think a Google Pixel 6 would do this. What I can't determine, yet, is if I should just buy the
unlocked Google Pixel 6 or the AT&T version. The unlocked version is $599 and the AT&T version
costs $739. What do I get for the additional $140?
pixel 6 is not dual sim, atleast not one the unlock version...
The $740 model has mmWave support. The base version does not. If you want to use Verizon and AT&T's fastest 5G, you want that antenna. Just beware that 5G is in extremely limited areas currently and mostly only works outdoors too because it doesn't have much building penetration capability. I personally would save the $140 since Verizon and AT&T are in the process of rolling out C-band 5G which IS supported by the modem and has much better range and building penetration.
Vio281 said:
pixel 6 is not dual sim, atleast not one the unlock version...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has eSIM and physical SIM which IS dual SIM. OP said that would be fine.
Vio281 said:
pixel 6 is not dual sim, atleast not one the unlock version...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is. One physical SIM and one eSIM.
https://store.google.com/product/pixel_6_specs?hl=en-US
Am interested if this Pixel dual standby mode (SIM + eSIM) works for foreign sims too? Can I download AT&T as eSIM and use it with Spanish Orange SIM as physical SIM?
Suncatcher16 said:
Am interested if this Pixel dual standby mode (SIM + eSIM) works for foreign sims too? Can I download AT&T as eSIM and use it with Spanish Orange SIM as physical SIM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should work as long as the bands are compatible, I wouldn't see an issue.
EtherealRemnant said:
The $740 model has mmWave support. The base version does not. If you want to use Verizon and AT&T's fastest 5G, you want that antenna. Just beware that 5G is in extremely limited areas currently and mostly only works outdoors too because it doesn't have much building penetration capability. I personally would save the $140 since Verizon and AT&T are in the process of rolling out C-band 5G which IS supported by the modem and has much better range and building penetration.
It has eSIM and physical SIM which IS dual SIM. OP said that would be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Slight tangent, but do you know if there's a way to check which version I have? I got mine as a refurb off Amazon, but it's unclear whether I got the GB7N6 or G9S9B (to my understanding the G9S9B has mmWave?) - and I swear I saw "G9S9B" in some device-info app but I can't find it again.
Edit: Oop, solved my own question. Termux getprop ro.boot.hardware.sku -> G9S9B. Neato. ...Don't know how that happened because I thought the G9S9B only came from AT&T and Verizon and I got it pre-unlocked, but I'm not complaining.

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