Verizon Galaxy S8 Any difference purchasing unlocked vs Verizon carrier?

[farocco]

Hi,
Looking to purchasing an S8 on Samsung website.
There offer unlocked or Verizon.
Would I lose any features if I purchased the unlocked version?

Thanks

 

[Tim1954]

Horses for courses. Locked phones are just that. Locked. You get bloatware. Your updates will depend on the network provider.
Unlocked, you can put any sim into it, if you don't like a network, change. If you go abroad, just get a local prepaid and away you go.

 

[GRUNT11B]

Carrier device has been getting updates faster then unlocked. As far as bloat it can be disabled or deleted. I prefer Verizon cause I can upgrade faster and the insurance is easier to use and better than what Samsung offers.

 

[shadowsjc]

Supposedly, Verizon version will allow you to use wifi calling, so if you are traveling internationally and have access to WiFi, you can make calls using your normal plan minutes. The unlocked version will not let you do that.

In contrast, the unlocked version should allow you to use mobile hotspot for free, so that you can share your phone's internet connection with other devices such as tablets, laptops , etc. The Verizon version will not let you do this for free - you have to sign up for an additional monthly plan.

 

[farocco]

So I guess it is a trade off then between locked and unlocked. I almost went to AT&T, but Bestbuy talked me out of it because of coverage in my area.

 

[kikbxr1969]

In contrast, the unlocked version should allow you to use mobile hotspot for free, so that you can share your phone's internet connection with other devices such as tablets, laptops , etc. The Verizon version will not let you do this for free - you have to sign up for an additional monthly plan.

That depends on your plan. I think most of the newer plans include hotspot for no additional charge.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...m/support/mobile-hotspot-faqs/&token=6KRE-s_i

 

[pduffer]

Went with unlocked S8 on Verizon. Everything works fine with no Verizon bloat. All I did was put SIM card from my Note 5 in the S8.

 

[anon(9268751)]

It has also been my experience as someone who has an unlocked version that there can be issues getting services from Verizon MVNO's like Total Wireless, red pocket, boom etc. If I had known about this I would've bought a Verizon model which can be activated on any of the carriers anyway.

 

[Almeuit]

Horses for courses. Locked phones are just that. Locked. You get bloatware. Your updates will depend on the network provider.
Unlocked, you can put any sim into it, if you don't like a network, change. If you go abroad, just get a local prepaid and away you go.

If you go aborad with a Verizon version you can use any SIM as well -- Just FYI.

 

[Tim1954]

Ah so, it must vary with country and network. In Australia you get locked into one, you are locked and have to pay to get unlocked. You get all the bloat and if you go overseas, you have to pay for international roaming. Vodafone doesn't even roam within the country, so if you don't have a tower, you are fresh out of luck. In general, unlocked devices are more reliably updated here in my experience...

 

[victoryrules8]

Updates are literally a week or 2 behind hardly a long wait . The only features that you will miss out on compared to the Verizon model is WiFi calling and visual voicemail which I simply remidied with Google voice. The benefits to the unlocked are just that, no bloat, pure Samsung software (no carrier has had their hands in the software tweaking things) because they all do that to some extent . And you can use it on any carrier . There benefits and negatives to both you will have to weigh the options and decide. I went unlocked because Verizon bloats the phone it and locks out some features of the unlocked device that I wanted. Samsung cloud,device maintenance app, and no bloat ware . It works great and battery has been excellent we got the July updates and the nav bar update 2 weeks behind Verizon and I'm perfectly ok with that.

 

[hydrofarmer]

I have a Verizon one that is in. Rand new shape. I want an unlocked one. Want to trade?

 

[hydrofarmer]

*brand new shape

 

[Almeuit]

Ah so, it must vary with country and network. In Australia you get locked into one, you are locked and have to pay to get unlocked. You get all the bloat and if you go overseas, you have to pay for international roaming. Vodafone doesn't even roam within the country, so if you don't have a tower, you are fresh out of luck. In general, unlocked devices are more reliably updated here in my experience...

Well that's how it can be in the states. Usually once paid off you request it be unlocked.

Verizon got some spectrum awhile back and part of the agreement to get that spectrum is their phones be unlocked right away. It would be nice if we could say Verizon was being nice but they kind of were forced to since they wanted that spectrum .

 

[mundo472]

you lose Verizon voicemail (and notifications) so you have to hit "1" and listen or get a 3rd party voicemail. can't download it. YouMail is a decent sub.