[Q] Advice on buying a Samsung focus - Focus General

Hey, am planning on buying a new samsung focus. Am thinking of getting an at&t locked one off ebay then unlocking it using this coz it'll be cheaper than buying an unlocked one. Would anyone recommend this or will i end up getting screwed?

jmunge89 said:
Hey, am planning on buying a new samsung focus. Am thinking of getting an at&t locked one off ebay then unlocking it using this coz it'll be cheaper than buying an unlocked one. Would anyone recommend this or will i end up getting screwed?
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Click to collapse
1. Make sure the phone is "new", not refurb. Then check if it had water damage, things replaced etc. Keep in mind that Amazon sells new Focuses for $229
2. I've used a similar unlock for $0.99 and got a good code in <1h
3. Find a good SD card
Good luck!

Agreed
I concur with EnderPsp. I used a similar code to SIM unlock my ATT Focus. The code came to me in less than 15 minutes and the unlock went smoothly. You probably already know this so forgive me, but you are about to become a fellow Focus owner. This is a SIM unlock and will not unlock your Focus for sideloading xaps etc, just allow you to use other carriers.

EnderPsp said:
1. Make sure the phone is "new", not refurb. Then check if it had water damage, things replaced etc. Keep in mind that Amazon sells new Focuses for $229
2. I've used a similar unlock for $0.99 and got a good code in <1h
3. Find a good SD card
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks. I think i'll be getting a new unlocked one from Amazon instead. It's even cheaper than some of the locked ones on ebay I noticed that you live in Europe. Can i assume that the at&t unlocked version of the phone is working ok for you. I want to make sure that i dont get any problems. My carrier uses GSM 900 and 3G 2100 bands.

JamesAllen said:
I concur with EnderPsp. I used a similar code to SIM unlock my ATT Focus. The code came to me in less than 15 minutes and the unlock went smoothly. You probably already know this so forgive me, but you are about to become a fellow Focus owner. This is a SIM unlock and will not unlock your Focus for sideloading xaps etc, just allow you to use other carriers.
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Click to collapse
Sideloading means installing non-market apps on the device, right? If thats the case it really won't be much of a bother to me. Which reminds me, does the samsung focus have the SIM Toolkit(STK) application?

jmunge89 said:
Hey thanks. I think i'll be getting a new unlocked one from Amazon instead. It's even cheaper than some of the locked ones on ebay I noticed that you live in Europe. Can i assume that the at&t unlocked version of the phone is working ok for you. I want to make sure that i dont get any problems. My carrier uses GSM 900 and 3G 2100 bands.
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Click to collapse
Yes, both my Focuses work fine across Europe (AT&T and my wife's Rogers).
Just make sure the Radio is set to "World" not "North America".
jmunge89 said:
Sideloading means installing non-market apps on the device, right? If thats the case it really won't be much of a bother to me. Which reminds me, does the samsung focus have the SIM Toolkit(STK) application?
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Click to collapse
You're mainly right about sideloading. Unfortunately there is no STK on WP7, but there is an app called "Network Profile" that you can download from marketplace and might help you a bit.

Related

Telus HTC Hero, can it be unlocked

Can the Telus HTC Hero be unlocked, without having any telus sim or being activated on telus in any way at all? I'm on Bell but want an android device. Was thinking of buying it, unlocking it, and throwing in a Bell sim.
unlock?
I am looking for the same answer, it should be able to get unlocked question is has anyone don it yet.
Unlocked and android 2
Better yet lets see it unlocked and android 2 installed!
There is a guy on eBay selling unlock code for the Telus Hero (try searching "telus hero"). If you are willing to shell out 25 bucks, you may want to try that. He said that he would refund you if his code didn't work.
Telus does not lock the phone, that's what the CSR told me. Pretty much u can put in any sim card to make it work.
ericlin0122 said:
Telus does not lock the phone, that's what the CSR told me. Pretty much u can put in any sim card to make it work.
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Click to collapse
That's really good news for us AT&T guys!!! I just need to buy one now, from what I hear Telus will not ship to the USA.
So far, actually buying one is the biggest issue. There's been discussion both here at XDA:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=580418
and on some other forums, such as:
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?threadid=1585687
About buying it. Apparently both Best Buy and Walmart in Canada have them, but only sell them in the store and won't ship them. (Best Buy's is on their website, but Walmart's doesn't seem to be).
I'm an AT&T subscriber that's been keeping an eye out for a way to buy a Telus HTC Hero. If I lived close to Canada, I'd drive up and get one, but I live in Georgia, so it's a bit far. I hope somebody finds a place online or something.
I'd be careful about believing the Telus CSR info that the phone is unlocked. Somebody posted on Boy Genius Report that they bought one and the phone IS locked.
See user "k386" comment here:
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/31/telus-to-offer-gsm-htc-hero/
I just bought a Telus Hero from Best Buy today, and I can tell you that the phones are LOCKED. Bought a code off a website and unlocked it, it is now usable on Rogers, but I'm with bell, so I will have to get a Bell Sim tomorrow.
eviltuna said:
I just bought a Telus Hero from Best Buy today, and I can tell you that the phones are LOCKED. Bought a code off a website and unlocked it, it is now usable on Rogers, but I'm with bell, so I will have to get a Bell Sim tomorrow.
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Click to collapse
Can you please let me know where did you buy the unlock code and how much did you pay for it? Thanks.
tsekh501 said:
Can you please let me know where did you buy the unlock code and how much did you pay for it? Thanks.
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Click to collapse
posted at ebay.ca
http://cgi.ebay.ca/UNLOCK-CODE-FOR-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9c035349
fyi only. i am not verifying this seller or his offer. b
Thats way expensive, and 12 hours to get your code is too much. Try this
http://www.cellunlockingcodes.com
quicksite said:
posted at ebay.ca
http://cgi.ebay.ca/UNLOCK-CODE-FOR-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9c035349
fyi only. i am not verifying this seller or his offer. b
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
eviltuna said:
Thats way expensive, and 12 hours to get your code is too much. Try this
http://www.cellunlockingcodes.com
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Click to collapse
they don't know how to unlock telus hero. dont waste ur time.
ericlin0122 said:
they don't know how to unlock telus hero. dont waste ur time.
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Click to collapse
thanks for the heads up
I just got my brand new Hero from Telus at square one.
I then put my Rogers sim card in.
I unlocked it successfully through mobileincanada.com it took 10 minutes to receive the unlock code.
Everything is working great so far. Except for wifi ... having issues connecting to any hot spots? it may be just weak signal or something ... will do some more investigating.
btw. My old phone was the HTC HERMES (I loved it for many years) but it's time to move on
Hey all right! Congratulations!
rafynet said:
I just got my brand new Hero from Telus at square one. I then put my Rogers sim card in. I unlocked it successfully through mobileincanada.com it took 10 minutes to receive the unlock
code.
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Click to collapse
So, just checking: You live in Canada, right? You didn't drive there from USA, right?
I'm just looking at this from afar. So that mall has a main Telus store and a satellite store. For the smaller store, I see that the store mgr or seller provides a non-telus email address. So, for those who want this phone, i don't guess you'd think he'd sell & ship them, right?
Because what were the requirements to buy the phone? I'm just curious since so many people in US are trying to find a source where to buy these phones from.
How much did mobileincanada charge to unlock? And would they be a possible source for buying telus phones, and re-selling & shipping, at a markup, to USA?
btw. My old phone was the HTC HERMES (I loved it for many years) but it's time to move on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is how I feel about my T-mobile Wing... My unlocked Europe/GSM version of the Hero arrives tomorrow. I wanted the brown color Then I should just have to call up t-mobile's data group and get the settings to use it, with my swapped out sim card, right? (I know, i know, i won't get 3G. That's okay with me. there are many tradeoffs)
You don't need to meet any requirements to buy the phone outright. Other than having the cash to do so
I've bought 3 this week for USA members to ship to them. Was no biggie.
Gochris said:
You don't need to meet any requirements to buy the phone outright. Other than having the cash to do so
I've bought 3 this week for USA members to ship to them. Was no biggie.
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Click to collapse
That's cool! FYI, if it seems worth your time to buy, sell, & ship, with a markup to make it worth your while, to others, there are folks over at HowardForums who also want this phone badly
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?threadid=1585687
EDIT: hah hah - I just saw you came here from there!
quicksite said:
That's cool! FYI, if it seems worth your time to buy, sell, & ship, with a markup to make it worth your while, to others, there are folks over at HowardForums who also want this phone badly
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?threadid=1585687
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's who I'm doing it for
I am waiting mine to arrive (my friend in Canada bought and shipped it to me).
Just now I went to HTC Canada's website and looked at the spec again:
Dual mode UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (900/2100MHz for
EU/Asia, 850/1900 for US and 850/2100 for Telstra)
It's funny how they list 850/1900 for US on HTC Canada's website, as if the phone was designed to work in the US. They could have put it much better by saying "850/1900 for Telus"... Only AT&T uses 850/1900 here in the US, and NO I don't think AT&T is carrying any Android device in the near future.
It's like "Hey, friends across the borders. I am sorry for making the Hero exclusively on CDMA networks in your country, but you know what, here is something that you may like."

Sim locked Nexus One

Hi guys,
I have a question. I just won a Nexus One on ebay and the guy that sells it tells me it's SIM locked to T-Mobile. Is there such a version ? And if so, how easy is it to unlock it myself ?
Waiting for your answers, thanks in advance!!!
Nope. All N1's are sim unlocked.
Even when bought with a T-Mobile program ? Sorry for asking again but this guy insists that it's locked. And I also found some site that offer unlock services for the Nexus One, so I reaaaaaally want to make sure before buying one as I won't be able to return it if there is a problem as I live in Greece
johnny21a said:
Even when bought with a T-Mobile program ? Sorry for asking again but this guy insists that it's locked. And I also found some site that offer unlock services for the Nexus One, so I reaaaaaally want to make sure before buying one as I won't be able to return it if there is a problem as I live in Greece
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is that no N1's are sim locked. Google said the same when the phone was released. Worst case scenario is that you'll have to drop $10-15 to get an unlock code online, but I'm pretty sure it's unlocked.
Anyone else care to comment?
All Nexus Ones come unlocked. There is no locked version of the Nexus One - it would defeat one of the imperial concepts Google is shipping with the phone.
if that is the case so why people is buying unlocked N1s
it's much cheaper to buy T-Mobile version and then put any sim inside
am i right or i am missing something????
obadvw said:
if that is the case so why people is buying unlocked N1s
it's much cheaper to buy T-Mobile version and then put any sim inside
am i right or i am missing something????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile version requires a 2 year contract which over its lifespan will cost more than buying the unsubsidized version upfront.
And to the OP, Google has said that all N1 phones are unlocked whether its subsidized or not - one of the advantages of selling the phone themselves.
Even if your phone 'is' Sim locked, which it's probably not, after 90 days of service with T-Mobile, you can call them, ask for an unlock code, and they will send you one via email, for free. Don't pay money to some idiot on eBay when you can do this yourself at zero cost, especially since you likely won't have to do it at all.
Also, stop pressuring the seller about whether or not it's really locked or not. Maybe he'll look into it, find out it's really unlocked after all, and jack up the price!
SpyderMS said:
Even if your phone 'is' Sim locked, which it's probably not, after 90 days of service with T-Mobile, you can call them, ask for an unlock code, and they will send you one via email, for free. Don't pay money to some idiot on eBay when you can do this yourself at zero cost, especially since you likely won't have to do it at all.
Also, stop pressuring the seller about whether or not it's really locked or not. Maybe he'll look into it, find out it's really unlocked after all, and jack up the price!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OP is from Greece.
uansari1 said:
The OP is from Greece.
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Click to collapse
oops
I suppose he could try asking the seller to call T-Mobile and get the unlock code.
SpyderMS said:
oops
I suppose he could try asking the seller to call T-Mobile and get the unlock code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be an option if the phone was locked... but it's not. I don't know of any way that a normal consumer can lock a sim unlocked phone.
uansari1 said:
It would be an option if the phone was locked... but it's not. I don't know of any way that a normal consumer can lock a sim unlocked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it's not locked, but he's paranoid it could be. It was just a suggestion to ease his fears
I know for a fact that some nexus ones are locked
I know this is an old thread, but it's what i found try to figure out why i my phone didn't work with a tmobile sim while on a business trip. I Purchased my nexus one from KT olleh in Korea in march '11. I call KT and they connected me to HTC in Korea. HTC gave me the unlock code for free over the phone. I just wanted to share so that other people with locked N1s don't think they going insane. The FAQ should probably be updated.
FAQ Updated:
- Q13: Is Nexus One carrier-locked? Will it work with my carrier / network?
A: There should be no such thing as carrier-locked N1. All the rumors of carrier-locked N1s, including bits of misinformation from SFR/Vodafone, are untrue. There might be several weird cases, only one reported on the forum after 1 year of phone existence, in which the previous statements won't hold - but if truly existent, these are abnormalities.
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Click to collapse

Unlock the expo and the IQ?

Look at this!
http://octopusbox.com/
Too good to be true?
not sure what this even has to do with our phone... it's not even listed as a supported device
um it does show our phone as supported.
http://octopusbox.com/eng/news/details/35
ManelScout4Life said:
um it does show our phone as supported.
http://octopusbox.com/eng/news/details/35
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Click to collapse
must have been a page i didnt click on. i only briefly looked. my bad
well who wants to buy it?
i am still waiting for att to send me my unlock code. it seems like forever.
There is much cheaper solution than recently released online unlockers. Buy one of the universal SIM unlock modules off ebay - works like a charm. I have couple of here which are much older than LG iQ, sure enough it is not on the supported list but they bypass the sim lock just fine. They cost like 5 bucks shipped and fit fine in the sim slot. Sure enough you have to manually configure all data settings for the operator you will be using as well as disable proxy or many things won't work.
Tested and confirmed working on my own LG iQ
leobg said:
There is much cheaper solution than recently released online unlockers. Buy one of the universal SIM unlock modules off ebay - works like a charm. I have couple of here which are much older than LG iQ, sure enough it is not on the supported list but they bypass the sim lock just fine. They cost like 5 bucks shipped and fit fine in the sim slot. Sure enough you have to manually configure all data settings for the operator you will be using as well as disable proxy or many things won't work.
Tested and confirmed working on my own LG iQ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but the box in the first post lets you unlock as many devices as you want. also just call att.
josefcrist said:
but the box in the first post lets you unlock as many devices as you want. also just call att.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, most people own one phone and I doubt you can get the box for 3 bucks.
Don't know about AT&T, but up here in the great white north no carrier will ever give you unlock codes, no matter what.
I found a vendor that unlocks Telus LG IQ in GTA. They are located in Pacific Mall unit A22. GOSU mobile solutions. I think they use the octopusbox to unlock the phone.
It takes about 30 minutes while you wait. I had mine unlocked today. I am now using it with Rogers sim. It's a little expensive than the unlock code solution(I haven't found one that worked for LG IQ yet) but for me it was worthwhile. Cost: $25
leobg said:
Well, most people own one phone and I doubt you can get the box for 3 bucks.
Don't know about AT&T, but up here in the great white north no carrier will ever give you unlock codes, no matter what.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
damn that sucks. I just read the wikipedia article on Canada and sim unlocks. carriers really screw you guys over.
Hi. Sorry for interrupt you guys. I have Verizon LG Fathom, and I try to unlock that device all day and night for 4-5 days. However, I couldn't find any way. LG Fathom does have MEID number only, it doesn't have an IMEI number? I just want to know, do you guys have the same MEID number problem issue? If my phone has IMEI nubmer, I think I can get a unlock code and stop being sad like that
can90 said:
Hi. Sorry for interrupt you guys. I have Verizon LG Fathom, and I try to unlock that device all day and night for 4-5 days. However, I couldn't find any way. LG Fathom does have MEID number only, it doesn't have an IMEI number? I just want to know, do you guys have the same MEID number problem issue? If my phone has IMEI nubmer, I think I can get a unlock code and stop being sad like that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it cant be unlocked because it is not a gsm phone.
I am in Australia, bought the AT&T version of this phone from eBay. It was locked. Call AT&T wireless international customer service, told him I bought this phone off someone, and the staff gave me the unlocked code immediately (well, it took him a while to figure it out) with no questions asked.

Will it be posible to use a Samsung Focus from at&t if i unlock it, in Europe

Hey guys, im looking to bay a Samsung Focus that is locked in at&t but i am thinking to unlock i mean to by the unlock code or somthing similar! so if i unlock it, will i have any problems to use it here i Europe/Norway ?
Sorry if i opend the thred, but i could not finde a clear answer!
thank u
suua said:
Hey guys, im looking to bay a Samsung Focus that is locked in at&t but i am thinking to unlock i mean to by the unlock code or somthing similar! so if i unlock it, will i have any problems to use it here i Europe/Norway ?
Sorry if i opend the thred, but i could not finde a clear answer!
thank u
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm currently using a Focus across Europe, successfully.
Mine was bought in US and initially SIM locked to AT&T. Paid for unlock and now is SIM unlocked (flashing, restoring, downgrading, upgrading etc. firmware doesn't affect SIM lock).
So yes, you can buy it, unlock it (fastgsm or ebay) and use with no issues across the world, actually, not only Europe.
EnderPsp said:
Hi, I'm currently using a Focus across Europe, successfully.
Mine was bought in US and initially SIM locked to AT&T. Paid for unlock and now is SIM unlocked (flashing, restoring, downgrading, upgrading etc. firmware doesn't affect SIM lock).
So yes, you can buy it, unlock it (fastgsm or ebay) and use with no issues across the world, actually, not only Europe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the replay and for the answer buddy =)
Yes, I got it from eBay.
However, I specifically chose one which buyer said specifically it works for any carrier in the world ("world-wide phone").
It's working beautifully, I am very pleased about it.
Some tip about buying from eBay, in case you aren't used to it(like I was):
Make sure you read carefully the buyer description.
For example, being in hurry, while I did make sure about other things, I didn't notice that it didn't include a micro-USB data cable. It's my fault, the buyer actually didn't mention about it.
Also, the charger was not the original one(Samsung Traveler). The buyer just mentioned 'charger'.
These are really not important at all as I got an original micro-USB for like 10$.
I was more interested about phone being in good shape and that it works in my country.
But since you have to choose it might help you.
Good luck!

How to unlock Samsung Galaxy S8 safely

Hi XDA,
I'm pretty new here and I hope that this is the right section for this. Keeping it short, I'm going to receive a brand new Galaxy S8 from Europe, but it's going to be locked on T-Mobile Germany, since this is where I'm getting from.
As far as I know, I will be able to use it here, on AT&T, but only after unlocking it. And here comes my question: how can I do this? I know about flashing firmware or something like that, but, honestly, I'm not such a tech savvy person. Is there such thing as an easier method?
Thanks in advance,
George
You need to pay for an unlock code, cheapest ones are usually on ebay.
peachpuff said:
You need to pay for an unlock code, cheapest ones are usually on ebay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if TMOBILE GERMANY works the same way as they do here in the US - but there are guidelines for when yoiu get a phone unlocked by teh carrier - and they have started using an AP that makes it impossible to use an UNLOCKED CODE to unlock the device. I found this ouit with the S6 when I purchased it (and the Note 5)
Their rules are pretty strict here in the US - you have to own the phone and be on service for 44 days before they will release the phone to be unlocked - unless you have been with TMOBILE for moe than a year in which case they will give allow you to unlock immediately.
Now that is here in the US and I am not sure if they do the same thing with TMOBILE Germany. BUT I would definitely look into it before you buy it.
You might consider buying a G950F and just use that - it is already unlocked and will work fine on ATT.
whatever you do - good luck.

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