Unlocked S7 Question

[lafountain]

I am currently not on AT&T but am considering switching to them. If I were to buy an unlocked S7, are all features of the phone useable still or are there some things that would not be able to be used (i.e. Samsung Pay or others)

 

[Adam Zeis]

Having an unlocked phone should not affect the usability at all.

 

[SpookDroid]

There are things you wouldn't have in an International version, though, like Samsung Labs (no biggie), WiFi calling (maybe biggie), and no Samsung Pay (very big biggie).

Also, since you're considering AT&T and the S7, you might want to look at this.
AT&T will give Galaxy S7 or S7 edge buyers a free 48-inch Samsung TV with DirecTV signup | Android Central

 

[jbbrown79]

There are things you wouldn't have in an International version, though, like Samsung Labs (no biggie), WiFi calling (maybe biggie), and no Samsung Pay (very big biggie).

Can you side-load the Samsung Pay app on the phone and get it working?

One other thing to keep in mind is that by getting the International version, you will not get a manufacturers warranty.

I'm thinking of getting the unlocked version as well. Mostly because I can skip all the carrier bloat, get updates a little faster and from everything I've seen, get a slightly faster phone with a longer lasting battery.

 

[SpookDroid]

You do get the warranty, problem is you get it in the region the phone was intended to be sold in. If the phone was purchased, say, in Mexico, warranty would be with Samsung Mexico.

As for Samsung Pay, I'm not sure. I know that rooted devices and manual installs have failed in the past because it does a lot of security checks (and I'm glad it does, it means SamsungPay is secure), but that might have changed. Rooted devices might not be lucky, but side-loading it may be a different story.

 

[anon(470989)]

I have the same question really except with use for T-Mobile. I was looking at a white unlocked S7 on Ebay (New-Samsung-Galaxy-S7-SM-G930FD-Duos-5-1-12MP-FACTORY-UNLOCKED-32GB-Phone) that would be coming from Singapore.

I actually like the white S7 the best but afraid of losing out on things such as Samsung Pay, wifi calling or even band 12 support. Has anyone on T-Mobile gone this route before with a Galaxy phone?

 

[Wildo6882]

B&H Photo has unlocked versions. If Samsung Pay doesn't work, would Android Pay? What about getting an extended warranty through Samsung? I'd definitely like the unlocked version, as well. But don't want to get stuck with something.

 

[jbbrown79]

B&H Photo has unlocked versions. If Samsung Pay doesn't work, would Android Pay? What about getting an extended warranty through Samsung? I'd definitely like the unlocked version, as well. But don't want to get stuck with something.

I have been looking at the ones on B&H as well. I'm waiting for a nice price drop.

I chatted with Samsung a week ago about the warranty and getting Samsung Protection Plus and they said, "I want to inform you that you can only purchase Samsung protection plus plan if it an US based phone. " So, I think the only option is a 3rd party company like SquareTrade.

In looking at the Q&A section on the B&H website, someone did ask if the phones come with a US warranty. A staff member replied, " No, this would come with a 1 year B&H warranty. This would cover all manufacturers software and hardware defects". I haven't had experience with B&H, but that's the best I've see for the International version (without having to spend extra money on insurance). The main thing I care about is being able to get a replacement, if for whatever reason something like the screen dies 4 months after I buy it.

 

[Wildo6882]

I have been looking at the ones on B&H as well. I'm waiting for a nice price drop.

I chatted with Samsung a week ago about the warranty and getting Samsung Protection Plus and they said, "I want to inform you that you can only purchase Samsung protection plus plan if it an US based phone. " So, I think the only option is a 3rd party company like SquareTrade.

In looking at the Q&A section on the B&H website, someone did ask if the phones come with a US warranty. A staff member replied, " No, this would come with a 1 year B&H warranty. This would cover all manufacturers software and hardware defects". I haven't had experience with B&H, but that's the best I've see for the International version (without having to spend extra money on insurance). The main thing I care about is being able to get a replacement, if for whatever reason something like the screen dies 4 months after I buy it.

Yeah, I think you're right. That's my worry about something failing and not being able to get it replaced or exchanged. I'd love to have an unlocked phone with quicker updates and no bloat. I really wish Samsung would join in the unlocked phone in the US market bandwagon.

 

[jbbrown79]

Yeah, I think you're right. That's my worry about something failing and not being able to get it replaced or exchanged. I'd love to have an unlocked phone with quicker updates and no bloat. I really wish Samsung would join in the unlocked phone in the US market bandwagon.

I agree with wanting Samsung to release unlocked versions in the US. I don't know if that's by choice or maybe they are strong-armed by the carriers? At this point, I'm pretty much set on getting an International version anyway. To have quicker updates and no bloat sounds great to me!

Is there anyone with an International version that has gotten Samsung/Android Pay to work?

 

[jbbrown79]

For what it's worth, I just saw Best Buy is now carrying the unlocked version. 1 year parts and labor warranty through CCR Warranty (don't know anything about them).

But, their prices are high at this point. S7 is $710, Edge is $820. Prices are $30-$40 cheaper on B&H.

 

[Wildo6882]

For what it's worth, I just saw Best Buy is now carrying the unlocked version. 1 year parts and labor warranty through CCR Warranty (don't know anything about them).

But, their prices are high at this point. S7 is $710, Edge is $820. Prices are $30-$40 cheaper on B&H.

Good find. I'll have to look into that. While the prices are higher, Best Buy is a little more accessible than B&H Photo.

 

[SpookDroid]

I agree with wanting Samsung to release unlocked versions in the US. I don't know if that's by choice or maybe they are strong-armed by the carriers? At this point, I'm pretty much set on getting an International version anyway. To have quicker updates and no bloat sounds great to me!

Is there anyone with an International version that has gotten Samsung/Android Pay to work?

Well, most 'bloatware' can be removed from carrier versions, and as for updates... That might change. An update for S7/S7 Edge on T-Mobile hit 3 days after the latest security updated (April 2), and guess what? It HAD the April security update as well. When the phone was shipped in late February, an update hit not long after with the March security update in tow.

 

[jbbrown79]

Well, most 'bloatware' can be removed from carrier versions, and as for updates... That might change. An update for S7/S7 Edge on T-Mobile hit 3 days after the latest security updated (April 2), and guess what? It HAD the April security update as well. When the phone was shipped in late February, an update hit not long after with the March security update in tow.

OK, I wasn't aware the bloat could be removed, I thought it could only be disabled so it still took up space. How do go about you removing it?

Hopefully the carriers are quicker with the updates. T-mobile is usually pretty good about updates (from what I hear). I have AT&T, and they are only so-so.

 

[SpookDroid]

OK, I wasn't aware the bloat could be removed, I thought it could only be disabled so it still took up space. How do go about you removing it?

Hopefully the carriers are quicker with the updates. T-mobile is usually pretty good about updates (from what I hear). I have AT&T, and they are only so-so.

Not all apps can be removed, but it can be disabled and at least in T-Mo's version, those wouldn't take more than a few megs from your internal storage. You can root and get rid of it all, of course, but that's in all versions. AT&T, however, seems to be the worst when it comes to carrier bloatware.
T-Mobile Galaxy S7 edge review: The best you can get on the Un-carrier | Android Central
How one carrier almost ruined a perfectly good Galaxy S7 | Android Central
AT&T has made its bloatware even worse on the LG G5 | Android Central

 

[sulla1965]

Can you side-load the Samsung Pay app on the phone and get it working?

No, as of now the international version does not support samsung pay. The app will install but get an error msg when you try to use it.