Samsung Galaxy J1 Smartphone $99.97 Canadian Carriers Only YMMV

Note to buyers.
Costco sells phones unlocked but if you plan to use it outside the country, make sure you used it in Canada first before take it to another country.
There is something call Region lock from Samsung and I paid $30 to get it unlocked when I gave a phone as a gift.
Anyone have different experience, share please.

kunamvahees wrote: ↑ Note to buyers.
Costco sells phones unlocked but if you plan to use it outside the country, make sure you used it in Canada first before take it to another country.
There is something call Region lock from Samsung and I paid $30 to get it unlocked when I gave a phone as a gift.
Anyone have different experience, share please.

I don't quite follow. Why do you need to use it in Canada first?

Remember guys this is a $99 dollar phone from costco, don't expect it to run like a $200+ dollar phone, there's not enough ram on this to run it outside of the most basic functions and don't even think about adding apps

Rogido wrote: ↑ I don't quite follow. Why do you need to use it in Canada first?

I'm now sure either. I bought a phone from Costco and give it to someone outside Canada as gift. Then when they put their Sim, it's said Sim is not from the region. They contact Samsung and got the explanation that any brand new unlocked Samsung phone must be used with the region it belongs to first before used in another region.
Something called Region Lock in place. I don't know if it's true or not but quick Google confirmed similar stories.
Some Cellphone pundits might be able to explain better.

Azreal911 wrote: ↑ Remember guys this is a $99 dollar phone from costco, don't expect it to run like a $200+ dollar phone, there's not enough ram on this to run it outside of the most basic functions and don't even think about adding apps

I was excited for the phone but after looking at the specks, I am very disappointed. Reviews are not good even for basic calling features.

kunamvahees wrote: ↑ Note to buyers.
Costco sells phones unlocked but if you plan to use it outside the country, make sure you used it in Canada first before take it to another country.
There is something call Region lock from Samsung and I paid $30 to get it unlocked when I gave a phone as a gift.
Anyone have different experience, share please.

Which model phone?
I think the ones that are locked, you can get a free unlock by contacting SAMSUNG support at Costco (see thread: how-unlock-s7-costco-sold-unlocked-but- ... s-2071661/)

These phones have what is called a SIM lock
So they work with all carriers but when you insert the first SIM card the device locks to that carrier

So as kunan mentions above, locking it on a foreign carrier is an issue

Don't think this is worth $100
The specs are atrocious http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_ ... )-7864.php

Even a BLU phone from Amazon would be a better buy

Moto G4 Play is a much much nicer phone with much better specs for $129 on sale. It's currently $149
It's also getting Nougat

kav2001c wrote: ↑ These phones have what is called a SIM lock
So they work with all carriers but when you insert the first SIM card the device locks to that carrier

So as kunan mentions above, locking it on a foreign carrier is an issue

Yup, even says so on the Costco price tag sheet. SIM LOCKED. The second you put in a sim, it locks to that carrier.

Does anyone know if this is the dual sim model? That would be cool!

Azreal911 wrote: ↑ Remember guys this is a $99 dollar phone from costco, don't expect it to run like a $200+ dollar phone, there's not enough ram on this to run it outside of the most basic functions and don't even think about adding apps

It's not RFD is there no complaints.

mobifree wrote: ↑ Which model phone?
I think the ones that are locked, you can get a free unlock by contacting SAMSUNG support at Costco (see thread: how-unlock-s7-costco-sold-unlocked-but- ... s-2071661/)

kav2001c wrote: ↑ These phones have what is called a SIM lock
So they work with all carriers but when you insert the first SIM card the device locks to that carrier

So as kunan mentions above, locking it on a foreign carrier is an issue

Thanks Guys. Thanks for the link.

Still full(ish) price in the West.

EDIT: Maybe only in Vancouver...
I could swear it was still $199.99 yesterday.

99.97 in Calgary SE. As far as whether this is worth $100 I have doubts. I would spend $30-50 more and get at least 2GB RAM phone

It's a dead end in terms of bloatfree custom ROM and with 1GB RAM, it is going to be painful and you will be reminded every day.

Where is the G4 $129 or $149 in Canada? I'm asking because I want to buy it. Thanks.

RFDQ1016 wrote: ↑ Don't think this is worth $100
The specs are atrocious http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_ ... )-7864.php

Even a BLU phone from Amazon would be a better buy

Moto G4 Play is a much much nicer phone with much better specs for $129 on sale. It's currently $149
It's also getting Nougat

snipzy wrote: ↑ Where is the G4 $129 or $149 in Canada? I'm asking because I want to buy it. Thanks.

PC Mobile prepaid had it for $129, it is now $149
you can check superstore/loblaws etc

If anyone is willing to drive to the border, Target has this phone for an insane $19.97 US!

The J1 is a TERRIBLE phone. I would get a LG K4 for the same price instead.

The Acer Liquid Zest is at Walmart regularly for 99.99. Pretty sure it's a better spec phone than this.

There's an email on the card that you get at Costco that tells you how to get an unlock code.

Naveedx wrote: ↑The Acer Liquid Zest is at Walmart regularly for 99.99. Pretty sure it's a better spec phone than this.

+1

It's also at Costco for the same price, and works good. Only problem is that it has 4gb