Unlocked Vs. Carrier Phones

[G-Funkster]

I'm a bit confused on the difference between a Carrier phone Vs. an Unlocked one. If I can get better savings by trading in what I have currently through my Carrier, why would I want an unlocked one insted? Are there specific advantages to using one over the other??? Thank You!

[user28wTnKaKPj]

My example is this. I bought an unlocked zfold6. I could not get the Verizon visual voicemail to work because it's baked into Verizon's blob. So I ended up going from U1 to U to be on Verizon zfold6.

[G-Funkster]

That's really interesting. Thanks for your imput!

[Robin621k]

I have an Unlocked S25U, and visual voicemail works just fine on Verizon.

[angelg4]

I'm about to go on Verizon soon with my unlocked Galaxy S25 Plus.

[KiLOKL0IS]

Hi there, I saw this thread and you guys seem to know your **bleep**. Soooo, I've been wondering....I just made my final payment to Spectrum on my s23ultra. I thought this would mean my phone was now "UNLOCKED". But in my settings it still says locked. I will not even bother trying to ask Samsung about this issue directly as their customer service is terrible. Non-existent. Sucks, and they make me so angry when I reach out. That being said I love love love my phone. Samsung is by far the best maker of phones which is why I put up with terrible customer service. The employees are incompetent they can't even locate an A Pen for me to buy, even though I'm willing to pay seventy dollars. They can't locate for me to purchase. Love the phone so it's also why I'm willing to deal with them putting all the bloatwear. If you can give me some direction on this locked or unlock thing I appreciate it. And by the way, will that mean that I can use visual voicemail if I'm unlocked? At this point I haven't been able to use it either. Thank you Happy Saint Patrick's day:shamrock::rainbow:💋😻:fountain:️💦

[usermzeJaY3BsM]

You would have to request an unlock from the carrier.  Make sure to specify that it is a device unlock not an Sim unlock or PUK.  Many carriers assign people on the phone support lines that have no idea what this is, and will think that they are giving you what you want with a Sim unlock or PUK.  Most carriers have certain requirements for this, and some don't even allow it.  I know I have successfully unlocked AT&T locked devices, and it seems their only requirement is to have the device fully paid off, and that you talk to at least 10 people before they understand what you mean. (the part about 10 people was a joke, but it literally feels like you have to...)