I called verizon and tech support confirmed that the phone is unlocked. I used sim card from 3 different countries and the phone message says it cannot take it. Eventually a rep said he looked at some list and that this phone is not one that can be used outside of USA. All my other samsung phones older that the A10s are able to use a foreign sim, include a cheap A02e. I can't be sure if that verizon rep was right or not but I'd expect an unlocked phone can take any sim card inside or outside the USA.
