Differences between regional versions of galaxy a16 5g

[tje1991]

Hi I've recently bought a galaxy a16 5g from a UK eBay seller upon opening the package it's apparent that my phone is a UAE version and of course no UK warranty I like the phone a lot so didn't want to return it back to the seller it's currently fully working in the UK and connects to all bands of network with a few system apps not working due to being configured to the UAE does anybody know what the differences are between the UK variant and the one I have? Thanks

[BandOfBrothers · Accepted solution]

Hi @tje1991 and may I extend a Warm Welcome to the Samsung Community Forum 👋 

You may find that the benefits section in the Samsung Members App is blank. 

The Samsung Keyboard layout may be different too. 

The person in this thread has run into some things too > https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-s23-series/phone-location-settings 

As your aware the Manufacturer's Warranty won't be valid. 

Software updates,  security patches and Google Playstore updates may come through at a different timeframe ,as your reliant on the region of origin to send them out. 

5G Data Connection may not work. 

Samsung Wallet may not work however Google Wallet should. 

If you perform a forum search you may find existing threads with some further help or guidence within.

If this was my situation I'd send it back and buy one from the UK just for the 2 years manufacturer's warranty alone. 🤔  

If i can be of any further help please don't hesitate to ask  😎 

[tje1991]

Thank you for your response I will be sure to check out your mentioned links I did consider sending it back but I've only just returned another brand of phone where the Bluetooth calling didn't work properly so this would be the second phone I've sent back it would be a real headache having to set up an almost identical phone again but thank you for your opinion and input

[Moiramon]

As said your main problem as you know is no warranty. The other is software updates. Check in about phone then software information. Scroll to the bottom and check when the last security update was. If it's quite a few months old then it's unlikely you'll get software updates. The problem will be the CSC code will most likely be for the UAE. This means it won't get updates in the UK

[tje1991]

Hi the last software update was for November 24 I had 2 software updates as soon as I switched the phone on so I may get further ones I didn't know about the software update issues so thanks for informing me of this.

[JAMES4578]

@tje1991  Due to the issues you wil be facing I think it is advisable to return  , your call though.   personally I would be wary of buying electronics on ebay though  that is another matter.

[BandOfBrothers]

You're very welcome @tje1991 

In that case my friend enjoy your phone 👍

[Moiramon]

If you've already had 2 updates then it will be fine.