Hey,
So I have a question about unlocked phones...
Are all unlocked phones unbranded? By unbranded I mean, when you buy a phone on contract (lets say from t-mobile), that company tends to put a "t-mobile" stamp on the phone that you can't remove.
If I were to buy an unlocked dell venue pro from the US, would it still have that t-mobile branding?
Thanks,
-Sean
Won't be able to know until it's released.
Related
Alright. I've been searching the FAQs and forums and would like someone(s) to set me straight on the following:
1. The Dell Steak is currently being sold in the UK direct from Dell _unlocked_ and also via O2 on or off contract. The _unlocked_ version is not just sim free but can be used on any GSM network that the UK version supports (T-Mobile UK, e.g.). True or False? If true, out-of-the-box (OOB), rooted and special ROM, or SmartSim?
2. If this is true what is this O2 exclusive deal with Dell and which phones are they 'blacklisting' if someone tries to use a SmartSim or similar?
3. If T-Mobile in the UK and US use the same frequencies, would an unlocked Streak from the UK work on T-Mobile in the US with a US sim?
4. If AT&T is the exclusive carrier in the US when it is released, then does anyone really expect Dell to sell an unlocked version? Aren't we really planning on seeing just a contract/no contract price for the same version?
Sorry if that's a lot for a single post, but it all seems related and didn't make sense to split up.
The phones that 02 sell are LOCKED and will not be unlocked by them in the near Future. It will work with a Rebel Sim on any network in the UK so i am told.
The ones from Dell are UNLOCKED and can run on any Sim in the UK
Now i have not read of any one from the US getting a Unlocked streak from the UK and using it it in the US
They have just started selling them in France and Germany locked, not sure about unlocked
I have trawled through the Internet and have not come across a UK one working in the USA
Direct from Dell Streaks are SIM free and unlocked out of the box, mine works fine on T-Mobile UK.
O2's exclusive deal was for a limited period and expired at the beginning of July I believe.
T-Mobile UK and US operate on different bands, specifically the US requires the 1700 band for downstream data.
I believe Dell US had a pre-order page on their website which suggests they will be available unlocked from launch there. Probably because they will only work on AT&T's network for 3G its probably not worth them going to the trouble of an exclusive deal.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Thanks
Thanks for the clarification. Hopefully the tags will help others find the same answers.
In France they are unlocked
lufc said:
The phones that 02 sell are LOCKED and will not be unlocked by them in the near Future. It will work with a Rebel Sim on any network in the UK so i am told.
The ones from Dell are UNLOCKED and can run on any Sim in the UK
Now i have not read of any one from the US getting a Unlocked streak from the UK and using it it in the US
They have just started selling them in France and Germany locked, not sure about unlocked
I have trawled through the Internet and have not come across a UK one working in the USA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are the prices and url link for the unlocked Streak direct from Dell in UK?
In France?
Thanks
Hi Guys,
Thanks to the lovely people at AT&T, I'm not the proud owner of an unlocked Dell Streak
They gave me an unlock code over the phone
BIG THUMBS UP AND MANY THANKS TO AT&T
Nice. How did you get them to give you the code?
mjaverto said:
Nice. How did you get them to give you the code?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just asked them for it, they were actually really helpful. I gave them my IMEI, they put me on hold and 2 minutes later my Streak was unlocked
That's great news!
Krisbo said:
I just asked them for it, they were actually really helpful. I gave them my IMEI, they put me on hold and 2 minutes later my Streak was unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...but, correct me if I'm wrong, other than ATT US and Telstra (who both use the 850mhz UMTS band), you won't get 3G on any other provider. Right? So what are going to do with it unlocked?
Sorry but I'm still lost as to why folks are selling (and buying) the Streak unlocked or trying to get it unlocked by their carrier. I usually ONLY buy unlocked phones and use them on ATT; but I didn't see the reason to buy the Streak unlocked. It's not a dual, tri or quad band 3G phone.
and rogers in canada. but it doesnt matter. you can still do 2g gsm with any provider and in any country.
technillion said:
...but, correct me if I'm wrong, other than ATT US and Telstra (who both use the 850mhz UMTS band), you won't get 3G on any other provider. Right? So what are going to do with it unlocked?
Sorry but I'm still lost as to why folks are selling (and buying) the Streak unlocked or trying to get it unlocked by their carrier. I usually ONLY buy unlocked phones and use them on ATT; but I didn't see the reason to buy the Streak unlocked. It's not a dual, tri or quad band 3G phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I shall correct you...
The AT&T Streak runs 3G on tri-band 850/1900/2100. Yes, Telstra runs on 850. However, as the Streak was NETWORK locked to AT&T, if I put my Telstra sim in the phone would not work. Furthermore, Optus and Vodafone both run a 2100MHz 3G band here in cities and regional centres (even Wagga Wagga). So if I did switch carriers, I could still use it.
You ask what am I going to do with it... I plan on using it with a network other than AT&T i.e. Testra. In order to to that the phone had to be unlocked
I got this AT&T Streak unlocked so I could use it in Australia on the Telstra network. In Australia, Optus have an exclusivity deal with Dell so Telstra do not sell the Streak. Does that clear up with you why I got this phone unlocked? Because when it was locked to AT&T, I could not use it. Now it is unlocked, I can. Simple...
Kris
Got it!!
Krisbo said:
I shall correct you...
The AT&T Streak runs 3G on tri-band 850/1900/2100. Yes, Telstra runs on 850. However, as the Streak was NETWORK locked to AT&T, if I put my Telstra sim in the phone would not work. Furthermore, Optus and Vodafone both run a 2100MHz 3G band here in cities and regional centres (even Wagga Wagga). So if I did switch carriers, I could still use it.
You ask what am I going to do with it... I plan on using it with a network other than AT&T i.e. Testra. In order to to that the phone had to be unlocked
I got this AT&T Streak unlocked so I could use it in Australia on the Telstra network. In Australia, Optus have an exclusivity deal with Dell so Telstra do not sell the Streak. Does that clear up with you why I got this phone unlocked? Because when it was locked to AT&T, I could not use it. Now it is unlocked, I can. Simple...
Kris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that explanation! I saw you were ATT and I assumed that meant you were in the US. It makes sense for you to have it unlocked to use in Wagga Wagga.
Streak and Telstra
I am wanting to upgrade from my Telstra HD2 to a Streak. I was looking at using a my Telstra sim in an 'unlocked' optus unit.I see ATT/Dell US now sell 'unlocked' Streak's.
Did you import your Streak, or should I try to get the 850 working on a Optus?
If you have heard anything regarding optus units, please post.
Thanks
Ahughes said:
I am wanting to upgrade from my Telstra HD2 to a Streak. I was looking at using a my Telstra sim in an 'unlocked' optus unit.I see ATT/Dell US now sell 'unlocked' Streak's.
Did you import your Streak, or should I try to get the 850 working on a Optus?
If you have heard anything regarding optus units, please post.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't just "get the 850 working" on an Optus Streak. The the frequencies that the phone will operate on is a hardware issue and no software can change that. The Optus Streak will ONLY use the 900/2100 bands for 3G and no amount of unlocking will make it use the 850 band for 3G.
The only Streak that is compatible with the Next G network is the AT&T version and I'm not 100%, but I think the Canadian version is also 850 3G.
I imported my Streak from the USA. If you wait until the 8th of December, you could get yourself either the Black or the Cherry Red unlocked directly from Dell.
http://www.dell.com/us/p/mobile-streak/fs
The only catch is, you need to find someone who is willing to do the ordering and post it for you. This also means that you need to be really confident in the xda member you're dealing with. I recently struck a deal with Killster on this forum, although I have dealt with him in the past. Personally, I prefer the white Streak from Best Buy over the cherry red but they aren't unlocked and you need to try your luck with AT&T to get an unlock code. I have unlocked two Streaks this way but I have no idea if they will unlock the Streak from Best Buy. I have a rebel sim so it's not that big a deal anyway .
Your best be would be to offer a trade for your HD2 plus cash in the Marketplace. Just be careful though, do some research on any xda members you deal with and ALWAYS keep everything public (no dealings finalised in PM).
Hope this helps,
Kris
Krisbo said:
You can't just "get the 850 working" on an Optus Streak. The the frequencies that the phone will operate on is a hardware issue and no software can change that. The Optus Streak will ONLY use the 900/2100 bands for 3G and no amount of unlocking will make it use the 850 band for 3G.
The only Streak that is compatible with the Next G network is the AT&T version and I'm not 100%, but I think the Canadian version is also 850 3G.
I imported my Streak from the USA. If you wait until the 8th of December, you could get yourself either the Black or the Cherry Red unlocked directly from Dell.
http://www.dell.com/us/p/mobile-streak/fs
The only catch is, you need to find someone who is willing to do the ordering and post it for you. This also means that you need to be really confident in the xda member you're dealing with. I recently struck a deal with Killster on this forum, although I have dealt with him in the past. Personally, I prefer the white Streak from Best Buy over the cherry red but they aren't unlocked and you need to try your luck with AT&T to get an unlock code. I have unlocked two Streaks this way but I have no idea if they will unlock the Streak from Best Buy. I have a rebel sim so it's not that big a deal anyway .
Your best be would be to offer a trade for your HD2 plus cash in the Marketplace. Just be careful though, do some research on any xda members you deal with and ALWAYS keep everything public (no dealings finalised in PM).
Hope this helps,
Kris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its unlocked but no sim unlocked.. unlocked the tethering up to 8 devices.. .so u still need to get the unlock code.. its on engadget look ip up.
ajftl said:
its unlocked but no sim unlocked.. unlocked the tethering up to 8 devices.. .so u still need to get the unlock code.. its on engadget look ip up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/23/dell-us-now-offering-streak-unlocked-with-froyo-in-cherry-red/
Well there you go...
Either way, it's not hard to phone AT&T and ask them for a unlock code. I can't guarantee that they'll give you one but I have already unlocked two Streaks this way
Thanks for the info guys.
I saw the Engadget post a few days back,but was unsure about a US based telco giving me an unlock code.It's worth a try.
If I have no luck getting a Dell US unit, I believe Optus only has an exclusive for another month, so Telstra may offer it..?
Vodafone AUS were very forthcoming with a (sim) unlock code for a Legend I own, so it they get the Streak I could could give them a try..
I'm going to USA next month and I would like to buy T-Mobile G2.
Is it psosible to buy an unlocked phone? Easy to find?
If not, is it unlockable?
I'm sorry for noobness, this will be my second time in USA ever, don't know how phone market works there (here in brazil we can buy phone factory unlocked, even iphones).
You can get unlocked phones yes, where I don't know as I am not from the US. Buying a locked phone is risky at the moment as there is a bug that stops most phones connecting to ANY network after you attempt to unlock it.
Is there a unlock for G2 that works yet?
I have bought a locked g2 from t- mobile, unlocked it using htcunlock.com and I'm using it on Rogers in Canada (no 3g though )
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
If you buy the phone directly from tmobile for full price you can get the unlock code from them for free. Otherwise if you are on a plan you have to wait 3 or 6 (I forgot how long uou have to wait) months before they can give you the unlock code. I don't know if they will sell you a phone without a plan though, but for full price I don't see why not. Maybe you can talk them into it.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Unlock code is irrelevant. Scotty2 owns it. Even failed unlocks can now be repaired.
Can i root him?
The botloader is locked or unlocked?
dandi212 said:
Can i root him?
The botloader is locked or unlocked?
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Click to collapse
I cannot say for definite. As far as I currently know sim free phones and contract phones from Three come boatloader unlocked.
However my HTC HD2 on contract with Virgin a few years back came sim/bloatware free so I'd wager it could be a possibility.
3 UK devices are unlockable, not unlocked
The phone is not sim free now but i can unlocked him for sim free..
i just need to know if i can root him ..the botloader is unlocked?
The phone from virgin and not from three
Sure, my 3 uk is sim and bootloader unlocked and thus rootable.
What I meant to say is although I cannot say for definite, what I remember from having a contact phone with Virgin myself is that they used to send was a sim free phone pretty much like those from the cpwh and phones4u.
I'd phone Virgin personally. I am with Virgin myself but baulked at the price they were charging.
How can i know if the bootloader is locked?
I believe they come SIM unlocked but will they lock to a carrier once I insert the carriers SIM?
If they are like the S7 variants then they shouldn't be locked, at least the Verizon kind. I think Sprint locks theirs down but I'm not entirely sure as I don't have Sprint.
cantenna said:
I believe they come SIM unlocked but will they lock to a carrier once I insert the carriers SIM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They aren't selling the carrier-free version yet. You have to select a carrier when you order. But others have said that if you order say a AT&T version and initialize it with a T-Mobile SIM it takes on the s/w of a T-Mobile phone. I wonder what happens if you initialize it with a SIM from other than the four big carriers? Or if you can? Anyway, if they do end up selling a carrier-free version beware. The S7 equivalent got updates that lagged even the slowness of the carriers.
Thanks for the replies, i should mention i have purchased the phone already from samsung australia, it was sold as unlocked.
Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk
Other than tier 1? US sold models will support regional/tier2-3.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
dfc849 said:
Other than tier 1? US sold models will support regional/tier2-3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont know what you mean?
Anyways, in Canada, the process was;
Buy direct from Samsung, they give you the phone unlocked but the second you insert a carriers sim card the phone auto-lock to that carrier. However, because the phone you purchase from Samsung is supposed to be unlocked, at POS they also give you the SIM unlock codes with the phone to undo the damage.
It doesn't sound like this is how it works in Australia, when Samsung sells a phone unlocked, they have already applied the codes to the phone?