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I've ordered the Korean model of the s8 and got some questions

Hello xda!
I've searched the web but found nothing, my question as you might have guessed from the title is the following.
Is the s8+ like the s7 edge locked to a region ? And can someone who received there phone confirm this.
To be clear I don't mean sim lock but region lock.
Thanks

Bump

denja12 said:
Hello xda!
I've searched the web but found nothing, my question as you might have guessed from the title is the following.
Is the s8+ like the s7 edge locked to a region? And can someone who received their phone confirm this.
To be clear I don't mean sim lock but region lock.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*Since September 2013, Samsung has implemented a 'region lock' on all new stock.
For correct operation, this handset should be activated inside one of these countries with a SIM card issued for use there. The device will then be able to accept SIM cards from outside of these countries.
Activation requires turning the device on for the first time & completing set-up with the SIM installed, then completing at least 5 minutes of voice call(s) with this SIM.
Without activation you may still use the device outside of these countries when 'roaming' - using a SIM card from the listed countries.
If this activation procedure is not followed then the device will lock when first attempted to be used with a SIM card from outside of these regions. Local Samsung support may provide a code to unlock such handsets.
**All member states of the E.E.A and the following additional territories: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M), Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia and Vatican City.
From what i understand you might need a sim from Korea to activate it once activated it will work worldwide with any sim card. i could be wrong but that’s how i think it works!

... watched a couple of unboxing videos but I've seen some models where the seal says "European Sim only" and factory seals where it just says the usual information about if seal is broken ...

I bought on Ebay the S8+ 128g and the seller said me it will be full unlock, i am in France, i receive it next week ... i will tell you ^^ ...

androidrouen said:
I bought on Ebay the S8+ 128g and the seller said me it will be full unlock, i am in France, i receive it next week ... i will tell you ^^ ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what happened?
Does the activation call work if done with an european SIM but outside europe's network (i.e. roaming)?

I have the SM-955N Korean Telecom version. When I went to buy it, I asked them if they had any factory sealed. The owner said that's not possible, all exported Korean phones need to be opened and activated in Korea before exporting if you want them unlocked.
I can put in any sim card now (tested with a HK sim and Japanese sim). Both work fine, but need to do some service mode tinkering to get LTE to work.
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

forsberg78 said:
I have the SM-955N Korean Telecom version. When I went to buy it, I asked them if they had any factory sealed. The owner said that's not possible, all exported Korean phones need to be opened and activated in Korea before exporting if you want them unlocked.
I can put in any sim card now (tested with a HK sim and Japanese sim). Both work fine, but need to do some service mode tinkering to get LTE to work.
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do they have a custom boot animation when they turn on, with the Korean carrier's name on it?

Yes I have the KT logo
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

forsberg78 said:
Yes I have the KT logo
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are there any markings on the device? Like branding of the carrier?

Nope. There's a line at the back of the device that shows the model number, imei, and the letters KT but it's like very small font, you wouldn't be able to see it unless you looked for it
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

forsberg78 said:
Nope. There's a line at the back of the device that shows the model number, imei, and the letters KT but it's like very small font, you wouldn't be able to see it unless you looked for it
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you be able to record the boot animation so we know how it looks like? Thanks! :highfive:

Is there a way to do it within the system? I don't have another device to record it with
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

Confirmed I had to have my SM-955N unlocked and used in Korea before shipping. Also have the KT logo. Back is actually less busy than other versions without all the FCC, CE etc logos.

Psytric said:
Confirmed I had to have my SM-955N unlocked and used in Korea before shipping. Also have the KT logo. Back is actually less busy than other versions without all the FCC, CE etc logos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you have to go into service mode to unlock the LTE bands?
At the beginning I only got 3g but after going into service mode and playing with the network bands I somehow got LTE
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

forsberg78 said:
Did you have to go into service mode to unlock the LTE bands?
At the beginning I only got 3g but after going into service mode and playing with the network bands I somehow got LTE
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but I live in China, it shows as "LTE+". Your region's mileage may vary.

I was going to make another thread, but then I saw this! I live in the US, have T-Mobile and bought a Samsung Galaxy S8+ off eBay from the Korean market. It says SK TELECOM. I currently have a lot of issues. I really regret my decision, but I'm trying to eliminate some possibilities. I spent days troubleshooting with T-Mobile and I not longer believe it to be an issue with them.
As N1NJATH3ORY pointed out, there may be a region lock. My phone appeared factory sealed. Although it doesn't say that I'm roaming or anything like that. My symptoms are: Unable to simultaneously use Data and Voice, phone calls taking approx. 15 minutes to go through and phone calls not being received and going directly to voicemail. Not to mention that some settings just are not available. For instance, Network Mode only shows me 2 options. "Use LTE when available" and "3G only". After talking with T-Mobile techs they mentioned for their phones they have one option that includes an auto-connect, LTE, 4G, 3G, Edge, etc. Since the phone is not originally a T-Mobile line, I could understand why I wouldn't see that. Still it seems very limited to only say "Use LTE when available".
There's also other things that are less pressing, but would be nice to have. Such as: Samsung Pay, WiFi Calling, VoLTE, Carrier Updates, get rid of mandatory camera shutter noise, more SOS features like US, etc.
For right now I would at least like a stable network connection for my phone. I fear I'll have to buy a new phone and have wasted the $1,200 I dropped on this phone. Despite the nice specs compare the US model, it's just not working out. In the meantime I'll be looking for answers / solutions.

Ambush083 said:
I was going to make another thread, but then I saw this! I live in the US, have T-Mobile and bought a Samsung Galaxy S8+ off eBay from the Korean market. It says SK TELECOM. I currently have a lot of issues. I really regret my decision, but I'm trying to eliminate some possibilities. I spent days troubleshooting with T-Mobile and I not longer believe it to be an issue with them.
As N1NJATH3ORY pointed out, there may be a region lock. My phone appeared factory sealed. Although it doesn't say that I'm roaming or anything like that. My symptoms are: Unable to simultaneously use Data and Voice, phone calls taking approx. 15 minutes to go through and phone calls not being received and going directly to voicemail. Not to mention that some settings just are not available. For instance, Network Mode only shows me 2 options. "Use LTE when available" and "3G only". After talking with T-Mobile techs they mentioned for their phones they have one option that includes an auto-connect, LTE, 4G, 3G, Edge, etc. Since the phone is not originally a T-Mobile line, I could understand why I wouldn't see that. Still it seems very limited to only say "Use LTE when available".
There's also other things that are less pressing, but would be nice to have. Such as: Samsung Pay, WiFi Calling, VoLTE, Carrier Updates, get rid of mandatory camera shutter noise, more SOS features like US, etc.
For right now I would at least like a stable network connection for my phone. I fear I'll have to buy a new phone and have wasted the $1,200 I dropped on this phone. Despite the nice specs compare the US model, it's just not working out. In the meantime I'll be looking for answers / solutions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On mine everything works fine, the only problem could be Samsung pay in US, But all the rest is fine.
(i have 128gb Korea SKT too)

androidrouen said:
On mine everything works fine, the only problem could be Samsung pay in US, But all the rest is fine.
(i have 128gb Korea SKT too)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you also on T-Mobile? I'm going to try to write the individual I bought the phone from. I'll also contact Samsung about the region lock. Maybe that what I'm experiencing?

Try entering the code *#2683662# and configuring the network mode
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 01:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:41 PM ----------
But yeah, if it's factory sealed when you received it you may be SOL. It needs to be opened and activated Korea first.
Sent from my SM-G955N using Tapatalk

Software Updates

Hi all, I know this is a question which is hard to answer but I have a SIM free unlocked S8 and a EE locked S8 (I originally ordered on EE but changed my mind but didn't cancel as I didn't expect to receive SIM free version until at least 28th).
Anyway I have been comparing software and the I've noticed the following:
EE baseband version ends in AQDD
SIM free ends in AQC9
Android security patch level on EE is 1st April
and on SIM free is 1st March.
My understanding was that Samsung normally release updates quicker than network providers, which leads me to ask when I am expected to get the latest updates.
Thanks all

wizzywig27 said:
Hi all, I know this is a question which is hard to answer but I have a SIM free unlocked S8 and a EE locked S8 (I originally ordered on EE but changed my mind but didn't cancel as I didn't expect to receive SIM free version until at least 28th).
Anyway I have been comparing software and the I've noticed the following:
EE baseband version ends in AQDD
SIM free ends in AQC9
Android security patch level on EE is 1st April
and on SIM free is 1st March.
My understanding was that Samsung normally release updates quicker than network providers, which leads me to ask when I am expected to get the latest updates.
Thanks all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought networks were slower too but I went with EE official firmware cause it enabled voLte, not enabled on sim free.
See no battery difference so I'll stick with whoever updates more frequently

lawtq said:
I thought networks were shower too but I went with EE official firmware cause it enabled voLte, not enabled on sim free.
See no battery difference so I'll stick with whoever updates more frequently
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't the EE version come with whatever bloatware EE bundles with their phones? Thats the main reason I am avoiding any of the carrier updates, I am assuming they contain the carrier bloat, which the sim free/samsung updates would not.
Likewise I thought the samsung updates would be out long before the carrier ones, since the carriers would need to do all their testing etc first, but I am also on sim free and yet to see any updates while everyone with a carrier locked phone seems to have had the updates days ago!

Finally got the software update today. Same version as the EE one but cinderably larger

lawtq said:
I thought networks were shower too but I went with EE official firmware cause it enabled voLte, not enabled on sim free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have sim free in Australia and it supports VoLTE and WiFi Calling. It could be the regional thing.

ewokuk said:
Wouldn't the EE version come with whatever bloatware EE bundles with their phones? Thats the main reason I am avoiding any of the carrier updates, I am assuming they contain the carrier bloat, which the sim free/samsung updates would not.
Likewise I thought the samsung updates would be out long before the carrier ones, since the carriers would need to do all their testing etc first, but I am also on sim free and yet to see any updates while everyone with a carrier locked phone seems to have had the updates days ago!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got an EE locked S8 (CSC: EVR) and pretty much the only thing it seems to come with is the My EE app.
I'm only keeping the EE firmware because of VoLTE. If they offered that on BTU, then i'd flash BTU firmware instead

UK Petition to block network operators from taking control of our devices

Hi all,
I'm not sure if ok to post this on here, but I've created a petition on the UK petitions site to try a stop network operators taking control of our devices
If you are a UK user and want to sign the petition please follow this link - Petition Link
Information relating to partition
My petition: Block all mobile network operators from taking control of our android mobiles
Background: Purchased sim-free mobile without contract and network operator now provides the updates and not the manufacturer meaning receiving security updates and other updates are slow
Details: Huawei supply mobile phones to the UK and even if you purchase these unlocked and sim-free from a retailer in the UK, you will receive a phone that is then rebranded by the network operator (ie Three UK), who then authorise updates instead of the manufacturer. No matter how you buy the phone, the networks should not rebrand them or take control of the phone so they provide updates as these changes cannot be reversed

How'd you know if you've been "taken over" by the network? My L09 has no EE branding anywhere.
CLT-L09 8.1.0.110 (C782)

I had this reply from Huawei when questioning about devices purchased from the likes of CPW (this also includes currys, mobiles.co.uk and others)
The version sold in Carphone Warehouse is the open market version and it is exactly the same one sold by H3G.
The software version is also the same, however, this will be customized to the relevant operator depending on the SIM card that is inserted in the device for the very first time.
This customization is irreversible as per the operator's requirement, however, the device will maintain its SIM Free status.
One of the reasons behind it is to ensure the 4G/Wi-fi calling feature will be enabled on these devices. As you may know this option is not available on the unbranded/open market devices, as it requires network customization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if you get the C782 version of the device it is customised by the network operator, if you get the C432 device it will not and Huawei will not provide details of where to purchase none C782 models in the UK.
Also with Huawei removing the ability of unlocking the bootloader for end-users we will be at the mercy of network operators authorising updates., as you won't be able to rebrand the phone so can get updates for another model
You may also get apps automatically installed by your network provider

walkerx said:
I had this reply from Huawei when questioning about devices purchased from the likes of CPW (this also includes currys, mobiles.co.uk and others)
So if you get the C782 version of the device it is customised by the network operator, if you get the C432 device it will not and Huawei will not provide details of where to purchase none C782 models in the UK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats a bit rude. Is it only Huawei that do this? Never bought a phone that wasnt SIM free before, so never experienced this.

Usually when you buy a phone sim-free unlocked without a contract it means that you will get all updates by the manufacturer - but Huawei are supplying the same version to resellers that they would provide to network operators meaning Huawei do not provide updates and it is the network provider - even if you bought a phone on contract then left that network why should you still have to rely on the original network operator to provide the updates
as with apple the updates need to come directly from the manufacturers

Also this:
One of the reasons behind it is to ensure the 4G/Wi-fi calling feature will be enabled on these devices. As you may know this option is not available on the unbranded/open market devices, as it requires network customization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is not true.
I have a CLT-L29(782) on EE. VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling both work.

matt4321 said:
Also this:
Is not true.
I have a CLT-L29(782) on EE. VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling both work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not email Huawei and ask them and see their reply, your phone if it is the C782 model is customised by the first network sim you put into the device. Three make it worse by customising the bootloader as well

walkerx said:
Why not email Huawei and ask them and see their reply, your phone if it is the C782 model is customised by the first network sim you put into the device. Three make it worse by customising the bootloader as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My mistake, I have a C432, it was a C782. WiFi Calling/VoLTE work on EE with the EU model.

matt4321 said:
My mistake, I have a C432, it was a C782. WiFi Calling/VoLTE work on EE with the EU model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeh CPW do not sell the C432 model and only supply the C782 model and when I've asked Huawei where to get a non UK only version from in the UK they won't provide me that information

You can buy unlocked C432 (dual sim) on Amazon.de with free delivery to UK.

Same here, i put the sim in and it installed MyEE app and some Antivirus app that EE recommends. I dont see any branding like wallpapers etc etc. Wonder if its a one off thing or EE can install anything they like, they are bad enough for spam text marketing let alone being able to install apps on your phone (CLT-L09).

Good luck bro.

I bought my phone from EE. I use an EE SIM card.
I'm assuming any phone bought from EE is going to be locked to EE.
My wife bought hers from uSwitch also on EE, I'll check, by all accounts all uSwitch phones are bought separately which is how they do their deals.
What is it surgically you hour to achieve from this petition.
Also chances are Huawei probably had a hand in the deal with operators.
HTC and Oneplus, my last two phones certainly didn't.
Oneplus is just a dual SIM unlocked monster.
The HTC I hardware unlocked myself no problem.
PS
If you buy a phone from Huawei SIM free, the phone will have a firmware already installed, the model and variant aren't going to change should you put in a SIM.

dladz said:
I bought my phone from EE. I use an EE SIM card.
I'm assuming any phone bought from EE is going to be locked to EE.
My wife bought hers from uSwitch also on EE, I'll check, by all accounts all uSwitch phones are bought separately which is how they do their deals.
What is it surgically you hour to achieve from this petition.
Also chances are Huawei probably had a hand in the deal with operators.
HTC and Oneplus, my last two phones certainly didn't.
Oneplus is just a dual SIM unlocked monster.
The HTC I hardware unlocked myself no problem.
PS
If you buy a phone from Huawei SIM free, the phone will have a firmware already installed, the model and variant aren't going to change should you put in a SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want android phones to not be modified by network operators and have them blocked from doing this. On Apple you get a file update that tells the system what settings to use for network, this should be same on android.
According to Huawei the network operators want the devices to be customised by the first sim you insert and this process is irreversible. Why should someone who has purchased a sim free unlocked phone out of contract have their phone rebranded by the operator. With three its worse as they change the boot up so u get full screen three logo.
Would you be happy buying a phone outright that was unlocked, sim free, not on a contract and without network operator branding, being branded by the first sim you inserted and then relying on that operator to authorise updates? I'm not and I don't think many others would be.
Pixel phones if purchased via Google do get modified but currently wifi calling on them only works with EE.
Also you can no longer get the bootloader unlock codes from Huawei for devices purchased after a certain date and by 25 July u won't ever be able to unlock phones to install different roms, etc which is why it will be my last Huawei phone purchased.
I might not get anywhere with the petition but unless we try we won't know.
Sent from my Huawei P20 Pro using XDA Labs

UK Provider branding / bloatware

Was trying to get a 432 EU model of the Pro 20, but after a price cut in the UK to £669 I bought a CLT L09 C782 SIM free.
I have a week to decide if it is OK and I had read about the branding issue once a SIM is added. I'm on Vodafone and when I put the SIM in (after seeing what the system looked like without) there was minimal branding.
My Vodafone, Start and Vodafone SIM manager. The first two I was able to uninstall conventionally and I see little trace of Vodafone on the device (no splash screen on boot) just Provisioning Service and the SIM manager.
Am I missing something as it still feels like I'm only sharing my phone with Google & Huawei, not really Vodafone so much?
What branding issues are UK owners experiencing?

I, too am on Vodafone.
The branding causes no issues whatsoever. Google Chrome browser will initially direct you to the Vodafone home web page but this can be changed in the browser settings.
The big problem with this model of the p20 pro is that it is some way behind other models with software updates.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app

the biggest branding issue is for users on the three network where they update the boot animation with the three logo which could possibly have an affect on resale value (not sure how much as Huawei's have very poor resell value compared to other devices) - the other issue is the updates as the network operator has to authorise these meaning we are way behind on updates compared to other models.

walkerx said:
the biggest branding issue is for users on the three network where they update the boot animation with the three logo which could possibly have an affect on resale value (not sure how much as Huawei's have very poor resell value compared to other devices) - the other issue is the updates as the network operator has to authorise these meaning we are way behind on updates compared to other models.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankfully the latest update removed the boot screen branding so that was a bonus.

DaveP2611 said:
Thankfully the latest update removed the boot screen branding so that was a bonus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must be lucky then if on 3 and boot screen branding been removed as mine is still there..
Sent from my Huawei P20 Pro using XDA Labs

walkerx said:
You must be lucky then if on 3 and boot screen branding been removed as mine is still there..
Sent from my Huawei P20 Pro using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah with Three, CLT-L09 8.1.0.130(C782)

It could be that the dual sim model CLT-L29 8.1.0.131(C782) doesn't get the branding removed

walkerx said:
It could be that the dual sim model CLT-L29 8.1.0.131(C782) doesn't get the branding removed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yes maybe as mine was originally an unlocked (for Vodafone via CPW)

DaveP2611 said:
Ah yes maybe as mine was originally an unlocked (for Vodafone via CPW)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i also have the unlocked mate 10 pro from CPW and that was rebranded to three with no change when updated.

Thanks for the info. I think I like the phone enough to stick with it.
CPW advised that as it was SIM free the updates would come from Huawei, not Vodafone. I doubted that at the time.
Is it Huawei or Vodafone who are responsible for the slow release schedule of 782 firmware?
Currently the phone is on 130, what is the latest build for the 782 and how behind the 432 is it?

finkle said:
Thanks for the info. I think I like the phone enough to stick with it.
CPW advised that as it was SIM free the updates would come from Huawei, not Vodafone. I doubted that at the time.
Is it Huawei or Vodafone who are responsible for the slow release schedule of 782 firmware?
Currently the phone is on 130, what is the latest build for the 782 and how behind the 432 is it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the network operator is responsible, they inform huawei if the update can be released. I had the same from CPW and when tried raising as a complaint that when they sell these they are not informing customers they will be rebranded, they didn't give a hoot about it and when spoke to CA they said the consumer has to prove they were mis-sold. So litterally nothing you can do about it.
I'm now opposed to buying from CPW or a subsidiary in the future because of their attitude towards customers.
According to Huawei to get a phone that updates from them, you need to buy it from someone who does not provide mobile contracts, but you can't guarantee you will get a non C782 model

This is the only phone I have ever bought (buy all mine outright and unlocked...usually from CPW or Amazon) that has EVER relied on a network releasing an update for an unlocked phone... so, even though this phone is unlocked, I am still waiting on three network to wheeze out an update every 3 months....whereas it should come direct from Huawei.... this is insanity. Every other phone I have bought (many) has always been miles in front of the networks... this is one of the reasons I buy unlocked phones !!!
I can confirm that these updates come from the network operator, because I have pulled the sim out before powering up... checked for updates on wifi… nothing.... pop the sim back in, power up, and there is an update....form three.
So, Huawei, you have shot yourself in the foot with the C782 (and its garbage update policy) in the UK...seriously considering flashing the C432 firmware... and I'm not really into that, but would give it a go...

falsivas said:
This is the only phone I have ever bought (buy all mine outright and unlocked...usually from CPW or Amazon) that has EVER relied on a network releasing an update for an unlocked phone... so, even though this phone is unlocked, I am still waiting on three network to wheeze out an update every 3 months....whereas it should come direct from Huawei.... this is insanity. Every other phone I have bought (many) has always been miles in front of the networks... this is one of the reasons I buy unlocked phones !!!
I can confirm that these updates come from the network operator, because I have pulled the sim out before powering up... checked for updates on wifi… nothing.... pop the sim back in, power up, and there is an update....form three.
So, Huawei, you have shot yourself in the foot with the C782 (and its garbage update policy) in the UK...seriously considering flashing the C432 firmware... and I'm not really into that, but would give it a go...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i buy all mine unlocked when I can afford it as i don't want them branding by the network or reliant on them for updates - my Mate 10 Pro from CPW has this problem and CPW won't do anything as Huawei say they sell the unlocked ones which is same as the network versions - if CPW had told me at time of purchase I would not have bought it, but you can't do anything about it as you have to prove they never told you and that you felt misled when buying it.

is the OnePlus 8 sim free

I'm looking to get a oneplus 8 from eBay
The phone was a Vodafone upgrade
Does this mean it will be locked on Vodafone ?
It confuses me because I was under the impression all OnePlus phone could be used on all I'm carriers

Depends what country. Some in the USA are tied to a carrier. Not sure about other countries, but I think the UK is OK (but don't rely on it - I am not sure).

alan sh said:
Depends what country. Some in the USA are tied to a carrier. Not sure about other countries, but I think the UK is OK (but don't rely on it - I am not sure).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you yes it's a UK model phone from Vodafone UK
I know the IMEI number so I might contact Vodafone to see if they know
The person does not want to break the seal of the box to put another sim in it to find out
Alao tried using IMEI checking websites but non can tell me the network status

So, it's a vodafone one but still sealed. Why is the person selling it?