Samsung Now Region-Locking Phones

[Minto]

Phones bought in one region must be initially activated with a SIM card from the same region. Afterwards, you can use an out-of-region SIM card.

Samsung is doing this to make it difficult for people to resell it to people in other countries, but it's a bad move imo. People will probably get around it anyway. Doesn't affect me but others are pretty ticked about it.

What do you think?

Affected phones:

Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy Note, Note 2, and the Galaxy Note 3. A sticker on the box will let you know, and only those manufactured after July 2013 are affected.

Sticker examples:


Samsung Is Region-Locking Phones, But Not for the Reason You Think
Samsung has region-locked its Galaxy smartphones | Digital Trends

[Nssan]

get it unlocked and voila ...

i have a fido S4 and unlocked it now, I take it to China with me

[terkan]

you have to activate the phone in your region first and then unlock it. it's only affecting the new phones

[twitchyzero]

Samsung usually gimp their specs for NA variants...those who want to obtain an International version going forward will no longer to able to purchase BNIB units as they have to be activated in its original market.

[parm104]

Originally Posted by Nssan

get it unlocked and voila ...

i have a fido S4 and unlocked it now, I take it to China with me

I think you missed the point...

And this is more of an issue the other way around....we want the phones from Asia and Europe over HERE. They get them sooner and are generally equipped with better specs.

We already pay a premium getting these devices from overseas but now will have look at any costs related to activation.

[Mr.HappySilp]

I wonder if I put on a custom rom and custom firmware will by pass this?