Carrier Unlock?

[Droid_Evo_8]

The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge will carrier lock to the first SIM inserted - SamMobile

Does it mean that if I decide to switch from Verizon to T-Mobile, I can get it to still work even though it's a CDMA and Tmo is GSM by getting it unlocked?

 

[Droid_Evo_8]

The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge will carrier lock to the first SIM inserted - SamMobile

Does it mean that if I decide to switch from Verizon to T-Mobile, I can get it to still work even though it's a CDMA and Tmo is GSM by getting it unlocked?

 

[KimJongOMG]

That's what I'm wondering! Be sweet to know I can use the phone anywhere in the world without worrying about whether I'll have access to certain bands.

 

[dpham00]

Verizon sells it factory sim unlocked and has gsm radios, but doesn't support tmobile fully

 

[wxman2003]

What happens if you take the unlocked Verizon phone and use it on AT&T or T-Mobile? If you put in their sim card, does it then lock the phone so that you then can not go back and use it on Verizon? Or does removing the sim, unlock the phone again?

 

[Droid_Evo_8]

That's what I'm wondering! Be sweet to know I can use the phone anywhere in the world without worrying about whether I'll have access to certain bands.

Yup, it would be awesome if it works, ala Nexus status. LOL

 

[bhatech]

Yup, it would be awesome if it works, ala Nexus status. LOL

For that it was would be awesome if useless Samsung USA sells unbranded/unlocked version from their store without carrier brand. Unfortunately they are in bed with carriers so not happening lol.

 

[KimJongOMG]

Supposedly Samsung is shipping out identical phones that lock (install bloatware up the ying yang) to a certain carrier when the sim is installed. I'm just wondering if that's actually true because that means it would have the hardware. Here's to wishful thinking!

 

[dpham00]

What happens if you take the unlocked Verizon phone and use it on AT&T or T-Mobile? If you put in their sim card, does it then lock the phone so that you then can not go back and use it on Verizon? Or does removing the sim, unlock the phone again?

It should not lock the Verizon Samsung Galaxy s7 to another carrier

 

[kgilbertsen]

My carrier is Sprint, and last year i traveled to Australia. Before leaving I had Sprint unlock the S5 so I could just put a new carriers sim card in when i got there.
I'm assuming the S7 will be capable of the same. I thought all LTE phones are able to do this. What am I not clear on?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[dpham00]

My carrier is Sprint, and last year i traveled to Australia. Before leaving I had Sprint unlock the S5 so I could just put a new carriers sim card in when i got there.
I'm assuming the S7 will be capable of the same. I thought all LTE phones are able to do this. What am I not clear on?

Posted via the Android Central App

It should be the same. But like with the s5, it might not work fully in other networks

 

[kgilbertsen]

It should be the same. But like with the s5, it might not work fully in other networks

I see. So, the phone should work on any carrier's network, but may have limits on what features are available? Any idea on what features those are?

 

[dpham00]

I see. So, the phone should work on any carrier's network, but may have limits on what features are available? Any idea on what features those are?

It might not support all lte bands of the Carrier. The Verizon and Sprint versions have cdma and gsm radios, however, other cdma carriers might not allow them on their networks, even if the network us compatible.

Other than radios, things like mms, wifi hotspot, volte, and wifi calling might not work

 

[kgilbertsen]

It might not support all lte bands of the Carrier. The Verizon and Sprint versions have cdma and gsm radios, however, other cdma carriers might not allow them on their networks, even if the network us compatible.

Other than radios, things like mms, wifi hotspot, volte, and wifi calling might not work

Pretty complex stuff. Thanks.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Droid_Evo_8]

For that it was would be awesome if useless Samsung USA sells unbranded/unlocked version from their store without carrier brand. Unfortunately they are in bed with carriers so not happening lol.

So true. LOL

 

[Droid_Evo_8]

It might not support all lte bands of the Carrier. The Verizon and Sprint versions have cdma and gsm radios, however, other cdma carriers might not allow them on their networks, even if the network us compatible.

Other than radios, things like mms, wifi hotspot, volte, and wifi calling might not work

It would be awesome if it works like my Nexus 6p

 

[kgilbertsen]

Anyone know if Sprint restricts your ability to unlock a new phone for a given period of time or number of payments? I'm getting the S7 in the next day or so, and will be traveling out of the country in the next several weeks and plan on using the phone while traveling.

 

[dpham00]

Anyone know if Sprint restricts your ability to unlock a new phone for a given period of time or number of payments? I'm getting the S7 in the next day or so, and will be traveling out of the country in the next several weeks and plan on using the phone while traveling.

Sprint unlocking policy is here

https://www.sprint.com/en/legal/legal-regulatory-and-consumer-resources?ECID=vanity:legal

 

[kgilbertsen]

Sprint unlocking policy is here

https://www.sprint.com/en/legal/legal-regulatory-and-consumer-resources?ECID=vanity:legal

Thanks. The way I read the terms is that, for domestic unlocking, the phone needs to be paid off AND active for at least 50 days.

For int'l. unlocking, it needs to be connected to an account that has been active for 90 days.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Matt Valenzuela]

I'm a Product Ambassador with Sprint and would like to help. Yes, domestic unlocking is supported on the GS7 and GS7 edge but as you state and per our unlock policy the device has to be active for 50 days and paid for. The device should work on all US carriers because as far as know, Samsung has released one version of US hardware for all carriers despite some specific carrier SKUs and branding as in the case of Verizon. This is in accordance with CTIA agreement with the FCC to support domestic SIM unlocking for all devices manufactured after February 2015. All services with other carriers may not work but as far as we know, the radio support itself for GSM and LTE would not be an issue. That would ultimately be up to the other carriers on what they do and do not support. Sprint does not have visibility into their capabilities.