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Samsung Galaxy S23 Phone (AT&T): 256GB S23 Ultra $550, 128GB S23 Expired
$300
$799.99
& More w/ Activation (new line or account) + Free Shipping
Note: Our links may go to a product variant that is out of stock or not included in this deal. Please use the available sorting options on the product page to select the available items on sale.
Best Buy has Select Samsung Galaxy S23 Phone (Phantom Black, AT&T) on sale below for prices starting from $299.99 with Activation (new line or account). Shipping is free.
Available:
Best Buy has Select Samsung Galaxy S23 Phone (Phantom Black, AT&T) on sale below for prices starting from $299.99 with Activation (new line or account). Shipping is free.
- Note: Choose "(Activate Today) with new line or account"
Available:
- 128GB Samsung Galaxy S23 (Phantom Black) $299.99
- 256GB Samsung Galaxy S23 (Phantom Black) $359.99
- 256GB Samsung Galaxy S23+ (Phantom Black) $399.99
- 256GB Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Phantom Black) $549.99
Original Post
Written by
Edited March 20, 2024
at 10:38 PM
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sams...Id=65308
S23 for $299
S23+ for $399
S23 ultra for $549
IMO great price for S23U
The VZW S23 is $50 more. VZW one unlocks after 60 days even if you cancel the account. For ATT read below for instant unlock.
1. There are two timelines for the cancellation. If you cancel a line before 3 days it was active then the activation fee is waived. If you cancel it within 14 days from activation under buyers remorse then no bill is charged but activation fees need to be paid. The line activates on right when you place the order not the day you receive the phone on hand so you might have to pay the activation fee of $35.
2. You can get a new number in a best buy store or you can use a tello number and port to ATT to do this all online but you would have to make sure porting is successful by going to https://www.att.com/portstatus/.
3. You can use SIM swap method method to unlock the device.
4. When you receive the phone activate it on ATT with the SIM provided. Make sure it shows up on myATT app/in the web so ATT knows and registers the IMEI in the network. Then put the SIM in another unlocked phone, reboot, make some calls and make sure this unlocked phone is now showing under the line in app/web portal.
5. Now go to ATT unlock portal https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/ and then choose not an ATT customer and use the IMEI of s23 and submit an unlock request.
6.Confirm the unlock request email and receive the unlock code.
7. Only cancel the line after you have unlocked the phone.
Then after unlocking if you are feeling adventurous and want to flash the phone to an unlocked firmware to get rid of ATT bloat you can follow these steps. It's actually very easy to do with Odin.
1. There are many models of s23U but in US two models are imp. S918U is carrier locked version and S918U1 is the unlocked US version. The firmware for these versions are interchangeable so you can flash the ATT model with S918U1 firmware.
2. Download patched odin v3.14.1_3B_PatchedD.zip from https://xdaforums.com/t/patched-o...1.3762572/ as regular odin does not allow flashing mismatched firmware.
3. Download the firmware from S918U1 XAA version from https://samfrew.com/firmware/mode.../Desc/0/10 Extract as there will be multiple files.
4. Connect S23U to the windows PC. Make sure developer mode is turned on in the phone.
5 .Put s23u in download/recovery/odin mode. Power down. Press Volume up and down together and then press Volume up to go into recovery (a green screen would appear).
6. Start odin and then select different files for different categories and then start.
7, It should be now the US unlocked version.
Cancellation of the ATT account and bill thereafter
== Will ATT send me a bill after the account is cancelled?
Firstly, keep the ATT buyers remorse policy handy when you talk to them. See https://www.att.com/wireless/return-policy/ click on "Consumer and Signature Customer Program Devices and Accessories" and here are the policy terms
"Service Cancellations within 14 Days. You may call us at 800-331-0500 to cancel wireless service. You are responsible for all applicable fees, prorated access charges, taxes, surcharges, or other charges through the termination date. AT&T will refund your activation fee, if any, if service is terminated within 3 days of activation. The charges for service used on the account before the service termination date may be applied against any down payment."
ATT will send you a bill with the full amount even after you cancel your account so you have to do couple of things to get rid of charges.
1. When you open the bill in myATT app/att website there will be something called "Don't recognize this fee" under the activation. You can click on it to get rid of a activation fee. This is an instant and automatic credit. Also this works even if you cancelled the account after 3 days.
2. Chat with CS to get rid of rest of the charges. Make sure to not fall for credit in the next bill/adjusted in the next bill, Be polite but persistent that you want charges to be credited now. Bring up the policy if you have to.
See https://slickdeals.net/f/17327499-oneplus-nord-n30-5g-128gb-unlocked-chromatic-gray-cph2513-best-buy-0 recent interactions with ATT CS.
S23 for $299
S23+ for $399
S23 ultra for $549
IMO great price for S23U
The VZW S23 is $50 more. VZW one unlocks after 60 days even if you cancel the account. For ATT read below for instant unlock.
1. There are two timelines for the cancellation. If you cancel a line before 3 days it was active then the activation fee is waived. If you cancel it within 14 days from activation under buyers remorse then no bill is charged but activation fees need to be paid. The line activates on right when you place the order not the day you receive the phone on hand so you might have to pay the activation fee of $35.
2. You can get a new number in a best buy store or you can use a tello number and port to ATT to do this all online but you would have to make sure porting is successful by going to https://www.att.com/portstatus/.
3. You can use SIM swap method method to unlock the device.
4. When you receive the phone activate it on ATT with the SIM provided. Make sure it shows up on myATT app/in the web so ATT knows and registers the IMEI in the network. Then put the SIM in another unlocked phone, reboot, make some calls and make sure this unlocked phone is now showing under the line in app/web portal.
5. Now go to ATT unlock portal https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/ and then choose not an ATT customer and use the IMEI of s23 and submit an unlock request.
6.Confirm the unlock request email and receive the unlock code.
7. Only cancel the line after you have unlocked the phone.
Then after unlocking if you are feeling adventurous and want to flash the phone to an unlocked firmware to get rid of ATT bloat you can follow these steps. It's actually very easy to do with Odin.
1. There are many models of s23U but in US two models are imp. S918U is carrier locked version and S918U1 is the unlocked US version. The firmware for these versions are interchangeable so you can flash the ATT model with S918U1 firmware.
2. Download patched odin v3.14.1_3B_PatchedD.zip from https://xdaforums.com/t/patched-o...1.3762572/ as regular odin does not allow flashing mismatched firmware.
3. Download the firmware from S918U1 XAA version from https://samfrew.com/firmware/mode.../Desc/0/10 Extract as there will be multiple files.
4. Connect S23U to the windows PC. Make sure developer mode is turned on in the phone.
5 .Put s23u in download/recovery/odin mode. Power down. Press Volume up and down together and then press Volume up to go into recovery (a green screen would appear).
6. Start odin and then select different files for different categories and then start.
7, It should be now the US unlocked version.
Cancellation of the ATT account and bill thereafter
== Will ATT send me a bill after the account is cancelled?
Firstly, keep the ATT buyers remorse policy handy when you talk to them. See https://www.att.com/wireless/return-policy/ click on "Consumer and Signature Customer Program Devices and Accessories" and here are the policy terms
"Service Cancellations within 14 Days. You may call us at 800-331-0500 to cancel wireless service. You are responsible for all applicable fees, prorated access charges, taxes, surcharges, or other charges through the termination date. AT&T will refund your activation fee, if any, if service is terminated within 3 days of activation. The charges for service used on the account before the service termination date may be applied against any down payment."
ATT will send you a bill with the full amount even after you cancel your account so you have to do couple of things to get rid of charges.
1. When you open the bill in myATT app/att website there will be something called "Don't recognize this fee" under the activation. You can click on it to get rid of a activation fee. This is an instant and automatic credit. Also this works even if you cancelled the account after 3 days.
2. Chat with CS to get rid of rest of the charges. Make sure to not fall for credit in the next bill/adjusted in the next bill, Be polite but persistent that you want charges to be credited now. Bring up the policy if you have to.
See https://slickdeals.net/f/17327499-oneplus-nord-n30-5g-128gb-unlocked-chromatic-gray-cph2513-best-buy-0 recent interactions with ATT CS.
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Give Feedback Model: Samsung - Galaxy S23 128GB - Phantom Black (AT&T)
Deal History
Deal History includes data from multiple reputable stores, such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. The lowest price among stores for a given day is selected as the "Sale Price".
Sale Price does not include sale prices at Amazon unless a deal was posted by a community member.
Sale Price does not include sale prices at Amazon unless a deal was posted by a community member.
Current Prices
Sort: Lowest to Highest | Last Updated 5/22/2024, 12:03 AM| Sold By | Sale Price |
|---|---|
 Best Buy | $799.99 |
| Product Name: | Samsung - Galaxy S23 128GB - Phantom Black (AT&T) |
| Product SKU: | 6530811_6530811 |
| UPC: | 887276716770 |
Community Wiki
Last Edited by gadgetNerd
March 24, 2024
at
07:15 PM
S23 for $299
S23+ for $399
S23 ultra for $549
IMO great price for S23U
The VZW S23 is $50 more. VZW one unlocks after 60 days even if you cancel the account. For ATT read below for instant unlock.
1. There are two timelines for the cancellation. If you cancel a line before 3 days it was active then the activation fee is waived. If you cancel it within 14 days from activation under buyers remorse then no bill is charged but activation fees need to be paid. The line activates on right when you place the order not the day you receive the phone on hand so you might have to pay the activation fee of $35.
2. You can get a new number in a best buy store or you can use a tello number and port to ATT to do this all online but you would have to make sure porting is successful by going to https://www.att.com/portstatus/.
3. You can use SIM swap method method to unlock the device.
4. When you receive the phone activate it on ATT with the SIM provided. Make sure it shows up on myATT app/in the web so ATT knows and registers the IMEI in the network. Then put the SIM in another unlocked phone, reboot, make some calls and make sure this unlocked phone is now showing under the line in app/web portal.
5. Now go to ATT unlock portal https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/ and then choose not an ATT customer and use the IMEI of s23 and submit an unlock request.
6. If the IMEI1 (pSim) of the request comes back with an email saying device not registered etc, use the IMEI2 (eSIM) of S23 in step 5.
7.Confirm the unlock request email and receive the unlock code.
8. Only cancel the line after you have unlocked the phone.
Then after unlocking if you are feeling adventurous and want to flash the phone to an unlocked firmware to get rid of ATT bloat you can follow these steps. It's actually very easy to do with Odin.
1. There are many models of s23U but in US two models are imp. S918U is carrier locked version and S918U1 is the unlocked US version. The firmware for these versions are interchangeable so you can flash the ATT model with S918U1 firmware.
2. Download patched odin v3.14.1_3B_PatchedD.zip from https://xdaforums.com/t/patched-o...1.3762572/ as regular odin does not allow flashing mismatched firmware.
3. Download the firmware from S918U1 XAA version from https://samfrew.com/firmware/mode.../Desc/0/10 Extract as there will be multiple files.
4. Connect S23U to the windows PC. Make sure developer mode is turned on in the phone.
5 .Put s23u in download/recovery/odin mode. Power down. Press Volume up and down together and then press Volume up to go into recovery (a green screen would appear).
6. Start odin and then select different files for different categories and then start.
7, It should be now the US unlocked version.
Cancellation of the ATT account and bill thereafter
== Will ATT send me a bill after the account is cancelled?
Firstly, keep the ATT buyers remorse policy handy when you talk to them. See https://www.att.com/wireless/return-policy/ click on "Consumer and Signature Customer Program Devices and Accessories" and here are the policy terms
"Service Cancellations within 14 Days. You may call us at 800-331-0500 to cancel wireless service. You are responsible for all applicable fees, prorated access charges, taxes, surcharges, or other charges through the termination date. AT&T will refund your activation fee, if any, if service is terminated within 3 days of activation. The charges for service used on the account before the service termination date may be applied against any down payment."
ATT will send you a bill with the full amount even after you cancel your account so you have to do couple of things to get rid of charges.
1. When you open the bill in myATT app/att website there will be something called "Don't recognize this fee" under the activation. You can click on it to get rid of a activation fee. This is an instant and automatic credit. Also this works even if you cancelled the account after 3 days.
2. Chat with CS to get rid of rest of the charges. Make sure to not fall for credit in the next bill/adjusted in the next bill, Be polite but persistent that you want charges to be credited now. Bring up the policy if you have to.
See https://slickdeals.net/f/17327499-oneplus-nord-n30-5g-128gb-unlocked-chromatic-gray-cph2513-best-buy-0 recent interactions with ATT CS.
S23+ for $399
S23 ultra for $549
IMO great price for S23U
The VZW S23 is $50 more. VZW one unlocks after 60 days even if you cancel the account. For ATT read below for instant unlock.
1. There are two timelines for the cancellation. If you cancel a line before 3 days it was active then the activation fee is waived. If you cancel it within 14 days from activation under buyers remorse then no bill is charged but activation fees need to be paid. The line activates on right when you place the order not the day you receive the phone on hand so you might have to pay the activation fee of $35.
2. You can get a new number in a best buy store or you can use a tello number and port to ATT to do this all online but you would have to make sure porting is successful by going to https://www.att.com/portstatus/.
3. You can use SIM swap method method to unlock the device.
4. When you receive the phone activate it on ATT with the SIM provided. Make sure it shows up on myATT app/in the web so ATT knows and registers the IMEI in the network. Then put the SIM in another unlocked phone, reboot, make some calls and make sure this unlocked phone is now showing under the line in app/web portal.
5. Now go to ATT unlock portal https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/ and then choose not an ATT customer and use the IMEI of s23 and submit an unlock request.
6. If the IMEI1 (pSim) of the request comes back with an email saying device not registered etc, use the IMEI2 (eSIM) of S23 in step 5.
7.Confirm the unlock request email and receive the unlock code.
8. Only cancel the line after you have unlocked the phone.
Then after unlocking if you are feeling adventurous and want to flash the phone to an unlocked firmware to get rid of ATT bloat you can follow these steps. It's actually very easy to do with Odin.
1. There are many models of s23U but in US two models are imp. S918U is carrier locked version and S918U1 is the unlocked US version. The firmware for these versions are interchangeable so you can flash the ATT model with S918U1 firmware.
2. Download patched odin v3.14.1_3B_PatchedD.zip from https://xdaforums.com/t/patched-o...1.3762572/ as regular odin does not allow flashing mismatched firmware.
3. Download the firmware from S918U1 XAA version from https://samfrew.com/firmware/mode.../Desc/0/10 Extract as there will be multiple files.
4. Connect S23U to the windows PC. Make sure developer mode is turned on in the phone.
5 .Put s23u in download/recovery/odin mode. Power down. Press Volume up and down together and then press Volume up to go into recovery (a green screen would appear).
6. Start odin and then select different files for different categories and then start.
7, It should be now the US unlocked version.
Cancellation of the ATT account and bill thereafter
== Will ATT send me a bill after the account is cancelled?
Firstly, keep the ATT buyers remorse policy handy when you talk to them. See https://www.att.com/wireless/return-policy/ click on "Consumer and Signature Customer Program Devices and Accessories" and here are the policy terms
"Service Cancellations within 14 Days. You may call us at 800-331-0500 to cancel wireless service. You are responsible for all applicable fees, prorated access charges, taxes, surcharges, or other charges through the termination date. AT&T will refund your activation fee, if any, if service is terminated within 3 days of activation. The charges for service used on the account before the service termination date may be applied against any down payment."
ATT will send you a bill with the full amount even after you cancel your account so you have to do couple of things to get rid of charges.
1. When you open the bill in myATT app/att website there will be something called "Don't recognize this fee" under the activation. You can click on it to get rid of a activation fee. This is an instant and automatic credit. Also this works even if you cancelled the account after 3 days.
2. Chat with CS to get rid of rest of the charges. Make sure to not fall for credit in the next bill/adjusted in the next bill, Be polite but persistent that you want charges to be credited now. Bring up the policy if you have to.
See https://slickdeals.net/f/17327499-oneplus-nord-n30-5g-128gb-unlocked-chromatic-gray-cph2513-best-buy-0 recent interactions with ATT CS.
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Featured Comments
Believe it or not, that type of gaming is tracked and no one will be able to fix that for you.
Ex-AT&T employee.
PS: If you don't care, that's fine. But If you do, then you should be aware of this and pick your deals carefully.
Also s24 have similar att offers through best buy for +$100 to $150
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I didn't try. I am sure it would have worked. I wanted to unlock now than later. I bought a ultra mobile sim kit which uses tmobile network for $2 and followed instructions. Sure enough it asked for unlock code, entered and the phone is unlocked now. The next step is canceling the line. Thank you all for your help!
After failing with the '60 day' issue, I chatted with the CSR, interestingly I was told that,'since you bought the phone at Best buy, you need to go to Best buy and get it unlocked'.
That sounds like BS, I'll try Tomorrow
After failing with the '60 day' issue, I chatted with the CSR, interestingly I was told that,'since you bought the phone at Best buy, you need to go to Best buy and get it unlocked'.
That sounds like BS, I'll try Tomorrow
That's BS. Only ATT CS/system can umlock for you.
I also got my unlock request denied last night stating line being active less than 60 days (following the steps outlined), just that I did not think of using non-ATT contact info on the form. Then few minutes later, I tried 2 more times using IMEI and non-ATT contact info, but got denied both times. It would definitely have helped if the steps mentioned using non-ATT contact info on the unlock request form.
Tried chatting with support, but was told the same thing - line active less than 60 days. Couldn't get to "tech support" on the chat no matter what keywords I used, just got to regular customer service agent.
I've re-installed the original/new ATT sim in my new S23+, and will be trying unlocked request form tomorrow (to make it 24 hours since last request). Also, now wondering if it was really worth the time and effort and the additional ~ $250 on top of my traded in S23 FE.
Anyone tried buying unlock code at eBay or trying cheaper MNVO prepaid plans?
To be honest I don't think the phone number matters as in the first step you have selected non ATT customer but it's perhaps better to try with a non ATT phone number.
I don't think the eBay unlockers can do anything different. The point of this deal was to get an unlocked phone paying heavily subsized carrier pricing. It's a bummer when that does not work out. For me I did this 4 times before and it worked every time.
Yes, it might. But I think I mentioned in the wiki how to get an automatic credit for activation fee (if you haven't done that recently) even if its more than 3 days. The cancellation window for the line is 14 days.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
-None of my local best buys had any S23s in stock so I had to do this fully online. I didn't want to mess with porting my number in and then back out, so I folloo OP's advice on using tello. For $5 I immediately had a number I could port with an Esim (came in handy later) and cancel the plan at any time.
-Placed the order with Best Buy using the Tello number. They called the next day and needed my ATT account pin to establish service, which I hadn't setup yet, so it was the last 4 of my SSN. Some weird stuff going on with shipping, as Best Buy sent an automated email saying it was delayed and tracking info was unavailable, but it showed up 2 days after my order.
-The hardest part was getting the new S23 setup and connected to ATT. I don't know if something was up with the SIM card they sent, if things were weird because of porting, or something got setup wrong on my new account. Phone would show bars but no data and calls wouldn't go through. Spent an hour on the phone with customer service getting it straightened out. Seems like they never setup my plan right and the APN profile it was trying to use was all wrong. Eventually got it straightened out, phone still wouldn't send texts, could receive and had data and connected to the network, which was all I needed anyway.
-Sim swapped into my Galaxy S10E (RIP small phone king). Verified the S10 was showing on my ATT account and put through the unlock request for the S23 using IMEI. Made sure to use phone number and email unassociated with the new account. Unlock request went through without an issue.
-Something not mentioned in the instructions: YOU NEED A SIM FROM ANOTHER CARRIER TO GET THE UNLOCK CODE ENTRY BOX TO POP UP. I tried a few different phone dialer codes from Google to no avail. Unfortunately I'm primarily using ATT prepaid, so my SIM didn't work to get the unlock box to pop up. (Interestingly the locked phone worked just fine on ATT prepaid. I didn't extensively test but I had 4G data and bars with the prepaid SIM inserted). What I ended up doing was using the Tello Esim to get the phone to generate the unlock code entry box. Entered the code and was unlocked. So even though the number was already ported out of Tello, the Tello Esim still worked to get the code box to show up.
-Chatted with ATT customer service to request cancellation. Typical "are you sure" run around but they ended up cancelling the line without much hassle. Interestingly, the CS rep said I had a $0 balance. My ATT account online shows a $0 balance as well. We'll see what the final bill looks like but it appears I won't have to do any run around to get charges reversed or anything.
-Followed the odin instructions as well as used frija to get unlocked firmware. Frija downloaded much faster than the link in the instructions. Use xaa for the csc code. Was able to flash the new stock unlocked firmware. One of the files takes a while to load into Odin, so don't fret if you're waiting on it for a few minutes. It's 10 GB of data after all.
$300 unlocked S23 is super slick for me. Big thanks for finding and posting this deal!
-None of my local best buys had any S23s in stock so I had to do this fully online. I didn't want to mess with porting my number in and then back out, so I folloo OP's advice on using tello. For $5 I immediately had a number I could port with an Esim (came in handy later) and cancel the plan at any time.
-Placed the order with Best Buy using the Tello number. They called the next day and needed my ATT account pin to establish service, which I hadn't setup yet, so it was the last 4 of my SSN. Some weird stuff going on with shipping, as Best Buy sent an automated email saying it was delayed and tracking info was unavailable, but it showed up 2 days after my order.
-The hardest part was getting the new S23 setup and connected to ATT. I don't know if something was up with the SIM card they sent, if things were weird because of porting, or something got setup wrong on my new account. Phone would show bars but no data and calls wouldn't go through. Spent an hour on the phone with customer service getting it straightened out. Seems like they never setup my plan right and the APN profile it was trying to use was all wrong. Eventually got it straightened out, phone still wouldn't send texts, could receive and had data and connected to the network, which was all I needed anyway.
-Sim swapped into my Galaxy S10E (RIP small phone king). Verified the S10 was showing on my ATT account and put through the unlock request for the S23 using IMEI. Made sure to use phone number and email unassociated with the new account. Unlock request went through without an issue.
-Something not mentioned in the instructions: YOU NEED A SIM FROM ANOTHER CARRIER TO GET THE UNLOCK CODE ENTRY BOX TO POP UP. I tried a few different phone dialer codes from Google to no avail. Unfortunately I'm primarily using ATT prepaid, so my SIM didn't work to get the unlock box to pop up. (Interestingly the locked phone worked just fine on ATT prepaid. I didn't extensively test but I had 4G data and bars with the prepaid SIM inserted). What I ended up doing was using the Tello Esim to get the phone to generate the unlock code entry box. Entered the code and was unlocked. So even though the number was already ported out of Tello, the Tello Esim still worked to get the code box to show up.
-Chatted with ATT customer service to request cancellation. Typical "are you sure" run around but they ended up cancelling the line without much hassle. Interestingly, the CS rep said I had a $0 balance. My ATT account online shows a $0 balance as well. We'll see what the final bill looks like but it appears I won't have to do any run around to get charges reversed or anything.
-Followed the odin instructions as well as used frija to get unlocked firmware. Frija downloaded much faster than the link in the instructions. Use xaa for the csc code. Was able to flash the new stock unlocked firmware. One of the files takes a while to load into Odin, so don't fret if you're waiting on it for a few minutes. It's 10 GB of data after all.
$300 unlocked S23 is super slick for me. Big thanks for finding and posting this deal!
Thanks for the detailed write up. I'm sure it will help others. Fell free to add it to wiki. ATT will probably send you a bill later on but you can get charges voided.
Once I spent quite a bit of time to figure out a way to get the unlock code to pop up without a SIM but I was not able to find a way. I use Google Fi and data SIMs in Google Fi are free so I used one on those to get it unlocked.
Select ship to store option and get with new number while ordering . Your sim is activated during pickup and not after placing order. I'm still running around unlock process
Anyone tried getting their locked phone unlocked successfully via paid third parties?
Anyone tried getting their locked phone unlocked successfully via paid third parties?
Or even eBay codes .
Why keep the account??
I also got my unlock request denied last night stating line being active less than 60 days (following the steps outlined), just that I did not think of using non-ATT contact info on the form. Then few minutes later, I tried 2 more times using IMEI and non-ATT contact info, but got denied both times. It would definitely have helped if the steps mentioned using non-ATT contact info on the unlock request form.
Tried chatting with support, but was told the same thing - line active less than 60 days. Couldn't get to "tech support" on the chat no matter what keywords I used, just got to regular customer service agent.
I've re-installed the original/new ATT sim in my new S23+, and will be trying unlocked request form tomorrow (to make it 24 hours since last request). Also, now wondering if it was really worth the time and effort and the additional ~ $250 on top of my traded in S23 FE.
Anyone tried buying unlock code at eBay or trying cheaper MNVO prepaid plans?
Let us know how it goes for you
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
-None of my local best buys had any S23s in stock so I had to do this fully online. I didn't want to mess with porting my number in and then back out, so I folloo OP's advice on using tello. For $5 I immediately had a number I could port with an Esim (came in handy later) and cancel the plan at any time.
-Placed the order with Best Buy using the Tello number. They called the next day and needed my ATT account pin to establish service, which I hadn't setup yet, so it was the last 4 of my SSN. Some weird stuff going on with shipping, as Best Buy sent an automated email saying it was delayed and tracking info was unavailable, but it showed up 2 days after my order.
-The hardest part was getting the new S23 setup and connected to ATT. I don't know if something was up with the SIM card they sent, if things were weird because of porting, or something got setup wrong on my new account. Phone would show bars but no data and calls wouldn't go through. Spent an hour on the phone with customer service getting it straightened out. Seems like they never setup my plan right and the APN profile it was trying to use was all wrong. Eventually got it straightened out, phone still wouldn't send texts, could receive and had data and connected to the network, which was all I needed anyway.
-Sim swapped into my Galaxy S10E (RIP small phone king). Verified the S10 was showing on my ATT account and put through the unlock request for the S23 using IMEI. Made sure to use phone number and email unassociated with the new account. Unlock request went through without an issue.
-Something not mentioned in the instructions: YOU NEED A SIM FROM ANOTHER CARRIER TO GET THE UNLOCK CODE ENTRY BOX TO POP UP. I tried a few different phone dialer codes from Google to no avail. Unfortunately I'm primarily using ATT prepaid, so my SIM didn't work to get the unlock box to pop up. (Interestingly the locked phone worked just fine on ATT prepaid. I didn't extensively test but I had 4G data and bars with the prepaid SIM inserted). What I ended up doing was using the Tello Esim to get the phone to generate the unlock code entry box. Entered the code and was unlocked. So even though the number was already ported out of Tello, the Tello Esim still worked to get the code box to show up.
-Chatted with ATT customer service to request cancellation. Typical "are you sure" run around but they ended up cancelling the line without much hassle. Interestingly, the CS rep said I had a $0 balance. My ATT account online shows a $0 balance as well. We'll see what the final bill looks like but it appears I won't have to do any run around to get charges reversed or anything.
-Followed the odin instructions as well as used frija to get unlocked firmware. Frija downloaded much faster than the link in the instructions. Use xaa for the csc code. Was able to flash the new stock unlocked firmware. One of the files takes a while to load into Odin, so don't fret if you're waiting on it for a few minutes. It's 10 GB of data after all.
$300 unlocked S23 is super slick for me. Big thanks for finding and posting this deal!