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Hi,
I have an Ouku Night tablet (device description available at Lightinthebox) that I purchased with a flexible data plan for tablets from Telus Canada. At the time I got the plan, I asked if this plan (designed for tablets) would work in a phone aswell and the answer from the rep was positive.
As expected, I found the tablet too big to carry everywhere so I got an unlocked HTC Inspire to be used as a smaller tablet. It worked for a while but now Telus tells me it is not a tablet so the plan won't work. They are not able to provide definitions of the differences between tablets and phones. I called 3 different reps to get the info without any success.
Here is my question: what makes a device appear as a phone or as a tablet to a carrier ? I do not want a phone plan with my devices, I just want to be able to access internet from everywhere I go.
Other question: is there a way to make a phone appear as a tablet to the carrier ?
Thanks for helping me better understand the android platform on those aspects.
I hope this can help future readers:
As I discovered from other readings, carrier finds out which phone you are using by its IMEI. There is a debate whether it is legal/illegal to change such a number but most people will advise it is illegal. XDA won't support threads about changing IMEI.
Now I still wonder if phones from China on ebay will show a phone IMEI or some unknown device type imei to the carrier which can be considered as tablet. Is there portion of the IMEI that states if it's a phone or SIM capable tablet ? If so, how can I better understand the IMEI pattern so I know how it is going to be considered by Telus Canada.
Thanks again.
I just got an L9 (LG-P769) on Monday and while I'm not 100% certain about this, because the version I got is the prepaid version (in the white/pink T-Mobile box that plainly mentions all the prepaid plans on it and has the flip-cover lid), there appears to have been or still is another version that comes in a black/grey box without all the fluff (a more traditional style phone box, if that makes any sense) that is supposedly the contract version of the phone.
I have a microSIM for T-Mobile (the phone came with one that hasn't been activated and I have no need to use it since I already have a microSIM for T-Mobile with the $30/month unadvertised plan that's so popular) but, I'm trying to confirm some information that I've been reading about in various places:
Some users state the prepaid version of the L9 is factory unlocked and ready to go for any provider (as one might expect or hope), while some are saying it's locked up tight as a drum, and then other people say there's that potential difference between the prepaid white/pink box version and the black/grey box contract phone - it's a bit odd because I was at a T-Mobile store earlier today and the CSR plainly stated "we don't do contracts anymore" so, perhaps the black/grey boxed versions are just the same thing and they were the models manufactured before T-Mobile kicked into prepaid gear back in April.
I just don't know the answers at the moment so I figured I'd ask if there is a way to confirm an L9 is carrier/network unlocked without having a competitor's microSIM to check it with. I know about the 3845#*769# service menu code, so I'm wondering if one of those hidden menu items might provide the info I'm looking for, or if there's some other method I can use to confirm it for sure - but again, I don't have any other microSIMs I can use, like one for AT&T or whatever, all I have is the two T-Mobile microSIMs at this point.
If anyone knows a method to confirm the locked/unlocked network status without putting in a different microSIM, I'm all ears... errrr... eyes I suppose since this is a text-based communication medium.
My 21 month old VS985 crapped out 4 days ago. I believe it's an issue with the digitizer. The screen just stopped turning on altogether. When I tried it out again the next day, I discovered that sometimes when I let it sit for a while and cool down, I'll be able to turn the screen on for 10 - 60 seconds. After that, the screen freezes and slowly glitches/fades out. But it's only able to turn on sometimes. Sometimes the screen just won't do anything at all. That's the only thing wrong with it though, I've been able to use it with TeamViewer or by casting my screen to my TV.
(Any advice for replacing the digitizer will be very appreciated, even though that's not the point of this thread. Has anybody here done it? Is it necessary to remove the screen, or can I replace the entire screen/digitizer assembly? I tried to replace the broken screen of my Galaxy S3 a few years back and it was a complete disaster, because after I spent several minutes trying to heat up the glue with a hair-dryer and pry the screen off, I ended up just making the entire screen shatter much more into a billion little shards. All of which obviously destroyed the digitizer as well. Sigh.)
...
Anyway, none of that is the point of this thread. To replace the phone, I bought another LG G3 on ebay. It was listed a brand new, factory unlocked black 32GB VS985 for $175. The seller has 99.9% positive feedback (3 negative points out of 2,827) and the phone did indeed come sealed in the factory OEM box, with all of the accessories and everything. It's definitely brand new.
However, before I give the seller feedback, I want to make sure the phone is actually factory unlocked. Because if it's not, I will likely contact the seller and request a partial refund for a portion of my money on account of the item not being exactly as described.
The description of the listing says, "Brand New LG G3 Verizon 4G LTE Smartphone Factory Unlocked" and further down it also says, "ESN's Are Clear and Can Be Activated on Your Verizon Line, They Are Also GSM Unlocked to Use With AT&T, Cricket, Straight Talk, Metro Pcs, and More."
Now correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't "factory unlocked" mean the device will work on all the major US carriers? Or does it mean it will only work on the carriers who share the same bands that are built into the LG G3? I don't know much about the technical side of this subject at all, so a little advice/correction would be really nice from you guys. It'll be a bit disappointing if the phone doesn't work with Sprint or T-Mobile, etc, but I'll live. I just want to make sure the seller described the item accurately before I leave him (otherwise well-deserved) positive feedback.
Thanks for reading!
harry_seaward said:
My 21 month old VS985 crapped out 4 days ago. I believe it's an issue with the digitizer. The screen just stopped turning on altogether. When I tried it out again the next day, I discovered that sometimes when I let it sit for a while and cool down, I'll be able to turn the screen on for 10 - 60 seconds. After that, the screen freezes and slowly glitches/fades out. But it's only able to turn on sometimes. Sometimes the screen just won't do anything at all. That's the only thing wrong with it though, I've been able to use it with TeamViewer or by casting my screen to my TV.
(Any advice for replacing the digitizer will be very appreciated, even though that's not the point of this thread. Has anybody here done it? Is it necessary to remove the screen, or can I replace the entire screen/digitizer assembly? I tried to replace the broken screen of my Galaxy S3 a few years back and it was a complete disaster, because after I spent several minutes trying to heat up the glue with a hair-dryer and pry the screen off, I ended up just making the entire screen shatter much more into a billion little shards. All of which obviously destroyed the digitizer as well. Sigh.)
...
Anyway, none of that is the point of this thread. To replace the phone, I bought another LG G3 on ebay. It was listed a brand new, factory unlocked black 32GB VS985 for $175. The seller has 99.9% positive feedback (3 negative points out of 2,827) and the phone did indeed come sealed in the factory OEM box, with all of the accessories and everything. It's definitely brand new.
However, before I give the seller feedback, I want to make sure the phone is actually factory unlocked. Because if it's not, I will likely contact the seller and request a partial refund for a portion of my money on account of the item not being exactly as described.
The description of the listing says, "Brand New LG G3 Verizon 4G LTE Smartphone Factory Unlocked" and further down it also says, "ESN's Are Clear and Can Be Activated on Your Verizon Line, They Are Also GSM Unlocked to Use With AT&T, Cricket, Straight Talk, Metro Pcs, and More."
Now correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't "factory unlocked" mean the device will work on all the major US carriers? Or does it mean it will only work on the carriers who share the same bands that are built into the LG G3? I don't know much about the technical side of this subject at all, so a little advice/correction would be really nice from you guys. It'll be a bit disappointing if the phone doesn't work with Sprint or T-Mobile, etc, but I'll live. I just want to make sure the seller described the item accurately before I leave him (otherwise well-deserved) positive feedback.
Thanks for reading!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds fishy to me. As far as I know, the VS985 is Verizon only. But, I could be wrong. Just not sure it's a legit offer. But that's just my personal opinion. Someone might have a more educated answer on this, but for me, I would have avoided it.
harry_seaward said:
Anyway, none of that is the point of this thread. To replace the phone, I bought another LG G3 on ebay. It was listed a brand new, factory unlocked black 32GB VS985 for $175. The seller has 99.9% positive feedback (3 negative points out of 2,827) and the phone did indeed come sealed in the factory OEM box, with all of the accessories and everything. It's definitely brand new.
However, before I give the seller feedback, I want to make sure the phone is actually factory unlocked. Because if it's not, I will likely contact the seller and request a partial refund for a portion of my money on account of the item not being exactly as described.
The description of the listing says, "Brand New LG G3 Verizon 4G LTE Smartphone Factory Unlocked" and further down it also says, "ESN's Are Clear and Can Be Activated on Your Verizon Line, They Are Also GSM Unlocked to Use With AT&T, Cricket, Straight Talk, Metro Pcs, and More."
Now correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't "factory unlocked" mean the device will work on all the major US carriers? Or does it mean it will only work on the carriers who share the same bands that are built into the LG G3? I don't know much about the technical side of this subject at all, so a little advice/correction would be really nice from you guys. It'll be a bit disappointing if the phone doesn't work with Sprint or T-Mobile, etc, but I'll live. I just want to make sure the seller described the item accurately before I leave him (otherwise well-deserved) positive feedback.
Thanks for reading!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iBolski said:
Sounds fishy to me. As far as I know, the VS985 is Verizon only. But, I could be wrong. Just not sure it's a legit offer. But that's just my personal opinion. Someone might have a more educated answer on this, but for me, I would have avoided it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All Verizon devices are factory unlocked as is. You can freely use any made-for-Verizon device on any carrier that the device's radio frequencies support. Unfortunately, the VS985 only supports a few other frequencies, some of which do require enabling on your own in order to use - and that's not the same kind thing as being "factory unlocked", but Verizon themselves do not restrict the device from being used on any carrier, and some other devices like my VK810 support even fewer radio frequencies than the VS985 making it harder to use with any other network, but not impossible.
Bunches of people in these sections have made posts about using their VS985 on other networks, which besides enabling particular radio bands that the VS985 supports, sometimes only requires changing the APN (and the SIM obviously). The software does complain when a Verizon SIM isn't installed, but it's just an annoyance and doesn't keep from using the phone that way, and there may be ways to disable that (G3TweaksBox?).
I can't answer particulars because I've never used mine on anything but Verizon.
IMHO, the title of the Ebay listing is only misleading because all VS985s are factory unlocked; i.e. the particular listing isn't special by specifically mentioning that it's unlocked, but it's not inferior because of it either.
To be clear, "it will only work on the carriers who share the same bands that are built into the LG G3." There's no possibility that a device could work with carriers that use bands other than what the device supports, and being factory unlocked doesn't mean that you don't have to follow the instructions in the threads having to do with enabling optional bands if you wanted to use it on certain carriers, since the stock LG ROMs have some of those optional bands disabled by default. *Some* bands other than what Verizon uses are already enabled.
That is interesting about being able to enable some additional radio bands. I am waiting for a VS985 which I just bought, in order to try it with Total Wireless, since the AT&T coverage in my area comes up short for data connection. Am hoping that it will also work well enough with AT&T if I have a poor result with TW.
A few years back, while living in a different area, I had pretty good results with a G2 vs980 as GSM with t-mo, although results were a little better after switching to the t-mo G2 D801, so I figured that it would serve for AT&T as well if need be, although I've read reports of it lacking LTE band for AT&T, but they don't seem to offer LTE in my area anyway, so no loss there.
Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk
Hey guys, I'm wondering if anyone can help me out. I can receive calls, but can't make them. I've tried both wifi and cellular.
The weird thing is I called T-mobile for help and they were saying based on the IMEI I wasn't using a T-mo version and that I should get it unlocked. But it's definitely a T-mobile phone and it was working perfectly fine until today. If it was locked to some other carrier, it wouldn't have been working all this time, right?
Thanks for any help.
Where did you get your Galaxy Note 8? Did you get it from T-Mobile?
If you got it from somewhere like Ebay, then that device maybe flashed for T-Mobile, but actually came from another carrier. Check XDA on how to fix (flash) your device's cellular radio firmware to fully work with T-Mobile (that is if the IMIE number is not locked, due to previous owner's fault, like not fully paying for the Note 8, theft, etc).
If you got this device from T-Mobile, then do a manufacture warranty exchange with T-Mobile. You can request this over a phone call to T-Mobile support. Then they will send the replacement device to a T-Mobile store near you for you to do the exchange.
Always better to get your device from a trustworthy place, like your carrier's store/website/customer support phone call.
When getting a "smartphone" device from places like Ebay, you need to ask yourself why are they doing this. Why are they getting rid of a flagship like the Galaxy Note 8 so early on? If I was going for another flagship right now I would still keep the Note 8 for its unique features. So I would be suspicious of somebody giving rid of this device (Note 8) so early on. Why are they selling it for such low price right now? These are my thoughts on someone selling Note 8 right now (at this point in time) for low price: Good likelihood they messed it up by trying to root/flash ROM/flash carrier modem radio firmware, they don't want to fully pay the device off (so the device is no use to them), or they stolen the device.
Human beings are not dishonest all the time, but it does beg these questions to be asked and answered. Be so very careful in trusting people like this. Personally I wouldn't trust someone in this situation, but that is just me. Remember that they are not doing this because they are amateurs. They are very good in winning your trust.
Just saying!
JaguarXT said:
Where did you get your Galaxy Note 8? Did you get it from T-Mobile?
If you got it from somewhere like Ebay, then that device maybe flashed for T-Mobile, but actually came from another carrier. Check XDA on how to fix (flash) your device's cellular radio firmware to fully work with T-Mobile (that is if the IMIE number is not locked, due to previous owner's fault, like not fully paying for the Note 8, theft, etc).
If you got this device from T-Mobile, then do a manufacture warranty exchange with T-Mobile. You can request this over a phone call to T-Mobile support. Then they will send the replacement device to a T-Mobile store near you for you to do the exchange.
Always better to get your device from a trustworthy place, like your carrier's store/website/customer support phone call.
When getting a "smartphone" device from places like Ebay, you need to ask yourself why are they doing this. Why are they getting rid of a flagship like the Galaxy Note 8 so early on? If I was going for another flagship right now I would still keep the Note 8 for its unique features. So I would be suspicious of somebody giving rid of this device (Note 8) so early on. Why are they selling it for such low price right now? These are my thoughts on someone selling Note 8 right now (at this point in time) for low price: Good likelihood they messed it up by trying to root/flash ROM/flash carrier modem radio firmware, they don't want to fully pay the device off (so the device is no use to them), or they stolen the device.
Human beings are not dishonest all the time, but it does beg these questions to be asked and answered. Be so very careful in trusting people like this. Personally I wouldn't trust someone in this situation, but that is just me. Remember that they are not doing this because they are amateurs. They are very good in winning your trust.
Just saying!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I bought it from someone on Swappa. He sent me the receipt with it. It was purchased from Samsung.com. The box it came in had the T-mobile logo and everything so it's weird that the IMEI isn't registered with them.
To update my situation, I tried starting in safe mode and was able to make calls so I'm told it's a third party app causing the problem. Not sure which it is since I haven't installed anything new in a while.
First do a "Factory data reset". See if that gets rid of the problem. Hopefully that would get rid the the app that is causing the issue. I just remembered that substratum (including sungstratum - Samsung addon) did weird things like this to my Galaxy Note 8. I had to do a "Factory data reset". Then install all the apps one by one, since both Google and Samsung backups had substratum within it. So I couldn't use either backups. For that reason I stay away from substratum stuff.
It is not abnormal for Samsung direct bought devices to have IMIE number not registered with carrier. Usually not a problem with T-Mobile.
If problem still exists then have the seller contact Samsung to let them know that he gave the device to you. He can say it was a gift to you. Remember to tell him to give your information to Samsung. Once that is done, then you can can get support from Samsung.
Again, if you got the device from T-Mobile this problem would have been solved so much easier and quicker. Next time think about getting the device directly from the carrier.
i bought a us unlocked s9+ new on ebay from what i think is a reputable seller. i'm having troubles with the fingerprint scanner out of the box, and i know s9/s9+ has a history of that early this year. i'm trying to verify software revisions, etc, and came across this info i can't explain.
per this website, the software version listed on the box (G965USQU1ARB7), is only for the initial rollout of the sprint version, and is for oreo. my label says the os version was 9.0 from the factory. is this possible? or is there some other file revision that dictates this?
i chatted with samsung, giving them all of the id's, and they didn't seem to grasp why i was concerned, telling me this device was "ok to update to pie...."
The box appeared new and sealed. IMEI and blacklist checks ok. also it did an OTA update with no sim card yet installed. i really like this phone, but trying to figure if i got something i didn't bargain for.
got some more info (post updating)... is there some reason there's so much "VZW" slathered on an unlocked U1? this is all with no sim card ever installed... i gotta say, everything is awesome on this phone except the FPS doesn't work, still throws the error just hitting the settings icon. they have offered to replace it, and i'm just trying to decide if all this info looks legit to replace of if i should ask for a refund.
[ril.manufacturedate]: [20180530]
[ril.modem.board]: [SDM845]
[ril.official_cscver]: [G965U1OYM4CSD4]
[ril.product_code]: [SM-G965UZKFVZW]
[ril.region_props]: [VZW.VZW]
[ril.rfcal_date]: [2018.05.30]
[ro.boot.bootloader]: [G965U1UES4CSD4]
[ro.boot.carrierid]: [XAA]
[ro.boot.em.did]: [20208BB9486E1711]
[ro.boot.em.model]: [SM-G965U1]
[ro.build.PDA]: [G965U1UES4CSD4]
[ro.build.version.base_os]: [samsung/star2qlteue/star2qlteue:9/PPR1.180610.011/G965U1UEU4CSC7:user/release-keys]
[ro.build.version.incremental]: [G965U1UES4CSD4]
[ro.build.version.min_supported_target_sdk]: [17]
[ro.hardware.chipname]: [SDM845]
[ro.product.vendor.model]: [SM-G965U1]
[ro.product.vendor.name]: [star2qlteue]
[sys.smf.mnoname0]: [VZW_US|ABSENT]
[vendor.ril.product_code]: [SM-G965UZKFVZW]
Nope S9 or S9+ didn't have any fingerprint scanner issues since launch. Claim refund or warranty
Sent from my SM-G965F Duos
It might be a hardware issue, but if they are offering to replace it then just go for the replacement. If the replacement is faulty then I would get your money back.
As for why it says VZW and etc if you didn't buy the phone brand new then it may have had a Verizon card installed it before you got it. It may have originally been a Verizon phone, the product code in your post indicates this is what the phone was. If the IMEI number matches what is on the box then it is an unlocked phone (G965U1) and it probly had carrier firmware flashed onto it more then likely. If this is the case it's probably the same as what I did with my phone. Originally a Sprint model, I got it network unlocked, flashed G965U1 firmware and then flashed tmobile firmware. This way I have full access and the highest compatability with all Tmobile services.
Honestly it's all speculation at this point, but if they are offering a replacement then I would suggest going with that anyways for peace of mind on this specific concern.
If the phone is not blocked/blacklisted, not financed (as in paid off fully if it was) and is network unlocked then what ever compatable sim card you install the phone will reconfigure itself accordingly.
sentinelvdx said:
Nope S9 or S9+ didn't have any fingerprint scanner issues since launch. Claim refund or warranty
Sent from my SM-G965F Duos
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Click to collapse
This is where I got this info, also found a poll with a couple hundred fps issues on new and newish phones for s9 and plus.
scottusa2008 said:
If the phone is not blocked/blacklisted, not financed (as in paid off fully if it was) and is network unlocked then what ever compatible sim card you install the phone will reconfigure itself accordingly.
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Click to collapse
Thanks, The phone was sold as new, and appeared so (shrink-wrapped and seemingly untouched), which is why i thought it strange for U1 to have verizon nomenclature on it(not on the exterior, just in that getprop dump). I think I'm going to try one more time. Seems very functional otherwise