Well, I went to check out the T-Mobile branded Xperia Z C6606 at the Sony Style store and was disappointed to see that the bootloader is locked.
I was trying to get information online if it was locked or not but couldn'tget any confirmation. I know that it'sprobably locked by T-mobile, but I was hoping.
Sent from my C6602 using xda premium
All branded/carrier phones are. Tell us something new...
LenAsh said:
All branded/carrier phones are. Tell us something new...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen some phones in the past that were sold by T-Mobile or other carriers but were not bootloader locked. With T-Mobile's new business model and the fact that Sony was selling it outright at their stores, you would think that it should be unlocked.
All phones have locked bootloaders when they come from the store. 'Bootloader unlock allowed' means if it is allowed to unlock it yourself or not, but doing so will void your warranty and wipe your DRM keys (which are needed for Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, MusicID/Gracenote, etc.).
Sent from my Xperia Z using Tapatalk
LenAsh said:
All branded/carrier phones are. Tell us something new...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a carrier here in Spain that sells unlockable Xperias. It's the fourth mayor carrier so is not a shady one.
DrKrFfXx said:
There is a carrier here in Spain that sells unlockable Xperias. It's the fourth mayor carrier so is not a shady one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sim locked and locked bootloader are two separate things. >.>
usually when some stores states "selling unlocked xperia/galaxy/iphone/ etc.." it means the phone is unlocked and it can be used anywhere else. When you purchase a phone from a store (Sony store) or carrier (At&T) it is locked to them. In other words, the phone cannot be used with another sim card like T-Mobile, since the phone is locked to At&t.
LitoNi said:
sim locked and locked bootloader are two separate things. >.>
usually when some stores states "selling unlocked xperia/galaxy/iphone/ etc.." it means the phone is unlocked and it can be used anywhere else. When you purchase a phone from a store (Sony store) or carrier (At&T) it is locked to them. In other words, the phone cannot be used with another sim card like T-Mobile, since the phone is locked to At&t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally understand what is sim and boot lock.
I've had in my hands a couple of Xperia devices from that company (Yoigo), one Xperia Mini Pro I think, and the other one a Xperia Z, and both had "Bootloader Unlockable: Yes" on the service menu.
I've read that some custom ROMs can still be flashed on this phone without unlocking the bootloader. Is this true?
skynet11 said:
I've read that some custom ROMs can still be flashed on this phone without unlocking the bootloader. Is this true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if they are based on the stock kernel.
Apollo89 said:
Yes, if they are based on the stock kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
anyone have the basebands ftf for this model yet?
HoOnZ said:
I've seen some phones in the past that were sold by T-Mobile or other carriers but were not bootloader locked. With T-Mobile's new business model and the fact that Sony was selling it outright at their stores, you would think that it should be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile isn't really known for locking bootloaders. Verizon on the other hand... When it comes to locked boot loaders it seems to be like this.
Locked carriers:
Verizon
at&t
Mostly unlocked carriers:
Sprint
T-Mobile
Phone brands locked:
HTC
Sony Xperia
sometimes LG
Phone brands not locked
Huawei
Samsung
This has just been my experience.
Will the roms in the development thread work on the TMO version? Might go pick this up in a week or two.
DOTC said:
Will the roms in the development thread work on the TMO version? Might go pick this up in a week or two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if they're based on the stock kernel. Something like 'for locked bootloader' has to be mentioned. They often have 'LB' in their titles.
Apollo89 said:
Only if they're based on the stock kernel. Something like 'for locked bootloader' has to be mentioned. They often have 'LB' in their titles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This maybe a stupid question, but I've never flashed a ROM on a locked bootloader. Will the roms still be able to be bloat and CIQ free?
i understand that the bootloader is locked for the t-mo version (c6606), but what about root?
i want to be able to run ti backup and get rid of all these ads...
dnaL0R said:
i understand that the bootloader is locked for the t-mo version (c6606), but what about root?
i want to be able to run ti backup and get rid of all these ads...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
locked bootloader has nothing to do with its ability of being rootable or not.
Root should run fine on tmo version.
LitoNi said:
locked bootloader has nothing to do with its ability of being rootable or not.
Root should run fine on tmo version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gotcha... just found out that the DooMLoRD Easy Rooting Toolkit was just updated to v17 to support my device...
all good now :good:
now i just need to upgrade to 4.2.2
I played with the TMO version today and find it inferior compared to my own C6602. The first problem is the branding and bloatware - yes it is bloated carrier style and a lot of TMO notifications where shown on the demo unit. One of the demo units had noticeable lag, much worse than my C6602 back in March on .350. The other one were smoother.
I managed to put System Tuner on one of them - it runs the standard Interactive governor and 384-1551 is the used frequencies.
The price tag was very high - $610, $579 with "appropriate plan". More expensive than in the Sony Store for an unbranded, unlocked and superior C6602.
I just don't see any reason to buy the TMO version when there is the C6602 available for less money (albeit at a small difference) that can be bootloader unlocked and optimized. Paying MORE for a carrier branded device? No way.
To those that feel that they need to talk LTE with me as a reason to buy the branded edition: wait for the Honami instead - it will offer a superior LTE radio, which means that it can be used on many carriers. I base this assumption on the nice multiband LTE radio that the Z Ultra offers.
After playing with the T-Mobile version, my recommendation of the C6602 instead is stronger than before.
To those that want to argue about prices: use a credit card instead if $539 is "too much".
t-mobile's wifi calling feature is the ONLY reason why i went with the C6606... having lte is nice too, i guess
dnaL0R said:
t-mobile's wifi calling feature is the ONLY reason why i went with the C6606... having lte is nice too, i guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get the reason the have WiFi Calling when there is a little thing called Google Voice. I can make free calls to the whole US that way and even configure it as a 100% IP phone with GrooveIP. For international calls, I am using Viber or Voice (my relatives in Sweden use Viber so we have free calls).
To me, carrier bloat and locked bootloaders are total dealbreakers and I can't really see how WiFi Calling can compensate.
LTE? I will get it when I can buy a standard, unlocked device and use it. As long as I need carrier branding in order to use it - I say pass.
I usually try and buy phones SIM free as I hate carrier branding. Samsungs are incredibly easy to flash stock firmware to; HTCs aren't in comparison. I'm not familiar with LG at all, other than with the Nexus 4 (but that doesn't really count!).
The question is, if I buy this phone with Three in the UK is there an easy way to make it stock and SIM free in terms of its firmware without rooting or anything stupidly complicated?
I've seen the firmware flasher tool on here but it seems to only be able to flash the original firmware back onto the device, unless I'm missing something. I just hate having carrier splash screens etc. call me OCD if you will...
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
You can definitely SIM unlock the G2 and ROOT very easily, however I don't see a way of un-branding without rooting the device. You need root in order to change the splash boot screens and bloatware.
Also, I don't know if those G2s you talk about have the carrier logo imprinted behind the glass like T-Mobile and Verizon's models, which seem to be impossible to remove.
And yes, I too have OCD when it comes to brandings.
Are there any variances in software/modem/bloatware between the version sold in google play VS sold by Rogers ?
Or it it perhaps locked to rogers ?
thanks
There aren't any variants of the Nexus 4, so no.
Some carriers add some bloatware
It might be locked to Rogers so you better check that out
Bloatware can be removed once rooted
All Nexus phones are sim unlocked. Also, I have never seen a Nexus phone with carrier customizations in Canada.
It is unlocked. Someone I know bought one from Rogers and they told him it was locked. I put in my Bell simcard and it worked
I think it is a requirement that all Nexus phones must be unlocked.
audit13 said:
I think it is a requirement that all Nexus phones must be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah its A Google Phone :laugh:
and nexus devices do not include bloatware from carriers, even if bought through a carrier.
I'm current on Verizon, but might switch to T-Mobile sometime in the near future. I was hoping that if and when the Pure gets root will it be carrier specific or will it be applied to the phone regardless of carrier? It's been over a decade since I had an unlock carrier phone, so forgive if this is a dumb question.
I'm assuming that there is only one type of Motorola Pure that's sold regardless if it will be used on a GSM or CDMA network correct?
Sent from my Note 4.
Subiegsr said:
I'm current on Verizon, but might switch to T-Mobile sometime in the near future. I was hoping that if and when the Pure gets root will it be carrier specific or will it be applied to the phone regardless of carrier? It's been over a decade since I had an unlock carrier phone, so forgive if this is a dumb question.
I'm assuming that there is only one type of Motorola Pure that's sold regardless if it will be used on a GSM or CDMA network correct?
Sent from my Note 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're correct...it won't be tied to any carrier. Root should stay when switching.
brholt6 said:
You're correct...it won't be tied to any carrier. Root should stay when switching.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's awesome news! Thanks!
Sent from my Note 4.
Bloatware on Nexus 6P
Has anyone with a Nexus 6P on a contract (i.e. bought direct from their carrier) had any bloatware on their phone?
I'm trying to workout if carriers are respecting the Nexus ethos of it being a pure Android/Google phone or whether carriers are adding their own apps. In particular, is anyone on EE, having got their phone direct from them? I've not been able to work this out nor get a clear answer from an EE rep. I would prefer a pure Android phone, but probably wouldn't mind carrier (EE) firmware, or waiting longer for OTAs, if the only thing that was different was the addition of wifi calling.
Thanks.
What carrier?
As far as I know (in the U.S. at least), you cannot purchase the Nexus 6P (or 5X) through a wireless carrier. You must buy direct from Google or Huawei. Thus, the only apps on the phone are Google ones!
Here in Canada we can buy them from the Carrier. I got mine via preorder from my Carrier and it had ZERO bloat on it. It's also the first phone I've gotten from a Carrier where they hadn't opened the box and get the phone to mess around with it.
anglerstock said:
What carrier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the UK, so I'm especially interested in UK carriers, in particular EE. But, I'm also wondering if the Nexus is being treated like the iPhone by carriers, which as far as I understand, is left alone by carriers.
BillyTheRatKing said:
As far as I know (in the U.S. at least), you cannot purchase the Nexus 6P (or 5X) through a wireless carrier. You must buy direct from Google or Huawei. Thus, the only apps on the phone are Google ones!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I didn't know that. I wonder why things are different here in the UK?!
UgoyUgoy said:
Thanks. I didn't know that. I wonder why things are different here in the UK?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure it's the same here as the uk. You can get them through Carriers but they don't have any bloat. There are no CSC packages built into the Nexus factory images. As far as I know. Again mine came from a carrier and no bloat. Just stock.
airwa1kin7 said:
Here in Canada we can buy them from the Carrier. I got mine via preorder from my Carrier and it had ZERO bloat on it. It's also the first phone I've gotten from a Carrier where they hadn't opened the box and get the phone to mess around with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds hopeful! Hope they do the same in the UK.
airwa1kin7 said:
Pretty sure it's the same here as the uk. You can get them through Carriers but they don't have any bloat. There are no CSC packages built into the Nexus factory images. As far as I know. Again mine came from a carrier and no bloat. Just stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll soon order a Nexus 6P. If I get one via a carrier, I'll report back on its ROM and if it comes baked with anything.