LG V20 Unlocked (US996) vs TMobile LG V20?

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adit07

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2011
118
21
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Oct 18, 2016 at 1:06 AM
Hey Guys,

So I am seriously interested in this phone but cant decide what the difference is between these 2 variants?
It seems that TMobile LG V20 has no support for CDMA and support for AWS-3 spectrum (Band 66)
The unlocked version seems to support CDMA but I dont know if it has support for Band 66.

Source TMobile LG v20 : http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/lg-v20.html
LG v20 Unlocked: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1285961-REG/lg_lgus996_ausasv_lg_v20_4gb_ram.html

Can someone please shed some light on this? Will the unlocked version include all the bells and whistles of TMobile variant?

Thanks.
 
T

thegameksk

Senior Member
Jan 29, 2008
625
38
0
Oct 18, 2016 at 1:42 AM
adit07 said:
Hey Guys,

So I am seriously interested in this phone but cant decide what the difference is between these 2 variants?
It seems that TMobile LG V20 has no support for CDMA and support for AWS-3 spectrum (Band 66)
The unlocked version seems to support CDMA but I dont know if it has support for Band 66.

Source TMobile LG v20 : http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/lg-v20.html
LG v20 Unlocked: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1285961-REG/lg_lgus996_ausasv_lg_v20_4gb_ram.html

Can someone please shed some light on this? Will the unlocked version include all the bells and whistles of TMobile variant?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Has there been confirmation that the t-mobile variant is locked?
 
P

Paradoxumical

Senior Member
Jan 20, 2015
344
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Oct 18, 2016 at 2:53 AM
I can confirm that, unfortunately, the T-Mobile LG V20 will not come with an unlockable bootloader. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this something I got straight from the top-level guys @ TMO.
Possible good news, see two post below.
 
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Paradoxumical

Senior Member
Jan 20, 2015
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Oct 18, 2016 at 5:37 PM
@planetbeen That would be Mr. Lucero and Miss Viola, director's in their respective divisions.
Anyways... I might have some good news.
I was called this morning and included in a conversation between TMO and LG. LG is now saying the bootloader will not be "locked down". I tried asking about fastboot and they were being a bit shady and gave me a vague answer.
Take this how you will.
 
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CHH2

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2016
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KCMO
Oct 21, 2016 at 2:03 AM
What is the bloatware situation on the T-Mobile vs unlocked? And can all of the bloat be deleted? (Especially any anti-virus software!)
 
jinkerz9430

jinkerz9430

Senior Member
Sep 12, 2014
1,149
331
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Kissimmee, FL
Oct 21, 2016 at 2:20 AM
Despite my phone will be arriving on monday, Let me ask you a question that might make you get your choice. do both of then offer great promotions? and which one has the frequencies more suitable to your needs?

I pre ordered the tmobile variant because im currently on tmobile. But that's not the only reason, i grabbed all the offers too and the phone ended up being $520 (+ 49.99 down payment + 53.90 of taxes) thanks to the $200 dollars when you trade-in a 4g phone (any phone that is 4g (preferably 4g lte), and also i get the free H3 earphones (i have to redeem it on LG website). And also, i get the opportunity of the free tablet (sure, at a cost of having to add an extra line but that is only 10 dollars more for 24 month and also is optional). In additon, Tmobile variant has unlocked bootloader, no other variant has reported that as far as i know.
 
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jinkerz9430

jinkerz9430

Senior Member
Sep 12, 2014
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Oct 21, 2016 at 3:13 AM
thatisandwas said:
How do you know it has an unlocked bootloader? I got mine yesterday. Is there any way we can check I recovery or something to see if it's locked?
Click to expand...
because there was someone who already did it. it doesnt come unlocked, but it is unlockable , at least for the Tmobile version.

Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/lgv20/comments/58568e/v20unlockable_bootloadervery_simplesame_as_g4g5/

also there are some posts around in XDA LG V20 section, the first 3 sub-sections. Right now @bountyman334 has tried several methods to root it however he hasnt hit the spot yet. But im sure there are also quite a few people who haven't spoken but are trying to root it. You will have to ask them how did the manage to do it, but at least we know that if we have the Tmobile variant, we have unlockable bootloader. :good::good:
 
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thatisandwas

Senior Member
Dec 31, 2009
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Oct 21, 2016 at 4:07 AM
Oh man that is awesome to hear! I was just saying the only thing that could make this phone the best in years would be if I could install custom roms like the old days!
 
jinkerz9430

jinkerz9430

Senior Member
Sep 12, 2014
1,149
331
118
Kissimmee, FL
Oct 21, 2016 at 4:30 AM
thatisandwas said:
Oh man that is awesome to hear! I was just saying the only thing that could make this phone the best in years would be if I could install custom roms like the old days!
Click to expand...
But remember, unlocked bootloader doesnt mean you will get root and roms. (I will soon be an owner of the V20 tmobile variant so is not like i m not expecting for a rooting method and roms soon after) :p . On the other hand, we are closer than any other variants
 
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jcotterman

jcotterman

Senior Member
Apr 5, 2007
128
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Largo, FL
Oct 21, 2016 at 5:56 PM
No guarantee.....but......

joseguillen1994 said:
But remember, unlocked bootloader doesnt mean you will get root and roms. (I will soon be an owner of the V20 tmobile variant so is not like i m not expecting for a rooting method and roms soon after) :p . On the other hand, we are closer than any other variants
Click to expand...
I am hoping that with an unlocked Bootloader more devs will jump on-board; especially with Samsung no longer being dev friendly for US models. I am very pleased with the V20. I wasn't sure I would find something I was happy with to replace my TMobile Note 4. But so far this is an excellent choice.
 
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Nexus_Spec

New member
Nov 1, 2015
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Oct 21, 2016 at 5:58 PM
FAUguy said:
Specs for the US996:


CDMA 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS/800 MHz CDMA; GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz; LTE Bands 2/3/4/5/7/12/13/17/20/25
EVDO, EVDO Rev A, 1xRTT, LTE, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, GSM, HSPA+, HSPA
Click to expand...
This is the same as the unlocked LG G5. It won't work on Sprint. Why would any company make an unlocked cell phone that works on three of the four US carriers? Phones that work on Sprint can be used on RingPlus who offer free phone/data plans.

LG's unlocked phones are an abortion done with pliers.
 
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