[WIP] List of Factory Unlocked GSM Handsets - General Topics

OK, so as we all know, unlocking a phone is illegal now. So that brings us to this. What options really are available if we want an unlocked phone? Are they practical? I personally enjoy having an unlocked GSM Handset, it allows me to search for optimal phone service without any commitments. But let's be honest, there's not much of an unlocked smartphone market right now. And that frustrates me.
So I would like to compile a list of GSM handsets that I can buy factory unlocked in the US. I hope others find this to be a good idea. I'm going to be sorting it by release date, whether it's still in production, and what country the brand originates from. I'm only going to include handsets with a dual core at least for this moment. I feel like most people prefer at least a dual core, and it would be hard tracking down handsets from before then.
Only factory unlocked handsets! Nothing with carrier branding in the stock ROM! This allows the pricing models to be very accurate, and to ensure the buyer gets the handset the way it is manufactured to perform.
Here's what I have so far -
American Brands:
Google:
Google Galaxy Nexus (Samsung i9250) - November 2011 - Out of Production - Dual Core
Google Nexus 4 (LGE E970) - November 2012 - In Production - Quad Core - $299.99/8GB, $349.99/16GB
BLU Products:
Blu Vivo 4.3 - July 2012 - In Production - Dual Core - $219.99
BLU Vivo 4.65 HD - December 2012 - In Production - Dual Core
BLU Tank 4.5 - February 2013 - In Production - Dual Core
BLU Studio 5.3 II - February 2013 - In Production - Dual Core
BLU Quattro 4.5 - February 2013 - In Production - Quad Core (Tegra 3 SoC)
BLU Quattro 4.5 HD - February 2013 - In Production - Quad Core (Tegra 3 SoC)
BLU Quattro 5.7 HD - February 2013 - In Production - Quad Core (Tegra 3 SoC)
Apple:
Apple iPhone 4S - October 2011 - In Limited Production - Dual Core - $549.99
Apple iPhone 5 - September 2012 - In Production - Dual Core - $649.99/16GB, $749.99/32GB. $849.99/32GB
Asian Brands (Non Import):
Sony:
Sony Xperia Z - January 2013 - Coming Soon! - Quad Core
Sony Xperia ZL - January 2013 - Coming Soon! - Quad Core
Help me expand this list! I'm already planning on expanding the section above this line to include Sony and Samsung handsets. Then I plan on adding an import section for Meizu, Xiaomi, and Oppo, among other brands.

Good initiative

Just checking this isn't a lost cause... in anyone else interested in this list?

To update and hopefully give some life to this, today HTC announced a developer version of the One. Qualcomm 600, 1.7GHz Quad Core Krait CPU, Supercharged Adreno 320 GPU, 2GB RAM, 64GB in house storage, Android Jelly Bean, Sense 5.0, Beats Audio, and 1080p packed into the screen. That's gotta be around 450ppi which is liquid sharp. Totally unlocked bootloader and SIM slot.
- $650
Also the BLU Quattro HD is up on Amazon Prime for $350. Same price as the Nexus 4 16GB but ummm, I guess if you want a Tegra 3 device from Amazon or a smaller screen there's some advantages.
I'll keep posting when I discover more.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

I don't have any such list though but a good post though.
Thanks!

I've never posted on xda before, but I'm sure this information will be helpful. I own a Blu Quattro 4.5 and I was little sceptical of buying from such an unknown brand, but fortunately I was able to root it with the bin4ry root tool. There's still hardly any support for it, but it's a damn good start. I also have been kind of following Blu on facebook and I read that they will be starting a dedicated customer service for American customers in early April. I have high hopes they'll release an update to Jelly Bean around then as well as alleged by retailers (one of the reasons I bought it). Hopefully with this info, developers will start to look at it and help this phone reach its full potential. I would get started myself, but I have only the slightest clue on where to start.

Related

[Q] sgh-i727 and shv-e120l

are they both same device?
No the display is 4.7 inch 1280x720p
and someone ask me post my q regarding shv-e120l in this section.... durhz...
Brothers from another mobile mother, or just a case of copycat syndrome? We'll let you be the judge, but from the looks of this latest leak, Samsung's SHV-E120L could be sharing some of the LG LU6200's special spec sauce. Outed over on Cetizen and iNews24, the full breakdown of the device's innards point to a dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 HD display, 2 megapixel front-facing / 8 megapixel rear camera, 1GB RAM, 16GB of onboard storage, WiFi, Bluetooth and NFC. We've seen conflicting reports as to the exact version of Gingerbread that'll ship on the phone, with Android 2.3.5 in the running. As for the handset's radios, its purported MDM9600 Gobi chipset indicates tri-mode LTE, HSPA and CDMA compatibility. Sammy's super-sized smartphone could hit South Korea later this month, or in early October --if the passable English in that Google translation can be believed.
Has anyone managed to answer this question? I'm having trouble finding a hardware breakdown for both devices. I have heard that the E120L uses a different GPU, but can't confirm. Would be good to know as I'm sure there will be a CyanogenMod release for the Skyrocket but probably unlikely for the E120L as it is a Korea-specific model...
The Samsung SHV-E120L is supposed to be the Asian market equivalent of the Skyrocket HD.
Here are the spec for the E120S... couldn't find the E120L
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s_ii_hd_lte-4198.php
Insecure Kernel for FD07?
I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 HD SHV-E120L.
Does anyone know where to find the Insecure Kernel for FD07?
I need it but am unable to find it in order to root my phone.

HTC (Strikes back in MWC with Tegra 3)

The Greek insider who revealed first the official specs of iphone 4S (when most people were talking about iphone 5) and Galaxy Nexus (when lot of people were talking about d-core 1.5 or quad core or Nexus Prime or 8MPX etc) give us some minor details of the upcoming HTC smartphones.
- Introduce 27feb in MWC
- Market Launch in April
- HTC Edge and HTC Zeta
- Both with Quad-Core Tegra 3
- Both with 720P display
- ICS
DJTaurus said:
The Greek insider who revealed first the official specs of iphone 4S (when most people were talking about iphone 5) and Galaxy Nexus (when lot of people were talking about d-core 1.5 or quad core or Nexus Prime or 8MPX etc) give us some minor details of the upcoming HTC smartphones.
- Introduce 27feb in MWC
- Market Launch in April
- HTC Edge and HTC Zeta
- Both with Quad-Core Tegra 3
- Both with 720P display
- ICS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are supposed to include the source.
Sorry here it is...use google translate
http://www.digitallife.gr/na-ti-tha-apokalypsei-h-htc-ton-fevrouario-41636/

Xolo X900

Hi,
According to many websites the Xolo X900 is excepted to be released really soon on Indian market (rumored for as early as tomorrow).
This along with the Lenovo K800 are the first Android devices w/ Intel chipsets.
Official Specs:
Processor: 1.6 GHz Intel Atom
OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread (Upgradable to ICS)
RAM: 1 GB
Screen: 4.03'' (LCD 1024 x 600)
Camera: 8 MP with Flash
Front Camera: 1.3 MP
Internal Storage: 16 GB
Dimensions: 123 x 63 x 10.99 mm
HDMI TV out: Yes
NFC: Yes
Engadget review: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/intels-xolo-x900-by-lava-hands-on/
I'm trying to understand where this device stands comparing to other new devices announced at MWC 12.
Only single core but it's Intel and I don't think we have comparison data between this and the different ARM processors.
Screen smaller than the current trend of minimum 4.3''.
Intel promise good battery life and everything else seems quite good so I assume mid-range class but I have no idea if it has the quality of other devices in this category like the HTC One S or Xperia P.
Would love to hear opinions about this device.
As an added question,
Would you suffice with such device or go with HTC One X? (assuming budget is not an issue).
Sounds like it has a lot of promise!
I heard the price was about Rs.22000(apx.$440). For a single core processor i think its too much when we can get a dual core for about the same price.
may be,
But guys, lava promised that this will have an ICS update soon, and all mobiles out which have dual core, do you think they are actually necessary. There are many battery dragging features in dual core. And Here, No more ARM you are getting a processor created buy Intel with 1.6MHZ Where you get 2Mhz processor provided by lg recently.( commoon intel is Legend in PC core processors), they promised that you will have the best charging life than any other mobile out in market. May be cost is bit high, but I think 18k is enough for this mobile. Which is already available.
Europe version
It will have an europe version with Orange, called Orange Santa Clara
Today i have received a package from one of our custumers and Xolo X900 was inside ;-) .... till monday i have to compare this phone with the iPhone 4s and Samsung Galaxy SIII ... i will post then some pics and facts...
It really looks nice, but with the 4 touch buttons and the hole in the display it not really seens to be up to date...
More in a few days...
Orange San Diego is Intel. Its £200... Not sure in India a I'm not Indian...
Sent from my Asus Transformer TF201 Prime using XDA Premium HD app
Orange San Diego and Intel XOLO X900 both are same except for the firmware. Orange San Diego have generic GB with Orange branding. XOLO doesn't have any branding. There is another sibling to this device in Russia. I don't remember what they call it.
Sent from my X900 using xda app-developers app
anipbhat said:
I heard the price was about Rs.22000(apx.$440). For a single core processor i think its too much when we can get a dual core for about the same price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is the price on offer, then surely this handset would not have an impact in the Indian market..
Seems overpriced

Exynos 5250 and Tegra 4

Yes I've used the search tool and the last post in the last Exynos 5250 thread was at december 2011 and I can't find any rules about reviving old threads so I don't want to fiddle with it since I might get an infraction or worse a ban and and the last Tegra 4 thread wasn't coherent enough for me.
I don't know all the details but I would like to start talking about the supposed new Exynos 5250 and Tegra 4 development so please bear with me, I need all of those who has reliable information to add in the discussion. I'd like to start things with how will it fare against this year's smartphones and tablets? specifically the Samsung Galaxy S3 (1.4 ghz Quad ARM Cortex-A9 + Exynos 4412 & 1.5 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Krait + Snapdragon S4 MSM8960) and HTC one X ( 1.5 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 + Nvidia Tegra 3 & 1.5 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Krait + Snapdragon S4 MSM8960) since they are currently the top Phones out there in the market performance wise.
Further into the topic will the new Exynos and Tegra make their predecessors completely obsolete once they come out? or is the performance leap going to be minimal at best? due to various factors perhaps you can't fully utilize their potential due to the limiting software apps out there? What I want you guys to elaborate for the community is how better will it be in terms of CPU and GPU benchmark performance. Please do share your Ideas and any reliable information about the said topic at hand.
P.S. I just got an SGS3 my very first smartphone and android, did I make a huge mistake by buying it or should have I gone for a cheaper Galaxy Nexus and waited for the new Exynos to come out?
Itadakiimasu said:
Yes I've used the search tool and the last post in the last Exynos 5250 thread was at december 2011 and I can't find any rules about reviving old threads so I don't want to fiddle with it since I might get an infraction or worse a ban and and the last Tegra 4 thread wasn't coherent enough for me.
I don't know all the details but I would like to start talking about the supposed new Exynos 5250 and Tegra 4 development so please bear with me, I need all of those who has reliable information to add in the discussion. I'd like to start things with how will it fare against this year's smartphones and tablets? specifically the Samsung Galaxy S3 (1.4 ghz Quad ARM Cortex-A9 + Exynos 4412 & 1.5 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Krait + Snapdragon S4 MSM8960) and HTC one X ( 1.5 GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 + Nvidia Tegra 3 & 1.5 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Krait + Snapdragon S4 MSM8960) since they are currently the top Phones out there in the market performance wise.
Further into the topic will the new Exynos and Tegra make their predecessors completely obsolete once they come out? or is the performance leap going to be minimal at best? due to various factors perhaps you can't fully utilize their potential due to the limiting software apps out there? What I want you guys to elaborate for the community is how better will it be in terms of CPU and GPU benchmark performance. Please do share your Ideas and any reliable information about the said topic at hand.
P.S. I just got an SGS3 my very first smartphone and android, did I make a huge mistake by buying it or should have I gone for a cheaper Galaxy Nexus and waited for the new Exynos to come out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what better than Nvidia Tegra 3
First off, let's talk processors:
Your phone, the SGS3 i9300 is packing the Quad-Core Exynos 4412, rather than the dual-core Snapdragon S4 (MSM8960) for North American versions of the SGS3. The international version of the HTC One X has the 1.5GHz Tegra 3 vs the North American version which has the S4 as well.
Performance wise, these processors are all pretty on-par. Benchmark scores are close, with the Tegra 3 gaining the upper hand graphics-wise with its 12-core GPU. The processor to look out out of these 3 would be the S4, considering it's the first processor to (kinda) take advantage of the A15 cortex.
...The reason I say kind of, is because there is some discussion on the S4 being a hybrid between the A9 cortex (Tegra 3, Exynos 4) and the beastly A15. Qualcomm is a rebel, and doesn't follow ARM's chip designs like the others do. But I digress...
A15 is going to be a HUGE improvement over A9. HUGE performance gains, higher resolution displays, USB 3.0,OpenGL ES 3.0 (depending on the GPU) and much much more. The dual-core Exynos 5250 is going to be based off the A15 cortex, and it's going to blow even the quad core A9's out of the water. Tegra 4 will almost definitely be based off A15 as well, and it's going to be a sight to see. As for the Snapragon S5, who knows? I'm sure Qualcomm has some cool stuff up it's sleeve.
To answer your question, yes the new Exynos and Tegra processors are going to make older generation processors obsolete, but that doesn't mean you made a bad choice. The SGS3 is a great phone, and as such has tons of developers making custom roms, kernals, and other fun hacks to keep you occupied for the months to come hack away!
hope that helped!
You didn't make a mistake as at present android is not able to push current quadcore devices to their limits and there is a scope for lot more improvement
So even though next gen processors will be lot more powerful, your phone will still be able to handle next android releases so Don't worry and enjoy your S3
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
vivek_bhoj said:
You didn't make a mistake as at present android is not able to push current quadcore devices to their limits and there is a scope for lot more improvement
So even though next gen processors will be lot more powerful, your phone will still be able to handle next android releases so Don't worry and enjoy your S3
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android already has full multi core support. The only thing holding back multi cores is the fact that many apps still don't make use of them.
Also, that other guy made some great points but forgot to mention S4 Pro, which we already know a good deal about and is very impressive. It sets the bar high for the next tegra and for exynos 5250.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda app-developers app
Itadakiimasu said:
Further into the topic will the new Exynos and Tegra make their predecessors completely obsolete once they come out? or is the performance leap going to be minimal at best?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're not going to be "completely obsolete" (even GN and SG2, for example, are still good phones despite being "last year") but there is going to be a large performance increase to A15.
There's always a next big thing coming out, but generally it's not worth waiting for unless you're on the cusp. Even if the generation you shop is relatively old, the competitive market (unlike, say, that of a fruity company) helps to compensate you by providing discounts of the previous tech.
S3, in particular, is a darn good phone no matter how you look at it (except that it has hardware buttons, but I digress..)

Best Chinese Tablet 2013

I was going to buy a new Tablet after i sold my N90 Dual Core 2 so i was searching which is the best Chines tablet in 2013.
I got these suggestions:
1) Onda V972 (Retina)
2) Novo 9 (Retina)
3) Ampe A10
4) Pipo m4 or something.
Can you please suggest me one of them? or any other which you thinks is better than those?
Thanks in advance.
DArkSm4sh said:
I was going to buy a new Tablet after i sold my N90 Dual Core 2 so i was searching which is the best Chines tablet in 2013.
I got these suggestions:
1) Onda V972 (Retina)
2) Novo 9 (Retina)
3) Ampe A10
4) Pipo m4 or something.
Can you please suggest me one of them? or any other which you thinks is better than those?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im currently living in China, here ainol ( novo 9 ) is the best one in the market until now
the after-sale service is also great
- HTC - said:
im currently living in China, here ainol ( novo 9 ) is the best one in the market until now
the after-sale service is also great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard that the Wifi receiving is extremely bad on the Novo9 due to a manufacture defect or something, is that true for all Novo9 out there?
DArkSm4sh said:
I heard that the Wifi receiving is extremely bad on the Novo9 due to a manufacture defect or something, is that true for all Novo9 out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. There's a long thread about the spark/firewire unit at Slatedroid and very bad wifi reception issues.
Apparently the fix is to open up the back and do a minor tweak to the antenna, which offsets the issue caused by the aluminium chassis.
Any furtur info on best chines tablet?
Im looking to buy something in the 7" family.
My friend have Onda V972 and it is very good. In my opinión, it's the best at moment
I hear good reviews from Hyundai t7s for the price/feature combo....
I got an onda v972 and it need be better on his firmware, very good hardware but very bad firm
Enviado desde mi GT-I9300 usando Tapatalk 2
davemaster said:
I hear good reviews from Hyundai t7s for the price/feature combo....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's a very impressive device: Exynos 4412 powered, 2Gb RAM, IPS 1280x800, Bluetooth, GPS... all for $185, not bad. I dunno about its firmware... I hope a good firmware to match its hardware (anyone knows?).
I use ployer momo tablets. But now they have quadcore ones and im thinking of an update. Try looking for quadcore rockchip3066 tabs which are very fast and responsive.
Sent from my Titan TV S320 using xda premium
I'm also busy with finding out wich tablet is the best..
These are my favorites:
Freelander PD80HD
http://liliputing.com/201...88-quad-core-tablets.html
Cube U9GT5
http://www.cube-tablet.co...inch-u9gtv-tablet-pc.html
Cube U33GT (Opvolger U30GT2)
http://www.cube-stores.co...m-2gb-bluetooth-wifi.html
Visture V97HD
http://visture.com/v4.asp
I heard many bad thins about the Cube U30GT2 (No IPS display)
http://www.slatedroid.com...pea-2-tablet/page__st__80
Onda:
Onda V972 Quad Core Features:
OS: Android 4.1.1 support Android 4.2 Update
CPU: AllWinner A31 Quad Core
GPU: Power VR SGX544MP2 8 Core 1MB L2 Cache
Allwinner A31 vs Rockchip RK3188 Quad Core processor 1.8 GHz : Wins RK3188
GPU Power VR vs 4 Core Mali 400 : Mali Wins..
SmartQt30 has a TI OMAP 4470, ARM Cortex-A9 dual core, 1GHz; GPU: PowerVR SGX 544.. New Taxes Instruments CPU.
Greetings
I've had the T7S for a week now and I am really enjoying it. One thing I have to nit pick about it is the battery life. I have to have my charger with me if I am using it a lot. For the most part is last about 6 hours. I am waiting for jelly bean on it.
how about the Colorfly Q1 U781? The design and look is fantastic!!!!
Hope there would guru here who can work on the software!!!
It will be out soon!!!
tablet
DArkSm4sh said:
I was going to buy a new Tablet after i sold my N90 Dual Core 2 so i was searching which is the best Chines tablet in 2013.
I got these suggestions:
1) Onda V972 (Retina)
2) Novo 9 (Retina)
3) Ampe A10
4) Pipo m4 or something.
Can you please suggest me one of them? or any other which you thinks is better than those?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am looking for Android tablet too.My friends suggest me buy a Chinese Brand tablet(Yuandao N90FHDRK ).The 10000mAh Battery Capacity and the Quad Core attracted me.And the Configuration is quite good.(9.7 Inch Android 4.1 Jelly Bean IPS Capacitive Multi-touch Screen 16gb Internet Tablet Quad Core Cortex A9,10000mah Battery Capacity,2048x1536 Resolution,mali-400 Mp GPU Tablet Pc with Rk3066 1.6ghz CPU 2gb Ddr3 RAM Wifi Hdmi with OTG USB Cable)
PIPO M9 or CUBE U30GT2
I bought myself a chinese tablet which is going around under many different names. Freelander PD80 Vogue, Ployer Momo 11 quad, Chinavision Vice, and quite a few other names. Mine is called the Primal P9X.
They are all the same tablet.
Quad core Samsung Exynos 4412 1.4 ghz, 1028 x 720 (or whatever that standard one is), IPS screen, Mali 400 gpu. 2 gb ram, 1 gb internal, 16 gig SD. HDMI out, USB 2.0, extSD.
In short, this thing is a beast and is one of the best purchases ive made in awhile. This post marks the first time on the internet someone is linking all these tablets in one post. I know cause I went on a 24 hour wild goose chase after i accidentlally bootlooped this thing. Primal has no website and thus no firmware, but I was able to find firmware for the PD80 Vogue after i realized it was the same exact tablet. And it worked! also the Framaroot exploits (at least Sam) work on this thing.
I hope to see some development on this/these tablets soon, as they are the best thing coming outta china right now (besides the not-very-good resoltuion). If anyone needs a starting ROM to starting tweaking with, reply here and ill post the link. It was a life saver.
Sent from my Primal p9x using xda app-developers app
@servo386
I am not surprised that this is just a re-labled tablet sold under many different brands considering I could not find any information about the manufacturer. I have had my P9x for two weeks now and very happy with the performance and responsiveness of it.
You mentioned finding another rom for it. Was it another ICS rom, or JB? I am interested in going to JB since my Galaxy Note II is already on it.
Anyhow, I found rooting this device to be pretty simple and straightforward. I think there are many options available. I will search for some of these other brands and see what is out there.
These is a thread discussing this on apad forum also so I will watch both of these threads for any updates.
Well it wasn't actually a rom for the primal p9x, it was for one of its clones, the Freelander PD80 Vogue. I bootlooped my p9x after installing something dumb. In an act of desperation I scoured the internet for all its clones and searched for their respective firmwares. The only I ended up findimg was the one I said. So I took the leap of faith and flashed it (put it on sd card, held pwr+vol- at startup) and it worked! Its ICS.
Its nit perfect thougj. The one that shipped with the primal was better. It seemed snappier and didn't have annoying chinese apps. Also the front facing camera seems to not be working. According to apad, a JB fw is coming soon. Eagerly awaiting that.
If you manage to make a dump/nandroid of your stock primal fw I wouldn't mind having a copy
Sent from my SXZ-PDX0-05M using xda app-developers app
Do any of these tablets have custom roms, or the ability to update to future android releases?
mostly they have no website or future support no?
MetalG said:
Do any of these tablets have custom roms, or the ability to update to future android releases?
mostly they have no website or future support no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly the right question
I have a Cube U9GT2 that I bought a while back. I based that purchasing decision on the community support it had. If you buy a device with kick ass hardware, but no devs behind it then it may end up close to useless. Rather than looking at paper specs check whether there is community support as it is much more critical when dealing with Chinese tablets (no website, no support, etc.). just my 2¢

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