Questions on purchasing S9 (Samsung vs ATT)

[KP8819]

You won't get all the features from the carrier on an unlocked phone from any of the manufacturers. That includes Samsung.

I agree, but there is a difference between an unlocked phone and a carrier phone purchased through Samsung...
Apparently I've been told T-moble allows WiFi calling with unlocked phones(other forum members have told me this as idk for sure since I've never used them) Samsung's site does say it varies for each carrier.

 

[Fathertime]

Nope to your first point. You buy unlocked through the manufacturer and a carrier phone through the carrier. An unlocked won't have the carrier apps for the most part. T-Mo is very progressive on allowing just about everything to work on their network. Verizon, AT&T and Sprint are not generous and you most likely won't get HD Voice, WiFi calling, Video Calling, etc. Like I've said before, unlocked phones are way over hyped. I've had many.

 

[KP8819]

Nope to your first point. You buy unlocked through the manufacturer and a carrier phone through the carrier. An unlocked won't have the carrier apps for the most part.

I know an unlocked phone won't have the carrier apps but a carrier phone purchased through Samsung does - it's the exact same phone you'd buy directly from the carrier. As I said before my brother bought a carrier version Note8 through Samsung and its the same phone with the same features.
Go to Samsung's website - they tell you that the carrier phones have the carrier apps pre loaded while unlocked versions do not...

Like I've said before, unlocked phones are way over hyped. I've had many.

I agree, especially now... Imo there might have been more of a difference 5 years ago but other than price(I guess now you can get more storage options with unlocked version too)the hype is real lol.

 

[JHStewart1023]

best buy has the att s9 and s9 pluses on sale... just picked one up for 17 a month.

 

[KP8819]

best buy has the att s9 and s9 pluses on sale... just picked one up for 17 a month.

Nice! Did you get the Plus or the s9 for 17$ monthly?

 

[anon(10418614)]

best buy has the att s9 and s9 pluses on sale... just picked one up for 17 a month.

So the same discount of 50% is on bestbuy as well?

 

[daswooski]

HD calling is just what it sounds like - High Definition calling, better reception & sound quality. I do believe you'll still be able to connect to the internet while on a call since it's not a special feature.



Nope

The carrier version software includes what is needed to operate the carrier Wifi calling and other advanced calling features. If you buy an unlocked version you don't get the pre loaded software. Many consider this bloat(and yea there's alot that really isn't necessary unless you actually use it - if you don't it is bloat)but it also includes what is used for all enhanced LTE features including but not limited to WiFi calling, video calling, HD voice, number sync and advanced messaging. So you will lose out on all enhanced LTE features since you can't download this software elsewhere. I've been able to actually delete some of the pre loaded bloat and there wasn't as much on the S9 as there has been in the past.

If you don't use these feature the unlocked version will work fine but If you do its worth the 70$ between 789$ & 719$ at full price.
I use many of the features like WiFi calling so I went with the carrier version. I definitely think its a phone worth getting.

I too have the unlocked S9 on AT&T...I was not however aware that this was the issue with numbersync not working....I don't care as I am gong to have to transfers to big red or tmo anyway as ATt service is just getting worse in my area....but I can talk and surf the web at the same time as the phone converts to HSPA for calls which leaves LTE open for surfing, etc...I think it is shameful to restrict these unlocked phones from all the call features as more and more folks are purchasing unlocked since subsidies are over....and I would pay a small fee if needed

 

[JHStewart1023]

Yes I did I totally took advantage of it

 

[JHStewart1023]

So the same discount of 50% is on bestbuy as well?

Yes it is in store only it's nice.... I took advantage of the deal.

 

[anon(10418614)]

So i placed an order for the S9 earlier today finally. Online credit check when checking out was $500 but I called over the phone and it was no where near $500. All I paid was $200 plus taxes and the phone being 50% off was going to save me a lot! My credit is nonexistent I guess I got lucky. Now I have to wait on it to ship. Its stuck with the status saying ''In progress'' and says it should ship between the 14th and 16th.

How long have you all waited until you got an email that it shipped out?

 

[njmonark]

I'm considering upgrading to an S9 or S9+ and have AT&T also (iphone 5S currently). Since I don't have HD or wifi calling available on the 5S, are these nice features to have? If so, there seems to be conflicting info. about buying the carrier version directly from Samsung and having HD & wifi calls working. I checked the Samsung forums and they say if you purchase a carrier version directly from Samsung, it will have the carrier software loaded. Unlocked versions won't. So has anyone that purchased a carrier version S9 or S9+ directly from Samsung gotten these features to work? If I do upgrade, I'd prefer buying directly from Samsung to save the $75. And I don't mind having to pay a small fee to get it unlocked if need be (to use local sim cards while traveling or if I decide at some point to switch carriers).

Thanks!

 

[bbgpsuser]

So has anyone that purchased a carrier version S9 or S9+ directly from Samsung gotten these features to work?
Thanks!

Yes. It is no different then buying one from AT&T direct. It is the same exact SW and HW.

 

[LCW]

My advise, with the SLOWNESS of Samsung releasing security updates on US carrier versions, you're better off getting an international unlocked version.

 

[dpham00]

My advise, with the SLOWNESS of Samsung releasing security updates on US carrier versions, you're better off getting an international unlocked version.

Usually no usa warranty though...

 

[LCW]

Usually no usa warranty though...

Maybe it's worth it though.

 

[andrew_ackley]

Yes. It is no different then buying one from AT&T direct. It is the same exact SW and HW.

I haven't been able to get wifi calling to work on my s9 plus I bought direct from sammy. Also the unlock portal doesn't work on at&t site. You will have to pay a third party. There is another thread just like this from a month or so ago.

 

[njmonark]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[bbgpsuser]

I haven't been able to get wifi calling to work on my s9 plus I bought direct from sammy. Also the unlock portal doesn't work on at&t site. You will have to pay a third party. There is another thread just like this from a month or so ago.

No problem with wifi calling. Haven't tried the unlock portal.

 

[geraldem]

You won't get all the features from the carrier on an unlocked phone from any of the manufacturers. That includes Samsung.

does not include Apple

 

[Fathertime]

You can get the unlocked from Samsung version to work with all features on TMo. Won't happen with other carriers. Buying an unlocked version from the manufacturer is a joke. You're trading a little less bloat for the alternative of missing all the features from the carrier? Buying unlocked doesn't guarantee you get all features you think you will get. When it says a phone will work on the specific carrier only means it will just work. It doesn't mean the carrier will let you have all their goodies. I know because I've bought many unlocked phones and it's not worth it to have a phone that doesn't have all the features you can get from the carrier. Updates won't be any faster. They only come out when they come out. Forget the monthly updates. Won't happen and you will be disappointed.