Unlocked or Carrier?

[mary beth hale]

I usually buy my phones unlocked, so did I for my previous S8 and now the Plus model. Only reason is the ability to not withstand carrier branding and not to be stuck on old software due to carriers, from past experience.

I'll cite a real world benefit of purchasing unlocked.
Have been using unlocked phones for years with a Straight Talk AT&T SIM. Recently moved to an area where AT&T reception was poor and Verizon ruled.
I got a CDMA kit from StraightTalk, popped the new SIM in, and activated it. My US unlocked S8 automatically configured the apn settings.
I now have great coverage with Verizon towers using the same phone I had on AT&T a week ago.

 

[bhatech]

Personally I could care less about sim unlock since I don't change carriers, though it's handy when I travel international once in a while. My main thing is I don't like carrier's to have any say in my phone whether it's firmware or features. That's why I buy and like non carrier phones which happens to also be sim unlocked which is added bonus. If I have to buy from a carrier it will be iPhone or Pixel since they both show the middle finger to carriers.
Or in very rare instance where the phone is so good and only available via carriers.

 

[Ry]

I am curious who opted for the unlocked version or a carrier version and why? My S8+ was bought through AT&T mainly because I have had NIGHTMARES dealing with the phone manufacturers themselves.

I've switched back to carrier phones (Moto X Pure Edition to Moto Z Force Droid) and don't mind at all. Maybe because Motorola's OS is simply "stock Android" with a few Moto enhancements I can no longer do without.

Also, switching back to carrier phones allows access to insane deals like when I got a regular Moto Z Droid for $120 and a Google Pixel for $240 last Black Friday.

 

[davidnc]

Been on unlocked phones since Jan 5, 2016.
I plan on staying on unlocked phones for my upcoming phones as well

 

[anon(5719825)]

Been on unlocked phones since Jan 5, 2016.
I plan on staying on unlocked phones for my upcoming phones as well

That's the way I am going. Started with the unlocked S7 Edge and now the S8+.

 

[shadowsjc]

I just bought my galaxy s8 unlocked today. I intend to use it on Verizon, which means I'll probably not be able to use wifi calling. However the unlocked was on sale for $575 and the Verizon retail price is $750. Seemed like a no brainier.

 

[pankaj981]

I just bought my galaxy s8 unlocked today. I intend to use it on Verizon, which means I'll probably not be able to use wifi calling. However the unlocked was on sale for $575 and the Verizon retail price is $750. Seemed like a no brainier.

You can flash the Verizon firmware and Wi-Fi calling will work

 

[Steemlives]

Got my girlfriend an unlocked S8+ and I got a carrier S8 from T-Mobile. So far the only difference is I have a bunch of T-Mobile Bloatware on my phone. Other than that we are both up to date on the same version and same security patch.

 

[lip008]

I got the unlocked model, because I believe carriers are dumb pipes and I like my relation with them to pay for bandwidth and not for messing up with phone firmware, stick logos etc. I do know Samsung and LG US unlocked models get updates way slower than carrier models but still I bought the unlocked version because I don't like carriers and their customized phones. That's why I always buy non carrier unlocked models if it's OEM Android phone, Pixels or iPhones.

Word. Indeed...dumb pipes.