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After Apple’s release of the iPhone X, tech geeks always thought Samsung would come up with something as explosive and grandiose as that of the iPhone X, and that everyone thought of phones that are “foldable” coming from Samsung.

The tech giant already admitted that they are far from making that possible on the Samsung S9, but we are still lowkey expecting something that spectacular is going to happen.

Nonetheless, Samsung S9 is still a commendable phone with commendable features. Looking at it at first glance would make you think it is just like its predecessors Samsung S7 or S8, but it is definitely a notch higher than these phones.

Who champs? S9 vis-a-vis S8

You are probably wondering whether you should upgrade to the S9 or if it’s better for you to just wait and save up for the much grander Android coming up later this year (who knows?). However, Samsung S9 is considerably one of the best phones available in the market today and it has the best specs we expect from a flagship so far.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 may look like only an upgraded version of the S8 but it has a more advanced and capable hardware, which can greatly help preserve the battery life, and it also has a more ergonomic design and user interface that adds convenience and character to the flagship phone.

However, if you don’t own an S8 or S8+ yet and you plan to own a Samsung flagship next, you are better advised to settle with the S8. With the S9 coming in the shelves to replace the S8, the prices are surely going to go down as service providers are sure to offer big discounts and deals on the previous flagship.

Also, an unlocked Samsung S8 is currently over a $100 less than the current price of the factory unlocked Samsung S9, and the price is surely going to go down a few more hundred bucks once the S9 takes off in the market and S8 is going to be replaced.

We will compare both of the phone models in the sections below to help you know just what you are letting go when you choose the S8 over the S9.

Design: S9

• Premium glass and metal build

• Minimalized curve bezels

• 5.8 inches for S9, 6.2 inches for S9+

• 3000mAh (same as S8)

For the design, we’d like to say S9 is the winner. Although they look just similar, the Samsung S9 is a combination of customer inputs from the previous S- series phones that the company had gathered over the years.

S9 still has a 5.8 inch Infinity Display, which is practically the same size with the S8, except that there’s a slight difference on how they designed it. The infinity display on the S8 goes edge-to-edge, that it is almost impossible not to accidentally press the screen and unknowingly open apps when you are merely just holding the phone. Although this design became a novelty with the S6 Edge, it was also quite annoying.

Samsung got the public’s message (3 years later) and that’s why they had changed how the Infinity Display on the S9 looks like. Technically, it is still edge-to-edge except that the curve on the sides is no longer part of the screen.

Samsung S9 looks like a typical 2017 phone; it’s bezel-less and gargantuan in size. We are not sure if the Samsung S9 design is going to be a trendsetter this year, since it’s the first flagship phone to come out this year.

Security

• Ergonomic Fingerprint Sensor

• Combined Iris Scanner and Face Unlock

Aside from the screen, the S9 also has a more ergonomic placement of the fingerprint sensor. You can easily reach for the fingerprint sensor and it works quite fast as well. We consider this a smart move from Samsung because Apple didn’t keep the Touch ID- which many iPhone fans didn’t like.

Samsung also tried to enhance their Face Unlock by combining the Iris Scanner, which they termed as the Intelligent Scanner . The intelligent scanner works in the same way as that of the iPhone Face Unlock, however, it uses two different biometric data simultaneously.

There were no issues about the Face Unlock with the Samsung S9 as it is smart enough to deny an unlock using a photo. The security seemed very perfectly tailored, the only caveat is that you can only unlock the phone at a certain angle as the phone needs to scan your irises clearly for it to unlock. Unlike the iPhone X which can unlock your phone from multiple angles, the Samsung S9’s Intelligent Scanner doesn’t have 360 degree view to detect your face from any angle.  

This results to a rather awkward and unnatural way of unlocking the phone, but we are hopeful that Samsung will be able to improve this feature on the upcoming models.

Display: S9- Slightly better

• 5.8-inch AMOLED (1440 x 2560)

• 5.8-inch OLED (1440 x 2560)

Samsung s9’s display is slightly better than that of the S8. It still has an AMOLED screen + HDR for better video quality- pretty much the same specs. The S9 also has a brighter screen and it performs better than its predecessor.

Audio: S9

• 3.5mm Headphone jack

• Front-facing speakers (not present on S8)

Samsung is keeping the headphone jack despite the ditch-the-headphone-jack trend that other phone manufacturers are doing.

Apple did it first and now phone manufacturers such as Sony are following the tracks and replacing the headphone jack with a USB type C of audio hub. That certainly doesn’t invite the audiophiles who loves immersive music they can only enjoy with a headphone. That’s one ball in the basket for the Samsung S9.

Also, Samsung S9 now has front-facing speakers which also improves the way sound gets out of the device.

Camera

• 12 MP sensor at the back

• Mechanical aperture shift f/2.4 and f/1.5 depending on the environment

• S9+ has two times optical zoom (similar to Note 8)

• Super slow motion 960fps (HDR)

The S9 also has an improved camera, with two different apertures that shifts mechanically depending on the light. That ensures you can have awesome images both in high and low light and especially useful such as when taking images at night.

Aside from mechanical aperture shift,  the Samsung S9 also has a super slow motion feature just like that of the Sony Xperia XZ Pro, and at 960 frames per second, you are sure to get awesome videos out of a mere second in your life.

It seemed like Samsung went all out with their camera this year, because the Samsung S9 also has two times optical zoom which is similar to last year’s flagship Galaxy Note 8. Combine these awesome features and you have an amazing camera phone that you can take with you day and night.

Hardware and Specs

• IP68 Water Resistant

• MicroSD Slot

• USB Type-C

• Snapdragon 845/ Exynos 8895 (Europe) way better than the S8

It’s no surprise that the Samsung S9 has an IP68 level of water resistance as what the previous models have. What’s surprisingly awesome this time is that Samsung S9 runs on the best chipset available to day, Snapdragon 845. The Samsung Galaxy S8 runs on a Snapdragon 835 headset, which as the numbers suggests, is a second-rate chipset compared to the new one.

The super fast chipset is expected to help the Samsung S9 save and manage its battery life for longer use. With an efficient chipset onboard, multitasking on this phone will not only be seamless, it will also be power efficient.

Software: S9

• Novelty: AR Emoji

• Enhanced Bixby

• 4GB RAM (S9); 6GB RAM (S9+)

• 64GB or 256GB ROM

• Android Oreo

Samsung may have been short of time when they created the AR Emoji as it clearly seemed like a rush development. It’s easy to assume this is how Samsung claps back on the Animoji of the iPhone X, but it wasn’t a bad try.

On the other hand, Samsung runs on Android Oreo, which is the latest version so far, and for that we give Samsung a thumbs up. Samsung S9 is also available on two different memory capacity versions 64GB or 256 GB and that means you can store a whole lot of data on this one.

While that is not a new thing, it’s sad to note that the Samsung S9 only has 4GB RAM, and only the S9+ has a 6GB RAM capacity. That’s a pretty clever marketing tactic right there, but we’re not sure if the Samsung S9+ can rely on that alone  to sell.

Takeaway

Although there was clearly no novelty on the Samsung S9, it is surely a sophisticated and convenient upgrade to that of its predecessors. Samsung finally applied the rules of constructive criticism among its flagship products, and they made the Samsung S9 almost infallible in every angle.

They can do better with the AR Emoji and the Intelligent scanner, though.

2017 was a blast of edge-to-edge screens and gorilla glass bodies. We have witnessed how each phone manufacturer tried their best to stand out from a crowd of smartphone manufacturers in their dog-eat-dog industry. Many tech giants like Apple, also wrestled their way into the hearts of the masses by defying the odds when they, quite literally, jumped one notch ahead its competitors by naming the new iPhone as X, and well, not 9 or IX.

Of course, in order to achieve something new, there were a few things we needed to let go of, such as the headphone jack, the microSD card slot, the crisp sound quality, and the overall ergonomic design. Despite the setbacks and the cons, we can still say that 2017 had been a good year to us techy peeps. We got a lot of new things from 2017 that will still continue to be a trend in this year; at least, that is what the tech gods say.

Although it’s a little late to upgrade your handset to the flagships of last year’s, we will go through each one of them to give you a look at the features you are going to get and miss from each handset we will highlight.

#1. iPhone X

iPhone X was first released on November of 2017. It received so much anticipation from the crowd and as usual, people are lining up outside Apple stores to get their hands on this one. It was supposed to be phenomenal and it made rounds in the internet months before its actual release.

However, the hype soon died down and the iPhone X was no longer the talk of the town by the time 2018 started. And maybe you are wondering, what went wrong?

Well, nobody expected the hype to end so soon actually. Before the iPhone X’s release everyone was crazy about the Facial recognition feature of the phone, which Apple claims to be impossible to hack given they have taken several approaches. But if you are a persistent a.k.a desperate hacker, you’d be able to crack the Facial ID using a 3D mask.

On the other hand, a typical thief don’t have time to do that, so it was easily dismissed by the majority of iPhone fans.

So, let’s get to the point. What are the major fails on the iPhone X?

• The Inevitable, Annoying Notch. We are not sure if it’s a gimmick for the sake of novelty or Apple engineers just don’t know where to position the facial scanner best for the Facial Recognition feature to work. For some, it makes it makes it unique, but for others , it’s a total eyesore.

• No Touch ID. You have no other biometric security option except for the Face ID.

• No headphone jack. No surprise, but if you are an audiophile, iPhone X is not really for you.

• Expensive Selling price. The selling price is at $1149USD or more than that on some countries. It’s almost 20% more expensive compared to other flagship phones offering the same features in the market. Well, you have to pay for the apple logo too, so that added up to the price.

If you had your iPhone X through a carrier on a 24 or 30-month contract your phone’s trade value isn’t going to be near the $1000 price point because it is by default sim locked.

If you want to increase its resale value, you might want to sim unlock your iPhone X.

#2. Samsung Galaxy Note 8

If you are an Android fan, you probably have bickered with iOS users about how way awesome Samsung Note 8 is compared to the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8s for almost the same selling price. However, even though this big boxy flawless phone has a good RAM and processor, it still has its own disadvantages.

• Small Battery for a heavy-duty phone. 3300mAh sounds good but for a phone with a large screen size like the Note 8, it’s pretty hard to manage the battery life for longer use. The S-pen, the screen size, and other Note 8 features are sure to drain the battery faster than it is expected. Also, the Samsung S8+ has a slightly bigger battery, which is 3500mAh. Both phones are almost of the same screen size.

• Bad Placement of Fingerprint Sensors. Samsung is keen to their customers’ feedback but they weren’t able to change the placement of Note 8’s fingerprint sensor. You either have to grow your fingers a few centimeters longer or you will have to adjust every time you unlock or pay for a service using your fingerprint.

• Hybrid Sim slots. You can either use the second slot for the sim card or for the microSD card. For countries that are used to having dual sim phones, this is sure to be a no-no.

The Samsung Note 8 sure was phenomenal and despite its large size, it was easier on the hands compared to the Samsung S8+. It also has a premium build with Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2960. Both the S-Pen and the Note 8 is water resistant which is a huge plus for protection.

You can get the Samsung Note 8 for as low as $40+ (US carriers) per month on a 30-month contract, but of course that ties you up with the carrier. You can have your Samsung Note 8 unlocked later of course, but it’s surely a bang for the buck if you are willing to dish out some $950USD for the features it offers.

#3. LG V30

LG thrives on a niche market. They have always created smartphones which stands out for a specific niche of smartphone buyers- audiophiles. And although most smartphone manufacturers are ditching the headphone jack to create a new “standard” which is the USB type-C, LG didn’t seem to bother.

LG V30 was created with the audiophiles in mind- that’s one thing for sure; although, they can do better with the phone’s speaker. The speakers are just ok and just like most phones, a little scratchy when loud. However, if you like Hi-Fi Audio music, this phone is absolutely for you.

LG also tried to keep up with the 2017 trends from Samsung and other Android leaders in the smartphone industry. The LG V30 had a 6in screen, slim design, 4K video recording, wireless charging, and many more. However, LG V30 still had its own weaknesses and fails.

• 5MP front camera f/2.2. A 5MP selfie camera is a little disappointing for a flagship phone. The aperture is also slower compared to other smartphones in the flagship arena. The mid-range HTC U11 Life phone can definitely do better with a 16MP front and rear camera.

• Non-removable battery. If you are a fan of the flexibility of having removable batteries, you wouldn’t like the LG V30. Nonetheless, most flagship phones no longer have removable batteries nowadays, so a power bank naturally comes in handy.

• Small battery for a big phone. This 6in phone’s battery is as big as that of the Samsung Note 8, 3300 mAh, which is not bad. However, playing Hi-Fi audio is a lot of work for a phone given the fact that they are usually big and heavy files, and this might result to a shorter battery life.

• Doesn’t come with the latest Android version on first release. If you like the idea of security updates, you wouldn’t like to wait for the next LG V30 update to get the latest Android version. However, it’ll be probably worth it if you are patient enough to get the update 6 months later.

• Hybrid Dual sim. If you aren’t willing to give up the microSD card slot, you can’t use two different sim cards on it.

Overall, the LG V30 didn’t disappoint considering the price. It’s a $100USD less than the Samsung Note 8, but it offers an almost the same experience and specs. A factory unlocked or sim unlocked LG V30 is valued $830USD but if you choose to enter into a contract, you can have it for as low as $35USD monthly within 30 months (or less) locked to a carrier.

#4. OnePlus 5T

OnePlus 5T is a high end phone but on the much affordable side. Compared to the iPhone X and Samsung Note 8, the OnePlus 5T has an equal or even superior processor performance. It came out with the best Qualcomm chipset and with an 8GB RAM on its release. Pretty impressive for a flagship phone $300 less than its competitors with almost the same features.

It also boasts an amazing dual camera which is 16MP+20MP and both has a f/1.7 aperture. It also has Dash Charging Support to load up power for its 3300mAh battery from zero to 100% in under 1 hour. The battery complements the giant phone standing 6.01 inches high.

The 3.5mm headphone jack is also existent and surprisingly, the phone has a Face Unlock feature that works quite as good as iPhone X. Everything about it is almost flawless and perfect, however, it still had a few unticked boxes on the list.

• No Wireless Charging. Who wants to get tangled with wires? And you thought every flagship was created with convenience in the checklist.

• No Water and Dust Resistance. Maybe shelling out an extra $300 for the next Android flagship is worth it if you are not confident you won’t drop your phone in the water.

• Non-removable battery. It’s not comforting to note that this phone is made with an aluminum body. Just hope your phone wouldn’t heat up really quick.

• No Stereo Speakers. Who doesn’t want awesome speakers? You could probably use a pitcher to hack the effect of stereo speakers on your next house party.

• No MicroSD card slot. That’s probably the most depressing thing about this phone. But that only happens when you consume over 100GB of usable ROM.

If you are concerned about any of these lacking features, then maybe spending a few more hundred bucks is worth it.

#5. Huawei Mate 10

An unlocked Huawei Mate 10 retails at $580 (US) and it was released on the last quarter of 2017. And while this phone didn’t make as much sound as its successor Mate 10 Pro, it did not disappoint because of its amazing and high-end features.

It boasts a big screen standing 5.9 inches tall and it is accompanied by a huge battery 4000mAh in size. The Huawei Mate 10 has a premium glass and metal design, which makes it look like the Google Pixel 2, but it doesn’t cost as much. The phone also has a powerful chipset which is an octa-core Kirin 970 with 4 cores running 2.36GHz and the other four at 1.86GHz- it’s the same chipset used by the Huawei Mate 10 Pro which is valued a hundred dollars more.

Both also comes with a neural Network Processing Unit that helps improve the AI performance and efficiency on them. They both have the same operating systems but differ on RAM and memory capacity as Mate 10 only has 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, while with the Mate 10 Pro you can upgrade to a 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage.

Both phones also have 20MP monochrome and 12MP dual-lens camera rear camera, making the Mate 10 Pro, a slightly better choice than the Mate 10 considering their prices and the similar features that they have design and software- wise.

Also, the Huawei Mate 10 has a 3.5mm headset jack which the Mate 10 Pro doesn’t have.

However, there’s also a very good reason why Mate 10 remains an underdog to the Mate 10 Pro. Here are a few reasons why:

• Unconvincing LCD screen. It’s not that bad, but most flagships use AMOLED or LED display-this probably justifies its lower price.

• Small internal memory storage. It’s only available on 64GB, but it has a microSD card slot which expands the memory upto 256GB. On the other hand, the Huawei Mate 10 Pro doesn’t have a microSD card slot.

• No Water Resistance. It has an IP53 level of dust and splash protection and that means it’s not entirely water resistant.

• No Wireless Charging. Most flagships already have wireless charging, so it’s pretty hard to get over this one fact if you’re into convenience.

• No 4K Display.

• Non Removable Battery.

Overall, the Huawei Mate 10 is still worth the buy and it’s just a matter of personal preference and convenience at the end the day. Considering the affordable price, Huawei Mate 10 as a flagship phone is definitely worth more attention than it currently has.

#6. HTC U11

The HTC U11 is tagged to be the world’s first squeezable phone. This time, HTC was able to cleverly allow their users to interact with the phone using a squeeze by making the edges of the device pressure sensitive.

Thanks to this ingenious idea, you can now launch apps easily with just a simple squeeze. The Edge Sense technology has made this feature work and it truly gave the HTC U11 a unique edge over the other flagship phones available in the market.

This HTC flagship was launched in the second quarter of last year and an unlocked HTC U11 is valued $699 in the US. It stands 5.5 inches tall and has a flowy premium design, which HTC says is inspired by water. It is accompanied by a 3000mAh battery and has an expandable memory storage of upto 2TB with a microSD card.

HTC U11’s camera can record 4k videos and can slow motion it upto 120 frames per second. The selfie camera is 16MP, while the rear camera is 12MP. HTC U11’s camera received a high rating for image standard by DxOMark, an independent image metric company. It has IP67 rating which means it is dust, water, and splash resistant and it can withstand upto 1 meter of immersion in freshwater for upto 30 minutes.

We love the HTC U11, but here are a few things we don’t like about it.

• No headphone jack. Unfortunately, HTC U11 is among the phones which had abandoned the headphone jack this time. To make up for that, HTC provides USonic earphones that is connected via a USB Type-C slot and can “scan” your ears to provide the best sound quality unique to you.

• Glossy appearance picks up fingerprints easily. Not a major thing because every flagship has this problem.

• No wireless charging.

• Non removable battery.

HTC succeeded the U11 with U11+ and U11 Life on the latter part of 2017 and both these mid-range phones has the features which HTC U11 has including the Edge Sense technology. You could save a few hundred bucks in the mid-range versions if you are willing to let go of a few flagship features.

#7. Google Pixel 2

Pixel is Google’s second series of smartphones as a replacement to the Nexus brand, which they ended during the previous year. Overall, the Google Pixel 2 didn’t disappoint because it was packed with awesome features to the brim.

This Google flagship has been released on the last quarter of 2017 and the factory unlocked version is valued at $649 (US). The price is quite reasonable as this phone is IP68 certified, has a premium design, supports quick charging and comes with a 64GB internal storage.

Just like the HTC Edge Sense, the Pixel 2 also has a squeezable frame that lets you launch apps just by a simple squeeze on the sides. Although it is a little inferior in size standing 5.6 inches tall compared to other flagship smartphones, the phone has a premium built and feel, and updates faster than most Android smartphones (perks of being a product of premier Android developer- Google).

The Google Pixel 2 would have been an ideal phone considering the price and the features you can enjoy, but there are a few things that makes it a little unconvincing as a flagship.

• No wireless charging.

• Not dual sim enabled.

• Non removable battery.

• Bad placement of fingerprint sensors.

• No headphone jack.

• Old design. It doesn’t look like a phone from 2017 because it still has a huge chin in front and there are bezels around the screen.

• Non expandable storage.

Although this isn’t Google’s first attempt to create high-end phones, we can’t ignore the fact that the Pixel 2 was a little behind in design and appeal compared to most of the high-end phones in the market.

Also, when considering the price the smartphone is sold for, it just doesn’t make the cut for a $600 phone; you can get so much more features than that in the mid-range smartphones available in the market for just half the price.

Nice try Google, but better luck next time.

#8. Sony Xperia XZ Premium

This Sony flagship was released on the second quarter of 2017 and a factory unlocked Sony Xperia XZ Premium is valued $799 on its first release. It stands 5.5 inches tall, and as the smartphone’s name suggests, this phone is packed with premium features that are meant to be a total upgrade to its predecessor- Sony Xperia XZ.

Just like most of the 2017 flagships, this smartphone has an edge-to-edge screen which Sony calls as the “glass loop,” and it wraps the device with glass all around, leaving only the top and the bottom with metal cap to hold it together.

Despite how fragile this phone looks, it is made of Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which means it can resist shoulder-height drops onto hard surfaces. The buttons are located in one side of the device and the fingerprint sensor is ergonomically located at the power button to easily unlock using your thumb (except for US models).

Being a leader in Television technology, Sony was able to incorporate Bravia’s 4k HDR display on this phone- and that means the color, contrast, brightness, and image is crisp and of blue-chip quality.

Aside from perfecting the phone’s screen, Sony was also able to make the Sony Xperia XZ Premium the first phone to offer a download speed of 1Gbps. Now, you can now fully experience and enjoy your fiber optic internet connection at home or wherever you are. It also has 2 USB ports; (1) a USB type-c for easy charging, and (2) a USB 3.1 connection for file transfers with speeds of up to 5Gbps. That’s lightning fast.

The camera on this phone has a 19MP high resolution sensor, and with 960 frames per second, you can play back videos in slow motion four times slower than most phones available last year.

That’s about it for the highlights, now it’s time for the things we wish Sony did and did not do on this one.

• It’s heavy. It’s only 5.5 inches tall but it’s 195g heavy.

• It has bezels. There are large bezels on both ends of the display.

• So many bloat apps. Eats up a lot of storage memory.

• Small battery. The battery size of this heavy gargantuan phone is only 3230mAh.

• No Fingerprint sensor (US only)

• Over sharpened images.

• Too expensive compared to phones of similar features.

Although the Sony Xperia XZ Premium is a host of wonderful features and beautiful design, it has a couple other disadvantages that makes it unqualified for the selling price it is asking for. Also, having no fingerprint sensor for the US models could be one of the reasons why people won’t buy it.

Aside from lacking the convenience of biometric security on mobile phones, Sony Xperia XZ Premium’s camera is way behind the cameras other flagship has. It does have a 960 fps playback slow motion feature, but it takes a lot of practice and getting used to to make it work.

Takeaway

These are the flagship phones that are considered the best in the market today. If you want the most efficient phones that gives you the best of both worlds, you can never go wrong with a flagship. They may cost a luxury but they are future-proof and can last you years under ideal conditions.

We don’t really enjoy nitpicking, but it is as important to know what you are missing as it is to know what you are only getting with the phone you are about to purchase. Flagship phones are also pretty expensive, so being an informed buyer will give you the edge over phone manufacturers who are always good at labeling their flagship features but sometimes not good enough when delivering results.

There you go folks, these are the flagships of 2017 and their major fails. Is there anything we missed? Tell us in the comments section below.

Among the common phone unlock errors is the “Invalid MMI Code Error”. This error happens rarely on other phone brands except the Samsung Galaxy series that are dual sim, or phones that can cater two different sim cards from two different networks at the same time.

Before we hop onto the troubleshooting, let’s briefly go through the technical aspect of MMI codes. 

What Are MMI Codes?

MMI codes or Man-Machine Codes, are special codes you dial on your phone to communicate with your phone,  SIM, or with your service provider’s network operator computers. By dialing MMI codes on your phone you will be able to obtain valuable data or change phone/ sim settings you can’t access through the phone’s user interface.

MMI codes usually contain special characters such as the asterisk * and the # hash.

Among the most common MMI codes used to communicate with your phone is  *#06#, and it is the code to get your phone’s IMEI/Serial number.

Another set of MMI codes are USSD codes. They are also known as Quick Codes or Feature Codes, and they are used in GSM cellular telephones to communicate with their mobile network operators. You often use USSD codes to check your prepaid card balance.

How do MMI Codes work?

When you dial the MMI code in your phone, it is processed by your phone’s MMI reader, and if or when it does not recognize the code, it is then sent to the network verbatim.

Say for example, you have sent the code *09876*54321# your phone’s MMI parser will send the “command” to the phone, and if it doesn’t recognize the code as an internal command, it will then send it to your network operator verbatim.

Your network has a specific list of MMI codes they use on their own so if it returns with a “Connection Problem or invalid MMI code” message, it means that the MMI code you have used is not recognized or your phone failed to connect to your network.

How To Resolve MMI Code Error

Fixing an MMI code error is fairly easy and in order to resolve the issue, we need to isolate the probable causes. To do this, we need to examine the path that the MMI code goes to before it reaches your network.

First, the MMI code is processed by your phone. The phone then checks whether the MMI code is an internal command; if not, the phone then sends it to the network or your service provider. Your service provider’s network computers then reads the code and sends the message back to your phone.

If you are getting an invalid MMI code error, there are only three possibilities.

(1) You have poor signal or not getting network connection.

(2) You have dialed the wrong MMI code.

(3) Your MMI code was sent to the wrong network. (Dual-sim phones)

Note: Do not mistake the MMI Code to be the same code UnlockBase has sent you. UnlockBase only sends Sim Unlock Codes and do not personally have your MMI code information. You can get the correct MMI code from your current service provider (see sim card information).

Here are 5 quick and easy ways to solve Invalid MMI Code error

1. Check the code you are using. Add additional special characters.

You can try adding a comma ( , )at the end of the code before you send it. The comma, as an additional character will tell your phone to overlook other errors on the phone and send it to the network.

Here’s an example:

If your code is *3457*9# and it results to an error, you can dial it with an added comma in the end. Like this,

*3457*9#,

If the comma doesn’t work, you can insert + after the asterisk and before the first digit. However, this code only works when the first character when your code starts with an asterisk *. For example:

*+3457*9#

The plus ( + ) sign will tell your phone to force process the execution and overlook other phone errors that may be in the way.

2. Check your Network Connection Settings.

Another reason why your phone sends you an MMI error is the lack of network connection. If the MMI code you are sending is a code to check your prepaid balance, or anything that is specifically a function of your network operator, you need to make sure that your phone is connected to your network.

If you are otherwise not getting any signal bars, your phone is probably not yet connected to your network and you have to reconnect to it manually. Most of the time it connects automatically but there are also times when you have to manually select your service provider in order to connect to their network.

Here’s how you do it:

• Go to Settings
• Choose Wireless and Networks
• More Networks (If you are using two different sim cards, choose the sim card you wish to use)
• Select Mobile Network
• Choose Network
• Manual Selection (Phone will start searching for available networks)
• Choose the network you wish to connect to. You have to wait a few seconds for the phone to connect or you may have to repeat the process over until your phone is connected. Unless you get the signal bars going, you won’t be able solve the MMI code error (network-specific functions).

This is the usual process for most Android devices with stock Android ROM and user interface. You know your phone is already connected to your mobile network when you are getting signal bars that shows 4G, LTE, 3G, etc. You can try dialling the MMI code again.

3. Disable or use only one sim card.

If you are using two sim cards and your calls, text, or data automatically route to one specific network on your phone without asking you to manually choose network, there’s a possibility that your phone is sending the MMI code to the wrong network.

In order to isolate the issue you have three possible options; (1)  set your phone to prompt for manual selection of network, (2) disable one of the sim cards, and (3) remove the other sim card physically.

You have to set your phone to prompt for manual mobile network selection to “Always ask” before making a call. You can do this by going into Settings > Sim Settings /Dual Sim Settings >  Voice/Call > Always Ask.

On the other hand, if you wish to disable the other sim card, just slide off the network name of the sim card you want to disable using the same route as earlier. The third option no matter how inconvenient, can be the most effective way to isolate the problem. Removing the other sim card physically will automatically make your phone choose the network of the only sim card left.

4. Restart your phone.

Restarting your phone refreshes it from its most recent operations. Sometimes errors on the phone are just a product of simple system hiccups that can be solved only through a restart, so it’s advisable your restart your phone when all the other steps have been taken. Most of the time simply restarting your phone resolves the issue.

5.  Go To Safe Mode

There are also cases when the phone’s MMI code error is caused by an app or a specific software installed the phone. Many users have been able to resolve the MMI code error by removing certain apps on their phone that’s hindering the code to go through the network operator.

When you reboot into Safe Mode, your phone will not load any third-party apps and only the stock apps that came with the original OS will be available. Furthermore, this means that all the apps you have downloaded will not be available in Safe mode, and this will help you determine whether any of the apps you have manually downloaded and installed are causing the MMI code error.

Going to Safe Mode is the second to the last resort, if only all the before mentioned possible resolutions have been attempted many times. It is fairly easy to do and your phone will go back to its normal state once you reboot it again.

Here’s how to enter into Safe Mode:

• Tap and hold power button (off) for a few seconds until your phone flashes a prompt box that confirms you want to reboot into safe mode.
• Tap ok and phone will not restart to Safe Mode.

Once you are in Safe Mode, try entering the MMI code again and see if you are seeing the same error. If you are able to go through this time, then it means one of the apps you downloaded in your phone is causing the problem.

Conclusion

MMI code errors are easy to fix and if you think you are lost or are needing help with this problem, don’t hesitate to talk to us. We are a global enterprise with 24/7 support and we are ready to help you anytime!

Did we miss anything here? Did you experience this error in the past? How did you solve it? Drop it in the comments!

UnlockBase always aims to open new doors of opportunities and success for small and medium size businesses. Continuing our aim, this time we have integrated with a point of sale software that is heartbeat of many businesses. Yes we are talking about “RepairDesk” which is one of the top notch cloud-based CRM & POS software, especially tailored for cell phone repair shops.

It works to bring efficiency, ease and chances to raise revenue in lives of shop owners with the help of seamless user interface, trouble-free repair booking and powerful integrations. What would you get? Well, here are the benefits that we bring to you.

Easy-To-Go User Friendly Interface

One of the major features which define RepairDesk as the best POS software is its simple yet remarkable user interface. To book a repair job is just a matter of few clicks. Moreover, setting up your business on RepairDesk will take less than a day.

Customer Follow-ups

CRM is one of the most popular features RepairDesk offers. It allows you to send follow up emails and SMS regarding new offers and packages to your customers all at once without doing much effort.

Repair Ticket Management

View all types of repair job assigned to different employees and keep track of available slots while you focus more on growing your business. Order repair parts and accessories, export tickets to CSV and keep a log of all jobs with centralized ticket history.

Robust Inventory Management

It’s time to get rid of manual inventory management as RepairDesk lets you manage and track all of your inventory with features like low stock alerts and serialized inventory. Real-time analytics help you to forecast future business decisions too.

Multi Store Environment & Concise Reporting

Managing all of your store locations is now hassle-free as you can run your business with accurate stock, precise reporting and productivity reports. It lets you creates multiple reports including sales summary, cost of goods sold and employee productivity.

RepairDesk iPad App

That’s not it! RepairDesk has also launched the first ever iPad app for cell phone repair shops recently. The new RepairDesk iPad app gives you the opportunity to get rid of PC‘s and lets you create repair tickets and convert into invoices within a minute.

With Stripe integration, you can accept credit card payments and split them into multiple tender types easily.

Provide exceptional customer experience by in-taking customer signatures with your store’s terms & conditions.

Impressed? Download RepairDesk iPad App now and start running your repair shop like a pro.

With RepairDesk integration, now you can boost your unlocking business efficiently and effectively. To learn more on how to setup this integration, please click here.

RepairDesk is tested by many owners and loved by every one of them. Are you ready to try a known POS name in the industry of cell phone repair? Signup now and get free 14-day trial, no credit card required.

TL;DR: With MetroPCS, you have two different unlock options; Temporary Unlock and Permanent Unlock. If you otherwise want to unlock it temporarily for travel, you can do it on your phone with the Mobile Device Unlock App (Android). On the other hand, iPhones and other unsupported Android models will be unlocked using a sim unlock code. To unlock your phone permanently, you have to qualify with the MetroPCS unlock requirements. Third party unlock providers (UnlockBase), however, do not have any unlock requirements to get your phone unlocked.

Want to Unlock your MetroPCS phone now? Click here >>>

If you are here to know how to unlock a MetroPCS phone, then you are in the right place! We got you and we’ll tell you exactly how to get your phone unlocked in a fast, easy, and convenient way!

MetroPCS has several unlock types and methods for both Android and iPhone. Most Android devices use the Mobile Device Unlock App, while iPhone users has to undergo the manual unlock process.

Today, we will discuss your unlock options and the methods to get it done. Aside from discussing how to get it unlocked with MetroPCS, we will also tell you how third-party unlock providers like UnlockBase, help you unlock your phone in a fast, easy, and convenient way. So, stay tuned!

How To Unlock with MetroPCS Customer Service

The MetroPCS customer service team can help you with unlocking your phone, and they will provide you the information you need to get it done. However, in order for you to unlock your phone through them, your account has to qualify with their unlock policies.

To save you time from calling them, we have prepared a bullet list for you, for a complete and more thorough look you can also check out MetroPCS Phone Unlock Policies.

Here is a quick run-through of the MetroPCS Phone Unlock Requirements:

• Must be a MetroPCS phone
• Must have had active service for 90 consecutive days from phone’s activation date.
• Warranty exchange handsets, 90 days starts with the original phone’s activation date and not the activation date of warranty exchange handset.

That’s practically the only thing you should take note when you want to unlock your phone through the MetroPCS customer service.

If you think you don’t qualify with their 90-day active status, thankfully, you have another option, and that is third party unlock providers like UnlockBase. UnlockBase won’t ask or require of you anything that is specifically alike the MetroPCS policy.

However, just like any third party unlock service providers, UnlockBase also have a specific set of pre-unlock requirements to make sure that your phone is permanently unlocked successfully. When these pre-unlock requirements are met, you are guaranteed of a refund in the unlikely event that the UnlockBase unlock code/method doesn’t work.

How To Unlock Through UnlockBase (Third-Party Unlock)

UnlockBase is one of the pioneers or the phone unlock service industry. With over 5 million unlocks and over a decade of service, the UnlockBase team has built a strong league of suppliers that are helping them innovate the unlock process to make it easier and also help them reach more people all over the world.

There are a lot of phone unlock service providers out there, but we will be basing the steps and processes on UnlockBase. The unlock process is virtually remote and most probably won’t need much of human intervention.

These are the most important unlock requirements we set before we unlock your MetroPCS phone. We do have a broader list than this that is specific to the device that we are going to unlock since we have 3 different unlock categories for MetroPCS.

Only a select set of Android devices has the Mobile Device Unlock App pre-installed, and you can use that app to have your phone unlocked remotely without calling MetroPCS customer service. And the other Android phones that’s not supported by the app will be unlocked using a SIM Unlock Code.

3 Ways To Unlock A MetroPCS Phone:

1. Through the Mobile Device Unlock App
2. Through A SIM Unlock Code
3. iPhone Unlock

Now, it’s very easy to distinguish which way you should proceed because there are only a few phone models under the first option. If you are using an iPhone, we have a completely different process for unlocking that. On the other hand, if you are using any other device beyond the list we will provide you below, then your only way to unlock is through a SIM Unlock Code.

You can also view an updated list of supported MetroPCS phone models by the Mobile Device Unlock App – https://www.unlockbase.com/blog/metropcs-mobile-device-unlock-app/

As mentioned earlier, these are the ONLY set of phone models supported by the Mobile Device Unlock App. If your phone is in any of the devices listed above, then here’s what you need to know about how to unlock it.

How To Use The Mobile Device Unlock App

The Mobile Device Unlock App is an app that lets you automate the unlock process, eliminating the need to enter an unlock code in the Sim unlock process. It lets you temporarily or permanently unlock your phone with just one tap. We have a different article on how to use The Official Mobile Device Unlock App, but we’ll go through a quick run-through about the app here.

As mentioned earlier, it’s already pre-installed on the supported MetroPCS phone models. The app will also uninstall by itself if you’ve successfully permanently unlocked your phone.

If you are ready, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the Mobile Device Unlock App:

1. Turn ON mobile data. Make sure your 3G/4G/LTE/WiFi signal is strong and stable.
2. On your Application list, find Device Unlock. This could be under MetroPCS folder.
3. Tap Continue.
4. Choose Permanent Unlock Type.
5. Restart phone to remove alert in the notification tray.

Take note that it is important to ensure that your phone is able to communicate with the MetroPCS server for the unlock process to be successfully finished.

Possible Unlock Errors:

1. “Server Error” – it means that your phone isn’t connecting to the server because you have a weak/bad internet connection.

2. “Unlock Failed: This mobile wireless device is not eligible for unlocking. For Device Unlock eligibility details, please go online or contact Customer Care” – this means that your phone is connecting to the MetroPCS server but it’s not eligible for unlock according to the carrier’s requirements.

If you want to unlock your phone via the Mobile Device Unlock App, click on the button below.

Want to Unlock your MetroPCS phone now? Click here >>>

How To Unlock Regular GSM Phones

If you are using an iPhone or another Android device that isn’t supported by the mobile device unlock app, then you have to unlock your phone using the usual unlock process we do here in UnlockBase, and that is through a SIM unlock code.

All we need is your phone’s IMEI or serial number for us to be able to calculate the code. You can check your IMEI by dialing *#06# on your phone. For this, the unlock method will depend on the make and model of the device you are using.

We support almost every mobile device brand/manufacturer so that won’t be a problem. We’re certain we can help you out. Just head on to the Unlockbase Homepage, enter your IMEI, and choose MetroPCS as your carrier.

Once your order is received, you will receive an email from us about our Pre-Unlock Requirements, and it will depend on the device you are using. Please follow the instructions accordingly as this agreement shall be your key to a refund in the unlikely event that our unlock code didn’t work.

UnlockBase has a committed and highly knowledgeable tech support team that’s ready to answer your questions and walk you through the unlock process when you need it. Our customer service and tech team are available 24/7 to help you.

Unlock with us now and increase your phone’s worth!

It’s been more than five months since Apple launched the iPhone 8, the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X back in September last year. Amidst all the fanfare, there is only one major disturbance, or scare, if that better suits the public’s reaction. iPhone X’s Face ID element has introduced troubling scenarios about the product miscalculating the process of identifying its owner’s face in order to unlock the gadget.

So how does the face recognition process commences? Here it goes:

1. Apple X’s flood illuminator detects the face.
2. The infrared camera captures the image.
3. The iPhone’s projector releases around 30,000 invisible dots.
4. Based on the infrared image and the dot pattern, neural networks form a mathematical model of the face.

Or are the steps should be the other way around? Just teasing to ease off everyone’s concerns. How about some light-hearted moments about Apple’s latest security feature, for now?

Here Are Top 10 Compilations of “This Person Tried to Unlock Your Phone” Memes with Apple Face ID:

1. Wait! Which face is it?

2. Whoa! Even a ghost can access your expensive iPhone!

3. Is that an oversized banana or did conehead just made a comeback?

4. Want to make your iPhone super hard to unlock? Try a groufie!

5. So much for security. Can’t even dial 911 to rescue MJ.

6. Smile fellas! You’re on the FBI’s big screen now 24/7.

7. Just a plain iPhone. All it needs is your face.

8. News Flash: Demand for cosmetic surgeons on the rise

9. Lots of makeup kits and accessories in the garbage. Tnx iPhone X.

10. Ooops! Wrong boyfriend!

Got some funny “This Person Tried to Unlock Your Phone” memes not on our list? Feel free to add them on the comments!

Do you want to use your mobile phone abroad or do you want to unlock your mobile device for use on other carriers? If you bought your mobile device from T-Mobile or if you are currently using a T-Mobile-enabled phone, we’ve prepared a complete guide to SIM unlock your phone on a legal and easy way

Most of the mobile carriers nowadays have pre-installed programs or softwares that prohibits mobile devices to be used on another carrier. So, if you plan to switch carriers using the same mobile device you need to get a SIM Unlock code.

And just like most carriers, T-Mobile also programmed their mobile phones this way. Let’s explore how you can unlock your mobile device through the guidelines we will discuss below.

Network Compatibility

Make sure the mobile phone you wish to use with another carrier is compatible with their network. Take note that even if you find your phone model on their website, phones/mobile devices purchased from T-Mobile has specific version numbers- that means some of your phone’s functionality/features may or may not work fully on the network you want to switch to.

Verizon and Sprint uses CDMA technology, while AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM technology for their networks. You can’t use a GSM phone on a CDMA network, and likewise, a CDMA phone can’t be use on a GSM network.

Do not confuse yourself on a CDMA phone with a sim card slot. Some CDMA phones have sim slots to be simultaneously used on the 4G LTE towers of carriers like Sprint or Verizon, but it doesn’t necessarily mean this phone can work on a carrier with a GSM network that uses sim cards to work.

SIM Unlock Legality

Unlocking a mobile device is fully legalized in the US. If you are using a T-Mobile phone, they will even allow you to have your phone temporarily unlocked (for travel, etc) depending on your eligibility.

Like T-Mobile, almost all carriers around the world (except those from European countries) tie up your phone’s unlock eligibility on a specific number of months that you have used up their service. It’s usually 90 days (3 months) after activation that they allow you to unlock your phone through them if you are still in a contract (postpaid).

Some service providers, however, do not allow you to unlock your phone without paying your phone’s remaining device balance- if you are still in a contract. Being in a contract means they have subsidized your phone for X number of months, and this ultimately means that if you haven’t finished your contract, you will pay for the device balance equivalent to the subsidized amount on the remaining number of months left before your contract ends.

T-Mobile also has a specific set of policies regarding device unlock which we will cover in the next section.

Unlocking With T-Mobile Customer Service: What to Expect

Ok, now this is probably the first tick box you have in mind and bet you already tried calling customer service, but have pleaded to no avail. Before you raise your eyebrows, let’s first go through the T-Mobile unlock requirements and policies for those who haven’t tried their luck with cx svc.

That’s quite a long list, but what we must take note is that T-Mobile does ask for the device to be paid in full for EIP or postpaid accounts. That’s one route you can go, but good news, you have another option! And that is to use a third party unlock service provider.

Here at UnlockBase, we help you get your unlock code quick and at an affordable rate. To make it clear once and for all, WE DON’T REQUIRE YOU TO QUALIFY ON ANY T-MOBILE UNLOCK POLICY. We have a different set of unlock eligibility requirements and we will discuss that on the latter part of this article.

Going back, T-Mobile used to provide SIM unlock codes, but to avoid errors and to make things easier, they have created the Mobile Device Unlock App and pre-installed it on your phone. Let’s go through the Mobile Device Unlock App on the next section.

How To Use The Mobile Device Unlock App

With the Mobile Device Unlock App, you will no longer need to go to a physical store or contact customer service as the app lets you unlock your phone with just one tap. If you think your account is eligible and qualified on all the T-Mobile Unlock requirements, you will be able to request for unlock conveniently.

There’s no need to enter any code, just tap and request for unlock. Easy as that.

The only caveat is this app is ONLY available ON ANDROID devices.

You have two unlock options, Temporary or Permanent. If you are travelling or just want to temporarily use a non- T-Mobile SIM card on your phone, you can opt for the Temporary Unlock.

If your temporary unlock request expires, you will receive an expiration message. If you change your mind and want to unlock your mobile permanently, you have to wait for your Temporary Unlock to expire.

If you want to Permanently unlock your phone, you can tap on the Permanent Unlock option. If successful, the app will automatically uninstall on your mobile and you only need to restart the phone to get rid of the pop-up notification.

Unlocking Through UnlockBase: What You Need To Know

As mentioned earlier, at UnlockBase, we don’t require you to qualify for any specific unlock eligibility requirement according to the T-Mobile policies. We do have our own set of Unlock Eligibility requirements that are prerequisites prior to finalizing your unlock order.

These prerequisites make sure that the unlock process will be smooth, easy, and fast.

We only want to eliminate any factors that may complicate the unlock process or that may cause the unlock to fail. If you qualify to all our unlock eligibility requirements, you are assured of a refund in case the unlikely event happens and the unlock failed.

For Android devices which support the Mobile Device Unlock App, we can remotely enter your IMEI on the T-Mobile server and get your phone unlocked within 3-5 business days.

We already have discussed how we unlock your device through the Mobile Device Unlock App on a previous blog post. It includes the supported devices, the troubleshooting steps, and all the how-tos on unlocking your phone.

The Unlock Eligibility requirements vary per phone model (we will give you a copy of this via email before confirming your order), but to give you an idea, here’s a few of the general requirements we ask before we proceed.

✔  Make sure your mobile device is CLEAN, NOT REPORTED LOST OR STOLEN

✔  Make sure to try first a Permanent Unlock on your phone before confirming your order, please follow the steps listed earlier. Confirm your order only when your error is like this:  “Unlock Failed: This mobile wireless device is not eligible for unlocking. For Device Unlock eligibility details, please go online or contact Customer Care.”

✔  We can’t process an unlock unless you fix all other errors on your mobile.

✔  Make sure your phone is connected to the server before continuing. If you are getting an error that says “Server not responding, try again later”,  it means your phone is not communicating to the server. Either you have weak mobile data signal or your WiFi connection is not strong and steady.

✔  Make sure your phone is running on its original software and not on a Custom OS. Rooted devices, or a mobile device that is running on a Custom OS, will not be recognized by the server and will not be unlocked.

If you are ready to unlock your phone, take note of your mobile’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). This serves as your mobile’s unique serial number and this is the only thing we will need to get your T-Mobile device successfully unlocked.

Once we receive your order, we will be sending you a form through an email that enlists all the unlock eligibility requirements. Again, it varies per phone model, so make sure to follow and tick all the corresponding boxes.

Sending the form back to us means that you agree to the terms and conditions stated therein. Furthermore, sending the form back to us means that you are confirming your order.

Once received,  we will also send you back the unlock instructions and possible troubleshooting steps. Your IMEI will now be in queue, and since we have a thousand unlock orders per day, we hope you will comply with the 3-5 business days delivery or as the stated turnaround time on your order confirmation email.

Since this is a digital service, we will not be able to refund you when you change your mind during the waiting period. All orders are considered final as we are sending them to our suppliers as well.

Should the unlikely happen that your device was not successfully unlocked, and provided that the circumstances are outside the Eligibility requirements we have agreed upon, we will refund you 100% of the money that you paid for the service.

We will try our best to provide you support and answer your questions immediately during the unlock process. Our tech and customer service team are ready to help you 24/7. If you find yourself lost or confused during the unlock process, don’t hesitate to shoot us an email.

Takeaway

Unlocking a T-Mobile Android device is pretty easy and straightforward. Through the use of the Mobile Device Unlock App you can now unlock your phone with just one tap. Easy, fast, and convenient – UnlockBase can help you with all your mobile unlock needs.

Do you think we missed something? Please tell us on the comments section down below.

A Quick Peek:

• Display: 5.0 HD In-Cell Touch Display
• Rear-facing Camera: 13MP PDAF Fast Focus and LED flash
• Front-Facing Camera: 5MP Auto and Gesture Shot
• Internal Memory/RAM: 16GB/ 2GB RAM (9GB user-available memory)
• Memory Capacity: 32GB expandable memory
• Processor: 1.4 GHz Quad Core Processor
• Added Security Feature: Facial Recognition (convenience and security)
• Talk Time: 17 Hours Talk Time
• Operating System: Android 7
• Weight: 4.9 oz

MetroPCS has graced us with yet another phenomenal deal to kickstart 2018. This first is not your average phone, because LG has given the Face Recognition Unlock a shot with this mid-ranger after the iPhone X landslide.

It didn’t disappoint though, as it is easy and fast to setup. As for the security it offers, it’s something you’d expect from a $60 phone (MetroPCS price save $80), as it can unlock using your own picture. (You can take a look at the video here).

It’s not something you can expect from Apple, as it’s way cheaper than the iPhone X, but it does make up for the convenience it offers.

LG Aristo 2 has definitely proven to us that Facial Recognition in iPhone X is not overrated. The theory that Facial Recognition technology can be on a mid-range phone is debunked, for now. Nonetheless, that feature sure added up a little novelty on the LG Aristo 2, and again for the price it asks, you can’t expect more.

On the flip side, unboxing the phone isn’t really exciting as the box from MetroPCS is usually straightforward with the phone’s features printed at the back cover. The phone is designed with full HD screen at 5-in IPS display which is long, sleek, thin, and easy in your hands.

It has a mirror-looking back cover although it only has a plastic build. It also houses the camera, flash, and power button.

LG Aristo 2 runs on Android Nougat and has a 16GB ROM with a 2GB RAM. Compared to the LG Aristo, this phone’s RAM and processor capacity is slightly bigger and that’s accounted as one of the major improvements. It’s also micro-SD expandable to upto 32GB and it’s powered by a 1.4GHz quadcore processor, which gives us the reason why the Facial Recognition lock system works fast.

The phone’s sensors and camera are safely situated at the upper front portion of the phone. The front facing camera is 5MP and Phase Detection Auto Focus rear camera that has an LED flash.

LG Aristo 2 vis-a-vis LG Aristo

There’s not much difference between the LG Aristo and LG Aristo 2. Both have the same 5-in screen and apparently running on the same Quadcore processor. The placements of the buttons at the back are also very similar as you will still have the power button right below the camera.

The only difference is the fringe on the back cover as LG Aristo has them but the LG Aristo 2 only has a plain mirror finish. The LG logo are also placed differently as the predecessor has them at the middle, while the latter has it at the bottom. The speakers are also on the same spot, except for a difference in how the holes were designed (it doesn’t differ much in sound quality).

On the front, the second generation Aristo does look better as it appears cleaner, without the LG logo at the bottom and with the camera on the upper portion, making it look more professional and minimalistic.

Overall, it doesn’t make that much difference on the aesthetic level of the phone; only the LG Aristo 2 looks a little more classy and blends to most 2017 phone models with glass finish.

The performance on the newly-released LG is also better as it can support multiple windows, giving it an edge compared to other phones on its price range. It also has a much higher RAM, so multitasking on this phone should go seamless even when you use a lot of internet or multimedia. The latter also has a much updated Android version, which means it boasts the latest security and features you can expect from Android.

Picture quality are also similar, but on par with other phones it doesn’t really make it to the instagram-lovely cut. The display on the LG Aristo 2 is also much better as it is better lighted and has much better saturated color.

Is it worth the upgrade?

LG Aristo 2 has upgraded on both the inside and the outside. The design, display, and build of the second generation phone is obviously much better compared to its predecessor. The screen has better saturation, the back cover looks more professional and trendy and it does feel more premium in the hands. Concerning the performance, LG Aristo 2 is slightly faster compared to the LG Aristo because it has a better RAM and can support multiple windows.

Setting up the Facial Recognition Unlock is also straightforward and it unlocks pretty fast without needing to position the phone on a particular angle, which is very convenient. The only caveat is that this feature is so easy to cheat, so you might want to take advantage of adding up another unlock feature when you need it.

If you are considering the price, this specific model is sold at less than half the price at MetroPCS and it sure doesn’t disappoint when compared to other phones in the mid-range arena.

Upgrading to the phone is a good idea only when you are an LG mid-range fan, but if you’re not, 2018 is just getting started and there’s so much more in store for you in less than a month from now. So stay tuned!

Your smartphone’s lack of security could potentially damage not only your day, but also your life. Who knows what people store in their smartphone nowadays, and one just can’t let their phone be vulnerable from hackers who employ phishing attacks day and night.

A hacked phone can lead to a damaged reputation or a damaged credit score. You can’t be clueless as to how to protect your phone or how to tell if it’s already been hacked. If this got you scared enough, you can also take a look at our last week’s post: 16 Things You Should Know About Digital Privacy Invasion.

But for now, let’s discover the 9 signs that rings the alarm of your phone being hacked:

1. Your smartphone takes forever to load or power up

Is your phone taking way too long to load up or power up? There could be three reasons why it does this:

1. Your phone’s memory capacity is almost full
2. You have too many heavy apps (gaming, social media, etc) running in the background
3. A malware

Now that we’ve got that straightened out, let’s take away the other factors that could be affecting your phone’s performance. Your phone, under normal usage shouldn’t lag or get clunky, unless when you are running gaming apps that are processor or bandwidth intensive.

You might also think using up your phone’s ROM is totally unrelated but there are certain phones which gets affected with a low memory capacity, so you should also take this into consideration. If you think your phone is running out of memory, you can opt to add a memory card to extend the memory or put some of your data on a cloud storage to free up some space.

However, if the first two aren’t factors close to consideration, you can run a malware check on your phone and have the malwares or suspicious files removed. There are anti-malware apps that are offered free for a certain trial period and you can take advantage of that to remove the malwares that could be harming your phone or stealing your data.

But you might be asking how do malwares slow down your phone? Malwares slow down your phone because they take a bit of your phone’s processor or bandwidth capacity to operate. They can piggyback on some of your apps and that could also be a reason why some apps are running slow or “crashing” when you use them.

It’s important to install an anti-malware app or software on your phone but it’s just as important to examine whether your phone’s processor capacity is enough to run it. There are phones that just aren’t made for apps that uses up a lot of memory or is needing a bigger processor.

If you think your phone isn’t made for a bigger hustle, you shouldn’t load it up with apps that are too heavy for its use.

2. Your battery is drained up faster

In relation to the previous item, malwares also use up a lot of power aside from processor capacity. It’s just like playing an online game, if you are playing online games or are multi-tasking, your battery drains faster compared to just texting or simple browsing the net.

Now, since malwares run in the background, which you don’t likely notice, they will eat up your phone’s power faster than it used to. And as mentioned, since some malwares piggyback on other apps, it will now take more power for the app to run properly. It affects not only how fast your phone performs but also the length of its battery life.

3. You have apps you didn’t even install

Some of these malwares can come as innocent offers, like pop-ups offering to help you free up some memory space and even trick you into thinking they are anti-malwares.

But how do these apps end up on your phone when you didn’t install them in the first place? Well, there are too many circumstances that could lead to this, but here are a few to consider:

1. You clicked on an advertisement that uses phishing/spamming
2. You accidentally installed the apps from annoying pop-ups that ask you to click “ok” or “I agree” unsuspiciously
3. You have installed apps from suspicious websites that come with another phishing app/software.

You can easily uninstall these apps or if you think your phone is too “infected” you can reformat it or the memory card where you stored the installed apps. Make sure to backup your data though, because you won’t be able to retrieve them after cleaning up your phone or memory card.

4. Your phone bill has weird unexpected charges

If you think the excess charge on your bills (which you have no idea about) is the only problem, you better think again. Some service providers have let their users to receive text messages from subscription based third-party vendors for services that are sometimes illegitimate.

Some of these text messages that get through has spam links that may lead you to suspicious websites or spam your inbox with messages that you don’t want at all. What’s worse is that you are paying for them!

If you are seeing these type of messages, you can call your service provider to help you opt out of these subscription-based text messaging services.

5. Your phone is accessing bad sites

Have you ever been reported to your head office because your phone has been caught accessing bad sites a.k.a. porn sites?

You know you wouldn’t do it using a company-provided VPN so if it wasn’t you, it sure was someone else pretending to be you. If you think your VPN ID or your login credentials have been leaked or stolen by someone else, you have to report it to your company’s IT department.

If that’s going to take long, you can start cleaning up the devices where you have logged in using VPN. Cleaning up can mean erasing your browsing history, removing your remembered passwords on browsers, and generally applying extra security measures.

Also recycling your password or having the same password for your email, social media, or banking app accounts is not really recommended. It is advisable that you even change your passwords regularly, like more than twice a year to keep you from hackers that maybe just lurking around the internet neighborhood.

Installing a firewall, either a router or a software is also advised as these will help you stay private when you are on the internet.

6. Some apps aren’t working properly

As mentioned earlier, if you have apps that aren’t working properly, there might be malwares that are piggybacking on them or are interrupting the way your phone functions.

Some malwares are designed to slowly damage the apps installed in your phone. There are also some which are really designed to slowly damage your phone’s processor. If there are no significant changes or additions to your smartphone, you shouldn’t be experiencing any lag or any particular issues on your other apps.

If you are willing, you can also isolate the issue by doing a simple uninstall and reinstall to see if it’s just a problem with one app or a problem with your phone itself.

7. Your social media accounts are being accessed on places you haven’t been to

Social media sites like Facebook and Google, do take note of your location every time you log in. This helps them accurately suggest places you want to visit or provide related advertisements according to your current location.

This also serves as an added security feature, since you will be able to receive alerts every time there is a new device log in or if you’ve been logged in to places you weren’t usually logged in to.

For Facebook, you can check these “places” in the Account Security section. You will blown away with how much data Facebook really holds about you, and if you find suspicious logins from places you haven’t been to, you can choose to click on the “Not You?” option to let Facebook block any logins from the device logged in on that location.

From there, Facebook will walk you through the process of creating a new password and employing another set of security measure such as 2FA (2-Factor Authentication) to

If you are using gmail, you will also be able to detect new logins, and Google can help you block suspicious logins from unrecognized devices to prevent them from accessing your account again in the future.

8. You have ad pop-ups that you didn’t have before

A hacked phone doesn’t only mean leaked private videos, it could also mean annoying pop-ups that flash on your phone every time you open it. If you have pop-ups you can’t get out of or when you get them even when you are not on the internet, chances are the malwares have already stitched themselves to your phone and it’s going to be a a little challenging to get them off.

One way to get this fixed is to reformat your phone or to install an anti-malware software to get rid of the ad pop-ups.

9. Your personal data or information is being leaked

This is probably the worst thing that can happen to you when your phone is being hacked but don’t lose hope. Take the necessary security measures to keep your phone from being hacked!

Your iPhone X may look like it has the best set of security features, but hackers are getting smarter everyday. It’s best to keep your passwords to yourself or change them regularly. Adding 2FA or two-factor authentications also help you track every login on your online accounts. Adding a router, a firewall, or backing up your data on a secured cloud service provider is also one way to keep things protected.

Takeaway: Your phone is doing stuff you didn’t do.

You don’t need to be a famous celebrity or a big ball businessperson to become a target of hackers as anyone can be a victim.

A hacked phone can be doing stuff you didn’t do like sending text or messages that are spamming people’s inbox. A hacked phone can also become a medium to help the hackers reach more people and steal their information, so if you happen to have received messages from friends or contacts that you are sending suspicious messages, immediately report this to your service provider or to the authorities.

Hi, welcome to UnlockBase! We are one of the first and most trusted mobile unlock service providers and we unlock any mobile device from all over the globe!

Our expertise of over a decade will provide the solution to all your mobile unlock needs and challenges and today we will discuss one of the most common unlock issues, and that is a hardlocked phone. If you are here because you discovered your phone is hardlocked or if you suspect it is, then you’re in the right place.

Let’s first unfold the meaning of a “hardlocked” phone, the circumstances that result to it, and how to know if a phone is hardlocked.

What Does Hardlocked Mean?

Hardlocked, as a technical term, means that your phone cannot be SIM unlocked anymore.

If you got your phone from a service provider through a postpaid contract, your phone is likely to be SIM locked to them. This means that you can’t use any other SIM in your phone apart from which that came from your current service provider.

Normally, it is allowed to SIM unlock your phone once you are off your 2 or 3 year postpaid contract. However, if your phone is already hardlocked, you wouldn’t be able to SIM unlock it anymore.

On the other hand, if you bought your phone directly from the manufacturer your phone is by default, factory unlocked and can be used with any carrier all over the globe, as long as it can work with their network. Note that, a phone designed to be used for a GSM network won’t be able to work with a CDMA network. So, make sure that your phone is compatible to the network type of the service provider you want to switch to.

How Do I Know If My Phone is Hardlocked?

First thing you have to check when unlocking your phone is its unlock eligibility. It’s important for you to check whether your phone is already unlocked or hardlocked, because this helps us determine the right course of action and it also guarantees your refund.

If you want to know if your phone is hardlocked. Here’s how:

1. Simply insert a non-accepted sim to your phone.
2. If you have to remove the battery of your phone, make sure to turn it off properly before removing the battery.
3. Once turned off, carefully remove the back cover and then the battery.
4. Carefully remove the sim card from sim tray. Sim tray can be very easily damaged, so do not move or pull out the sim tray.
5. Pull the sim card out safely by pushing it down and sliding it out of the open end of the sim tray.
6. Insert the sim card of your preferred carrier or any non-accepted sim card.
7. Put the battery and phone cover back.
8. Turn it on and wait for a sim unlock prompt.

There are older phone models which do not greet you with a SIM unlock prompt if you insert a non-accepted sim. If you don’t see a sim unlock prompt, check if you are getting signal bars or if you can make a call. If you can make a call or send a text message successfully with a different sim then, your phone is probably SIM unlocked.

On the other hand, if your phone isn’t receiving a signal or if you can’t make calls or send a text message, then it’s highly likely that it is still SIM locked.

Note that this is just one probability, as mentioned earlier, your phone won’t be able to pick up a signal from a carrier that isn’t compatible to it. You can rule out this possibility if you ask your new/target carrier their network-type and if your current phone model can work with them.

What Makes a Phone Hardlocked?

A phone can be hardlocked for so many reasons. It could be:

1. A carrier requirement
2. A form of protection (as some old phones are)
3. A Product of your own doing.

Mobile manufacturers all over the world have specific agreements with mobile communication service providers. Some of these agreements meant that your phones must be used exclusively by the vendor or the mobile service provider. This is the reason why some phones can’t be SIM unlocked because there was no way to do so.

On the flip side, these hardlocked phone agreements are no longer allowed in most countries as government laws are being tailored to address the needs of the masses. By being able to unlock your phones, you are being given the freedom to choose your own provider and thus the mobile industry is made more flexible and the service providers provided competitive prices.

Now, if your phone falls on the latter category, your phone will only be eligible for unlock if your carrier allows you to enter a sim unlock code. If there’s no way you can enter an unlock code, then your phone must have a different unlock method such that of T-Mobile and MetroPCS where a Device Unlock app is installed and needs no code to be unlocked.

On the other hand, if you can’t enter the unlock code because your phone restricts you to do so, it’s probably because you entered the wrong code too many times and used up all the unlock attempts. Using up all your unlock attempts is one of the main reasons why your phone could be hardlocked.

If you ever thought of trying your luck and enter random digits on that sim unlock prompt, always make sure you don’t run out of chances. If you otherwise had the phone as a gift (hand-me-downs), or if you bought it online, you can ask the previous owner if they tried doing a SIM unlock before. Simple details saves you time and, of course, it sets expectations correctly.

Takeaway

Although, our team here at UnlockBase would want to help you with a hardlocked phone, it’s most likely going to end up still locked. We do have other methods of unlock that don’t need code entry, such as the Cable Unlock Software, but we still need to confirm the unlock eligibility of your phone as this method doesn’t work with hardlocked phones.

If you pursue to try unlocking your phone even after confirming it is hardlocked using our services, we won’t be able to guarantee that it will be SIM unlocked successfully and this will also disqualify you of refund.