Hi there,
Sorry if this is an obvious question - I'm a big mobile enthusiast, but probably not as technically minded as some of you folks
I'm in the UK right now but am moving to the US permanently in a few weeks. I'm getting the Note 7 and am torn between what to do - buy it here or there.
Here's my thinking: If I buy here, it will be free of all that yucky bloatware you get over there since I gather that even if I purchase from BestBuy, there's nothing quite like a sim-free unlocked phone of the type we would get here. And that carrier bloatware scares me. I don't want to have to be rooting my phone and messing about with it to make it run at an acceptable speed when it inevitably starts to slow down, down the line. Plus, I just hate the thought of having all of that rubbish on my phone. If I'm spending $900 or so, I want it to be pure as the driven snow!
I'm not sure which network I'm going to be going for in the US (as an 'Alien' new to the US with no credit history, it's not easy to get a contract) but what I'm looking at is either T-Mobile or AT&T (possibly Cricket, if not main AT&T.) Although I hear T-Mobile signal can be patchy. I'll be in Los Angeles, so I imagine signal should be good.
So what I'm wondering is - will it all work OK there? I'm assuming the GSM version we get in the UK will be compatible with those two networks, though not Verizon. Although I doubt I'll go with Verizon because their packages don't really look good for what I need and also I hear their bloatware in particular is immense!
I know we have a different processor in the Exynos edition (or is that the one you guys have and we have Snapdragon? Anyway, you know what I mean..) But would that processor make any actual difference in day to day use? Does the processor just run the software or does it have an influence on how the phone actually works with the network as a phone and data device? Am I likely to run into problems?
Also, you probably can't answer this - but worth a try.. I assume that Samsung's warranties are not international? Right now, I am on an iPhone and I know that if it breaks in the US, I can just take it to an Apple store in the US. My gut tells me if I buy in the UK and it starts playing up, I'll be on my own, unless you know different? But hey - it's a trade off. Bloatware vs warranty.
Anyway, any thoughts or advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks all.
Phil :good:
Definitely buy the Exynos International version of the phone. I live near Los Angeles and plan to purchase the international version as well because it has no bloatware. It will be my first purchase of an international unlocked phone. I'm on AT&T but my understanding is that T-mobile rocks in Los Angeles. You can't go wrong with AT&T or T-Mobile, but I would lean toward T-Mobile if I were you, they are really kicking butt right now.
The exynos version of the phone will have better battery life by just a bit and it will be only slightly faster. They both have trade-offs, but in the end, it doesn't make a big difference, just get the international version, which is what all of us Americans want. I don't know about the warranty, you might have to ship the phone off for that.
if you buy one in the UK, make sure you make a few phone calls before you move.
European Samsung phones usually refuse to accept US SIM cards unless you make a phone call for a few minutes using a European SIM.
thedicemaster said:
if you buy one in the UK, make sure you make a few phone calls before you move.
European Samsung phones usually refuse to accept US SIM cards unless you make a phone call for a few minutes using a European SIM.
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Click to collapse
That's a very good point! I remember reading about this with my old Galaxy when it said that it locked it to the country where the first phone call was made.
But would this possibly present problems? If I made a few calls with my Vodafone sim, would that then mean that it locks it to UK networks and makes a T-Mobile USA or AT&T sim incompatible?
And bands-wise, they're all good to go, right? There's no reason a local US sim wouldn't work 100% in that model? And the processor doesn't make a difference? Just wondering why they bother to put two different processor types in the phone otherwise?
DuffmasterFresh said:
Definitely buy the Exynos International version of the phone. I live near Los Angeles and plan to purchase the international version as well because it has no bloatware. It will be my first purchase of an international unlocked phone. I'm on AT&T but my understanding is that T-mobile rocks in Los Angeles. You can't go wrong with AT&T or T-Mobile, but I would lean toward T-Mobile if I were you, they are really kicking butt right now.
The exynos version of the phone will have better battery life by just a bit and it will be only slightly faster. They both have trade-offs, but in the end, it doesn't make a big difference, just get the international version, which is what all of us Americans want. I don't know about the warranty, you might have to ship the phone off for that.
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Click to collapse
Thanks - this is really helpful. Good to know TM are good there as had heard a few stories about bad coverage.
it's the opposite.
unless they changed it just for the note 7, you have to use the phone in the UK before you can use it in the US.
here's a quote from an article regarding the region lock in the S7 and S7 edge:
its box will be sealed with a sticker reading "European SIM card only."
The tab below this sticker explains how and why, albeit in tiny and rather verbose script. Essentially, in order for your unlocked European GS7 to be fully unlocked, you first need to make a total of five minutes worth of phone calls using a European SIM. If you don't do this, and try to use it with a SIM from outside of Europe, it won't connect to the network.
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this is to prevent shops from selling European phones in the US.
the unlocking method is so that people moving outside Europe after buying a phone can continue to use it.
thedicemaster said:
it's the opposite.
unless they changed it just for the note 7, you have to use the phone in the UK before you can use it in the US.
here's a quote from an article regarding the region lock in the S7 and S7 edge:
this is to prevent shops from selling European phones in the US.
the unlocking method is so that people moving outside Europe after buying a phone can continue to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it - just been reading up on it. Thanks for this.
Well, that all looks simple enough. Shouldn't be an issue.
In fact, my only fear is warranty now. If I smash or crack it (which I will try not to obvs, but heaven forbid, it happens), I may be spannered.
I doubt my insurance will cover it if it is an international model and Samsung look like they don't do international warranties.
That's the only thing stopping me sitting here pressing 'order' when I'm on the verge of it.
Also, I wonder if Samsung Pay will be affected, If maybe, somehow, that's region specific.
It's a big risk.. Eeek!
Screw it, I've ordered.
So just to clarify - the bands on the international (UK) unlocked version will be compatible with ATT/Cricket and T-Mobile?
Related
I'm an American currently living in Kuwait for work, and I was going to buy an S3 here. It comes unlocked and according to coworkers who have bought phones out here in the past, it will work in the US on ATT's network (and most importantly, it's red!).
Anyway when I go back to the US, assuming the phone as purchased will work on ATT like I think it will, what should I expect from customisation. I've never bought a non-US android before. I understand that roms usually come in US and International varieties due to hardware differences. If I put an International rom on my phone, can I expect it to work with ATT in the same way that the stock rom would?
And is there anything in particular that I should be aware of when buying and rooting/customising my new phone? (aside from the usual concerns about doing it correctly and such).
Thanks!
Will work fine only you won't get lte speeds here in the states..
I'm curious how much (in usd) the phone goes for out there locally?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
I paid KWD199, which is a little over USD$700. Phones are a bit pricier in Europe and the middle east than they are in the US.
Hi All,
I have my unlocked pre-order S9 sitting on my table here in London but have ended up needing to travel for work to Chicago this weekend.
The obvious thought that came to mind is - "can I buy one in the states, save the best part of £150 and use it back in the UK?". I thought that as they're quad-band or whatever they are that a US variant would still work fine - could anyone confirm if that is the case?
I spoke to a samsung helpdesk person and they said no but genuinely didn't sound like they knew what they were talking about...
Are there any other considerations that I should be taking in to account, e.g. Exynos vs Snapdragon? I've done a bunch of Googling but not come across anything definitive.
Thanks in advance folks.
Pete
Think you may not be able to as samsung region lock their phones
So you would have to put an America SIM in the phone whether you can change that after first activation I don't know
Also aren't the American bands different to the UK??
Sent from my SM-G965F using XDA Premium HD app
mancuk29 said:
Think you may not be able to as samsung region lock their phones
So you would have to put an America SIM in the phone whether you can change that after first activation I don't know
Also aren't the American bands different to the UK??
Sent from my SM-G965F using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for getting back to me, looking at the S8 it appears that you could sort the region lock by placing a 5 minute phone call using a US carrier so that's something that I can do whilst I'm away.
The bands are different in the states vs here but that being said my UK phone works when I take it abroad. I thought that the fact that these are multi-band phones that they work elsewhere.
Pete
i had bought a S5 back in the day from the states and used it in india and it worked great(it was unlocked), you do however need to make a 5 min phone call after which you can use it elsewhere in the world.
Thanks! So I guess the remaining questions considerations are then:
Can I get the hybrid SIM version in the states?
Is having the Snapdragon vs Exynos going to impact anything?
Are there any other material differences that you guys would be thinking about?
I've done plenty of googling on this but there isn't too much useful stuff that I've come across.
1. yes, get the G960U or G965U (unless you mean dual sim in this case i dont know)
2. snapdragon has a faster gpu, slightly slower cpu, and locked bootloader so you can't flash custom roms...
3. Yep see 2 ;P
As someone in the US I'm ordering one from the UK just because of the bootloader.
Thanks pal! I'll open up my preorder that I have then!!
I don't believe dual sim is available in the US
CuBz90 said:
I don't believe dual sim is available in the US
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I think you are right. I spent a good chunk of time yesterday on the internet researching and could not seem to find anywhere that sold it.
I cracked my UK one open yesterday, very smart piece of kit although moving from an S8 there were no real surprises.
I popped my work SIM in alongside my personal one to see how it all works, the dual SIM functionality is really really good. Very impressed with the way that it works, gives 2 whatsapps, etc. Would definitely recommend.
Thanks to everyone that responded and helped.
Hi guys,
I live in Europe(Croatia) where only the exynos version of Note 10+ is available. I am looking for a new phone and my wish number 1 is Note 10+, but the snapdragon variant.
If I decide to import it from somewhere, will it work here? I am even ready to risk and go without a warranty.
I was googling it, but find contradictory information. So I decided it is better if I open a new thread for it.
There are a lot of questions I want to ask
What version to import? Will I receive software updates? Will I have all network bands? What about regional unlock?
Thank you.
I think you won't have any problem provided you import the unlocked international version (if there is one where you want to import from).
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk
Thx, but which one of these(SM-N975F (Europe); SM-N975F/DS (Global); SM-N975U (USA); SM-N975U1 (USA unlocked); SM-N975W (Canada); SM-N9750/DS (LATAM, Brazil, China); SM-N975N (South Korea)) is unlocked international version?
If you are referring to global SM-N975F/DS, it also has exynos: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note10+-9732.php#sm-n975f-ds
You'll find all Note 10+ available models here: https://www.phonemore.com/models/samsung/galaxy-note-10-plus/
Based on SAMMOBILE site, which has all firmwares for all Note 10+ models (https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-note-10-plus/firmware/#SM-N975U1), I understand that, in fact, any of the models can be locked to a certain cellular network or unlocked. So the unlocked version should be international also. The only thing that will make a difference between same Note 10+ model sold in different countries is the ability to record phone calls, which is restricted in some countries. Regarding firmware updates, there should not be any problem, you will only get the updates when they are officially released for the country you bought the phone from.
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk
Really don't care about phone calls recording...I just want a functional phone.
Do you have any suggestions on where to buy it? EDIT: preferably from Europe
third party sellers are the only way you will get a snapdragon phone in europe, the entire european market is on Exynos, so you would either have to find a site willing to export to your country or a local seller who imports the phones. either way it won't be from a first party phone shop.
then if you do import you have to watch the sim unlocking rules, as the european phones need to use a european sim for a short period before unlocking to work for other countries, so buying from a reseller who has already done the network unlock meaning you will always be getting an opened box devices with no guarantee it's new and likely no warranty.
I bought a Snapdragon version N9750 on Ebay, from a seller in Europe. It's working great for me, I live in Sweden. Updates are working, but for example the 2.1 update that have rolled out to Exynos devices still haven't come to my device. But I'm not to stressed over updates anymore
Kimbo82 said:
I bought a Snapdragon version N9750 on Ebay, from a seller in Europe. It's working great for me, I live in Sweden. Updates are working, but for example the 2.1 update that have rolled out to Exynos devices still haven't come to my device. But I'm not to stressed over updates anymore
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Click to collapse
How did you get rid of region lock? Or it came in the open box already unlocked?
I'm sorry, I do not have any suggestions. Belimawr said it all. I'm just not sure about what he said regarding the need to use a phone bought in Europe, for the first few days, with an european simcard, in order to have it unlocked. In the days of Note 4, I bought one in Germany (me living in Israel), during a trip, and use it without a simcard, for navigation only or at home on wifi. I never had a local simcard and I bought it (in a big shop) as international version. Never had problems with it, it was unlocked from the beginning. There are many risks you have to take when ordering online, from unknown sources. What's so bad with the Exynos? I have it and I'm very pleased with it.
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 AM ----------
Take a look at this thread:
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...1&share_fid=3793&share_type=t&link_source=app
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk
tmatkovic said:
How did you get rid of region lock? Or it came in the open box already unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It came in the box already unlocked :good:
uhi711 said:
Belimawr said it all. I'm just not sure about what he said regarding the need to use a phone bought in Europe, for the first few days, with an european simcard, in order to have it unlocked.
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Click to collapse
https://www.coolblue.nl/en/advice/samsung-region-lock-what-is-it-and-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it.html
uhi711 said:
What's so bad with the Exynos? I have it and I'm very pleased with it.
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Click to collapse
Well, there are many resources on the internet that saying Exynos is inferior in lot of categories.
I don't care if it has slightly inferior CPU speed because it is enough for my needs. I also don't care it is much inferior in GPU speed because I don't play graphic intensive games. I can also live with a slightly inferior camera.
But what I do care is an inferior signal and battery life(bigger standby battery drain, bigger energy consumption for the same workload).
yeah that link posted above is what I Was talking about with unlocking, it isn't much to unlock the "unlocked" phones but it can be a problem if it comes to you brand new and still with the lock in place as you would then need to source a way of doing the time in calls with the sim from the intended region, it's why most imports come open box as they do the phone call before exporting it making the phone technically second hand and likely voiding any warranty directly from Samsung so you would be reliant on the person who sent you the phone. there is also stories about of firms like Samsung not doing repairs on devices outside of their intended regions so any fault would likely need a third party repairer as well.
I've been using the Exynos since it came out and honestly even under above average use I easy get a day out of the battery and as far as performance goes, it does everything I need it to. the big problem with the Exynos Vs SD argument is it goes by benchmarks on phones and chances are in the real world those difference will be that small people wont even notice them under general use. it's always been a problem with technology people look at benchmark numbers and in the real world they generally mean very little as they are done under lab conditions and not actual usage or with devices that have been used day in and day out, it is on clean devices fresh out of the box with little bulk, 12 month down the road the numbers could shift but in truth unless you sit the 2 side by side you are unlikely to actually notice the difference.
personally for me it's easier to just buy the local one as in day to day use you are gaining nothing by taking the extra steps to get one from a different region unless you are specifically going for something like dual sim that might not be in your region or if you are picking the device up cheaper.
Regarding the region lock, if this would be your case, looks like there is an other solution to unlock it, if using a local sim for 5 minutes isn't possible.
Take a look here: https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-Note9/Regional-lock/td-p/650891
Or here: https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5...5G/Regional-Lock-Samsung-10-Note/td-p/1504884
Or here:
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5...10-5G/European-SIM-card-only-S10/td-p/1296078
So, my point is that if you intend to buy your phone from an european country, then you shouldn't have any region lock problem. In my opinion, the only thing that could make me import a phone from an other country by online ordering would be a big difference in price. But also in this case I would think twice because we should not forget the customs taxes and the shipping fees.
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk
Check on Wonda Mobile. They have a really good reputation and have the snapdragon version available. It looks like all the 5G versions are sold out but they have the non 5G versions at very good prices too.
I live in Russia and use the Hong Kong version and I still haven’t received a firmware update to 2.1, do you have any update information? Thank you in advance
Scripitiscrip said:
I live in Russia and use the Hong Kong version and I still haven’t received a firmware update to 2.1, do you have any update information? Thank you in advance
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Click to collapse
I don't think Samsung has released it yet. I'm still waiting for mine as well, and don't see anything official yet:
https://doc.samsungmobile.com/SM-N9750/TGY/doc.html
Biggenz said:
Check on Wonda Mobile. They have a really good reputation and have the snapdragon version available. It looks like all the 5G versions are sold out but they have the non 5G versions at very good prices too.
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Click to collapse
Thx, seems they have very good trustpilot score. I might go for it.
Don't need 5G here atm anyway.
Samsung is slower with updating the Snapdragon versions, always a few weeks after the Exynos versions
Belimawr said:
I've been using the Exynos since it came out and honestly even under above average use I easy get a day out of the battery and as far as performance goes, it does everything I need it to. the big problem with the Exynos Vs SD argument is it goes by benchmarks on phones and chances are in the real world those difference will be that small people wont even notice them under general use. it's always been a problem with technology people look at benchmark numbers and in the real world they generally mean very little as they are done under lab conditions and not actual usage or with devices that have been used day in and day out, it is on clean devices fresh out of the box with little bulk, 12 month down the road the numbers could shift but in truth unless you sit the 2 side by side you are unlikely to actually notice the difference.
personally for me it's easier to just buy the local one as in day to day use you are gaining nothing by taking the extra steps to get one from a different region unless you are specifically going for something like dual sim that might not be in your region or if you are picking the device up cheaper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The SD variant is better in terms of battery efficiency which makes another significant difference that affects the daily use of any owner if we ignore the better overall performance.
ghassan haddad said:
The SD variant is better in terms of battery efficiency which makes another significant difference that affects the daily use of any owner if we ignore the better overall performance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I easy get a full day out of it and can sit several hours straight gaming on the phone, the size of the battery unless you are being kept alive by looking at the screen it will get you through a day and I honestly doubt the difference is anything substantial enough to make a difference (you aren't getting 2 days without really light use)
I am looking to get this phone and needed some advice. I haven't bought a cellular branded phone for a long while. I usually go with the USA Factory unlocked version. On this phone is the cellular named stamped on the back of the phone? I know the model for the USA Unlocked version is G820QM (with a 7 at the end at times) but it is honestly harder to find. What does everyone recommend on this phone in regards to getting the cellular branded one or should I keep trying to find the USA Unlocked version? What about bloatware with the different cellular branded ones? How is that? Can you get rid of the bloatware? I also like what I call the LG Branded ones as they get the updates faster do they not? Please help me. I am looking for a phone and this one stuck out at me unless someone suggests a different phone with similar specs to this one? Thanks so much! :good:
alias4ever said:
I am looking to get this phone and needed some advice. I haven't bought a cellular branded phone for a long while. I usually go with the USA Factory unlocked version. On this phone is the cellular named stamped on the back of the phone? I know the model for the USA Unlocked version is G820QM (with a 7 at the end at times) but it is honestly harder to find. What does everyone recommend on this phone in regards to getting the cellular branded one or should I keep trying to find the USA Unlocked version? What about bloatware with the different cellular branded ones? How is that? Can you get rid of the bloatware? I also like what I call the LG Branded ones as they get the updates faster do they not? Please help me. I am looking for a phone and this one stuck out at me unless someone suggests a different phone with similar specs to this one? Thanks so much! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unsure where you're from, but stay away from the AT&T unlocked model (my model G820UM), I'm from the UK and ordered one, big mistake, AT&T does not send any update to their phones if they are not using an AT&T SIM card in the US, some users have been successful in updating they're OS, by just using a AT&T SIM card outside of the US, some haven't and I haven't tried it, because I don't want to waste more money on a SIM card when the results are not 100% guaranteed.
There is no way of cross flashing a different ROM, so you will be stuck without updates, until someone finds a way of cross flashing a ROM from an unlocked model. I'm checking this forum regularly hoping some has found a solution, but nothing so far
If you are in the US and on AT&T then it will fine, bloatware (which is a lot) can be removed/disabled easily
Honestly, for the price I paid (£280), I think the Xiaomi Mi9 would have been a better option, similar specs, updates every 2 months and you're able to unlock bootloader, not the best process to unlock the bootloader, but still possible (just need to wait for permission from Xiaomi which could take a few weeks), you'll be missing out on the best headphone jack, better cameras (not by much) and better battery life, for a similar price I think this is the best deal for snapdragon 855 phone.
If you don't mind paying a bit more and want the same features as the G8, go for the Samsung S10.
hugoprh said:
Unsure where you're from, but stay away from the AT&T unlocked model (my model G820UM), I'm from the UK and ordered one, big mistake, AT&T does not send any update to their phones if they are not using an AT&T SIM card in the US, some users have been successful in updating they're OS, by just using a AT&T SIM card outside of the US, some haven't and I haven't tried it, because I don't want to waste more money on a SIM card when the results are not 100% guaranteed.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried updating after taking out the SIM card?
ChrisAG said:
Have you tried updating after taking out the SIM card?
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Click to collapse
Yep no luck, I've sold the phone, I was wasting too much time trying to find a solution, so just sold it and claimed my sanity back xD
Going back to the trusty Xperia 5, timely updates and great software and they are going for around £260 so easily recommended.
That's too bad, AT&T must be interfering, because I just purchased an unlocked G8 in Canada, and it updated to 10 over WiFi, before I inserted a SIM from my carrier (Bell Mobility). Phone was not on Bell originally.
ChrisAG said:
That's too bad, AT&T must be interfering, because I just purchased an unlocked G8 in Canada, and it updated to 10 over WiFi, before I inserted a SIM from my carrier (Bell Mobility). Phone was not on Bell originally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, this a AT&T "feature", want updates? Buy at AT&T SIM card and use it in the US, guess they don't want anyone outside the US to use their products, unsure why, but it is what it is...
hugoprh said:
Unsure where you're from, but stay away from the AT&T unlocked model (my model G820UM), I'm from the UK and ordered one, big mistake, AT&T does not send any update to their phones if they are not using an AT&T SIM card in the US, some users have been successful in updating they're OS, by just using a AT&T SIM card outside of the US, some haven't and I haven't tried it, because I don't want to waste more money on a SIM card when the results are not 100% guaranteed.
There is no way of cross flashing a different ROM, so you will be stuck without updates, until someone finds a way of cross flashing a ROM from an unlocked model. I'm checking this forum regularly hoping some has found a solution, but nothing so far
If you are in the US and on AT&T then it will fine, bloatware (which is a lot) can be removed/disabled easily
Honestly, for the price I paid (£280), I think the Xiaomi Mi9 would have been a better option, similar specs, updates every 2 months and you're able to unlock bootloader, not the best process to unlock the bootloader, but still possible (just need to wait for permission from Xiaomi which could take a few weeks), you'll be missing out on the best headphone jack, better cameras (not by much) and better battery life, for a similar price I think this is the best deal for snapdragon 855 phone.
If you don't mind paying a bit more and want the same features as the G8, go for the Samsung S10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is 10 really that big a deal from 9? I have 9 on my phone i could care less if it gets 10 and I am pretty sure it wont , lol
I feel like if we have temp root then it's only a matter of time before we get TWRP and roms. I just picked up an AT&T model for $178. Not sure if it's unlocked, but fairly easy through AT&T. Just worried if we have an exploit, updating to 10 might invalidate it.
I come from PS3/xbox 360 hacking, haha.
I have been searching for the past hour or so about this because I'd considering purchasing a OP9Pro, however I want to make sure I get the best experience.
I will be using Mint mobile (T-Mobile MVNO), but in the future there is a good chance I will change carriers to something else like AT&T, and I want to ensure compatibility. I am looking on eBay, and seeing tons of devices, many T-Mobile unlocked, or China unlocked, or North America unlocked, and I am just not sure which LE212X I should go for.
Does it even matter? I'd like to be running a custom ROM to avoid google and other spyware that might come from oneplus, I just don't know if certain variants are better/worse than others.
I come from Xiaomi where sometimes a phone for a different market has an entire different SoC.
Thanks!
The only one whitelisted for AT&T is the factory unlocked LE2125. T-Mobile isn't picky. I have an LE2115 (factory unlocked OnePlus 9) and it works perfectly on Tello (T-Mobile), AT&T, and Lexvor (Verizon).
cproo12 said:
I have been searching for the past hour or so about this because I'd considering purchasing a OP9Pro, however I want to make sure I get the best experience.
I will be using Mint mobile (T-Mobile MVNO), but in the future there is a good chance I will change carriers to something else like AT&T, and I want to ensure compatibility. I am looking on eBay, and seeing tons of devices, many T-Mobile unlocked, or China unlocked, or North America unlocked, and I am just not sure which LE212X I should go for.
Does it even matter? I'd like to be running a custom ROM to avoid google and other spyware that might come from oneplus, I just don't know if certain variants are better/worse than others.
I come from Xiaomi where sometimes a phone for a different market has an entire different SoC.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would recommend the LE2125, it's the North American unlocked variant which gets regular updates and you don't need to bug T-Mobile to get it to work on other carriers.
@razercortex @EtherealRemnant i see.
screw at&t for whitelisting only one variant. what a shame! I will look for 2125.
cproo12 said:
@razercortex @EtherealRemnant i see.
screw at&t for whitelisting only one variant. what a shame! I will look for 2125.
Click to expand...
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You're better off getting the 2125 anyway because the T-Mobile software is different and it's hugely behind the global variant plus getting the bootloader unlocked is a bit more of a hassle and converting the T-Mobile edition to global has presented issues for people.
Yep, LE2125 Global for the win which I'm using on T-Mobile usa...
Yeah they are just so ridiculously expensive. Like $700-$1200 versus $550
Might just end up getting the 8T
cproo12 said:
Yeah they are just so ridiculously expensive. Like $700-$1200 versus $550
Might just end up getting the 8T
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A lot of the reason the T-Mobile variant is cheaper is precisely because of these kinds of issues.
Yeah. Unfortunate I just wish any of my Xiaomi phones would work.
OnePlus is my next best but so expensive. I would feel awful if I dropped it!
i got mine about 3 week ago (unlocked american version) and have tmobile prepaid (which by the way is higher priority than mint on the same towers) and immedietly rooted and put on crdroid. Im so happy after switching from a note 20 ultra that could not be rooted. COuldnt be happier actually. I just got mines from best buy and traded in my device. Whats funny is on the one plus site its people crying about software issues and unhappiness but I cant relate since i put it on a custom rom right out the box. its very smooth. I went with the 9pro over the 10 because its the low ram low space version. I like it better anyways i dont need clunky cameras
Yeah i looked into t-mobile but their plans cost significantly more than mint for the same data amount.
and i dont really care about speed, i dont do much stuff on data that saving an extra few seconds matters to me.
i just want to be able to update/sync my 500gb+ music library over mobile network whenever i want without worrying about going over. always happens in background so saving $20 a month for slow unlimited vs fast unlimited is perfect.
cproo12 said:
Yeah i looked into t-mobile but their plans cost significantly more than mint for the same data amount.
and i dont really care about speed, i dont do much stuff on data that saving an extra few seconds matters to me.
i just want to be able to update/sync my 500gb+ music library over mobile network whenever i want without worrying about going over. always happens in background so saving $20 a month for slow unlimited vs fast unlimited is perfect.
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You should get AT&T Prepaid. Get an AT&T SIM card and find a group to join on r/gophonegroups and you can get Unlimited Max, which is true unlimited with a 22GB deprioritization threshold, for just $34 a month. 15GB is $24 and 5GB is $14. The only reason I still have Tello is because I only need a gig of data a month and it costs me $7 plus T-Mobile has the better network here now that they have midband 5G otherwise I would have AT&T Prepaid myself.
The thing is I want to get away from a network that whitelists IMEIs... I have AT&T right now and always have my whole life.
I just hate that I cannot use my Xiaomi devices with AT&T, so am looking into T-Mobile, but considering getting a OnePlus phone so i could have freedom to bounce around and try many different carriers.
cproo12 said:
The thing is I want to get away from a network that whitelists IMEIs... I have AT&T right now and always have my whole life.
I just hate that I cannot use my Xiaomi devices with AT&T, so am looking into T-Mobile, but considering getting a OnePlus phone so i could have freedom to bounce around and try many different carriers.
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Xiaomi is to blame for this. They intentionally don't put all the bands necessary for their phones to work right on US networks. T-Mobile has been starting to reject some Xiaomi devices as well for not having full band support. I would expect all three carriers to enforce whitelists by the end of this year once their respective 3G and 2G shutdowns have completed. The lack of band 71 absolutely cripples rural coverage and a lot of indoor and suburban coverage on T-Mobile and I just checked and even their new 12 series doesn't have it.
Yeah, unfortunately there aren't any xiaomi devices at all that support 71...
I guess its both companies making bad decisions. I should still be allowed to get ****ty service with my xiaomi on at&t if i want
cproo12 said:
I have been searching for the past hour or so about this because I'd considering purchasing a OP9Pro, however I want to make sure I get the best experience.
I will be using Mint mobile (T-Mobile MVNO), but in the future there is a good chance I will change carriers to something else like AT&T, and I want to ensure compatibility. I am looking on eBay, and seeing tons of devices, many T-Mobile unlocked, or China unlocked, or North America unlocked, and I am just not sure which LE212X I should go for.
Does it even matter? I'd like to be running a custom ROM to avoid google and other spyware that might come from oneplus, I just don't know if certain variants are better/worse than others.
I come from Xiaomi where sometimes a phone for a different market has an entire different SoC.
Thanks!
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Chinese ver works on both as I've used it on both. No 5g on att though
toolhas4degrees said:
Chinese ver works on both as I've used it on both. No 5g on att though
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Chinese version is not whitelisted for AT&T. If you SIM-swapped and it worked, that was temporary. Seriously, AT&T are being real jerks about it and have been disabling phones that are fully working with VoLTE based on an internal IMEI whitelist.
EtherealRemnant said:
Chinese version is not whitelisted for AT&T. If you SIM-swapped and it worked, that was temporary. Seriously, AT&T are being real jerks about it and have been disabling phones that are fully working with VoLTE based on an internal IMEI whitelist.
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I'm been using a att sim from straight talk since launch day of op9 pro on Chinese model lol just no 5g
toolhas4degrees said:
I'm been using a att sim from straight talk since launch day of op9 pro on Chinese model lol just no 5g
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That's because you're on Straight Talk. That's not the same as being on AT&T. Full MVNOs like Straight Talk make their own rules (which is why a lot of H2o customers have been pissed off lately because their own whitelist is more restrictive than AT&T's and it's not published anywhere) and haven't all been on top of the shutdown. I would expect your phone to get the auto boot later this year though.
EtherealRemnant said:
That's because you're on Straight Talk. That's not the same as being on AT&T. Full MVNOs like Straight Talk make their own rules (which is why a lot of H2o customers have been pissed off lately because their own whitelist is more restrictive than AT&T's and it's not published anywhere) and haven't all been on top of the shutdown. I would expect your phone to get the auto boot later this year though.
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It won't has the bands and is part of a bring your own device program. They pay to use their networks won't happen