AfterDawn: News

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked, even when unlocked

Samsung has confirmed that they have region-locked the Galaxy Note 3 phablet, an extremely restrictive practice.

Being region-locked means buyers in Europe will not be able to use an American SIM when they travel (or vice versa, of course) and will have to stick with Wi-Fi or pay roaming fees.



UK retailer Clove first brought the fact to light, before Samsung confirmed the practice. Clove posted: "If you travel internationally (outside Europe) and usually insert a local SIM card when in those countries, the Note 3 will NOT be able to use the local network. It will lose all mobile connectivity with the exception of emergency calls. For example, if you travel to the USA and insert a SIM card issued in the USA, you will not be able to use the Note 3 for any voice calls, text messages and mobile data connection. It will work via a WiFi connectivity only."

Without a doubt the move is a black mark for Samsung, as there is no consumer-friendly reason to ever region lock a device, especially an unlocked one on the GSM standard.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Sep 2013 21:33

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• 7 comments

• zxe

  What the...i travel to the far east from Europe, and get simms in country, now Samsung are saying, no way and don't even try and purchase one from another region. Come on those who can find a work round

  27.9.2013 08:06 #1

• A5J4DX

  idiots
  

  27.9.2013 15:43 #2

• pmshah

  I know that in the Middle East one can't make any internet calls. I guess the only option is to carry a vanilla instrument for such visits or simply stay away from this Samsung Phablet.

  28.9.2013 12:07 #3

• xtago

  Probably not region locked but the signals don't work, like 700mhz is the std signal in the USA and but they won't work in Australia as the std here is 800 850 900mhz and 2100mhz for wcdma
  
  So US phones don't work anyway unless they are able to use 2100mhz but that would depend on handshakes etc as well.

  28.9.2013 12:16 #4

• waynebaal

  I was going to buy one of these as my first smartphone. Guess Samsung weren't as smart as their phones! They can go abuse themselves with the rough end of a pineapple now.

  29.9.2013 09:25 #5

• Jemborg

  Originally posted by xtago: Probably not region locked but the signals don't work, like 700mhz is the std signal in the USA and but they won't work in Australia as the std here is 800 850 900mhz and 2100mhz for wcdma
  
  So US phones don't work anyway unless they are able to use 2100mhz but that would depend on handshakes etc as well. You're right! The situation should be clarified.
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  30.9.2013 06:58 #6

• leglessoz

  This will likely make it illegal to sell it in Australia unless they remove that restriction.

  3.10.2013 02:48 #7