yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S6 Active] MizuRyuu:
I'm very interested in the S6 Active, but I live in Canada. I am wondering if AT&T sells the phone unlocked if I buy it outright? Actually, would AT&T even sell me the phone if I am not a current customer? If not, does anyone know a way around that?
[Galaxy S6 Active] nutt_case:
Yes if you pay full price they'll defiantly sell it to you, pretty sure they'll unlock too since your buying it outright.
[Galaxy S6 Active] psxp:
I think the Canadian Carriers will get it soon - they Carried the S5 Active. Just wait..

---------- Post added at 10:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:18 PM ----------

BTW - Does the LTE bands the AT&T model match Canadian LTE?? might be worth waiting it out..
[Galaxy S6 Active] MizuRyuu:
They might get it... but last year, the S5 didn't come out until about October. I'm not sure I'm willing to wait 4 month for the possibility that Canada might get the phone. Hence my questions.

Thanks for the reminder regarding the LTE bands, I'll check to make sure it is compatible

EDIT: Luckily, AT&T and Rogers mostly sure the same LTE bands, so should be fine there
[Galaxy S6 Active] nhutpham:
If the phone is paid for in full then AT&T has to grant you an unlock code - you just go to their website and request it. I requested it in the evening and received the code the next morning.

https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/

Just make sure you choose that you are not an AT&T customer.
[Galaxy S6 Active] hal3146:
Can confirm the above. Picked mine up from best buy requested unlock code from AT&T and had it next morning. O am using it on T-Mobile.
[Galaxy S6 Active] tdiwagon:
What about the boot loader?

I'm curious if the unlocked version comes without the AT&T boot loader. I have the Moto X, unlocked through AT&T but still cannot remove the boot loader. Can use the phone anywhere that offers the same GSM frequencies though.:o
[Galaxy S6 Active] Ascertion:
Nope. Bootloader is the same on all S6 Actives. Because it is an AT&T exclusive.

Sent from my M8
[Galaxy S6 Active] ipanel:
S6 Active in UK on Vodafone

Hi, I too am very interested in getting an S6 Active (replace old S4 Active). I'm in the UK, on Vodafone who use LTE 7, 20 [2.6GHz, 800MHz] for 4G I think, which are all in the S6 specs. So if I got an AT&T S6 Active unlocked, anyone care to advise if it should work fine in the UK on Vodafone?

Thanks very much in advance.
[Galaxy S6 Active] hoodlum54:
I'm getting told a different story...

I've spoken to best buy and all my local Att shops and they all say they will not sell a galaxy s6 active without adding it to an existing Att account or creating a new one. Then they told me that I couldn't get it unlocked until I've had the plan for anywhere from 2-6 months. I can't get a straight story about the delayed unlocking. I have T-Mobile and would LOVE to purchase the phone outright and unlock it and use it right away on T-Mobile. How did you guys buy the phones without having a plan added? Thanks!
[Galaxy S6 Active] hoodlum54:
Did you use someone else's account?

How did you get them to sell you one without activating it and adding it to a current ATT account or forcing you to sign up for service with them? I called and they said that even if you purchase it outright, they MUST add it/create a new ATT account before you leave. So lame...
[Galaxy S6 Active] hal3146:
The ATT store will not sell it unless you have an account. When I went into best buy they said no problem. Just ask for an S6 active and tell them you want to but it out right. They don't care. If the salesman says you need to have an active line ask for another one. When I brought mine I got a $100 gift card for buying the phone outright, was not expecting it and it was a nice perk.

For unlocking ATT policy, you can find it on their website, states that if you are not an ATT customer and have a phone that is not activated on ATT and is not black listed that they will unlock it for free. I just filled out the form and the next day i had the unlock code. You can Google the policy for exact wording. They will not unlock it in store.
[Galaxy S6 Active] nhutpham:
AT&T store sold it to me outright, no AT&T account. I was able to get unlock code from the website by next day. The store even helped show me how to do it.
[Galaxy S6 Active] hoodlum54:
Thank you! I texted my friend who works there and he talked with a guy and they made it happen! Thanks guys!
[Galaxy S6 Active] spaniolo:
That is great, now... can you pleae report how well the S6 active from AT&T works on the T-mobile network? How are the LTE speeds? and the 3g as well.. as I think it misses some of Tmobiles bands. How is the calling quality on T-mobile and reception? Does it have the new band 12 compatible with the new Tmobile band 12? Do you know if it they have root access already? and of course... what about wifi calling? I am assuming this feature does not work with this phone. We appreciate answers to those questions.
[Galaxy S6 Active] hal3146:
The phone is compatible with attached t-mobile bands except 12. Band 12 does not concern me that much since I am an in area that does not have it. Speeds otherwise are the same as tmobile.

There is no WiFi calling option as this is exclusive to t-mobile. I am keeping an old phone tmobile around for when I travel international and use WiFi calling.
[Galaxy S6 Active] hoodlum54:
So far...very frustrating

Received the unlock code and it worked like a charm, however everything else has been an issue. T-mobile set me up with a sim card and activated it and I can make calls fine, but the data is TERRIBLY slow. As in, I used to get 10mbps easily all around Charlotte (my home city) but now I'm getting MAYBE .88mbps. Also, the top where it says "lte" keeps disappearing and just showing the bars and the data cuts off completely. I'll make a call, and then after I hang up, the symbol comes back for a little while. I've reset the APN settings, done them manually with some info I found online, but it's still an issue. If anyone could help me, that'd be amazing.

Also, not software related, the actual screen has an issue. It's not the worst thing ever, but in direct sunlight there is a box around the screen about .25 inches in from the edge. It's almost like the glue they used to attach the glass to the screen isn't clear, but nearly clear. It shows up best on a white background with direct sunlight and the back-light turned up all the way, but it's visible on everything but black. VERY annoying.

I'm going to keep working with it (have factory reset twice now) for a couple of hours, but if it doesn't get figured out I have to return it. I use the phone for work and I literally cannot be without a stable connection.
[Galaxy S6 Active] hal3146:
Can you take a screen shot or post your APN settings? I have no issues using on tmobile
[Galaxy S6 Active] hoodlum54:
I called T-mobile and they had me manually enter 2 different sets of settings to try and get it to work, and the 2nd set was stable but wasn't fast. Then she pushed my device some settings (didn't know they could do that) and I installed them when prompted. That's the settings I'm using now. The connection is stable, but speeds are not like what they were (coming from an S5 so missing band 12 isn't the issue I unless I'm mistaken). Thank you so much for your help.

Here are the screenshots. My old phone used "fast.tmobile.com" but this one uses epc.tmobile.com. Not sure what the difference is. http://imgur.com/a/5pddQ
[Galaxy S6 Active] hal3146:
Mine is fast-tmobile I think that is your problem. Google tmobile APN settings and try them
[Galaxy S6 Active] troubleshot:
I've been looking intot he same thing. I have one under contract, but need to travel out of the country in a few weeks. Looking for the best way to unlock it so I can use a sim while I'm there. I dont want a $1000 phone bill

---------- Post added at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:06 PM ----------

Maybe this thread will help http://xdaforums.com/att-galaxy-s6/general/galaxy-s6-active-tmobile-t3135349
[Galaxy S6 Active] spaniolo:
Hey I have the galaxy S5 and this are the newest apn settings that forums reported almost doubling speeds... it is the fast.tmobile one.. with hipri in apn type. By the way.. what speeds you get with those last apn settings? And how is calling quality?
[Galaxy S6 Active] gnash:
Hi there,

I made a snafu when purchasing my active s6 a few days ago and now AT&T won't unlock the phone until after I've had the device on their service for 6 months since I bought it as a GoPhone customer. I see that one of the earlier posters here said to get it unlocked you can buy it outright from BestBuy and just say that you're not an AT&T customer. Thing is, I am an AT&T customer when I'm in the US, but am starting a job for the next 9 months in Canada next week. The fine print on the AT&T web unlock page says that for non-mobile service users you must not be/have been an AT&T customer at any time. I'll be in and out of the US all summer for family events, which is why I have the GoPhone option. I joined a year ago, but the CSRs say all that matters is the length of time the device is on the service.

Any recommendations on what the best course of action is to get this device unlocked?

1) return the s6 active to the AT&T store under the buyers remorse option? then try buying it again at best buy and requesting the unlock? I'd need a nano sim from another network to test it out though, right?

2) pay for an unlocking service at an independent store (I'm in NYC on vacation til tomorrow afternoon, so could spend $30-40 at one of the shops in Chinatown)?

3) pay for an online unlocking service like theunlockingcompany (anyone ever used them?)?

I suppose I could keep using my old unlocked phone (HTC m7 using the microsim) in Canada, but since I bought it in Australia, it only overlaps one band in Canada, so I get really spotty service. I wanted the S6 Active since I'm traveling outdoors a lot and as another poster pointed out, there's no official announcement on when/if Canada will get it. Some of the providers in Canada told me their unlikely to get it cuz the sales numbers are too low for the market there.

Anyway, thanks for any advice you can give. Just seems ridiculous that paying for the phone outright as a prepaid customer that I can't get the phone unlocked, while a person on contract or a person claiming never having been an AT&T customer can get it unlocked. :eek:
[Galaxy S6 Active] Sam K:
According to phonescoop, the Galaxy S6 Active does support LTE on band 12. On the following link look for the modes section and click "more detail".

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=4761

The definitive way to get an answer would be to read the FCC approval documents to see which frequency bands were tested but I don't know how to tell the difference between the various 700 MHz bands. The link to the FCC approval is on the phonescoop page also.

Edit: Never mind, phonescoop was wrong. The detailed specs on Samsungusa.com don't list LTE band 12.
[Galaxy S6 Active] Pestdoktor:
So if I want one of these bad boys in Germany, I could get it in the AT&T Online Store w/o contract, choose a plan to immediately cancel, ship to some mail forwarding service and when it arrives, get the unlock code online, correct?
[Galaxy S6 Active] nhutpham:
You don't need to choose a plan, you can just buy the phone outright.
[Galaxy S6 Active] gnash:
Update on my device for posterity:

Got at&t to unlock the device by getting another SIM and using it in my HTC One, then factory resetting my Active and resubmitting an unlock request using a dummy email address/name. Free for the win!!

Also, in Canada I've learned that this still won't work on Wind OOTB because they haven't rolled out an LTE/4G service yet (possibly by end of year according to the sales person). But, it works fine on Rogers and its subsidiaries.

Lesson learned: Buy the phone outright from an authorized AT&T reseller cuz they won't give a **** if you want to use another provider; DON'T activate/register it on the AT&T network; immediately put in the unlock request on their website -- note it has a warning about having ever been an AT&T customer, so if you were, use a different name; Until you get the Unlock code (up to 48hours) just use Wi-Fi.

If you decide to order from AT&T directly (say for the free shipping), just don't put the SIM that comes with it into the phone or register it. Once you have it in hand, grab the IMEI number and fill out the unlock request. Voila, you should be good to go.
[Galaxy S6 Active] Pestdoktor:
Could you tell me how I'd go about this? If I try and just not choose a plan, it won't let me checkout regularly :(

i.imgur.com/KJcPbCZ.png

i.imgur.com/FH35SVa.png
[Galaxy S6 Active] MizuRyuu:
If you paid full price at Best Buy, you should be able to apply for an unlock code from AT&T at the site below:

https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/

After AT&T sends you the code, you need to insert a non-AT&T sim card into the phone. The phone should then ask you for a network unlock code. Type in the code that AT&T sent you to unlock the phone. Make sure you type in the code carefully, as I believe you only have 5 attempts to unlock the phone, after which the phone is permanently locked to AT&T...
[Galaxy S6 Active] Lou-x:
Hey guys, I'm in Italy and I'm really looking forward to buy this phone, but the fact it's an AT&T exclusive its making me sick.

Does anyone know if the active will come out also in europe or should I buy it from at&t online?

Will the phone receive updates and works from devs (roms etc) o will be a niche phone ?

Also if someone in Europe already bought it through the at&t website please can I have some feedback ?

Thank you very much
[Galaxy S6 Active] hulksmash4tech:
let's hope they release a european version just like the s5 active g870f
[Galaxy S6 Active] Sam K:
I'm hoping the same thing and I'm hoping that the supported list of LTE bands matches the regular international S6 SM-G920F so that I can use it on T-Mobile US and also have LTE band 12 support.

It took 4 months for the international S5 Active to be released after AT&Ts version last year so we might have to wait until October for the international S6 Active to be released.
[Galaxy S6 Active] wardawgmalvicious:
I have the S6 Active from the US and am using it in Kuwait right now.

---------- Post added at 08:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:18 PM ----------

I don't think I can receive the updates however.
[Galaxy S6 Active] daniel4653:
You should be able to update with Smart Switch though.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920F
[Galaxy S6 Active] wardawgmalvicious:
Smart switch? Is that in the settings? I'll have to go through again. I don't remember seeing it.
[Galaxy S6 Active] daniel4653:
You won't find it installed on your phone.

Download the PC version. Connect your phone to the computer when the program is launched and of there is an update available it should ask you if you want to download and install the update. This program took the place of Samsung Kies.

http://www.samsung.com/us/smart-switch/

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920F
[Galaxy S6 Active] wardawgmalvicious:
OK will try it. Appreciate it.
[Galaxy S6 Active] john85D:
BestBuy has an "Unactivated" S6 active on their site, can I get an unlock code from AT&T for this device? Not really sure what that means and don't want to get stuck with a phone I can't unlock. Thanks.
[Galaxy S6 Active] anneoneamouse:
If you pay full price for a handset, the carrier is obliged to give they unlock code to you.
[Galaxy S6 Active] john85D:
Bestbuy lists the price of the unactivated S6 active at $595 which is lower than the full $695, that is why I'm quite unsure. Or maybe they just have a sale going on right now.
[Galaxy S6 Active] raduque:
That's $4 cheaper than what the AT&T site is showing me for the no-contract/full retail price of the Active: I'm seeing $599.
[Galaxy S6 Active] abechung:
Hi,

I just read the whole thread, and am still quite unsure about the phone's lte 700 band. Are we in agreement that while the phone provides 700 (band 2), T-Mobile does not support the phone's band 2 capability? Or does the phone not have Band 2 capability outright?

I looked into some of the specs of the phone, and it says it supports it. And second question is, how much of a huge difference does not having support band 2 provide? It seems that it's only for rural areas, but to what extent does that mean? All rural areas? For example, I have a OnePlus One, and I traveled to the Poconos, PA, which is a very mountainous and rural area, and I got zero service for the majority of the time. OPO did not support 1900 band 12, nor band 2. Will the unlocked S6 Active support bands 2 and 12? Phone specs support that the phone hardware supports the attached image's 3/4g/lte bands.

Any help is greatly appreciated, as it may determine whether or not I get the S6 Active, or wait for other phones like the Nexus 5/6 (2015). Thank you!

P.S. does unlocking a phone cause any decrease in phone efficiency in output, usage, or network coverage?
[Galaxy S6 Active] Sam K:
You got your bands mixed up. LTE band 12 is 700 MHz block A and band 2 is 1900 MHz. T-Mobile uses LTE band 12 (700 MHz block A) and AT&T uses LTE band 17 (700 MHz blocks B & C) and both T-Mobile and AT&T use LTE bands 2 (1900 MHz) and 4 (1700/2100 MHz). The Galaxy S6 Active definitely supports LTE on bands 2, 4 and 17 because it's an AT&T model but there seems to be some debate about whether or not it supports LTE band 12. The specs on the AT&T website mention band 12 but the specs the Samsung website do not.

http://www.att.com/cellphones/samsung/galaxy-s6-active.html (click on Details tab)

http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SM-G890AZAAATT (click on Specs then See Full Specs)

This post from the following thread claims that the Galaxy 6 Active definitely supports LTE band 12 and he links to an FCC document as proof but the link doesn't seem to work. I suggest reading through this whole thread since it's all about using the Galaxy S6 Active on T-Mobile.

http://xdaforums.com/att-galaxy-s6/general/galaxy-s6-active-tmobile-t3135349

Edit: The following link from the above thread shows a screen shot from the Galaxy S6 Active FCC documents showing that it does support LTE band 12.

http://www.mobipicker.com/samsung-galaxy-s6-active-certified-by-fcc-check-leaked-picture/

Unlocking a phone doesn't affect the performance of a phone. It simply allows you to put in a SIM card from any carrier. I believe most phones in Europe and Asia are sold unlocked.

The following links explain more about the 700 MHz blocks and the different LTE bands.

http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=187&p=232 (make sure to check all tabs)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks#Americas (scroll down to the United States)
[Galaxy S6 Active] Sam K:
One more thing. You can use the following link from Phone Scoop to bring up the FCC search results for the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active.

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/fcc_query.php?gc=A3L&pc=SMG890A

If that link doesn't work then go to the following link and enter Grantee Code A3L (for Samsung) and Product Code SMG890A (model number for the Galaxy S6 Active) and click "Search".

http://transition.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid/

After the search results are displayed, find a line with a lower or upper frequency in the 700 MHz range which will be in the right most columns and click "Details" link at the beginning of row (see 1st attachd picture below). After the details are shown (see 2nd attached picture below), click on the document titled "Revised LTE Test Report 1" which will open a PDF document. The first chart on the first page of the PDF document shows LTE Band 12 (see 3rd attached picture below).
[Galaxy S6 Active] bruciebabie1963:
OR you can just buy it; and if it doesnt work, return it.
[Galaxy S6 Active] Sam K:
Of course it will work on T-Mobile. People want LTE band 12 support because it penetrates walls and buildings better. T-Mobile has been actively rolling out LTE band 12 in all the top markets in the U.S.
[Galaxy S6 Active] abechung:
Hey,

Wanted to say thanks for the in-depth explanation about the certification of the LTE Bands 12. I have a question regarding the prototype chart and the bands it supports. It seems to be missing 2100 MHz frequencies. From my understanding, the 1700 & 2100 MHz frequencies attribute to both the LTE and 3G/4G frequencies. Why is it missing that set? It's odd cause the phone device spec sheet confirms that it has Band 4 support.

Also, if those are missing, would it affect the coverage that much? That seems to be a very big oversight. Could you clarify? Thanks!
[Galaxy S6 Active] Sam K:
I'm pretty sure that since the phone supports LTE band 4 that the phone automatically supports 2100 MHz for the downlink (see chart on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-UTRA#Frequency_bands_and_channel_bandwidths) but it's not showing up in the FCC list frequency ranges. Maybe the FCC documents only show the transmitting frequency because LTE band 4 transmits on 1700 MHz and receives on 2100 MHz.
[Galaxy S6 Active] abechung:
Not sure. Want to confirm this but I can't. Also, it was just apparent That T Mobile has been asking OEMS to remove band 12 support for phones that don't support VoLTE. This causes serious concern cause now unlocked phones may not get band 12 support. Any information on this?

Source:

t mobile band 12 debacle
[Galaxy S6 Active] abechung:
Hey guys,

Sorry to post twice, but this thread seems to be pretty inactive. I still have some questions, regarding the VoLTE certification support from S6 Active. But another question, which I think could be answered by the current T-Mobile S6 Active users is: how's the battery life with T-Mobile unlocked? Some AT&T customer's have been reporting pretty awful battery life for a 3,500mAh phone. Is anyone from T-Mobile reporting similar battery life span?
[Galaxy S6 Active] lirex:
I bought the phone unlocked with 5.0.2 and I'm using it in Europe. I've already downloaded the 5.1.1 firmware on my PC. If I flash it with Odin will I keep the phone unlocked or the new firmware will lock it again?
[Galaxy S6 Active] sai444:
It will be unlocked .
[Galaxy S6 Active] lirex:
Thank you! I flashed 5.1.1 and the phone is still unlocked as advised! Everything runs great :)
[Galaxy S6 Active] CYBORG_W4RR10R:
Please where do you buy it?

Works fine in your country?

Thanks
[Galaxy S6 Active] lirex:
I bought two phones - grey for me and white for my wife. Both unlocked and working with any operator.

I've ordered it from Ebay. Just do a search for NEW SAMSUNG GALAXY S6 ACTIVE SM-G890A AT&T UNLOCKED and choose a seller. Make sure they ship to your country! :)
[Galaxy S6 Active] brenford:
I bought a Used S6 active from ebay got it unlocked and using it in BC Canada on Telus. Works Great and Battery life is AWeSOME! easily last the day. I have never had to charge the phone yet during the day.

My S6 I NEEDED to throw it on the fast charger for 20 min at work so it would last till bed time and sometimes again if I was using it a lot The S6 active I pretty much always have 30-50% after being off the charger for 15 + hours

Just installed 5.1.1 through Odin and think it might be a little better even
[Galaxy S6 Active] theindianguy2594:
Hi,

I wanted to get it from Best Buy as well, but they said they had an "unactivated" device.

Can I still use it on T Mobile by just putting the SIM card in or is there another way around??
[Galaxy S6 Active] zb0n3:
Bought one locked off eBay, unlocked with a code provided by AT& T but there is no date format setting and I get all dates in apps in MM/DD/YY format.

Any suggestions how I can change that?
[Galaxy S6 Active] anishluv:
apologies for late posting... I cannot assuringly tell you but it has VOLTE provisioned flag set as active. If that makes sense to you... Users can verify it on *#*#4636#*#* option. ("Warning: Don't fiddle with radio options here. I did and for some reason my roaming card fails to register on WCDMA networks anymore.")