Did anyone buy the Unlocked version yet?

[VW Maverick]

Four reasons to buy and 3 reasons to be cautious:

https://www.androidcentral.com/reasons-buy-us-unlocked-galaxy-s8

Mav.

 

[TylerLV76]

You don't have to use a Wells Fargo card to buy the phone. All you have to is get a Well Fargo card and pay your cellular bill with it.

I ended up taking the unlocked back and just grabbing a T-Mobile version. Not being able to put insurance on it was really bothering me and the update situation wasnt something I wanted to deal with. On top of that, my signal was acting really funky last night and this morning. I was bouncing between band 12 and 4 alot and thats never happened on any of my phones before.

The fact that I can flash the unlocked software made the choice a bit easier. The main reason I wanted unlocked was to remove the T-Mobile app. If this one causes me the same issues Ill throw the unlocked firmware on and call it a day.

I put it on my amex card so Ive got 90 days free damage and theft protection. When thats done Ill get Samsung premium care.

 

[tonestert]

I was just able to sign up for Premium Care with Samsung for my unlocked S8 plus. First month is free.
After that I may do the Well Fargo credit card coverage.

 

[TylerLV76]

I was just able to sign up for Premium Care with Samsung for my unlocked S8 plus. First month is free.
After that I may do the Well Fargo credit card coverage.

Is that the unlocked version from Best Buy or a carrier version you had unlocked?

Edit: NM I still had my imei from the unlocked one I returned. Of course the day after I return it they offer insurance. Oh well, Im tired of exchanging and setting up phones ever couple days.

 

[TheDonJ77]

It looks like the T-Mobile version has or is being updated to May security patch and some other things already. Anyone seeing this update with the unlocked version??? I'm still on the fence on wether u should get unlocked or carrier version

 

[tonestert]

Is that the unlocked version from Best Buy or a carrier version you had unlocked?

Edit: NM I still had my imei from the unlocked one I returned. Of course the day after I return it they offer insurance. Oh well, Im tired of exchanging and setting up phones ever couple days.

I got mine from Best Buy. I like that I could get 24 month 0% financing on it and keep my old unlimited data package. I just moved my old sim into the new phone.

 

[TheDonJ77]

I got mine from Best Buy. I like that I could get 24 month 0% financing on it and keep my old unlimited data package. I just moved my old sim into the new phone.

How you liking it so far???

 

[tonestert]

I'm really liking mine. I'm coming from a Note 5 which is still a great phone but my wife needed a new phone so she got the Note. I may miss the stylus pen though.
The battery is so much better than my Note. The screen is very sharp and very responsive. I don't miss the Verizon bloatware.
As many have said I don't like where the fingerprint scanner is, it's so much better to have it on the front.

 

[TylerLV76]

It looks like the T-Mobile version has or is being updated to May security patch and some other things already. Anyone seeing this update with the unlocked version??? I'm still on the fence on wether u should get unlocked or carrier version

Beyond the updates, theres a couple reasons to get the T-Mobile version over the unlocked.

The unlocked version handles band 12 very oddly. I have a spot in my house that doesnt get great band 4 so when my T-Mobile version hits -110db it will swap to band 12 and once its on band 12 it will stay there with a signal of -89db. On the unlocked version it was flipping back and forth repeatedly and not switching to band 12 until -120db sometimes. My signal was bouncing around to the point that I could watch it happen.

The little HD voice icon in calls doesnt show up on the unlocked version but I dont know if that means it isnt fully utilizing HD Voice or not.

At first I thought battery was roughly the same between the 2 versions but what Im seeing today compared to yesterday is very different. Yesterday at this point with the same usage I was at 70%. Today Im at 82%. I think that directly related to the radio tweaks in the T-Mobile variant. Also, last night I lost 2% while sleeping for 7 hours. On the unlocked version I lost 12% while sleeping almost 8 hours. Again, I contribute that to the signal bouncing around.

 

[TheDonJ77]

Beyond the updates, theres a couple reasons to get the T-Mobile version over the unlocked.

The unlocked version handles band 12 very oddly. I have a spot in my house that doesnt get great band 4 so when my T-Mobile version hits -110db it will swap to band 12 and once its on band 12 it will stay there with a signal of -89db. On the unlocked version it was flipping back and forth repeatedly and not switching to band 12 until -120db sometimes. My signal was bouncing around to the point that I could watch it happen.

The little HD voice icon in calls doesnt show up on the unlocked version but I dont know if that means it isnt fully utilizing HD Voice or not.

At first I thought battery was roughly the same between the 2 versions but what Im seeing today compared to yesterday is very different. Yesterday at this point with the same usage I was at 70%. Today Im at 82%. I think that directly related to the radio tweaks in the T-Mobile variant. Also, last night I lost 2% while sleeping for 7 hours. On the unlocked version I lost 12% while sleeping almost 8 hours. Again, I contribute that to the signal bouncing around.

Any wifi calling with the T-Mobile variant??

 

[TylerLV76]

Any wifi calling with the T-Mobile variant??

Yeah wifi calling works fine on the unlocked version and T-Mobile. No advanced messaging on the unlocked version if that matters to you.

 

[anon(632186)]

I picked up the unlocked version from best buy two days ago. Really liking it so far. Using it on att. Seems snappier than my att one I had. Very little bloat out of the box. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for timely updates but not holding my breath. Overall very pleased with the unlocked version. Getting about 6 hours screen on time and easily lasting all day do battery life seems solid after 2 days.

 

[Ca_lvn]

I picked up the unlocked version from best buy two days ago. Really liking it so far. Using it on att. Seems snappier than my att one I had. Very little bloat out of the box. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for timely updates but not holding my breath. Overall very pleased with the unlocked version. Getting about 6 hours screen on time and easily lasting all day do battery life seems solid after 2 days.

Go to settings software update and do a manual check even set to auto it not always timely that way

 

[anon(632186)]

Go to settings software update and do a manual check even set to auto it not always timely that way

I've been doing it like twice a day haha

 

[rickms80]

I've been doing it like twice a day haha

Notice if you're getting VoLTE or does it roll back to HSPA?

 

[anon(632186)]

Rolls back unfortunately to hspa for calls.

 

[y2jdmbfan]

Rolls back unfortunately to hspa for calls.

S8 or S8+?

 

[anon(632186)]

S8+. I live in Indianapolis and noticed I'm now getting the lte + speeds on it which is nice. Getting 100-150mbps download/upload speeds haha!

 

[VW Maverick]

Galaxy S8: What's the difference between U.S. unlocked and carrier versions?

https://www.androidcentral.com/galaxy-s8-unlocked-vs-carrier

Mav.

 

[srgonu]

They claim it's because the insurance company they use is carrier based so it takes longer for them to accept unlocked versions.

I'm really liking the unlocked version alot more than the T-Mobile one but this lack of insurance is an issue. I've never dealt with squaretrade before so I don't know how I feel going that route.

Square trade is very good and reliable. Me and my friends had very pleasant experience and I recommend.