Unlocked vs. T-Mobile?

[arunma]

Hi guys. In keeping with my yearly custom, I'll be pre-ordering the latest Samsung phone. In the past I've always gone with the T-Mobile version of Samsung's flagship, but since Samsung's trade in credit is so much higher than T-Mobile's, I'm considering buying directly from Samsung. Which raises the question...

What is the difference between the unlocked and T-Mobile specific version of the S22 Ultra?

I've tried Googling this and it's not clear to me if the T-Mobile version can access specific bands that the unlocked version can't, or if they're functionally the same thing. Assuming I'll be paying for the phone outright, is there any benefit to getting the T-Mobile version as opposed to the unlocked version?

Thanks!

 

[buzzy3970]

Remember you get the same deal from Samsung including carrier variants. Now if you want exclusive color you have to go unlocked. No major differences really except having Samsung's built in spam & caller id feature. Believe it's blocked on T-Mobile variant. That's about the only difference I've noticed. T-Mobile does a good job in leaving the phone natively the same.

 

[arunma]

Remember you get the same deal from Samsung including carrier variants. Now if you want exclusive color you have to go unlocked. No major differences really except having Samsung's built in spam & caller id feature. Believe it's blocked on T-Mobile variant. That's about the only difference I've noticed. T-Mobile does a good job in leaving the phone natively the same.

Ah, good to know! And yeah, like you said you can get the same $700 credit no matter which variant you offer, so really all I'm wondering about is what the functional differences are. Thanks for the info!

 

[arunma]

Just got this response from T-Mobile's Twitter account:

Thank you in advance for your amazing patience, time, and efforts spent reaching out, Arun. I want to do everything possible to create a great experience. These are thoughtful questions and I'm glad you were proactive in asking. The Wi-Fi calling definitely comes engrained on our stock of devices designed for our network and T-Mobile use. It's possible it would work on an unlocked model but is not guaranteed. I would recommend the unlocked version if you are frequently needing to use alternate sims. The unlocked version as far as bands would be well equipped to use the T-Mobile network as well. I hope this helps. Please let me know what additional questions you have. I'm excited for you to get this new Samsung!

Weird that they say it's not guaranteed. I guess that's something I'll have to investigate further.

 

[Borgie]

Just got this response from T-Mobile's Twitter account:



Weird that they say it's not guaranteed. I guess that's something I'll have to investigate further.

Wifi calling works fine on an unlocked using a Tmo sim. I've only ever got unlocked, but I'm assuming if you buy a Tmo variant, you wouldn't be able to bring it to another carrier. I could be wrong though.

 

[buzzy3970]

Just got this response from T-Mobile's Twitter account:



Weird that they say it's not guaranteed. I guess that's something I'll have to investigate further.

It will. Haven't had any problems with Wi-Fi calling working with unlocked models for years.

 

[buzzy3970]

Wifi calling works fine on an unlocked using a Tmo sim. I've only ever got unlocked, but I'm assuming if you buy a Tmo variant, you wouldn't be able to bring it to another carrier. I could be wrong though.

You can, but firmware needs to be updated to unlocked for better experience. The good thing about unlocked is that it comes that way preset.

 

[chazglenn3]

On the Samsung website, I can get $700 in trade for my S21 Ultra on an unlocked phone but I can get $800 in trade if I get the T-Mobile phone.

 

[arunma]

On the Samsung website, I can get $700 in trade for my S21 Ultra on an unlocked phone but I can get $800 in trade I'd I get the T-Mobile phone.

I noticed that too. It's essentially a free memory upgrade. Well, that makes this decision a bit easier...

 

[chazglenn3]

Well, I was having so much trouble trying to place my order that when the unlocked one was going through I just went with it.

 

[arunma]

I had lots of trouble too, and not only because most of the products available for the $250 credit were out of stock. I ended up going with the T-Mobile version due to the free memory upgrade. I was able to use my credit on three different cases + the 15W single charging pad.

The 45 W charging brick was out of stock. I still have my old 45 W brick from the Note 20. I...assume that'll work with the S22 Ultra?

 

[bhatech]

If you don't mind bit of carrier bloat, carrier boot screen etc then go with carrier model as usual like you do. And T-Mobile version has better deal than unlocked at Samsung.com so makes it no brainer if you don't mind the carrier version.

For me I hate anything carrier, and can't stand the carrier boot logo and principle of just having separate carrier models as if it's their phone ... So I always go with unlocked irrespective of whatever deal carrier model has. But I'm minority and more of a preference.

 

[hou33guy]

Samsung unlock version has every antenna for all carriers if i remember right vs carriers having their own antennas for their towers only

 

[subguy812]

I generally choose unlocked. This time I chose T-MOBILE variant. It seemed to be $100 less.

 

[strikeIII]

Samsung unlock version has every antenna for all carriers if i remember right vs carriers having their own antennas for their towers only

No that's not the case. Carrier models just have their own bloat and configs on them. I can unlock my AT&T version and still use it on TMobile or Verizon.

 

[strikeIII]

Between unlocked and TMobile the only difference I can find is Unlocked is the only model you can get with 1TB.

 

[Blues Fan]

Remember you get the same deal from Samsung including carrier variants. Now if you want exclusive color you have to go unlocked. No major differences really except having Samsung's built in spam & caller id feature. Believe it's blocked on T-Mobile variant. That's about the only difference I've noticed. T-Mobile does a good job in leaving the phone natively the same.

I have the tmobile S21 Ultra and Tmobile has caller ID and spam blocking option

 

[larrykay]

The unlocked versions also have caller ID and spam blocking.

 

[mustang7757]

The unlocked versions also have caller ID and spam blocking.

Yep on TMobile or Att unlocked

 

[sheba510]

Honestly, I did not check to see if there was a price difference between the unlocked and T-mobile version. If I am paying for the phone all at once, I don't want the hassle of a carrier version phone. Otherwise I would have purchased directly from T-mobile and paid over the 24 months.