Database Users

(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.

AT&T claims to unlock their SIM locked device for US networks only, but not Europe?

AT&T claims to unlock their SIM locked device for US networks only, but not Europe?
Hi people, I'm new in US Samsung models world, so I have a couple of burning questions.
Long story short, my friend lives in US, has bought AT&T S7 Edge last year off contract, paid the device fully, so in theory he should be free from their will, except the device being SIM locked to AT&T. Now he has S8, and wants to send me his S7 Edge here in Europe, however upon contacting them about removing the lock, they have claimed that at least a year has to expire from the day of purchase for the phone to be fully unlocked and used globally, and as for now, they can only unlock the phone from their network so it can be used (on all networks) in US only, but it can't be used in Europe (until a year expires which they indicated).
Now, from my very limited knowledge I smell BS here, since only thing they can do is block the usage of certain bands through their software thus limiting usage of the device across all networks, but that can be avoided by flashing a fresh firmware, or better yet U firmware, since I've read that its Samsungs firmware with unlocked bands for a global use.
So, as long as there is hardware capability, they can't limit it really permanently, or for certain amount off time if you bypass that with U global firmware.
Or am I wrong here? Is unlocking through 3rd party websites better solution?

Cirra92 said:
Hi people, I'm new in US Samsung models world, so I have a couple of burning questions.
Long story short, my friend lives in US, has bought AT&T S7 Edge last year off contract, paid the device fully, so in theory he should be free from their will, except the device being SIM locked to AT&T. Now he has S8, and wants to send me his S7 Edge here in Europe, however upon contacting them about removing the lock, they have claimed that at least a year has to expire from the day of purchase for the phone to be fully unlocked and used globally, and as for now, they can only unlock the phone from their network so it can be used (on all networks) in US only, but it can't be used in Europe (until a year expires which they indicated).
Now, from my very limited knowledge I smell BS here, since only thing they can do is block the usage of certain bands through their software thus limiting usage of the device across all networks, but that can be avoided by flashing a fresh firmware, or better yet U firmware, since I've read that its Samsungs firmware with unlocked bands for a global use.
So, as long as there is hardware capability, they can't limit it really permanently, or for certain amount off time if you bypass that with U global firmware.
Or am I wrong here? Is unlocking through 3rd party websites better solution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) As soon as the phone is paid off (no balance owed) and you have been a customer in good standing for either 2 months (post-paid) or 6 months (pre-paid) you can request a SIM unlock code. Yes, this is BS, but it is what it is. Note that it is important to do SIM unlocking BEFORE removing your old device from your account, as you will guarantee a bad time trying to do it afterward.
2) The SIM unlock is global and should allow any APN to be used with the device. AT&T doesn't really care where you use your unlocked device because T-mobile is just as much not AT&T as any European carrier.
3) If you can get it from AT&T for free, why not? Otherwise, get it where you can. So far, every time I have requested an unlock for an AT&T device I have had to escalate, and for some devices they don't even offer unlocks (AT&T branded hotspots, tablets, etc. aren't unlockable through AT&T)
4) Using U firmware doesn't help because it is the baseband processor (and related firmware) that handles network locking. Simply switching to unlocked software doesn't alter the baseband at all. Changing the modem/baseband firmware won't help EITHER, because that processor has it's own non-volatile storage. Carriers take SIM locking very seriously at a hardware level.

jshamlet said:
1) As soon as the phone is paid off (no balance owed) and you have been a customer in good standing for either 2 months (post-paid) or 6 months (pre-paid) you can request a SIM unlock code. Yes, this is BS, but it is what it is. Note that it is important to do SIM unlocking BEFORE removing your old device from your account, as you will guarantee a bad time trying to do it afterward.
2) The SIM unlock is global and should allow any APN to be used with the device. AT&T doesn't really care where you use your unlocked device because T-mobile is just as much not AT&T as any European carrier.
3) If you can get it from AT&T for free, why not? Otherwise, get it where you can. So far, every time I have requested an unlock for an AT&T device I have had to escalate, and for some devices they don't even offer unlocks (AT&T branded hotspots, tablets, etc. aren't unlockable through AT&T)
4) Using U firmware doesn't help because it is the baseband processor (and related firmware) that handles network locking. Simply switching to unlocked software doesn't alter the baseband at all. Changing the modem/baseband firmware won't help EITHER, because that processor has it's own non-volatile storage. Carriers take SIM locking very seriously at a hardware level.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) All those conditions have been met, so there shouldn't be a problem about requesting SIM unlock code, and they did say the phone can be unlocked and be SIM free but it will work on US networks only, and not on European, until 1 year expires.
2) Since the G935A has GSM 2G bands and HSDPA 3G bands, it is already compatible with European bands, or specifically with bands on my carrier here, I don't see how are they going to unlock it to work on US networks but not on EU, that's what confused me. SIM unlock should be global that is how it goes anyway.
3) Yeah that's what I thought, but since they mention limiting the unlock (if it is possible) for US usage only (maybe tampering with the device in hand) it might be better to go for 3rd party unlock.
4) Thanks for the explanation, that seems serious, not sure why so serious though.
Anyway as a conclusion, since both 2G and 3G bands match with my carrier's, if they do unlock the device (AT&T) it should work in EU, despite their claims that it won't for a year? How would they "unlock" it after a year when the device is not in their hands :S
I suggested to my friend to request a code through 3rd party anyway, unlock it and send me the device, since he was already pissed off with the response from AT&T.

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

Factory unlocked vs T-mobile version

So I ordered a oneplus 6t factory unlocked on ebay. What I got was a T-mobile locked device, that when I tried to unlock actually did.
My question though is are there annoyances with using the t-mobile version on another carrier (t-mobile apps or any radio differences) that would warrant me to return it or should I just give them a low rating.
thanks!

Uh. Not sure. I have an International Variant but I've heard that there is the usual T-MOBILE Bloatware. But you can easily convert it to Global Variant by following the Guide in the Guides Forum. Just search T-MOBILE to International Conversion OnePlus 6T

th3drow said:
So I ordered a oneplus 6t factory unlocked on ebay. What I got was a T-mobile locked device, that when I tried to unlock actually did.
My question though is are there annoyances with using the t-mobile version on another carrier (t-mobile apps or any radio differences) that would warrant me to return it or should I just give them a low rating.
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's on the seller to provide as MUCH information he can provide before he lists. I'd say if it works out for you in the end, it's fine. But....I would message him and see if he does know the difference between T-Mo and Int'l.
I would take the T-mo and flash Int'l, honestly. T-Mo is slow to update, and there's an Int'l Beta release almost every month. I think the official T-mo is 4 or 5 months behind.
Let us know!

The TMobile version is not the international version in my opinion. On top of not getting regular updates like the unbranded version. They have been trying to do things in newer software versions to prevent people from flashing it to international versions by adding extra checks, not that it has worked so far. The international version is also dual SIM and has two IMEI, the TMobile version only has one. I guess it depends what you paid for it, but I would not accept a TMobile version personally.

OhioYJ said:
The TMobile version is not the international version in my opinion. On top of not getting regular updates like the unbranded version. They have been trying to do things in newer software versions to prevent people from flashing it to international versions by adding extra checks, not that it has worked so far. The international version is also dual SIM and has two IMEI, the TMobile version only has one. I guess it depends what you paid for it, but I would not accept a TMobile version personally.
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Click to collapse
I agree completely.

Honestly, it doesn't really matter considering you can very simply convert a T-Mobile version into an International version.
The T-Mobile version by default is a few updates behind and doesn't support dual sim iirc. Like I said though, you can easily convert it and buy a sim card tray that supports dual sim if that's your thing.

MetroPCS?

Thinking about getting one, the 128 GB/8 GB T-Mobile version, which is cheaper than the unlocked one.
This *should* work on MetroPCS, won't it?

If i remember correctly between MetroPCS/T-Mobile, though they're practically on the same network i don't think you can use a T-Mobile phone on MetroPCS unless the phone is unlocked. I had a LG phone exclusive from Metro once and i tried putting in T-Mobile sim and it didn't work for me, unless maybe it's the other way around where it'll work on Metro coming from a T-mobile phone?? Hope this somewhat help.

I'm not sure with any OnePlus device, but I had two Samsung phones (J7 and Grand Prime) that I helped build ROM's for and they both supported T-Mobile and Metro sims on every build. Just call a Metro store and ask, they should be able to give you an answer. Good luck.
GuyInDogSuit said:
Thinking about getting one, the 128 GB/8 GB T-Mobile version, which is cheaper than the unlocked one.
This *should* work on MetroPCS, won't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Turns out the seller had an unlocked one for the same price and specs, so I bought that one.