Develop Bugs

Do I need a Verizon HTC One M9 to use Verizon's network?

I'm currently on a Verizon HTC One M7 and due for am upgrade. Rather than doing the two year subsidized contract, however, I am considering buying an unlocked version of the phone on Swappa for $400 or so and then just bringing that phone to Verizon.
Is this possible? Back in the day I recall that wouldn't work because Sprint and Verizon used CDMA bands while the rest used GSM with Sim cards and the like, but I thought I remember reading that it's no longer a problem on Verizon.
So can I buy an unlocked M9 and bring it over or does it have to be a Verizon specific model to work?
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using XDA Free mobile app

Aganar said:
I'm currently on a Verizon HTC One M7 and due for am upgrade. Rather than doing the two year subsidized contract, however, I am considering buying an unlocked version of the phone on Swappa for $400 or so and then just bringing that phone to Verizon.
Is this possible? Back in the day I recall that wouldn't work because Sprint and Verizon used CDMA bands while the rest used GSM with Sim cards and the like, but I thought I remember reading that it's no longer a problem on Verizon.
So can I buy an unlocked M9 and bring it over or does it have to be a Verizon specific model to work?
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both the M8 and M9 will work well in the Verizon network. Honestly, the M8 is every bit as good
as the M9. Both will be updated to next Android operating system - Marshmallow. I personally like the M8
power switch placed on top right for useability, but that's personal to each user. Both have great screens and custom
roms built for them. Swappa is a great place to start your hunt after you decide which one you want.
p.s. Only get a Verizon CDMA phone, don't mess with AT&T GSM. - it IS specific due to which bands are active in the phone. It can be unlocked after S-0ff with card or clip.

So then you still need a Verizon specific phone to use their network. Gotcha.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using XDA Free mobile app

Aganar said:
So then you still need a Verizon specific phone to use their network. Gotcha.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessarily, but it's a massive headache to get it to work in most cases. I haven't personally done it with the m8 or m9 but I have with other phones. It's not like the nexus or motto x where you can just pop the card in and go (now that Verizon finally whitelisted the non Verizon sold versions of both). If it isn't whitelisted and you get it to work they tend to complain that you're using an unauthorized device and won't help you with network issues, etc. So TLDR get a Verizon version or a phone meant to be truly compatible with all carriers like the motto x, nexus 6, or the two new nexi released today.
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk

So I went ahead and bought an M9 through swappa. Do I need to take it to Verizon to activate, or can I just pop in the SIM card from my M7?

Aganar said:
So I went ahead and bought an M9 through swappa. Do I need to take it to Verizon to activate, or can I just pop in the SIM card from my M7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may need to go get a new sim card from a store or have vzw send you one for VoLTE to work, but I may be wrong, you may be able to pop it in and just activate the VoLTE on your MyVerizon.
Enjoy M9

Aganar said:
So I went ahead and bought an M9 through swappa. Do I need to take it to Verizon to activate, or can I just pop in the SIM card from my M7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need a sim card cutter or a new sim, going from m7 > m9.
andybones said:
You may need to go get a new sim card from a store or have vzw send you one for VoLTE to work, but I may be wrong, you may be able to pop it in and just activate the VoLTE on your MyVerizon.
Enjoy M9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk

Aganar said:
So I went ahead and bought an M9 through swappa. Do I need to take it to Verizon to activate, or can I just pop in the SIM card from my M7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you go to a corporate store (one that doesn't say premium retailer) and take the phone and your old phone with you they will give you a new sim for it and activate it for free.
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk

Slacker101 said:
If you go to a corporate store (one that doesn't say premium retailer) and take the phone and your old phone with you they will give you a new sim for it and activate it for free.
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny, I didn't read this reply but ended up having to do that anyway because I had forgotten my billing PIN and the retailer said I'd need to go to a corporate store to reset it. Glad I did, the retailer store wanted $25 for a new SIM card.
So in case anyone else tries this, the answer is : no. The M7 card doesn't fit in the M9. But the corporate store gave me a new one and activated it for free.

That's odd...I bought an unlocked HTC One M9 and it wouldn't work on Verizon I ended up having to buy the Verizon version.

I just call the vzw 1-800 number and ask for them to send me a SIM card, they will send 1 free one without issue.
I've had 3-4 sent over the past years since nano and never been turned down. I like to have a backup laying around.

Not Odd
woodfinx said:
That's odd...I bought an unlocked HTC One M9 and it wouldn't work on Verizon I ended up having to buy the Verizon version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, that's not odd. He got a Verizon phone. Unlocked does not mean it works on Verizon. Unlocked only means that a phone is not locked into a specific carrier. It does NOT mean that the phone is compatible with every carrier's network. Verizon uses a CDMA network for its phones. Other than Sprint, everybody else uses a GSM network.
I'm certainly not an expert or even a techie, but I read somewhere that all 4GLTE phones operate on the same radio, which sounds like you should be able to use a 4G phone on any network, but that apparently is not the case ... maybe because 4G isn't available everywhere and phones have to be able to fall back on their 3G network? ... I'm not sure.
Bottom line, if you have Verizon, get a Verizon phone.
One final note ... that doesn't mean you have to buy your phone from Verizon. Swappa and eBay both have Verizon phones available. You just have to watch the fine print and don't trust text that says "works with any carrier." Make sure it says it works with Verizon.

UK guy thinking of getting a HTC 10 while on holidays in Chicage July 2016

Hi, I was intending of getting a Pay as Go sim while in USA for my M9 but now that the 10 is out I thought I might get one whilst out there. Do you think the 10 will be readily available {July 8th - 27} and do I go for a unlocked version and get a Pay as Go sim or a carrier based one and unlock later.

My personal preference would be to purchase the unlocked version. Unfortunately, it would be unlikely that you would be able to find an unlocked version in a retail store, but time will tell if any retail stores will offer it. (It should be available through the HTC web site by then.) You would probably be stuck with getting a carrier branded model. (T-Mobile would be the GSM variant here in the United States.)

Wolf said:
My personal preference would be to purchase the unlocked version. Unfortunately, it would be unlikely that you would be able to find an unlocked version in a retail store. You would probably be stuck with getting a carrier branded model. (AT&T and T-Mobile would be the GSM variants here in the United States.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There will not be an AT&T model for this device.

jollywhitefoot said:
There will not be an AT&T model for this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I realized that after I responded and edited my answer. (You were just too quick to point that out.)

Wolf said:
Yes, I realized that after I responded and edited my answer. (You were just too quick to point that out.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry. Just waiting around for my 10 to ship and trying to avoid work right now.

Two BestBuy reps claimed they would be carrying/able to order unlocked HTC 10's. I hope so, because I spent my saved phone cash on my wedding. If they do not carry it, I'll be forced into an unlocked S7.

Verizon carrier lock

So if I paid cash for the Verizon version I should be able to call them and have them lift the carrier lock. If I do that will the radio work on T-Mobile? I have an opportunity for such a good deal on the Verizon version its going to cost almost nothing. Also if this all works would WiFi calling work on T-Mobile?

What kind of deal do you have? Sounds like you might be getting on a contract thinking it gives you a cheap cast phone

KnownDominance said:
What kind of deal do you have? Sounds like you might be getting on a contract thinking it gives you a cheap cast phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My employer has offered to pay the purchase price but they insist I be on Verizon. I'm on a great plan with T-Mobile and I don't want to change. I might since this is the XL phone so I can't lose one way or the other.

Reddog58 said:
My employer has offered to pay the purchase price but they insist I be on Verizon. I'm on a great plan with T-Mobile and I don't want to change. I might since this is the XL phone so I can't lose one way or the other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Explain to them that you can buy it through the Google Store and still use it on Verizon. Otherwise I would contact VZW and see if they will be carrier locked or not if you purchase through VZW.

I read somewhere that the VZW version won't be carrier locked. I think popping in your T-Mobile SIM card before you ever start it up will allow you to use it on VZW

hollowlog said:
I read somewhere that the VZW version won't be carrier locked. I think popping in your T-Mobile SIM card before you ever start it up will allow you to use it on VZW
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the thinking is the one SKU will have the radio support for any US carrier? And a locked bootloader doesn't matter since I am not planning on rooting it, at least not in the short term. As a cash sale I should be able to walk out with the phone and pop in my T-Mobil SIM and be online. I understand none of this is certain until I have the phone in hand.

Reddog58 said:
So the thinking is the one SKU will have the radio support for any US carrier? And a locked bootloader doesn't matter since I am not planning on rooting it, at least not in the short term. As a cash sale I should be able to walk out with the phone and pop in my T-Mobil SIM and be online. I understand none of this is certain until I have the phone in hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All VZW phones are carrier unlocked. They include all gsm radios and have no issue with popping T-Mobile sims in and running. VZW has never had carrier locked devices.

If you purchase the Pixel thru VZW, it will be carrier unlocked. The bootloader is locked, and cannot be unlocked. This has been confirmed by Google and VZW.
Better to purchase thru the Google Play Store, as it will (hopefully) at least have an unlockable bootloader (if you require that).

uicnren said:
If you purchase the Pixel thru VZW, it will be carrier locked. Already been confirmed by Google and VZW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you see this? I have read confirmation that the bootloader will be locked. I haven't read anything saying it will be carrier locked.

uicnren said:
If you purchase the Pixel thru VZW, it will be carrier locked. Already been confirmed by Google and VZW.
Buy the same phone from Google Play store, it is not carrier locked, and it has been confirmed that Wi-Fi calling and HD Voice will work with the GPS version on VZW, both by Google and VZW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true. In fact, the opposite has been confirmed. It's 100% SIM unlocked like every other Verizon LTE device has been. No Verizon phone with LTE has been SIM locked per their agreement with the FCC when purchasing a large block of LTE spectrum. The issue with getting some other Verizon LTE devices fully working on a different carrier has been band support. That doesn't appear to be an issue here.

@hollowlog @bsweetness my apologies, you are both correct (I will edit my post). I swear I read somewhere (of course I cant find it now) that they were carrier locked as well as bootloader locked (and unlockable).
Apparently reading some more, they ARE carrier unlocked, with a locked (and unlockable) bootloader.

bsweetness said:
Not true. In fact, the opposite has been confirmed. It's 100% SIM unlocked like every other Verizon LTE device has been. No Verizon phone with LTE has been SIM locked per their agreement with the FCC when purchasing a large block of LTE spectrum. The issue with getting some other Verizon LTE devices fully working on a different carrier has been band support. That doesn't appear to be an issue here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems to be one of the most confusing aspects of the relationship between Google and Verizon. What exactly is the point of buying from Verizon? As you read the posts you see more and more reasons which are mostly due to an employer subsidized price which is also my reason. I wouldn't even think of buying from Verizon if not for the discount I will get. But in my case the discount is almost 100% of the purchase price. But what they don't subsidize is the monthly plan. So I can't pass on the phone but I want it to work on my T-Mobile sim. Verizon is not even close to the pricing on the data plan I get from T-Mobile. But maybe that day isn't as far off as it has been in the past.

So apparently Verizon Pixel/XL will receive updates at the same time as the unlocked versions do.
Shame the Verizon versions have a locked bootloader.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

DirgeExtinction said:
So apparently Verizon Pixel/XL will receive updates at the same time as the unlocked versions do.
Shame the Verizon versions have a locked bootloader.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't expect that to remain. The bootloaders on the Nexus 6 which I owned and the 6p/5x all came locked and were right away unlocked. Odds are it will get unlocked. Better odds than any other phone actually.
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

Greetings all.
Not to completely hijack this thread. But I was absolutely beside myself when I saw the mention of all verizon LTE devices being carrier unlocked. I guess I had never tried it and just assumed that phones on VZW's edge payment plan, Or under contract were carrier locked like many other carriers do.
So, I set out to test it. Me and a buddy both have Note7's on VZW. Both are not even a single payment in. And we have already pre-ordered pixel XL's due to the now 2nd recall of the note 7.
Anyways, I have a T-Mobile sim from a work issued phone. Popped it in my buddies Note7 and no kidding. It worked without issue. Had to program the Tmobile APN. But it sure is unlocked.
Screenshot of LTE discovery.
http://i.imgur.com/Ua0lapj.jpg
It would however appear that the VZW Note 7 variant does not support Band 12 (Or it's disabled) as popping the same SIM in my older Nexus 6p lands the phone directly on band 12. Band 4 if I take it outside where the RSQ improves. Covering the Note 7 with my hands to attenuate the signal causes the phone to fall off LTE (Not until a damn low -128. Which is crazy) and it'll land on GSM/HSPA+.
So, Seeing my note7 work with a T-Mobile simcard squarely lands me on believing the Pixel XL will be carrier unlocked. If Verizon isn't allowed to sell a carrier locked phone due to it's FCC dealings, The Pixel is no different. I figure the way it works out is fantastic for the end user. Verizon CANT lock the phone to them. And Google I assume doesn't want that done anyways. So there's no push from either side to lock the device.
Now that bootloader. Time will tell. And I'm anxious to see the outcome.

Verizon Employee here, NO 4G LTE devices are Carrier Locked. We do not yet know on dev or employee side if bootloader lock. Verizon will not be involved in updates of software so when Google releases they get it similar to Apple at least that's what the news released today on Android Central says.

My Nexus 6 from Verizon was completely unlocked. However my S6 Edge+ was locked including the other bands necessary for T-Mobile was locked. However after the S6 Edge+ update to 6.0 it was carrier unlocked for the radio bands.
Considering my Nexus 6 was unlocked I expect the Pixel to be unlocked. However they have stated the bootloader would be locked. I would not buy one from Verizon.

Reddog58 said:
So if I paid cash for the Verizon version I should be able to call them and have them lift the carrier lock. If I do that will the radio work on T-Mobile? I have an opportunity for such a good deal on the Verizon version its going to cost almost nothing. Also if this all works would WiFi calling work on T-Mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon phones are unlocked. It'll be fine without needing to call them.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

johnciaccio said:
My Nexus 6 from Verizon was completely unlocked. However my S6 Edge+ was locked including the other bands necessary for T-Mobile was locked. However after the S6 Edge+ update to 6.0 it was carrier unlocked for the radio bands.
Considering my Nexus 6 was unlocked I expect the Pixel to be unlocked. However they have stated the bootloader would be locked. I would not buy one from Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The VZW Nexus 6 came locked. Once you had it you could go in and unlock it. It's been this way with every Nexus on VZW. So far that's the trend.
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

Seems to be a bit of confusion about locked and unlocked. All Verizon LTE phones are 100% sim (carrier) unlocked per their deal with the FCC as stated above. They may not have all bands enabled in the radios to work perfectly with all carriers. All Nexus and Pixel phones are bootloader locked form Google or anywhere else you get them. All of them but the Pixel phones sold by Verizon can be bootloader unlocked after you buy them via ADB commands. The bootloader on the Verizon sold Pixel phones will be encrypted so initially they will not be unlockable. Only time will tell if a developer can find a way to unlock the Verizon bootloader.

Google Pixel XL Sim Lock EE UK

Hello, I bought this phone on ebay, but I had not seen that the latter is blocked on the operator EE UK
Do you know how to unblock this phone knowing that I have unlocked the bootloader, and install a rom stock, and that it keeps blocking?
Sorry for the translation, but it's Google

Go on eBay for a unlock code very cheap

Apparently the codes do not work with this phone, it takes another method

On sorry mate don't know, update us when you find a way.

Contact ee they have to unlock it by consumer law protection even if you didn't buy it from them

ravi_gandhi said:
Contact ee they have to unlock it by consumer law protection even if you didn't buy it from them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this true? anyone managed to successfully get them to do this? My understanding is even though you are not the original owner, because the handset is so new, they wont unlock till at least 6 months later.

6 months is differed ownership only for people in contract with them, and you own the phone so yeah the 6 months doesn't apply to you, if you contact them just say i bought the phone without contract. Also you can fill in a form on their website and request a unlock for a fee of £8.99

If you're from the UK take it to your local EE shop should unlock it for you, By law they can't refuse don't know if they charge or not but shouldn't be more then £10
Don't know how it would work overseas :crying:

EE
same here
called EE , refuse to unlock b4 6 months
doesnt matter if u r on contract or PAYG
no solution around?

ac-milan said:
same here
called EE , refuse to unlock b4 6 months
doesnt matter if u r on contract or PAYG
no solution around?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you not tried using the dePixel8 method and reflashing the stock EU ROM?

vkh2k1 said:
Have you not tried using the dePixel8 method and reflashing the stock EU ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are confusing bootloader lock with carrier SIM lock. Unlocking the bootloader and flashing any ROM will have no effect on carrier SIM lock.

cam30era said:
You are confusing bootloader lock with carrier SIM lock. Unlocking the bootloader and flashing any ROM will have no effect on carrier SIM lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh! what a pain that is then! Wonder if the software updates have to be pushed by EE as well !

vkh2k1 said:
Oh! what a pain that is then! Wonder if the software updates have to be pushed by EE as well !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, Google.
Google control the unlock too. It now works like Apple's remote unlocks. So this allows them to update the EE models same as the others whilst maintain control of the sim lock for EE. EE have to request the IMEI of the device has its Sim Lock flag unlocked and then Google push the unlock to the device. It's why there is no way of generating a third party unlock code
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

If that's the case then Google can go to h..l. I've bought a Pixel XL from EE mainly because there was none available elswhere. Nobody told me it was locked. Now I want to use it on other networks and absolutely can't unlock it. Not until 6 month's have passed.
After owning Samsung devices for 2 years in a row I thought it would be refreshing to use a pixel and buy one but Google just fu...d it up for me and others.
I'm selling this device and Google can forget about me as a customer.

Robi-K said:
If that's the case then Google can go to h..l. I've bought a Pixel XL from EE mainly because there was none available elswhere. Nobody told me it was locked. Now I want to use it on other networks and absolutely can't unlock it. Not until 6 month's have passed.
After owning Samsung devices for 2 years in a row I thought it would be refreshing to use a pixel and buy one but Google just fu...d it up for me and others.
I'm selling this device and Google can forget about me as a customer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whilst Google are responsible for pushing the unlock at EE's request, that is only because if the exclusive deal EE negotiated.
EE are by far the most strict mobile network in the UK when it comes to unlocking devices on their network and the most customer unfriendly.
Had any of us known that before we purchased these Pixels that turned out to be on EE then I am sure we would not have bought them.
However the fault here is both ours for not researching more before purchase (in my case the reseller essentially missold me) and moreover the fault of EE (for being the biggest ****fest carrier). Google are the lesser at fault here.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

i can unlock google pixel ee block if u have bootloader unlocked or u havent updated to 7.1.1 who pached the unlocking depixel method.

warrior26ro said:
i can unlock google pixel ee block if u have bootloader unlocked or u havent updated to 7.1.1 who pached the unlocking depixel method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any way to downgrade back to 7.1.1 for this method? I stupidly ordered one from eBay not realising about the unlock so now I'm going to be stuck with it for a while if not

there is no method to unlock bootloader for 7.1.1 at this moment but im sure will be very soon.

Hi all, I am back in the UK (British Citizen) and decided to buy a Google Pixel XL which I done so 25 hours ago (yesterday). I am heading back to Australia on Friday 17th and I will be using my new Pixel phone in Oz on another network. I paid 690GBP for the phone yesterday, plus new SIM and credit and was advised if it's locked they would unlock it online for around 8GBP. Of course, as I paid full price for the phone, I wholly own the phone to do whatever I please to do with it. So I have called EE and advised that I am travelling to Australia for a length of time and will need to purchase a local SIM in Australia to use whilst there. They advise me that they will not unlock the phone until 6 months after the purchase date, which of course is absurd.
It looks like I will be returning the phone first thing tomorrow morning and buying the same phone again from PC world or similar. Unless anyone can advise a way around this before then which I doubt is possible, having read the posts here in this thread. I updated to 7.1.1 as soon as the phone said it was available. The great thing about UK consumer rights, law is that we are protected to allow us to return goods to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Completely absurd!

dieselboy said:
Hi all, I am back in the UK (British Citizen) and decided to buy a Google Pixel XL which I done so 25 hours ago (yesterday). I am heading back to Australia on Friday 17th and I will be using my new Pixel phone in Oz on another network. I paid 690GBP for the phone yesterday, plus new SIM and credit and was advised if it's locked they would unlock it online for around 8GBP. Of course, as I paid full price for the phone, I wholly own the phone to do whatever I please to do with it. So I have called EE and advised that I am travelling to Australia for a length of time and will need to purchase a local SIM in Australia to use whilst there. They advise me that they will not unlock the phone until 6 months after the purchase date, which of course is absurd.
It looks like I will be returning the phone first thing tomorrow morning and buying the same phone again from PC world or similar. Unless anyone can advise a way around this before then which I doubt is possible, having read the posts here in this thread. I updated to 7.1.1 as soon as the phone said it was available. The great thing about UK consumer rights, law is that we are protected to allow us to return goods to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Completely absurd!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do EE sell them on pre-pay ?
They only sell them on contract. It's in their terms and conditions that they will only unlock a contract phone after its 6 months old.
Even if you bought the phone off someone else, it just means they sold you a phone that was originally a contract / upgrade.
If you bought it from a shop as NEW and unlocked or labelled as EE PAYG, take it back as the phone simply can not be PAYG on EE.
However if when you bought it and it was labeled as locked to EE then it is up to the store if they will take it back. You don't have an automatic right for a 'change of mind', you would have to prove you were missold.
Many of us have made the mistake ... Sadly
If they do accept the return, take it and buy an unlocked model from Carphone warehouse or PC World/Curry's. Good luck.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Unlocked S20 Ultra

Debating to get the AT&T or Unlocked version.
Previously if you get the unlocked versions of the S series you don't get VVM or VoLTE access unless you do some workaround but that only worked for about a month for me on a S9+.
Currently have the AT&T S10+ and I don't remember having to pay the any additional fees last year.
If I get the AT&T version, the $600 credit is only applied if I do the AT&T payment plan AND a $30 upgrade fee is added. This would be the safe bet to ensure all carrier services are included, but also don't like that I'd be forced to pay an additional $30 when I can just pay the full asking price*.
*If i choose to pay the full price without the payment plan I lose about $300 in credit for my S10+
If I get the unlocked version, I might not have access to VVM or VoLTE. I can deal without the VVM, since I did that for a year when I had the unlocked S9+, and want to know if VoLTE/Vo5G would work out-of-the-box or if only Vo5G will work(because there is going to be more standardized access/bands) but not VoLTE since I believe access to LTE was more limited from unlocked phones?

Emperor_Jesse said:
Debating to get the AT&T or Unlocked version.
Previously if you get the unlocked versions of the S series you don't get VVM or VoLTE access unless you do some workaround but that only worked for about a month for me on a S9+.
Currently have the AT&T S10+ and I don't remember having to pay the any additional fees last year.
If I get the AT&T version, the $600 credit is only applied if I do the AT&T payment plan AND a $30 upgrade fee is added. This would be the safe bet to ensure all carrier services are included, but also don't like that I'd be forced to pay an additional $30 when I can just pay the full asking price*.
*If i choose to pay the full price without the payment plan I lose about $300 in credit for my S10+
If I get the unlocked version, I might not have access to VVM or VoLTE. I can deal without the VVM, since I did that for a year when I had the unlocked S9+, and want to know if VoLTE/Vo5G would work out-of-the-box or if only Vo5G will work(because there is going to be more standardized access/bands) but not VoLTE since I believe access to LTE was more limited from unlocked phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get the unlocked if it gives you more $ back. You could just flash the carrier FW, which will activate the extra features.

VZTech said:
Get the unlocked if it gives you more $ back. You could just flash the carrier FW, which will activate the extra features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing the carrier FW on the S9+ only worked for about a month then I had to register an IMEI from a AT&T branded phone (used a G4) to use VoLTE but that only worked for another month.
The VVM app never got to work either. There's an voicemail app from AT&T on the Play Store but it's for something else(which doesn't make sense since TMobile's VVM works [from what I've read online for the S9s & worked on an unlocked PIxel 2 I had] from the Play Store).
There were a few forums of other folks going through the same issue in 2018(?) but I want to believe this was fixed by Samsung/AT&T.

Emperor_Jesse said:
Flashing the carrier FW on the S9+ only worked for about a month then I had to register a IMEI from a AT&T branded phone (used a G4) to use VoLTE but that only worked for another month.
The VVM app didn't work either.
There were a few forums of other folks going through the same issue in 2018(?) but I want to believe this was fixed by Samsung/AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, damn. ATT is a PITA.

Hm. I hope this isn’t the case with Ultra. From reading about it, it seemed the best bet was to get the Unlocked as it has access to all bands? But maybe that’s not right?
In the same situation as you OP. Went for Unlocked instead of the ATT version. I did it for resale value down the road. If it ends up not being able to use certain LTE that’d be highly disappointing

I only use Verizon. Should I get the unlocked or Verizon version of the ultra?

felloffthetruck said:
I only use Verizon. Should I get the unlocked or Verizon version of the ultra?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went through Verizon because in the end I usually keep the phone after paying it off. Also after 2 years they usually only are worth a couple hundred trade in value.
I still have a Note 4, Note 8, S7, 2 S5's. I'm trading in an S8 Plus for $200

I have AT&T. I like the service, I like the plan I have (not available any more), and I make good use of wifi calling. I get it on my unlocked Pixel but the unlocked Samsung phones don't. That's been the case for a few years - I've been paying close attention. I ordered the S20 Ultra AT&T brand and gave up the $600 Pixel trade in , took the $350 option instead. I didn't want a new line or a new plan and it wasn't clear that I could finance through AT&T and keep my plan. It is just as well for me, I will keep my P4XL. That will solve my dilemma of which phone to have. I'll have both. I want the new S20 but I'll miss my Pixel as soon as it is gone.

I got the unlocked versions of the Note 9 and now pre-ordered unlocked S20 Ultras. TMO VVM, Wifi Calling, and VoLTE has worked on my unlocked devices, not sure about AT&T.

steely123 said:
I got the unlocked versions of the Note 9 and now pre-ordered unlocked S20 Ultras. TMO VVM, Wifi Calling, and VoLTE has worked on my unlocked devices, not sure about AT&T.
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Thanks for this. I've been wondering about that. I wasn't sure if the T-Mobile features would work with the unlocked version. I went with the T-Mobile version, but I'll probably change my order and get the unlocked version now.

teamfresno said:
Thanks for this. I've been wondering about that. I wasn't sure if the T-Mobile features would work with the unlocked version. I went with the T-Mobile version, but I'll probably change my order and get the unlocked version now.
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That`s what I did, I have used oneplus 6 and the pixels on Tmobile and wifi calling and everything worked fine, I cancelled my tmobile s20 ultra 512gb and ordered the unlocked s20 ultra 512gb this morning, took me like 50 tries since they were low on stock and then i was able to place a order, but the delivery the ship date moved from feb 5th to feb 13th, so i`ll have to wait another week for it to ship.

2003vstrom said:
That`s what I did, I have used oneplus 6 and the pixels on Tmobile and wifi calling and everything worked fine, I cancelled my tmobile s20 ultra 512gb and ordered the unlocked s20 ultra 512gb this morning, took me like 50 tries since they were low on stock and then i was able to place a order, but the delivery the ship date moved from feb 5th to feb 13th, so i`ll have to wait another week for it to ship.
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I'm going to give them a call. If I have to cancel my order, then I'll probably get stuck with the T-Mobile version. Since it was my first purchase on Samsung, I got the additional 5% off. I won't be able to use the referral code again. I wish I would of known before I ordered.

Waiting
VZTech said:
Oh, damn. ATT is a PITA.
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I'll probably wait til the last possible day to order if I DO end up getting it.
Going to miss the headphone jack.
I'll also waiting to see what LG releases but I don't have high hopes. :fingers-crossed:

teamfresno said:
I'm going to give them a call. If I have to cancel my order, then I'll probably get stuck with the T-Mobile version. Since it was my first purchase on Samsung, I got the additional 5% off. I won't be able to use the referral code again. I wish I would of known before I ordered.
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yeah they will probably tell you that the order will need to be cancelled, and reordered......unfortunately.

2003vstrom said:
yeah they will probably tell you that the order will need to be cancelled, and reordered......unfortunately.
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That's exactly what happened. The good news is, they told me that the referral code should activate again within 3 to 5 business days if I want to use it again for the 5% off. Now, I just gotta decide if I want to cancel and wait or not.

teamfresno said:
That's exactly what happened. The good news is, they told me that the referral code should activate again within 3 to 5 business days if I want to use it again for the 5% off. Now, I just gotta decide if I want to cancel and wait or not.
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Usually you can flash the unlocked software (U1) to the carrier version (U) since it's the same hardware.

Just get unlocked and flash att firmware. I do it every year.
Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

johnwayne27 said:
Just get unlocked and flash att firmware. I do it every year.
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Unless the IMEI is in AT&T's database it usually doesn't get WiFi calling and such

_Dennis_ said:
Usually you can flash the unlocked software (U1) to the carrier version (U) since it's the same hardware.
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Learned something new today. I didn't know you were able to do that. I thought you could only flash on the unlock version to a carrier one and not vice versa. Thanks! I just ended up cancelling and re-ordering it.

teamfresno said:
Learned something new today. I didn't know you were able to do that. I thought you could only flash on the unlock version to a carrier one and not vice versa. Thanks! I just ended up cancelling and re-ordering it.
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No problem, the hardware is all the same so you can flash between the two. At least you could on the S10.