What would be the difference between buying the unlocked vs carrier specific, besides carrier flexibility ? Would the unlocked function the same in all aspects? What are some pros and cons ? Any feature loss? null

Question

Louis · Accepted Answer

Trust me,,buy UNLOCKED. I have owned carrier specific, carrier unlocked and Samsung Unlocked. If it had a carrier name on it, then it has Bloatware. Whether it's games or other apps, They want to put on there, you can't remove them. Thy will always update and use up space, i took a Samsung unlocked phone to ATT when i had the,. The rep had to get it on their service. He was surprised at how much faster it was then their version of the same phone.

Answered by Louis 8 years ago

DemonWolf · Answer

Unlocked is vastly better, barring a few minor feature things (will go over those later). Like others have said, bloatware is highly reduced. When I started up my Note 8 it had so few apps that I was shocked at how much control I had. Even things like Google+ I could get rid of and that had been hard locked on my previous device. If you like having a device that really feels like yours, get unlocked.

Now, the cons I've found so far: some carrier specific features won't work. My big loss so far is a T-mobile specific feature that is kinda critical for me: wifi calling. On T-mobile locked devices they include the ability to toggle Wifi calling on and off. Not available in any way on the unlocked version. Don't know what special features like that other carriers have. So while that is a bugger... the feeling of control and personalization vastly outweigh that loss.

Ncontrl · Answer

Carrier specific phones have certain apps on them that can not be uninstalled. These apps are called "bloatware" and are just a waste of space if your not using them. Unlocked phones do not have these, but if you need it you have the option of downloading them from the play store. Also updates on carrier phones usually gets firmware/updates a little sooner than unlocked phones.

Answered by Ncontrl 8 years ago

Chevytrucks4life · Answer

You nailed the first aspect, not being locked down to a carrier. But the other huge advantage to an unlocked phone is avoiding bloatware that comes on phones tied to a carrier. Without those extra apps you save precious ram and storage.

Answered by Chevytrucks4life 8 years ago

DrDare32 · Answer

I bought the international unlocked Note 8. 

It does everything the other note 8's do, however it does not have any bloatware that sometimes comes with 'fixed' provider mobiles have. I have always bought unlocked, partly for that reason, but also as you stated, you are not tied down to a provider, which m is good as I travel around the world.

kanehi · Answer

Some features might not be available. I have TMobile and they have wifi calling and video calling as features on their specific phones

Jeff · Answer

WiFi calling and hd voice usually is locked out.

“What would be the difference between buying the unlocked vs carrier specific, besides carrier flexibility ? Would the unlocked function the same in all aspects? What are some pros and cons ? Any feature loss?”

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