Well maybe I am naive or just plain dumb, but I really thought we would be getting Nougat by now. Well VZW will be losing another family plan in a few months - cost of course plays a huge factor too. I'll miss my V10 though.
You do not have to get rid of VZW just stop buying carrier branded phones. Buy direct, like Pixel, Moto, or LG from LG and not through Verizon. Often manufacturers update their non carrier b branded phones right away.
Haxcid said:
You do not have to get rid of VZW just stop buying carrier branded phones. Buy direct, like Pixel, Moto, or LG from LG and not through Verizon. Often manufacturers update their non carrier b branded phones right away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This V10, with extra battery and 64gb SD card, cost me under $70 at Best Buy in December 2015. So I'm ok with branded phones at that cost. I really thought that we would have seen N at some point.
But with Pixel launchers or the Nova updates I'm not sure I'm missing much.
Saw your V10 died. What did they give you?
OnceAMatrixMan said:
This V10, with extra battery and 64gb SD card, cost me under $70 at Best Buy in December 2015. So I'm ok with branded phones at that cost. I really thought that we would have seen N at some point.
But with Pixel launchers or the Nova updates I'm not sure I'm missing much.
Saw your V10 died. What did they give you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another V10
Hmmmm.... A 20 minute update. N maybe? Doubt it
Haxcid said:
You do not have to get rid of VZW just stop buying carrier branded phones. Buy direct, like Pixel, Moto, or LG from LG and not through Verizon. Often manufacturers update their non carrier b branded phones right away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If don't buy direct from Verizon, is there away to pay for phone on installments? Not sure if you mean buy from Amazon or EBay?
WTF Verizon?
OnceAMatrixMan said:
Hmmmm.... A 20 minute update. N maybe? Doubt it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have NEVER seen so many updates without an android version update. that's like 5 updates I've installed since upgrading to 6.0 and I'm still on 6 point effing 0
Yep. Google's policy if releasing security updates every month. Of course even those releases are a month or more late with VZW
Related
Anyone know when this is expected to be on AT&T in the US? I am getting tired waiting.
I want to go on a contract, without is too much dosh.
Q3 2011. No specific date has been confirmed.
No sexy insider info? Wasn't the phone suppsoed to come out in like March/April lol.
no that was the infuse, it was just rumored to be the US gs2, its not.
Best bet is to buy a white iphone4 on contract, DONT OPEN the box, ebay it for 600$ and get a gs2 for 750$ shipped, 350$ out of your pocket is better than 750
sportedwood said:
Best bet is to buy a white iphone4 on contract, DONT OPEN the box, ebay it for 600$ and get a gs2 for 750$ shipped, 350$ out of your pocket is better than 750
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bingo. Exactly what I did. This phone is very much worth $325-350. Plus you're not tied to AT&T for updates. Chances are the carriers will mess with the hardware. The carrier versions might not be that much worse but theyre sure as hell not going to be better. And you can also save $10-15/month using the medianet data plan.
You'll know the phone is iminent when the online media sites start talking about it clearing the FCC. There's been no news about any of the U.S. carrier variants so I'd guess you're talking about months, not weeks. Many of the sites report that VZW will be the launch carrier with AT&T second. If that's so, you're probaly looking it at least six months.
Hmm, if I decide to just wait, think we may see it around June? July max?
BarryH_GEG said:
You'll know the phone is iminent when the online media sites start talking about it clearing the FCC. There's been no news about any of the U.S. carrier variants so I'd guess you're talking about months, not weeks. Many of the sites report that VZW will be the launch carrier with AT&T second. If that's so, you're probaly looking it at least six months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait why? I thought the phone has already cleared the FCC with at&t bands? http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/11/samsung-galaxy-s-hits-the-fcc-with-atandt-bands-onboard/
I also haven't seen any evidence of this phone coming to verizon.
You do realize the article you posted is from last year for the Galaxy S?
BRB reformatting computer. I guess I missed that
I meant this anyway http://www.intomobile.com/2011/05/05/samsung-galaxy-s-2-hits-fcc-att-bands-more-carriers-follow/
I love my LG G3. Love that I have it rooted with custom ROM. It is being kept alive because of this. I recently looked into upgrading (I am with Sprint) and looking at newer models of phones, but I am finding that there are no root solutions/ unlocking bootloaders for the newer models. Now I know all the international phones have some way to root them, but I live in the US and use Sprint. Does anyone think that rooting may become a thing of the past? I read that it is getting way more difficult to root. What does everyone else think?
Get a Nexus. I had the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 5 then figured I'd give the LG G3 a try and am disappointed. All I do is end up flashing an AOSP ROM anyway.
Sent from my LG-ls990 using Tapatalk
How do the newer Nexus phones work with Sprint? Are there specific models you need to get to work with Sprint? Does Sprint WiFi calling work with them?
Currently under family contract with Sprint, so keep buying phones under contract since we are paying for it anyway. I think that is going away even for those of us grandfathered in with older contracts. I will definitely consider Nexus to replace my G3 if I can't get cheap G5 or HTC 10 when I go in.
Best Buy has the G5 for $1 with a 2-year extension. Sale ended, disregard. The same drama surrounding root and BL unlock as we went through with the G3 launch is currently playing out again with people offering bounties and getting in fights and taking their balls and going home. Gave me a lot of bad flashbacks. There are partial methods that have been released and then recalled, for valid reasons, but there are lots of jerks that are trying to bait the devs into releasing something... It's a clusterjam.
The HTC 10 is already BL unlocked via Sunshine (paid app) and if it wasn't $200 I'd already have one. If the G5 gets rooted and I can still get it for $1 I'll go that way. Now that it's back up to $149 I see no benefit to the G5. I got one for my wife and it's nice but if there's no public root method by the time I'm shopping I won't give it a second glance. I know this is off-topic, so sorry.
Rooting is a whole new game now with MM and the encryption on different partitions, and phone makers are less likely to make easy BL unlocks now that Android Pay is a thing.
So, rooting is not necessarily ending, but custom ROMs and recoveries (requires BL unlock) are more likely to fall by the wayside. Time will tell. It's a tenuous game with devs on edge, lay users demanding immediate results, and tempers and egos running hot on all sides. Maybe Pangu will open an Android division and shift the conversation.
SilverZero said:
Best Buy has the G5 for $1 with a 2-year extension. Sale ended, disregard. The same drama surrounding root and BL unlock as we went through with the G3 launch is currently playing out again with people offering bounties and getting in fights and taking their balls and going home. Gave me a lot of bad flashbacks. There are partial methods that have been released and then recalled, for valid reasons, but there are lots of jerks that are trying to bait the devs into releasing something... It's a clusterjam.
The HTC 10 is already BL unlocked via Sunshine (paid app) and if it wasn't $200 I'd already have one. If the G5 gets rooted and I can still get it for $1 I'll go that way. Now that it's back up to $149 I see no benefit to the G5. I got one for my wife and it's nice but if there's no public root method by the time I'm shopping I won't give it a second glance. I know this is off-topic, so sorry.
Rooting is a whole new game now with MM and the encryption on different partitions, and phone makers are less likely to make easy BL unlocks now that Android Pay is a thing.
So, rooting is not necessarily ending, but custom ROMs and recoveries (requires BL unlock) are more likely to fall by the wayside. Time will tell. It's a tenuous game with devs on edge, lay users demanding immediate results, and tempers and egos running hot on all sides. Maybe Pangu will open an Android division and shift the conversation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would the HTC 10 work with sprint?
texasjmzmd said:
Would the HTC 10 work with sprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you get a Sprint variant. They're $199 w/ 2-year extension. Hoping a deal pops up sometime to cover low sales like that last one for the G5 did at BB. Unlocked phone should also work.
SilverZero said:
Yes, if you get a Sprint variant. They're $199 w/ 2-year extension. Hoping a deal pops up sometime to cover low sales like that last one for the G5 did at BB. Unlocked phone should also work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been a customer since 1993 with sprint, and I am NOT eligible for the "$199 w/ 2-year extension." Nice....
texasjmzmd said:
I've been a customer since 1993 with sprint, and I am NOT eligible for the "$199 w/ 2-year extension." Nice....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not? I thought that was always an option unless you were not through your last 2-year extension. But I also know they do crazy things with customers, even long-term.
i'm hoping Sprint give Boost better phones .-. till then i'm staying with my G3
I would like to replace my Verizon flip phone with the LG G5.
Don't try to talk me out of it, I like the wide-angle camera and the native 16:9 camera sensor.
I also like the idea of getting my hands on one for under $300.
And yet I am very aware that over time this phone can develop problems with Wi-Fi, GPS, camera focusing, etc.
SO, my question is > What is the best way to get a deal on the LG G5 that will allow me to replace it or send it back to LG
for repair under warranty in case any major problems pop up during the next year or two?
Some background: I am on a Verizon unlimited plan with four lines (1 iPhone, 2 flip phones, and 1 tablet).
All devices are paid off, so no particular commitment to stay with Verizon, although it would be easier
not to have to replace each device if we moved over to T-Mobile (second choice).
The best deal I've seen was last month from Best Buy ($5 month/24 months - $120 total). I missed that,
so I keep checking Best Buy's site, hoping that same deal will be repeated. At the moment they list the Verizon LG G5
at $15/month, which is a better deal than Verizon themselves, who list it at $20/month.
>> Does getting a potentially troubled phone from a carrier offer more protection for replacement or repair
over buying one from Best Buy, Amazon, or even Swappa, or will LG's warranty be just as good from any of these options?
Just trying to get the best deal and protection on a new LG G5. Any thoughts?
VonDrake2 said:
I would like to replace my Verizon flip phone with the LG G5.
Don't try to talk me out of it, I like the wide-angle camera and the native 16:9 camera sensor.
I also like the idea of getting my hands on one for under $300.
And yet I am very aware that over time this phone can develop problems with Wi-Fi, GPS, camera focusing, etc.
SO, my question is > What is the best way to get a deal on the LG G5 that will allow me to replace it or send it back to LG
for repair under warranty in case any major problems pop up during the next year or two?
Some background: I am on a Verizon unlimited plan with four lines (1 iPhone, 2 flip phones, and 1 tablet).
All devices are paid off, so no particular commitment to stay with Verizon, although it would be easier
not to have to replace each device if we moved over to T-Mobile (second choice).
The best deal I've seen was last month from Best Buy ($5 month/24 months - $120 total). I missed that,
so I keep checking Best Buy's site, hoping that same deal will be repeated. At the moment they list the Verizon LG G5
at $15/month, which is a better deal than Verizon themselves, who list it at $20/month.
>> Does getting a potentially troubled phone from a carrier offer more protection for replacement or repair
over buying one from Best Buy, Amazon, or even Swappa, or will LG's warranty be just as good from any of these options?
Just trying to get the best deal and protection on a new LG G5. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, overall the LG g5 is actually a good phone. Yes, there can be some issues, but overall if you get a decent one you'll be happy. Now, are you looking to be able to root and / or use custom ROMs? If so either get the T-Mobile h830 and switch to T-Mobile as it had root and custom ROMs available or the RS988 from b&h photo as it works on Verizon (just pop in an already activated Verizon sim card and it works without issues) if you're wanting to stay on Verizon and get root (only root is available currently for rs988). Also, b&h photo has a really decent warranty they they offer when you buy from them. Other benefit of RS988 is that if you decide to change to T-MOBILE or at&t at a later time, you can do that as it has the correct bands for all 3 carries. If you don't care about root / custom ROMs and are 100% sure you want to stay on Verizon you could go with Verizon itself although you would want to get insurance and that's a monthly charge and big deductible and you'll only get a refurbished version of they can't fix it instead of paying a one time fee for warranty and much smaller deductible with b&h. So, will depend on what you're truly looking for. I had the RS988 and used it on Verizon and T-MOBILE without any issues although I returned it as I really needed root and custom ROMs and at the time it wasn't possible except on international h850 and T-Mobile h830, so I got the T-Mobile version. Oh and other thing, as far as warranty goes, it's the same no matter if you go through Verizon, T-MOBILE, b&h or best buy as warranty is from LG for 1 year. Hopefully this helps
Thanks jeffsga88 for all that info. It sounds like it's better to rely on LG's free year-long warranty
rather then paying a carrier an extra insurance fee.
Is it correct that if I got a used phone on Swappa, the warranty would only be good for a year from
when the phone was originally purchased?
For the LG G5, I am not particularly interested in rooting. I am fully aware that this is a rooting site,
but it seems people on XDA forums really know their stuff, which is why I'm seeking out help here.
I am mostly interested in getting a model that will work with Verizon here in the US,
and also work in Western Europe on their GSM network. T-Mobile works with GSM,
so no problem there, which I why I might consider switching.
However, my research shows that even an LG G5 Verizon CDMA model should work on
European GSM networks. I hope this is correct.
VonDrake2 said:
Thanks jeffsga88 for all that info. It sounds like it's better to rely on LG's free year-long warranty
rather then paying a carrier an extra insurance fee.
Is it correct that if I got a used phone on Swappa, the warranty would only be good for a year from
when the phone was originally purchased?
For the LG G5, I am not particularly interested in rooting. I am fully aware that this is a rooting site,
but it seems people on XDA forums really know their stuff, which is why I'm seeking out help here.
I am mostly interested in getting a model that will work with Verizon here in the US,
and also work in Western Europe on their GSM network. T-Mobile works with GSM,
so no problem there, which I why I might consider switching.
However, my research shows that even an LG G5 Verizon CDMA model should work on
European GSM networks. I hope this is correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. If you buy off of swappa, you'll most likely not have warranty for two reasons. Number one is because the warranty is most likely past and number two is for warranty you need original proof of purchase which you probably won't get. I recommend getting from Best buy or b&h. As far as being able to use all the networks, I'd say you're better off getting the RS988 from b&h photo. It will have coverage on all the bands and will have a brand new 1 year warranty plus you could buy a warranty for $50 / 1 year or $80 / 2 year one time fee when you buy it and it covers spills and drops Oh, and you don't pay sales tax when you buy from them
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1239314-REG/lg_lgrs988_ausasv_g5_h850_32gb_smartphone.html
See attached screenshot for the bands this version has.
jeffsga88 said:
No problem. If you buy off of swappa, you'll most likely not have warranty for two reasons. Number one is because the warranty is most likely past and number two is for warranty you need original proof of purchase which you probably won't get. I recommend getting from Best buy or b&h. As far as being able to use all the networks, I'd say you're better off getting the RS988 from b&h photo. It will have coverage on all the bands and will have a brand new 1 year warranty plus you could buy a warranty for $50 / 1 year or $80 / 2 year one time fee when you buy it and it covers spills and drops Oh, and you don't pay sales tax when you buy from them
See attached screenshot for the bands this version has.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again jeffsga88 - that B&H RS988 model seems like the one to get.
At the moment B&H's price is $399. I might wait until the price gets closer to $299.
Don't know if this sounds crazy or not, it's just that I know there's that $120 Best Buy deal out there,
(or was out there), so a lower price seems preferable.
VonDrake2 said:
Thanks again jeffsga88 - that B&H RS988 model seems like the one to get.
At the moment B&H's price is $399. I might wait until the price gets closer to $299.
Don't know if this sounds crazy or not, it's just that I know there's that $120 Best Buy deal out there,
(or was out there), so a lower price seems preferable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the price will drop eventually. Not sure how long it will take but it will eventually drop. Was checking best buy and they have the rs988 too for $375 with a free battery and charging dock, but even at $375 it will be more then b&h with tax. If you're ok waiting a couple months I'd guess price will drop. Especially as more flagships come out this year and as LG gets closer to V30 release time.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-g5-4g-lte-with-32gb-memory-cell-phone-unlocked-silver/5199300.p?skuId=5199300#bonus-content
Edit: Also on b&h photo you can buy used for $249.95 with no tax. They say it won't be under manufacturer warranty but is covered by their warranty. You would need to email their support to get more details on what is covered and how long as I don't know. Here's the link for used one:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801549589-USE/lg_lgrs988_ausatn_g5_rs988_32gb_smartphone.html
jeffsga88 said:
Yeah, the price will drop eventually. Not sure how long it will take but it will eventually drop. Was checking best buy and they have the rs988 too for $375 with a free battery and charging dock, but even at $375 it will be more then b&h with tax. If you're ok waiting a couple months I'd guess price will drop. Especially as more flagships come out this year and as LG gets closer to V30 release time.
Edit: Also on b&h photo you can buy used for $249.95 with no tax. They say it won't be under manufacturer warranty but is covered by their warranty. You would need to email their support to get more details on what is covered and how long as I don't know. Here's the link for used one:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll wait as long as I can, which may not be very long.
However, according to comments on the B&H and Amazon pages, this unlocked model RS988 won't work with Verizon Wi-Fi calling,
which I suppose I could live without. Just hoping it works with European GSM networks.
It's seems my best choices are either this LG G5 RS988, or waiting to see if that $5/month Best Buy deal comes up again.
VonDrake2 said:
I'll wait as long as I can, which may not be very long.
However, according to comments on the B&H and Amazon pages, this unlocked model RS988 won't work with Verizon Wi-Fi calling,
which I suppose I could live without. Just hoping it works with European GSM networks.
It's seems my best choices are either this LG G5 RS988, or waiting to see if that $5/month Best Buy deal comes up again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may or may not, I never tested it while I had it As far as compatibility with EU GSM networks just Google search what network bands they use and check against the screenshot I posted earlier.
I just picked up a used AT&T g5 unlocked for $230.oo. I love it.
:highfive:
patrick73csun said:
I just picked up a used AT&T g5 unlocked for $230.oo. I love it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good to hear Patrick - it gives one confidence in the LG G5 - Thanks!
The Verizon GS6, a phone older than the V10 got updated to Nougat. If LG is going to stifle creativity the least they could do is timely updates. Can you image if your PC or MAC did not get any updates for over a year... Why do we as consumers allow carriers and phone makers to get away with this?
And to think I sold Galaxy S6 to buy this piece of crap! Biggest regret!
The camera and audio on my V10 are simply awesome.
The rest...not so much!
So LG corporate lurkers...while that G6 looks cool, I could probably count on some engineering stupidity that manifests within a year and some ensuing corporate coverup. No Thanks! When it's time to get a new phone...it won't be LG!
The LG V10 is scheduled for Nougat:
http://www.androidcentral.com/lg-v10-will-receive-nougat-update-q2-2017-lg-g4-q3
Now when Verizon gets around to finally approving and rolling out the update is another issue entirely...
Sent from my VS990 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
dattguy said:
The LG V10 is scheduled for Nougat:
http://www.androidcentral.com/lg-v10-will-receive-nougat-update-q2-2017-lg-g4-q3
Now when Verizon gets around to finally approving and rolling out the update is another issue entirely...
Sent from my VS990 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Korean market in the second quarter, then other markets after, which could mean September at the soonest bust Verizon will need to test it for a year and will update it after I have switched. I am ditching VZW. Nearly 2 decades I have been a customer and they have treated us like **** for that whole time. 127 dollars a month for a single 6gig smart phone (with government employee discount) and a basic flip phone. Their network is not that great. In my area ALL the carriers perform about the same. Sprint has generally the best network speeds. All of them are faster than the 4MBps down I get.
Yep switching to Sprint or AT&T and going iPhone, f**k waiting for updates. Apple at least releases them fairly timely.
Haxcid said:
The Verizon GS6, a phone older than the V10 got updated to Nougat. If LG is going to stifle creativity the least they could do is timely updates. Can you image if your PC or MAC did not get any updates for over a year... Why do we as consumers allow carriers and phone makers to get away with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would not be as bad if they didn't lock the phone down and not allow us to do as we wish. No updates plus a locked phone equals total b.s. I enjoy the V10 but would like it a whole lot more with root and a custom ROM.
goatman101 said:
It would not be as bad if they didn't lock the phone down and not allow us to do as we wish. No updates plus a locked phone equals total b.s. I enjoy the V10 but would like it a whole lot more with root and a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't say the v10 has gotten no updates, just not to the next version of the os. I can't tell you how long I've waited between major updates from microsoft. Until 10, they really didn't do a major change for multiple years. Verizon does suck a bit for c**k-blocking the root, but I would learn the art of patience, if I were you. It does suck, but there are a million other phones to choose from... I guess some people just can't stand but to shove their negativity in everyone's faces. sheesh! Can't we all just get along?
Currently on my 2nd V10, and the only things that I can honestly say that's good about this damn device is sound and removable battery. Locking it up like a prison and dragging ass on updates are constant reminders of why I should have never went back to an LG device.
I too have been with VZW for a long time (Bell Atlantic days actually), with only minimal discounts for being military as well as crappy customer service with over priced fees per monthly billing that make no sense. Before year's end I plan on finally dumping VZW and going elsewhere. I'd be highly surprised if this device actually sees 7.0 by Christmas, which by then would be completely useless.
They are updating the K8v to nougat.
https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/lg-k8-v-update/
Nice to see a low end phone getting the update before what was one of their flagship phones.
Haxcid said:
They are updating the K8v to nougat.
https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/lg-k8-v-update/
Nice to see a low end phone getting the update before what was one of their flagship phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
V10 already have the update too, but only in Korea, F600K/S/L are updated with Nougat since yesterday, even before K8v.
Other V10 variants will have the update in a week, or in days to come.
sun_is_shinning said:
V10 already have the update too, but only in Korea, F600K/S/L are updated with Nougat since yesterday, even before K8v.
Other V10 variants will have the update in a week, or in days to come.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great but neither Verizon or myself are in Korea.
Haxcid said:
That's great but neither Verizon or myself are in Korea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon will receive the update too but a little late since carriers will have to do a revision of it and then put their crappyware inside the update.
For Verizon i think maybe in the end of June you get it, its the problem having carrier phones, everytime you are the last receiving the updates.
not looking like we are going to get Nougat..i guess we are suppose to be happy with the latest security updates...smfh
Edit: I misread the post. The author claims the reps told him Verizon received the update on July 12 from LG and are modifying it for release. So still no release date, but if this is true, it's a hopeful sign.
Original: I posted this in another thread, too, but I just stumbled up on this post which says Nougat is coming on "July 12." I think he meant Aug. 12, because the post was made yesterday. (unless the timestamp is wrong for some reason...)
https://www.reddit.com/r/lgv10/comments/6prj0q/take_it_with_a_grain_of_salt_verizon_says_nougat/
LG is no more "lame" than any other manufacturer. In this case, the update is on Verizons end. LG has already updated the V10 to Nougat and T-mobile has pushed it out to their users a while ago. Verizon has not, and I will doubt that they will at this point. I have owned Android devices by Samsung, LG, and HTC. You are lucky if you get one OS update on them. One of my HTC's I had for two years got none. If you want a device that is going to be supported in 5 to 6 years, you will have to buy an iPhone. And no, I have never owned an iPhone, but the truth is all of their upgrades are up to Apple. Apple does not let the carriers install garbage software on their devices, so when an update comes out, the testing is all on their end.
I ordered an unlocked S9+ from Samsung for my wife last night since it was cheaper, and the articles I was reading said it was the way to go as the US carriers were screwing everyone over with their price increases. Unfortunately, I started looking into it more after I bought it, and I'm concerned that I'll regret this. It sounds like things like WiFi calling, video calling, HD voice, Visual Voicemail, etc. don't work on the unlocked version. Additionally, it sounds like updates are even slower than Verizon.
Basically, these are going to be non-starters with my wife. She doesn't care about the VZW bloat and would much rather have those features. Is it possible to flash the unlocked firmware to be VZW stock firmware? I think I saw this done on the S8, but I'm not sure if that was available on release day or if she is going to have to wait months for the VZW stock firmware to be leaked or something. Should I just return this and pay more for the Verizon version, or can I get this to work without pulling my hair out? Thanks for any help!
Probably, but not immediately
I face the same dilemma - I have pre-ordered the unlocked version from Samsung, because it really annoys me to be gouged by VZW, but I would like the VZW features you mention. As you say, the GS8/GS8+ unlocked could be flashed to the VZW firmware, so I expect that it will also be possible to flash the VZW firmware to unlocked GS9/GS9+. The catch is that that's not likely to be day 1. And if you do it later, it will probably be a hassle, because you may lose settings, etc. I.e. your wife will not be happy.
Frankly, for the $90 difference, it's probably not worth the hassle. If you value your time more than burger-flipping hourly pay, you'll probably do better holding your nose and paying the VZW gouge. Of course, you could just be patient and wait a couple of months for the price to come down/BOGO deals to emerge, etc. and/or the VZW firmware to be available to flash, but that's un-American - we want gratification NOW, dammit!
While I didn't get the unlocked one I did save money by getting in on the Best Buy deal for $100 off the phone! Verizon at the time was listed at $915 on the site, got $100 off so $815 out the door Beat Samsung's price from the get go... awesome. Verizon version of the 9+.
Same here
firefox15 said:
I ordered an unlocked S9+ from Samsung for my wife last night since it was cheaper, and the articles I was reading said it was the way to go as the US carriers were screwing everyone over with their price increases. Unfortunately, I started looking into it more after I bought it, and I'm concerned that I'll regret this. It sounds like things like WiFi calling, video calling, HD voice, Visual Voicemail, etc. don't work on the unlocked version. Additionally, it sounds like updates are even slower than Verizon.
Basically, these are going to be non-starters with my wife. She doesn't care about the VZW bloat and would much rather have those features. Is it possible to flash the unlocked firmware to be VZW stock firmware? I think I saw this done on the S8, but I'm not sure if that was available on release day or if she is going to have to wait months for the VZW stock firmware to be leaked or something. Should I just return this and pay more for the Verizon version, or can I get this to work without pulling my hair out? Thanks for any help!
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I am having the same issue with my unlocked s9+ i got directly from samsung. besides duo, is there another workaround for video calling?
galaxys9plus said:
I am having the same issue with my unlocked s9+ i got directly from samsung. besides duo, is there another workaround for video calling?
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I believe that people have had success flashing it to VZW if you want to go that route.
Deathman20 said:
While I didn't get the unlocked one I did save money by getting in on the Best Buy deal for $100 off the phone! Verizon at the time was listed at $915 on the site, got $100 off so $815 out the door Beat Samsung's price from the get go... awesome. Verizon version of the 9+.
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Don't forget the upgrade fee though if you did it on device payments
geoff5093 said:
Don't forget the upgrade fee though if you did it on device payments
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Oh yeah lovely upgrade fee/line activation fee. I think its waved on the phone I upgraded, my new line I got nailed with it... wahooo.
Deathman20 said:
Oh yeah lovely upgrade fee/line activation fee. I think its waved on the phone I upgraded, my new line I got nailed with it... wahooo.
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The only way to escape that stupid fee is to buy an unlocked phone and swap SIM from an old phone. They should waive that fee if you buy at full cost from them or if you don't need to have a Verizon employee switch your SIM for you.
firefox15 said:
I ordered an unlocked S9+ from Samsung for my wife last night since it was cheaper, and the articles I was reading said it was the way to go as the US carriers were screwing everyone over with their price increases. Unfortunately, I started looking into it more after I bought it, and I'm concerned that I'll regret this. It sounds like things like WiFi calling, video calling, HD voice, Visual Voicemail, etc. don't work on the unlocked version. Additionally, it sounds like updates are even slower than Verizon.
Basically, these are going to be non-starters with my wife. She doesn't care about the VZW bloat and would much rather have those features. Is it possible to flash the unlocked firmware to be VZW stock firmware? I think I saw this done on the S8, but I'm not sure if that was available on release day or if she is going to have to wait months for the VZW stock firmware to be leaked or something. Should I just return this and pay more for the Verizon version, or can I get this to work without pulling my hair out? Thanks for any help!
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Click to collapse
firefox15 said:
I believe that people have had success flashing it to VZW if you want to go that route.
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Flashing for the most part has been only partially successful. Most can not get Video Calling to work all other features seem to work. 1 guy in the these forums claims everything works on his. I haven't been sucessful with getting the integrated Video Calling to work, My account blocks it and won't let me unblock it for the Galaxy S9 my other lines with carrier phones the don't have blocks when I switch SIMS the block switches to whichever line the Galaxy S9 is on.
I would say this, save yourself the hassle and keep the wife happy, buy the VZW version from Samsung Directly. If you buy it outright just make sure VZW releases your IMEI since the phone is paid off. Then if you want to leave VZW or sell the phone everything is good to go and your not handing the money directly to those greedy blood suckers at VZW. For myself I'm willing to go without their features, besides the service I won't buy anything from them anymore I last bought a phone through them 4 years ago, and now that Tmob has got real 4G I'm gonna port my number out.