Buying unlocked from Samsung and using on Verizon

[Graphixx30]

If I were to purchase the S9+ unlocked from Samsung and use it on Verizon would any features not work? ie., wifi calling, HD voice, etc.

 

[Almeuit]

From me understanding how Verizon works and such my opinion is...

HD voice will most likely work but not WiFi calling and such. Verizon usually wants their software to have that work (versus T-Mobile and such which allow unlocked phones to use WiFi calling).

They could change since they have opened up more lately but... I think that is how it will be.

 

[Vanco333]

So I have Tmobile currently and was wondering the same any downsides to buying it from Samsung unlocked directly and using TMobile?

2. If I were to switch to Verizon later in the year would that same S9+ still work just fine in VZ?

thanks!

 

[JREwing]

So I have Tmobile currently and was wondering the same any downsides to buying it from Samsung unlocked directly and using TMobile?

2. If I were to switch to Verizon later in the year would that same S9+ still work just fine in VZ?

thanks!

I bought my Note 8 unlocked from Samsung. I'm on T-Mobile, and wifi calling works perfect. Love T-Mobile.

 

[sulla1965]

So I have Tmobile currently and was wondering the same any downsides to buying it from Samsung unlocked directly and using TMobile?

2. If I were to switch to Verizon later in the year would that same S9+ still work just fine in VZ?

thanks!

Yes, the unlocked version should work on all networks. Just pop in the sim and it will automatically set up with the new service.

 

[jhimmel]

You won't get Verizon VVM. There may be other missing feature you may or may not care about.

 

[bxrider117]

I had the unlocked S8+ on Verizon. I had no problem with the phone and using it. My only issue was no wifi calling. I travel out of the country 2-3 times a year and that was my biggest drawback. This seems to only be the case with Verizon.

 

[Almeuit]

I had the unlocked S8+ on Verizon. I had no problem with the phone and using it. My only issue was no wifi calling. I travel out of the country 2-3 times a year and that was my biggest drawback. This seems to only be the case with Verizon.

IIRC AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon's WiFi calling doesn't work on unlocked phones. It only works for T-Mobile on unlocked phones.

 

[Extremevl]

So I have Tmobile currently and was wondering the same any downsides to buying it from Samsung unlocked directly and using TMobile?

2. If I were to switch to Verizon later in the year would that same S9+ still work just fine in VZ?

thanks!

Downsides of buying unlocked version and using it on T-Mobile's Network could be losing these features -

1. No RCS/Advanced Messaging

2. No 4x4 MIMO

3. No 256 QAM Technology

4. No 600Mhz Band 71 LTE Frequency

***Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+ are the first phones on T-Mobile to use the Band 71 frequency.

Since the unlocked model would be used on multiple carriers then it probably won't have this band since that's only unique to T-Mobile.

That's why unlocked models of any phone you buy tend to only have primary bands that all carriers in that country/region use and not carrier specific bands.

You will definitely lose features on Verizon, they always keep a lot of their network features locked to their carrier software.

 

[Ry]

From me understanding how Verizon works and such my opinion is...

HD voice will most likely work but not WiFi calling and such. Verizon usually wants their software to have that work (versus T-Mobile and such which allow unlocked phones to use WiFi calling).

They could change since they have opened up more lately but... I think that is how it will be.

In addition, you may also (at least in the first few weeks) not have the ability to activate a SIM with the unlocked model. You'd have to swap an already active SIM in.

 

[Extremevl]

I bought my Note 8 unlocked from Samsung. I'm on T-Mobile, and wifi calling works perfect. Love T-Mobile.

I want the unlocked versions SO BAD but I want all the features available on the network and unlocked versions just don't offer them. Also I can get my phone unlocked for $25 online plus I don't network jump (been with T-Mobile over 3 years).

I noted what you will/could miss with the unlocked models in my above post to Vanco333's post.

 

[LJSquishy]

No VVM at all, as in, when I get a VM there will be no notification icon on the top? Is Google Voice or You Mail good substitutes? I just wantvto be able to click play to get my voicemails. No need for voice to text, etc.

 

[buzzy3970]

No VVM at all, as in, when I get a VM there will be no notification icon on the top? Is Google Voice or You Mail good substitutes? I just wantvto be able to click play to get my voicemails. No need for voice to text, etc.

You mail is great and personally what I use. Been using it for years no issues.

 

[ThrowinRocks]

So I had a Verizon S8 and used a Verizon prepaid SIM in which I did not get VVM nor WiFi calling but did have HD calling. Sold that phone and went to an unlocked Google Pixel 2 XL from Google not Verizon then put my Verizon prepaid SIM into the phone and was up and running in less than 5 minutes. I also did not have VVM nor WiFi calling with that phone either but did have HD calling.
I don't feel the need to jump on a postpaid plan just for 2 features that should be standard on all phones. My friends iPhone is unlocked and he uses Verizon prepaid and gets VVM and WiFi calling but I think that is actually part of iOS.

You'll still get a voicemail notification it's just you'll have to sit and listen to the recording of the number of who called and time stamp then the message.

 

[mundo472]

No VVM at all, as in, when I get a VM there will be no notification icon on the top? Is Google Voice or You Mail good substitutes? I just wantvto be able to click play to get my voicemails. No need for voice to text, etc.

I've been using YouMail for several months on my unlocked s8+. It is a good substitute, so much that I use it instead ofVZw vvm on my vzw s8.

 

[chanchan05]

Based on another member's post here, it's very likely that the unlocked phones will get updates last in the US. Unlike internationally, Samsung apparently does not host the updates themselves, the carriers do, even for unlocked phones. So I'll expect them to prioritize the unlocked ones last.

 

[wheelerpr]

YouMail seems like a great replacement for VVM on Verizon. I plan on going with unlocked from Samsung since you get your full trade in value on day one instead of basically signing a 2 year contract with Verizon. With them spreading your trade in value out over 24 months that's basically what it is.

Does anyone know of any apps to use for wifi calling that use your same Verizon phone number? I have poor cell coverage in my house so that's my only real concern with getting the unlocked version.

 

[ThrowinRocks]

Based on another member's post here, it's very likely that the unlocked phones will get updates last in the US. Unlike internationally, Samsung apparently does not host the updates themselves, the carriers do, even for unlocked phones. So I'll expect them to prioritize the unlocked ones last.

Actually 2 people I know already have Oreo on their unlock S8's

 

[rflores5432]

Anyone know if purchasing an unlocked phone through Samsung for Verizon if I have to take their insurance protection coverage or can keep my current asurion coverage?

 

[gazuga6176]

Anyone know if purchasing an unlocked phone through Samsung for Verizon if I have to take their insurance protection coverage or can keep my current asurion coverage?

I am with att and went with Samsung's coverage. It's the same price (11.99 per month) as asurion, with a $99 deductable, which is half of what you would pay for at least 6 months on asurion. The cheapest I've seen asurions deductable go is $112.