We’ve all heard of region-locked DVD players and DVDs, but
it turns out Samsung wants to introduce the same resolutions on its
smartphones.
It all started with UK-based mobile retailer Clove detailing
certain functionality limitations regarding SIM cards on the Samsung Galaxy
Note 3, the newest iteration of Samsung’s popular phablet.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 box featured a sticker that said
that the phones are only compatible with a SIM-card issued from a mobile
operator within Europe.
Following a disclosure, a number of customers shared a
images of the American box as well, that had a sticker which mentioned that the
phone was compatible with a SIM-card issued from a mobile operator within the
Americas, including North, South and Central Americas and the Caribbean.
When phones by carriers under contracts are locked to
prevent violations, it’s hard to understand why carrier-unlocked phones should
come with regional restrictions except for preventing grey market imports and
exports. But this also implies that customers would not be able to buy phones
from other regions.
After widespread outrage, Samsung issued a statement to
German website All about Samsung saying that the company is SIM-locking new
devices including the Galaxy S II, Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note, Galaxy S4, Galaxy
S4 Mini, and Galaxy Note 3 devices produced after the end of July 2013. It is
also clarifies that all these devices sport a sticker indicating the same and
that the region look can be removed free of charge through a Samsung service
partner if the device is used outside the region it’s meant fro and has not
been used with a local SIM that region.
The statement doesn’t clarify if users will be able to use a
local SIM-card when travelling outside their region, and it even mentions that
internationally roaming services would work. However, developer Jan Ole Suhr
tweeted about Samsung Germany clarify that the region lock is automatically
removed once a user plugs in the local SIM-card.
