One of the large complaints about the Galaxy S7 is that it is a carrier-locked device even when purchased without any sort of contract or payment plan. There are some exceptions, such as Samsung Experience Stores here in Canada that sell the phone with an unlock code included, but this doesn't prevent the phone from loading bloatware that corresponds to the carrier that you use with it once you put in your SIM. Given that contracts seem to actually be falling out of favor, it makes sense to offer an unlocked version of a smartphone for buyers who are willing to pay for the device outright, and who want to avoid preinstalled apps and customizations from their carriers. 

Today Samsung announced that they are introducing a carrier-unlocked Galaxy S7 in the United States for the sort of consumers that I just described. The new unlocked Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are launching today, and Samsung states that they work on all the top US carriers, with network compatibility presumably being the same as a Galaxy S7 that you would purchase from a carrier and unlock yourself. These new unlocked phones are available from a number of retailers starting today, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The Galaxy S7 is priced at $669.99, while the Galaxy S7 Edge is $769.99.

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  • kabel_mk - Thursday, June 30, 2016 - link

    Thanks. Still zero phones for purchase ... Samsung, you have to jump first, than say hop ... Samsung screams "HOP" but really doesn't want to jump ...
  • techguy378 - Saturday, July 2, 2016 - link

    Yes it is. Samsung forgot it wasn't April Fools day.
  • mikelward - Thursday, June 30, 2016 - link

    Part 1 of your review was in March. When's part 2 coming?
  • CoreLogicCom - Thursday, June 30, 2016 - link

    Next March, apparently.

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