S9 Plus - Locked or Unlocked?

[louzer]

Samsung has the S9 Plus unlocked for 840.00usd and the Sprint variant for 912.00usd. I really like the idea of an unlocked phone without carrier bloatware, but I'm concerned about timely security, OS and feature updates.

I'm coming from a Sprint S7 Edge and have been fairly happy with receiving updates. I'm never much more than a month behind. I've heard horror stories about unlocked phones being left in the dust by Samsung with regard to updates.

It seems that Samsung has been better with the unlocked S8s than the S7s. Did the unlocked S8s? get Oreo rolled out yet? Or is it worth the extra 72.00usd to just get the Sprint variant and put up with the bloat to get timely updates?

 

[optimummind]

For me, it's the Unlocked model. Besides no carrier bloatware, the Unlocked model is faster & has better battery life (it's been that way for me for GS7 Edge & GS8+).

The rate of updates for the GS7 Edge was kind of bad but the GS8+ has been good.

Only thing I miss from using the Unlocked GS8+ is Sprint's visual voicemail. As a workaround, I've been using Google Voice.

 

[louzer]

does the unlocked one have that Lookout app that you can't uninstall?

 

[Rukbat]

If you root, you can uninstall anything (to the point of turning the phone into a paper weight, which is why they don't want you rooting).

But it's Samsung that causes the update delay (they're notorious), so Sprint can't issue updates until Samsung releases them to Sprint. Sprint could release them immediately, but that's "immediately, after they get them from Samsung", so Samsung phone updates are going to be delayed for a while after Google releases them - that's kind of "baked in" when you buy Samsung. (I just went from years of nothing but Samsung to a Google. Got it about 5 days after the update date. As soon as it set up, it updated. It should update again on Tuesday for the 3/5 update. Maybe even on Monday before I turn it off to go to sleep.)

 

[sctiger]

Other than wifi calling and visual voicemail, will I be giving up any other features/functions by going with an unlocked version on Verizon? On the flip side, will I gain features like Samsung cloud and find my mobile that were inaccessible with the Verizon version. There may be other features I didn't know I was missing out on too. If there are, I'd like to know so I can solidify my decision to go unlocked. Thanks

 

[ibcop]

I was torn between unlocked and a Verizon model, but I ultimately went with the Verizon version. I wasn't worried about the wi-fi calling or the voice mail but the updates is what got me. I ordered directly from Samsung and did the 300 buck trade in for my S7E. I have the Note 8 now and have been able to disable what I wanted to.

 

[justnivek]

I always go unlocked for 2 reasons, I'm always switching carriers (they always are 1-up'ing another and making better cheaper plans)

and that I don't have bloat, I axctually use all of Samsung's built in apps (keyboard, internet browser etc)

I am waiting for a deal on the S9 (anything around $600) and then I will sell my S8 for around $400 and grab it. I am a photogrophar and video vlogger so any improvement on the camera is worth an upgrade (also I will have a new battery which is always good lol)

 

[rimz808]

Hated my Att locked Note 7. My first Android device after switching from Apple. Battery life was so terrible and the amount of bloatware installed was ridiculous.

Luckily it was recalled. Got a Huawei Mate 9 unlock and very very pleased with it.

Going to give Samsung another try with the S9 plus, but getting the unlocked version. I do not, and have not, been stuck in carriers "next" programs. When I get a phone, I want to own and do what I want to do with it. Was pleased that the unlock version was immediately released and the price is Very reasonable