Unlocked vs. Carrier Galaxy Note 9

[perdant01]

Yes to both

 

[anon(661246)]

I looked at the Samsung site and didn't see a list of LTE bands for the unlocked version

 

[Gary02468]

Yes to both

Yes to both what? You don't say whose questions you're responding to.

 

[Echoes]

Yes to both what? You don't say whose questions you're responding to.

Pretty sure he was responding to my earlier question to him.

"Good to know. How about HD calling and mobile hotspot? Do those work as well?"

 

[Panther6834]

Personally, I used to always get the carrier version, but I got tired of all the bloatware Verizon has added, so I switched to the unlocked version. In doing so, yes, one loses some things, such as Verizon's Visual Voicemail, but you also gain valuable tools, such as Samsung Cloud (which Verizon blocks in the carrier-branded version). As for the Visual Voicemail loss, that's easily "corrected" through the use of Google Voice. Regarding updates (carrier vs unlocked), it's "six of one, half dozen of the other"...in other words, it's always been a toss-up, and will always be a toss-up, as to which will get updates first.

To those wondering (worrying?) about bands, I can't speak for the Exynos-powered handsets, butt, as for the Snapdragon-powered handsets, they should contain ALL U.S. bands. Technically, when it comes to the hardware, even the carrier-branded versions contain all U.S. bands...it's just that each carrier has the bands not used by that carrier blocked...but they're still contained within the chipset. That's why you can, for example, take an AT&T branded unit, and flash it (or have it flashed) with Verizon's firmware, and it then works on the Verizon network.

 

[Echoes]

Personally, I used to always get the carrier version, but I got tired of all the bloatware Verizon has added, so I switched to the unlocked version. In doing so, yes, one loses some things, such as Verizon's Visual Voicemail, but you also gain valuable tools, such as Samsung Cloud (which Verizon blocks in the carrier-branded version). As for the Visual Voicemail loss, that's easily "corrected" through the use of Google Voice. Regarding updates (carrier vs unlocked), it's "six of one, half dozen of the other"...in other words, it's always been a toss-up, and will always be a toss-up, as to which will get updates first.

To those wondering (worrying?) about bands, I can't speak for the Exynos-powered handsets, butt, as for the Snapdragon-powered handsets, they should contain ALL U.S. bands. Technically, when it comes to the hardware, even the carrier-branded versions contain all U.S. bands...it's just that each carrier has the bands not used by that carrier blocked...but they're still contained within the chipset. That's why you can, for example, take an AT&T branded unit, and flash it (or have it flashed) with Verizon's firmware, and it then works on the Verizon network.

A really helpful summary, thanks. Definitely makes me feel better about going unlocked.

 

[Panther6834]

A really helpful summary, thanks. Definitely makes me feel better about going unlocked.

I'm looking forward to my unlocked, blue, 512GB model. Pre-order ordered it within hours of "pre-orders" going live. If it doesn't ship buy the end of business today, it will ship very early next week.

 

[EMGSM]

I looked at the Samsung site and didn't see a list of LTE bands for the unlocked version

I think N9 will support band 71. The factory unlocked S9/S9+ did.

 

[aznmode]

I pre-ordered the Tmobile version. The bloat doesn't bother me. And as far as resale value goes, the Tmobile and unlock versions at least for the note 8 is roughly about the same. What concerns me about reselling of the unlock is IMO most general users look for carrier specific phones since they are not familiar with what an unlock phone is. Again just my opinion. So I really didn't see the need to get an unlocked. As far as update goes, the Tmobile Oreo roll out was April 1st and unlocked Oreo was April 4th.

 

[Panther6834]

I pre-ordered the Tmobile version. The bloat doesn't bother me. And as far as resale value goes, the Tmobile and unlock versions at least for the note 8 is roughly about the same. What concerns me about reselling of the unlock is IMO most general users look for carrier specific phones since they are not familiar with what an unlock phone is. Again just my opinion. So I really didn't see the need to get an unlocked. As far as update goes, the Tmobile Oreo roll out was April 1st and unlocked Oreo was April 4th.

Contrary to your thought, most people are aware of what an unlocked cell phone is. For those few who don't, it's extremely simple to have an unlocked handset flashed with a carrier-specific firmware...any Samsung Experience location can do it, and it takes less than 30min. As for resale value, that varies by location. Where I live, unlocked handsets tend to have a higher resale value, not to mention a higher trade-in value.

 

[smooth4lyfe]

I went with unlocked because I'm on tmobile and hopefully gets me better resale and trade in value being unlocked. I don't have to worry about missing wifi calling.

Exactly why I got the unlocked as well because the resale value is better. Smart move!

 

[Blues Fan]

Exactly why I got the unlocked as well because the resale value is better. Smart move!

Yea, if you're on tmobile or I guess MetroPCS then it's fine! If I wasn't on tmobile I wouldn't get an unlocked phone because I want wifi calling. It's stupid how carriers lock it down not allowing you the full features of unlocked phones but yet charge high prices.

 

[French]

Yea, if you're on tmobile or I guess MetroPCS then it's fine! If I wasn't on tmobile I wouldn't get an unlocked phone because I want wifi calling. It's stupid how carriers lock it down not allowing you the full features of unlocked phones but yet charge high prices.

I spent nearly an hour on the phone w Verizon trying to figure out wifi calling on my unlocked Note 8, which led to Verizon calling Samsung themselves about it and calling me back. The explanation I got, that Verizon got from Samsung, is that the unlocked version of the phone doesn't have wifi calling built in because of the disparity in "levels" of wifi calling. A completely ridiculous explanation but after an hour I gave up. What I don't understand is why this feature is locked. I would think Verizon would welcome users utilizing wifi calling as that would be less traffic on their network, therefore enabling more capacity overall for the network (admittedly I do tend to oversimplify things so could be dead wrong on this thought).

I've preordered unlocked with the intent to use on Verizon, but I'm definitely wavering on my decision. I (as always) plan to keep this phone more than a year (however that never seems to actually happen)...I don't want to inadvertently end up locked out of future enhancements because I have an unlocked phone. On the flip side, it's nice to know if I finally decide I've had enough of Verizon's shenanigans, I can move to another carrier with my unlocked device.

 

[Panther6834]

I've preordered unlocked with the intent to use on Verizon, but I'm definitely wavering on my decision. I (as always) plan to keep this phone more than a year (however that never seems to actually happen)...I don't want to inadvertently end up locked out of future enhancements because I have an unlocked phone. On the flip side, it's nice to know if I finally decide I've had enough of Verizon's shenanigans, I can move to another carrier with my unlocked device.

Part of the reason...and you would experience this on ALL carrier's networks...is that each carrier has the manufacturer (any manufacturer) add carrier-specific functions/fractures, and remove/block certain manufacturer-specific features/functions. On the case of Verizon, some examples would be the inclusion of Visual Voicemail, Verizon Cloud, Wi-Fi calling, and other Verizon-specific items, as well as blocking Samsung Cloud, and other Samsung-specific items, on the Verizon-branded handsets.

It's not that Verizon OR Samsung "blocks" Wi-Fi calling on the unlocked handsets. The unlocked handsets do, technically, "support" Wi-Fi calling ability, but enabling this feature is carrier-specific, and must be "baked" into the firmware's programming. It's not the same as...say...carrier bands, which are nothing more than radio frequencies. Thus the reason it would be near-impossible to have Wi-Fi calling enabled for all carriers on unlocked handsets. On the "bright side", if you tire of missing carrier-specific features/functions on your unlocked handset, you can always take it to any Samsung Experience location, and have them flash it with your carrier's firmware. You'll lose the unlocked benefits, such as Samsung Cloud, but you'll have gained back what you were "missing". On top of that, unlike carrier-specific handsets, which, can NOT have the unlocked firmware flashed to it, if, having an "unlocked" handset...even one you had flashed with a carrier firmware...you can always have it flashed again (and again, and again, and again) with the unlocked firmware.

 

[ihbsbA]

I ordered the unlocked but will use it on Sprint... I based that decision on this an article that I apparently can't paste in here... Samsung promising to send monthly updates to unlocked devices.. anyone know what I'm talking about?

also, I can't find a scenario where I'd (or anyone) would need 512 gb of space with the expandable card slot so I'mma save myself a couple hundo and go 128.

 

[Panther6834]

I can't find a scenario where I'd (or anyone) would need 512 gb of space with the expandable card slot so I'mma save myself a couple hundo and go 128.

It's not just about the increased storage capacity...there's also the increased memory. The 128GB model has 6GB RAM, the 512GB model has 8GB RAM. Regarding internal vs external storage, you also need to remember that internal is ALWAYS faster than external. A perfect use-comparison would be audio & video. Audio (music) is relatively low-bandwidth, so storing your MP3s, AACs, FLACs, etc, on a microSD card is perfectly acceptable.

Video (movies, TV shows, etc), on the other hand requires considerably higher bandwidth, so saving such files to an external card might not be a good idea. Using a computer as an example, it doesn't matter how fast/powerful a CPU & GPU are, if you plug the graphics card into a 4x slot, as opposed to a 16x slot, you are going to severely limit the GPU's processing ability, which, in turn, will slow down the framerate and/or cause "stuttering" in the viewed image. The same applies to apps...with an app entirely on the internal storage, the app will be faster, and FAR more responsive, compared to splitting the app's files - part on faster internal storage, and part on slower external storage. Let me put it to you in the form of a question:

Would install a game entirely on an SSD...or would you install part of a game on an SSD, and part on a traditional HDD?

 

[French]

So I was on the phone with Verizon again today because I was told Verizon would have to flash their firmware, not a Samsung Experience store. So Verizon called called Samsung. Samsung told them that yes, a Samsung Experience store could flash the Verizon firmware. They even provided Verizon with the "closest" Samsung Experience store with phone number. So I called the Samsung Experience store and they told me they can flash unlocked firmware but not the Verizon firmware. Round and round it goes....

 

[Panther6834]

So I was on the phone with Verizon again today because I was told Verizon would have to flash their firmware, not a Samsung Experience store. So Verizon called called Samsung. Samsung told them that yes, a Samsung Experience store could flash the Verizon firmware. They even provided Verizon with the "closest" Samsung Experience store with phone number. So I called the Samsung Experience store and they told me they can flash unlocked firmware but not the Verizon firmware. Round and round it goes....

That's "strange"...and not in a good way. I've been to three different locations (two of which I no longer go to, of which Best Buy's corporate offices are very aware as to why...out has to do with Best Buy, not Samsung Experience), all three of which had fairly knowledgeable people. At the same time, two of those Samsung Experience locations recommended the third, due to a particular person at that location being extremely knowledgeable. He's the one who told me he could flash an unlocked handset with the Verizon firmware, which he could download directly from Samsung's "collection".

Technically, anyone can download ANY firmware for any Samsung handset (carrier or unlocked), and for any region in the world. However, installing said firmware requires the proper software, which only Samsung Experience locations have...well, unless you're rooting your handset, which is an entirely different matter, and one I won't provide information about.

 

[Chromium 4]

I had the hardest time getting an accurate answer when I was trying to decide between preordering an unlocked or T-mobile branded Note 9. Tmo telephone customer service told me Wi-Fi calling and visual voice mail would work on an unlocked unit. Suspicious the rep was reading from a script and didn't have the foggiest idea I then went on line and contacted Tmo promo who told me those features would not work on an unlocked device. I then contacted Samsung who also stated the features were carrier specific and would not work on an unlocked unit. So I went with Tmo's version. T-mobile was offering a $500 discount with trade in of my Note 8 while Samsung was only offering $400. So make sure you check with both sources to make sure you are able to have access to all the features if you go the unlocked route.

 

[bandofbrothers2112]

I always buy unbranded phones direct from my local Samsung Experience Store.

These have the Btu csc code on them which in my experience in the UK gets updates faster then branded models.

No network bloatware on them.

Just wish I could fully disable or remove Samsung's own bloatware!

When it comes time to sell it on the unbranded models tend to command a higher price and there's no hassle in getting them unlocked to all networks.