yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] $-MONARCH-$:
I know, This thing is quite complex to understand, Let's make it simple. If you don't get OEM Unlock. Just hand the phone over to Samsung and demand explanation for disabling OEM Unlock. This all what I can say if you do not agree to region lock policy by Samsung.

Besides, Please do understand that all evidence, explanation and theories I've provided are opinions of Samsung clerk, with whom I did talk for about 30 minutes at the Samsung Store. He gave me detailed explanations for region locks, OEM lockdown, carrier assigned CSC etc... I'll only attempt to answer your question according to best of my understanding with the Samsung Clerk. There is nothing misleading here. Please be kind enough to ask me anything about it. I'll help you.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] ihaveaphone:
You were saying all this stuff for pages and pages before you posted about talking to that Samsung employee. It seems like all he did was confirm with you everything you were already saying.

Thanks to this discussion, I've taken time out of my day to read about something that has nothing to do with my problem: Samsung's region locking for phones. From my quick reading of a few web pages, if a phone is region locked it won't make or receive cellular phone calls. If Samsung wanted to stop grey market sales of phones, this is a much more sensible plan than removing OEM unlock, an obscure option that most people don't use. I also notice nobody on these forums was complaining about the region lock preventing them from using their Note 8 for phone calls. Maybe the people selling these phones internationally already knew about region lock and unlocked the phones before sending them. That also makes more sense if I think about it.

I already know region lock is certainly not the cause of my problem, because my phone is an official unbranded Samsung Australia phone, bought and used in Australia.

But if the people posting in here were posting because of region lock, they would surely also all be mentioning that they can't make phone calls on their imported phones. I haven't seen anyone doing that. I think the vast majority of people selling export phones for a living probably know they need to unlock the region lock before sending the phones to customers.

I don't really have any questions. I'd just like you to stop talking about region lock because I know it isn't the cause of my problem, I know it isn't related to the users who suddenly had the OEM unlock option appear in their phones' menus for unknown reasons, and I seriously doubt it is actually affecting a single person who has posted in this thread. Let this thread focus on productive areas of discussion rather than this useless topic.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] jpinoy:
Yeah, they tried to check a batch they had got in on Friday, they had the same issue, couldn't get the OEM Unlock to show up.

They said they were getting another batch(different version??) in this coming week that they can check again if I wanted to wait. Since I bought 2 from them and I never opened mine(wife had the other and don't care for root), and I only checked on the other one, I told them I'll send my unopened black one back, so that way they can get it the same week their new batch comes in, and if they can OEM Unlock, just send me it. If not, they will already have my phone and just do a refund with no 20% restocking fee, since it's still sealed.

I explained to the guy about them having to put a SIM in to region unlock it, and he understood. I even talked to him about what I wanted to do, flash ROM/Firmware, and he understood. Good guy to talk to.

Email or give them a call, they are very responsive. I'm already looking to get one from Clove UK, as I have a feeling the new batch will not have OEM Unlock.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] $-MONARCH-$:
All I did was to take all answers from different topics/pages and post it here before I went to meet the clerk, But to my surprise, the OEM Unlock disabled is only related to carrier sets which were confirmed by the clerk. I only took my time enough to help these guys here ranting over missing OEM Unlock. If you do want me to stop talking about region lock, I wouldn't have wasted my time by going to Samsung Store to confirm about this issue and be productive of this thread.

So to guys who bought branded or unbranded sets, It quite doesn't matter as of now. Just make sure that if you don't ever get the OEM Unlock, just contact Samsung and demand an explanation. But if you're using carrier-bonded Note 8, Please do not attempt to do so, because the contract is signed between you and carrier. Therefore Samsung will not help you, they will refer you to your mobile carrier. Which will result in paying penalty fees for termination of the contract thus it will not guarantee whether you will get OEM Unlock option after paying the full amount.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] xxx42069:
I think you're making a wise decision here. All we can do for now is go by evidence as reported by others. I can confirm I've seen 5 people who ordered from Clove and every single one of them has oem unlock. I can also confirm I have NOT seen a single instance of someone who ordered from Clove and didn't have it. I returned my eBay order unopened just like you and ordered from Clove. I'm expecting to receive it by the 27th, possibly (hopefully) sooner. So I will report my findings when I open mine but I am confident I'll be added to the list of people who purchased from there and have oem unlock option. It's a great feeling to not worry about it anymore. However that's not to say everything is perfect in this scenario either. Clove is more expensive, it became even more expensive with currency conversion, shipping has been slow, and it will come with a 3 prong UK charger which is useless to me here in the US, so I had to buy a wall charger for it separately, even further adding to the expense and annoyance. Still, if root is a must for you like it is for me, it's worth all the extra effort and expense.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] jpinoy:
Yeah, you are correct, wise decision as well. The fact that Clove UK even stated you have to agree to them opening it and have them insert a SIM to make a call makes me feel good about the OEM Unlock being there. I've never had a phone without root, and I'm not starting now.

I already have bought wireless charging pads and looking to get one more official adaptive fast charger from Samsung so I don't need to worry about the plug issue.

I'll look forward to your finding once you get your phone. I don't mind waiting another week or so, just as long as I have that option, is worth it.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] LouK:
Delete wanted to reply to a comment

---------- Post added at 08:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 PM ----------

Thanks.

Tried calling but looks like they're closed Sunday's.

Sent an e-mail .

I opened my phone to try out and see if I had the option or not.

I was able to put my At&t sim in and make and receive a call. So I don't think this is Region locked. It must be something else.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] jpinoy:
Yeah, we had to get another SIM for my wife's phone yesterday. There's no issue with calls, etc. Only no OEM Unlock.

SobeOnline1 seems to have good customer service and are pretty understanding. Good luck!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Kamikaze_Ice:
To be fair, no one knows why this is happening.

It's entirely possible that there can be more than one cause. Some people are in the same situation you're in, while there have been others where this "region lock" seems to be the case.

Isn't a new batch of phones scheduled to be released on Sept. 28? I seem to remember reading some ebay listings where they were selling "pre-orders" for whenever the next "official release date" is.

A few have reported their device randomly getting the OEM Unlock option, so I a timed lock may also be possible. I guess we'll see what happens then.

And I agree, this whole situation is strange. From a business perspective it would be far simpler and probably cheaper to put a region lock on all devices like what the European ones have. I don't see how this is actually effective though, since the seller could simply unlock it for you making Samsung's effort to lock it down completely worthless and a waste of time and money with no impact to this "grey market".

I'd think anyone on these forums would know not to trust what a sales rep from a carrier or even Samsung to know what they're talking about. Anyone who does know the answer who works for Samsung would almost positively bound by a non-disclosure contract.

I certainly hope this is not the case.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] pswin09:
Look like we still have hope. Thanks for your sharing bro. I think it will eventually come to our devices.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] icewaterfamily:
N950FD firmware

Do you have the N950FD firmware.......if yes can I get a link for download......want to try it......pls And thanks.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] force70:
Agreed.

Region lock is one thing and nothing new.

Lack of OEM unlock is quite another is is new.

I do not think or see how they are related and anyone who has dealt with samsung reps before knows they are idiots and can only tell you what their scripts tell them to tell you.

Samsung here in Canada told me the note 7 would have an exynos in it 3 days before launch and we all know how that turned out lol.

sent from my Note FE, S8 plus, or S6
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] icewaterfamily:
N950FD firmware

I have the N950F but trying to see if I can make it dual-sim.so thats why I'm looking for N950FD firmware. Try to do the S7 dual-sim trick.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] bober10113:
dont think theres a firmware specific for dual sim phones.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Geekser:
Forgive me if this has been mentioned - I haven't seen it - but I am buying a N950F from EBAY - expect to get it sometime next week.

My question is- I know people have had issues with N950F/DS not getting OEM Unlock when they go to developer settings - but has anyone had this same problem with N950F single sim devices?

Can someone confirm that it is absolutely necessary to have a SIM CARD installed while connected to a network in the region the phone is from ? Or is this only happening on N950F/DS devices?

Thanks for your input....
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] bober10113:
unfortunately nothing can be confirmed 100% but if the box is sealed and in dl mode you see the red carrier: XSP or some other csc code then chances are no OEM unlock. although this might only be a temporary issue as some suggest having it appear but they might be in the same region as the csc code i spoke about earlier.

again nothing is certanty is these grim times.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] $-MONARCH-$:
Again, I'd say CSC doesn't matter at all it has to do with carrier sets. I created some interesting post in this thread here. Samsung actually made lockdown for OEM Unlock for sets sold specifically to carriers.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] force70:
I wouldn't chance buying an F or FD right now...your best option is to buy the Korean N version if you want to be sure you get the OEM unlock option
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] $-MONARCH-$:
The chances are if you buy from Samsung's Store, You'll get the OEM Unlocked. But if you buy from third-party you wouldn't know from which distributor they got it.

Yes, I think the N variants is only the option if you're not quite certain about buying F/DS variants.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Geekser:
any idea where to buy them? (is that the N950N ? is that compatible with roms made for N950F devices?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] force70:
Ebay and yes compatible they are also exynos
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] bober10113:
http://www.all-things-android.com/content/changing-samsung-csc-product-code

csc seems to matter now and that code is burnt in the device and written in red when you look at the Carrier within download mode.

what i would like to know is,

everyone that doesn't have OEM unlock, give:

-Carrier csc in that DL menu

-where exactly you are in the world.

versus

everyone that has OEM unlock, give:

-do you have the Carrier csc in DL menu and what it is

-where exactly you are in the world.

I dont care of personal theories and hearsay.(looking at you monarch)

eveyone else,

if you have a device, then whats the info. you have?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] $-MONARCH-$:
Did you really read up the post here: https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=73915001&postcount=428 Actually two devices have SAME CSC. Doesn't matter what CSC or ROM you change to, It will never give you OEM Unlock long as the set's hardware unique key is assigned to the carrier.

"I dont care of personal theories and hearsay.(looking at you monarch)"

These aren't theories, you moron! It's confirmation from Samsung's clerk! Read the whole read again. Oh god, These days people are lazy!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] bober10113:
thanks for calling me a lazy moron.

anyways, my post still is valid as accumulating data is my goal. pretentious people might think they know what im trying to get at but i just want to see data from different users and see if there is a trend regarding the 2 situations i presented.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] xxx42069:
Wow you're still going? And now you're hurling insults on top of that?! Buddy, your theory has been soundly argued against. You're just choosing to ignore them. There have already been people that stated they bought directly from a Samsung store, unbranded, for use in their own country, with a proper SIM card and still no oem unlock. That squashes your theory.

Also, confirmation from a Samsung clerk?! Ooh whoop Dee doo! That's about as reliable as confirmation from my grandma. Everybody knows these people just give canned, scripted answers that they are trained to give. Half of them don't even know what oem unlock is. Just stop alright?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] ultramag69:
Mine is Oz stock - single sim with sd card and has no OEM Lock... This is a generic non-branded N950F....

CSC is XSA... Since last post it's had an upgrade in firmware - N950FXXU1AQI1... Still no OEM Unlock...

Even if this is missing it should be able to be be pushed out through a firmware update. Now we just have to get Samsung on board...
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] $-MONARCH-$:
You should stop already mate, I have been doing everything to contribute, You're just bugging people around here and asking all silly questions. If you go down to my posts in this thread, I have clearly stated that Samsung still has carrier-locked sets in their store and suggested to return back to Samsung. Even if you contact Samsung they will issue a replacement with OEM unlocked.

If you think my contribution doesn't make any sense, then you should go and do something yourself instead of asking all questions you don't know.

---------- Post added at 12:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:30 AM ----------

That's good, and wish you a Good Luck!

Anyway, Samsung already did change their gameplay with Exynos after they did with Snapdragon.

Your suggestion on changing CSC didn't really work for me with my Singaporean Sets, I had to return back to the seller and bought the local set from Samsung Store. I have the OEM Unlocked now.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] xxx42069:
There is nothing silly about asking questions, it's how you learn. The only thing silly is making speculations and assumptions which is all you have "contributed". Then you go and insult a guy who is just trying to collect solid, real world, actionable data which is the foundation for any reliable conclusion. The only one bugging people around here is you and several people have already called you out on it. Care to try again?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] maybeonly:
Good morning. We talk about that in a local IM group last night and this is our new speculation.

Mainly, it is carrier related, but not the region. And, there's a bug which make unlock and CSC related. We all know Samsung usually allow these phones to be unlocked.

Perhaps there's more about carrier, e.g., VoLTE settings or something (it's my speculation, it's baseless)

FACT 1. Some people in a Russian forum reported that they got OEM unlock on 23rd.

I surmise they are all Russian and using the same carrier. Samsung updated the configure file of a carrier and they were able to unlcok.

FACT 2. Some people got OEM unlock after turning 'system update' on.

The same above.

FACT 3. Nobody in Thailand or Australia got OEM unlock option.

No carrier in these countries has a proper configure file to unlock OEM.

FACT 4. UK clove use their own SIM to active a phone and then sell them. These phones can be unlocked.

The carrier of UK clove may be the key.

--------

The fact can not support the speculation:

FACT 5. Some people switched to a SIM of a carrier which can be unlocked but nothing happened.

perhaps it is related to the SIM being actived.

Any idea?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] xxx42069:
Hmm... This is good data. Just one thing though that is still problematic and counter intuitive to this assumption. If it's carrier related, but not region, how does one explain the people that have bought unbranded, non carrier specific models, both directly from Samsung or other sources, with and without the use of a SIM card, and still no oem unlock?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] msy198:
I have bought mine from one of Samsung retail shop in Midvalley Malaysia. Truth behold, no OEM unlock option under the Developer Options. Tried making the 5 minutes call on Malaysia sim card, still no OEM unlock functions. Numerous reset, still no OEM unlock functions. Weird.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] $-MONARCH-$:
Nobody asked me out other than you. Okay, I understand your frustration, But the thing is I do not like to keep repeating answers again when the questions already been answered by other guys in this thread thus creating a tremendous amount of pages down to this thread...

I do understand that you don't "accept" my perspective and speculations. However, I'll be changing my shifts right now and I have done things enough here, I'm off to enjoy my Note 8. I wish you guys a good luck on finding a solution to this issue.

---------- Post added at 01:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:23 AM ----------

Hmm, Interesting. Sounds like a bug related issue here. Strange, I did try demo sets at Mid Valley as well. But OEM Unlock did show up. Seems weird bug here. As you bought it today (i assume), You can contact Samsung Malaysia to get your device replaced. I did contact them as well they insinuated that they do not accept a replacement for Singaporean sets, Then decided to buy from Mid Valley Mall, OEM Unlock is there for me. I feel like a fool now after suggesting all carrier-related issue which that Samsung Clerk says. :(
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] xxx42069:
Are you blind? Several people have called you out on your BS.

2nd- the thing I don't like is people who keep repeating "answers" that are not based on reality and data, just their own assumptions and then walking around like they know everything and their answers are facts just because they say so.

3rd- every time I quote you and counter your logic, I pick up 2-4 thank yous while your posts get none. That shows who's posts are useful and who's are bugging people as you say.

4th- making the thread bigger by adding data and conversation is not a bad thing. It's a forum, that's what it's here for.

5th- you say you'll prove me wrong "again" when more data becomes available but I would argue you have not proved me wrong even once yet, so it can't be again. Besides there is nothing to prove wrong, I have not made a bunch of assumptions and stated them as fact like you have. All I have said is nobody knows anything for sure yet and you definitely have not proved that wrong.

6th- whatever man, go play with your Note. Your last paragraph filled with more of your atrocious grammar basically says "f**k you guys, I'm taking my toys and going home. " Exactly the type of childish response I expected from you. By all means, "change your shifts", whatever the hell that means and take off so the big boys can have an adult conversation. Good day sir!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] Torquemada288:
I created an Australian specific thread for this but so far, no one has the posted that they have the OEM Unlock option. It's looking like Samsung have screwed us over until we can get a modded firmware that has the OEM Unlock option included (or OEM unlocked by default).

https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-note-8/help/australian-carrier-oem-unlock-option-t3677317
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] xxx42069:
Wow a rare admission of foolishness on your part, surprising. Usually you just ignore posts that go against what you say. Good for you. Like I said, anything that came from a Samsung clerk is about as reliable as something that came from my grandma. I'm glad you're at least humble enough to admit to that.

You see why you can't just take a bit of info and run with it like its fact? I tried to tell you several people have already countered that argument but you didn't want to believe or admit that.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] bober10113:
I specifically asked a type of information in my last post.

I specifically told you to not state anything relating to YOUR experiance.

you chose to respond with random facts and went ahead in giving info about something i never told YOU to do. I might have in the past spoke about changing CSC,s but why would you tell me now that it didn't work for you. this is ancient history we know flashing csc doesn't do squat. you're responding to questions no body asked you. its as if you're having a conversation with yourself each time you answer.

the more you state an opinion doesn't make it factual. Instead i would suggest gathering information instead of shoving it in everyone's throat.

Anyways,

are you on something?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] xxx42069:
Lol thank you. See Monarch? I told you it wasn't just me calling you out on your BS.

Yeah he's definitely on something, though he'd probably tell you he's "just high on life". Rofl!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] bober10113:
lol, i belive its called "ego".
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] force70:
And now another kick in the you know what, i contacted the korean seller i bought ny note FE from about getting an N note 8.

Gold is not available in Korea...figures the only colour i would buy and not available.

Looks like I will going with a V30, Pixel XL 2 or if I can wait that long the HTC U11 plus.

Fu##ing samsung

sent from my Note FE, S8 plus, or S6
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] pswin09:
Calm down guys. ??
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] bober10113:
samdung anyone?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] kenpaci:
It's not true!, not all exynos version missing oem button
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] xxx42069:
Seriously man. What a ridiculous, costly, annoying fiasco this has been. They are lucky they are the only ones who have done a stylus right. I love the spen and no other oem has managed to pull it off like Samsung has. Other wise I wouldn't be here right now.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers] force70:
Thank god I have a note FE or i would have bought a note 8 day 1 like usual.

Between it and my S8 plus i dont really "need" a new device right now so i can wait a bit to see what happens but i will def want buy something else in the next 2 mos.

sent from my Note FE, S8 plus, or S6