Buying Note 8 from AT&T vs From Samsung.

[Porkchopexpress1969]

Thinking of upgrading from my Note 4 (love) to the Note 8 in Dec, I'm on AT&T and I dont want to buy from AT&T with all the bloat crap they put on the phones. I have never purchased an unlock phone.

1. If I get one from Samsung, do they update faster vs getting the phone from AT&T?

2. If I get one from Samsung, can I just take my sim out and put in the Note 8? Or do I have to "activate it" with AT&T still?

3. Would a downside be if I have an issue with the phone, I would need to send it in to Samsung rather then just taken it to a local AT&T store?

Like I said I have never purchased an unlocked phone.

PCE

 

[Old g]

if you bought the unlocked note 8 an had a issue yes you would need to send it to them for repairs. all sim cards will work in the unlocked phone my wife just took her sim out of her s8 an put it in the new note 8 . at&t has been very good with updates as of late , but I've heard that folks with the Samsung unlocked s8 have been updated on the regular to . in the end the unlocked version will have more resale value

 

[DarkSorrow]

Be aware that some applications that are unique to AT&T such as Visual Voicemail will not work on Unlocked phones bought direct. It appears to be software just for AT&T branded phones.

 

[prebert]

applications that are unique to AT&T such as Visual Voicemail will not work on Unlocked phones bought direct.

Good point. A good alternative are 3rd party voicemail providers like Youmail. I have been using it for several years instead of the carrier provided voicemail. I have moved from Sprint, T-Mobile, and now AT&T and my visual voicemail moves with me.

 

[DarkSorrow]

Yes but Visual Voice mail is free from carrier whereas YouMail is either $5 or $10 depending on plan.

 

[prebert]

This is true, I only use the basic Visual Voicemail (free service) without voicemail transcription, and keep my messages under 100 so I haven't had to pay anything.

 

[DarkSorrow]

This is true, I only use the basic Visual Voicemail (free service) without voicemail transcription, and keep my messages under 100 so I haven't had to pay anything.

I don't think I could handle the ads just to get my voicemail

 

[prebert]

I don't think I could handle the ads just to get my voicemail

I understand your hesitation, which is why i use a visual voicemail client app called "Better Youmail" available on Google Play.