yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] ThePurpleLuigi:
I am pretty sure that unlocking a locked phone only allows you to use that phone on different carriers. The reason people usually buy unlocked is to limit the carrier bloat ware apps. Unlocking the phone does not remove those apps so you will probably be stuck with them.

I have an unlocked pixel that I bought from the Google store. I just popped my Verizon sim in and was good to go. I am able to use wifi calling and wifi tethering. I do not use visual voicemail so can not say if that works on unlocked phone. I have never had to call Verizon and tell them I am switching phones but I have heard that some people have to let their carrier know. I also purchased a unlocked note 8 from Samsung and plan to just pop the sim out of my pixel and put it straight into my note.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] BigMosley:
I thought I could do the same thing, but I was told earlier on the Verizon web chat that its never a good idea to reuse one SIM card from one phone to another because it could screw something up (cant remember exactly what they said would get screwed up). Best to just go grab another SIM from your location store for free.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Limeybastard:
So my question goes begging, Should I order the unlocked Note 8 or the T mobile note 8?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] ThePurpleLuigi:
Interesting... Never had a problem switching it before but I will keep it in mind. Thanks!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] BigMosley:
I literally just walked out of one of my local corporate Verizon stores trying to get another nano SIM card now so once I get the phone I don't need to run to Verizon to activate it and they would not give it to me. They said you have to have the phone on you to where that card is going to go. I also asked about using a different phones SIM card in a new phone and she said really the only thing that could happen is your current card is outdated and might not work as well as a brand new SIM card.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] dace69:
Hi CherylBaker, You do not have to install any software from your carrier. Just get a sim card, install it and you're done.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] liquidraven:
Will the international unlocked model work with VZW? sorry if i miss this answer already.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] TheClap:
I'm currently trying to decide whether to go with the unlocked Note 8 or the Verizon branded Note 8. I'm almost certainly going to be ordering through Samsung's website as for some reason Verizon no longer sees me listed as an account manager and the current account owner is out of the country.

I chatted with a couple of Verizon reps and they've stated that wifi calling, LTE+, and HD voice will all work on both the unlocked and Verizon branded phones. Per my last conversation the only difference between the two is payment options (as in monthly installments vs paying outright) and the ability to get insurance through Verizon.

For those reasons I'm leaning towards getting the unlocked version, especially since I plan on using the phone internationally (not frequently, but I'd still like to just slap a new sim in there and use it elsewhere). But is there a difference between going unlocked and buying Verizon branded if I can get the phone unlocked by Verizon (bloatware aside)?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] BigMosley:
FYI the unlocked version through Samsung.com is back ordered through October.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] barnboi81:
My only concern is that the unlocked phone does not carry the 4G TDD Bands like the AT&T phone does. Are these bands even prevalent in the US? I want the unlocked version but this is giving me concern because my service is spooty already in several areas around me. I don't want to make the situation worse.

These are the bands not in the unlocked phone: Am I in trouble?

4G TDD LTE: B38(2600), B39(1900), B40(2300), B41(2500)
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] cpufrost:
The spec sheet on Best Buy's website shows dual sim.

Doesn't appear to be the case.

If I return it I should not have to pay their restocking fee due to selling something not as described! ;)

Unless the phone is a DOG compared to the S8+, it probably won't be going back.

I usually don't return them unless that line is crossed.

But dual sim devices...

I long for the day that we can have multiple lines sharing the same radio where someone can call on the other line, you put one on hold, conference, etc. Just like at work!

With pure VOLTE/VOIP this would be possible. With Verizon, well let's say we'll have unlocked bootloaders before this happens. One can wish in one hand and crap in the other...
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] TheClap:
Honestly I'm not super worried about it being on backorder, although that is a point in the Verizon branded phone's favor.

If I get Verizon to "unlock" the phone, will it be just as unlocked as the unlocked phone (ignoring the Verizon bloatware)?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] BigMosley:
Really not sure, this will be my first unlocked phone so I'll be learning the ropes also.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] BlueFox721:
My first unlocked as well
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] TheClap:
Live Chatted with Samsung and, like Verizon, they confirmed that wifi calling, LTE+, and HD voice all will work on Verizon's network when using an unlocked phone. Samsung also confirmed that there is no difference from a Samsung unlocked phone and a Verizon branded phone once Verizon unlocks it.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] MrAwesome75:
I'm curious if it's the same with other carrier phones. I want to get the unlocked from Sammy, but it's a lot easier for me to just go to T-Mobile and order the phone on my account with Jump. I can then pay off the phone in a few months and have T-Mo unlock it. Would it then be the same as the Samsung unlocked phone, or will I be missing radio bands?

I don't mind the minimal T-Mo bloat, so I am not worried about that, but I am just wondering if all the phones are the same or if carrier phones are missing radio bands like in other phones in the past. If that's the case, then getting the unlocked phone from Samsung is still the better option. Because anyone can get their phone unlocked if it's paid off, but there is almost no point to do that if you're missing bands that allow you to move to other carriers with that phone. Bloat is also an issue, but if bloat is the only issue after having it unlocked, I would steer away from Verizon and prefer the T-Mo device instead.

Anyone else have any insight on this?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] TheClap:
While my questions were mainly focused on Verizon, when asked whether I could take the Verizon phone to AT&T once its unlocked they said I could and wouldnt have issues. Both Verizon and Samsung reps have told me that the phones are all identical internally.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] MrAwesome75:
Thank you. That's what I was hoping.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Steigerelli:
Soo, all the carrier specific threads are talking about getting their phones around the 5th or 6th. I'm just wondering if anyone who purchased an Unlocked is getting UPS shipping info, credit cards charged, or changes in status on samsung.com. Nothing has changed for me. I preordered on day 1 and my shipping date is still 9/11. Right now I'm obviously jealous if others are going to get their phones a week ahead of me, but in a week or 2 it's not going to matter at all. I'm just curious if any of you have noticed anything. I didn't do the Note 7 trade-in offer because I went back to my Note 4, I was wondering if that's why mine isn't shipping early. Of course, it could be just a big hype job, and we could all be getting ours around the same time.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] BigMosley:
I grabbed a Unlocked preorder on August 28th and I had the pending charge on my credit card all last week until yesterday it disappeared from my account. My order info still says PRE-ORDER but alot of people now have CONFIRMED instead of PRE-ORDER so there is some sort of movement going on internally at Samsung.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Mavman42:
In the same boat as you, kinda, I ordered on the 25th, no Note 7 trade-in. Unlocked and nothing has changed. My order did say it will ship 9/11 so I guess we wait haha:silly:
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Steigerelli:
Still showing preorder here. Like I said, it's not gonna matter in a couple of weeks. Within the U.S. anyway...
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] cpufrost:
The earlier release may have something to do with Apple's 9/12 announcement of the iphone 8. Coincidence? Maybe not!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] psixichka:
Shipped with a tracking number and everything. I ordered on 8/24 am
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] ramsees2000:
What about using the note 8 as a wifi hotspot? If I buy the US unlocked version and use on AT&T network, will it check subscription status, or instantly start wifi hotspot.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Bosjoe:
It's better to get an unlock version if you are thinking of switching between USA carriers. The unlock version will have all lte bands, compare to branded carrier which seem to have missing lte bands.

https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-note-8-sm-n950-model-number-differences/
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] denisiel:
Is there any difference between ordering unlocked on Best Buy versus Samsung in terms of specifications or when it will ship? I don't have a trade in.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] cnotes2019:
Does the unlock version have any lte bands missing? From specs I read it doesn't have band 41. Is that correct? Any other bands does it miss? Thanks.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] MagicSpeller:
Any responses to this? My understanding is that this is a global phone and every version, including unlocked, will work with any cellular frequency and protocol. Yes? No?

Thanks in advance!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] JameyS:
https://www.techwalls.com/samsung-galaxy-note-8-sm-n950-model-number-differences/
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] harveydent:
Yes. A Samsung unlocked phone and a TMo locked phone have the same hardware. It used to be that carrier models had different, often worse hardware (looking at you Verizon), but now, especially with pressure from Apple, most flagship phones are identical across all networks.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] borisb:
NOO!

TMO and the unlocked version do not have the same bands. The unlocked include TMO bands but not the other way around .
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] harveydent:
You're right, I misspoke
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] cnotes2019:
But does the unlocked include all lte bands from all four carriers? I don't see band 41 listed on sammobile.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] borisb:
American variant:

LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 Bands
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] black96ss:
if you flash the carrier CP, then you should have all the lte band. All the snapdragon US phones should have the same hardware as they have the past year. if its anything like the s8, you might need a modified odin to flash the Carrier CSC for the network your on. not sure if you need a modified odin to flash the radios(CP). it may time a little time for someone to try this on note since it came out like 5 minutes ago. this is why I ordered a TMO variant from Sammy. phone will be sim unlocked within the first week I get it, then when someone figure out how to carrier flash on different devices, i'll put the unlocked firmware with the TMO CSC and CP. I have plans to sell it anyway if they release a US Deep Sea Blue in the future.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] gingi999:
I think they are just sold out, my phone wont arrive till week of 10/1
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Dr. Claw:
I think they actually do have the same bands as far as hardware is concerned. The difference is that the firmware for TMO only is made to see TMO's bands.

The unlocked (950U1) model has firmware that can talk to all of the US carriers depending on which SIM card is there.

SM-N950U is the same model aside from firmware, with a single FCC ID. That encompasses 950U (carriers), 950U1 (unlocked), 950W (Canada), 950XU (Retail demo units, i.e. at Best Buy; that firmware has NO band connectivity)
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] cnotes2019:
And band 66 no?

Where did you find the lte list? Thanks
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] tedkord:
Snapdragon 835 is a system on a chip, which has the modem built in. All 835s have the same modem, the sim and firmware directs which bands it uses. The Tmo is capable of all the bands the unlocked is, once you get it carrier unlocked. They probably only list the bands used by Tmo on its carrier version.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] MagicSpeller:
And is yours the orchid gray color? Are you in the US? If so, how were you able to order it?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] ramsees2000:
On bestbuy.com you can find gray unlocked phones, but they don't ship until 9/29/2017. $150 rebate if bought from Best Buy.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] MrAwesome75:
I've never tried flashing software from one carrier to a phone of another. Is that all it takes to make this work, or is there some root-level stuff that needs to be done?

Probably a moot point anyway since I probably won't even switch from T-Mobile before the Note 9; but just curious since I have a Verizon work phone and thought it would be cool to drop in the Verizon SIM from time to time. Since Verizon is still partly CDMA, I am not even sure if I can do that. I've had T-Mo for my personal phone for almost 10 years now; I guess I'm GSM spoiled.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] borisb:
No no no no!!!!!

---------- Post added at 03:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:32 AM ----------

No 66. I think that only v30 has it.

I got it from the back of a Galaxy S8 unlocked box.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] harveydent:
Yes, I already said that you were right and I was wrong in the other thread.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Dr. Claw:
Here's where I got my info:

FCC Link to Note 8 SAR Report

Where are you getting yours?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] MrAwesome75:
OK, you guys are confusing me. How do we know who's right?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] nook2hd:
Does Galaxy S8 unlocked say that it supports any of the bands 38, 39, 40, 41? Before full spec of the Note 8 unlocked available, I sure hope S8 unlocked will provide some helpful hints.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] RojasTKD:
Well, I ended up going with the AT&T version of the Note 8 because

1. I wanted to be certain that WiFi calling and Video calling was supported.

2. Though I like the look of the black Note 8, I hate how the fingerprint smudges are so visible, that would drive me CRAZY. So I opted for the "orchid gray" that was not an option for the unlocked version.

3. I can live with deactivating all those stupid AT&T pre-installed bloat.

If I knew for certain the unlocked version supported WiFi calling and video calling, I'd have to decide if I cuould live with all the very visible smudges and the constant wiping I'd be doing (or get a Dbrand skin for the Note 8). I wish they offered more color options. Blue I'd love to get the blue one. :P
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] dace69:
Did you call AT&T and talk to a competent technical support person? When I talked to AT&T he told me as long as it's not an internatioonal version Samsung unlocked phone, it will work right out of the box. AND if it was an international version, some additional provisioning would need to done, but will work as well. Per his words, "AT&T doesn't make money off of the phones, they make their money off of the service". He seemed very knowledgable regarding factory unlocked phones.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] RojasTKD:
No i didn't. I'm not sure the odds of actually talking to a knowledgeable rep is in my favor. Besides as nice as the black unlocked model looks, those fingerprints might have caused me to buy the orchid grey anyway. That black Note 8 does look nice though, well as long as you wipe it down often.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] borisb:
S8 unlocked American variant:

LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 Bands

Just got this from B&H for the note 8- not sure if its international or US.

LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 Bands

---------- Post added at 07:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:08 PM ----------

I was wrong. I was looking into the xda thread and I misread.

Flashing another carrier will do the trick.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] mardukeme:
Here pics of the band's using the US unlocked version on T-mobile. You are missing band 66, 252, and 255. Also there is no 29, 30, **** don't see 17 listed either.View attachment 4265985
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Demonface.24:
does anyone know if the unlocked firmware is already out for the Note 8?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] xtype85:
The Note 8 Unlocked has all available LTE Bands including Band 66. I have the phone in hand and can confirm that. I also received a 256GB card with m device and not the 128GB memory card.

Confirmed

========

T-Mobile: HD Voice and WiFi Calling along w/ 3x CA works. LTE Video calling not available

Verizon: Carrier Aggregation works but not WiFi calling

Unconfirmed

==========

T-mobile 4x4 Mimo and 256 QAM

Verizon: HD Calling
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] mardukeme:
Is there a way to tell, or check if you have 4x4 mimo, or 256 qam without root?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] cpufrost:
If tethering is permitted on your account it should work as long as the SIM is properly recognized.

It's been a while but I do remember having AT&T with grandfathered unlimited that did NOT allow the hotspot and I had to be rooted and used TiB to freeze a service to get around that.

I do miss the unlocked bootloaders and custom roms.

I can do that anytime with my Nexus6 but TBH that sits on the shelf most of the time. That phone feels HUGE!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] xtype85:
We can probably just ask Neville Ray on Twitter. He provided a direct answer regarding the S8+
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] morgej:
xtype85,

I am not seeing Settings or a Quick Toggle to control T-Mobiile WiFi Calling on my just received unlocked Note 8.

Can you please help me figure out how to enable wifi calling?

Thanks.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] xtype85:
I don't believe there was a quick toggle. Check under the phone settings and you should see it there.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] morgej:
AWESOME!!!!

I found the wifi calling settings under the Phone App -> Settings

Thanks so much!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] ekerbuddyeker:
Is that also for AT&T??
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Sass86:
I would like to add to this question. Is it possible to flash the firmware from the U.S. carriers to enable the features like WiFi calling, VoLTE, and video calling? Is it a firmware restriction/ limitation or is it whitelisted IMEI numbers only for those features? I have the unlocked version. Also I don't see a second slot for a dual SIM. Thanks for any advice.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] dace69:
Who's your carrier?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Sass86:
Sorry, AT&T. I know they are infamous for not sharing branded phone features which is why I bought unlocked. I'll have no set backs jumping carriers when the time comes, but enabling the features while on their network would be a bonus.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] dace69:
I was told by an AT&T tech support person that as long as the phone is a US factory unlocked Samsung phone, it will provision with all AT&T functionality, including WiFi calling, HDVoice and VoLTE. If it doesn't work out off the box, they CAN add your phones IMEI number to the whitelist and force the function, (they apparently do this for International phones). Let us know how it goes.

Right now, even the Samsung factory unlocked phones have a locked bootloader. So flashing a carrier ROM, at this time, may be hard to get done.

Dual Sims are not available on the US phone (yet).
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] MrAwesome75:
I thought you could still flash the firmware with Odin since you're flashing official firmware. I'm not completely sure about this but I assumed it would work with Odin. I ended up getting the phone through T-mo, so I won't be able to test this, but my brother has the unlocked S8+ and has issues getting WiFi calling to work and I stumbled onto this thread while looking for solutions.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] BlueFox721:
I flashed the Sprint Firmware on my unlocked a few hours ago and it's working awesomely...before that I flashed just the Userdata file from the Sprint Firmware in the UMS slot after editing the config file of Odin to gain the carrier functions successfully...
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Limeybastard:
Anyone have the same screen shot of the T Mobile version?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Sass86:
AT&T is a joke. Every other carrier provides some level of features with unlocked phones. They outright do not. Worst carrier greed.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] xtype85:
It's all of the bands that my T-Mobile S8+ has. I have done some comparison testing with download speeds and the S8+ always beats the Note 8 so this lead me to believe they do not have 256QAM and 4x4 MIMO available. So it is pointless to have the unlocked version from Samsung unless you're flashing the T-Mobile firmware. Obviously it came with less bloatware unlike TMOs variant.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] blaidan:
I've read through all of the posts in this thread and I'm still not sure I understand the current state of using an unlocked Note8 on Verizon. Can someone please clarify if the following features do, or do not, work with an unlocked Note8 on Verizon, specifically?

- WiFi Calling

- HD Calling

- Video Calling

- VoLTE

Thanks in advance for any information!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] dwest3784:
I have a couple of questions... first does anyone have the Xfinity Mobile variant? I bought mine from there since it was 200 off, they gave me the unlock code and I do get T-Mo LTE but its spotty. ?2 I know how to get into service mode but how do you see what the network bands are? ?3 I have been following this thread but my last question is this, I have read a post about flashing other carrier's software with Odin, my question is does it trigger knox? Any answers is well appreciated !
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] carvation:
does this phone sim LOCK to first carrier sim put in phone?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] vincey2kr1:
Can you explain how to? Do you get the calling plus feature ( sprints version of volte) and visual voicemails? I’ve got the unlocked , have Wi-Fi calling but would like calling plus
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] BlueFox721:
Calling plus is not available yet for the Note 8...waiting on update...all we have is WiFi calling...The settings, however, on the unlocked are already enabled, awaiting the software...since we got WiFi calling I believe the unlocked will also get the VoLTE with the update (since its enabled) for VVM...Install Google Voice and forward voicemail with *73yourgooglevoicenumber#