Last week it was revealed that Samsung was imposing a “regional SIM lock” on the Galaxy Note 3, which seemed to mean that the phone wouldn’t work with a SIM from a region outside of where the phone was purchased. Then is was later revealed that as long as the phone is first activated (turned on for the first time) using a SIM from the area where the phone was purchased, it wouldn’t be a problem. According to Samsung, the “regional SIM lock” would only take place when the phone is first activated (turned on for the first time) with a SIM of a region different from where the phone was purchased.
Now we are hearing that things aren’t going so smoothly. Customers who already purchased a Note 3 in Europe are finding that even though they activated it the correct way, the phone will not accept a non European SIM card. There are a couple of emails that are supposedly from Samsung that reiterate the way we thought it should work, so it’s not clear why it isn’t. However an XDA user posted their experience with Samsung customer service that contradicts Samsung’s earlier statements….
I spoke yet again to the Samsung UK customer service team (+44 330 726 7864) this afternoon (at 5:40pm GMT) as I had not received the email I had been promised this morning with a statement on the region lock. A different rep spoke to me and had the following news to report to me:
- the Samsung UK telephone staff have had problems sending out emails today and therefore have not sent out the statement to me – which was fine by me as these things happen.
- the SIM limitation sticker really is meant to mean what it says – the N9005 is not meant to be compatible with SIMs issued by operators outside the European region – I believe at least some owners are using the Note 3 with SIMs issued by operators outside the EU but the rep was adamant that the Note 3 was not intended by Samsung to be used with SIMs issued by operators outside of the European region, even following first activation.
- the European region Note 3s are only meant to be compatible with SIMs issued by operators from the European region, and this applies equally after activation – I asked repeatedly her to confirm this which she did each time. I tried practical examples too and it got worse: So if I go to Australia I must use a European region SIM in my Note 3 even if I buy the Note 3 SIM-free for £620? Yes according to the rep. So I asked if I go to Florida on vacation, I have no choice but to use a European region SIM in my Note 3? Yes again according to rep.
- it makes no difference if here in the UK I buy the Note 3 from Carphone Warehouse, Phones 4U, EE or Clove.
- I could buy another phone if I wanted to use a SIM from an operator outside the EU in my mobile – the rep volunteered this to me as it never occurred to me that they might seriously suggest such a policy.
To make matters even worse, this same Samsung rep said that the Android 4.4 update will impose a “regional SIM lock” on all devices. Of course that is for the devices that actually get the 4.4 update, but that will probably include at least the Galaxy Note II and newer models.
the rollout of Kitkat is to extend the regional lock to existing SGS3s and Note 2s – I asked if my existing unlocked SGS3 bought unlocked over a year ago is to be subject to the same regional lock if I upgrade. Yes according to rep. So I would not be able to use a SIM from outside the European region in it when travelling? Yes according to the rep.
If you want more information, definitely head over to the XDA threads in the source, but it appears that Samsung’s tactics are going to be a bigger problem than we had originally thought.
sources: XDA (1) / XDA (2)
via: Android Authority
Come comment on this article: Galaxy Note 3 ‘Regional SIM Lock’ is a bigger problem than originally thought, older phones could be an issue with Android 4.4
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