Why Samsung Is Region-Locking Phones ??
Samsung Is Region-Locking Phones, But Not for the Reason You Think
Samsung is quietly restricting how SIM cards are used overseas — but it's not as bad as you'd think.
According to a sticker found on the packaging of Galaxy Note 3 smartphones in the U.S. and Europe — as spotted by DigitalTrends — the product is only compatible with SIM cards issued and activated from the country or region it was purchased in.
Many originally believed this meant if you bought the Galaxy Note 3 in the U.S. and wanted to buy a cheap SIM card in France while on vacation, Samsung wouldn't let you do that. (Outside of Wi-Fi, you'd have to either leave your device turned off or rack up roaming charges from your carrier.)
But this actually isn't the case: The region lock is only engaged if the phone is initially set up with a SIM card from a region other than the one the phone was purchased in, according to a Samsung statement to GigaOm. The lock is apparently intended to make things harder for foreign resellers — individuals who might buy a U.S. model and ship it to someone overseas — and shouldn't interfere with travelers using foreign SIM cards for a short period of time.
A statement says other "Samsung products are now provided with a local SIM lock" too, including the Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy Note and Note 2. Only those manufactured after July 13 are affected, the report said.
European models can only be set up with a SIM card issued in the European Union, while American-bought models can only be set up with SIM cards issued "within the Americas,” including North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.
What do you think about Samsung's very specific form of region-locking phones? Let us know in the comments below.
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