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The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked

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Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked

#31

Post by Zak »

simonh wrote: post #6
nicpottier wrote: post #3

Pure speculation here, but my guess is that this has to do with different models being certified by different bodies. IE, perhaps the model sold in Europe is subtly different and hasn't passed FCC or some other certification for use in the states, ergo, they lock them to where they HAVE been certified. Doesn't change the fact that I wouldn't buy it, but I don't think it is something that is done for some evil reason…

If it was a certification issue it would affect every mobile device by every device manufacturer. My guess is that this may be an attempt by Samsung to crack down on grey market imports of their devices. The author suggests it might be a requirement buy carriers, but again that would affect more than just one manufacturer. At the moment we're all just speculating.

My guess is that this may be an attempt by Samsung to crack down on grey market imports of their devices.

Why would they want to do this? I could understand it in the case of a low-priced device intended for poor regions of the world, but this is a high-end phone that is presumably a similar (high) price everywhere it's sold.

Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked

#33

Post by markbao »

nailer wrote: post #27

Disappointing, but not a surprise: 1. Galaxy S 3 includes undeletable Pizza Hut bookmark http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1707047 2. Galaxy custom web browser allows random web sites to make links that wipe and reset the phone: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/117422-samsung-galaxy-s-3-re...

The link that resets phones in #2 resets them without warning.

Along with #1 and this article, I'm seriously baffled that any company can be this incompetent.

Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked

#34

Post by m_mueller »

nailer wrote: post #27

Disappointing, but not a surprise: 1. Galaxy S 3 includes undeletable Pizza Hut bookmark http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1707047 2. Galaxy custom web browser allows random web sites to make links that wipe and reset the phone: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/117422-samsung-galaxy-s-3-re...

#2 is a link from September 2012. You mean this is still not fixed (as in >99% can update to a version that is fixed)?

Edit: "UPDATED 26 September: Samsung has told SlashGear that Galaxy S III users should ensure their phone is running the latest software as this resolves any issues:

'We would like to assure our customers that the recent security issue concerning the GALAXY S III has already been resolved through a software update. We recommend all GALAXY S III customers to download the latest software update, which can be done quickly and easily via the Over-The-Air (OTA) service.'

Question: Is this OTA Update depending on whether providers let those updates through?

Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked

#35

Post by ZoFreX »

nailer wrote: post #27

Disappointing, but not a surprise: 1. Galaxy S 3 includes undeletable Pizza Hut bookmark http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1707047 2. Galaxy custom web browser allows random web sites to make links that wipe and reset the phone: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/117422-samsung-galaxy-s-3-re...

Regarding #2, that bug was fixed a year ago to the day, according to the very source you linked. I feel it's unfair to include what was clearly a mistake in the same category as deliberate malicious activity (#1 and the linked article)

Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked

#36

Post by ZoFreX »

m_mueller wrote: post #34
nailer wrote: post #27

Disappointing, but not a surprise: 1. Galaxy S 3 includes undeletable Pizza Hut bookmark http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1707047 2. Galaxy custom web browser allows random web sites to make links that wipe and reset the phone: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/117422-samsung-galaxy-s-3-re...

#2 is a link from September 2012. You mean this is still not fixed (as in >99% can update to a version that is fixed)? Edit: "UPDATED 26 September: Samsung has told SlashGear that Galaxy S III users should ensure their phone is running the latest software as this resolves any issues: 'We would like to assure our customers that the recent security issue concerning the GALAXY S III has already been resolved through a s…

The link has an update at the bottom stating that it has been fixed.

Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked

#37

Post by sigkill »

dak1 wrote: post #24
mikeash wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple still works with the carriers quite a bit. For example, you can't turn on tethering unless the carrier allows it (often requiring you to pay more money), and most iPhones sold in the US are locked to a single carriers. But who can blame them? Of the $650 cost of a new iPhone, the user only pays $200, while the carrier pays $450. Apple knows where their bread is buttered.

Don't worry, you're paying that entire $650 (and usually then some). It's just hidden in your contract price.

THIS is what I don't understand. Why do people call it "subsidized" when you're locked in to a 2 year contract with an early termination fee.

IT IS NOT SUBSIDIZED, PEOPLE.

You may say, well I'm paying the same per month whether I take a new phone or not from the carrier, so... it's subsidized right? Nope, they're just gouging you when you're on an old phone. Taking the new phone just slightly reduces your disadvantage. Let's put it this way, if MVNOs can offer you piggybacked network rates at $X while traditional operators rates are $3X aren't you a bit surprised? It's not that the operators are going to sell to MVNOs for a loss, and not that MVNOs are going to sell to you for a loss.

Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked

#38

Post by DominikR »

The Samsung Galaxy S4 has the same sticker and works with every SIM.

It's just that Samsung lacks focus and is incompetent at communicating with its customers and non Korean employees.

Probably some idiot manager in Europe decided to put this sticker on the case and they don't know about it (or didn't understand this) in their headquarter.

Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked

#39

Post by panacea »

nailer wrote: post #27

Disappointing, but not a surprise: 1. Galaxy S 3 includes undeletable Pizza Hut bookmark http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1707047 2. Galaxy custom web browser allows random web sites to make links that wipe and reset the phone: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/117422-samsung-galaxy-s-3-re...

I sure could eat a chocolate Kit-Kat right about now... who's with me, open source brethren?

(Kinda Suprise banned in the US)

Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked

#40

Post by mikeash »

sigkill wrote: post #37
dak1 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't worry, you're paying that entire $650 (and usually then some). It's just hidden in your contract price.

THIS is what I don't understand. Why do people call it "subsidized" when you're locked in to a 2 year contract with an early termination fee. IT IS NOT SUBSIDIZED, PEOPLE. You may say, well I'm paying the same per month whether I take a new phone or not from the carrier, so... it's subsidized right? Nope, they're just gouging you when you're on an old phone. Taking the new phone just slightly reduces your disadvantag…

I doubt that anyone on this site is the least bit confused as to how the system actually works. It's not exactly a secret.

They still front the money, then get it back from you over time. I'd say that qualifies as "subsidized", especially when the "over time" payments are not broken out separately.

Regardless of how it works out afterwards, the fact is that most American buyers prefer to pay $200 up front with a contract versus paying all $650 themselves. If Apple wants the carriers to keep putting up $450 in exchange for locking people into contracts, they have to cooperate at least a bit.

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