Samsung Now Region-Locking Phones
 

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:
Sticker examples:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-cont...estriction.jpg http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-cont...estriction.jpg

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

get it unlocked and voila ...

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

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

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.

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.

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