I purchased my dell streak directly from dell at the cost of $549.00 (UNLOCKED), before making this expensive purchase I contacted dell in reference to this device being an unlocked device which I was assured it was at the given price. When I received the device I have an account with at&t as well as with t-mobile for my son, when I placed the t-mobile sim card in the so called unlocked device, I received a network locked message and it would'nt allow me to have the services of t-mobile, yet once I placed in my at&t sim, it worked just fine. Why would dell indicate unlocked when in fact its really not. I have samsung, nokia and htc unlocked devices which works on ANY carrier with a sim card. Whats the deal here on this dell streak device.
All Streaks purchased from Dell in the U.S are locked to at&t, you can request a lock code from at&t which they should give you free of charge.
I read on the Dell forum that they will shortly be selling unlocked streaks in the U.S
Like the previous poster said AT&T will provide you with an unlock code. Just and FYI though using that unlock code will not get your phone the Froyo update any quicker as it appears only factory unlocked phones will get it first (along with UK devices) The AT&T locked phones will start getting the update on Dec 3rd according to Dell.
I just bought my Streak last week and will be returning it and reordering an unlocked unit from Dell which should be available in a week or two.
Nice this thread already answered one question i had:
If i buy an ATT streak and unlock it will FROYO come faster? NO.
Second question you guys may be able to help with...
Does anyone know if the upcoming US Dell factory unlocked streak will be compatable with T-Mobile? I'd love to not have a 2GB data plan...
Thanks!
From what I understand they will but only on their Edge network, they won't be any different hardware wise that the current AT&T locked devices they will just be unlocked from the factory. All that means is they will have a different baseband version classifying them as unlocked.
So after a long conversation with at&t (2hrs holding on and of with tech support) , I was told the bootloader is unlockable. The said once the phone is carrier unlocked, I could take it INTO A STORE and they would be able to unlock the boatloader there.
Sorry if this should been put in a different thread, but it is new information I was told was just released.
Please let us know how that works for you that would be awsome
Sent from my SM-G900W8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Which store were they talking about? General AT&T store, or AT&T Device Support Center, or BestBuy Samsung booth?
My phone is already unlocked by AT&T, and I'm hating this phone because I have no root. This will be my last AT&T phone for sure.
I think they don't know what their talking about; how would a 'carrier unlock' be the factor of a Bootloader unlock? .. sounds like bs to me because they are totally different things: carrier unlock is for a GSM phone that takes any Gsm sim; bootloader unlock is for like flashing, downgrading from any type of android system (I.e going from 4.4.2 back to 4.3)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Maxninja said:
I think they don't know what their talking about; how would a 'carrier unlock' be the factor of a Bootloader unlock? .. sounds like bs to me because they are totally different things: carrier unlock is for a GSM phone that takes any Gsm sim; bootloader unlock is for like flashing, downgrading from any type of android system (I.e going from 4.4.2 back to 4.3)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking it could be the case where if you are done with your contract (meaning your subsidized phone is all paid for through their service contract), they will carrier unlock your phone. At that point AT&T may be very nice and also unlock the bootloader. But that's just wishful thinking.
I am very skeptical as you are, and you are probably right that the customer rep is too stupid to mix up bootloader unlock with carrier unlock.
i doubt this as well. if this were true then i am pretty sure those who had purchased their note3's or s4's full price/without contract would have done it already. but i have never heard of this being done.
Why not just sell your att note and buy a Tmobile Note 3 and you can have all the features you want.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
I was very specific when talking to rep as the difference with carrier unlock and bootloader unlock. I paid cash for my device so no contract or pay plan. She was referring to a corporate AT&T store. We even talked about the HTC bootloader unlocking so we were on same page! As you can see I've been a member since 2011, and only now am I posting anything (this being 2nd post) since I've never had anything to say or comment on. I will be downgrading back to 4.3 and turn updates off. And I'll post up if they really do and can do this for me.
johnniejr243 said:
I was very specific when talking to rep as the difference with carrier unlock and bootloader unlock. I paid cash for my device so no contract or pay plan. She was referring to a corporate AT&T store. We even talked about the HTC bootloader unlocking so we were on same page! As you can see I've been a member since 2011, and only now am I posting anything (this being 2nd post) since I've never had anything to say or comment on. I will be downgrading back to 4.3 and turn updates off. And I'll post up if they really do and can do this for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would talk to at least two other reps, if I were you, before believing anything they say. If what the two said to you is correct, we would have found about it way earlier.
Moderator Edit: There is a bounty on this topic; if this is a veridical process and can be validated (ie, one has gone into the store and had the tech do it), then please post your experience here. Thread closed.
I just have a quick question, there's a store that sells factory unlocked Verizon and Att&T Note 4's and my question is (sounds dumb) are the bootloaders locked as well? I'm looking forward to buying one in April, but if the bootloader is still locked even though it's a factory unlocked device I'm not going to buy it since I want a unlocked bootloader for obvious reasons.
Verizon sells a developers edition that has an unlocked bootloader.. i have not heard of Att selling a unlocked bootloader edition.
Their devices(att) are locked up tight like fort knox...
MartyMar_XVII said:
I just have a quick question, there's a store that sells factory unlocked Verizon and Att&T Note 4's and my question is (sounds dumb) are the bootloaders locked as well? I'm looking forward to buying one in April, but if the bootloader is still locked even though it's a factory unlocked device I'm not going to buy it since I want a unlocked bootloader for obvious reasons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a Developer Edition note 4 with unlocked bootloader, I don't know about those variants though...I guess their bootloader is locked...
Flashvetrin said:
Verizon sells a developers edition that has an unlocked bootloader.. i have not heard of Att selling a unlocked bootloader edition.
Their devices(att) are locked up tight like fort knox...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ashatar said:
There is a Developer Edition note 4 with unlocked bootloader, I don't know about those variants though...I guess their bootloader is locked...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the thing that gets me and I don't think the store owner knows of the developer editions. I asked him and he hasn't replied to me, lol.
MartyMar_XVII said:
That's the thing that gets me and I don't think the store owner knows of the developer editions. I asked him and he hasn't replied to me, lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try searching some others stores, there are probably many in New York
Ashatar said:
Try searching some others stores, there are probably many in New York
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am, the store owner just replied, he told me it isn't the developers edition but it's factory unlocked most likely just for getting g other carriers, oh well.
MartyMar_XVII said:
I am, the store owner just replied, he told me it isn't the developers edition but it's factory unlocked most likely just for getting g other carriers, oh well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then, good luck finding the dev edition.
Ashatar said:
Well then, good luck finding the dev edition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I'm going to need it, lol. I've dealt with a bootloader locked device the LGL70 for metro pcs, for about a week or so then someone unlocked the bootloader and boy was I excited, lol. Apparently in the Verizon Note 4 section there's progress. Knowing how I am I'm just going to get the Verizon Note 4 and just wait only because the store who's selling it can give it to me on an monthly payment plan. I can't really afford to dish out the money for the dev edition.
I finally reached the 50 day finish line and will have my phone unlocked today or tomorrow. I want to sell this, but as "unlocked" on Swappa to make a bit more on it. How do I remove the Sprint Bloatware after unlock?
The variant you have technically will always be a Sprint variant. If you start up in bootloader mode, it will have variant - sprint not openus
I want to know the answer to this as well. I heard that factory resetting with a non sprint sim would take that stuff away. I am still 10 days out from the unlock.
runderekrun said:
I want to know the answer to this as well. I heard that factory resetting with a non sprint sim would take that stuff away. I am still 10 days out from the unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think that will work. We switched my wife's from the Sprint stock rom to the openus stock rom for better updates and it's still showing Sprint variant. It is also unlocked. So I don't know. But our phones never had bloatware on them to begin with.
JoRocker said:
I finally reached the 50 day finish line and will have my phone unlocked today or tomorrow. I want to sell this, but as "unlocked" on Swappa to make a bit more on it. How do I remove the Sprint Bloatware after unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it will always be a Sprint variant and can only be unlocked for domestic use. Please make sure buyers are aware if you sell it on Swappa.
Airwolf79 said:
Yes it will always be a Sprint variant and can only be unlocked for domestic use. Please make sure buyers are aware if you sell it on Swappa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's 100% false.. I already talked to Sprint about this because I'm moving to Taiwan in February, and they said it will work anywhere in the world. I.E. International and domestic unlock. There is no Sprint Bloatware just a PRL manager when Sprint Sim is inserted..
I also received an email stating my phone has been "International and Domestic Unlocked".
JoRocker said:
That's 100% false.. I already talked to Sprint about this because I'm moving to Taiwan in February, and they said it will work anywhere in the world. I.E. International and domestic unlock. There is no Sprint Bloatware just a PRL manager when Sprint Sim is inserted..
I also received an email stating my phone has been "International and Domestic Unlocked".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct.
I don't see any bloatware on my phone.
It will always be a Sprint variant but that is only for identification.
JoRocker said:
That's 100% false.. I already talked to Sprint about this because I'm moving to Taiwan in February, and they said it will work anywhere in the world. I.E. International and domestic unlock. There is no Sprint Bloatware just a PRL manager when Sprint Sim is inserted..
I also received an email stating my phone has been "International and Domestic Unlocked".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well Sprint doesn't say anything about unlocking it internationally. https://www.sprint.com/en/support/solutions/device/faqs-about-unlocking-your-sprint-device.html
Maybe you'll be lucky and it'll work for you, but I wouldn't take a chance taking a Sprint variant over seas with their track record of randomly relocking phones. There was a post here on the forum of a guy from Germany that bought an unlocked Sprint phone and couldn't use it over there. So until you actually try it, you won't know for sure. I still stand by my OP that the seller should disclose that it's a Sprint variant because it's not worth as much. There's plenty of regular unlocked ph1's on Swappa to choose from, so good luck trying to sell it for more than $300, if it's mint.
JoRocker said:
I finally reached the 50 day finish line and will have my phone unlocked today or tomorrow. I want to sell this, but as "unlocked" on Swappa to make a bit more on it. How do I remove the Sprint Bloatware after unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What Sprint bloatware are you referencing? I had my sprint installed but that was it. I keep it to pay my bill and track other things, but I was able to delete it just for kicks.
Airwolf79 said:
Well Sprint doesn't say anything about unlocking it internationally. https://www.sprint.com/en/support/solutions/device/faqs-about-unlocking-your-sprint-device.html
Maybe you'll be lucky and it'll work for you, but I wouldn't take a chance taking a Sprint variant over seas with their track record of randomly relocking phones. There was a post here on the forum of a guy from Germany that bought an unlocked Sprint phone and couldn't use it over there. So until you actually try it, you won't know for sure. I still stand by my OP that the seller should disclose that it's a Sprint variant because it's not worth as much. There's plenty of regular unlocked ph1's on Swappa to choose from, so good luck trying to sell it for more than $300, if it's mint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just called Sprint again to make sure (spoke to international department) they said there will be no issues it is 100% unlocked. I don't know what happened with that guy from Germany, but I'd guess he was lied to about it being unlocked from whoever he bought it from. In fact unless the post is less than a couple weeks ago, I know that's the case, because I got mine the first week of the offer and just was able to get it unlocked late last week.
I went to Swappa and every mint selling for $340 is still locked to Sprint. In fact, every posting says "locked to Sprint, will be unlockable after 50 days". So I'd assume people are selling the unlocked Sprint variants on "Unlocked" section, because there's no Bloatware, and it is unlocked.
carterfalls said:
What Sprint bloatware are you referencing? I had my sprint installed but that was it. I keep it to pay my bill and track other things, but I was able to delete it just for kicks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I meant, I figured out how to remove it. I actually don't have to, it gets installed with Sprint Sim it seems.
JoRocker said:
I just called Sprint again to make sure (spoke to international department) they said there will be no issues it is 100% unlocked. I don't know what happened with that guy from Germany, but I'd guess he was lied to about it being unlocked from whoever he bought it from. In fact unless the post is less than a couple weeks ago, I know that's the case, because I got mine the first week of the offer and just was able to get it unlocked late last week.
I went to Swappa and every mint selling for $340 is still locked to Sprint. In fact, every posting says "locked to Sprint, will be unlockable after 50 days". So I'd assume people are selling the unlocked Sprint variants on "Unlocked" section, because there's no Bloatware, and it is unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People that got in on the early lease program were told that they wouldn't have to wait the whole 50 days, and many posted their devices were unlocked within a few days of being paid off. One guy even posted his contract, and it didn't say anything about being only DSU until 50 days of use. Obviously, Sprint caught on to this that people were cancelling their contracts as soon as they paid off the device.
My point is, sellers of a Sprint device that are trying to sell it as an unlocked device need to disclose that it's a Sprint variant because most people will gladly pay a little more for a true GSM unlocked device that they don't have to worry about getting randomly relocked. The cheapest PH1 on Swappa in the unlocked section is $389, and none of them say they are Sprint variants, but there are people who will lie and not tell someone it's a Sprint variant, so I just wanted to inform the OP. That's not right.
Airwolf79 said:
People that got in on the early lease program were told that they wouldn't have to wait the whole 50 days, and many posted their devices were unlocked within a few days of being paid off. One guy even posted his contract, and it didn't say anything about being only DSU until 50 days of use. Obviously, Sprint caught on to this that people were cancelling their contracts as soon as they paid off the device.
My point is, sellers of a Sprint device that are trying to sell it as an unlocked device need to disclose that it's a Sprint variant because most people will gladly pay a little more for a true GSM unlocked device that they don't have to worry about getting randomly relocked. The cheapest PH1 on Swappa in the unlocked section is $389, and none of them say they are Sprint variants, but there are people who will lie and not tell someone it's a Sprint variant, so I just wanted to inform the OP. That's not right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look, I know you want to be right, but you just aren't... I ordered my phone day 3 of the deal. My phone was unlocked originally and then relocked a week later, because Sprint initially made a mistake and corrected it. It didn't affect me because I'm on the Sprint BYOD deal anyways. That's more than likely what happened to the German guy...
There is zero difference between the Unlocked and Sprint version. Usually with carrier specifics phones (note again I said usually) they alter the accepted frequencies to support that specific network and add carrier Bloatware, that's not the case with the Essential phone. Once the 50 days is up and you get it unlocked, it's unlocked forever. It's yours and you own it to use how you see fit. There is no Sprint Bloatware whatsoever or any carrier branding. It is now deemed "Unlocked" and can be advertised as such. I'll put in my listing that it was used on Sprint Network, but to say it will randomly relock is a ridiculous statement and has no chance of happening. It will accept all frequencies that any Essential phone is capable of using.
JoRocker said:
Look, I know you want to be right, but you just aren't... I ordered my phone day 3 of the deal. My phone was unlocked originally and then relocked a week later, because Sprint initially made a mistake and corrected it. It didn't affect me because I'm on the Sprint BYOD deal anyways. That's more than likely what happened to the German guy...
There is zero difference between the Unlocked and Sprint version. Usually with carrier specifics phones (note again I said usually) they alter the accepted frequencies to support that specific network and add carrier Bloatware, that's not the case with the Essential phone. Once the 50 days is up and you get it unlocked, it's unlocked forever. It's yours and you own it to use how you see fit. There is no Sprint Bloatware whatsoever or any carrier branding. It is now deemed "Unlocked" and can be advertised as such. I'll put in my listing that it was used on Sprint Network, but to say it will randomly relock is a ridiculous statement and has no chance of happening. It will accept all frequencies that any Essential phone is capable of using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just completely contradicted yourself. Your phone was relocked "accidentally". LMAO. Ok buddy, you're right, I'm wrong.
JoRocker said:
Look, I know you want to be right, but you just aren't... I ordered my phone day 3 of the deal. My phone was unlocked originally and then relocked a week later, because Sprint initially made a mistake and corrected it. It didn't affect me because I'm on the Sprint BYOD deal anyways. That's more than likely what happened to the German guy...
There is zero difference between the Unlocked and Sprint version. Usually with carrier specifics phones (note again I said usually) they alter the accepted frequencies to support that specific network and add carrier Bloatware, that's not the case with the Essential phone. Once the 50 days is up and you get it unlocked, it's unlocked forever. It's yours and you own it to use how you see fit. There is no Sprint Bloatware whatsoever or any carrier branding. It is now deemed "Unlocked" and can be advertised as such. I'll put in my listing that it was used on Sprint Network, but to say it will randomly relock is a ridiculous statement and has no chance of happening. It will accept all frequencies that any Essential phone is capable of using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are two sprint system apps installed onto the sprint variant. Once it's unlocked, it is close enough to unlocked to probably sell it as such but there is a slight differences.
Airwolf79 said:
You just completely contradicted yourself. Your phone was relocked "accidentally". LMAO. Ok buddy, you're right, I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't contradict myself... They relocked people because they hadn't had service on the phone for 50 days to fully own the device... I have now. It is unlocked internationally and Domestically. It will accept all carriers in the world without risk of relocking... You're trying to way too hard to be correct.
I have already removed the Sprint PRL manager, by flashing Essentials stock ROM, not that it actually shows unless there's a Sprint Sim in the phone in the first place, but still for others peace of mind. It is now an Unlocked Essential Phone. No difference from my phone to an Essential website or Amazon version...
Airwolf79 said:
You just completely contradicted yourself. Your phone was relocked "accidentally". LMAO. Ok buddy, you're right, I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint can't relock them if there's no Sprint sim in them anymore.
I bought 4 through the deal, only 1 got relocked, that was the one that still had a sprint sim (and that one is unlocked now as well since the 50 days are up).
2 of them I gave to my parents who live in Belgium (that's in Europe) and they've been working perfectly ever since.
Gambler_BE said:
Sprint can't relock them if there's no Sprint sim in them anymore.
I bought 4 through the deal, only 1 got relocked, that was the one that still had a sprint sim (and that one is unlocked now as well since the 50 days are up).
2 of them I gave to my parents who live in Belgium (that's in Europe) and they've been working perfectly ever since.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I'm glad it worked out for you. Then I guess the right thing to do if selling the phone in the unlocked section on Swappa is to state that the 50 days has passed and it's fully unlocked. I stand corrected.
RE: Thread comment related to domestic and international unlocks on PH-1 Sprint variant.
Both unlocks are applicable on PH-1.
Attached composite of screen captures from my unlocked PH-1's illustrating BOTH domestic AND international unlocks of one of my PH-1's as reference example.
Friends don't let friends insert Sprint SIM's into their Essential phones View attachment 4803126