Unlock v. Factory Unlock - Samsung Galaxy S7 Questions and Answers

This is probably a noob question but is there a difference between "unlock" versus "factory unlock". I am trying to get an unlocked 930a on Ebay or Swappa and just trying dot my i's and cross my t's before plunking down $500.
I have had AT&T unlock a phone before (s4) and it worked fine outside the US. I had a g920i before I walked into the pool with it. It worked well but the lack of Samsung Pay and LTE connection issues were somewhat annoying.
Does a factory unlocked phone allow you to remove bloatware?
Thanks.

tonyjc1 said:
This is probably a noob question but is there a difference between "unlock" versus "factory unlock". I am trying to get an unlocked 930a on Ebay or Swappa and just trying dot my i's and cross my t's before plunking down $500.
I have had AT&T unlock a phone before (s4) and it worked fine outside the US. I had a g920i before I walked into the pool with it. It worked well but the lack of Samsung Pay and LTE connection issues were somewhat annoying.
Does a factory unlocked phone allow you to remove bloatware?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The factory unlocked version is usually the model that isn't tied to a carrier /network provider and so it won't have the carrier added bloat.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Related

AT&T or T-Mobile for unlocked S8+ ?

The backstory.... Preordered an ATT Note 7 and had many headaches with delivery / billing. I am now living with my old Note3 using Goggle Voice/Hangouts because of my weak signal (all carriers) at home. I'm using a pre-paid Straight Talk plan when away from home.
I've been waiting patiently for the S8+ and now need to decide between AT&T and T-Mobile for a GSM phone. I plan on paying full cash price and having it unlocked to use a 3rd part prepaid plan (Straight Talk or ?).
I considered a factory unlocked phone (Best Buy, May 9th??) but I am told that those will also have a locked bootloader. Up until the Note 7 I always ran rooted with custom ROMS. I became a big fan of Samsung Pay which I think also means a locked bootloader with no root is needed. Of coarse, bloatware sucks. I had good luck with Package Disabler Pro on my Note 7. I will be using my Google number, if only for forwarding to another number. WiFi calling is a must one way or another.
My Note 7 from ATT let me run Mobile Hotspot at the same time WiFi was enabled. This made it easy for giving my Android head unit in my car Internet access. The T-mobile version at the time needed to be turned on and off.
I'm leaning toward T-mobile only because of my bad blood with ATT. ATT coverage is marginally better in my area.
Thoughts, comments.
Either and flash the OS on it with ODIN. It is the same hardware so it doesnt matter.
mweinbach said:
Either and flash the OS on it with ODIN. It is the same hardware so it doesnt matter.
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Yes and also if the T-Mobile version is going to have an unlocked bootloader, flashing T-Mobile firmware should allow you to unlock it through the OS.
But it's highly unlikely it will have an unlocked bootloader, although T-Mobile have supported it, I don't think it's happening.
No unlocked bootloaders on u.s.a. Carriers....
SBERG117 said:
No unlocked bootloaders on u.s.a. Carriers....
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I get that if you buy a carrier phone and then unlock it. But what about the factory unlocked phones sold in the US?
I've heard that the bootloader on those phones is also locked, but not from a real good source of info. I've also heard international versions do not have a locked bootloader and do not support Samsung Pay. They also do not support CDMA (which doesn't bother me at all).
Interceptor777 said:
Yes and also if the T-Mobile version is going to have an unlocked bootloader, flashing T-Mobile firmware should allow you to unlock it through the OS.
But it's highly unlikely it will have an unlocked bootloader, although T-Mobile have supported it, I don't think it's happening.
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Click to collapse
If I flash via ODIN does that kill Samsung Pay? What about Knox?
Phredeee said:
The backstory.... Preordered an ATT Note 7 and had many headaches with delivery / billing. I am now living with my old Note3 using Goggle Voice/Hangouts because of my weak signal (all carriers) at home. I'm using a pre-paid Straight Talk plan when away from home.
I've been waiting patiently for the S8+ and now need to decide between AT&T and T-Mobile for a GSM phone. I plan on paying full cash price and having it unlocked to use a 3rd part prepaid plan (Straight Talk or ?).
I considered a factory unlocked phone (Best Buy, May 9th??) but I am told that those will also have a locked bootloader. Up until the Note 7 I always ran rooted with custom ROMS. I became a big fan of Samsung Pay which I think also means a locked bootloader with no root is needed. Of coarse, bloatware sucks. I had good luck with Package Disabler Pro on my Note 7. I will be using my Google number, if only for forwarding to another number. WiFi calling is a must one way or another.
My Note 7 from ATT let me run Mobile Hotspot at the same time WiFi was enabled. This made it easy for giving my Android head unit in my car Internet access. The T-mobile version at the time needed to be turned on and off.
I'm leaning toward T-mobile only because of my bad blood with ATT. ATT coverage is marginally better in my area.
Thoughts, comments.
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I'm in a similar situation and my first concern is what bands both phones support. Online it seems AT&T covers both GSM providers perfectly. The info on T-Mobile and its bands is extremely lacking. My second concern is the process of unlocking either fully paid off phone for use on the other. I think I can have TMobile unlock it for me but I'm not sure how it works with AT&T. The easiest solution is the unlocked version but thats not even got a release date set in writing anywhere.
Phredeee said:
If I flash via ODIN does that kill Samsung Pay? What about Knox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long you are flashing official firmware from Samsung nothing will break. Knox will not be tripped and Samsung Pay will work.
954wrecker said:
I'm in a similar situation and my first concern is what bands both phones support. Online it seems AT&T covers both GSM providers perfectly. The info on T-Mobile and its bands is extremely lacking. My second concern is the process of unlocking either fully paid off phone for use on the other. I think I can have TMobile unlock it for me but I'm not sure how it works with AT&T. The easiest solution is the unlocked version but thats not even got a release date set in writing anywhere.
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It is my understanding that all US (Snapdragon) phones cover all bands, including CDMA. That means you could even take an unlocked AT&T phone to Verizon. I'm not used to that! It even has LTE-U which TMo is supposed to be soon supporting.
I am an ex AT&T customer. They unlocked my Note 7, and again with the replacement, without issue. I seem to remember there was a wait period at first. 7 or 14 days?
The thing I'm considering is also the VR incentives for pre-ordering. I can tell you AT&T messed up my Note 7 pre-order. They shipped it on the release day by a slow method. I ended up going to a store and buying one outright and returning the unopened one once it arrived. That caused a billing nightmare that I had to call them every months until I finally turned it in and closed my account.
Phredeee said:
It is my understanding that all US (Snapdragon) phones cover all bands, including CDMA. That means you could even take an unlocked AT&T phone to Verizon. I'm not used to that! It even has LTE-U which TMo is supposed to be soon supporting.
I am an ex AT&T customer. They unlocked my Note 7, and again with the replacement, without issue. I seem to remember there was a wait period at first. 7 or 14 days?
The thing I'm considering is also the VR incentives for pre-ordering. I can tell you AT&T messed up my Note 7 pre-order. They shipped it on the release day by a slow method. I ended up going to a store and buying one outright and returning the unopened one once it arrived. That caused a billing nightmare that I had to call them every months until I finally turned it in and closed my account.
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Can you recall where you read the carrier versions support all the bands just like the unlocked versions? All the info I found from the carriers shows different bands on each model.
Phredeee said:
I get that if you buy a carrier phone and then unlock it. But what about the factory unlocked phones sold in the US?
I've heard that the bootloader on those phones is also locked, but not from a real good source of info. I've also heard international versions do not have a locked bootloader and do not support Samsung Pay. They also do not support CDMA (which doesn't bother me at all).
Click to expand...
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You're missing what I'm saying... There will be no unlocked bootloaders on any Samsung S8 phones for the USA. You cannot get one from carrier or factory.
I think you may be mixing up Bootloader unlock and Sim unlock....
954wrecker said:
Can you recall where you read the carrier versions support all the bands just like the unlocked versions? All the info I found from the carriers shows different bands on each model.
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Click to collapse
I do remember that it was a story about FCC approval of the factory unlocked (SIM) phone. Keep that in mind that it may be the unbranded, factory unlocked phone only, but the article did say they were all the same. The locked carrier phones may not be so flexible.
Other things I've found.. Best Buy SIM unlocked does not get the incentives. Best Buy, and their cheaper price, does not seem to offer a T-Mo phone.
The VR incentive is attractive to me, but is not a must have. At this moment, until I can find out for sure if Samsung Pay will work on an international version, I am leaning towards a T-Mo pre-order. But that is me and my preferences YMMV. I have a major dislike for AT&T.
Looking for where I read it. In the mean time this may be interesting to you.
Model numbers http://techbeasts.com/list-of-samsung-galaxy-s8-galaxy-s8plus-model-numbers/
Frequencies https://www.frequencycheck.com/models/OyqBp/samsung-sm-g955a-galaxy-s8-td-lte-samsung-dream
The link is for the AT&T model search for other models.
954wrecker said:
Can you recall where you read the carrier versions support all the bands just like the unlocked versions? All the info I found from the carriers shows different bands on each model.
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Click to collapse
It appears that going by this information the factory unlocked and the AT&T are NOT the same https://www.frequencycheck.com/compare-devices/6MQWs05y/samsung-sm-g950a-galaxy-s8-td-lte-samsung-dream/samsung-sm-g950f-galaxy-s8-td-lte-samsung-dream
You're correct that it seems T-mo info is evasive.
Hello,
I would like to know, if it posible to buy the Galaxy S8 from the samsung web page (att version), then unlock it and after that flash the unlocked rom flashing it with odin.
Can someone help me?
thanks.
Just ordered the 955F from Clove...
I'm hoping that missing bands won't hurt my AT&T usage much. Or any prepaid sims I may throw in there.
Will see if the 955U info comes out before my phone, and will decide if I want to cancel.
:good::angel:

Please Help. How do I activate, and unlocked tmobile Galaxy S8+ on Verizon.

So I just received my unlocked galaxy s8+ G955U from swappa. I was hoping it would be as easy as putting in my previous nano sim card from my Nexus 6p and activating. It isn't. The branding is t-mobile. Showing t-mobile screen when I turn it on. I tried activating from myverizon , but when I enter the imei it says: "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network. Try a Different Device"
I purchased an unlocked phone hoping to avoid most if not all of the verizon bloatware. But, I need to be able to make phone calls and tie it to my Verizon account.
Any help, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
polorsport said:
So I just received my unlocked galaxy s8+ G955U from swappa. I was hoping it would be as easy as putting in my previous nano sim card from my Nexus 6p and activating. It isn't. The branding is t-mobile. Showing t-mobile screen when I turn it on. I tried activating from myverizon , but when I enter the imei it says: "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network. Try a Different Device"
I purchased an unlocked phone hoping to avoid most if not all of the verizon bloatware. But, I need to be able to make phone calls and tie it to my Verizon account.
Any help, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
clearly you got the Tmobile s8+ model. Even if its unlocked it only works with Gsm networks. Verizon is CDMA not gsm. Return for a refund and buy a no-career unlocked phone. Good luck
This is the model you need https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-s8-64gb-unlocked-midnight-black/5803742.p?skuId=5803742
I think you're right. This sucks. But, it's good to know. I've been on the phone with customer service for 40 minutes trying to get it activated and still no luck.
the_noob65 said:
clearly you got the Tmobile s8+ model. Even if its unlocked it only works with Gsm networks. Verizon is CDMA not gsm. Return for a refund and buy a no-career unlocked phone. Good luck
This is the model you need https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-s8-64gb-unlocked-midnight-black/5803742.p?skuId=5803742
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I don't understand is that the customer service representative says it's activated on her end. I just can't make or receive calls. No lte or 3g shown.
the_noob65 said:
clearly you got the Tmobile s8+ model. Even if its unlocked it only works with Gsm networks. Verizon is CDMA not gsm. Return for a refund and buy a no-career unlocked phone. Good luck
This is the model you need https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-s8-64gb-unlocked-midnight-black/5803742.p?skuId=5803742
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is 100% absolutely false and incorrect. All the US S8+ models have the SAME EXACT hardware. Only the firmware is different.
polorsport said:
So I just received my unlocked galaxy s8+ G955U from swappa. I was hoping it would be as easy as putting in my previous nano sim card from my Nexus 6p and activating. It isn't. The branding is t-mobile. Showing t-mobile screen when I turn it on. I tried activating from myverizon , but when I enter the imei it says: "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network. Try a Different Device"
I purchased an unlocked phone hoping to avoid most if not all of the verizon bloatware. But, I need to be able to make phone calls and tie it to my Verizon account.
Any help, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP, are you SURE it's network Unlocked? The T-Mo branded S8 shipped network locked. If it's network Unlocked, it WILL work on Verizon, but it will still have the T-Mo bootup screen and apps. That's the firmware.
If you want no bloatware, check out the threads for flashing the Unlocked Firmware.
After exhausting all my options I took my friends advice, and called t-mobile. Turns out the phone is still locked. So it's either the seller unlocks it, or refund.
Mr. Orange 645 said:
That is 100% absolutely false and incorrect. All the US S8+ models have the SAME EXACT hardware. Only the firmware is different.
OP, are you SURE it's network Unlocked? The T-Mo branded S8 shipped network locked. If it's network Unlocked, it WILL work on Verizon, but it will still have the T-Mo bootup screen and apps. That's the firmware.
If you want no bloatware, check out the threads for flashing the Unlocked Firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you can answer this question. If the phone is still locked. Can I flash firmware to unlock it, and activate it on Verizon. (I don't even care about bloatware anymore. I just want to have a working phone)
polorsport said:
Maybe you can answer this question. If the phone is still locked. Can I flash firmware to unlock it, and activate it on Verizon. (I don't even care about bloatware anymore. I just want to have a working phone)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can't unlock it just by flashing the unlocked firmware. T-Mobile will have to unlock it.
Read one of the threads a out flashing unlocked firmware, it will answer many of your questions, including the ones you have asked in this thread.

Question Bands with unlocked and att

Are there any missing bands in the unlocked version vs att variant?
Thinking which one to buy...
I know note 10 had some differences and I havent been following since.
Good question...I just purchased the unlocked 1TB version. Guess I'll know for sure when it gets here..
I have AT&T and have always bought AT&T phones from Samsung to be sure all the features work such as wifi calling which I need. I did some research and apparently unlocked Samsung phones now are fully functional on AT&T. I ordered an unlocked S22U today. It will be nice to lose all that AT&T bloat. They really load it up. I'm sure all the bands for AT&T are on the unlocked US device.
dmb219 said:
I have AT&T and have always bought AT&T phones from Samsung to be sure all the features work such as wifi calling which I need. I did some research and apparently unlocked Samsung phones now are fully functional on AT&T. I ordered an unlocked S22U today. It will be nice to lose all that AT&T bloat. They really load it up. I'm sure all the bands for AT&T are on the unlocked US device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can we unlock bootloader of this unlocked US S22U ? Does it have oem unlocking option?
donkeyman1234 said:
Can we unlock bootloader of this unlocked US S22U ? Does it have oem unlocking option?
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Click to collapse
it wont. even if you buy the u.s. model from samsung it wont. they are bootloader locked. if you bought the at&t version from at&t you can still load the u1 software version on it to get rid of the at&t bloat. the only difference the u and u1 have is the u1 is sim unlocked. if you get from at&t you have to pay the phone off to get it sim unlocked. but as far as bootloader goes they are both locked.
We might see an option in the future where a paid service comes along that might enable bootloader unlock. I never understood why Samsung treats the U.S market in such a strict way while the rest of the world less so.
freebee269 said:
it wont. even if you buy the u.s. model from samsung it wont. they are bootloader locked. if you bought the at&t version from at&t you can still load the u1 software version on it to get rid of the at&t bloat. the only difference the u and u1 have is the u1 is sim unlocked. if you get from at&t you have to pay the phone off to get it sim unlocked. but as far as bootloader goes they are both locked.
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Click to collapse
Thanks, then I will not buy US version even it costs less.

Question Purchased a Verizon variant through Google Store, paid in full... Fully unlocked in 60 days, or is this a trick?

I haven't purchased a new phone since before 802.11ax came out. It's been... a long time, to say the least.
I'm reading mixed signals. Can I unlock, root, and do whatever anyone else can do with this hardware - or will they strangle my balls still?
I'm on Verizon too, but purchased the unlocked version. The Verizon bootloaders have driven me nuts in the past...
Fully unlocked amas in carrier unlocked. Only way you can unlock the bootloader of a pixel 7 device in the USA is if you bought an u locked variant directly from Google. You can't unlock any Android device bought from Verizon.
Usually it means you can't unlock the bootloader but that's only after the first firmware update.
So if you don't update it and wait then it should work. That's how it went with the vzw variant of the pixel XL anyways... I bought 2 of them because like a dupe I let it update without even thinking.
Then I got another and before anything I unlocked the bootloader, installed twrp, got root and then put my sim card in and I manually installed Google's updates and everything was fine.
Dunno if that changed or not...but it will ship with the ability to unlock it, or should because it's flashed with the stock Google firmware
The above post only applies to the original Pixel 1.
When Verizon says "unlocked" they mean carrier unlocked.
You can only get a bootloader unlocked if you buy direct from Google and buy the Google version of the phone, not the Verizon one they list.
What @jdoe6783 and @TonikJDK said. When all United States carriers volunteer information about "unlocking", they only mean carrier unlocking - i.e. you can then use your Verizon Pixel 7 Pro on a different carrier.
As I say in Post 2 in my thread:
roirraW edor ehT said:
Verizon variants:
Will never be able to have their bootloader unlocked. It's like winning the lottery, and just as rare and relatively random. There is nothing that anyone on XDA can do to help you unlock your Verizon variant.
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Curious why you would even buy the carrier variant from the google store? I mean if you are paying in full, just buy the unlocked version.
Ok. Thank you, all. Once the device is carrier unlocked, will I be able to remove the Verizon bloatware? That's my biggest concern now. I can live with a locked bootloader as long as the provided OS allows me to control what software is and is not running.
I bought the carrier variant for a few reasons:
I've already settled on Verizon as my carrier for the long haul. I bounced around between MVNOs, Google Fi, and T-mobile before landing on Verizon ~18mo ago. It has been a better experience for a little less money after taking advantage of so many promotions - several of which hinge on my home ISP being Verizon as well.
The trade-in value is pretty solid. I don't value it at $700 like they say as it's really just $19/mo off my bill for 3 years. It's not clear to me what happens if I upgrade my device or decide to cancel service in that time... they just stop providing the discount?
I never felt the need to root my last phone. I did it for a while, and many of my necessary apps detected this and stopped working. I've gathered that this is something the community has addressed now, but it still speaks to the time/benefit of going through the process to root and try out different things that rooting enables. I have less time to research and try out various options than I once did. My suspicion is that I'll be happy enough with the factory OS. The only things that would change this would be if I cannot remove Verizon bloatware. I'm not forefiting that kind of control of my $1k phone for a $20/mo reimbursement.
mmWave sounds cool, but I'm not convinced it'll have a meaningful impact on my usage. Perhaps when I'm in a large city and there's congestion on the other bands... This is a very minor point.
shiftr182 said:
Curious why you would even buy the carrier variant from the google store? I mean if you are paying in full, just buy the unlocked version.
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Click to collapse
agreed...
you can always buy the Google unlocked variant and just activate it on your carrier (in this case, Verizon as OP's carrier), instead of purchasing the specific carrier variant.
At the very least I plan on purchasing the unlocked variant and activating it on Verizon....
If anything, @SethW, if it is truly important to you to do all the additional "fun" stuff like root, tether, custom ROMs, and all the other stuff (like it is to many/most of us on this forum)...you should still be in the return period. You might want to try the route of returning it and purchasing the Google unlocked variant to be certain you can unlock the bootloader -- and therefore root and other things.
EDIT
@SethW's reply just popped up while I was replying and just got in right before my post, so I wanted to address it...
SethW said:
Ok. Thank you, all. Once the device is carrier unlocked, will I be able to remove the Verizon bloatware? That's my biggest concern now. I can live with a locked bootloader as long as the provided OS allows me to control what software is and is not running.
I bought the carrier variant for a few reasons:
I've already settled on Verizon as my carrier for the long haul. I bounced around between MVNOs, Google Fi, and T-mobile before landing on Verizon ~18mo ago. It has been a better experience for a little less money after taking advantage of so many promotions - several of which hinge on my home ISP being Verizon as well.
....My suspicion is that I'll be happy enough with the factory OS. The only things that would change this would be if I cannot remove Verizon bloatware. I'm not forefiting that kind of control of my $1k phone for a $20/mo reimbursement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's okay to be on Verizon. I've been with them for decades and okay with them. It's good that you tried out a bunch and have your reasons to use them. By all means, you can/should use the P7P with them.
But to address your other concerns about the Verizon bloatware -- I'm fairly certain if you purchased the carrier specific Verizon variant, it will have its bloatware and you will not be able to remove it. There might be tricks to hide & help ignore it, but [usually] you aren't going to be able to remove it (at least without root, which you will not be able to do since Verizon bootlocks their devices; also, if it were rootable, you would have an unlocked variant and would not have bloatware in the first place ) [fun fact: in the earliest days of Android smartphones, the whole reason to root one's phone was to get rid of said bloatware; now, one has to purchase directly from Google and get their variant to even get a chance to root outside of carrier control]. Now I've never purchased a carrier variant from Google nor have I met anyone who has, so it might be different since you purchased it from Google store and not Verizon store, but I can't imagine Verizon wouldn't hold Google to their restrictions even if it's from Google's store -- I mean, what's the difference/purpose selling a carrier variant without any of said carrier's restrictions when Google could just sell Google's unlocked variant and just load it on the carrier's network?
TL;DR If it's a carrier (Verizon) variant, it most likely will have the carrier's bloatware; and you cannot remove it; even if the OS is as customizable as Android.
I'm definitely thinking about a return already. The agreements states 'unlocked after 60 days' which I read as fully unlocked, rather than some partial unlocking they've come up with. It really hinges on whether or not I can fully control the OS of the phone after it's 'carrier' unlocked.
EDIT - in response to @simplepinoi177 's edit
Well then. Returning it for sure. Didn't even think to mention ad-blocking apps and such but I rely on those. Makes my stomach turn when I see someone using a device without robust ad-blocking. Without root, that's probably on the chopping block too.
SethW said:
I'm definitely thinking about a return already. The agreements states 'unlocked after 60 days' which I read as fully unlocked, rather than some partial unlocking they've come up with. It really hinges on whether or not I can fully control the OS of the phone after it's 'carrier' unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep in mind, it's not just Verizon. All U.S. carriers, when they say unlocked, they only mean carrier unlocked. It's not just something Verizon came up with. As far as they're concerned, it will be fully unlocked.
SethW said:
EDIT - in response to @simplepinoi177 's edit
Well then. Returning it for sure. Didn't even think to mention ad-blocking apps and such but I rely on those. Makes my stomach turn when I see someone using a device without robust ad-blocking. Without root, that's probably on the chopping block too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck with your return and re-purchase!
simplepinoi177 said:
you can always buy the Google unlocked variant and just activate it on your carrier (in this case, Verizon as OP's carrier), instead of purchasing the specific carrier variant.
At the very least I plan on purchasing the unlocked variant and activating it on Verizon....
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The unlocked phone from Amazon is the same as the unlocked one from Google, isn't it?
Wi1son said:
The unlocked phone from Amazon is the same as the unlocked one from Google, isn't it?
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Click to collapse
Yep
Wi1son said:
The unlocked phone from Amazon is the same as the unlocked one from Google, isn't it?
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Click to collapse
EtherealRemnant said:
Yep
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Also, if you check the Amazon description, under "Wireless Carrier", it states "Unlocked", so it's a safe bet that it's actually unlocked like the Google variant and not the way carrier's state "unlocked" like it's not "contractually bound" or "locked" to the carrier....
If you have the Verizon model, you can disable some of the VZW bloatware with ADB, but not all of it. If you disable some of the VZW specific packages, it won't boot and you will have to go through recovery. I was really annoyed when I found out that I couldn't unlock the bootloader on the VZW model of my Pixel 3XL. On my previous phone I had relied on particular mods to make my life easier (I'm unilaterally deaf).
I would certainly return it for the unlocked Google version while the window is open, just in case you ever need to unlock the bootloader.
Refused delivery and requested FedEx return it to sender - as instructed by Google Support. In spite of this, FedEx tried to delivery every day for the past week. They're finally sending it back to Google. I suspect they'll refund it soon. I'm really annoyed that I'm apparently going to miss out on the $200 google store promotion. I was looking forward to trying out the pro earbuds for free.

Question Can I trade in my Verizon variant for an unlocked variant?

I got this as a gift through Verizon website and they don't know a thing about root/unlocked bootloader and they just got me the Verizon version. I'm not even going to try to explain why I want the unlocked version.
Aaannnyyywaaayyy lol. Is there a way I can just swap this out for an unlocked version or a site that does swaps like this? Is there maybe a root option without unlocked bootloader?
Someone suggested to buy the unlocked version and then return it with the Verizon one in the box. Probably not legal or would they even care? Probably won't do it anyway.
If you really want an unlocked one just sell the Verizon one through Swappa or a local marketplace as BNIB. Don't do #3 as they record the IMEI and serial number of the device that they send you. I'd imagine they'd give you an issue with returning the device when those don't match. Plus the whole legality issue.
zetsumeikuro said:
If you really want an unlocked one just sell the Verizon one through Swappa or a local marketplace as BNIB. Don't do #3 as they record the IMEI and serial number of the device that they send you. I'd imagine they'd give you an issue with returning the device when those don't match. Plus the whole legality issue.
Click to expand...
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Yeah I would sell but I don't have a phone to use until then.
sensation4gking said:
Yeah I would sell but I don't have a phone to use until then.
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If your finances allow it grab the unlocked one from the Google Store. BF sale is about to drop so $100 off right out the gate. If you open the Verizon one the value will drop.
If it's paid off already call Verizon to carrier unlock it for you maybe by unlocking it you'd be able to root cause I've got the pixel 6 from visible few months ago and i was allowed to rooted and visible has the same variant as Verizon only difference is that visible sells their phones carrier unlocked
J0nhy said:
If it's paid off already call Verizon to carrier unlock it for you maybe by unlocking it you'd be able to root cause I've got the pixel 6 from visible few months ago and i was allowed to rooted and visible has the same variant as Verizon only difference is that visible sells their phones carrier unlocked
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Didn't think they would allow that but wouldn't hurt to try. You'd think more people would suggest this.
sensation4gking said:
Didn't think they would allow that but wouldn't hurt to try. You'd think more people would suggest this.
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Carrier unlocking and bootloader unlocking are distinctly separate. Verizon variants are not bootloader unlockable.
J0nhy said:
If it's paid off already call Verizon to carrier unlock it for you maybe by unlocking it you'd be able to root cause I've got the pixel 6 from visible few months ago and i was allowed to rooted and visible has the same variant as Verizon only difference is that visible sells their phones carrier unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's controlled by IMEI whitelists. If Visible didn't specify they want OEM Unlocking to be disabled like Verizon does, Google doesn't blacklist the lots they buy.
Unlocked is $150 off on Google Store.

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