Database Info

955U at Tmobile store.

So I went to a Tmobile store and looked at the Galaxy s8+ and noticed the model was 955U not 955T
It was of course their demo unit which was strapped (tethered) to the desk which makes it impossible to feel properly in the hand... But whatever.
Curious if only the demo model was a U variant or what? I never payed attention to other models before now?
The U variant of other Samsung models, do they have Locked bootloaders? Is it only the F variant that is unlocked (bootloader)
Sent from my Rooted Galaxy S7 EDGE on Android 7.0 Nougat, here's the instructions how to do it!

The SM-G955U is suppose to be the Unlock variant of the S8+, which make it super interesting, Hope this comes with unlock bootloader

Araltd said:
So I went to a Tmobile store and looked at the Galaxy s8+ and noticed the model was 955U not 955T
It was of course their demo unit which was strapped (tethered) to the desk which makes it impossible to feel properly in the hand... But whatever.
Curious if only the demo model was a U variant or what? I never payed attention to other models before now?
The U variant of other Samsung models, do they have Locked bootloaders? Is it only the F variant that is unlocked (bootloader)
Sent from my Rooted Galaxy S7 EDGE on Android 7.0 Nougat, here's the instructions how to do it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All snapdragon s7 edge have locked bootloader including the g935u so I'm assuming the same thing with the s8 hope this helps (unless someone finds a way to root s8)

[email protected] said:
All snapdragon s7 edge have locked bootloader including the g935u so I'm assuming the same thing with the s8 hope this helps (unless someone finds a way to root s8)
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With the S8 and S8+ they are using single SKU..Verizon, At&t and T-Mobile will be the same model number. Screenshot of my S8 recovery screen.

According to Samsung.com and the phones full specs they are each different
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=71771523
You guys think flashing another carriers firmware unlocks the missing bands?

None of the U's are bootloader unlocked. They are just network unlocked. At least starting with the S7 in my experience. Its a hopeful thought though. I hope I am wrong

johnwayne27 said:
None of the U's are bootloader unlocked. They are just network unlocked. At least starting with the S7 in my experience. Its a hopeful thought though. I hope I am wrong
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Sadly, if purchased through the carrier, they will be sim locked

bossg4 said:
Sadly, if purchased through the carrier, they will be sim locked
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That is absolutely right. Only exception being TMO will work with a prepaid MetroPCS sim and ATT with work with a Cricket sim.

That's really interesting. So I purchased a T-mobile model directly from Samsung.com (paid in full), will I possibly be able to use it on At&t?

J4B3 said:
That's really interesting. So I purchased a T-mobile model directly from Samsung.com (paid in full), will I possibly be able to use it on At&t?
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From what I read I'm not sure how long it will take to have T-Mobile officially unlock it. They have an app for that but they have several different criteria as far as being a current customer or a prepaid versus postpaid customer. Ive never unlocked a T-mobile phone with the app or a third party unlocking service so maybe someone with examples could chime in. It does seem AT&T has an easier online unlocking method for current and non customers to simply fill out a form.

And the U models are slow with updates
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA-Developers Legacy app

954wrecker said:
According to Samsung.com and the phones full specs they are each different
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=71771523
You guys think flashing another carriers firmware unlocks the missing bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bossg4 said:
Sadly, if purchased through the carrier, they will be sim locked
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Click to collapse
Vz is unlocked. All Vz phones are.

suzook said:
Vz is unlocked. All Vz phones are.
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Doh! That is true. May be best to buy verizon if you want it unlocked from day one

bossg4 said:
Doh! That is true. May be best to buy verizon if you want it unlocked from day one
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But it's missing a few T-Mobile and AT&T bands

954wrecker said:
But it's missing a few T-Mobile and AT&T bands
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Oh God! Would you stop with this nonsense? It has all bands.

suzook said:
Oh God! Would you stop with this nonsense? It has all bands.
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Don't be mad at me that both Verizon and Samsung and each carrier list different bands. I hate them all F these companies trying to screw us all with misinformation.

954wrecker said:
Don't be mad at me that both Verizon and Samsung and each carrier list different bands. I hate them all F these companies trying to screw us all with misinformation.
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It's SW related, I keep telling you this.

suzook said:
It's SW related, I keep telling you this.
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I asked for some proof and you provided zero. I have to trust the carriers and the company that makes the phones. I didn't make the carriers all list a ton of random bands nobody needs and leave off the few we need in this country. I hate the carriers amd samsung trust me I want you to be right.

954wrecker said:
I asked for some proof and you provided zero. I have to trust the carriers and the company that makes the phones. I didn't make the carriers all list a ton of random bands nobody needs and leave off the few we need in this country. I hate the carriers amd samsung trust me I want you to be right.
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Stop with the drama. Note 7, and galaxy S7 are the same.

suzook said:
Stop with the drama. Note 7, and galaxy S7 are the same.
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I like how the facts I researched are drama and the speculation you spread are facts? Yet still not one link for proof of anything you keep claiming?

Carrier unlocked when ordered from Samsung?

Will the s8 plus be carrier unlocked if I order it from Samsung? I don't really want to be trapped to one carrier.

bagged00 said:
Will the s8 plus be carrier unlocked if I order it from Samsung? I don't really want to be trapped to one carrier.
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They make you select a carrier before checkout. The carrier unlocked version will be released in a month.

Just pick Verizon and it will be unlocked for sure day one

Ok cool that's what I was wondering. I know it's that way with my iPhone 7 I didn't know if it'd be the same for android

The simple way is to order from B&H... It's the unlocked international model SM-955F.... $840 + local tax

While that would be nice I'll be using the Samsung financing

I have ordered form very.co.uk (catalogue company) fully unlocked no carrier selection needed

mattcall said:
I have ordered form very.co.uk (catalogue company) fully unlocked no carrier selection needed
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That sounds awesome! Plus you escape the snapdragon curse

johnwayne27 said:
That sounds awesome! Plus you escape the snapdragon curse
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Never had a snapdragon variant being in the uk but heard a few bad reviews

TechBSwift said:
Just pick Verizon and it will be unlocked for sure day one
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But are we sure that the hardware is the same for all US models and it is as simple as flashing the appropriate firmware to get them working on other carriers?
Also, if you buy the Verizon model, it will never work on Sprint since Sprint won't whitelist it.
bagged00 said:
Will the s8 plus be carrier unlocked if I order it from Samsung? I don't really want to be trapped to one carrier.
Click to expand...
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If you are on Sprint and you buy any other model but Sprint's model, it will not work on Sprint because Sprint won't whitelist it.
If you buy Verizon's model, it will be unlocked out of the box and if it is like the S7/7E, you can flash the GSM carrier's firmware to it and use it on the GSM carriers. But it will never work on Sprint for the reasons I stated.
bagged00 said:
Ok cool that's what I was wondering. I know it's that way with my iPhone 7 I didn't know if it'd be the same for android
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It's not the same at all. With the iPhone 7, it has the firmware to run on all 4 networks. That has never been true of the Samsung androids. They only have the firmware to run on the particular carrier they are branded for.
Although the Verizon S7/7E is SIM unlocked, it won't work properly on the GSM carriers without flashing the firmware for the GSM carriers. We won't know whether you can do that for the S8/8+ until they are released. However, the Verizon model will never work on Sprint because Sprint will not whitelist the Verizon model. In contrast, Sprint will whitelist the Verizon iPhones since they have the firmware to run on all 4 carriers.
It's totally different with iPhones than with Androids.

Thanks for.clearing.everything up. I have verizon so I will be getting a verizon phone. Just wasnt sure if I would be able to switch carriers in the future

dilgit said:
The simple way is to order from B&H... It's the unlocked international model SM-955F.... $840 + local tax
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when is it going to available though??

can i buy an unlock phone in the USA and bring it back to canada and run it on a telus netwrk?

OP7 locked bootloader!

When will we know if Op7 pro has an unlocked bootloader?... I mean Oneplus is still chinese ..like Huawei.. and they locked it after a while.
sorry for click-baity title but want to know if I should risk buying it the first day and then find out later I will never be able to flash anything..or should I wait (and how long) to see if its unlockable.. ?

sensationvsgalaxy said:
When will we know if Op7 pro has an unlocked bootloader?... I mean Oneplus is still chinese ..like Huawei.. and they locked it after a while.
sorry for click-baity title but want to know if I should risk buying it the first day and then find out later I will never be able to flash anything..or should I wait (and how long) to see if its unlockable.. ?
Click to expand...
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My 6t was unlockable. Don't think they will lock it down. But don't buy the us versions, the us locks down bootloader ex Samsung phones just like the T-Mobile 6t. If you buy the international varient, should be unlockable

toolhas4degrees said:
My 6t was unlockable. Don't think they will lock it down. But don't buy the us versions, the us locks down bootloader ex Samsung phones just like the T-Mobile 6t. If you buy the international varient, should be unlockable
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I think better said is don't buy carrier versions. The unlockable bootloader is still a big selling point to its OP's core audience.

Don't want a locked BL. Don't buy from a carrier.

charlieb620 said:
Don't want a locked BL. Don't buy from a carrier.
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Not exactly true I'm running the TMobile variant 6T just rebranded to OOS to unlock the bootloader. But if it's anything like the T-Mobile 6T as long as you can get the phone Sim unlocked you can bootloader unlock it

I'm aware of the tool that came out. Who wants to do all that?
Joe199799 said:
Not exactly true I'm running the TMobile variant 6T just rebranded to OOS to unlock the bootloader. But if it's anything like the T-Mobile 6T as long as you can get the phone Sim unlocked you can bootloader unlock it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

charlieb620 said:
I'm aware of the tool that came out. Who wants to do all that?
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Lol everyone that gets it from T-Mobile and use this forum is a very simple process

toolhas4degrees said:
My 6t was unlockable. Don't think they will lock it down. But don't buy the us versions, the us locks down bootloader ex Samsung phones just like the T-Mobile 6t. If you buy the international varient, should be unlockable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the S10 international have unlocked bootloader?

oneandroidnut said:
Is the S10 international have unlocked bootloader?
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Click to collapse
Yes

EE UK does not lock OnePlus phones either

I'm in the USA on T-Mobile. Which unlockable variant should I get?

galaxys said:
I'm in the USA on T-Mobile. Which unlockable variant should I get?
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If I where you, I think i would just get the international one to avoid carrier related lockdowns.

I'm sure that the developers here will attempt the same process with T-Mobile's 7 pro like was done with the T-Mobile's 6T and try to find a way to unlock the bootloader. Me personally, I was so content with T-Mobile's version that I stayed away from the section for a few months.

When ordering on the canadian site, will that version be bootloader unlockable?

I unlocked my 6T after talking with reps. They agreed to unlock my SIM after I made two installments, for a total of around $83, only a couple weeks after getting my phone. It was well worth it, and went towards the phone, anyway!

Tmo unlocked mine for nothing. I have been a customer for 13 years

Nekromantik said:
EE UK does not lock OnePlus phones either
Click to expand...
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Neither does O2 historically.

fullofhell said:
Tmo unlocked mine for nothing. I have been a customer for 13 years
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Nice! I'm a 10-year customer. T-Mobile has been great to me over the years

I wonder if unlocking BL/flashing custom ROMs will mess up Widevine like what I read about for previous OnePlus devices...

benengyj said:
I wonder if unlocking BL/flashing custom ROMs will mess up Widevine like what I read about for previous OnePlus devices...
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It's like that with ALL Android devices..

Verizon note 20 ultra root??

Is there any reason to believe that the Verizon note 20 ultra may ever be rooted?

Doubtful. I don't think any of the us carrier samsung phones have had real root in years.

barry99705 said:
Doubtful. I don't think any of the us carrier samsung phones have had real root in years.
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Well Yes apparently from what this article says:
https://www.xda-developers.com/samsung-galaxy-note-20-ultra-root-us-unlocked-snapdragon-865/
I was going to buy the Note 20 Ultra Exynos to be able to have call recording by changing the CSC to thailand ... but if I can have the snapdragon would be much better... Can anyone that has used that share their experience with this service? I would pay $150 to have the call recording. Even if don't want the LIMITATIONS of rooting but would prefer to have the better Battery life of the snapdragon... This seems like the only way to get call recording on a snapdragon phone... Can someone help with more info on this?

ajicaribe said:
Well Yes apparently from what this article says:
https://www.xda-developers.com/samsung-galaxy-note-20-ultra-root-us-unlocked-snapdragon-865/
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That's the Unlocked version, not a carrier version. Don't expect root for the carrier versions for a long time, if ever. I think those days are mostly behind us now.

datajosh said:
That's the Unlocked version, not a carrier version. Don't expect root for the carrier versions for a long time, if ever. I think those days are mostly behind us now.
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They are bootloader unlocked and rooted.

TheMadScientist said:
They are bootloader unlocked and rooted.
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So are the unlocked versions on Amazon actually bootloader unlocked or just carrier unlocked? How would you install TWRP and root? I'm talking about ones like these:
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electronics-Unlocked-Smartphone-Long-Lasting/dp/B08BX7XBGN
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Unlocked-Fingerprint-Recognition-Long-Lasting/dp/B08HH2LBHF/

datajosh said:
That's the Unlocked version, not a carrier version. Don't expect root for the carrier versions for a long time, if ever. I think those days are mostly behind us now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can root the VZW Note 20 Ultra. Look on XDA Labs for the Galaxy Bootloader Unlock. It does cost money to do it but it does work.

Mibuix0r said:
So are the unlocked versions on Amazon actually bootloader unlocked or just carrier unlocked? How would you install TWRP and root? I'm talking about ones like these:
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electronics-Unlocked-Smartphone-Long-Lasting/dp/B08BX7XBGN
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Unlocked-Fingerprint-Recognition-Long-Lasting/dp/B08HH2LBHF/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just carrier unlocked.

I'm looking for a "unicorn" phone...

5G Bands for as many as possible that will work with ATT / TM.
5G MMWave technology for working with VZ.
Unlockable bootloader + Rootable.
Inexpensive as possible.
I've looked at some of the OnePlus phones, but I'm not seeing MMWave technology. Anyone have any ideas?

You're looking for a 5G midrange device, which supports literally all 5G bands. You're looking for an unlockable device.
Buy Galaxy A71 5G. If you want to see for yourself, this site provides frequency check for phones per country. Lists all carriers found there, with their eligibility.
Just don't fall for a locked device, most carriers require locked bootloader. I don't know about other phones. A71 is for ~300$ here.

Mohamedkam000 said:
You're looking for a 5G midrange device, which supports literally all 5G bands. You're looking for an unlockable device.
Buy Galaxy A71 5G. If you want to see for yourself, this site provides frequency check for phones per country. Lists all carriers found there, with their eligibility.
Just don't fall for a locked device, most carriers require locked bootloader. I don't know about other phones. A71 is for ~300$ here.
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It has an SD card slot too.

blackhawk said:
It has an SD card slot too.
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Yes, if I remember correctly it's up to half terabyte. Basically, it has everything most people would love.

Mohamedkam000 said:
Just don't fall for a locked device
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Thank you! Any advice on how to ensure it's not a locked/carrier device? Model numbers?

Mohamedkam000 said:
Yes, if I remember correctly it's up to half terabyte. Basically, it has everything most people would love.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it appears Samsung locked it out at 512gb.
That surprised and disappointed me.
It also has the 3.5 mm jack.
I don't know if Samsung can survive themselves

The Samsung A71 doesn't appear rootable... https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/bootloader-unlock-root-bounty-thread.4143901/
Am I confused or mistaken?

bouyakasha said:
The Samsung A71 doesn't appear rootable... https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/bootloader-unlock-root-bounty-thread.4143901/
Am I confused or mistaken?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are all carrier variants. Carriers are partnered with Samsung and help spec firmware even hardware sometimes... and can really screw a phone up especially with latter OTA updates, beware of those variants.

In this thread they are also referencing the U variant, which is apparently the unlocked one, they say that one can't be rooted either. Post #6
Bootloader Unlock/Root Bounty Thread
This is where i will compile all known methods of bootloader unlock/root methods and the bounties for the respective US Carriers. Tmobile/Sprint Status=No known Method Tmobile/Sprint Bounty= $0 ATT Status=No Known Method ATT Bounty=$0...
forum.xda-developers.com
I am confused...

bouyakasha said:
Thank you! Any advice on how to ensure it's not a locked/carrier device? Model numbers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the model letter ends with U, it's locked. It can be unlocked, but you have to pay. And these models has the least development possible for any device.
For an example, I own Galaxy A70 with device model A705FN/DS, this is surely the international version with the most possible development. Just move away from the "U" letter.

Seems my search continues.

Don't mistake me fellas, A71 5G is unlockable, it has TWRP (even though it has U/W model). Therefore, it is rootable.
However, it is still young for development, and these things take time, and needs developers to lay their hands on.
You can wait, you can search for midrange 5G phones and use the site I provided earlier, or you can buy a flagship device, breaking your unicorn down.