I'm thinking about buying a Google Pixel 3 XL on Amazon, it's renewed. It is factory unlocked and I was wondering if it means it can be OEM unlocked. Does factory unlocked mean it doesn't come with a carrier?
Factory Unlocked means it's unlocked for all carriers.
xXx yYy said:
Factory Unlocked means it's unlocked for all carriers.
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Thank you, so that means no blocking of OEM unlock?
xXx yYy said:
Factory Unlocked means it's unlocked for all carriers.
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Because I heard Verizon blocks OEM unlocking.
Factory Unlocked ( read: device without network/SIM lock ) and OEM Unlock ( read: device's bootloader is unlocked ) are completely different things, they don't relate.
Whether the phone in question can get OEM unlocked or not I don't know: I don't own such a device.
xXx yYy said:
Factory Unlocked ( read: device without network/SIM lock ) and OEM Unlock ( read: device's bootloader is unlocked ) are completely different things, they don't relate.
Whether the phone in question can get OEM unlocked or not I don't know: I don't own such a device.
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So factory unlocked doesn't have a carrier and can choose any or not have any?
xXx yYy said:
Factory Unlocked ( read: device without network/SIM lock ) and OEM Unlock ( read: device's bootloader is unlocked ) are completely different things, they don't relate.
Whether the phone in question can get OEM unlocked or not I don't know: I don't own such a device.
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Google Pixels on Verizon can't be bootloader unlocked, I want to make sure I don't get Verizon. Factory Unlocked mean you don't have any, right?
ATBG said:
Google Pixels on Verizon can't be bootloader unlocked, I want to make sure I don't get Verizon. Factory Unlocked meand you don't have any, right?
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Factory unlocked means it is SIM/Carrier unlocked so that the device can be used on any carrier network. This has nothing to do with OEM unlocking.
OEM unlock only applies to unlocking the bootloader so that the software on the device can be modified or install custom software.
Verizon blocks OEM unlock on all of its devices, you can't unlock the bootloader on Verizon devices, this means you can't use Magisk, TWRP, custom ROMs and you can't modify the software on the device.
Do you understand the difference now? If you want to be able to root a device or install TWRP and custom ROMs, do not buy a Verizon device because you will not be able to do these things on a Verizon device. Don't waste your money on a Verizon device.
Droidriven said:
Factory unlocked means it is SIM/Carrier unlocked so that the device can be used on any carrier network. This has nothing to do with OEM unlocking.
OEM unlock only applies to unlocking the bootloader so that the software on the device can be modified or install custom software.
Verizon blocks OEM unlock on all of its devices, you can't unlock the bootloader on Verizon devices, this means you can't use Magisk, TWRP, custom ROMs and you cant modify the software on the device.
Do you understand the difference now? If you want to be able to root a device or install TWRP and custom ROMs, do not buy a Verizon device because you will not be able to these things on a Verizon device. Don't waste your money on a Verizon device.
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Okay, so factory unlocked means no Verizon?
Droidriven said:
Factory unlocked means it is SIM/Carrier unlocked so that the device can be used on any carrier network. This has nothing to do with OEM unlocking.
OEM unlock only applies to unlocking the bootloader so that the software on the device can be modified or install custom software.
Verizon blocks OEM unlock on all of its devices, you can't unlock the bootloader on Verizon devices, this means you can't use Magisk, TWRP, custom ROMs and you cant modify the software on the device.
Do you understand the difference now? If you want to be able to root a device or install TWRP and custom ROMs, do not buy a Verizon device because you will not be able to these things on a Verizon device. Don't waste your money on a Verizon device.
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I understand.
ATBG said:
Okay, so factory unlocked means no Verizon?
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No, Verizon may offer factory unlocked devices, but, that only means the device can be used on non-Verizon networks, it does not mean that it can be rooted, customized, modified or use custom software.
All devices have a bootloader, whether they are factory unlocked or not, the bootloader has nothing to do with "factory unlocked" and whether the bootloader is unlocked or not has nothing to do with "factory unlocked" and has nothing to do with whether or not a device has a bootloader. We are talking about two different kinds of "unlock" and they each have nothing to do with the other, they are each, their own specific purposes. "Factory unlocked" applies to the network(s) a device can be used on, "OEM unlock" applies to what software is allowed to be used on the device itself. You are confusing the two of them and associating them to each other in a way that is not correct, separate the two ideas in your head and understand each of them alone, without the other.
If you want a device that you can root and modify or use TWRP and custom ROMs on it, DO NOT BUY A VERIZON DEVICE. None of these can be done on Verizon devices unless you go all the way back to using devices such as a Verizon Galaxy S3 or S4 or older devices. Everything that Verizon has sold since the Galaxy S5 era has been bootloader locked to prevent root and custom software modifications.
Droidriven said:
No, Verizon may offer factory unlocked devices, but, that only means the device can be used on non-Verizon networks, it does not mean that it can be rooted, customized, modified or use custom software.
If you want a device that you can root and modify or use TWRP and custom ROMs on it, DO NOT BUY A VERIZON DEVICE. None of these can be done on Verizon devices unless you go all the way back devices such as a Verizon Galaxy S3 or S4 or older devices. Everything that Verizon has sold since the Galaxy S5 era has been bootloader locked to prevent root and custom software modifications.
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How do I make sure it's not Verizon?
ATBG said:
How do I make sure it's not Verizon?
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By not buying a device that is branded by Verizon, sold by Verizon or has a Verizon model number. Do a search using the model number, if it is a Verizon model number, your search results will show that it is Verizon. All or most of the US versions of Pixel devices for the different US carriers(i.e. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc...) are bootloader locked, buy directly from Google or by an international version of pixel with an international model number.
Droidriven said:
By not buying a device that is branded by Verizon, sold by Verizon or has a Verizon model number. Do a search using the model number, if it is a Verizon model number, your search results will show that it is Verizon. All or most of the US versions of Pixel devices for the different US carriers(i.e. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc...) are bootloader locked, buy directly from Google or by an international version of pixel with an international model number.
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What about OnePlus devices? I found a OnePlus 7 Pro, I kinda want to use OnePlus instead. Does Verizon lock OnePlus too?
ATBG said:
What about OnePlus devices? I found a OnePlus 7 Pro, I kinda want to use OnePlus instead. Does Verizon lock OnePlus too?
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What are you trying to do? What kind of "unlocked" are you looking for?
Do you want a device that is SIM/Carrier unlocked (also known as "factory unlocked") so that it can be used on a different network than it was "made" for?
Or do you want a device that has an unlocked bootloader or has a bootloader that can be unlocked by using the "OEM unlock" in order to root the device, install TWRP and custom ROMs or otherwise modify the stock software?
If you want a device that can be used on any network, you're looking for any kind of "factory unlocked" device. Many different carrier branded devices can be factory unlocked but I know that Verizon does not like allowing this on their devices.
If you're looking for something that can be customized and can use custom software, you are locking for a device that has an unlocked bootloader or at least a bootloader that can be unlocked via the "OEM unlock" setting or via fastboot commands, then, you do not want any kind of Verizon device, as in, NONE OF THEM. Stop asking about Verizon devices because I'm sure a Verizon device will not allow whatever it is you're wanting to do. Stop considering Verizon branded devices/model numbers. Stay away from Verizon devices, you'll only be wasting your money on a device that you will not be able to do anything with except use the device on their network using only the software that they install/allow.
Please stop beating your head against the wall, it isn't going to give or miraculously change into the answer that you "want" it to be.
Droidriven said:
What are you trying to do? What kind of "unlocked" are you looking for?
Do you want a device that is SIM/Carrier unlocked (also known as "factory unlocked") so that it can be used on a different network than it was "made" for?
Or do you want a device that has an unlocked bootloader or has a bootloader that can be unlocked by using the "OEM unlock" in order to root the device, install TWRP and custom ROMs or otherwise modify the stock software?
If you want a device that can be used on any network, you're looking for any kind of "factory unlocked" device. Many different carrier branded devices can be factory unlocked but I know that Verizon does not like allowing this on their devices.
If you're looking for something that can be customized and can use custom software, you are locking for a device that has an unlocked bootloader or at least a bootloader that can be unlocked via the "OEM unlock" setting or via fastboot commands, then, you do not want any kind of Verizon device, as in, NONE OF THEM. Stop asking about Verizon devices because I'm sure a Verizon device will not allow whatever it is you're wanting to do. Stop considering Verizon branded devices/model numbers. Stay away from Verizon devices, you'll only be wasting your money on a device that you will not be able to do anything with except use the device on their network using only the software that they install/allow.
Please stop beating your head against the wall, it isn't going to give or miraculously change into the answer that you "want" it to be.
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Okay, I understand now. I choose OnePlus now instead of Google since I want a fully de-Googled experience.
ATBG said:
Okay, I understand now. I choose OnePlus now instead of Google since I want a fully de-Googled experience.
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As long as it isn't a Verizon model of OnePlus.
Droidriven said:
As long as it isn't a Verizon model of OnePlus.
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I chose the Google Pixel 3a XL and it said it was international. That's good, right?
ATBG said:
I chose the Google Pixel 3a XL and it said it was international. That's good, right?
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Yes.
Droidriven said:
Yes.
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Thank you for helping me, man.
Related
I am completely clueless of what bootloader is and after some googling, I think that it's the locking of a phone's network to a specific company like verizon, at&t etc. But, here in India, we don't have such contracts, so do I need to unlock bootloader before rooting my phone? I previously had galaxy ace and there was no mention of bootloader even when I installed all sorts of custom roms.
nitish159 said:
I am completely clueless of what bootloader is and after some googling, I think that it's the locking of a phone's network to a specific company like verizon, at&t etc. But, here in India, we don't have such contracts, so do I need to unlock bootloader before rooting my phone? I previously had galaxy ace and there was no mention of bootloader even when I installed all sorts of custom roms.
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you just won't get root if your bootloader is locked
Unlock it for root, CWM, ROMs , etc
No, a bootloader doesn't do what you assumed, it just restricts your devices from any alteration by giving you limited access. Region locked or carrier lock is a different thing.
Thanks all, one more thing, if I unlock bootloader then can I get my warranty back?
nitish159 said:
Thanks all, one more thing, if I unlock bootloader then can I get my warranty back?
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NO, you won't. When you apply for the code on Motorola site you lose your warranty. Even if you somehow manage to trick them, Moto G will still show status code as 2 (meaning relocked) instead of 1 (locked) or 3 (unlocked). Anybody feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
Getting an Unlocked Pixel 2 off EBay.
Once I unlock the bootloader, and put in my Verizon sim.......will Verizon lock my bootloader?
z
I don't think any carrier has control over locking the bootloader. They can however keep you from unlocking it, just not the other way around
zardiw said:
Getting an Unlocked Pixel 2 off EBay.
Once I unlock the bootloader, and put in my Verizon sim.......will Verizon lock my bootloader?
z
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As long as it actually was through Google and not a Verizon one you will be fine. Make sure it's not just carrier unlocked, since the Verizon ones will still be considered unlocked due to being able to use it on other carriers.
Keithn said:
As long as it actually was through Google and not a Verizon one you will be fine. Make sure it's not just carrier unlocked, since the Verizon ones will still be considered unlocked due to being able to use it on other carriers.
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The op is talking about bootloader being unlocked and your talking about the carrier/sim lock... Verizon pixels that were on a certain firmware were able to have their bootloader unlocked, and then it was patched. So pretty much all Verizon pixel 2 are not able to have the bootloader unlocked. Pixels straight from Google are able to have the bootloader unlocked. Now as far as the carrier/sim lock, either version, Verizon or Google, they come unlocked and. I'm pretty sure they can't be relocked. I believe they would just blacklist the device.
ice711 said:
The op is talking about bootloader being unlocked and your talking about the carrier/sim lock... Verizon pixels that were on a certain firmware were able to have their bootloader unlocked, and then it was patched. So pretty much all Verizon pixel 2 are not able to have the bootloader unlocked. Pixels straight from Google are able to have the bootloader unlocked. Now as far as the carrier/sim lock, either version, Verizon or Google, they come unlocked and. I'm pretty sure they can't be relocked. I believe they would just blacklist the device.
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No, I am talking about both. I only mentioned to be aware that the device may be listed as unlocked due to not having carrier restrictions, but might still be a "Verizon Edition" with a non unlockable bootloader.
Keithn said:
As long as it actually was through Google and not a Verizon one you will be fine. Make sure it's not just carrier unlocked, since the Verizon ones will still be considered unlocked due to being able to use it on other carriers.
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Keithn said:
No, I am talking about both. I only mentioned to be aware that the device may be listed as unlocked due to not having carrier restrictions, but might still be a "Verizon Edition" with a non unlockable bootloader.
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Ahh gotcha. Sorry didn't get that when I read it the first time. When you put it this way, I now get what you were saying. Good advise! :good: :good:
So I bought a unlocked google pixel 3a on ebay a few months ago and the OEM is greyed out. It says under the OEM that it can't be unlocked because it's carrier locked but I checked and it let me switch carriers. I'm not sure what's wrong with it and any help would be great.
zach183323 said:
So I bought a unlocked google pixel 3a on ebay a few months ago and the OEM is greyed out. It says under the OEM that it can't be unlocked because it's carrier locked but I checked and it let me switch carriers. I'm not sure what's wrong with it and any help would be great.
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There is nothing out of place in your description, what you are asking about is not an issue, it is a matter of you not understanding the difference between bootloader unlock and carrier/network/SIM unlock.
OEM unlock setting and network unlock are two different things.
The OEM unlock setting deals with unlocking bootloader in order to use unapproved/modified software and/or root android devices.
Carrier/network/SIM unlock deals with switching to a different country/region/carrier/network.
You can have a carrier unlocked device while also having a locked bootloader. In your case, your device is not network locked "to" a specific carrier, it is merely bootloader locked "by" a specific carrier.
If it is a US Verizon branded Pixel 3a, the bootloader is locked and cannot be unlocked. I believe the US AT&T Pixel 3a is also bootloader locked, but I could be wrong.
What is your Pixel's exact model number? Is it a carrier branded device? If so, what carrier name is printed on the device or what carrier name shows during boot animation or what kind of carrier bloatware is on the device?
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Thanks for the response, my model number is "G020C" and on the ebay page says the locked version is locked to sprint however there aren't any sprint bloatware on the device nor is there any carrier name on the boot up animation just the google logo. Do you think it still would be possible at all to unlock the bootloader at all?
zach183323 said:
Thanks for the response, my model number is "G020C" and on the ebay page says the locked version is locked to sprint however there aren't any sprint bloatware on the device nor is there any carrier name on the boot up animation just the google logo. Do you think it still would be possible at all to unlock the bootloader at all?
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I'm not familiar with your specific device. It seems to me that it is probably a Sprint Pixel 3aXL(your model number shows up as a Pixel 3aXL, not as a Pixel 3a as referenced by your posted above) but has been flashed with the Vanilla Google stock firmware instead of a bloated Sprint stock firmware.
As for unlocking bootloader, you should be able to unlock it, but, you will have to research the exact method to unlock the bootloader, sometimes devices require a method that is specific to that device, the generic bootloader unlock methods do not work on all devices.
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Droidriven said:
I'm not familiar with your specific device. It seems to me that it is probably a Sprint Pixel 3aXL(your model number shows up as a Pixel 3aXL, not as a Pixel 3a as referenced by your posted above) but has been flashed with the Vanilla Google stock firmware instead of a bloated Sprint stock firmware.
As for unlocking bootloader, you should be able to unlock it, but, you will have to research the exact method to unlock the bootloader, sometimes devices require a method that is specific to that device, the generic bootloader unlock methods do not work on all devices.
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Okay that actually explains a lot, do you think it would be possible to enable the OEM from a pc? I'm just having trouble finding a guide to unlocking the bootloader because a lot of them require the OEM to be unlocked in the developer options.
zach183323 said:
Okay that actually explains a lot, do you think it would be possible to enable the OEM from a pc? I'm just having trouble finding a guide to unlocking the bootloader because a lot of them require the OEM to be unlocked.
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You may have to wait for a certain period of time before you can enable OEM unlock. Some devices just require being in a powered state with a constant mobile data connection for at least 7 days straight, then the OEM unlock setting can be enabled. Some devices have other additional requirements for unlocking bootloader.
What you probably should have done is unlock the bootloader before you switched the device to a different network, then, after the bootloader was unlocked, then you could have switched networks. An incomplete SIM unlock can cause the OEM unlock setting to be grayed out, correctly or completely unlocking the SIM might make the setting available.
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Droidriven said:
You may have to wait for a certain period of time before you can enable OEM unlock. Some devices just require being in a powered state with a constant mobile data connection for at least 7 days straight, then the OEM unlock setting can be enabled. Some devices have other additional requirements for unlocking bootloader.
What you probably should have done is unlock the bootloader before you switched the device to a different network, then, after the bootloader was unlocked, then you could have switched networks. An incomplete SIM unlock can cause the OEM unlock setting to be grayed out, correctly or completely unlocking the SIM might make the setting available.
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Yeah I heard about that you have to use a device for a certain amount of time for certain carriers, but I've been using this phone for months now and the option hasn't been available yet. I'm not sure what requirements I have to do since the device is carrier unlocked now. Could I hard reset it and before I put the sim card in would the OEM option be available?
zach183323 said:
Yeah I heard about that you have to use a device for a certain amount of time for certain carriers, but I've been using this phone for months now and the option hasn't been available yet. I'm not sure what requirements I have to do since the device is carrier unlocked now. Could I hard reset it and before I put the sim card in would the OEM option be available?
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You would be better off to ask your questions in the Pixel 3a XL Q&A subforum, the members there are users of that device and would know more about the specifics involved for your specific model number/carrier.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-3a-xl/help
Here is a link to the complete Pixel 3a XL forum, search through the subforims for more information about your specific model number.
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I was under the impression the device I ordered off ebay could be bootloader unlocked (apparently verizon pixel 3a), but can't seem to figure it out myself, and i'm starting to think its not possible. If anyone can unlock the bootloader, I am willing to pay.. If not.. :RIP: :crying: Hopefully this doesn't violate the rules, didn't see any.
Unlocking the bootloader on Pixel phones is pretty easy. You can use the guide here to unlock the bootloader.
You will need to use ADB. If you are not familiar with ADB, you can use the guide found here.
I'm assuming that you want to unlock the bootloader so that you can root your Pixel. I used this guide.
I reread your post and noticed that you bought a Pixel that is carrier locked to Verizon. Usually, unlocking the bootloader of a Verizon phone is either not possible or difficult. The information that I gave you is for carrier unlocked Pixels. I haven't had a carrier locked phone in many years so my memory of what is possible is probably a bit fuzzy.
desertcat said:
Unlocking the bootloader on Pixel phones is pretty easy. You can use the guide here to unlock the bootloader.
You will need to use ADB. If you are not familiar with ADB, you can use the guide found here.
I'm assuming that you want to unlock the bootloader so that you can root your Pixel. I used this guide.
I reread your post and noticed that you bought a Pixel that is carrier locked to Verizon. Usually, unlocking the bootloader of a Verizon phone is either not possible or difficult. The information that I gave you is for carrier unlocked Pixels. I haven't had a carrier locked phone in many years so my memory of what is possible is probably a bit fuzzy.
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The phone is not carrier locked, but it was a verizon phone previously. Thanks for the links, and basically my problem I run into is the Greyed out unlock option in developer settings.
Have you tried doing a factory reset and then allow the phone to update over wi-fi?
TurboGSXpixel said:
The phone is not carrier locked, but it was a verizon phone previously. Thanks for the links, and basically my problem I run into is the Greyed out unlock option in developer settings.
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Remove the sim card, do a factory reset, and then go through the setup without the SIM installed. This should allow the OEM unlock to be toggled. Its worked for multiple other people.
Did you switch from Verizon to Tmobile? It appears from what I'm reading that TMO sims are downloading carrier specific settings/options which block the unlock switch.
Regardless of whether you use tmobile or not, the above method *should* allow you to unlock.
Need to pick up a few phones to play with. Since they all seem to have their own bootloaders (or do they?), should I go with Verizon, ATT, Sprint phone, or?
XDASikpupy said:
Need to pick up a few phones to play with. Since they all seem to have their own bootloaders (or do they?), should I go with Verizon, ATT, Sprint phone, or?
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Virtually all models of devices from the major US carriers are going to have locked bootloader with no way to unlock them. I suggest getting the devices directly from the manufacturer or buying international non branded devices because the majority of them have unlocked bootloader or bootloader that can at least be unlocked.
If a US phone is "unlocked", does that mean the bootloader is unlocked or just unlocked for carrier use? I also hear phones directly from Samsung are locked also.
XDASikpupy said:
If a US phone is "unlocked", does that mean the bootloader is unlocked or just unlocked for carrier use? I also hear phones directly from Samsung are locked also.
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When you buy a phone that says it is unlocked, yes, it is referring to the fact that it is SIM/carrier unlocked to be used on other carrier networks.
Unlocking bootloader is a very specific procedure in order to modify the device or add/remove pieces of system level software If you're looking to use custom recovery and custom ROMs, you will definitely need to make certain that it is a model that has the bootloader already unlocked or has a stock firmware version that has a bootloader that can successfully unlocked. Typically, the older the firmware version for a specific device model number is the safest bet, the later, newer updated firmware for that specific device model number tend to have locked bootloaders. And it gets worse as the devices get newer and more improved with security features and roadblocks.
A safe bet is a Non US Google Pxel device, they are all very well supported here. Regardless of the device in question, you don't ever want anything that Verizon has to offer, period. AT&T and Sprint are just as bad.
Droidriven - Thanks for the info, thats what I have been reading, and, what makes me wonder. If I can get unlocked phones with locked bootloaders, and I am not going to mess with he bootloader, is there one "locked" bootloader better than the other?