S20 ultra - importing an unlocked version from the USA?

[Reis1]

Hi. I was interested in purchasing an unlocked version of the s20 ultra from the USA for the better snapdragon version. I was wondering if I would be able to use the imported device in the UK with the full capabilities and receive all the latest updates. Anyone let me know with some information which would be very helpful. Thanks 

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @Reis1 

You can certainly import a SnapDragon version to the UK.

Samsung phones are region locked however.

This means at least a 10 minute call needs to be made from the phone to a local phone number while it's in the states using a local sim card.

A similar thread 》https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/Tablets/Galaxy-S8-Sim-region-lock. 

Alternatively the Samsung Support department in the states maybe able to remotely disable the region lock. No promises however.

Also ensure the phone is unlocked to all networks.

If your buying from Samsung in the USa then it should be.

If your buying from a reseller carefully check their selling page details.

Don't buy one from a network as these are typically locked and have their own brand of firmware and Csc on them. 

In regards to software and security updates. 

If the phone is bought from Samsung in the states then you'll be reliant on receiving the updates from Samsung in the USA. This phone will have Samsung BTU Csc.

If bought from a reseller then it may have the XEU csc and as such updates from my own experience can be slower.

Going from previous threads from people who have imported phones updates on a whole can be much slower and in some instances non existent.

Also you would need to check about the 24 Month warranty applied by Samsung. Check the Terms and Conditions in the USA version of the small print.

🏳️‍🌈Stay Safe 🏳️‍🌈

[GetMemed]

Is a used Galaxy s20 Ultra region unlocked? There are a lot of sellers that sell used Galaxies s20 Ultra and i im thinking of buying one. 

[BandOfBrothers]

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@GetMemed wrote:

Is a used Galaxy s20 Ultra region unlocked? There are a lot of sellers that sell used Galaxies s20 Ultra and i im thinking of buying one. 

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If the current owner has made at least 10 minutes of calls using a local sim card to a local number in the country of origin then Yes it should have had the region lock removed.

🌈 Stay Safe  🌈 

[FlorieJoy]

Great information. Thanks

[GetMemed]

Volte samsung pay updates etc should also work fine right?

[xterbione]

i have just called with the dutch technical support department of samsung, it is possible to import a device from the us to europe and remove the region lock without the need of a local phone call.  you will get a unlock code from them. this can take up to several weeks tho. the warranty however is tricky, it will not fall under european warranty and updates indeed can be an issue. you might have them sooner or later depending on the region where it is first released since it is still a us phone.