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LG V20 Unlocked (US996) vs TMobile LG V20?

Hey Guys,
So I am seriously interested in this phone but cant decide what the difference is between these 2 variants?
It seems that TMobile LG V20 has no support for CDMA and support for AWS-3 spectrum (Band 66)
The unlocked version seems to support CDMA but I dont know if it has support for Band 66.
Source TMobile LG v20 : http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/lg-v20.html
LG v20 Unlocked: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1285961-REG/lg_lgus996_ausasv_lg_v20_4gb_ram.html
Can someone please shed some light on this? Will the unlocked version include all the bells and whistles of TMobile variant?
Thanks.

adit07 said:
Hey Guys,
So I am seriously interested in this phone but cant decide what the difference is between these 2 variants?
It seems that TMobile LG V20 has no support for CDMA and support for AWS-3 spectrum (Band 66)
The unlocked version seems to support CDMA but I dont know if it has support for Band 66.
Source TMobile LG v20 : http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/lg-v20.html
LG v20 Unlocked: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1285961-REG/lg_lgus996_ausasv_lg_v20_4gb_ram.html
Can someone please shed some light on this? Will the unlocked version include all the bells and whistles of TMobile variant?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has there been confirmation that the t-mobile variant is locked?

You'll have to look around but I thought it was confirmed the unlocked version B&H is selling is not Band 66 compliant.

CHH2 said:
You'll have to look around but I thought it was confirmed the unlocked version B&H is selling is not Band 66 compliant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Do you have any link that confirms that?

US996 is USCC (US Cellular) version which does not have B4 HSPA.

I can confirm that, unfortunately, the T-Mobile LG V20 will not come with an unlockable bootloader. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this something I got straight from the top-level guys @ TMO.
Possible good news, see two post below.

What... "top level guys"? What's your connection? Hmmmm
Sent from my awesome T-Mobile LG V10!

@planetbeen That would be Mr. Lucero and Miss Viola, director's in their respective divisions.
Anyways... I might have some good news.
I was called this morning and included in a conversation between TMO and LG. LG is now saying the bootloader will not be "locked down". I tried asking about fastboot and they were being a bit shady and gave me a vague answer.
Take this how you will.

Well we now have a couple people who have received their v20.. Hopefully we'll know very soon!
Sent from my awesome T-Mobile LG V10!

Specs for the US996:
http://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-US996-Unlocked-v20-titan
CDMA 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS/800 MHz CDMA; GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz; LTE Bands 2/3/4/5/7/12/13/17/20/25
EVDO, EVDO Rev A, 1xRTT, LTE, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, GSM, HSPA+, HSPA

What is the bloatware situation on the T-Mobile vs unlocked? And can all of the bloat be deleted? (Especially any anti-virus software!)

Despite my phone will be arriving on monday, Let me ask you a question that might make you get your choice. do both of then offer great promotions? and which one has the frequencies more suitable to your needs?
I pre ordered the tmobile variant because im currently on tmobile. But that's not the only reason, i grabbed all the offers too and the phone ended up being $520 (+ 49.99 down payment + 53.90 of taxes) thanks to the $200 dollars when you trade-in a 4g phone (any phone that is 4g (preferably 4g lte), and also i get the free H3 earphones (i have to redeem it on LG website). And also, i get the opportunity of the free tablet (sure, at a cost of having to add an extra line but that is only 10 dollars more for 24 month and also is optional). In additon, Tmobile variant has unlocked bootloader, no other variant has reported that as far as i know.

How do you know it has an unlocked bootloader? I got mine yesterday. Is there any way we can check I recovery or something to see if it's locked?

Paradoxumical said:
I can confirm that, unfortunately, the T-Mobile LG V20 will not come with an unlockable bootloader. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this something I got straight from the top-level guys @ TMO.
Possible good news, see two post below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take it you are the master of all that is holy?

thatisandwas said:
How do you know it has an unlocked bootloader? I got mine yesterday. Is there any way we can check I recovery or something to see if it's locked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because there was someone who already did it. it doesnt come unlocked, but it is unlockable , at least for the Tmobile version.
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/lgv20/comments/58568e/v20unlockable_bootloadervery_simplesame_as_g4g5/
also there are some posts around in XDA LG V20 section, the first 3 sub-sections. Right now @bountyman334 has tried several methods to root it however he hasnt hit the spot yet. But im sure there are also quite a few people who haven't spoken but are trying to root it. You will have to ask them how did the manage to do it, but at least we know that if we have the Tmobile variant, we have unlockable bootloader. :good::good:

Oh man that is awesome to hear! I was just saying the only thing that could make this phone the best in years would be if I could install custom roms like the old days!

thatisandwas said:
Oh man that is awesome to hear! I was just saying the only thing that could make this phone the best in years would be if I could install custom roms like the old days!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But remember, unlocked bootloader doesnt mean you will get root and roms. (I will soon be an owner of the V20 tmobile variant so is not like i m not expecting for a rooting method and roms soon after) . On the other hand, we are closer than any other variants

ice5192 said:
I take it you are the master of all that is holy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Holy, light, pure, good and just.

No guarantee.....but......
joseguillen1994 said:
But remember, unlocked bootloader doesnt mean you will get root and roms. (I will soon be an owner of the V20 tmobile variant so is not like i m not expecting for a rooting method and roms soon after) . On the other hand, we are closer than any other variants
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am hoping that with an unlocked Bootloader more devs will jump on-board; especially with Samsung no longer being dev friendly for US models. I am very pleased with the V20. I wasn't sure I would find something I was happy with to replace my TMobile Note 4. But so far this is an excellent choice.

FAUguy said:
Specs for the US996:
CDMA 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS/800 MHz CDMA; GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz; LTE Bands 2/3/4/5/7/12/13/17/20/25
EVDO, EVDO Rev A, 1xRTT, LTE, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, GSM, HSPA+, HSPA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the same as the unlocked LG G5. It won't work on Sprint. Why would any company make an unlocked cell phone that works on three of the four US carriers? Phones that work on Sprint can be used on RingPlus who offer free phone/data plans.
LG's unlocked phones are an abortion done with pliers.

Different versions of 6t?

I was wondering if there are different version of the OnePlus 6t. I have seen some called "global", "international", or "T-Mobile" version. I am moving from a LG V20, of which there were 5 or 6 different versions depending on carriers. Are all of the 6t's the same? Can I download the updates and not have to worry about messing up my phone? Thank you!

Downloading an update directly from Android UI will not break your phone (unless you have modified system partition)
Just take the global/international version (a6013) from oneplus.com and you'll be fine

There's two versions, international, and T-Mobile.
International and global are names for the same thing. It's the phone directly from OnePlus. It gets updates the quickest and has dual SIM support out of the box. You can get all the hardware versions (6/8gb ram, 128gb/256gb storage).
TMobile version is only 8gb/128gb. Only in mirror black. It comes with single Sim support out of the box. It has a locked bootloader that can only be unlocked if you get TMobile to SIM unlock the phone (typically once the device is paid off, but people have got it done sooner). So far it's only gotten one update and seems to be a few weeks behind the international version. It *might* have software optimizations for T-Mobiles network. (Dual SIM can be done with an unlocked bootloader and running the international software. You can't take OTA updates and must flash manually)
Sales and monthly payments can possibly make the TMobile version a better deal. If you're paying outright and full price. Get the phone directly from OnePlus. The only advantages the T-Mobile version has is the possible network optimizations (not proven, but assumed), and the fact that you can swipe left on the home screen and access Google feed. You can't do this with the default launcher on the International version. But this is a minor issue. There's trade offs with the TMobile version, but it's possible to be cheap enough to make up for the trade offs. You can look at the (Don't buy the TMobile, and Do buy the T-Mobile) threads in the discussion subforum.

Thank you.
My 6t is on order and I plan to use it with Verizon. Thank you for the information.

wakko222 said:
My 6t is on order and I plan to use it with Verizon. Thank you for the information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works great on Verizon.
Use chat to get them to configure CDMA_LESS or LTE only mode. Took about two minutes for me. Otherwise SMS won't be received.

Activate Band 71 by Firmware Switch?

Hi there, I'm looking at buying an S10+ on eBay, and I see quite a few from AT&T (unlocked) that don't support Band 71. I'm on T-Mobile, and was wondering if I can install the T-Mobile firmware, since all of the G975U models supposedly support all the US firmwares, correct? If I do install the T-Mobile firmware on one of the AT&T unlocked models, will it activate Band 71? I live in a city and don't really need Band 71, but I do travel frequently and was just recently in an area of Band 71 coverage that my current phone LG G6 couldn't support, so I'm curious.
I'm using the following page for reference on which firmwares/phone models support which bands:
https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-s10-plus-model-number-sm-g975-differences/
Thanks!

gwbyrd said:
Hi there, I'm looking at buying an S10+ on eBay, and I see quite a few from AT&T (unlocked) that don't support Band 71. I'm on T-Mobile, and was wondering if I can install the T-Mobile firmware, since all of the G975U models supposedly support all the US firmwares, correct? If I do install the T-Mobile firmware on one of the AT&T unlocked models, will it activate Band 71? I live in a city and don't really need Band 71, but I do travel frequently and was just recently in an area of Band 71 coverage that my current phone LG G6 couldn't support, so I'm curious.
I'm using the following page for reference on which firmwares/phone models support which bands:
https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-s10-plus-model-number-sm-g975-differences/
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'f you flash to t.mobile firmware then you should be good to go.
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Thanks, LimeyBastard. So just to confirm I understand this correctly, all of the Snapdragon/US based models have the exact same hardware, which supports Band 71, but only Tmobile and US Cellular activate Band 71 support in the firmware? Therefore, simply flashing the tmobile firmware onto any G975U unit will result in a phone that can use Band 71?
The ATT phones for sale seem considerably cheaper than the tmobile ones for some reason, so this seems like a good way to save money.

gwbyrd said:
Thanks, LimeyBastard. So just to confirm I understand this correctly, all of the Snapdragon/US based models have the exact same hardware, which supports Band 71, but only Tmobile and US Cellular activate Band 71 support in the firmware? Therefore, simply flashing the tmobile firmware onto any G975U unit will result in a phone that can use Band 71?
The ATT phones for sale seem considerably cheaper than the tmobile ones for some reason, so this seems like a good way to save money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct.
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Excellent, thank you! As it turns out, there's also a flamingo pink phone that is only sold by AT&T. I'd love to use that on T-Mobile. Of course, I can without Band 71, but now if I find myself stuck somewhere in the country, I might be able to have a pink phone to ward off the wolves! Haha. Now I just have to see if it's easy to unlock an AT&T carrier locked phone.

gwbyrd said:
Excellent, thank you! As it turns out, there's also a flamingo pink phone that is only sold by AT&T. I'd love to use that on T-Mobile. Of course, I can without Band 71, but now if I find myself stuck somewhere in the country, I might be able to have a pink phone to ward off the wolves! Haha. Now I just have to see if it's easy to unlock an AT&T carrier locked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You remind me of me, likes to go unique colors if possible [emoji106]
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

gwbyrd said:
Excellent, thank you! As it turns out, there's also a flamingo pink phone that is only sold by AT&T. I'd love to use that on T-Mobile. Of course, I can without Band 71, but now if I find myself stuck somewhere in the country, I might be able to have a pink phone to ward off the wolves! Haha. Now I just have to see if it's easy to unlock an AT&T carrier locked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The U1 S10s have B71. Why do you want to bother with the ATT variant?

Ace42 said:
The U1 S10s have B71. Why do you want to bother with the ATT variant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He or she said its because they can get hold of this variant at a better price.
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Ace42 said:
The U1 S10s have B71. Why do you want to bother with the ATT variant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Ace42! I don't need the ATT variant, it just so happened the cheapest model I found on eBay was an ATT variant, so I thought I could save money that way. I'd be perfectly happy if I could find a U1 variant, or at this stage any of the unlocked carrier variants. It seems unlocking these phones isn't a guaranteed thing yet? There are some really cheap ones from Sprint.

On this subject, does anyone know if these 3rd party unlock services are reliable/safe? I hate to spend money to unlock my phone, but if it costs $25 and I can use my phone on another network, I suppose it's worth it. I believe I can request an unlock from the carrier in many cases, but if they turn me down, I don't want to spend money on a phone I can't use, as there isn't currently a DIY method to unlock the G975U, correct?

gwbyrd said:
On this subject, does anyone know if these 3rd party unlock services are reliable/safe? I hate to spend money to unlock my phone, but if it costs $25 and I can use my phone on another network, I suppose it's worth it. I believe I can request an unlock from the carrier in many cases, but if they turn me down, I don't want to spend money on a phone I can't use, as there isn't currently a DIY method to unlock the G975U, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can only go by who I've used in the past. Cellunlocker net. Used them twice.
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Limeybastard said:
He or she said its because they can get hold of this variant at a better price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, makes sense! SIM unlocking ATT phones is the annoying bit so I generally keep my distance.
gwbyrd said:
Hi Ace42! I don't need the ATT variant, it just so happened the cheapest model I found on eBay was an ATT variant, so I thought I could save money that way. I'd be perfectly happy if I could find a U1 variant, or at this stage any of the unlocked carrier variants. It seems unlocking these phones isn't a guaranteed thing yet? There are some really cheap ones from Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used ATT's device unlock multiple times in the past. The only issue is that requests are denied for no reason, which means resubmitting your request. You don't have to be an ATT subscriber (T-Mobile user).
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/

I know this is an old thread, but were you ever successful in enabling band 71 on the S10?
I am curious as to doing the same thing on an S10e - which also has a US and an international version. My main reason for wanting to do it is not cost, but the fact that the S10e comes with dual-SIM support, whereas for some insane reason, the US version does not. It seems to be that many of Samsung's US phones drop 2-SIM support.

MetroPCS?

Thinking about getting one, the 128 GB/8 GB T-Mobile version, which is cheaper than the unlocked one.
This *should* work on MetroPCS, won't it?

If i remember correctly between MetroPCS/T-Mobile, though they're practically on the same network i don't think you can use a T-Mobile phone on MetroPCS unless the phone is unlocked. I had a LG phone exclusive from Metro once and i tried putting in T-Mobile sim and it didn't work for me, unless maybe it's the other way around where it'll work on Metro coming from a T-mobile phone?? Hope this somewhat help.

I'm not sure with any OnePlus device, but I had two Samsung phones (J7 and Grand Prime) that I helped build ROM's for and they both supported T-Mobile and Metro sims on every build. Just call a Metro store and ask, they should be able to give you an answer. Good luck.
GuyInDogSuit said:
Thinking about getting one, the 128 GB/8 GB T-Mobile version, which is cheaper than the unlocked one.
This *should* work on MetroPCS, won't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Turns out the seller had an unlocked one for the same price and specs, so I bought that one.

Lg v35 lm-v350awm at&t gsm

Hello!
I found this V35 bidding on ebay which according to the seller's title it is AT&T unlocked.
Before i buy it,i want to know if i can use it in Europe..will it work for 2g,3g and 4g networks?
Do i have to flash another rom for it to work on my network?
Thanks in advance!

I bought an AT&T branded phone on ebay. It was advertised as unlocked. It wasn't and did not work with a non AT&T sim card. If you end up in that situation, it is easy to buy a sim unlock code from a service like codes2unlock.com. The phone works great seemingly everywhere! It can be rooted too if you're into that.
granazias said:
Hello!
I found this V35 bidding on ebay which according to the seller's title it is AT&T unlocked.
Before i buy it,i want to know if i can use it in Europe..will it work for 2g,3g and 4g networks?
Do i have to flash another rom for it to work on my network?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

cmrntnnr said:
I bought an AT&T branded phone on ebay. It was advertised as unlocked. It wasn't and did not work with a non AT&T sim card. If you end up in that situation, it is easy to buy a sim unlock code from a service like codes2unlock.com. The phone works great seemingly everywhere! It can be rooted too if you're into that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh thank you very much for this info.
Basically i don't really have it with rooting,but i was thinking of just flashing a new stock rom that could remove all AT&T bloatware.
I've read somewhere that this is possible to do via a ULM version kdz rom.

granazias said:
Hello!
I found this V35 bidding on ebay which according to the seller's title it is AT&T unlocked.
Before i buy it,i want to know if i can use it in Europe..will it work for 2g,3g and 4g networks?
Do i have to flash another rom for it to work on my network?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Korean V35 user here. I'm also from Europe and the phone works just fine in my country. Though, Korean software is annoying because it thinks it's constantly in roaming and is very conservative when switching networks, but I know the hardware is good because a rescan always finds me a 4G network. Anyways, I'm sure that flashing ULM rom will fix that, I just don't have the time needed to mess around with that atm.
Enjoy your new phone

fpozar said:
Korean V35 user here. I'm also from Europe and the phone works just fine in my country. Though, Korean software is annoying because it thinks it's constantly in roaming and is very conservative when switching networks, but I know the hardware is good because a rescan always finds me a 4G network. Anyways, I'm sure that flashing ULM rom will fix that, I just don't have the time needed to mess around with that atm.
Enjoy your new phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is so nice to hear that you can use it in Europe.
It's a really wonderful and hardware strong device,and on the other hand so beautiful without all these ugly notches.
It is a real shame of LG that left European market out..they always find a way to shoot theirselves on feet.
And hey..i don't own it yet,i just watched it on a bid,but thanks anyway for the wish)).
And for sure i will keep looking for it until i find one i like and can afford the cost of course,because extra cost for tax and import charges is about 70 euros more than original price.
Thank you for the infos anyway!