Getting new Nexus 6, looking for the most freedom - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

I'm looking at both AT&T and Verizon services. Ideally I'd like to get a Nexus 6 that could work with both of them, should I decide to migrate. If I get a carrier-specific phone I want to flash it to Google defaults. I really don't like carrier-specific apps or other hooks. And I don't want to have to wait for the carrier to approve an OS version before I get it. I played that game with T-Mobile and never got a single update for Gingerbread, and Verizon had a huge delay before offering 5.1 to Nexus users. I want freedom from their whims.
1) Are there any special technical or business concerns about flashing the phones from either operator? Do any of these companies deny service (anymore) if we dump their company-approved OS?
2) Is it getting too late to just now buy into a Nexus 6? Is there a replacement for this on the near horizon? I don't want to pay full price for hardware that's getting obsoleted by the carrier or Google as I walk out the door. Google already says on their factory OS page that some phones (generally over 18 months old) may no longer be able to upgrade. I think the Nexus 6 is getting close to that line.
3) And given the choice between getting a phone from some third-party, or from the operator, it looks like (because of the age of this device?) some of them are offered for less than US$400, but the operators still charge $600+. Are there any do's and don'ts about buying from a third party and then asking one these "big two" companies to use it on their network? I know/believe that for an LTE network we don't need to get an unlocked phone, which only applies to the SIM for GSM. But is there any other way that an off-the-shelf Nexus can be incompatible (for business or technical reasons) with one of these carriers?
Thanks.

This might not be the best spot to ask since it's the galaxy nexus specific forum

Related

Questions...

I'm new to CDMA/EVDO carriers, so I'd appreciate if you could answer some questions with regarding to the technology, Verizon and Droid Incredible itself.
A little bit of a background here. I'm using Nexus One on T-Mobile. Coverage in Chicago has been o.k., but Nexus One itself has reception problem which Google seems to have stopped working on it. I'm planning to get a Mifi from Verizon soon as I need internet connection when I start to travel more.
But I have other idea, getting Droid Incredible, and drop T-Mobile. Tether it with my laptop while I'm on the go.
1:Would it be possible to use data & voice at the same time?
2:I'm planning to get PdaNet or some other app to tether it with my laptop. Should I worry about extra charge from Verizon?
3:What's the difference between corporate (44.99) and smartphone (29.99) data plan? I just need to reach IMAPS,HTTP,HTTPS, and PPTP(GRE) servers. Does Verizon block these on $29.99 plan? (Verizon sales are clueless. They just said $44.99 for business "like big business", and $29.99 is for personal use.
4:Rooting this phone. I assume that it's just the matter of time before it's released. But will there be any problem with Verizon?
5:Given Verizon history about being anal about controlling their phones. Did they block features on previous android handsets in the past? (i.e. no file xfer via BT, pics can only be sent via MMS, etc. etc.)
TIA for your answers. Given Verizon reputation of nickel & dime customers, I'm a little hesitated to switch to Verizon. But for now, it seems to make economical sense to do so, so I just wanted to make sure I understand what I'm signing up for.
1. should be able to afaik
2. you shouldnt need another app for that, youll pay extra through verizon to do it, or root the phone and you can do it without any extra charges
3. id go with the consumer pricing unless you find it isnt working for you, no sense on paying extra if it isnt needed
4. shouldnt be any problem with verizon and a rooted phone, ppl have been rooting droids and eris' since theyve been out
5. i doubt it, verizon cant control what happens to a rooted phone
some of your options may not be available until your phone is rooted, but it would definitely be worth the wait on such a sweet phone
invisiblek said:
1. should be able to afaik
2. you shouldnt need another app for that, youll pay extra through verizon to do it, or root the phone and you can do it without any extra charges
3. id go with the consumer pricing unless you find it isnt working for you, no sense on paying extra if it isnt needed
4. shouldnt be any problem with verizon and a rooted phone, ppl have been rooting droids and eris' since theyve been out
5. i doubt it, verizon cant control what happens to a rooted phone
some of your options may not be available until your phone is rooted, but it would definitely be worth the wait on such a sweet phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually you can't use voice and data at the same time on VZW, but how often do you really need to?
1. No
2. PDANet will work fine - or once rooted you might not even need that. It's against Verizon's TOS to tether, but as long as you don't abuse it they won't know.
3. Get the cheaper plan - the more expensive plan is just a way for them to milk corp customers. You can use Exchange/etc with the cheaper plan.
4. You should be able to root it no problem once the devs get on it.
5. I don't think so - that's in Verizon's past for Smartphones. Heck I had a Motorola Q years ago on Verizon and I could do whatever I pleased...even tethering with PDANet...
about high prices
Thats why im staying with my nexous one
my wife is with verizon and we got her phone today and its really nice i cant tell at all a difference between the nexous one and the droid but
there basically the same phones
the nexous one is faster but then again it rooted
but i only pay $80 month for unlimited and she is paying $129 for unlimited
i dont care what i paid for my nexous im off contract and dont have to pay 129 dollars a month
I'll hijack the thread for a little question I have and I don't want to open another thread for it.
Are you able to use the widgets that were introduced with the stock 2.1? For example that News & Weather widget or are they fully replaced / not integrated by HTC in the Sense UI?
If not, are you able to add them with apps or alternative OS versions through rooting?
Thanks for the answers guys.
@Zabil : Quite often (when I travel). This is quite an important issue if I am getting this phone as "phone + data card" combo to save $$$
@sn95chico : I've had some problem with incoming call being diverted to voice mail due to background data (GSM, not WCDMA) recently. Just in case you experience this problem, check this thread out : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=6301190
I read somewhere that for CDMA/1x/EVDO, your phone will still ring when data transfer is in progress, it will only be interrupted once you hit the answer button. This is first and only technological edge that CDMA has over GSM network, IMO. I've always been a fan of GSM/WCDMA network. --- (WCDMA network supports concurrent voice/data. Too bad that there's no 100% WCDMA network in US)
Since concurrent data + voice is impossible, it doesn't make much sense for me to switch to this phone yet. I might just get Verizon or Sprint mifi and be done with it.

Please read. Please bug HTC about unlock.

I am posting this in a few threads, sorry if anyone is pissed at it. Please everyone follow this link http://www.htcdev.com/contact and ask HTC to stop blocking our MID. Tell them their CEO literally said HTC will no longer be locking bootloaders according to their facebook. If enough people do it we may actually get a real response.
123421342 said:
I am posting this in a few threads, sorry if anyone is pissed at it. Please everyone follow this link http://www.htcdev.com/contact and ask HTC to stop blocking our MID. Tell them their CEO literally said HTC will no longer be locking bootloaders according to their facebook. If enough people do it we may actually get a real response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC is just doing what VZW is making them do. They don't have any choice if they want VZW to order their phones.
If you are angry, go after VZW, if they will even listen.
Sent from my 4G LTE HTC One
123421342 said:
I am posting this in a few threads, sorry if anyone is pissed at it. Please everyone follow this link http://www.htcdev.com/contact and ask HTC to stop blocking our MID. Tell them their CEO literally said HTC will no longer be locking bootloaders according to their facebook. If enough people do it we may actually get a real response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude.... You think that's all it is? I tried, I know Vicious tried and tweeted about it. It's not HTC at all... Like in fact it has nothing to do with HTC period... HTC allows for unlock on the HTC One on all variants but "ours". You see where I'm going with this? The "MID not allowed" is Verizon saying F you to it's customers. I called HTC and Verizon, and Verizon told me to call HTC and see if they will directly hook me up with an Unlock_code.bin for me and when I did call them they dug real deep for me over the phone and actually contacted HTCDev which technically is completely separate from the HTC that we know and love. HTCDev got with me over the phone and basically told even though Vzw tech support told me to call them that it's not them and that someone in Verizons corporate office made the call to have HTCDev blocked for the Verizon variant completely.
Verizon is no longer supporting bootloader unlocks for any device. Not just HTC but all Android devices that can be obtained through Verizon will have a locked bootloader and if there is any site available through the manufacturer that supports the development community Verizon will not support work with or have anything to do with it. Kind of the same way that Motorola has there site where you can unlock devices it will not work either....
I think it's complete crap I really do. It's not fair that we dump so much money in to these companies to be able to have what we want and enjoy our toys the way we want and Verizon shuts us down and locks us out... They may as well just partner up with Apple and drop all Android devices and stick to iPhones because they are just as bad (nazis) as Apple is with there OS and iDevices.........
I hate Verizon now and for the rest of my life!
./end rant
Even so, we should be able to unlock it. I don't care who is at fault. HTC should be fighting for it.
HTC won't fight for it. Verizon has millions of customers, of those, very few actually care about an unlocked bootloader. It's the rest of the people you need to sway in order to start any kind of productive movement.
I learned long ago to say the hell with Verizon and their locked down phones. Every time a new device it's Verizon and it's locked up, people are still shocked.
Sent from my at&t gsm unlocked, s-off'd, super-cid'd, gpe converted HTC one
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4
Political persuasions aside, this is something to be encouraged by. Hopefully it's passed and this crap comes to an end.
http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/9/1...-calls-on-fcc-to-enforce-free-phone-unlocking
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk 4
jaydubbs said:
Political persuasions aside, this is something to be encouraged by. Hopefully it's passed and this crap comes to an end.
http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/9/1...-calls-on-fcc-to-enforce-free-phone-unlocking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't have anything to do with bootloaders does it? That's unlocking. Being able to use a phone on any carrier. Verizon could "unlock" our phones but we'd still be screwed since they are the only ones using their particular type of network, right? It's not like GSM phones where you could potentially use the same phone on multiple networks, right?
I'm not trying to be argumentative.. and I may have that network thing all wrong.. but I don't take any hope from that article at all, unless the point is just "Obama is interested in what mobile companies are doing to their customers" in that case, I could see where you might find some hope.
As for the "HTC should fight for this." .. Have you seen HTC's bottom line? They are in the crapper fighting to stay alive. I think the ONE is a fantastic effort to stay relevant. It's a beautiful, powerful device. Homerun, in my opinion. But Verizon is also the largest wireless company in the country. HTC needs Verizon way more than Verizon needs HTC.. and that means HTC has essentially zero leverage.
one4thewings said:
That doesn't have anything to do with bootloaders does it? That's unlocking. Being able to use a phone on any carrier. Verizon could "unlock" our phones but we'd still be screwed since they are the only ones using their particular type of network, right? It's not like GSM phones where you could potentially use the same phone on multiple networks, right?
I'm not trying to be argumentative.. and I may have that network thing all wrong.. but I don't take any hope from that article at all, unless the point is just "Obama is interested in what mobile companies are doing to their customers" in that case, I could see where you might find some hope.
As for the "HTC should fight for this." .. Have you seen HTC's bottom line? They are in the crapper fighting to stay alive. I think the ONE is a fantastic effort to stay relevant. It's a beautiful, powerful device. Homerun, in my opinion. But Verizon is also the largest wireless company in the country. HTC needs Verizon way more than Verizon needs HTC.. and that means HTC has essentially zero leverage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't really see anywhere in any of the articles that I've read that say yea or nay to what "unlock" really means here, so I don't know. It's a step in the right direction either way, I guess.
As for HTC fighting to keep their devices unlocked on Verizon? What phone manufacturer has told Verizon to suck it and walked away with their phones? None. Verizon makes the rules and manufacturers gladly abide by them because they're the biggest fish in the pond. Period. It's all about the numbers.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk 4
jaydubbs said:
As for HTC fighting to keep their devices unlocked on Verizon? What phone manufacturer has told Verizon to suck it and walked away with their phones? None. Verizon makes the rules and manufacturers gladly abide by them because they're the biggest fish in the pond. Period. It's all about the numbers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the only people who've been able to play hardball with Verizon is Apple. In essence they walked away from Verizon when Verizon refused to let them have full control of their device. Updates. Everything. Apple went to AT&T, grew that company larger than it deserved almost solely with the iPhone, and then Verizon had to give in.
No Android manufacturer will ever be able to do that due to the nature of Android. Samsung says they'll walk, Verizon shrugs and talks turkey with HTC and Motorola to increase sales. Samsung is likely the only Android manufacturer that would have any real clout.
In short, I think we'll be playing this game with Verizon for a good long time. Or until another mobile provider can produce a network with a comparable, competitive option. I mean let's face it. I doubt any one of us is very happy with Verizon, especially us modders here at XDA. But yet here we are.
Verizon is the only provider that can give me not only 4g where I live, but a full 5 bars of it. Every other carrier has their version of 3g in sporadic splotches on their maps for where I am. Plus my wife gets a 22% discount from her job so that makes them a good deal more tolerable.
Apple is as big as Verizon so they can do that, but like you said, no Android manufacturer has the power or clout to do what Apple did. At the end of the day, Verizon's corporate accounts are just too lucrative to pass up over something that matters to such a small minority (us). In the big scheme of things, we're just ants biting on a robots toe.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk 4
At the end of the day I look up at Verizon; glare, tell them I hate them and then hold out my fistful of money for them to take. I am without option too.
Verizon is only protecting its network by locking bootloaders. Could you imagine how many people call cause of a bricked device. They got tired of spending money on fixing idiots who don't know what they are doing. We have to suffer. Verizon is smart financial wise but then why choose a network or a phone that has a locked bootloader .
Sent from my HTC One VZW using Tapatalk 4
jaydubbs said:
Political persuasions aside, this is something to be encouraged by. Hopefully it's passed and this crap comes to an end.
http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/9/1...-calls-on-fcc-to-enforce-free-phone-unlocking
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am 99% certain that has to do with carrier unlock, not bootloader unlock.
I hope it's bootloader, but hope doesn't equal reality.
Sent from my HTC One.
This is not HTC's fault. HTC supports unlocked bootloaders.
Go bug Verizon and please stop posting this.
which carriers are better about unlocking?
one4thewings said:
That doesn't have anything to do with bootloaders does it? That's unlocking. Being able to use a phone on any carrier. Verizon could "unlock" our phones but we'd still be screwed since they are the only ones using their particular type of network, right? It's not like GSM phones where you could potentially use the same phone on multiple networks, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was about to buy an HTC One from Verizon tomorrow and then I (thankfully!) saw this thread. I realize this forum is VZW, but can anyone spell out the unlock policies of the other major US carriers? (Or point me to a place where that's discussed already - because of the way XDA is laid out I couldn't find a place where people are comparing carriers, but that might just be my ineptitude)
thanks from a soon-to-be-ex-iPhone/AT&T-user...
lhuge said:
I was about to buy an HTC One from Verizon tomorrow and then I (thankfully!) saw this thread. I realize this forum is VZW, but can anyone spell out the unlock policies of the other major US carriers? (Or point me to a place where that's discussed already - because of the way XDA is laid out I couldn't find a place where people are comparing carriers, but that might just be my ineptitude)
thanks from a soon-to-be-ex-iPhone/AT&T-user...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard T-Mo is great for unlockable boot loaders, but their coverage is lacking compared to VZW
Sent from my HTC One.
josh995 said:
I am 99% certain that has to do with carrier unlock, not bootloader unlock.
I hope it's bootloader, but hope doesn't equal reality.
Sent from my HTC One.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are 2 parts
"Open applications: Consumers should be able to download and utilize any software applications, content, or services they desire;
Open devices: Consumers should be able to utilize a handheld communications device with whatever wireless network they prefer;"
the first, (Open applications) is what is being violated by VZW I'd imagine bootloader unlocking falls under "applications, content, or services they desire"
Really what it comes down to is if VZW is saying that an we can't use an unlocked bootloader because it may harm the network, than they shouldn't allow the developer edition device (Moto X) or the new google tablet on the network either.
sabindaman said:
There are 2 parts
"Open applications: Consumers should be able to download and utilize any software applications, content, or services they desire;
Open devices: Consumers should be able to utilize a handheld communications device with whatever wireless network they prefer;"
the first, (Open applications) is what is being violated by VZW I'd imagine bootloader unlocking falls under "applications, content, or services they desire"
Really what it comes down to is if VZW is saying that an we can't use an unlocked bootloader because it may harm the network, than they shouldn't allow the developer edition device (Moto X) or the new google tablet on the network either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't mean to be rude, but you imaging doesn't make it so.
Open applications, services, and content refers to apps in the play store. Verizon is not doing anything wrong by locking our bootloaders. People have already written to the FCC on the issue and the response has been on Verizon's side.
The boot loader being locked is completely legal as of right now and unless a large majority of their customer base demands unlocked boot loaders, we will be dealing with them indefinitely.
If Verizon were, in fact, illegally locking boot loaders, the FCC would have intervened by now.
Sent from my HTC One.
Vzw just knows that the modders are less than one percent of their customers so they don't care what we think.
Sent from my 4G LTE HTC One
If we can't go to HTC about this issue (I do think they are partially to blame), and we know doesn't give a sh*t about it's customers, so we can't go to them. Who can we bring this issue to and possibly make some headway? I mean if we blow someones inbox up enough, or tweet, or whatever method, we are going to be heard. Chances are it wont get us anywhere, but I think we should try. I wish I knew who to take this to. If we find the correct company/person I think we should have a standard message we can just cut and paste into an email, tweet, etc.
If nothing else, we are sharing our headache with someone else. I really wish we could intimidate Verizon as I see that being the one thing that would get us anywhere.
Someone posted something about Verizon losing money through bricked phones because of unlock or s-off. That is a bull**** excuse. They could track unlocks if they wanted to and then just tell the ass who bricked his phone that he is SOL because he unlocked.
Data is the only thing keeping me with Verizon. I am going to start using wifi as much as possible (where it is convenient) and see how low I can get my average data. Before I got my One I went into ATT and said "here is the deal I have now with Verizon, throw together a comparable plan to convince me, so I can convince my wife it is worth switching to you guys." He looked at my plan and said ATT couldn't come close to offering a better deal based on my data usage. Chucked up the deuces and walked out.

At&t? Stay or go.

I know this may be an open ended question but as on now which carrier provides tho best opportunity when it comes to rooting and rom development. I've been rooting and flashing roms for years with other android phones but only on At&t. With the current state of updates from At&t as well and not being able to flash on at&t i'm possibly going to drop att after contract runs out. Current cell is N910A and I miss flashing new roms to try. I seen a vid of a guy flashing Dr. Keatons rom to his Note 4 N910 g/h i think and it looked awesome. Thanks guys
frankly its best to buy an unlocked phone. if you need a carrier branded phone then try t-mobile
Carriers' advantage is with the phone subsidy..
And though the Note series is probably the best coming from Samsung (probably the best Android, too), it is quite expensive to be honest..
boofman said:
Carriers' advantage is with the phone subsidy..
And though the Note series is probably the best coming from Samsung (probably the best Android, too), it is quite expensive to be honest..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The AT&T NEXT plan you are paying for your phone in increments. The old way was to give you $X amount of subsidy and have you pay a discounted price for the phone itself. Then they locked you into a contract where you were basically repaying that subsidy.
Basically you always paid for your phone, so I think that carriers' advantage only applies if you can't afford to purchase the handset outright.
Stay with ATT and buy an international phone that will work on it (ATT may or may not throttle your data speeds though. Not sure)
Or leave ATT and go with T-mobile and get a rootable phone. Or go with Verizon and MAYBE get LUCKY and get a rootable phone.
Those are really the two options if you want a rootable phone. You can keep ATT and still be able to use a rootable phone. Just don't expect root on an ATT phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Petition to Require Unsupported Devices to have Bootloader Unlocked

I have created an official petition to require carriers and manufacturers to unlock the bootloaders of handsets they do not choose to provide updates for.
Since I'm new, apparently I cannot post a link
All this waiting for official updates has driven me bananas. It should not take 9 months to release something that Samsung and Google has already done most of the work for.
I posted the link in my bio as a donation link
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov//p...aders-handsets-they-no-longer-plan-supporting
You'd have a better argument in requiring carriers and manufacturers to unlock the bootloaders of devices that are PAID for. If the device is under contract of some sort, we're basically screwed. But hell, I'll sign it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA-Developers mobile app
I signed it, i totally agree
Maybe even off-contract ones only. They unlock carriers, why not bootloaders?
The idea is that if they no longer want to provide support for the device, we should be able to find someone who can. I figured that makes sense. Why are we required to buy a new device when we have the ability to prolong the life of the device.
LordBloodstar said:
The idea is that if they no longer want to provide support for the device, we should be able to find someone who can. I figured that makes sense. Why are we required to buy a new device when we have the ability to prolong the life of the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More importantly, if you're off-contract, they have no issues doing Network Unlock. Following the same logic, Bootloader should have been unlocked as well, since you practically have paid for and legally own the phone at that point, so you should have full freedom to use it as you would.
LordBloodstar said:
The idea is that if they no longer want to provide support for the device, we should be able to find someone who can. I figured that makes sense. Why are we required to buy a new device when we have the ability to prolong the life of the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They (carriers, at least) will almost never admit they don't intend to support a device.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA-Developers mobile app
keithfrombm said:
They (carriers, at least) will almost never admit they don't intend to support a device.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I will say this to all my fellow members who bought an AT&T device to just not buy any more of their phones but keep using their network. I currently have two AT&T branded phones that I use. I have a Note 4 and a LGv10. I bought the Note 4 when it first came out and the LGv10 was given to me. Now I have already told the wife that were not buying any more phones from AT&T but will continue to use their services. We're either going to buy phones from T-Mobile or from overseas because we don't want our bootloaders locked anymore. If we pay for a device it's our and we can do whatever we want with it. If we damage it physically or by messing with the software then it's on us. Companies like AT&T and Verizon hate communities like XDA because we choose to get the maximum out of our devices beyond 2yrs instead of what they want. I'm currently grandfathered in on a plan that AT&T no longer has and they hate for it. I have three choices for another phone and neither one involves me buying a AT&T branded device. Nexus, T-Mobile branded device, or by from overseas. Just stop by their locked down carp and just maybe just maybe the AT&T sections of branded devices can truly be bough back to life because they realize that they need the customers more than we need them. Plus I know the CEO of AT&T is a total douche bag for locking down all Android devices. Please stop buying their devices and buy elsewhere. The AT&T note 4 is a great phone but unfortunately it will never see it's full potential like our T-Mobile sibling did. Well thanks everyone for reading this and have a great day.
Sent from my LG-H900 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Gods Son said:
Well I will say this to all my fellow members who bought an AT&T device to just not buy any more of their phones but keep using their network. I currently have two AT&T branded phones that I use. I have a Note 4 and a LGv10. I bought the Note 4 when it first came out and the LGv10 was given to me. Now I have already told the wife that were not buying any more phones from AT&T but will continue to use their services. We're either going to buy phones from T-Mobile or from overseas because we don't want our bootloaders locked anymore. If we pay for a device it's our and we can do whatever we want with it. If we damage it physically or by messing with the software then it's on us. Companies like AT&T and Verizon hate communities like XDA because we choose to get the maximum out of our devices beyond 2yrs instead of what they want. I'm currently grandfathered in on a plan that AT&T no longer has and they hate for it. I have three choices for another phone and neither one involves me buying a AT&T branded device. Nexus, T-Mobile branded device, or by from overseas. Just stop by their locked down carp and just maybe just maybe the AT&T sections of branded devices can truly be bough back to life because they realize that they need the customers more than we need them. Plus I know the CEO of AT&T is a total douche bag for locking down all Android devices. Please stop buying their devices and buy elsewhere. The AT&T note 4 is a great phone but unfortunately it will never see it's full potential like our T-Mobile sibling did. Well thanks everyone for reading this and have a great day.
Sent from my LG-H900 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung announced that they are going to have a galaxy s7 american carrier unlocked version out soon. There are also plenty of unlocked phones to choose from (Moto X Pure, OnePlus 3, ect). Getting a unlocked phone over seas may not work with all the LTE bands, also getting a Tmobile phone also doesn't guarantee an unlocked bootloader.
I'm done buying AT&T branded phones. Just waiting to see what HTC does with the Nexus. Either that or I'll get the 6P.
I signed it
Same. Been with AT&T since 1996 or so and stayed loyal to them even while overseas but NO more. I'm done with them. As of Jan 2017 we're out. I love the note line (daily driver Note 4) but I'm looking for either a LG v10 unlocked or Nexus 6P. I've been looking at other overseas manufacturers as well. DONE!!!!!!!!! Oh and I have the Galaxy TAB S (t807A) with the same issue. That issue is AT&T.
Signed it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA-Developers mobile app
I signed it
Enviado desde mi SAMSUNG-SM-N910A mediante Tapatalk
Gods Son said:
Well I will say this to all my fellow members who bought an AT&T device to just not buy any more of their phones but keep using their network. I currently have two AT&T branded phones that I use. I have a Note 4 and a LGv10. I bought the Note 4 when it first came out and the LGv10 was given to me. Now I have already told the wife that were not buying any more phones from AT&T but will continue to use their services. We're either going to buy phones from T-Mobile or from overseas because we don't want our bootloaders locked anymore. If we pay for a device it's our and we can do whatever we want with it. If we damage it physically or by messing with the software then it's on us. Companies like AT&T and Verizon hate communities like XDA because we choose to get the maximum out of our devices beyond 2yrs instead of what they want. I'm currently grandfathered in on a plan that AT&T no longer has and they hate for it. I have three choices for another phone and neither one involves me buying a AT&T branded device. Nexus, T-Mobile branded device, or by from overseas. Just stop by their locked down carp and just maybe just maybe the AT&T sections of branded devices can truly be bough back to life because they realize that they need the customers more than we need them. Plus I know the CEO of AT&T is a total douche bag for locking down all Android devices. Please stop buying their devices and buy elsewhere. The AT&T note 4 is a great phone but unfortunately it will never see it's full potential like our T-Mobile sibling did. Well thanks everyone for reading this and have a great day.
Sent from my LG-H900 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just read this blog
ALL the us bound s7's had there bootloaders signed
http://www.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7-bootloader-lock-explained-you-might-not-get-aosp-after-all/

Generallly Speaking: Is generic unlocked phone easier to root than carrier's phone?

I have a 3 yr old Galaxy S5 I'm about to retire. It was acquired from AT&T. This model has been notoriously difficult to root.
With whatever I get I don't want to be as stuck in no-root hell as I have been with this S5. (The phone itself has been great, I have just wanted to get in and mess with it.)
Generally speaking, if I buy an unlocked phone off of Amazon, for example, are these easier to root than versions that come from the carriers? In my periodic research on rooting the S5, for example, I've found that versions from other carriers are rootable but AT&T's has not been. So that's leading me to believe that the carrier's software is either 1/ more secure or 2/ more vulnerable, depending on the degree to which the carrier invests in making it bullet proof.
I've been so happy with the Samsung, buying an S8 seems quite logical. But like I said, I don't want to be stuck in no-root hell for the forseeable future.
Thanks.
Jim
Essential phone..... cheaper...... mod heaven

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