I want my next phone to be “unlocked” so I can use it w/ any carrier - Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Mint, etc. I’m based in the US, but if I travel internationally, it would be nice to be able to just pop in a local SIM card and continue using my phone like normal.
What gives me pause is, I see used phones listed as “US Version,” and reviewers claiming the phone was not unlocked (for example, this Pixel 7a on Amazon).
Questions:
- What am I missing here? Do these reviewers just not know what they’re doing, or are they buying from shady resellers?
- Does “US Version” imply I would not be able to use the phone internationally by just popping in a local SIM card?
Thank you!
Stay away from any that are the “Verizon version”
Verizon deliberately conflates the term unlocked to mean not locked to a carrier (can use a non-Verizon SIM) instead of the bootloader being unlocked (can install a custom OS ROM such as GrapheneOS or LineageOS).
Their “unlocked” phones are all locked, so if you want a new OS that doesn’t have their closed-source spyware then F you for buying the Verizon version
I wanna run GrapheneOS, so thanks for the heads up.
Based on reviews, the listing in my OP looks like a mixed bag—some reviewers complaining that the boot loader is locked (hence they cannot flash a custom ROM onto it), others complaining that it’s unlocked (hence a security risk)—so if I get this phone, I guess it’s up to chance whether the bootloader is locked or not. 🤞🏻
Unique to the Pixel line, you actually can re-lock the bootloader. So if you can manage ADB fastboot (that is, follow the install process) then I wouldn’t worry about the security risk in this case.
The GrapheneOS installation process is exceptionally easy to follow. It’s much faster and easier than the old Cyanogenmod days
The GrapheneOS installation process is exceptionally easy to follow. It’s much faster and easier than the old Cyanogenmod days.
That is comforting to hear.
As for whether or not I can flash a custom ROM, if the boot loader is locked, then I’m SOL, right? (hence your original comment)
The specific variant is usually listed by the seller. On Amazon if you’re buying it used I believe it would be listed near the condition information from the specific merchant.
You may also be able to message them to ask. The model number is printed on the outside of the original box, and is also available in the About Phone settings page, so it should be easy for the seller to find it.
The model number to avoid is G0DZQ.
GWKK I think is the ideal version, especially if you’re traveling overseas. This is the global version so it should have the most radio bands available.
GWKK3 (AT&T version) should work great in the US on a non-Verizon network.
I have the G82U8 version, which apparently was originally for the Japanese market, but it works great for me in the US. I’m using Mint Mobile with GrapheneOS.
Even if you don’t have a Verizon version initially, when you switch over to them as a carrier, they may push an update to your phone thatt locks the owner out of a bunch of features.
I discovered this when my unlocked Galaxy S8 was moved fron Consumer Cellular to Verizon. -It sucks that after 20+ years they still have better coverage.
I’m not an expert but my guess is this is more of a signal band issue rather a carrier-lock issue if it’s truly unlocked. Some phones only support specific bands that won’t work with certain carriers. That’s just my guess though.
People like to steal phones, and then sell them.
Gotcha, so would you say this comes down to buying from a reputable store (e.g. Best Buy)?
