Sprint/Factory unlocked Note 9?

[gray2018]

So I recently ordered a Note 9 from Amazon renewed that was supposed to be "factory unlocked." Well, it kinda is. It was originally a Sprint phone but now has factory unlocked firmware installed?

Is there any downside to this? The phone works flawlessly and appears just like a original factory unlocked device.

But if I ever wanted to trade it in... Idk what I would even consider it? It has a Sprint/carrier model number on the outside, but on the inside under software has a factory unlocked firmware number. Interesting. Any thoughts?

 

[mustang7757]

Yes it's not uncommon to see people flash to unlock firmware

You should edit your 2nd photo with IMEI #
I deleted

 

[gray2018]

Thank you. So would the phone just be considered factory unlocked then?

 

[mustang7757]

Thank you. So would the phone just be considered factory unlocked then?

Some users do this for less carrier bloat ,splash screen etc then you have some that do this think the device would automatically be sim unlock which it wont until the carrier sim unlocks which have to be flashed back to carrier firmware first lol hope you follow , but overall i personally like the unlocked firmware

 

[gray2018]

My T-Mobile SIM works in it just fine though, so must have been unlocked before the fact. And yes, I personally prefer factory unlocked. I dont care for carrier bloatware or having to be tied to one.

 

[mustang7757]

Most likely , what was the price if dont mind me asking?

 

[gray2018]

I paid around 270 through Affirm. They had a Lavender Purple one for 230, but I went with an Ocean Blue which was a little more.

I have been trying to find a good Note 9 for a possible secondary device. Luckily Amazon has good return policies.

 

[mustang7757]

Nice enjoy
That was one of my favorite Note and device

 

[gray2018]

Thanks! Its a bit different from my Note 10+.

 

[mustang7757]

Thanks! Its a bit different from my Note 10+.

Welcome , yes

 

[gray2018]

So... In regards to this device... Well, actually all devices on Amazon. Why is it so hard to find an actual factory unlocked device from Amazon renewed? Even though they are sold as unlocked... A lot of the time they aren't factory unlocked. When I think unlocked, I think factory unlocked. They don't really specify though.

Sort of like this device. I mean, even though it's running factory unlocked software... It's obviously not really a factory unlocked device.

 

[MoreDef]

I love Amazon Renewed. Best place for used tech IMO, since you can't beat that 90 day warranty (3 months!!!). Amazon's so big, they don't care how petty your reason is for the return.

 

[gray2018]

Yeah I definitely love the return policy. I have heard many good things about Swappa but most on there charge a restocking fee or have no return policy at all. Also, you have no way of contacting the seller before buying the device unlike Amazon. So yeah, I'll pass on that.

I just find it hard on Amazon to find a good seller. IP ratings are not guaranteed which is a bummer and some sellers flat out suck. I bought an S10+ awhile back that despite being listed as like new, had a large crack/chip out of the screen.

 

[MoreDef]

Yeah, I always browse through the sellers after I find the phone I want. Sometimes I'm willing to pay extra just to buy from a seller with more overall sales and a higher rating.

The cool thing is that when I got a phone with a bum selfie camera, I contacted Amazon and the seller and told them the issue. They shipped out right then and there, and didn't make me wait until they received the faulty unit I shipped out before sending the replacement. I don't know if that's par for the courses, but it definitely helps to go with reputable sellers. It made for less waiting and smoother process.

 

[gray2018]

That certainly was nice. I purchased from the user Chubbiestech and the device is still working really good. Only downside is the slower charging speeds, soon to be no more security updates and also no IP rating. Battery isnt as good as it once was obviously. Around 4 hours of SOT.

Android 10 is still pretty good though. Just not as customizable as Android 11 or 12 obviously. I dont visit malicious websites and even so, I still also have my Note 10+ which is still getting security updates for almost another 1.5 years.

Having a headphone jack again though is the bees knees. For real.

 

[gray2018]

Welpppp. Recently, due to my indecisiveness returned this phone. Boy, was that a mistake! I realized it the next day and requested UPS to return to sender. They were able to do so, but unfortunately, for some reason, sent the phone to an Amazon warehouse in Kentucky, even though the third party seller is in New York and I am in Michigan. lol. Thanks UPS.

So I ordered another one from Chubbiestech in Lavender Purple which was a bit cheaper, but the condition was... meh. Came a bit dirty, finger print sensor was crooked and the back had been replaced. I returned this device as well. This is frustrating, but slightly my own fault lol

I was really digging that near perfect condition Ocean blue note. They have more available now... but the price shot up to 349. Idk what that's all about considering the one I bought awhile back from the same seller came to 269 after taxes.

 

[Mr Bojangles1]

Carrier locked phones are horrible in my opinion. TMobile especially. Updates are extremely slow and tons of useless apps pre installed. My phone was unlocked before I made my first payment on it lol

 

[gray2018]

Actually, in my experience, the carrier locked phones get updates much faster. But, that's about the only overall good thing about them IMO.

Look at how beautiful that ocean blue note was, and in perfect condition. you couldn't even tell it was refurbed.



Now look at the crappy lavender purple one.





Clearly the back was replaced. Parts of the phone were also kind of dirty. The ocean blue is much better overall IMO.

 

[Mr Bojangles1]

I have a OnePlus and before I got into custom roms TMobile was always way behind on the updates that were coming from OnePlus. It's the reason got into custom roms, I converted to global firmware so that I could just download updates from OnePlus myself. Then I found xda and haven't looked back. Through TMobile the security patch was always months behind. And there were features removed in T-Mobiles version of oxygen os.

 

[gray2018]

You don't even want to know my experience with having a T-Mobile Oneplus 8... Let's just say it wasn't a good one.