yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] krabman:
There is no certainty yet. Keep in mind that some countries like Singapore prohibit locking the bootloader. However it may go I practice what I preach (at least in this case :) ), I don't buy unless an unlocked bootloader, root, the works, is confirmed. I'd rather use something else with root than Samsung without so we differ in that. In this case I don't like the hardware due to the reader, hate rear scanners because I frequently use the phone on the desk, table, etc. I've had several of them and the alleged you'll love it once you become accustomed to it never happened for me. I found myself liking them less and less. They're a deal breaker now. I'm here because we should get an idea of some of what can be expected on the Note 8. That may be the one if they get the reader under the screen as they had hoped for the S8 and it can be rooted.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] seh6183:
Iris scanner, face unlock, voice unlock, pattern, all decent backups when you can't reach the reader (but not as good obviously). The note 8 will follow the same design language unless for the first time ever they decide to do something totally different with the note than the recently released S series.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] krabman:
No, none are as good. The face and iris cant see your face while sitting on the desk making them non starters as you have to pick up the phone and show it your face to make them work. At that point you could just hit the fingerprint scanner, go ahead and put in your ridiculously weak pattern that 5 year olds can break and so on. Voice also doesn't work all the time, like when your cranking tunes while working on a document. Could you use a ridiculously weak pattern unlock and use it? Sure, but it's much slower and ridiculously weak. How weak? One of my grandsons figured it out after watching me do it a couple times. Now we find out that hackers can embed code in websites which can pull and record your sensor data from which they can grab your pattern with excellent results.

On the other hand fingerprint readers are in no way strong and yet nearly foolproof in keeping you kids, co-workers, and ex, out of your phone. That's all 99.9 percent of us need because most of us are on absolutely no ones must hack list. Waste of time when you can hit a database and collect credit card information by the tens of millions.

There's a reason why Apple, Samsung, Google, and everyone else and their brother are trying to get fingerprint scanning under the screen. Samsung was trying to get it under the screen of the S8 but ran out of time and it ended up in the second cameras location next the the first. That would answer your last, word is the Note 8 should get both those things. You were right about the Note being mostly a buffed up S but this year is different in that key features of the S were axed due to the failure to get the reader under the screen. The Note 8 on the other hand, maybe, just maybe, it gets em. They have the added incentive of making it extra special after the 7 debacle, I don't think that needs explanation as you appear to be well informed. If not there will be One+'s latest by whatever name and so on.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] BarryH_GEG:
Where's Kendall Jenner? This thread needs a Pepsi.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] seh6183:
You need a tilted wireless charger so the phone can see your face and you can choose to hide your pattern while swiping, it definitely helps.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] mocsab:
EXYNOS Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge ( and all previous EXYNOS Phones from Samsung) DO NOT have locked bootloaders. NEVER DID.

No one knows about the S8+ and frankly with the Samsung Pay coming to the International scene now I am worried it will be locked....t
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Eddie Hicks:
My S7 Edge was the first and only Android device I never rooted. My S8 will be the second. Reason being I really like using Samsung Pay and use it almost everyday. But I agree with you 100% about the purpose of xda. People come here for many reasons but many forget the original xda purpose, the development of Android devices. You can't do much development if your device has a locked bootloader. So it's kind of odd for people to come here and criticize those who use these forums for what the forums were designed for.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] equake:
Development for a Android device can mean multiple things including both H/W and S/W. A locked bootloader does not mean no development can be done only fully custom FW cannot be loaded. S/W development can still be done.

my 2 cents.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Eddie Hicks:
Your 2 cents is valid. Development is not limited to bootloaders. Oversight on my part. In retrospect I could have done a better job explaining my point. In short people shouldn't be criticized for searching for ways to alter their devices, including the bootloader since this is a development site.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jackfrost7:
It's crazy to read these kinda views on XDA, of all places.

I miss the original XDA.

Living inside a padded room wearing a straight jacket would make your life incredibly safe.

Let's be realistic, bootloaders aren't locked for our safety, they're locked for the benefit of the company that sells you the product... and each time you go along with more restrictions over the devices you own, it just empowers them to continue the trend to the further detriment of power users.

Should all phones be unlocked? No, it is definitely safer (especially for the company) if random Joe Shmoe can't accidentally screw up his bootloader/rom/etc... but all these companies should learn from Sony's XPERIA example and have a relatively easy (but still technical) process to unlock their bootloaders.

I bought the S7+ edge, jumping through all the hoops, to use on AT&T... and sure it works, but it doesn't work great.

I've decided to stop "rewarding" Samsung by jumping through the hoops to buy an international S8+ just to get what I want this time around... I like what I've seen of the S8+, but if I can't get a version that works on AT&T as well as the AT&T version would, I'm not going to give Samsung money.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] nobreak1970:
Wasn't Knox and the insistence of locked bootloaders in the US reasoned by Samsung to appeal their product toward the enterprise segment of the market who values this supposed security?
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] looney2388:
Some of you folks simply have no patience and can't wait for someone who has a US snapdragon unlocked S8/S8+ in hand to confirm if the bootloader is unlockable. But we all already know the answer about the US bootloader.

This thread is money. I'm gonna grab my bag of popcorn and watch these guinea pigs with their new preordered shiny Galaxy S8/S8+. US unlocked bootloader? LMFAO where's the punchline?

It's gonna be even funnier if the phone has battery issues. Never buy a product at launch. Wait for the bugs/kinks to be worked out.

Edit: Also the US unlocked S7 still doesn't have nougat. So going by Samsung's track record, the US unlocked S8 will be very last in getting Android updates so consider that as well.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] krabman:
lol It helps if you've read the whole thread. I've been saying much the same all along in this thread and a couple others. What you're referencing is just one part of the discusion on the most recent previous S/Note and the post is accurate both in and out of context but certainly makes more sense in context. I've had most of both lines over the years and unlocked them all so I'm aware of what has come before.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] cantenna:
Even more reason to avoid locked BL, what a waste of money!
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] ChazzMatt:
Agreed.

Even if it's not true?

Here's my question...

Where's the list of countries the Exynos models are shipping? Preferably ones with U.S. AT&T LTE bands? The Exynos models have unlocked bootloaders on request, and

last year Samsung even shipped Exynos to CANADA, with all the same AT&T LTE bands

. BOOM. Buy Canadian model, unlock bootloader, use on AT&T.

http://www.samsung.com/ca/smartphones/galaxy-s7-g930w8/SM-G930WZKAXAC/#specs

However this year, Samsung is shipping the locked down Snapdragon model to Canada! So, if I buy this phone I need to order off eBay/Amazon from some country that has

1) Exynos model

2) AT&T LTE bands
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] BarryH_GEG:
Small revision.

With the security coprocessor introduced in Exynos 8895 there's no assurance that what's worked in the past will continue to work. If an unlocked bootloader and/or root are critical (like, you wouldn't buy an S8 without it) people are probably better off waiting for someone else to go first. $800+ is a lot to pay to be disappointed.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] ChazzMatt:
Yes, it's important. I won't own a phone I can't root, because it's MY phone. Just like I'm admin on all the PCs in my house.

Now at work, the company owns those computers so they are locked down... But if you're not admin on the handheld computer you make phone calls on, then it's not really yours, is it? The carrier or the manufacturer still owns it, and you paid hundreds of dollars just to RENT it.

See Samsung Note 7 where Samsung decided to brick the devices unless they were all returned it to the REAL owner (Samsung). ;)

OK, waiting to see if Exynos can still be unlocked on Galaxy S8. If so, then I'll need the countries they're being shipped to and the available LTE bands. On last year's Canada model, was tons of bands. Basically a global phone.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] mocsab:
IF the bootloader is unlocked you will just need to get the G955F variant - it works on both TMOBILE and ATT - however, ATT does not currently support Video Calling or VOLTE on non-att devices. You can still get LTE speeds and that may be enough for you (I have used F Variants on my last two devices - S6 and S7Edge and both worked very nicely on ATT network with very fast speeds in most cases but I never did get VOLTE. I heard that ATT will eventually allow a "Bring your own phone" and support VOLTE for NON- Att phones, but I don't know if that is 100 percent true and if so - when it will happen. (By the way, the F Varient of Samsung phones is virtually all of western Europe, the MIddle East and South America.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] BarryH_GEG:
Sort of. Different "F's" support different LTE bands. The UK "F" doesn't support T-Mobile's band 12 or AT&T's band 30. The latter's not a big deal because its availability is limited and it's high frequency (can't go distance or penetrate walls). Band 12 on T-Mobile's important because it's their low(er) frequency band and

does

cover distance and penetrate walls. I can't speak to what other bands the "F's" from different regions support but people should investigate before buying; especially if you're on T-Mobile.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] ChazzMatt:
Thank you for clarifying there are different Galaxy "F" models for different countries. That's why last year's Canada model was perfect for AT&T and T-Mobile. Go up and look at the LTE bands!

Just hope the Exynos variants have bootloader unlock. And if so, too bad Canada is getting Snapdragon model this year instead of Exynos.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] mocsab:
ALl I know is that in the last six months, I have flashed (Via Odin) firmware from about 10 different countries (F Variants) and I never had an issue with ATT. I didn't check to see what bandwidth they covered - just assumed they would all work and they did.

I cannot speak for Tmobile, Tmobile speeds suck for me the 1 week that I tried out that network, so I will never use them again. My Average download speed on ATT runs about 25MB to 35 MB Down and 15 MB up - not volte speeds by any means but respectable.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] BarryH_GEG:
For it to "work" all you'd need is one upload and one download LTE band. For it "work best" the more bands the better; especially in congested areas and markets. If someone's with T-Mobile they'd definitely notice the absence of band 12 signal performance wise. I don't know if flashing different CSCs even changes the modem to hide or expose different LTE bands. Meaning if you have a Malaysian "F" those bands may never change no matter which CSCs you flash on top of it. Maybe a dev who knows (vs. random guesses) can comment.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] ChazzMatt:
No big deal for me if VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling doesn't work on AT&T for an Exynos variant I order from another country. Since 2014, my wife and I are currently running on AT&T two 2014 Moto XT1225 (international version of Verizon's Droid Turbo: 5.2", 1440p AMOLED, 3900 mAh battery, etc.) I imported from two different countries. LTE bands 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 17 -- plus tons of HSPA bands.

AS you see it has all of AT&T's major bands. But I will never get VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling on those excellent phones because they are not AT&T branded phones AND because I am actually using AT&T's in-store prepaid GoPhone. (Same data speeds at postpaid AT&T on the plan I'm on.)

AT&T only gives perks like VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling to AT&T branded phones with postpaid customers. But I don't need VoLTE because when I make a phone call, the phone temporarily drops down to HSPA where I can also still get data anyway. It's the CDMA carriers like Verizon who NEED VoLTE not the GSM/HSPA/LTE carriers.

Just waiting to see if the Exynos variants bootloaders can be unlocked...
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] androidbuff123:
Unless Samsung deploys Samsung Pay everywhere, I don't think it'll work on the F models that we get in here to the US. For me at least that is a big deal. I can do without Wifi Calling, but I can't do without VoLTE ... What's the point of using such a high end phone when call quality is as bad as it used to be when voice was transmitted over cellular signal?

---------- Post added at 10:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:20 AM ----------

VoLTE is not just about having simultaneous data while on a call. The voice quality over LTE is SIGNIFICANTLY superior to voice over cellular.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] ChazzMatt:
My cell phone voice is OK now. I don't have VoLTE. I use Google Voice anyway, and I can do VoIP with LTE if I wish. Technically that's "VoLTE" (voice over LTE). :p

I also don't care about Samsung Pay, etc. I don't care about Android Pay either. When I go out, I always carry my wallet anyways. Pulling out my wallet, pulling out my phone, what's the difference?

I DO care about rooting, owning my own phone.

As far as high end, I care about hardware specs -- right now I have a 2014 5.2" 1440p AMOLED phone with 3900 mAh battery, Qi wireless charging and 64GB internal memory -- which I imported from another country (Moto XT1225, international version of the Droid Turbo, with LTE bands 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 17). My next phone is going to have all that and if it doesn't (like battery size), there better be a really good spec trade-off instead. I have no problem waiting until the end of this year to see if Google will stop screwing up the Pixel phones or even next year to see if LG will put AMOLED into the LG G7...

I pay for my phones in full, I've never had a "contract" and I use AT&T GoPhone which gives me the same data speed at AT&T postpaid customers. Since I am NOT on AT&T postpaid and since I do not have an AT&T branded phone, I'll probably never get VoLTE or wi-fi calling. I don't care.

As long as I get the performance and speed, that's all I care about. And being able to root the phone. Since AT&T model will have locked down bootloader for sure, I'm waiting to see if the Exynos models can be unlocked. IF they cannot be unlocked and rooted, then no Samsung S8 for sure.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] androidbuff123:
With T-Mobile prepaid you get VoLTE and Wifi calling..
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] galaxys:
I've cancelled my T-Mobile order and will wait & see what the variants have to offer for unlocked Bootloader, root, etc.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] 954wrecker:
Same here
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] cantenna:
On

I would have done exactly the same thing but australia consumer warrenty law allows me to have the device and return it at any time if I discover the device does not do what it was purchased to do i.e. run root and unlocked bootloader programs which btw are availble for purchase through the official android store; google play.

I think all Australians are free to trail this device and return for a full refund under this premise. I should add that under this law Samsung can choose not to refund and instead unlock and root the device for you, that would be interesting to see!

Law is summarized well here;

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/General/C...ters/Consumer-Guarantees-Warranties--Refunds/
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] BarryH_GEG:
People have on the S7. It's a combination of the right S Pay Framework and S Pay App. I'm going to try and get it working on my BTU (UK) "F." I'll have a pre-ordered AT&T version before my "F" comes and I'll back up the APKs before I return it to AT&T. I'll post my results.

I'm not a fan. There's an artificialness and echoey quality that, at least to me, is mildly annoying. I'd say it's active in less than 20% of my calls because people I'm talking to are on pre-VoLTE phones or on another carrier. It'll be the standard some day but I'm fine sitting it out for the life of my S8+.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Josh McGrath:
I totally agree! Since TMobile implemented this the audio to me seems actually less clear and very fake. I've gotten used to it now I guess.

The only reason I leave it on is so it connects faster by not having to drop to 4g signal from lte
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Fygee:
I was just told by a T-Mobile representative over the phone that unlocked phones can be purchased, but they cannot be financed and must have the full balance up front, and any remaining balance on the phone you're turning in must be paid.

Totally slutty for those of us without deep pockets.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] seh6183:
lol
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] ChazzMatt:
Are you sure he was talking about bootloader unlocked phone? Or, carrier unlocked phone? There's a difference.

Most carrier service reps have NO idea what a bootloader is. And I wouldn't trust anything they said about bootloaders.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] seh6183:
Win.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Fygee:
You're probably correct.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] cantenna:
NOW SHAVE YOUR HEAD!! WE WANT PICTURES (before and after of course)

https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s8+/development/recovery-twrp-galaxy-s8-exynos-t3594756
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] seh6183:
COMES with an unlocked bootloader. Please learn to read. Oh and go away.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] LoliSmith:
On a GSM carrier, it isn't the VoLTE that matters as much as the HD Calling. HD calling is fantastic and they are starting to get cross carrier compatibility between AT&T and Verizon.

For Verizon VoLTE is much more important since you need it for simultaneous voice and data.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] cantenna:
Hey, no need to get upset! I get it, you love your pretty hair and you never thought this day would come...

But man up!
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] androidbuff123:
Dude, I said I will shave my head if it came unlocked from the manufacturer. Obviously that is not the case. LOL
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] 954wrecker:
OP is a moron if he thought the chat monkey pretend supervisor even had a clue what he was being asked. It's clear like all recent Samsung phones the Snapdragons are locked and the Exynos can be Unlocked.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] ChazzMatt:
Finally! Somebody who knows what XDA is about. Nobody wanted to even try to unlock the Exynos.

TWRP recovery in the S8+ forum.

https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=3594756
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] YellowGTO:
Subbed for the headshaving
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] cantenna:
Alternative fact!

[emoji12]
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] ethanscooter:
Delete this, sorry
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] barondebxl:
Lmao at escalation.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Phredeee:
Even then that is an incorrect statement. TMo requires 40 days of service and everything paid before they will remove the SIM lock. They do not ship unlocked phones even if you pay cash for it.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] pdappcgeek:
Bob told me the same thing
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Alvincp:
I was just baited by the title.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] V1R4G3:
Can we close this pile of **** thread please?
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] icewolf293:
I also vote for this, seeing this bumped up is a glimmer of false hope
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] 954wrecker:
This thread is a good reminder how dumb Samsung employees are and how dumb some of Samsung's customers are.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] DeathShot9:
I work for a major national cellphone/carrier re-seller, I deal with most major cellphone brands retailed in the US and the four major carriers on a daily basis, and while non of the following is official, both my T-Mobile rep and Samsung rep (who are both intelligent guys) told me when I asked (though strictly off the record) that while they can't really confirm this, all signs point to no unlocked boot-loaders in the US for any major Samsung phone. Not now, and not any time in the foreseeable future. And yes, I am aware that they aren't the top of their food chain, and so are they, and as both I and they have said, not official, but I personally would put more stock in them and in what they say than a random faceless "support" rep that escalated it to another random faceless rep, that apparently decided this kind of question was worth wasting the time of a third faceless rep that happens to be much higher up the food chain and getting paid the big bucks, from a company known for having bad support geared more towards sales than tech support, say. I wouldn't blame anyone reading this for not putting any stock in me or them, but if you are such a person, I would ask you why you value the opinion of aforementioned support reps over ours, when we are actually higher on the food chain.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] ej_424:
Pretty sure Samsung Pay doesn't work on a rooted phone, but unlocked bootloader should be fine. Could be wrong on that, but that's at least the case with Google Pay.
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Mysticales:
Wow this thread is still going and really has nothing to give us that will unlock or root. =/
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] hazmad:
Should be able to disable root check with a little rev eng. I've done it with other apps
[Samsung Galaxy S8 Guides, News, & Discussion] DeathShot9:
The check is a part of KNOX, which is integrated as deep into the phone as you can possibly get it. Hell KNOX is integrated into the hardware. You would honestly probably have an easier time creating a different app that uses the mag-stripe emulator than trying to get Samsung pay to work with root.