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Verizon to unlock S3?

I came across this article today http://www.appy-geek.com/Web/ArticleWeb.aspx?regionid=1&articleid=26045339&m=d
The articles states that after a contract has been fullfilled its legal to unlock the phone. Will our phone be unlocked now? Does this mean Verizon will unlock our bootloaders? Or just the phone? Also if I buy the phone outright for 600$ does the phone come unlocked out the box?

jager420 said:
I came across this article today http://www.appy-geek.com/Web/ArticleWeb.aspx?regionid=1&articleid=26045339&m=d
The articles states that after a contract has been fullfilled its legal to unlock the phone. Will our phone be unlocked now? Does this mean Verizon will unlock our bootloaders? Or just the phone? Also if I buy the phone outright for 600$ does the phone come unlocked out the box?
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That's sim unlock, not bootloader unlock. They aren't related.
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BadUsername said:
That's sim unlock, not bootloader unlock. They aren't related.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
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That's wack. The phone is now mine but I'm not allowed to use different OS's? I have to stay with the OS that comes with the phone? That should be illegal
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jager420 said:
That's wack. The phone is now mine but I'm not allowed to use different OS's? I have to stay with the OS that comes with the phone? That should be illegal
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
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Yeah but Verizon always complains about users trying to replace their phone when it is completely their fault if they fail at flashing and don't have a backup. A lot of people, from what I can tell, can hide the fact that they've rooted and/or unlocked their bootloader and they can get a new phone.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

poppers162 said:
Yeah but Verizon always complains about users trying to replace their phone when it is completely their fault if they fail at flashing and don't have a backup. A lot of people, from what I can tell, can hide the fact that they've rooted and/or unlocked their bootloader and they can get a new phone.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
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I've ran into this as well. Before rooting and the plethora of android phones flooded the market, VZW was a bit more relaxed on what they would replace. Now that I'm up to my S3, they proved to be sticklers in my own situation. I had a legitimate reason to exchange my previous Samsung Stratosphere. Mine was rooted and my wife's was stock. Both had the same radio issues. I told them this and they upgraded her no problems at all. I had quite a hard time getting them to upgrade it without revoking my grandfathered unlimited data plan... smh. Oh well, guess times change when some people abuse the system blatantly.

Straight talk and misc questions.

Hey wanting to buy a phone outright and use straight talk as my provider
Forgive me for asking instead of tedious searching it's not laziness it's $700 is a lot of money to me...
1) straight talk would work with this phone correct?
2) does it need to be unlocked (most likely will be bought new full price but heck if I can buy for 400 like new I might)
3) it appears the boot loader is unlocked, in this device?
4) cm may come to this or is there an issue?
Edit: I see Samsung is still playing with annoying chipsets
5) i know typically for Samsung and development t mobile is a good choice. would you guys recommend a different flavor of the note5 ? Att, international, ect..
6) any regrets?
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my XT1254 using XDA Free mobile app

Bump...
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mrkhigh said:
Hey wanting to buy a phone outright and use straight talk as my provider
Forgive me for asking instead of tedious searching it's not laziness it's $700 is a lot of money to me...
1) straight talk would work with this phone correct?
2) does it need to be unlocked (most likely will be bought new full price but heck if I can buy for 400 like new I might)
3) it appears the boot loader is unlocked, in this device?
4) cm may come to this or is there an issue?
Edit: I see Samsung is still playing with annoying chipsets
5) i know typically for Samsung and development t mobile is a good choice. would you guys recommend a different flavor of the note5 ? Att, international, ect..
6) any regrets?
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my XT1254 using XDA Free mobile app
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I'll try answering to the best of my knowledge, to start best flavors would be t-mobile and Verizon (comes unlocked straight out) if you grab one from t-mobile there not unlocked straight up unless paid off which in your case it should be haha you will still need to grab an unlock code from them or you could get your device unlocked through a member of xda over in the note 5 general (I myself have done that with him took 5 minutes and works perfectly!!) I assume you know everything you need for straight, the sim starter kit (order it from there website it's cheaper trust me) it will work with straight talk so long as you meet all requirements necessary! I'm skeptical on if it NEEDs to be unlocked as I've met people who said they brought there phones over after not paying there contract bills with (a friend of mine did this) att and to this day uses his HTC 1 m8 with no problems other than he can't picture text because there apns are weird or something with the way he did it without unlocking his phone. As for the bootloader it's unlocked based on you, all you have to do is head to settings, developer settings and choose oem unlock this unlocks it so you don't get the stupid FRP locking error after flashing a rom or rooting or any of the such
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I don't believe the boot loader is unlockable (unlocked) on anything but T-Mobile though correct?
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G935T Unlocked and Running ATT

I was able to unlock my G935T, Galaxy S7Edge today so I can use it on my ATT Account. I had to call TMO customer service because the Unlock Ap that came with the phone would not authorize the unlock when I first tried it.
Over the last few days, in the process of getting unlocked I learned a few things:
1) Phone has to be on TMOBILE for about 5 to 7 days before their system can recognize the device. it might happen sooner - took five days for their systems to see that I had the S7 Edge active on the account.
2) until we are rooted, you have to be able to meet Tmobile Requirements to unlock a device:
A) Be a Tmobile customer for a minimum of 1 year
B) Phone is active on TMOBILE Account for a minimum of 40 days
C) Phone is active on a PRE-PAY account. and Pre Pay account has a minimum balance of $100
From what I understand, You only need to meet one of the three requirements, A or B or C.
My experience in working with Customer Support was mixed. Most were very helpful (I have been trying to get customer support to authorize my unlock since day 2 of owning the phone) One guy was a jerk and refused to accept that I met the requirements. He kept saying something that was not mentioned in the rules at all - sort of making things up to meet his understanding - but when he transferred me to a higher level of support, they understood and actually helped me.
The good news is, there is a guy in Tmobile Note 5 Forums that can help you unlock devices (once you are rooted) My understanding is that he is offering his services free of charge but will accept donations to anyone grateful enough to donate something if the want to. Once we havr root, head over here to get more information) Sim Unlock - US and International
Finally, there is one other way you may be able to unlock your TMobile S7 Edge but you will have to wait until Sammobile has Firmware posted for our devices. Specifically you will need firmware for Metro PC G935T1 (versus G935T) They use the exact same firmware that is used by TMOBILE (at least they did on the Note 5 and S6) Metro PCS does not use the Unlock ap to unlock the sim card, you will just need an unlock code. Flashing their firmware in odin on the S6 and Note 5 would then allow you to put a sim card from another carrier and unlock the sim with an Unlock code. YOU CANNOT use unlock codes on TMOBILE Firmware because of their "Unlock AP" it somehow disables the ability to unlock with a code - but because METRO PC doesn't have the unlock app, it is a non issue.
Hope this is helpful...

Good to know!

So does everything work perfectly on the AT&T network.... Mainly LTE?

mocsab said:
The good news is, there is a guy in Tmobile Note 5 Forums that can help you unlock devices (once you are rooted) My understanding is that he is offering his services free of charge but will accept donations to anyone grateful enough to donate something if the want to. Once we havr root, head over here to get more information) Sim Unlock - US and International
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That is me. Who wants to be first?

stifilz said:
That is me. Who wants to be first?
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Hi stifilz, thank you for coming here! I completed your Google Docs form just now. Obviously we don't have root yet. What's the procedure? Thanks! :good:

I'd like to get information if anyone can inbox me on how I can purchase a T-Mobile S7 Edge to use on ATT. So far, in my local area, T-Mobile won't sell me the device unless I have an account attached to it. I was willing to just buy the device out right.

pro_b said:
I'd like to get information if anyone can inbox me on how I can purchase a T-Mobile S7 Edge to use on ATT. So far, in my local area, T-Mobile won't sell me the device unless I have an account attached to it. I was willing to just buy the device out right.
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I bought my S7E with the same intension. T-Mo rep says I have to keep my line active for 45 days then they will unlock it for me for free. 2 weeks since I got the phone, so we will see.

Buy a prepaid sim kit from Walmart
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA Free mobile app

eroracing said:
So does everything work perfectly on the AT&T network.... Mainly LTE?
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I'm really interested in how well it works on ATT's network too.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes lte and everything except tethering works but you could get an app for that if your going to purchase the phone outright it's better to buy unlocked version
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA Free mobile app

duvalbmarley said:
Yes lte and everything except tethering works but you could get an app for that if your going to purchase the phone outright it's better to buy unlocked version
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA Free mobile app
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Thanks for the info! I'm actually choosing tmobile's s7 edge over att's because of the "smart manager" feature, which att had it disabled. Could you confirm that this feature is present on g935t?
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Vaygr said:
Thanks for the info! I'm actually choosing tmobile's s7 edge over att's because of the "smart manager" feature, which att had it disabled. Could you confirm that this feature is present on g935t?
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Yes smart manager feature is present
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duvalbmarley said:
Buy a prepaid sim kit from Walmart
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA Free mobile app
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Are you saying with this kit, you can get the phone unlocked immediately?

bird333 said:
Are you saying with this kit, you can get the phone unlocked immediately?
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Yes if you also put 100 dollar refill card on the account
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duvalbmarley said:
Yes if you also put 100 dollar refill card on the account
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA Free mobile app
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How can you get the $100 back though?

I have no idea I was just quoting
http://www.t-mobile.com/company/companyinfo.aspx?tp=Abt_Tab_CompanySimUnlockPolicy
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bird333 said:
How can you get the $100 back though?
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Prepaid is all sales final. You actually have to SPEND the $100 and you will not be refunded.

eroracing said:
So does everything work perfectly on the AT&T network.... Mainly LTE?
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yup. no issues

Vaygr said:
I'm really interested in how well it works on ATT's network too.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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works well

Follow up. I got my s7 edge from tmobile. 3 days after i called customer service. Just tell them you are going to travel and you need your phone unlocked then poof

Locked Bootloader

Do we know, or have we heard if the Sprint variant will have a locked bootloader?

tenorband said:
Do we know, or have we heard if the Sprint variant will have a locked bootloader?
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That's the million dollar question right now. :fingers-crossed:
FYI ... Questions belong in the (Questions & Answers) section.

Good question. My guess is yes. Only because it is Samsung

My guess is yuuuuup even Samsung decided to switch from an exynos to a snapdragon processor for Canadian users.

According to Samsung Customer Support...
bootloader will be locked if ordered directly through/from Sprint
bootloader will be UNlocked if purchased from online store or brick and mortar store (Samsung Customer Support Agent specifically mentioned Best Buy)

lennykravitz2004 said:
According to Samsung Customer Support...
bootloader will be locked if ordered directly through/from Sprint
bootloader will be UNlocked if purchased from online store or brick and mortar store (Samsung Customer Support Agent specifically mentioned Best Buy)
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Click to collapse
If that is true i will be taking mine back and getting one from best buy.
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brownchm said:
If that is true i will be taking mine back and getting one from best buy.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Screenshot of chat with Samsung CS yesterday
ETA: me too. and it looks like the only way to cancel an order with Sprint is to simply not sign for it when delivered, although I'm going to call later this morning and see if that gets me anywhere.

Called to cancel order through Sprint, and basically got nowhere. Have to wait for it to show up from UPS, then take to my local Sprint store for return/refund. Going to Best Buy and purchase there with new 2 year agreement. $500 difference in price. Freebie of the sd card or Fit watch isn't as important now since price would be substantially less. If available still, I'll stick with getting the Fit like I planned.
If you're thinking about doing the same thing, Sprint rep told me to NOT OPEN THE BOX when delivered from UPS as that will require a $35 restocking fee. Just sign for it, then take it to the Sprint store by my house and the store will be able to do refund right then and there. We'll see...
International variants appear to have root capability (i.e. unlocked bootloader) already, just looking around on the web. Hopefully Sprint retail versions will be just as easy.

lennykravitz2004 said:
According to Samsung Customer Support...
bootloader will be locked if ordered directly through/from Sprint
bootloader will be UNlocked if purchased from online store or brick and mortar store (Samsung Customer Support Agent specifically mentioned Best Buy)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find this a little hard to believe (I usually take what reps say with a grain of salt)
Regardless of who's selling it, don't all Sprint phones originate from the same place? So they can get all their bloatware (and locked bootloader, if it is?) on there? Do the Sprint phones from Best Buy not have all of the bloatware?
I guess we'll know soon enough.

fgr said:
I find this a little hard to believe (I usually take what reps say with a grain of salt)
Regardless of who's selling it, don't all Sprint phones originate from the same place? So they can get all their bloatware (and locked bootloader, if it is?) on there? Do the Sprint phones from Best Buy not have all of the bloatware?
I guess we'll know soon enough.
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And after looking at the Best Buy page for the N7, the "unlocked" spec is labeled as "No". Maybe Samsung makes more money if sold from retailers as opposed to carriers??? I have no idea. Another reason why I'm cancelling my order, regardless at this point. Or maybe sit on it and see if anything develops once they start getting in dev's hands for a week. After waiting 4 years for an upgrade, what's another few weeks to wait and see what's really happening. Seems Samsung and/or Sprint is moving to locking down the phones for good now, or as much as possible.

lennykravitz2004 said:
After waiting 4 years for an upgrade, what's another few weeks to wait and see what's really happening.
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My guess is by Thursday or Friday night at the latest, we will know everything about what's locked and what's not.
Probably have the first reports of a brick from someone trying to root also... lol

I find it hard to believe that a best buy sprint n7 would be any different than one directly from sprint. I would imagine they are all shipped from the same place with the same setups.
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Do know why you posted this here this is not DEVELOPMENT. More than likely it will have a locked boot loader get over it
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jbadboy2007 said:
Do know why you posted this here this is not DEVELOPMENT. More than likely it will have a locked boot loader get over it
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Respectful posts please. Also, finding out and working towards root methods and unlocking bootloaders are at the core of Development. Thank you, and appreciate your comments which add nothing to the discussion.

Honestly as long as we get a viable root and unroot method i will be happy. I can live without having custom roms.
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I think that is bs. I don't see the difference from a best buy Sprint Note 7 and one that is directly bought from Sprint. I'm almost certain that either one will be locked.
Also the s7 edge got root but no working recovery. So at some point we might get the same.
On the other hand the exynos versions of the Note 7 have a wip root and recovery.

It will be locked. Don't get your hopes up. Not going to be any different than the s7.

Silly question I presume but does locked bootloader mean we could obtain root but no custom recovery?
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anahataray said:
Silly question I presume but does locked bootloader mean we could obtain root but no custom recovery?
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The way the s7 got root was from a leaked engineer firmware so if the bootloader is locked than well have to wait for someone to get their hands on the engineer bootloader or find another way to get root
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA-Developers mobile app

Just like zune mentioned its going to be a wait for us to get something concrete as far as boot loaders but we might have root a little earlier at least you can use rooted apps IE titanium backup with a locked boot loader is a plus. although if your a flash junky like myself it would have been great to get an unlocked boot loader for recoveries backups and new roms but only time will tell there are some of the greatest Devs here on XDA so you never know...

S8 Model G950U...

So I received my preorder S8 through AT&T today. From the information I've been able to gather, the model number is supposed to be SM-G950A. I was looking through the phones info and realized the phone I received is a SM-G950U model. Did I just get very lucky and receive an unlocked S8 from AT&T?? I know there's not too much info out there, but is the unlocked model carrier unlocked only, or will I be able to unlock the bootloader as well? Carrier unlock is no big deal to me considering I work as a cell technician and have a reseller account, but if it will be possible to unlock my bootloader that would really excite me. Thanks for any info!!!

I got a U as well. From T-mobile.

babyshanks said:
I got a U as well. From T-mobile.
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Interesting... Maybe all the preorders are unlocked?

T-Mobile S8 here, can confirm I got the U model and can confirm it is sim locked.

So there's no difference in any of the US versions I'm guessing. This will make carrier switching easier.

I heard they are all U models. They are carrier locked besides Verizon. Does the T-Mobile software have the stupid unlock app still?
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Quickvic30 said:
I heard they are all U models. They are carrier locked besides Verizon. Does the T-Mobile software have the stupid unlock app still?
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Yes, it does on mine.

Rumor is, they all get locked the moment you insert a SIM. So... like... don't insert AT&T SIM into a phone you will use with T-Mobile.

Meanee said:
Rumor is, they all get locked the moment you insert a SIM. So... like... don't insert AT&T SIM into a phone you will use with T-Mobile.
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I wouldn't doubt that one bit. I had a few S7 930 U's, when you would put a different sim in them they would reboot and load the new carriers sim settings. Wonder if you factory reset right from the get go maybe it would stay unlocked.
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Quickvic30 said:
I wouldn't doubt that one bit. I had a few S7 930 U's, when you would put a different sim in them they would reboot and load the new carriers sim settings. Wonder if you factory reset right from the get go maybe it would stay unlocked.
Sent from my SM-G950T using XDA-Developers Legacy app
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Nope. Would kind of defeat the purpose of SIM lock. Basically, as long as you are willing to blow up your data, you can use your phone with any carrier. Then just SmartSwitch restore.

Meanee said:
Nope. Would kind of defeat the purpose of SIM lock. Basically, as long as you are willing to blow up your data, you can use your phone with any carrier. Then just SmartSwitch restore.
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I hear ya. Wonder if you put a foreign sim in the T-Mobile varient a unlock code prompt will pop up or if you have to use that useless app they have.
Another thing.....I wonder if they're still going g to have just a U model device, if they did maybe we could use that firmware and be unlocked, only time will tell I guess.
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What if you insert a Verizon sim first? Will it then be unlocked since they usually are?

Quickvic30 said:
I heard they are all U models. They are carrier locked besides Verizon. Does the T-Mobile software have the stupid unlock app still?
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There's supposed to be several US models based on carriers. I don't think everyone will be getting the U version.

Teehole said:
There's supposed to be several US models based on carriers. I don't think everyone will be getting the U version.
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That's not what I've been reading and hearing. All the US models are the same hardware and phone. Only thing that makes it carrier specific is that carriers firmware.
There's no branding on the phones either, no Verizon or att symbol on the back of the devices.
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Quickvic30 said:
I hear ya. Wonder if you put a foreign sim in the T-Mobile varient a unlock code prompt will pop up or if you have to use that useless app they have.
Another thing.....I wonder if they're still going g to have just a U model device, if they did maybe we could use that firmware and be unlocked, only time will tell I guess.
Sent from my SM-G950T using XDA-Developers Legacy app
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Honest question... Why "useless app" when it always worked well for me? I had no issues getting temporary unlocks.

Meanee said:
Honest question... Why "useless app" when it always worked well for me? I had no issues getting temporary unlocks.
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Because you have to meet certain cryteria's for them to unlock it. I've also heard all kinds of horror stories of the phones re-locking after software updates ect. It's much easier to insert a foreign sim and buy a unlock code for 20 dollars and know the phone will be unlocked for good forever.
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When I got my T-Mobile phone, the first thing I did was boot using a verizon sim. Never connected to the network or internet. Upon booting I got a notification stating that the phone is indeed carrier locked and to use the app to unlock, so its safe to say at least for the T-Mobile version that it is locked from factory.

All are U versions. Samsung is controlling updates and the service providers just provide antenna drivers and bloatware.

mweinbach said:
All are U versions. Samsung is controlling updates and the service providers just provide antenna drivers and bloatware.
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Click to collapse
Oh great.......the S7 edge U model still hasn't even received​ Nougat.......
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Quickvic30 said:
Oh great.......the S7 edge U model still hasn't even received​ Nougat.......
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Maybe it's a good idea. Samsung is running around trying to appease every carrier out there before doing U updates. When everything is U, then there's just one update point.