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Lot's of confusion - Read the UPDATE
UPDATE - 2/8/2021
I was having difficulty with dropped calls and dead zones so I took the phone to my T-Mobile provider. They were put out that I purchased a non-T-Mobile phone but they showed me that my phone would not work on 5G. They even gave me a new Sim Card that is 5G and the phone still will do 4GLTE at best. To be clear, the phone I received from this order is a SM-G985F Model Galaxy S20+. It turns out, some of the earlier versions of the S20+ (the "F" version) were 4G, MAXIMUM SPEED. See this spec list.....https://tsar3000.com/product/samsung-galaxy-s20-plus-sm-g985f-specs/
The Amazon page for this phone has 5G all over it and even contains this line in the description....."This Galaxy S20+ 5G is fully functional with T-Mobile, AT&T and all other GSM networks." Well, turns out that is not possible because the "F" model would not do 5G.
Amazon arranged a return / refund for me but I am MAD. This was CLEAR and CARELESS FALSE ADVERTISING.
DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR 5G.
ORIGINAL POST....
There is a LOT of confusion between "unlocked" and preloaded with a carrier's "software". I tried to ask that question of the community and only got "unlocked" explanations, as if I didn't read the product description or understand what unlocked meant.
I can now answer my own question. Because of the Amazon "Renewed" warranty, I felt comfortable purchasing the phone and returning it if I did not like it. But, I do like it. It came with a fresh installation of Android that had no carrier "improvements" or software on it. There is no hint in my phone as to the carrier on which it was last used. None.
I removed the Sim card from my previous Samsung S7 phone and put it in my new S20+. I then launched the Samsung "Smart Switch" software on both phones and had both logged onto my WIFI and in 20 minutes it copied all the apps on my old phone onto my new phone, along with photos, messages and downloads. I had to register my bluetooth devices on the new phone but it went well and connected fast. It appeared that Smart Switch would work between any Android or Apple phone and the S20.
So far, I've had none of the dropped or unanswerable calls that troubled my previous phone. I have not driven out into remote areas yet to see if calls get dropped as they did with the previous phone but I'll come back here and let you know if that happens.
So far, I'm impressed. And, I paid about two thirds what my carrier wanted to charge me for the same phone. I don't know that I would have done this without the Amazon "Renewed" warranty.
So that you all know, many of the "unlocked" phones for sale come pre-loaded with T-Mobile or AT&T or Verizon software loaded on the phone. Not this one.
January 2021 · Cell Phones and Accessories · verified purchase