Galaxy S5 Unexpected Region Lock

by Popa Loredana · April 12, 2014

We were used to see smartphones bought for use on just one carrier due to its SIM lock and we totally understand that this is an ideal way to prevent users from moving to another competing carrier’s SIM, but Samsung did a little bit more with its Galaxy Note 3. We are talking about a more elaborate locking, so that you could use the device just in the region it was purchased before it could be used on networks in another region. In these conditions, the European version only accepts SIMs from European providers, while using it in other region requires using it normally for five minutes before the lock is finally removed. We have accepted that, but what about Samsung’s Galaxy S5 unexpected region lock?

Official Warning Found on the Galaxy S5 box from Europe

We haven’t seen this coming, that’s for sure, not to mention that on Galaxy S5, the requirement has been increased. For example, if you plan using the European Galaxy S5 in the U.S. or any other region that you might have in mind, you have to make phone calls for at least five minutes before, just as it is clearly mentioned in the official warning found on the Galaxy S5 box from Europe.

To be more specific, this warning says: “European Model: This product should be activated with a SIM card issued from a mobile operator within Europe. (…) To use SIM cards from other regions, a cumulative call over five minutes must first be made with the SIM card from European operators.”

Why is Samsung doing this for its Galaxy S5?

In case of wondering why is Samsung doing this in the first place, we have an explanation: we understand that this should stop importers to get around the region lock, but it also makes things more difficult for consumers who buy a Galaxy S5 and need to travel a lot or plan a vacation in the near future.

Samsung support should help us remove the region lock for free, but we have no idea if the company is taking in consideration this possibility for its Galaxy device.

At this point, nothing is known for sure, but we’ll keep you updated.