Database Users

[Q] Best buy "unlocked" galaxy s5: unlocked bootloader?

I've been an iPhone user for 5 years now. 3G and 5 versions. I am tired of iTunes I would also like to tinker a bit with my next phone. . I have used Linux as my main desktop os for a few years.
Anyways, I'm on a grandfathered unlimited data plan on att. My iphone 5 has no working power button, the mic is defective and the battery is worn.
I work in construction so i was considering the s5 for its dust rating and removable battery.
I spoke with tmobile today and they told me that any tmobile device, even if bought for full price new on amazon or best buy would be locked to tmobile service. They informed me I would need service with them in order to unlock. If that's the case it rules out buying a tmobile version for the unlocked bootloader.
Does the unlocked version from bestbuy come with the unlocked boot loader?

To clarify I meant the model listed as "Sam G900"

Sayn3ver said:
To clarify I meant the model listed as "Sam G900"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go into settings and in "about device" for the model name. Sam G900 is not a model name.

lingowistico said:
Go into settings and in "about device" for the model name. Sam G900 is not a model name.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure he's just going off what best buy says for the model.
I too am wondering this question. Very disappointed in the new S6, thought it was going to be "the next big thing", turns out they just want to be like apple now.
Side note, where would u recommend buying an unlocked bootloader S5, that has LTE capabilities for att? Or does that not exist in the US? Been searching but coming up empty handed.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337

I don't have the phone I am referencing. Like mentioned earlier, it's just the model number off of best buys webpage. They have the g900a model and a Sam-g900 for sale. They only sell the tmobile prepaids unlocked at a higher price point.
Is there a reputable online seller of new or refurbished unlocked tmobile versions?
I don't know if I wanna gamble buying used.

fals3illusion said:
I'm pretty sure he's just going off what best buy says for the model.
I too am wondering this question. Very disappointed in the new S6, thought it was going to be "the next big thing", turns out they just want to be like apple now.
Side note, where would u recommend buying an unlocked bootloader S5, that has LTE capabilities for att? Or does that not exist in the US? Been searching but coming up empty handed.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy a 900f from ebay. There are tons of reputable sellers there, just look at their feedback score. All qualcomm models support all lte frequencies, however they're not activated by default. There's a guide in general or q&a which shows how to activate all freqeuncies

lingowistico said:
Buy a 900f from ebay. There are tons of reputable sellers there, just look at their feedback score. All qualcomm models support all lte frequencies, however they're not activated by default. There's a guide in general or q&a which shows how to activate all freqeuncies
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the 900f come with unlocked bootloaders? Is there a way you can identify if they have an unlocked bootloader without physically checking the phone just don't want to spend hundreds of dollars and kinda get stuck with a phone that's not what I wanted.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app

I just purchased an unlocked GS5 G900T (Tmobile version) from eBay yesterday, and should have it by the end of the week. I've purchased my last 3 phones from eBay, and all have been true to the ad, and in excellent condition.
You do need to study the photos closely though, and make sure the seller has good feed back, and a lot of feedback (I never buy from sellers who have only a few ratings and/or using a new account).
I got this phone to use with ATT and wanted an unlocked bootloader. Kinda wish I knew that you could activate the frequencies on the 900F though, as it seems like most of the development is for that model. Oh well, as long as I can root and have a few choices of ROMs, I'll be happy.
I'll probably be using some sort of stock based rom on this phone (for a while at least).

fals3illusion said:
Does the 900f come with unlocked bootloaders? Is there a way you can identify if they have an unlocked bootloader without physically checking the phone just don't want to spend hundreds of dollars and kinda get stuck with a phone that's not what I wanted.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the 900f/klte/international has an unlocked bootloader

lingowistico said:
Yes, the 900f/klte/international has an unlocked bootloader
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Click to collapse
ok cool, thanks for all the help!!
I did not know that T-Mobiles Galaxy S5 Came with unlocked bootloaders. I am just going to get one from them since T-Mobile and ATT run on basically the same LTE Basebands and LTE will not be affected as much as the international version when i'm on ATT's network

fals3illusion said:
I'm pretty sure he's just going off what best buy says for the model.
I too am wondering this question. Very disappointed in the new S6, thought it was going to be "the next big thing", turns out they just want to be like apple now.
Side note, where would u recommend buying an unlocked bootloader S5, that has LTE capabilities for att? Or does that not exist in the US? Been searching but coming up empty handed.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
didn't read the rest of the replies but cricket...they sell it with unlocked boot loader, and you can sim unlock after six months...but they are owned wholly by att so you'll have att's reception and reliability. Of course your unlimited data would be history but crickets rates are significantly lower than most other mvno carriers
Edit: the model no is sm-g900az
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I called bestbuy.com customer service. The customer service agent was no help. No additional info than what's provided on the webpage (actual samsung model # is what I was looking for).
She transferred me to their technical support department. The gentleman spent about 5 minutes or so searching and couldn't come up with anything more.
I was told to call an actual best buy store and speak with their mobile department.
I called later today when best buy opened up. Sat on hold for 8min before an actual human being answered the phone. They too were no help. The conversation went like this...
Me: do you know which model of the g900 the sku 5760005 is referring to. . The listed model number Sam-g900 with that sku# is not an actual samsung model number.
Them: it's a g900.
Me: no you do not understand, g900 should be followed by one more letter. Is it a g900a, g900t, g900v, g900f, g900h, etc?
Them: it's a g900. What provider do you have?
Me: I'm on att but probably going to tmobile soon.
Them: we don't carry tmobile. I have a g900a. It works good. (they have the prepaid tmobile s5 on their website).
Me: nvm. Thanks have a nice day.....click.

(Historically) Which are the preferred carriers to purchase from?

CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
As with a lot of other people on this site, I'm wondering which carrier will be best to pre-order from? I use Verizon but HATE the fact that most of the times it's one of the last carriers to be able to root the phone. I would also hate for this to turn into another Verizon Samsung Note 4 issue. Too bad the rumors where Samsung was going to start making phones that were both CDMA & GSM/UTMS were not true (as far as I am aware of).
This way since I'm now paying outright for my phones (roughly $800 bucks for 7 Edge), I could use it if I moved between carriers. After reading some other posts, now I'm wondering If I'm paying full price (paid in full), Will it be unlocked? I can't be the only one that feels RIPPED OFF when I pay $800 for a device and can't have root = have my own admin access. Can you imagine buying a laptop and not being able to install/change your own OS? not having admin rights/root?
I feel it's a MAJOR excuse for a carrier to even say - if we give you root & you change the ROM, then it makes it more difficult to help you. Guess what?!? I have not ever asked for help and nor would I... Besides, why couldn't they ask for the ROM version your using... if it matches theirs, they assist... if it doesn't, they tell you before they can assist you, you must put their ROM back on? Yes - there will always be that one person... but hey - if they were able to gain root and swap the ROM, they should be able to swap it back or pay to have it swapped back. OR at least pay for insurance and "accidentally drop it" and have it replaced.
It really bites that I (along with so many other people) want to pre-order the phone for several reasons (the free VR and games along with getting the phone first) but don't want to be SCREWED by one specific carrier and not be able to unlock the phone, root and replace the ROM.
So after all that - which carrier (historically) is the best to purchase from?
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
Additional INFO - I'm also about to call Verizon to confirm - But I read 2-3 months ago that Verizon will now allow another carrier's phone on their network (if it is CDMA). If that's true, then why not purchase the phone thru Sprint or US Cellular if historically those phones have been rooted easier than Verizon? I've been on Verizon for so long, that I'm really not sure...
Comments? suggestions?

What I'm going to do is pre-order from eBay.
The phones have a hell of a mark-up (+$200/$300), but there are unlocked Qualcomms that are usually rooted much more quickly with better support for AOSP.
I hate paying that much, but I'm going to have this phone for years, and the hassle from carrier-branded phones just isn't worth it.
Edit: You should still be able to add insurance and such through your carrier too, depending on their policies.
Didn't have an issue insuring previous phones with AT&T even though they were bought off-plan through other retailers.

It is slightly cheaper when buying it from Best Buy, $779 vs $792. I saw the T-mobile version supports band 13 LTE, but I didn't see anything about CDMA support.

I also did follow up with Verizon about placing a phone on their network that was not purchased from Verizon. They said it is currently limited to 2 phones - I don't have the names because I didn't care much......they couldn't tell me the S7 would be added to the list. So does that mean people on Verizon are STUCK purchasing from Verizon?

For my s6 edge I much preferred the unlocked UK version over the US AT&T version. (Which is why I asked in another thread when we can expect to see unlocked international versions).
AT&T not only added crazy bloat but removed really cool features from the phone. Just took em right out. They also removed Samsung deals/bundles from the phone (there was a MS suite and a free TB of storage or something removed). And in exchange for screwing with the phone they had crazy delays on updates (because they had to re-remove and re-screw the phone).
Coming from iPhone I just can't deal with carrier customizations. Unlocked for life. (crazy that Apple is unlocked now and Android isn't -- bizarro world).

JustWannaRom said:
I also did follow up with Verizon about placing a phone on their network that was not purchased from Verizon. They said it is currently limited to 2 phones - I don't have the names because I didn't care much......they couldn't tell me the S7 would be added to the list. So does that mean people on Verizon are STUCK purchasing from Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus devices are the exception (6, 5X and 6P). The problem with VZW and Sprint is that they use proprietary CDMA technology for voice communication. You can bring just about any device to their networks and have data but you won't be able to make voice calls in most cases.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

JustWannaRom said:
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
As with a lot of other people on this site, I'm wondering which carrier will be best to pre-order from? I use Verizon but HATE the fact that most of the times it's one of the last carriers to be able to root the phone. I would also hate for this to turn into another Verizon Samsung Note 4 issue. Too bad the rumors where Samsung was going to start making phones that were both CDMA & GSM/UTMS were not true (as far as I am aware of).
This way since I'm now paying outright for my phones (roughly $800 bucks for 7 Edge), I could use it if I moved between carriers. After reading some other posts, now I'm wondering If I'm paying full price (paid in full), Will it be unlocked? I can't be the only one that feels RIPPED OFF when I pay $800 for a device and can't have root = have my own admin access. Can you imagine buying a laptop and not being able to install/change your own OS? not having admin rights/root?
I feel it's a MAJOR excuse for a carrier to even say - if we give you root & you change the ROM, then it makes it more difficult to help you. Guess what?!? I have not ever asked for help and nor would I... Besides, why couldn't they ask for the ROM version your using... if it matches theirs, they assist... if it doesn't, they tell you before they can assist you, you must put their ROM back on? Yes - there will always be that one person... but hey - if they were able to gain root and swap the ROM, they should be able to swap it back or pay to have it swapped back. OR at least pay for insurance and "accidentally drop it" and have it replaced.
It really bites that I (along with so many other people) want to pre-order the phone for several reasons (the free VR and games along with getting the phone first) but don't want to be SCREWED by one specific carrier and not be able to unlock the phone, root and replace the ROM.
So after all that - which carrier (historically) is the best to purchase from?
CDMA - Verizon (not), Sprint?, U.S. Cellular?
GSM - AT&T?, T-Mobile?
Additional INFO - I'm also about to call Verizon to confirm - But I read 2-3 months ago that Verizon will now allow another carrier's phone on their network (if it is CDMA). If that's true, then why not purchase the phone thru Sprint or US Cellular if historically those phones have been rooted easier than Verizon? I've been on Verizon for so long, that I'm really not sure...
Comments? suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tmobile period, not going to lock the boot loader you'll be able to root (provided the community finds a way, but it's a snap dragon and unlocked bootloader so they will most likely before it even releases. ) second if you don't want tmo service you can still root it and use am at&t sim so there's that.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Verizon S7 vs. Unlocked S7?

Hello everyone,
I am looking to upgrade from my S4 to an S7 over the next few days, and I have been trying to decide which is the better option between the Verizon model and the unlocked model. I will be using this phone on a Verizon network for now, and was leaning to the unlocked model to get rid of the Verizon bloatware. There is a chance I will be living in a different country in another year or so, so I figured the unlocked model would also give me more flexibility with my next carrier, as I had heard the Verizon model does not support all carrier frequencies. Are there any distinct advantages to going with the Verizon model over the unlocked model, or are there any other important differences I'm overlooking between these two options?
Thanks!

Unlocked how? Boot loader unlocked or carrier network (SIMM) unlocked? Verizon phones are carrier unlocked. Meaning, you can already take an AT&T SIMM and put it into the Verizon S7 and it will work.
As for removing verizon bloatware, that's only possible if you root. Unlocked is specific to the carrier only, not an unlocked bootloader. None have an unlocked bootloader that I know of.
The carrier unlocked phones also receive updates much slower than the normal ones.
https://plus.google.com/+DroidLife/posts/ENv2fH9zD7e
If you want carrier unlocked phones that get updates faster than the generic carrier unlocked phones, get the Verizon phone. As per this article, it's already carrier unlocked and it's already updated to Nougat. Might be some hoops to jump through, but it works:
http://www.androidcentral.com/yes-verizon-galaxy-s7-and-s7-edge-are-sim-unlocked
The generic unlocked ones are still on Marshmallow and there is no word on if/when they'll get Nougat. Also, the Verizon one is cheaper than the generic carrier unlocked phones. Expecially if you can find a sale going on for it.

There is a hybrid rom that is debloated and works great for all models, it is posted in the vzw amd tmo s7 forums. I'm using it on two phones myself.

The U firmware has no bloat, and has all bands available for use. The main downside is that nougat still isn't out for it, and certain apps won't work if you're from Verizon such as their voicemail app.
On the plus side you get some features that Verizon charges extra for, such as caller ID built in for free.
Regardless you can flash any firmware to any S7 so long as it's the snapdragon variant.

cadcamaro said:
The U firmware has no bloat, and has all bands available for use. The main downside is that nougat still isn't out for it, and certain apps won't work if you're from Verizon such as their voicemail app.
On the plus side you get some features that Verizon charges extra for, such as caller ID built in for free.
Regardless you can flash any firmware to any S7 so long as it's the snapdragon variant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been curious about the G-930U also. If you know, please tell me if these working assumptions are correct or not: The "U" has no carrier branding on it and it has no carrier "bloat" in it (although maybe some Samsung stuff). The "U" CANNOT be bootloader unlocked because it has the Snapdragon processor and at present none of the Snapdragon variations can have their bootloaders unlocked (how I hope this isn't true!). The "U" can be flashed to carrier-specific firmware, although I don't know what the advantage would be.
I'm still mostly using an XT1575, the Motorola X Play Edition 2015. It too had no carrier contamination but it's bootloader was easy to unlock. All I had to do to get it to work with Verizon was insert my nano SIM card. Do any phones still work like that?

Sim-free Galaxy S8 (SM-G950UZKAXAA) vs AT&T Galaxy S8 (SM-G950UZKAATT)

Close/Delete

dtrikk said:
Im on the AT&T network and I'm looking to buy an S8. The samsung website has two choices that would work: the Sim-free Galaxy S8 (SM-G950UZKAXAA) and the AT&T Galaxy S8 (SM-G950UZKAATT). The sim-free model appeals to me because I wouldn't have carrier bloat and I could take the phone to another carrier if I wanted to. However, I've seen some comments that the sim free model gets updates well after the carrier models do and that the sim-free model has weaker reception and you lose out on certain features (volte, wifi-calling, etc.). Could anyone comment on these differences? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The unlocked one allows you to switch carriers whenever and will get updates faster, the ATT one is a locked one and gets slower updates. ALWAYS buy the Unlocked one, and if you want the ATT one, you can just change the firmware to be that variants.

Close/Delete

T-Mobile announcement

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/oneplus-6t

I watched the unboxing video by Tmobile and see that it seems to have some installed TMobile apps. Wonder if we get the TMobile version if it will be possible to flash it back to a stock OP rom instead. TMobile has a pretty good deal on it tbh.

Can we unlock it's Bootloader?

I would be yes, TMobile is pretty good about things like this. I'm thinking of picking it up on the 1st through TMobile and if they've pulled something funny, I can always just return it.

From what I've picked up so far, the T-Mo version will have one SIM instead of dual SIM and you won't be able to unlock the bootloader until the device is fully paid for. Since I don't have a device to trade in, it is easy for me to just order from OnePlus. If I had an eligible phone though, it would be a harder decision.

Where did you pick this up from? I do have a device to trade in, $300 for this phone seems like a steal imo considering the trade-in. And honestly the T-Mobile bloat is pretty minimal in my experience. I've got it all uninstalled on my S8+, can't imagine I couldn't do the same on the OP6T.
I'm more concerned w/if I'd be able to get into Google SW beta's w/it like you could w/the OP6.

So, basically, this means that if you're a T-Mo customer and want an unlocked bootloader, you can't take advantage of this trade-in promo at all since it's paid out in bill credits over the 24 month finance period and the bootloader won't be unlockable until the end of those 2 years. That's unfortunate / seems to needlessly spite a meaningful segment of their target audience.

I haven't heard that about the bootloader and payment plan, any source? I have read that the phone will be carrier locked until it's payed off, but that's totally different from the bootloader, and pretty par for the course. My current Z2 Force is still on a payment plan, but I unlocked the bootloader the day I got it. Would really turn me off from this device if I can't unlock the bootloader.

The bootloader question has been answered.

evodon84 said:
Where did you pick this up from? I do have a device to trade in, $300 for this phone seems like a steal imo considering the trade-in. And honestly the T-Mobile bloat is pretty minimal in my experience. I've got it all uninstalled on my S8+, can't imagine I couldn't do the same on the OP6T.
I'm more concerned w/if I'd be able to get into Google SW beta's w/it like you could w/the OP6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XDA review:
https://www.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6t-review/
The OnePlus 6T is a developer-friendly device. The bootloader is easy to unlock as always. You don’t need a bootloader unlock code from OnePlus. I personally can’t wait to root and install Magisk Modules once more. There’s one notable exception, however. The T-Mobile variant cannot be bootloader unlocked until you pay off the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forget now where I saw that the T-Mo version is single SIM. I read a bunch of summary articles right after the embargo lifted.

6T for the USA is a gimped variant Single sim and locked bootloader till the device is paid off if you finance..

wtf lol, well that sucks tbh. Not that I've even unlocked a bootloader in years but I just want to be able to flash the stock rom not the Tmobile version.

Does anyone know if you can just pay off the phone immediately instead of paying monthly? Would you just pay the $280 or would you have to pay the full price and then get a $12.50 ($300/24) credit every month?
I've never bought a phone from a carrier so I have no idea how it works.

I'm one of the people that was about to go buy it from OnePlus directly, but the line is absolutely massive right now. The T-Mobile store in Times Square has it but this bootloader thing.. I don't know.
I will be paying outright for it, it's not a problem.. I'm just wondering if I can flash the same ROM's as the normal OnePlus version? Will they be two completely different phones? I don't think so, but I'm also not 100% sure. I don't mind T-Mobile bloat but I just want to be able to flash ROM's eventually.

AhsanU said:
I'm one of the people that was about to go buy it from OnePlus directly, but the line is absolutely massive right now. The T-Mobile store in Times Square has it but this bootloader thing.. I don't know.
I will be paying outright for it, it's not a problem.. I'm just wondering if I can flash the same ROM's as the normal OnePlus version? Will they be two completely different phones? I don't think so, but I'm also not 100% sure. I don't mind T-Mobile bloat but I just want to be able to flash ROM's eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to this the T-Mobile version is a little different than the one directly from OnePlus.
https://www.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6t-t-mobile-verizon-america-united-states/
Below is copied straight from the post.
"T-Mobile’s OnePlus 6T Model
The device you buy from T-Mobile isn’t 100% the same as the one you buy from OnePlus.com. The T-Mobile model is single-SIM while the unlocked version is dual-SIM compatible. Also, if you finance the device from T-Mobile, you will be unable to unlock the bootloader until you pay off the device. After you pay off the device, you are free to unlock the bootloader by using this form."
I will be buying straight from OnePlus.

bp328i said:
According to this the T-Mobile version is a little different than the one directly from OnePlus.
https://www.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6t-t-mobile-verizon-america-united-states/
Below is copied straight from the post.
"T-Mobile’s OnePlus 6T Model
The device you buy from T-Mobile isn’t 100% the same as the one you buy from OnePlus.com. The T-Mobile model is single-SIM while the unlocked version is dual-SIM compatible. Also, if you finance the device from T-Mobile, you will be unable to unlock the bootloader until you pay off the device. After you pay off the device, you are free to unlock the bootloader by using this form."
I will be buying straight from OnePlus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm headed to Times Square now let's see how bad the queues are.
I spoke to a OnePlus customer representative and she told me that the TMobile variant is the same model, but just has the dual SIM feature disabled. But they are the same model.
I don't know how accurate it is but I'm getting a 6T either way today. If the TMobile version ends up being different, I can return it within 30 days since I'm a business customer.

Thanks for the clarification, looks like I will order directly as well...

Is the 256GB model from oneplus have the new 600Mhz band?

yeah the wrinkle I see is that if you trade in and TMobile give you a credit over two years and you pay it off early does that count or does it take the full 2 years b/c of the credit
---------- Post added at 01:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:37 PM ----------
well RIP, the credits get applied each month to the balance so the amount due at the start will be the full price, not the "reduced" price.

LuCaniTy said:
Is the 256GB model from oneplus have the new 600Mhz band?
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Click to collapse
This is from the OP spec page (https://www.oneplus.com/6t/specs) It shouldn't matter if you buy direct or from Tmobile.
FDD LTE: Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/18/ 19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/66/71
TDD LTE: Band 34/38/39/40/41/46
TD-SCDMA: Band 34/39
UMTS(WCDMA): Band 1/2/4/5/8/9/19
CDMA: BC0/BC1
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz