where to buy legit unbranded smartphones - General Questions and Answers

BESIDES swappa. where can i buy unbranded smartphones that are legit
i tried to google but all the stores i click on only sell some chinese brand knockoffs
i want to get a phone like google pixel or galaxy s8 or note 8 without all the garbage from tmobile but cant find where to buy them
and also does unbranded phone have all the frequencies to work on any network or is it missing some?

Related

International Unlocked S8 & S8+ In the US

Where are all the people that will be using the exynos variant in the US? I have been using international unlocked (F models) sammy phones since the s6 and I plan on sticking to this model. Where you guys ordering from? I usually get it from ebay (usually never-msrp) but it seems I might have to hold on a little longer as $970 for an 8+ is a little high.
I ordered from SamsungUK.. lets see if they honor the order.
i am checking into this place.
https://www.clove.co.uk/samsung-galaxy-s8-plus
It's that site correct that the F must first be activated in the E E A?
I'll wait for the Duos version a month later from start shipping, I'm using exynos galaxy/notes from the note 2 .
biship said:
It's that site correct that the F must first be activated in the E E A?
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure. i've never bought intl phone.
I have written to the samsung UK web page and they told me the sim free phone is "locked" to unnlocked you muts make a 5 minut call to a number but from the place the phone was intended to sell, the UK
When you do the checkout on Clove store, you can choose this option: "Samsung’s region lock stops use of this handset within your chosen country unless activated with a European SIM. I agree for Clove Technology to break the seal on the box, activate the phone and remove the region lock by completing a 5 minute call on the handset."
biship said:
It's that site correct that the F must first be activated in the E E A?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clove is great and I ordered a S8+ from them too. I've ordered previous phones and accessories from them. They ship DHL overnight. Yes, EU phones are equipped with region lock to prevent them from being used outside their assigned selling region. You have to make a 5 minute phone call using a SIM from the phone's home region to unlock it. That's what Clove's doing for their international customers.
There are pros to buying from authorized resellers like Clove. EU phones have a two year warranty and Clove will act as a middleman on your behalf to get warranty work done if your phone ever needs it. You send it to them and they manage it through getting repaired and sent back to you. Having a "real" BTU phone is great for those that don't want to screw around with ODIN and multi-CSC to get updates. BTU is typically one of the first EU regions to get updates. We in the U.S. are lucky to get two for the life of the phone.
Only possible downside is getting Samsung Pay working since the framework isn't pre-installed as the UK doesn't currently support Samsung Pay. I've read the forums and some have gotten some of the features of Samsung Pay working on the S7-series but it's not a guarantee. I have a pre-order with AT&T and an order with Clove. I'm still debating which to go with primarily because I'm a heavy Samsung Pay user.
biship said:
It's that site correct that the F must first be activated in the E E A?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doubt it. Every year on release there is this region lock, but when I get my phones, they're never region locked.
Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk
BarryH_GEG said:
Clove is great and I ordered a S8+ from them too. I've ordered previous phones and accessories from them. They ship DHL overnight. Yes, EU phones are equipped with region lock to prevent them from being used outside their assigned selling region. You have to make a 5 minute phone call using a SIM from the phone's home region to unlock it. That's what Clove's doing for their international customers.
There are pros to buying from authorized resellers like Clove. EU phones have a two year warranty and Clove will act as a middleman on your behalf to get warranty work done if your phone ever needs it. You send it to them and they manage it through getting repaired and sent back to you. Having a "real" BTU phone is great for those that don't want to screw around with ODIN and multi-CSC to get updates. BTU is typically one of the first EU regions to get updates. We in the U.S. are lucky to get two for the life of the phone.
Only possible downside is getting Samsung Pay working since the framework isn't pre-installed as the UK doesn't currently support Samsung Pay. I've read the forums and some have gotten some of the features of Samsung Pay working on the S7-series but it's not a guarantee. I have a pre-order with AT&T and an order with Clove. I'm still debating which to go with primarily because I'm a heavy Samsung Pay user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh this sounds more like it. I've never had to deal with region lock..
Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk
osmosizzz said:
Where are all the people that will be using the exynos variant in the US? I have been using international unlocked (F models) sammy phones since the s6 and I plan on sticking to this model. Where you guys ordering from? I usually get it from ebay (usually never-msrp) but it seems I might have to hold on a little longer as $970 for an 8+ is a little high.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question. Do you ever get samsung pay to work on those models ?. or samsung pay is something you never really use or cared for ?
BarryH_GEG said:
Clove is great and I ordered a S8+ from them too. I've ordered previous phones and accessories from them. They ship DHL overnight. Yes, EU phones are equipped with region lock to prevent them from being used outside their assigned selling region. You have to make a 5 minute phone call using a SIM from the phone's home region to unlock it. That's what Clove's doing for their international customers.
There are pros to buying from authorized resellers like Clove. EU phones have a two year warranty and Clove will act as a middleman on your behalf to get warranty work done if your phone ever needs it. You send it to them and they manage it through getting repaired and sent back to you. Having a "real" BTU phone is great for those that don't want to screw around with ODIN and multi-CSC to get updates. BTU is typically one of the first EU regions to get updates. We in the U.S. are lucky to get two for the life of the phone.
Only possible downside is getting Samsung Pay working since the framework isn't pre-installed as the UK doesn't currently support Samsung Pay. I've read the forums and some have gotten some of the features of Samsung Pay working on the S7-series but it's not a guarantee. I have a pre-order with AT&T and an order with Clove. I'm still debating which to go with primarily because I'm a heavy Samsung Pay user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got a samsung watch and use samsung pay through it with a Nexus 6P. Think I would be able to do the same with the S8? I use android pay also, so not being able to use samsung pay would not be a deal breaker.
The thing has has me confused about clove is that the device seems to be good bit less expensive than anywhere else. Cost for the S8+ with shipping is only 665 GBP ($829) as opposed to 779 GBP ($971) from Samsung UK site. Is that correct?
luch4galaxy said:
Question. Do you ever get samsung pay to work on those models ?. or samsung pay is something you never really use or cared for ?
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Click to collapse
No I never got Samsung pay to work on the international model. But recently I think they got it to work on the s7 edge somehow.
luch4galaxy said:
Question. Do you ever get samsung pay to work on those models ?. or samsung pay is something you never really use or cared for ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk
PuffinNugz said:
I've got a samsung watch and use samsung pay through it with a Nexus 6P. Think I would be able to do the same with the S8? I use android pay also, so not being able to use samsung pay would not be a deal breaker.
The thing has has me confused about clove is that the device seems to be good bit less expensive than anywhere else. Cost for the S8+ with shipping is only 665 GBP ($829) as opposed to 779 GBP ($971) from Samsung UK site. Is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just checked clover and the price they showed me was 970 usd once I converted it (771 British pounds). That includes vat and shipping.
Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk
osmosizzz said:
I just checked clover and the price they showed me was 970 usd once I converted it (771 British pounds). That includes vat and shipping.
Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I selected US for shipping, it automatically deleted the VAT option and lowered to 665 pounds. What exactly is VAT and why would I want it?
Nevermind, I see it's a tax, but it removed itself when I selected the US.
PuffinNugz said:
When I selected US for shipping, it automatically deleted the VAT option and lowered to 665 pounds. What exactly is VAT and why would I want it?
Nevermind, I see it's a tax, but it removed itself when I selected the US.
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Click to collapse
I just did it on my Computer and you're right..its cheaper than anywhere else. I may just pick it up now
Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk
Just a Newbee question here in regards to using the international models in the US. I am guessing that these international phone can only support GSM here in the US - no LTE on any US carrier.
I get that the international boot loader might be unlocked, and the international phones seem to come carrier unlocked. But if you don't travel international all the time and just live in the US - don't you guy miss the LTE speeds? Or is there any international models that support say ATT LTE bands?
The phone says it supports: LTE Bands 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(AWS), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 17(700), 20(800), 28(700)
And ATT Uses 2, 4, 5, 17 1900, 1700 abcde, 700 bc
So would the internation phone support ATT LTE?
Flame Red said:
Just a Newbee question here in regards to using the international models in the US. I am guessing that these international phone can only support GSM here in the US - no LTE on any US carrier.
I get that the international boot loader might be unlocked, and the international phones seem to come carrier unlocked. But if you don't travel international all the time and just live in the US - don't you guy miss the LTE speeds? Or is there any international models that support say ATT LTE bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LTE works.
PuffinNugz said:
LTE works.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the education! I usually buy TMOB as in the past they have unlocked bootloaders and LTE works on ATT. But if I read the tea leaves correctly, TMOB might be changing that for the S8. I guess no one knows for sure yet for the S8, but generally speaking, have the boot loaders on past Sammy international models usually unlocked?

What is the best unlocked s8+ that I should buy for AT&T?

The axynos ones are cheap on ebay, but I can also buy an unlocked US version from Samsungs website.
Can you advice me on this?
I'm coming from the LG V20 side with the unlocked US996 model, and just looked at the non-existent G6 forums so please keep it in mind as I say this: I will never ever ever buy a major branded Android phone unlocked, ever again.
Signed, a likely future S8+ owner
midwhiteflava said:
I'm coming from the LG V20 side with the unlocked US996 model, and just looked at the non-existent G6 forums so please keep it in mind as I say this: I will never ever ever buy a major branded Android phone unlocked, ever again.
Signed, a likely future S8+ owner
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Click to collapse
? Why ???
The exynos have an unlocked bootloader, the "unlocked" other version only has unlocked sim. The exynos will allow root, however root trips knox, and therefore breaks Samsung Pay.
I'm using a UK version and it's pretty flawless. Samsung Pay works out of the box. I bought it from a UK authorized reseller so its got a two year warranty (in the UK - I pay to ship it there) and BTU is typically in front of the line for updates. It has no bloatware but none of the unlocked versions do. I had a AT&T version first and the Exynos version seems a tad more fluid and responsive.
It has all AT&T's LTE bands except for 30 and gets better LTE speeds than the AT&T version. Do a search, there's a thread on it.
I'm going to sell it when the Note8 comes out and it was cheaper to buy outright and will fetch more when I resell it. I liked it so much I bought a EU LTE Tab S3 to keep it company. It doesn't do VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling but that too is common to unlocked phones.
BarryH_GEG said:
I'm using a UK version and it's pretty flawless. Samsung Pay works out of the box. I bought it from a UK authorized reseller so its got a two year warranty (in the UK - I pay to ship it there) and BTU is typically in front of the line for updates. It has no bloatware but none of the unlocked versions do. I had a AT&T version first and the Exynos version seems a tad more fluid and responsive.
It has all AT&T's LTE bands except for 30 and gets better LTE speeds than the AT&T version. Do a search, there's a thread on it.
I'm going to sell it when the Note8 comes out and it was cheaper to buy outright and will fetch more when I resell it. I liked it so much I bought a EU LTE Tab S3 to keep it company. It doesn't do VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling but that too is common to unlocked phones.
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I want to get a phone with a care plan . Is there something like that in the states?

Which S3 Frontier Version Should I Buy?

Hi All
I am in the UK and am about to buy the S3 Frontier... but my question is this - there seems to be at least 3 variants that I can find mentioned on the web - UK / US / International. In the UK the price on the UK device is about $400 and the US version is $299. I can get the UK model from a high street shop or online... but I also see much cheaper version on eBay... as low as $250. I checked the part number of one of the eBay ones and it is SM-R760NDAAXAR. What I cant seem to find is a detailed comparison of the UK, US and International Version.
The information I can find is conflicting and some say that the US version is LTE - which I understand means that it has a hard wired SIM card inside so it can connect to the cellular network directly with no phone. I think the UK one doesn't have this feature... which TBH I am not worried about.
I have also read that if I buy the US version I wont be able to get Android Pay working, etc. I have also read that if I get the International version it will update to UK via software update when it syncs with my S7.
Can anyone tell me if there is any issues with buying an out-of-region device as its tempting because they are about half the price than on the high street here in the UK.
Thanks in advance
Slimat
You should be able to flash SM-R760NDAAXAR with UK firmware but I'm not sure if Samsung Pay will be active.

Does OnePlus Hong Kong sell the OP7 Chinese or Global/International Version?

I am planning on buying a OP7 from a third-party seller in Canada, but I don't like my phones opened out of its factory packaging. Some people told me if I buy from this third-party seller, they get them from China and just change it to Oxygen OS, which would not be good for 2 reasons, 1) Since I live in Canada the Chinese version wouldn't work (I'm with Telus) and 2) I don't like my phones tinkered with as I mentioned before.
So do you guys know if OnePlus Hong Kong sells Global phones or Chinese phones? And if they do sell global phones, the third-party sellers usually wouldn't mess with them right? They wouldn't have a reason to?
Thanks a lot!
Minchan_5 said:
I am planning on buying a OP7 from a third-party seller in Canada, but I don't like my phones opened out of its factory packaging. Some people told me if I buy from this third-party seller, they get them from China and just change it to Oxygen OS, which would not be good for 2 reasons, 1) Since I live in Canada the Chinese version wouldn't work (I'm with Telus) and 2) I don't like my phones tinkered with as I mentioned before.
So do you guys know if OnePlus Hong Kong sells Global phones or Chinese phones? And if they do sell global phones, the third-party sellers usually wouldn't mess with them right? They wouldn't have a reason to?
Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also from Canada and all versions of this phone even the china models work in Canada on every network except freedom mobile.
rohaanS said:
I am also from Canada and all versions of this phone even the china models work in Canada on every network except freedom mobile.
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That's because they have the same hardware! Software is the only difference.

EU model on Verizon?

Hey guys I just bought a OnePlus 8 off Amazon to replace my Pixel 2 XL. However today I noticed it's the EU model IN2013, NA is IN2015, I already knew not to buy IN2010 the Chinese version however I didn't know the US unlocked was a different model because nowhere I looked online mentioned it. I looked at the LTE bands before purchasing it and saw it supports all of Verizons bands (especially the critical band 13) so in theory it should still work right? My fear is when I give them the IMEI to enable CDMA Less on my line they will notice its an EU model that's "not approved on their network" and thus that will prevent it from working even though it supports all their bands.
Now to answer some questions:
Why did I buy this from Amazon instead of OnePlus?
Because it was $100 cheaper and the only way to get the Onyx Black color
Why didn't I buy the Verizon version?
Because it's $100 more expensive than the unlocked and it has a locked bootloader like all of Verizons phones
3mutts said:
Hey guys I just bought a OnePlus 8 off Amazon to replace my Pixel 2 XL. However today I noticed it's the EU model IN2013, NA is IN2015, I already knew not to buy IN2010 the Chinese version
...
Because it's $100 more expensive than the unlocked and it has a locked bootloader like all of Verizons phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I don't think they won't approve your device. I'm living in France so I don't know much about the Verizon Politics about that. But if they have common sense, they won't refuse just because it's not one of their devices, they may lose a lot of customers if they did so. There's a Verizon model to support their 5G, but for LTE it's all good.
In France, no carrier would dare doing that, because everybody buys their phones on internet, already unlocked and stuff...
There's a huge competition between carrier so they won't dare to be so restrictive on who can use their network or not. It'd be like "if you want to give me money, you have to pay me at least 600$+60$/month, who do you think I am, I'm not accepting just 60$ every single month", that makes no sense, only Karens thinks like that.
So LTE is cool, but I can't say that for the Verizon 5G
Hope this helped
I already knew 5g wasnt going to work but I don't care because Verizon uses mmwave 5g and that's not coming to my area any time soon. I just want to make 100% sure LTE works, right now I'm 90% sure but that IMEI thing has me worried, Verizon only allows approved devices on their network (absolute BS imo, if it supports all your bands it should just work). I don't know if they support only the American OnePlus 8 (IN2015) if so that would suck because hardware wise the IN2015 and IN2013 are virtually identical from what I could find with only a few bands missing from the IN2013 but they don't matter for Verizon

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