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Samsung region and SIM locking phones

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  Samsung region and SIM locking phones Chris in Makati <mail@nospam.com> - 2016-07-15 13:23 +0100
    Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones Daniel James <daniel@me.invalid> - 2016-07-15 15:47 +0100
      Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-15 11:25 -0400
        Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-15 15:16 -0400
          Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-18 10:45 -0400
            Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-18 13:35 -0400
              Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-18 14:21 -0400
                Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-18 23:22 -0400
                  Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-19 09:11 -0400
                    Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 01:41 -0400
                      Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-20 10:42 -0400
                        Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 16:01 -0400
                          Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-20 16:09 -0400
                          Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 14:10 -0700
                            Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 17:39 -0400
                              Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-21 09:16 -0400
        Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones Daniel James <daniel@me.invalid> - 2016-07-22 15:58 +0100
          Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-22 11:00 -0400
      Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones Chris in Makati <mail@nospam.com> - 2016-07-15 17:27 +0100
        Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones Chris in Makati <mail@nospam.com> - 2016-07-23 23:38 +0100
      Re: Samsung region and SIM locking phones Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-15 15:09 -0400

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#31769 — Samsung region and SIM locking phones

I've read that Samsung are now locking their latest phones, both
regionally and to the first SIM card entered into them.

This presents a problem for anyone who wants to travel and use a local
SIM when they visit a different part of the world.

Can anyone confirm if this is true, and is there any way around it?
I'm considering buying a Samsung Galaxy S7, but I don't want to risk
being stuck with a phone that I can't use when I'm overseas.

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#31792

In article <qvkhobdmm0rc10khj3r4qvknghqkr7kljk@4ax.com>, Chris in Makati 
wrote:
> I've read that Samsung are now locking their latest phones, both
> regionally and to the first SIM card entered into them.

Samsung have been locking phones to the region in which they are 
marketed for some time. This is apparently an attempt suppress "grey" 
imports -- to ensure that they can get maximum profits while still being 
able to sell phones at lower margins in less affluent parts of the 
world.

> This presents a problem for anyone who wants to travel and use a local
> SIM when they visit a different part of the world.

Not really. The phone is initially locked to the area of sale and must 
be used with a SIM card from that area when new. Once it has been used 
in that "home" area for a short time -- five minutes of calls must be 
made -- the phone will allow a SIM card from a different area to be 
used.

See:

http://www.androidcentral.com/heres-how-region-locking-works-european-sa
msung-galaxy-s5

-- 
Cheers,
 Daniel
 

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#31796

On 7/15/2016 10:47 AM, Daniel James wrote:
> In article <qvkhobdmm0rc10khj3r4qvknghqkr7kljk@4ax.com>, Chris in Makati
> wrote:
>> I've read that Samsung are now locking their latest phones, both
>> regionally and to the first SIM card entered into them.
> Samsung have been locking phones to the region in which they are
> marketed for some time. This is apparently an attempt suppress "grey"
> imports -- to ensure that they can get maximum profits while still being
> able to sell phones at lower margins in less affluent parts of the
> world.
>
>> This presents a problem for anyone who wants to travel and use a local
>> SIM when they visit a different part of the world.
> Not really. The phone is initially locked to the area of sale and must
> be used with a SIM card from that area when new. Once it has been used
> in that "home" area for a short time -- five minutes of calls must be
> made -- the phone will allow a SIM card from a different area to be
> used.
>
> See:
>
> http://www.androidcentral.com/heres-how-region-locking-works-european-sa
> msung-galaxy-s5
>
Interesting.  Is the ability to use a locked phone in another region 
after five minutes of use in the home region regulated by law?  I could 
be wrong but I'm under the impression that locked phones in the USA 
cannot be used in another region until they've been unlocked.

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#31824

On Fri, 15 Jul 2016 11:25:53 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:

>On 7/15/2016 10:47 AM, Daniel James wrote:
>> In article <qvkhobdmm0rc10khj3r4qvknghqkr7kljk@4ax.com>, Chris in Makati
>> wrote:
>>> I've read that Samsung are now locking their latest phones, both
>>> regionally and to the first SIM card entered into them.
>> Samsung have been locking phones to the region in which they are
>> marketed for some time. This is apparently an attempt suppress "grey"
>> imports -- to ensure that they can get maximum profits while still being
>> able to sell phones at lower margins in less affluent parts of the
>> world.
>>
>>> This presents a problem for anyone who wants to travel and use a local
>>> SIM when they visit a different part of the world.
>> Not really. The phone is initially locked to the area of sale and must
>> be used with a SIM card from that area when new. Once it has been used
>> in that "home" area for a short time -- five minutes of calls must be
>> made -- the phone will allow a SIM card from a different area to be
>> used.
>>
>> See:
>>
>> http://www.androidcentral.com/heres-how-region-locking-works-european-sa
>> msung-galaxy-s5
>>
>Interesting.  Is the ability to use a locked phone in another region 
>after five minutes of use in the home region regulated by law?  I could 

It's not possible to use one with a different phone company, which
might make it also impossible to use in another region.   But I think
it's not a locked phone anymore once the 5 minutes are up. 

>be wrong but I'm under the impression that locked phones in the USA 
>cannot be used in another region until they've been unlocked.

But not by law.  For electronic/protocol reasons that keep another
phone company from connecting.   Didn't they pass a US law a few years
ago that required phone companies to unlock phones after they are
fully paid for and no money is owed on the account?  So the goverment
is promotiing unlocked phones.  It's the phone companies that wanted
the opposite and that rigidly enforced it until the law was passed. 

I had to try 2 or 3 times berfore AT&T let me unlock my previous
phone.  I dont' know what went wrong those times, but on the 3rd time
I just put the IME in the webpage and they emailed me a code within a
day.   I had asked at an AT&T store and he told me to go home and use
the computer. 

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#32066

On 7/15/2016 3:16 PM, Micky wrote:
> On Fri, 15 Jul 2016 11:25:53 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:
>
>> On 7/15/2016 10:47 AM, Daniel James wrote:
>>> In article <qvkhobdmm0rc10khj3r4qvknghqkr7kljk@4ax.com>, Chris in Makati
>>> wrote:
>>>> I've read that Samsung are now locking their latest phones, both
>>>> regionally and to the first SIM card entered into them.
>>> Samsung have been locking phones to the region in which they are
>>> marketed for some time. This is apparently an attempt suppress "grey"
>>> imports -- to ensure that they can get maximum profits while still being
>>> able to sell phones at lower margins in less affluent parts of the
>>> world.
>>>
>>>> This presents a problem for anyone who wants to travel and use a local
>>>> SIM when they visit a different part of the world.
>>> Not really. The phone is initially locked to the area of sale and must
>>> be used with a SIM card from that area when new. Once it has been used
>>> in that "home" area for a short time -- five minutes of calls must be
>>> made -- the phone will allow a SIM card from a different area to be
>>> used.
>>>
>>> See:
>>>
>>> http://www.androidcentral.com/heres-how-region-locking-works-european-sa
>>> msung-galaxy-s5
>>>
>> Interesting.  Is the ability to use a locked phone in another region
>> after five minutes of use in the home region regulated by law?  I could
> It's not possible to use one with a different phone company, which
> might make it also impossible to use in another region.   But I think
> it's not a locked phone anymore once the 5 minutes are up.

I erroneously thought you didn't live in the USA.  This ability to use a 
locked phone in another region after five minutes of use in the home 
area doesn't happen in the USA, that's why I thought you were living in 
a different country.  The phones here in the USA are locked by the 
carriers until they are paid off or, if they are subsidized, when the 
contract expires.  The carriers don't unlock them when the time comes 
unless you formally request that they do. As an AT&T subscriber, your 
phone (and mine, I use AT&T also) can be used on T-Mobile's network.
>
>> be wrong but I'm under the impression that locked phones in the USA
>> cannot be used in another region until they've been unlocked.
> But not by law.  For electronic/protocol reasons that keep another
> phone company from connecting.   Didn't they pass a US law a few years
> ago that required phone companies to unlock phones after they are
> fully paid for and no money is owed on the account?  So the goverment
> is promotiing unlocked phones.  It's the phone companies that wanted
> the opposite and that rigidly enforced it until the law was passed.
>
> I had to try 2 or 3 times berfore AT&T let me unlock my previous
> phone.  I dont' know what went wrong those times, but on the 3rd time
> I just put the IME in the webpage and they emailed me a code within a
> day.   I had asked at an AT&T store and he told me to go home and use
> the computer.

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#32095

On Mon, 18 Jul 2016 10:45:44 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:

>On 7/15/2016 3:16 PM, Micky wrote:
>> On Fri, 15 Jul 2016 11:25:53 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:
>>
>>> On 7/15/2016 10:47 AM, Daniel James wrote:
>>>> In article <qvkhobdmm0rc10khj3r4qvknghqkr7kljk@4ax.com>, Chris in Makati
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> I've read that Samsung are now locking their latest phones, both
>>>>> regionally and to the first SIM card entered into them.
>>>> Samsung have been locking phones to the region in which they are
>>>> marketed for some time. This is apparently an attempt suppress "grey"
>>>> imports -- to ensure that they can get maximum profits while still being
>>>> able to sell phones at lower margins in less affluent parts of the
>>>> world.
>>>>
>>>>> This presents a problem for anyone who wants to travel and use a local
>>>>> SIM when they visit a different part of the world.
>>>> Not really. The phone is initially locked to the area of sale and must
>>>> be used with a SIM card from that area when new. Once it has been used
>>>> in that "home" area for a short time -- five minutes of calls must be
>>>> made -- the phone will allow a SIM card from a different area to be
>>>> used.
>>>>
>>>> See:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.androidcentral.com/heres-how-region-locking-works-european-sa
>>>> msung-galaxy-s5
>>>>
>>> Interesting.  Is the ability to use a locked phone in another region
>>> after five minutes of use in the home region regulated by law?  I could
>> It's not possible to use one with a different phone company, which
>> might make it also impossible to use in another region.   But I think
>> it's not a locked phone anymore once the 5 minutes are up.
>
>I erroneously thought you didn't live in the USA.  This ability to use a 

You weren't replying to me the first time. 

>locked phone in another region after five minutes of use in the home 
>area doesn't happen in the USA, that's why I thought you were living in 
>a different country.  The phones here in the USA are locked by the 
>carriers until they are paid off or, if they are subsidized, when the 
>contract expires.  

That's what I meant by "fully" paid for.

>The carriers don't unlock them when the time comes 
>unless you formally request that they do. As an AT&T subscriber, your 
>phone (and mine, I use AT&T also) can be used on T-Mobile's network.

You just mean that the phone itself will work on the network?
You don't mean it would have done that when it was locked, do you? And
even now, don't I still have to set up a contract with T-mobile and
install their sim card, so that unless the phone can hold two sim
cards I can really only deal with one carrier at a time?
>>
>>> be wrong but I'm under the impression that locked phones in the USA
>>> cannot be used in another region until they've been unlocked.
>> But not by law.  For electronic/protocol reasons that keep another
>> phone company from connecting.   Didn't they pass a US law a few years
>> ago that required phone companies to unlock phones after they are
>> fully paid for and no money is owed on the account?  So the goverment
>> is promotiing unlocked phones.  It's the phone companies that wanted
>> the opposite and that rigidly enforced it until the law was passed.
>>
>> I had to try 2 or 3 times berfore AT&T let me unlock my previous
>> phone.  I dont' know what went wrong those times, but on the 3rd time
>> I just put the IME in the webpage and they emailed me a code within a
>> day.   I had asked at an AT&T store and he told me to go home and use
>> the computer.
>

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#32104

On 7/18/2016 1:35 PM, Micky wrote:
> On Mon, 18 Jul 2016 10:45:44 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:
>
>> On 7/15/2016 3:16 PM, Micky wrote:
>>> On Fri, 15 Jul 2016 11:25:53 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 7/15/2016 10:47 AM, Daniel James wrote:
>>>>> In article <qvkhobdmm0rc10khj3r4qvknghqkr7kljk@4ax.com>, Chris in Makati
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>> I've read that Samsung are now locking their latest phones, both
>>>>>> regionally and to the first SIM card entered into them.
>>>>> Samsung have been locking phones to the region in which they are
>>>>> marketed for some time. This is apparently an attempt suppress "grey"
>>>>> imports -- to ensure that they can get maximum profits while still being
>>>>> able to sell phones at lower margins in less affluent parts of the
>>>>> world.
>>>>>
>>>>>> This presents a problem for anyone who wants to travel and use a local
>>>>>> SIM when they visit a different part of the world.
>>>>> Not really. The phone is initially locked to the area of sale and must
>>>>> be used with a SIM card from that area when new. Once it has been used
>>>>> in that "home" area for a short time -- five minutes of calls must be
>>>>> made -- the phone will allow a SIM card from a different area to be
>>>>> used.
>>>>>
>>>>> See:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.androidcentral.com/heres-how-region-locking-works-european-sa
>>>>> msung-galaxy-s5
>>>>>
>>>> Interesting.  Is the ability to use a locked phone in another region
>>>> after five minutes of use in the home region regulated by law?  I could
>>> It's not possible to use one with a different phone company, which
>>> might make it also impossible to use in another region.   But I think
>>> it's not a locked phone anymore once the 5 minutes are up.
>> I erroneously thought you didn't live in the USA.  This ability to use a
> You weren't replying to me the first time.

LOL.  Glad you're following this closer than I am obviously not.
>
>> locked phone in another region after five minutes of use in the home
>> area doesn't happen in the USA, that's why I thought you were living in
>> a different country.  The phones here in the USA are locked by the
>> carriers until they are paid off or, if they are subsidized, when the
>> contract expires.
> That's what I meant by "fully" paid for.
>
>> The carriers don't unlock them when the time comes
>> unless you formally request that they do. As an AT&T subscriber, your
>> phone (and mine, I use AT&T also) can be used on T-Mobile's network.
> You just mean that the phone itself will work on the network?
> You don't mean it would have done that when it was locked, do you? And
> even now, don't I still have to set up a contract with T-mobile and
> install their sim card, so that unless the phone can hold two sim
> cards I can really only deal with one carrier at a time?

Correct, it has to be unlocked.  I just meant that an AT&T phone is 
compatible with T-Mobile's network.  My BLU Pure XL has two SIM slots.  
It has me thinking:  if I were to get a T-Mobile SIM and there was both 
a strong AT&T and T-Mobile signal in a specific area I was in, which 
network would the phone use?

>>>> be wrong but I'm under the impression that locked phones in the USA
>>>> cannot be used in another region until they've been unlocked.
>>> But not by law.  For electronic/protocol reasons that keep another
>>> phone company from connecting.   Didn't they pass a US law a few years
>>> ago that required phone companies to unlock phones after they are
>>> fully paid for and no money is owed on the account?  So the goverment
>>> is promotiing unlocked phones.  It's the phone companies that wanted
>>> the opposite and that rigidly enforced it until the law was passed.
>>>
>>> I had to try 2 or 3 times berfore AT&T let me unlock my previous
>>> phone.  I dont' know what went wrong those times, but on the 3rd time
>>> I just put the IME in the webpage and they emailed me a code within a
>>> day.   I had asked at an AT&T store and he told me to go home and use
>>> the computer.

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#32169

On Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:21:18 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:

>
>Correct, it has to be unlocked.  I just meant that an AT&T phone is 
>compatible with T-Mobile's network.  My BLU Pure XL has two SIM slots.  
>It has me thinking:  if I were to get a T-Mobile SIM and there was both 
>a strong AT&T and T-Mobile signal in a specific area I was in, which 
>network would the phone use?

I read something about phones in general, or maybe Blu phones (I"m
hoping I'll remember by the time I stop typing.) that some but not all
with two sims couldn't really answer calls on both sims at the same
time, even if one wsn't using the phone for the line that could
receive calls.    That is, somehow one made one line the primary line
and when it was, the other line didn't work, worked like Out of Range.
But then somehow one could switch to the other line/sim. 

OTOH, some phones are like two line phones.   No I don't remember if
this was Blu especially.  I hate web forums but I came across a blu
forum, I think at androidcentral.com, but if it's only some blu
phones, even they will not likely know about a specific phone.  OTOH,
if it's none or all, they may know that.

My new blu phone has a space for a mini- and a micro-sim, and I
figutre the advantage is that when I travel, I'll have a place to
store the sim I'm not using.   Maybe the primary phone line in that
case will be the one that sends a signal that matches one of the two
sims.   Since I'll be out of range of the USA, It won't be my regular
account.      But that gives little hint of what happens when one is
in range of two providers, and one's phone isn't the better kind that
can fully handle that.    

You know I don't even have a real manual for my phone.   Just
something that gives generalities.   I would be happy to read a
detailed manual for any Blu phone of about mine's generation, between
2 and 1 years ago, or even now.   Did they make one for any model?  (I
haven't tried googling    blu manual    because I dont'; think that
will work. 

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#32222

On 7/18/2016 11:22 PM, Micky wrote:
> On Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:21:18 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:
>
>> Correct, it has to be unlocked.  I just meant that an AT&T phone is
>> compatible with T-Mobile's network.  My BLU Pure XL has two SIM slots.
>> It has me thinking:  if I were to get a T-Mobile SIM and there was both
>> a strong AT&T and T-Mobile signal in a specific area I was in, which
>> network would the phone use?
> I read something about phones in general, or maybe Blu phones (I"m
> hoping I'll remember by the time I stop typing.) that some but not all
> with two sims couldn't really answer calls on both sims at the same
> time, even if one wsn't using the phone for the line that could
> receive calls.    That is, somehow one made one line the primary line
> and when it was, the other line didn't work, worked like Out of Range.
> But then somehow one could switch to the other line/sim.
>
> OTOH, some phones are like two line phones.   No I don't remember if
> this was Blu especially.  I hate web forums but I came across a blu
> forum, I think at androidcentral.com, but if it's only some blu
> phones, even they will not likely know about a specific phone.  OTOH,
> if it's none or all, they may know that.
>
> My new blu phone has a space for a mini- and a micro-sim, and I
> figutre the advantage is that when I travel, I'll have a place to
> store the sim I'm not using.   Maybe the primary phone line in that
> case will be the one that sends a signal that matches one of the two
> sims.   Since I'll be out of range of the USA, It won't be my regular
> account.      But that gives little hint of what happens when one is
> in range of two providers, and one's phone isn't the better kind that
> can fully handle that.

My BLU Pure XL has two mini-sim slots.  I was using an LG G3 and then 
got a G5 when the G3 started to give me trouble.  The G5 was a nice 
phone - until it completely died within three weeks of having it.  At 
that point I gave up on the LGs.  The LGs use micro-sims so I had to use 
an adapter to use the micro-sim in the BLU phone.

>      
>
> You know I don't even have a real manual for my phone.   Just
> something that gives generalities.   I would be happy to read a
> detailed manual for any Blu phone of about mine's generation, between
> 2 and 1 years ago, or even now.   Did they make one for any model?  (I
> haven't tried googling    blu manual    because I dont'; think that
> will work.

BLU has the manuals on-line here: 
http://bluproducts.com/index.php/user-manuals#androidphones

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#32325

On Tue, 19 Jul 2016 09:11:39 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:

>
>My BLU Pure XL has two mini-sim slots.  I was using an LG G3 and then 
>got a G5 when the G3 started to give me trouble.  The G5 was a nice 
>phone - until it completely died within three weeks of having it.  At 
>that point I gave up on the LGs.  The LGs use micro-sims so I had to use 
>an adapter to use the micro-sim in the BLU phone.

I asked and an at&t guy said the would just give me the other one, and
let me keep the first one, though an adapter sounds fine too. 
>>      
>>
>> You know I don't even have a real manual for my phone.   Just
>> something that gives generalities.   I would be happy to read a
>> detailed manual for any Blu phone of about mine's generation, between
>> 2 and 1 years ago, or even now.   Did they make one for any model?  (I
>> haven't tried googling    blu manual    because I dont'; think that
>> will work.
>
>BLU has the manuals on-line here: 
>http://bluproducts.com/index.php/user-manuals#androidphones

Hey, thanks.  Not my exact phone but a similar one.   They have over
100 models in just 6 years, I can't figure out why. 

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#32370

On 7/20/2016 1:41 AM, Micky wrote:
> On Tue, 19 Jul 2016 09:11:39 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:
>
>> My BLU Pure XL has two mini-sim slots.  I was using an LG G3 and then
>> got a G5 when the G3 started to give me trouble.  The G5 was a nice
>> phone - until it completely died within three weeks of having it.  At
>> that point I gave up on the LGs.  The LGs use micro-sims so I had to use
>> an adapter to use the micro-sim in the BLU phone.
> I asked and an at&t guy said the would just give me the other one, and
> let me keep the first one, though an adapter sounds fine too.

I could have taken a short drive to an AT&T company store and got a new 
SIM but as long as the adapter worked, which it did, it saved me the trip.

>   
>>>       
>>>
>>> You know I don't even have a real manual for my phone.   Just
>>> something that gives generalities.   I would be happy to read a
>>> detailed manual for any Blu phone of about mine's generation, between
>>> 2 and 1 years ago, or even now.   Did they make one for any model?  (I
>>> haven't tried googling    blu manual    because I dont'; think that
>>> will work.
>> BLU has the manuals on-line here:
>> http://bluproducts.com/index.php/user-manuals#androidphones
> Hey, thanks.  Not my exact phone but a similar one.   They have over
> 100 models in just 6 years, I can't figure out why.

They sell tons of phones in foreign markets, mostly cheap low-end 
phones.  The Pure phones are the only upper-tier phones they make.  I'm 
impressed with the Pure XL, especially considering the cost.

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#32440

On Wed, 20 Jul 2016 10:42:02 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:

>
>>>>
>>>> You know I don't even have a real manual for my phone.   Just
>>>> something that gives generalities.   I would be happy to read a
>>>> detailed manual for any Blu phone of about mine's generation, between
>>>> 2 and 1 years ago, or even now.   Did they make one for any model?  (I
>>>> haven't tried googling    blu manual    because I dont'; think that
>>>> will work.
>>> BLU has the manuals on-line here:
>>> http://bluproducts.com/index.php/user-manuals#androidphones
>> Hey, thanks.  Not my exact phone but a similar one.   They have over
>> 100 models in just 6 years, I can't figure out why.
>
>They sell tons of phones in foreign markets, mostly cheap low-end 
>phones.  

Yeah, that's how they got started.     Of course that is very common,
to start low.  Car rental companies, for example.  Dollar Rent-a-car
and others which no longer charge a dollar.   Some woman who sold fake
fur coat kits, but now sells fully assembled clothing too. 

>The Pure phones are the only upper-tier phones they make.  I'm 
>impressed with the Pure XL, especially considering the cost.

Mine's even cheaper, but doesn't have 64G, i think you said yours had.
Not only that, they dont' even write a good manual for mine, just a
short one with generalities; I guess that part of what happens when
you buy cheap.   But outside of traveling, I barely use it.   (The
first time I got one was when my brother wanted me to meet him in
Philadelphia.   I had to either get to the motel before they left for
the day, 9 or 10, or get a cell phone to meet them wherever they
turned out to be when I got there. I have to admit, the cell phone is
great for that.)  

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#32442

On 7/20/2016 4:01 PM, Micky wrote:
> On Wed, 20 Jul 2016 10:42:02 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:
>
>>>>> You know I don't even have a real manual for my phone.   Just
>>>>> something that gives generalities.   I would be happy to read a
>>>>> detailed manual for any Blu phone of about mine's generation, between
>>>>> 2 and 1 years ago, or even now.   Did they make one for any model?  (I
>>>>> haven't tried googling    blu manual    because I dont'; think that
>>>>> will work.
>>>> BLU has the manuals on-line here:
>>>> http://bluproducts.com/index.php/user-manuals#androidphones
>>> Hey, thanks.  Not my exact phone but a similar one.   They have over
>>> 100 models in just 6 years, I can't figure out why.
>> They sell tons of phones in foreign markets, mostly cheap low-end
>> phones.
> Yeah, that's how they got started.     Of course that is very common,
> to start low.  Car rental companies, for example.  Dollar Rent-a-car
> and others which no longer charge a dollar.   Some woman who sold fake
> fur coat kits, but now sells fully assembled clothing too.
>
>> The Pure phones are the only upper-tier phones they make.  I'm
>> impressed with the Pure XL, especially considering the cost.
> Mine's even cheaper, but doesn't have 64G, i think you said yours had.
> Not only that, they dont' even write a good manual for mine, just a
> short one with generalities; I guess that part of what happens when
> you buy cheap.   But outside of traveling, I barely use it.   (The
> first time I got one was when my brother wanted me to meet him in
> Philadelphia.   I had to either get to the motel before they left for
> the day, 9 or 10, or get a cell phone to meet them wherever they
> turned out to be when I got there. I have to admit, the cell phone is
> great for that.)

I use my phone for a lot of functions, never thought I would but I've 
grown too dependent on it.

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#32448

On 07/20/2016 01:01 PM, Micky wrote:
> On Wed, 20 Jul 2016 10:42:02 -0400, PAS <abc@doremi.net> wrote:

>>>>> You know I don't even have a real manual for my phone.   Just
>>>>> something that gives generalities.   I would be happy to read a
>>>>> detailed manual for any Blu phone of about mine's generation, between
>>>>> 2 and 1 years ago, or even now.   Did they make one for any model?  (I
>>>>> haven't tried googling    blu manual    because I dont'; think that
>>>>> will work.
>>>> BLU has the manuals on-line here:
>>>> http://bluproducts.com/index.php/user-manuals#androidphones
>>> Hey, thanks.  Not my exact phone but a similar one.   They have over
>>> 100 models in just 6 years, I can't figure out why.
>>
>>They sell tons of phones in foreign markets, mostly cheap low-end
>>phones.
>
> Yeah, that's how they got started.     Of course that is very common,
> to start low.  Car rental companies, for example.  Dollar Rent-a-car
> and others which no longer charge a dollar.   Some woman who sold fake
> fur coat kits, but now sells fully assembled clothing too.

Honda.  You meet the nicest people on one, and hubby and I actually 
rented one when they first came out and rode around Griffith Park on it. 
  Try and find a standalone Honda motorcycle dealer now!

>>The Pure phones are the only upper-tier phones they make.  I'm
>>impressed with the Pure XL, especially considering the cost.

I'm glad somebody posted a link to a downloadable manual.  It's really 
annoying that you can't get real paper manuals any more, although it's 
understandable.  I've copied the important ones to my phone and tablet, 
and they're easily searchable (a definite plus) but STILL...

-- 
Cheers, Bev
    "What fresh hell is this?"     -- Dorothy Parker

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#32451

In article <nmopbo$ce0$1@dont-email.me>, The Real Bev
<bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:

> >>The Pure phones are the only upper-tier phones they make.  I'm
> >>impressed with the Pure XL, especially considering the cost.
> 
> I'm glad somebody posted a link to a downloadable manual.  It's really 
> annoying that you can't get real paper manuals any more, although it's 
> understandable.  I've copied the important ones to my phone and tablet, 
> and they're easily searchable (a definite plus) but STILL...

no need. a pdf is more useful and weighs nothing. you can keep hundreds
of manuals, books and more on something that fits in a pocket *and* is
searchable.

most people never read them anyway. it's a waste of paper.

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#32486

On 7/20/2016 5:39 PM, nospam wrote:
> In article <nmopbo$ce0$1@dont-email.me>, The Real Bev
> <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>>> The Pure phones are the only upper-tier phones they make.  I'm
>>>> impressed with the Pure XL, especially considering the cost.
>> I'm glad somebody posted a link to a downloadable manual.  It's really
>> annoying that you can't get real paper manuals any more, although it's
>> understandable.  I've copied the important ones to my phone and tablet,
>> and they're easily searchable (a definite plus) but STILL...
> no need. a pdf is more useful and weighs nothing. you can keep hundreds
> of manuals, books and more on something that fits in a pocket *and* is
> searchable.
>
> most people never read them anyway. it's a waste of paper.

And then there's the cost-factor involved with printed manuals.

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#32570

In article <nmava1$d4b$2@dont-email.me>, Pas wrote:
>> 
http://www.androidcentral.com/heres-how-region-locking-works-european-samsung-galaxy-
s5
>
> Interesting.  Is the ability to use a locked phone in another region 
> after five minutes of use in the home region regulated by law?

It's not a legal thing at all. It's just something Samsung (and only
Samsung, as far as I know) do to discourage grey imports.

I believe there are companies who sell Samsung phones who will open
the box and make a few minutes of calls with a local SIM before selling
the phone, if the purchaser lives outside the area ... but most people
want their new phone to be unused and to arrive in manufacturer-sealed
packaging (how else do you know that you aren't being sold a second-hand
or even stolen phone?) so I don't suppose it happens much.

> I could be wrong but I'm under the impression that locked phones in
> the USA cannot be used in another region until they've been unlocked.

That's a different sort of locking. It's common for phones sold through
the networks to be locked to the network that supplies them, so that they
can't be used on a different network. The Samsung locking applies even to
SIM-free phones that can be used with any network.

-- 
Cheers,
 Daniel.
 

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#32571

On 7/22/2016 10:58 AM, Daniel James wrote:
> In article <nmava1$d4b$2@dont-email.me>, Pas wrote:
> http://www.androidcentral.com/heres-how-region-locking-works-european-samsung-galaxy-
> s5
>> Interesting.  Is the ability to use a locked phone in another region
>> after five minutes of use in the home region regulated by law?
> It's not a legal thing at all. It's just something Samsung (and only
> Samsung, as far as I know) do to discourage grey imports.
>
> I believe there are companies who sell Samsung phones who will open
> the box and make a few minutes of calls with a local SIM before selling
> the phone, if the purchaser lives outside the area ... but most people
> want their new phone to be unused and to arrive in manufacturer-sealed
> packaging (how else do you know that you aren't being sold a second-hand
> or even stolen phone?) so I don't suppose it happens much.
>
>> I could be wrong but I'm under the impression that locked phones in
>> the USA cannot be used in another region until they've been unlocked.
> That's a different sort of locking. It's common for phones sold through
> the networks to be locked to the network that supplies them, so that they
> can't be used on a different network. The Samsung locking applies even to
> SIM-free phones that can be used with any network.
>
Got it, thanks.

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#31799

On Fri, 15 Jul 2016 15:47:37 +0100, Daniel James <daniel@me.invalid>
wrote:

>In article <qvkhobdmm0rc10khj3r4qvknghqkr7kljk@4ax.com>, Chris in Makati 
>wrote:
>> I've read that Samsung are now locking their latest phones, both
>> regionally and to the first SIM card entered into them.
>
>Samsung have been locking phones to the region in which they are 
>marketed for some time. This is apparently an attempt suppress "grey" 
>imports -- to ensure that they can get maximum profits while still being 
>able to sell phones at lower margins in less affluent parts of the 
>world.
>
>> This presents a problem for anyone who wants to travel and use a local
>> SIM when they visit a different part of the world.
>
>Not really. The phone is initially locked to the area of sale and must 
>be used with a SIM card from that area when new. Once it has been used 
>in that "home" area for a short time -- five minutes of calls must be 
>made -- the phone will allow a SIM card from a different area to be 
>used.
>
>See:
>
>http://www.androidcentral.com/heres-how-region-locking-works-european-sa
>msung-galaxy-s5


Thanks for that.

I have no problem using the phone in the UK for a while. I'm not
planning to travel for several weeks yet, but I really want to be sure
I'll be able to use a local SIM when I go to SE Asia.

Has anyone here actually gone through this process and successfully
used a Samsung phone outside of Europe with a non-European SIM?

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#32663

On Fri, 15 Jul 2016 17:27:06 +0100, Chris in Makati <mail@nospam.com>
wrote:

>On Fri, 15 Jul 2016 15:47:37 +0100, Daniel James <daniel@me.invalid>
>wrote:
>
>>In article <qvkhobdmm0rc10khj3r4qvknghqkr7kljk@4ax.com>, Chris in Makati 
>>wrote:
>>> I've read that Samsung are now locking their latest phones, both
>>> regionally and to the first SIM card entered into them.
>>
>>Samsung have been locking phones to the region in which they are 
>>marketed for some time. This is apparently an attempt suppress "grey" 
>>imports -- to ensure that they can get maximum profits while still being 
>>able to sell phones at lower margins in less affluent parts of the 
>>world.
>>
>>> This presents a problem for anyone who wants to travel and use a local
>>> SIM when they visit a different part of the world.
>>
>>Not really. The phone is initially locked to the area of sale and must 
>>be used with a SIM card from that area when new. Once it has been used 
>>in that "home" area for a short time -- five minutes of calls must be 
>>made -- the phone will allow a SIM card from a different area to be 
>>used.
>>
>>See:
>>
>>http://www.androidcentral.com/heres-how-region-locking-works-european-sa
>>msung-galaxy-s5
>
>
>Thanks for that.
>
>I have no problem using the phone in the UK for a while. I'm not
>planning to travel for several weeks yet, but I really want to be sure
>I'll be able to use a local SIM when I go to SE Asia.
>
>Has anyone here actually gone through this process and successfully
>used a Samsung phone outside of Europe with a non-European SIM?

This is for anyone who may be interested in an answer to my original
question.

I went ahead and bought a Samsung Galaxy S6 from the Oxford Street
branch of the Carphone Warehouse Samsung Experience store in London.
After making 15 minutes of calls using a UK SIM card I tested it with
SIMs from both Hong Kong and the Philippines and it worked just fine
with both.

So Daniel's answer was quite correct, using the phone for a few
minutes does indeed release all locks.

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