Hey all, I'm thinking of getting a G2 and wanted to make sure that the newer versions of the bootloader can all be unlocked or downgraded. I found this thread but wasn't sure if it was up to date. I plan to buy on eBay so I have no clue what I'll actually end up with until I have it in my hands.
I didn't do my homework before buying my Galaxy S4 and have been stuck dealing with Samsung's halfassed inefficient and locked down software because of their un-unlockable bootloader for the last year or so. I really want to make sure my phone is actually mine this time.
Related
I'll start off by saying this is not a question regarding which phone but more so about what buying an unlocked phone gives/ doesn't give you.
In the past 6 years I have spent time with almost every U.S. carrier, even some twice, and purchased over 30 phones but for whatever reason have never purchased an unlocked phone or used one from anothee carrier other than the one I am on.
I am currently considering an unlocked Sensation or GS2 and was wondering..
How do OTA updated work with unlocked phones?
What issues and options from AT&T do I lose with an unlocked phone?
I assume you have no warranty even through the manufacture?
Any other downsides to using an unlocked phone?
Where are the best places to buy?
GS2 Specific questions
Is it confirmed that the AT&T version will have NFC?
Any solid information on a release date?
Thanks for any help!
Here's what I think we should do, and I'm sure some people will say it won't work and they are probably right. We should all set a universal time sometime this week, such as Friday, to call Verizon and ask for bootloader unlocks. I have found out recently that for some employees Verizon had Samsung bootloader unlock their non-dev phone. I have spent the last hour *****ing at Samsung and Verizon.
Here's the facts.
Samsung can unlock it with a file they already have
Verizon has to request it
Verizon says they don't want a bootloader unlocked phone on their network but then told Samsung to make a developer edition. Samsung did not sneak and build a dev phone like Verizon makes it sound, Samsung was told to build it.
Samsung doesn't even care to unlock it, their not just cause of Verizon's order not to.
Certain Verizon employes have recieved the unlock(not for personal reasons)
I say we all call in the same hour and raise hell and maybe they'll hear that we are more than just a few people. Even if everyone doesn't want to do this I will keep calling them and wasteing their time. Having an unlocked phone is a big deal to me and the fact that their employees are allowed to blows my ****ing mind. They think it's ok for their own guys to develope but not us!? Are you ****in kidding me?
So like I said I will keep wasting their time. For you all thinking that I'm also wasting my time? Your right, and I would rather waste it aggravating them than wasting it looking for bootloader unlock updates that will never come. Just like the current S4 and S3 bootloader.
shootind5nukes said:
Here's what I think we should do, and I'm sure some people will say it won't work and they are probably right. We should all set a universal time sometime this week, such as Friday, to call Verizon and ask for bootloader unlocks. I have found out recently that for some employees Verizon had Samsung bootloader unlock their non-dev phone. I have spent the last hour *****ing at Samsung and Verizon.
Here's the facts.
Samsung can unlock it with a file they already have
Verizon has to request it
Verizon says they don't want a bootloader unlocked phone on their network but then told Samsung to make a developer edition. Samsung did not sneak and build a dev phone like Verizon makes it sound, Samsung was told to build it.
Samsung doesn't even care to unlock it, their not just cause of Verizon's order not to.
Certain Verizon employes have recieved the unlock(not for personal reasons)
I say we all call in the same hour and raise hell and maybe they'll hear that we are more than just a few people. Even if everyone doesn't want to do this I will keep calling them and wasteing their time. Having an unlocked phone is a big deal to me and the fact that their employees are allowed to blows my ****ing mind. They think it's ok for their own guys to develope but not us!? Are you ****in kidding me?
So like I said I will keep wasting their time. For you all thinking that I'm also wasting my time? Your right, and I would rather waste it aggravating them than wasting it looking for bootloader unlock updates that will never come. Just like the current S4 and S3 bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will say that even Motorola released a tool on their website to unlock some of their devices. It was a slim list but still. HTC did as well so who knows. I mean the Vendors have to balance customer needs and carrier needs because ultimately they are the boss.
So, we'll see. It would be awesome to see this happen but at the same time, if it does happen, would people blow Verizon up for service on their devices because of irreparable damage?
In my own personal opinion, this phone was expensive and we should be allowed to do as we please with it.
How do you know Verizon employees have unlocked phones unless you yourself are a Verizon employee? I work for an indirect retailer and I've never heard of this happening.
joshua.justice said:
How do you know Verizon employees have unlocked phones unless you yourself are a Verizon employee? I work for an indirect retailer and I've never heard of this happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only kind of "unlocking" I've heard a carrier employee do or request is a sim unlock. Nothing more.
Putting the claim of a flashable unlocked bootloader aside - Verizon and AT&T have made their position very clear. Phones on their network will be locked. Developer edition phones, which as the name suggests are primarily for development use are granted that but also are un-subsidized. They're not denying it to you, you have a choice. You're just unhappy with the choice you have to make, and respectfully that's an issue between you and Verizon.
Thread closed before it goes any further south.
My wife and I are thinking of upgrading our phones soon and I am wondering how much our phones are worth? I have seen those sites that offer $60... up to eBay saying $120 but thats without an unlocked bootloader or being rooted. I know the number of devices with unlocked bootloaders are getting slimmer and slimmer....so what do you think they are worth? I figured it might be worth more to an android enthusiest.
White 16gb
Rooted
Unlocked Bootloader
Good Condition
Thanks!
Or should I take the OTA and sell it like that? I have never sold a phone before:/
Crap I think I put this in the wrong thread.
Here's the swappa listings for VZW S3 models, both rooted and unrooted / unlocked bootloader and locked.
Hello, so i need to see some answers, and also know what is the best for any consumer who will be buying a phone anytime soon
So, i am not living in the states, but i will soon and i will upgrade my phone as well...
And some of my friends mentioned me having a contract.. and i am wondering whether it is a good idea or not.. and there are many ways to see it and i even have some concerns about some stuff that i am not sure of, and it will be discussed in these parts:
1-How much do we have to pay extra in a month if we ever got a locked phone? is it much more than an unlocked contract?
2-If so, which do you think is the best for a contract?
3-If you are going to have a contract, would you have it for one year or two years? why?
4-Are there any pros of having a locked phone? do you have a guarantee for it or a warranty? would you be able to give them back your locked phone and get a discount for your upgrade or anything closer in that matter?
5-Does having a locked phone means that it is somehow different than the unlocked one? example: would i be able to install the same rom on both of them or i need to have a specific rom for the locked phone?
6-is there anyway that you can buy a phone unlocked, but you would have to pay for it in months?
7-Would rooting a locked device voids warranty, or somehow is breaking a rule in the contract?
8-Do i need to wait for the carrier update for the locked phone? or would i be able to install an international update and get it stock? if i could, would that ever damage the contract?
and anymore information would be really helpful.. would really love to see what the community here are interested in and what they usually avoid doing..
an off-topic question: Do you think i should wait for the new phones to come? i am really interested on having a HTC M8 right now, but seems like the new "hima" is going to be released soon, any thoughts of what i should do? Thank you
(as a non-american)
I thought a locked phone simply ment that your mobile subscription was locked to your carrier for a given amount of time. And you can do whatever you want with your phone except changing carrier for the specified time. (?)
I don't think that is how it works, especially with the warranty..
as well as i have seen that there are different roms of the phone that are specific for let's say T-Mobile, i really don't know the nature of this contract..
Anyone here just give in and get the pixel 3, knowing that the bl can't be unlocked?
I've always bought my phone's from Google, but Verizon's offering me a good deal on the 3 xl. I know it's locked, and it'll be the first phone I bought that I can't modify. But I'm debating giving in and just waiting for an exploit.
Anyone in the same boat?
noidea24 said:
Anyone here just give in and get the pixel 3, knowing that the bl can't be unlocked?
I've always bought my phone's from Google, but Verizon's offering me a good deal on the 3 xl. I know it's locked, and it'll be the first phone I bought that I can't modify. But I'm debating giving in and just waiting for an exploit.
Anyone in the same boat?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might be waiting quite a long while my friend. There are a bunch of people in your boat with the Verizon Pixel 2 much less the P3. Hope your a patient individual
noidea24 said:
Anyone here just give in and get the pixel 3, knowing that the bl can't be unlocked?
I've always bought my phone's from Google, but Verizon's offering me a good deal on the 3 xl. I know it's locked, and it'll be the first phone I bought that I can't modify. But I'm debating giving in and just waiting for an exploit.
Anyone in the same boat?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not in the verizon boat, but wait for an exploit is too risky for me i rather buy a google phine,
I guess it depends on why you want the BL unlocked other than "just because." Many rooted users do nothing more than run AdAway (there are good non-root ad blockers), Titanium Backup and TWRP (the Google backup process has got much better over the years and even some flashaholics don't restore TB or nandroids). The Verizon version of the Pixel 3 is pretty much identical to the Google version since even the Verizon apps can be removed.
You can probably count me as one of the "just because" folks, but I did honestly think hard about buying a One Plus 6T on T-Mobile and not unlock root (at least initially) because of the rebate they were offering when it 1st came out. To me, the bigger issue was that it was only being offered on payment plan phones. You could pay it off but not immediately, and I assume the Verizon price is similar.