Samsung Focus Unlocked

I recently unlocked my Samsung Focus from Rogers Wireless so I can use it with my pay-as-you-go T-Mobile SIM while travelling in the states.

You can find lots of information on unlocking but since I had such an easy experience I wanted to let others know that I got an unlock code in less than 8 hours from www.Cellunlocker.net and it only cost me $8.

I haven't tried any other services but this one was cheap and simple. They also provide really straight forward instructions.

I was also able to use the t-mobile sim and access data without entering any additional settings. I also came across a forum post the stated a hard-reset was required after unlocking - that definitely wasn't the case for my phone.

Proud owner of a Samsung Focus

And clearly I like it as it's kept away from my blog.

For those that are curious I bought the Samsung Focus in mid December from the Best Buy in Vancouver, Canada. I'm sure supply is no longer an issue and it should be quite easy to buy them on or off contract North of the boarder.

It seems that its not as easy in the US; Microsoft is addressing that issue by working with Zones.com to provide carrier locked but off contract Windows Phone 7 handsets. It's worth checking out if you're looking for a phone with no strings attached. Be prepared to pay between $500 and $700 depending on the model.


Back on topic - I wanted to write a few quick notes on my impressions of the Samsung Focus after using it for 2 months.

Its a great phone and I wouldn't trade it for anything currently available but there's still a little room for improvement.

What I like:

Amazing, bright 4" OLED screen

VERY responsive touch

VERY thin

VERY light

Ability to add additional storage via micro-SD

It runs my Windows Phone 7 applications

In a sea of smart phones you can still show this one off

What I don't like:

16 bit display - meaning you will see color banding on occasion but its not a big issue

Plastic shell - mine has collected a few chips already. Not even close to the durability of an iPhone or even my old Palm Treo Pro

Physical buttons are to sensitive. You only have to swipe over them to activate but because they're close to the screen they're often accidentally hit

Adding a micro-SD card requires a hard reset


Overall its a great phone and its probably the best Windows Phone 7 device currently available in North America. The Samsung Omnia 7 is nearly an identical phone but I've been told its more durable but unfortunately its only officially available in Europe.


And if you're looking for software head over to www.PanoramicSoft.com. I've fallen behind on reporting releases so here's the catch up - Calc Pro, Converter Pro, Scientific Calc, Guitar Suite, FreeCell, Blackjack and Ultimate Sudoku are all available now and moTweets should be for sale before the end of the week.

The Samsung Focus is finally available in Vancouver, Canada

I just stopped by my local Futureshop and discovered they finally have the Samsung focus in stock. They received one (1). And they wouldn't sell it to me "off contract" but if you're looking to become a new Rogers Wirelss customer you're in luck.

However I did discover that the BestBuy website is now showing them as in stock at the Cambie store - so it looks like the wait is finally over.

Now the question is - is it worth waiting until boxing day to see if they'll offer any discounts? FYI - the Focus retails for $499 US so we're definitely over paying north of the border.

Strangely, the HTC Surround is actually $50 less in Canada. This might be the one and only time I wish I was a Telus customer.

Continuing the search for a Windows Phone 7 device

After reading several reviews and first impressions of the retail Windows Phone 7 handsets I decided that I wanted to get my hands of a couple of the devices before shelling out $500 for a new phone.

Yesterday (being the last day of December) I decided to check in again with Future Shop, Best Buy and a Rogers Wireless retail store to see if anyone had any stock of the Samsung focus in Vancouver - still nothing. I did notice that Futureshop is now selling the LG Quantum with a slide out keyboard for Bell customers. Its a start but it still doesn't help me.

Today I took a trip down to Redmond to see if could get my hands on a phone south of the border. The Microsoft retail store in Bellevue Square is currently selling 5 phones for various carriers - and all of them are turned on and setup for display.


Samsung Focus: Thin, light and responsive. The color accuracy and brightness seems a little off but that could have been from the overly bright lights in the MS Store

LG Quantum: Looks like a good device but I'd like a larger screen and I'd prefer a thinner phone without a slide out keyboard. The display and responsiveness seemed good.

HTC Surround: I've used one of these devices before and its good (although a little thick) but I do notice just a bit of ghosting when scrolling through menus.

HTC HD7: A beautiful and thin device but substantially heavier than the Focus (its closest competitor feature-wise). I also has VERY vi sable ghosting on scrolling text, so much that I wouldn't buy the device which is unfortunate because it was my favorite of the phones on paper.

Dell Venue Pro: Another good phone but the weight and thickness make it uninteresting and I personally don't like the bottom slide out keyboard. The keys are smaller than the onscreen keyboard so I don't see the need for it.


After deciding that the phone I wanted to buy was the Samsung Focus I quickly discovered that the Microsoft store doesn't sell any phones unlocked nor will they provide any assistance with unlocking the phone. I was told that if I used AT&T service for 3 months they would then provide an unlock code.

I walked over to the AT&T retail store to see if I could get a different answer and they claimed complete ignorance and simply stated they don't sell unlocked phones.


It also looks like expansys.ca is no longer selling the Samsung Focus so I think my next step is to try ordering one online from Rogers.com for the inflated price of $599.99 Canadian ...

Searching for a Samsung Focus in Vancouver, Canada

I've been trying to get my hands on a Samsung Focus for the Rogers network since the Windows Phone 7 launch.

On the first day I called my local Rogers Wireless to see if they had any stock. I was promptly told they wouldn't have any until the end of the month but I could order them online. I tried calling to order one but I was told by the call center that they were only available through the website and not via a live person (no idea why).

So after 3 attempts to order through the website I got tired of seeing the "unable to process credit card" message and I decided to wait.

Last week I saw a Best Buy flyer listing the focus so I promptly headed into the closest location - no luck - although they're advertising they have no stock. I called a second location just to be sure. Best of all, no one seems to know when they'll be in stock.

Just for fun I dropped into Futureshop where I saw a well placed advertisement for the focus on the Rogers Wireless display table but again I was told they wouldn't have them until next week (they hope ... ).


So it looks like Samsung hasn't been able to meet demand which I'm hoping is a reflection on the popularity of the phone and not a production issue.


As soon as I'm able to get my hands on a device I'll post some pictures a quick comparison to a couple of other phones. I've already tried a colleague's HTC Surround and from what I've seen the WP7 phones are worth the wait. I can't wait to upgrade from my Palm Treo Pro.