Samsung Galaxy S8 & Dual Sim/Duos

[Andrew Revering]

My original post was intended to just be a question about the upcoming S8's dual-sim possibility... however this thread ended up being the main S8/S8+ thread, so I'm modifying my original post to include some main points that we've gathered about the device and provide some useful resources:

 

Misc FYIs

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• All MSLs appear to be 000000
• To force band 41 only (thanks Terrell352):
  ##DATA# MSL 000000 then go to LTE and turn off b25 and b26.
• ##debug# works on this device (thanks nexgencpu)
  Cleaner way to look at carriers,CA and signal strength etc..

• Want Root permissions? This will trip KNOX and you won't be able to use Samsung Pay or other KNOX features

  • Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+

 

Carrier/Dual Sim Info

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I have Sprint (obviously), but I have property where the only carrier is AT&T. FreedomPop now has a free AT&T SIM you can buy for limited voice, data & texting, which is perfect for my limited needs when I'm at my cabin. Converting the phone to a Dual-SIM phone then becomes convenient for me with the FreedomPop SIM + Sprint. With that in mind, here is some useful info (including a solution below):

 

• See what frequencies/networks your phone supports: https://www.frequencycheck.com/
• All networks are shipping the 'U' version which has support for all US networks but are software-locked. Once unlocked they will work on any US network.
• Dual Sim version not available in US or UK. The International Dual Sim model S8+ is SM-955FD. You can convert your single-sim US model into a dual sim by 1) unlocking and 2) add a $50 dual-sim adapter from magic-sim or simore (I bought the Simore one and it ripped before I could even try it once. They would not refund)
• If you are within a contract and/or didn't pay full price for your phone and don't want to wait, you can unlock your phone: https://theunlockr.com/unlock-my-phone/ usually for something like $20. Correction: These unlockers don't work for CDMA Sprint phones. You have to either buy an Unlocked phone or get Sprint to unlock it for you. Correction2: There is at least one guy who knows how to do it! See 'Solution' below.
• You can convert it into a Dual-SIM by adding one of these: http://www.magic-sim.com/ or http://www.simore.com/  (don't recommend simore, mine tore easily)
• I found a ---> SOLUTION <--

 

Charging/Cables

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Info from mmark27

 

• Remember only buy stuff that's been approved by Benson Leung, the Google Engineer that tests tons of USB-C items. You can search him on Amazon. USB-C crappy products can fry your phone and start fires. 
• From what I (mmark27) understand, the phones are only Quick Charge 2.0 compliant officially. They may pick up QC 4.0 compliance at some point as the chip supports it, but for now QC2.0 is the safe bet. 
• choetech fast charging pads don't work
• Seneo fast wireless charger do work
• micro-female to male USB-C
• USB-3.0 to USB-C
• Wireless charging pads that look just like the ones at Best Buy from Samsung
• Pleson fast charging pads work with S8 and S8+
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRXM473/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Kv5-ybKG6TSZP

   

 

Noteworthy Specs

-------------------------------

 

• Only difference between S8 and S8+ is screen size and battery size.
• Bezel free, all screen design
• No physical home button
• 5.8" & 6.2" Plus Version
• 'Infinity' QHD Amoled Display
• 12mp f1.7 rear, and 8mp f1.7 front cameras, auto focus
• Wifi Calling
• Dual Edge Only Display
• Bluetooth 5.0 for double speed and four times the range
• 3000mAH (S8) & 3500mAH (S8+) battery, fast charging
• 4 GB RAM
• Waterproof
• 64 GB built in storage
• Bixby Artificial Intelligence, dedicated button
• Iris Scanner
• Pressure Sensitive "3D" Touch home button
• Wireless Charging
• Can see screen with polarized glasses, unlike with LCD screens (HTC 10, etc)
• Always On Display
• PC Replacement (DEX)
• Fingerprint sensor on back
• DOES have a headphone jack
• USB Type C
• MicroSD Expansion
• HPUE compliant, which means it will extend existing signal range by 30%, including indoors!
  • In my limited experience with the device, HPUE DOES work. Maybe it doesn't help speeds, I don't know -- but in 2 locations (in two different states) where I normally have no signal, I can now make phone calls and transfer data with a weak signal that I never had before.

 

 

============================ORIGINAL POST=====================================

 

I'm planning to upgrade to the Galaxy S8 when it's available on April 21st...

 

I would really like a Dual SIM version and have Sprint as my primary carrier and use a FreedomPop ATT SIM as a 2nd option when I'm up at my land which is only covered by ATT.

 

After some research, it seems that the Dual SIM version is the 'International Unlocked' version which does not have the capability of CDMA/CDMA2000 for the 3G/1X portion of Sprint coverage. Since LTE is actually a GSM protocol it has the capability of doing Sprint's LTE, but other services may be limited.

 

Is this correct?

 

If so, that probably means I just want to buy the Sprint version and get one of those little dual sim adapters you can now get like this one: http://www.magic-sim.com/

 

Also, in order to use a SIM from a GSM provider, the phone needs to be unlocked, which outside of contract means I'd either have to wait 2 years, or just buy the full-price phone outright, and then get it unlocked.

 

Then I can use my ATT SIM, but again coverage may be limited because the radios are tuned for Sprint, not ATT. But I think it may be possible for some of their services to work.

 

... does this understanding sound correct? Is there another way I can go about what I'm trying to accomplish?

 

UPDATED:   --> SOLUTION <--

[greenbastard]

If dual SIM capabilities is top priority, then look into the Moto G5 Plus coming later this spring. It's supposed to work with all carriers and have dual sim capabilities. This may be the first ever dual SIM LTE phone for Sprint and Verizon. I was looking at purchasing the phone but it does not have USB-C. (That is a deal breaker as I'm not going through the hassle of replacing my USB cables back to micro USB.)

[Andrew Revering]

Related to this... I found a really cool site that lets you plug in any phone model and see which networks it's compatible with based on how many frequencies it covers. So it can tell you that you're 'mostly' covered but maybe you're missing a couple LTE bands or something...

 

https://www.frequencycheck.com/

[ericdabbs]

I really hope that the galaxy s8 is available on april 21st. It has been way too long of a delay and i dont think samsung has to be as afraid of their QC as long as they tested those 2 corner cases of the antennas short circuiting each other and the battery is seated properly. The phone just needs to come out already.

 

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

[ericdabbs]

Wow I am so surprised that the Galaxy S8 thread is not cracking with the Samsung announcement today.  All I gotta say is that it is an awesome phone and it will be my next device.

[BlueAngel]

Yeah S8+ will be my new addition, looking to be great.

[Tajustin95]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1330633-REG/samsung_sm_g955_64gb_blk_galaxy_s8_sm_g955_64gb.html

Will the unlocked version support carrier updates properly? Wanted to use it for T-Mobile and then to for Sprint when I port over.

[Andrew Revering]

I don't think the 'unlocked' version will fully support Sprint, and if it's not carrier branded probably won't get the updates pushed to the device either. Here are the frequency compatibility of the G955F version, which I think is the same one as what's on B&H:

 

https://www.frequencycheck.com/compatibility/LQJDT58/samsung-sm-g955f-galaxy-s8-plus-td-lte-samsung-dream-2/united-states

 

It's missing the 2G & 3G frequencies for Sprint, so I think that means besides coverage where its only 3G, things like text messaging might not work.

[Tajustin95]

Can an unlocked Sprint Samsun S8+ work with T-mo?

[Andrew Revering]

I can't find specs for this year's S8+, but the Sprint S7 Edge was 100% compatible with TMobile, if you could get it unlocked by Sprint (either out of contract or paid for it at full price). FYI Sprint Variant will end in a P, so model number will be SM-G955P .

 

Look at this: http://www.droid-life.com/2017/03/08/unlocked-galaxy-s8-plus-s8-fcc-smg950-smg955/

The SM-G955U (U is important) is an Unlocked US Variant that will work on all US carrier frequencies, however this version didn't come out until June of last year, so there may be a delay for this to become available. I don't know if the one on B&H is the International Unlocked (F) or the US Unlocked (U) variant. They just say SM-G955 ... which isn't enough information.

 

EDITED: Turns out all carriers have the same U version... SM-G955U. However, I think there is still a software lock on these, but the radios are all the same so they will work on all carriers once unlocked.

 

[themuffinman]

Just pre-ordered the s8+

[themuffinman]

I can't find specs for this year's S8+, but the Sprint S7 Edge was 100% compatible with TMobile, if you could get it unlocked by Sprint (either out of contract or paid for it at full price). FYI Sprint Variant will end in a P, so model number will be SM-G955P

 

Look at this: http://www.droid-life.com/2017/03/08/unlocked-galaxy-s8-plus-s8-fcc-smg950-smg955/

The SM-G955U (U is important) is an Unlocked US Variant that will work on all US carrier frequencies, however this version didn't come out until June of last year, so there may be a delay for this to become available. I don't know if the one on B&H is the International Unlocked (F) or the US Unlocked (U) variant. They just say SM-G955 ... which isn't enough information.

My sprint order is showing g955u

[Andrew Revering]

Woah! Wait a minute.... Did you pay full price or is it leased or subsidized?

[Andrew Revering]

... And you pre-ordered from the sprint site?

[themuffinman]

... And you pre-ordered from the sprint site?

Yep, through the sprint website.

 

edit:

 

Yes, its also leased.

[Andrew Revering]

Wow, thats amazing... I think it "should" be unlocked and work on all us carriers the way i understand the naming convention. Thanks for the info!

[david279]

Slim phone...

 

Sent from my LG-LS997 using Tapatalk

[jreuschl]

Wonder if the S8 then would work with Sprint wifi calling, because we all know how "special" that is.

[Tengen31]

I don't think the 'unlocked' version will fully support Sprint, and if it's not carrier branded probably won't get the updates pushed to the device either. Here are the frequency compatibility of the G955F version, which I think is the same one as what's on B&H:

 

https://www.frequencycheck.com/compatibility/LQJDT58/samsung-sm-g955f-galaxy-s8-plus-td-lte-samsung-dream-2/united-states

 

It's missing the 2G & 3G frequencies for Sprint, so I think that means besides coverage where its only 3G, things like text messaging might not work.

There is a UNLOCKED model 955U that works on all Carriers. Last year's UNLOCKED S7 did. It's available on Samsung.com or Best buy.

 

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[david279]

I preordered from Best buy....This is the model they have.

 

Sent from my LG-LS997 using Tapatalk

[Tajustin95]

I'm guessing all the models are the same, they are just software locked. /shrug

[clbowens]

I'm guessing all the models are the same, they are just software locked. /shrug

That's what I'm guessing also.

[Andrew Revering]

Does "software locked" mean it won't take a ATT SIM?

[optimummind]

Does "software locked" mean it won't take a ATT SIM?

Correct. you'll first have to DSU the phone.

 

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

[optimummind]

Samsung again fails with its limited color choices. You'd think they would offer the coral blue color option from the get-go after seeing how well-received the color was. I'm holding back on getting the GS8P until an unlocked coral blue variant is released.

 

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