I really need help finding an unlocked international model for S22 Ultra

[MJBradley1967]

I've been going bananas and nuts trying to gather information on the S22 Ultra international models.

I'm certain, with Verizon, I need a GSM & CDMA capable phone so my voice and data both work.

I'm fairly certain I can't use one of the Exynos chipped models, but that it has to be a Snapdragon chip. (conflicting information out there on this)

So I'm thinking I need the SM-S908E ... or the B?

Barring that, for anyone who has gotten an unlocked US model, can you get the Developer Options to appear and if so, does OEM Unlock appear? None of the demo models at Best Buy would unlock Developer Options, but that may just be a demo restriction.

Bottom line, I want to root the next phone so I can install Titanium Backup and get the excess garbage under control. My Verizon bloated S20 Ultra literally has no way to get to OEM Unlock. It simply isn't there.

 

[mustang7757]

I'm not sure how well Verizon will work with international version as those are GSM like TMO and ATT , Verizon CDMA.
International are usually unlocked with bootloader compared to locked down US version.

I would stick to your region device

 

[MJBradley1967]

I'm not sure how well Verizon will work with international version as those are GSM like TMO and ATT , Verizon CDMA.
International are usually unlocked with bootloader compared to locked down US version.

I would stick to your region device

That's just it. If I can't even get to OEM Unlock anymore, it might not be worth upgrading at all.

Maybe another brand of phone would be easier to root?

 

[tadpoles]

That's just it. If I can't even get to OEM Unlock anymore, it might not be worth upgrading at all.

Maybe another brand of phone would be easier to root?

If you were to get a Google Pixel from the Google store I think that would provide the most straight-forward route to rooting.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...om/us/product/pixel_6?hl=en-US&token=QiA-tREX

 

[mustang7757]

That's just it. If I can't even get to OEM Unlock anymore, it might not be worth upgrading at all.

Maybe another brand of phone would be easier to root?

What's the reason you like to root? Samsung already is very customizable with Good lock app and a 3rd party launcher, I use to root when I couldn't do those things or grab certain features from other devices but that's not the case anymore for me , plus your phone not secure anymore once you start modifying or could permanently disable Samsung health apps, Samsung pass, Secure Folder etc..

 

[monkeycsk]

@MJBradley1967

i thought all carriers - tmobile, AT&T and verizon will unlock your phone after several months. is verizon not willing to do that or they don't know how?

on the other note ...
"Barring that, for anyone who has gotten an unlocked US model, can you get the Developer Options to appear and if so, does OEM Unlock appear? "
if one has an unlocked US model phone, there would be no reason to see the 'OEM unlock' because the phone is already unlocked, no???

 

[jackjack1969]

I bought an unlocked S22 Ultra from Samsung and mine has the Snapdragon chip in it.

I have developer options unlocked and I don't see the OEM unlock feature.

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

@MJBradley1967

i thought all carriers - tmobile, AT&T and verizon will unlock your phone after several months. is verizon not willing to do that or they don't know how?

on the other note ...
"Barring that, for anyone who has gotten an unlocked US model, can you get the Developer Options to appear and if so, does OEM Unlock appear? "
if one has an unlocked US model phone, there would be no reason to see the 'OEM unlock' because the phone is already unlocked, no???

OEM unlock is to do with unlocking bootloader, it has nothing to do with carrier locking or unlocking.

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

Aren't us models notoriously difficult to root, bordering on Impossible?

Also, I don't think there are any snapdragon international variants. All of the international variant are exynos, and all of the snapdragon variants are regional.

So basically you'd need a South Korean or Chinese model as far as I know, and there's no guarantee that they would be any easier to root or compatible with cdma networks and the US.

 

[MJBradley1967]

OEM unlock is to do with unlocking bootloader, it has nothing to do with carrier locking or unlocking.

Totally understand. Basically I'm looking for both, if you will. But even a carrier unlocked phone can still have the OEM Unlock "locked down" by Samsung (like jackjack1969 said above).

What's getting me now is, I just received my Galaxy Tab 8 (2021) and it has the OEM Unlock option, where my 2020 S20 Ultra does not.

 

[MJBradley1967]

Aunt us models notoriously difficult to root, bordering on Impossible?

Also, I don't think there are any snapdragon international variants. All of the international variant are exynos, and all of the snapdragon variants are regional.

So basically you'd need a South Korean or Chinese model as far as I know, and there's no guarantee that they would be any easier to root or compatible with cdma networks and the US.

I absolutely think I need a GSM & CDMA model, or at least a CDMA model for Verizon. I think a Canadian "W" model will work for that, but unknown if it has the OEM Unlock option. I have an ebay offer in on a "W" version of an S20+, just to see if I can do what I need on a Canadian model. If not, I can resell it, or keep it as a backup.

 

[TheAngryToaster]

You can't even activate a CDMA phone on Verizon anymore. The are completely shutting down CDMA at the end of the year.

Edit why can't I post a link form a web browser on here. It keeps converting to an android central thread

 

[rvbfan]

Edit why can't I post a link form a web browser on here. It keeps converting to an android central thread

Noticed that lately using Tapatalk as well.

 

[mustang7757]

You can't even activate a CDMA phone on Verizon anymore. The are completely shutting down CDMA at the end of the year.

Edit why can't I post a link form a web browser on here. It keeps converting to an android central thread

Noticed that lately using Tapatalk as well.

Yeah the Forum app and Tapatalk break those links but website is good, I'll find out more

 

[mustang7757]

From what hear it's a Tapatalk issue and the forums app runs off of that
If I hear anything more let you guys know
They will make a report to Tapatalk but it's out their control.

 

[MJBradley1967]

You can't even activate a CDMA phone on Verizon anymore. The are completely shutting down CDMA at the end of the year.

Edit why can't I post a link form a web browser on here. It keeps converting to an android central thread

A Verizon tech person said basically just the opposite, that CDMA is their future and Google shows GSM is more or less an older model for 2G.

Most ebay sellers of GSM phones make sure to write "does not work with Verizon and other CDMA carriers".

If you're right, maybe I should wait a while and see where it goes.

 

[TheAngryToaster]

A Verizon tech person said basically just the opposite, that CDMA is their future and Google shows GSM is more or less an older model for 2G.

Most ebay sellers of GSM phones make sure to write "does not work with Verizon and other CDMA carriers".

If you're right, maybe I should wait a while and see where it goes.

Google Verizon shutting down CDMA network. They are doing it December of 2022. CDMA tech is literally only used for 3g and 4g that is not Volte.

I would post the link but there is a current issue with links displaying wrong. That Verizon tech is a moron BTW lol.

 

[MJBradley1967]

Google Verizon shutting down CDMA network. They are doing it December of 2022. CDMA tech is literally only used for 3g and 4g that is not Volte.

I would post the link but there is a current issue with links displaying wrong. That Verizon tech is a moron BTW lol.

OK, I'm seeing all the hits about CDMA, specifically 3G, being turned off. By the same token, other carriers are shutting down their 3G GSM & UMTS networks. Now if a phone is 5G, as most new ones are now, what network "type" should I be looking for?

 

[anon(631531)]

The answer is right out there. If you want to root a phone, get a Google Pixel from the Google Store.

 

[MJBradley1967]

The answer is right out there. If you want to root a phone, get a Google Pixel from the Google Store.

Yeah, Samsung is certainly pushing me in that direction. Any Pixels come close on the camera vs an Ultra?