Database Users

[Q] Your opinion of GSM Nation?

Hi,
I am on AT&T using a T-Mobile S5 because it's a better device to run RoMs on. Someone suggested GSM nation as a place to purchase a Galaxy S6 unlocked. I am looking for folks who have tried that, and am curious how the experience went for them. It would seem that they sold the 9000M version of the S5.
Was it updated faster then Carrier versions?
Was it limited at all by not have Carrier bloat?
How was your warrantee experience, if you had to use it?
Any other thoughts?
I suppose I can buy an S6 outright from T-Mobile and just put my Sim in it, but I thought I would explore all my options.
Thanks!

Unlocked/International Version for use with US/GSM Carrier

I would definitely prefer an unbranded phone, usually that means 'International' model? Any suggestions on where I should be looking to buy one?
Here on "pre-order launch" day, the only offers I see are for carrier branded phones.
In case I've made an error in logic, I'll note what I'm trying to do: I use a MVNO GSM carrier with an unlimited data plan, so I'm looking for a "GSM" S7-EDGE that is carrier unlocked. I'll check the LTE bands and all... the question is, where to buy one of these?

Not sure on international models however you'll want to check out tmobile. There always unbranded and I believe I read somewhere it has all 4 bands except cmda? Can't confirm the cmda one. Also the bootloader are unlocked.

Expansys and eBay are your best bets when the time comes
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Shoulon said:
Not sure on international models however you'll want to check out tmobile. There always unbranded and I believe I read somewhere it has all 4 bands except cmda? Can't confirm the cmda one. Also the bootloader are unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TMOBILE phones are not Unbranded at all - they include a bunch of bloat and their branding is all over the software in their phones - I don't think they put the name TMOBILE on the phone itself, but I thnk Unbranded means much more than just that. I am not meaning to criticize, just pointing out the fact that I don't think TMOBILE Phones could be considered unbranded.
Having said that, they do work beautifully on other compatible networks.

Just preordered my Samsung Galaxy S7 (930T). Hopefully this T-Mobile phone will get rooted quick. I'm done with AT&T phones.... paid outright, and will unlock through T-Mobile....

mocsab said:
TMOBILE phones are not Unbranded at all - they include a bunch of bloat and their branding is all over the software in their phones - I don't think they put the name TMOBILE on the phone itself, but I thnk Unbranded means much more than just that. I am not meaning to criticize, just pointing out the fact that I don't think TMOBILE Phones could be considered unbranded.
Having said that, they do work beautifully on other compatible networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He might be talking about the international versions and not the US version.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Tidbits said:
He might be talking about the international versions and not the US version.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Bad... thanks for the heads up

Here's an unlocked probably European phone from Expansys
http://www.expansys-usa.com/samsung-galaxy-s7-unlocked-32gb-black-onyx-288135/
I think it's the European because it's listed as an Octa core (Processor: Octa-Core / 2.3 GHz Quad + 1.6 GHz Quad) if I'm not mistaken the SD820 isn't Octa but the Exynos is and Europe is supposed to be getting Exynos.

If those bands are correct that is very limiting. I'd still hold out and wait to see the full support listing.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Isn't that you can just use qualcomm's QXDM,QPST and DFS to unlock all the band? Just need have root first.

maybe, but you should rely on it. Let's just say for example Samsung changes how things are in this version or we can't find an exploit for 6 months to a 1 year? That's just me though. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

So I was planning to get the international version (Exynos) Galaxy S7 Edge, but After using the Live Chat on Samsung website, they told me as of today the International Version of S7 DOESN"T support the Samsung Pay yet.... any ideas?

I am trying to unlock one for my family member from t mobile. Anyway to unlock it for international use without paying a fortune?
---------- Post added at 04:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:16 AM ----------
Is it true what they are saying that when you first put the sim in the phone and turn it on it locks itself to that carrier?? SO IF I PUT IN att sim in tmobile phone it will be locked to att ?

UnixSlayer said:
Just preordered my Samsung Galaxy S7 (930T). Hopefully this T-Mobile phone will get rooted quick. I'm done with AT&T phones.... paid outright, and will unlock through T-Mobile....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to break it to you but the bootloader on the TMO S7 Edge is locked down now like ATT and Verizon without root available
"And on that bombshell!"
Sent from my Smokin G935A

Check out the Canadian version sm-g935w8. It has exynos, supports samsung pay and can be rooted. The specs say it supports all the north American lte bands. If you buy one from a Canadian samsung experience store, it comes with factory unlock codes
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app

I'm getting an Exynos S7 Edge and am thinking of installing an unbranded Rom from Sammobile, any idea which?
I'm in Australia, so no Samsung Pay yet, but it could be handy.
I'm sure certain European Roms get updates sooner too.

Ok, checked Sammobile again and this looks safe. Looks to be an unbranded Australian rom.
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/67083/G935FXXU1APAW_G935FXSA1APAW_XSA/

Is my S7 Edge model weird?

I have the S7 Edge SM-935P a model I don't seem to see much of wherever I look. Anything different about my model? Can I root it? What can I do with this odd number?

Google says:
Variants: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
AT&T [SM-G935A]
Bell Canada [SM-G935W8]
Sprint [SM-G935P]
T-Mobile [SM-G935T]
Unlocked [SM-G9350]
Unlocked [SM-G935F]
Unlocked [SM-G935FD]
Unlocked [SM-G935U]
US Cellular [SM-G935R]
Verizon [SM-G935V]

jan2018
bootloader is locked on all domestic s7 edge
you can flash stock roms across most of the s7 edge models
the cleanest is the g935u
you may find need to load a different carrier for specific reasons
there is a root but its problematic
double check the FED for financial reasons. sprint locks prepaid phones and unlocked phones for reasons
and other stuff

it's a Samsung from Sprint. Why is this weird?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Verizon S7 vs. Unlocked S7?

Hello everyone,
I am looking to upgrade from my S4 to an S7 over the next few days, and I have been trying to decide which is the better option between the Verizon model and the unlocked model. I will be using this phone on a Verizon network for now, and was leaning to the unlocked model to get rid of the Verizon bloatware. There is a chance I will be living in a different country in another year or so, so I figured the unlocked model would also give me more flexibility with my next carrier, as I had heard the Verizon model does not support all carrier frequencies. Are there any distinct advantages to going with the Verizon model over the unlocked model, or are there any other important differences I'm overlooking between these two options?
Thanks!

Unlocked how? Boot loader unlocked or carrier network (SIMM) unlocked? Verizon phones are carrier unlocked. Meaning, you can already take an AT&T SIMM and put it into the Verizon S7 and it will work.
As for removing verizon bloatware, that's only possible if you root. Unlocked is specific to the carrier only, not an unlocked bootloader. None have an unlocked bootloader that I know of.
The carrier unlocked phones also receive updates much slower than the normal ones.
https://plus.google.com/+DroidLife/posts/ENv2fH9zD7e
If you want carrier unlocked phones that get updates faster than the generic carrier unlocked phones, get the Verizon phone. As per this article, it's already carrier unlocked and it's already updated to Nougat. Might be some hoops to jump through, but it works:
http://www.androidcentral.com/yes-verizon-galaxy-s7-and-s7-edge-are-sim-unlocked
The generic unlocked ones are still on Marshmallow and there is no word on if/when they'll get Nougat. Also, the Verizon one is cheaper than the generic carrier unlocked phones. Expecially if you can find a sale going on for it.

There is a hybrid rom that is debloated and works great for all models, it is posted in the vzw amd tmo s7 forums. I'm using it on two phones myself.

The U firmware has no bloat, and has all bands available for use. The main downside is that nougat still isn't out for it, and certain apps won't work if you're from Verizon such as their voicemail app.
On the plus side you get some features that Verizon charges extra for, such as caller ID built in for free.
Regardless you can flash any firmware to any S7 so long as it's the snapdragon variant.

cadcamaro said:
The U firmware has no bloat, and has all bands available for use. The main downside is that nougat still isn't out for it, and certain apps won't work if you're from Verizon such as their voicemail app.
On the plus side you get some features that Verizon charges extra for, such as caller ID built in for free.
Regardless you can flash any firmware to any S7 so long as it's the snapdragon variant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been curious about the G-930U also. If you know, please tell me if these working assumptions are correct or not: The "U" has no carrier branding on it and it has no carrier "bloat" in it (although maybe some Samsung stuff). The "U" CANNOT be bootloader unlocked because it has the Snapdragon processor and at present none of the Snapdragon variations can have their bootloaders unlocked (how I hope this isn't true!). The "U" can be flashed to carrier-specific firmware, although I don't know what the advantage would be.
I'm still mostly using an XT1575, the Motorola X Play Edition 2015. It too had no carrier contamination but it's bootloader was easy to unlock. All I had to do to get it to work with Verizon was insert my nano SIM card. Do any phones still work like that?

SM-G950UZSATMB - What!? Bootloader unlocked?

I see this BOGO offer direct on Samsung's website for Galaxy S8's. In the past, all Galaxy S phones were SM-G920T (T for T-Mobile) SM-G920V (V for Verizon, etc) and then Best Buy sold that piece of crap SIM unlocked SM-G920U that was bootloader LOCKED and couldn't do anything with it.
I'm trying to find out here if the Bootloader is locked on any variant of the Snapdragon 835 S8's, and which version I should get. T-Mobile has the same BOGO offer on the S8 in the form of a rebate as well, but I can't confirm anywhere the specific model number. I'm so jaded by the fact that T-Mobile left the bootloader locked on their S7 that I can't imagine them leaving it unlocked.
The G6 is also BOGO right now as well, but I don't know if that bootloader is unlocked like all my previous LG phones from T-Mo we're.
I'd really appreciate any kind of confirmed answers you might have!
Cheers!

joesee said:
I see this BOGO offer direct on Samsung's website for Galaxy S8's. In the past, all Galaxy S phones were SM-G920T (T for T-Mobile) SM-G920V (V for Verizon, etc) and then Best Buy sold that piece of crap SIM unlocked SM-G920U that was bootloader LOCKED and couldn't do anything with it.
I'm trying to find out here if the Bootloader is locked on any variant of the Snapdragon 835 S8's, and which version I should get. T-Mobile has the same BOGO offer on the S8 in the form of a rebate as well, but I can't confirm anywhere the specific model number. I'm so jaded by the fact that T-Mobile left the bootloader locked on their S7 that I can't imagine them leaving it unlocked.
The G6 is also BOGO right now as well, but I don't know if that bootloader is unlocked like all my previous LG phones from T-Mo we're.
I'd really appreciate any kind of confirmed answers you might have!
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the carriers have "U" devices in the U.S. this year. The SIM you initialize the phone with is what carrier's features are added. A "U" from Samsung apparently doesn't take on the carrier whose SIM is used features and remains virgin. So "U" could be considered "universal" or "U.S." It's still a S-835 device which means "U" definitely doesn't mean unlocked bootloader.

I'm not an expert at all but I really doubt that ANY Samsung bootloader will ever be unlocked again. Pretty much after 2013 all bootloaders were locked [AFAIK] at least for the Galaxy series. I really like Samsung devices but my Galaxy Tab S (late 2014) isn't even going to get the Nougat upgrade - this actually pisses me off greatly.
When you see 'unlocked' concerning a phone/device it means CARRIER unlocked, not the bootloader. The 'unlocked' means that you can use it with any carrier that the device supports - so just about most of the carriers/providers in the entire world. Still not sure about this concerning CDMA (Verizon/Sprint) as some things may not work (different bands). Tried using GSM phones on CDMA a few years back and wasn't able to use 4G/LTE & also MMS.
Good luck.
EDIT:
Was typing this as BarryH_GEG replied to your question. Yes the letter following the model corresponds to the various carriers (Verizon, Cricket, Sprint, etc) and are also different for international versions.
EDIT2:
On another note I own a Galaxy S7 Edge (international) that has the Exynos processor that is unlocked. At the same time this is the only device I've never rooted because it works so well for me, no carrier bloatware. Also the only device I've ever purchased without a removable battery. Until the latest updates I was able to go 2 days without charging (not anymore unfortunately). The international S8/S8+ also use the Exynos processor so you might consider this option. However the cost will be high as it was for me when I purchased my GS7edge as you'll need to purchase it directly without any US discounts or such. I paid out just over $700 for my GS7edge directly, though at the same time my AT&T bill is much lower because of this.
I've researched the GS8+ international and it's looking to be around $800. Compared to trading in my GS7edge international for an unlocked US version I can get for $375 (with trade-in) if I do this within a month or so... I can probably get $400 for my GS7edge (since it's international) but how long will this take? If I only get $300 for it for a quick sale I'll still spend $500 for the new 8+ so is this worth it?
Only stating these issues so that you understand my thinking concerning an unlocked bootloader. These are [mostly, still SS stuff] bloatware free, have incredible power, etc, etc. I miss rooting my device but is it really worth it for the cost? I really want the international/Exynos S8+ but still not sure.
Let me know your thoughts, later.