Samsung galaxy S23 and S23 ultra

[torana355]

Anyone here with an S23 Ultra not have that small wrinkle in the bottom corner of their screen?

Mine has it, a total non issue. If it becomes a bigger problem in a year or so i will eat my words.

 

[Technerd108]

Android still allows gross stuff like this, which drives me crazy:

-The 'Game Spotlight' notification could NOT be cleared. I had to open it, and even then my options were only 'Later' or sign up
-TikTok installed itself (!!!) at some point in the last week. It kept asking me to download it, which I ignored. However, scrolling through my apps one morning and there it was (definitely had not been previously)

When I dove into Settings to see what I could delete there were *several* app manager/installer/etc items, which only show up when you really look. (Not in the app drawer, of course.) I wiped and started fresh when I got the phone, not agreeing to any of the optional nonsense. That was without a SIM card, however--when I put my TMo SIM in, a lot of things auto-installed. (TikTok was well afterwards.)

Most of this stuff was TMobile crap, but some appears to be from Samsung. And of course Samsung is the one who allows it: My iPhone on TMobile has none of this crap. (The main TMo app may have been there, I don't recall.)

I know this is all old news and much of it can be disabled, but it bothered me so much I had to rant a bit. Such amazing hardware and otherwise good software--there's a lot to like with 5.1--really sullied by crapware.
View attachment 2166196

If you reset the device immediately when you get it a lot of apps will appear on a list and you can uncheck them.

When you setup the device if you go to play store under updates you can see the apps it will try to download and install and you can stop them in progress before they install.

It is a long running complaint of mine about third party apps BUT in the past all you could do was disable them like Facebook but now you can uninstall them.

Honestly it is not perfect but much more manageable than in the past.

 

[Technerd108]

I think my s23 ultra has the odd lamination issue on the bottom right corner but it is hard to see. You have to shine a bright light, have the screen off and angle it so you can see it.

I would rather it be perfect but honestly if I can't see it when I use the screen and it doesn't distort the image then it is not a big issue.

 

[torana355]

Been rocking the protect battery feature which limits the charge to 85 percent. Still has better battery life then any Android phone i've ever used.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

In the interest of accurate information I called Google Fi to verify some information.

Posting misleading information could get people in serious financial problems and you really should be sure before you say certain things.

In order to qualify for the Google Fi $600 off promotion or any of their current s23 promotions you must activate and port in a number and be new to using Google Fi for at least 4 months.

You must also use the activated device you bought with the Google Fi sim uninterrupted for 180 days. If you take the sim out and use another sim in the promotional device you instantly disqualify and will be charged iother $600. You also can't swap sims into another device using the Fi sim. It must be the Google Fi sim in the Google Fi device for 180 days. Then you can do whatever you want.

You also have 30 days from the shipping date to port your number over otherwise you will be charged.

I have verified this with Google Fi customer service on the phone.

I still think this is the best deal out there. As far as the type of service it just needs to be a data plan but if you pay $20 for the service and $10 for each additional GB it sort of makes sense to get the least expensive unlimited plan for $50 a month. I checked my bill and with taxes it is just under $50. They are adding a $5 discount. So taxes in my area would be an additional $5 without the discount.

Hope all of that helps anyone interested in the promotion and keeps them out of incurring a huge bill later on by doing something that was said in this thread.

The promotion is still ongoing and if you are in a tight budget you can get a s23 for $299 without a trade. Best deal I have seen.

Actually this is incorrect. You need to listen to those who have done it many times and not google reps.

Once you activate it with a port in number (which you can get from hello mobile or tello for cheap), verify it makes a call and data works. Then keep it alive for 24 hours once the ticker goes to 119 days left pull the sim out and put away. Do not ever put in another device or that will mess up your promo. Reset the phone and put your TMobile sim in. And you are done. After 120 days the promo will be complete and it will show that. You then can kill the account. This is all on Slickdeals and many have done this for the last several years.

Google does not need your device to be active. I can link the topic if it’s allowed.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

Thank you for your kind words.

I am sorry to hear about the difficult situation you and your family are dealing with.

There really needs to be more help available financially for elder caregivers like us. We shouldn't have to go into financial ruin just to take care of our family. More attention needs to be given to this issue.

Dementia and Alzheimer's care is not covered under health insurance. My mother had a long term care insurance policy and she forgot to pay it. When I tried to intervene on her behalf they wouldn't let me make a payment unless I sent in paper documentation of P.O.A. which I was not able to send in time before the policy expired due to non payment.

I would not be in the situation I am in if they would not have done that.

There are countless people like us in the same situation or worse and nothing is being done to help them.

As the population ages and more people get dementia related disease this will be a silent pandemic because it is happening all over the world not just the United States but the United States has some of the worse elder care and health insurance unless you have unlimited money.

Putting a loved one in an assisted living facility is one of the most difficult and complex decisions a family can make and is an extreme financial burden.

Here is a resource that helped me a lot to find a good fit for my Mom. You can give them a budget to work with and area of interest. They will then give you a list of facilities that you can go and interview and see which is best for you. An invaluable resource. Take your time and go to each place on the list. Take a tour and weigh your options.

A Place for Mom

www.aplaceformom.com

I wish you the best!!

Thank you. That is helpful and you are right there should be more financial resources for this. We were told his Medicare should pay for assisted living as long as he doesn’t work and doesn’t drive. Well, that shouldn’t be a problem then if that’s true. We are trying to look into it still.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

With all do respect, what your past experience is doesn't mean that Google hasn't changed something and maybe you are right but it is a $600 if you are wrong or they have changed their policy from your past experience. They know when the sim is active and what IMEI it is using. They also know each day it is active. I had a T-Mobile account with a locked phone and they knew every time I switched the sim to another phone that wasn't theirs and those days I didn't use their sim with their phone didn't count towards my account promo.

So I am not discounting you but there is only risk to other people if they do what you say and a big potential bill if you are wrong.

I would just keep that kind of advice to myself because I know if I put in another sim in my Fi promo device and get a $600 bill you aren't going to pay me for the advice you gave.

What advice I gave is official from Google customer service. Whether they actually monitor or follow their advice is a different thing but if someone does what I said there is no risk to them at all.

If you are concerned on that. You can just activate it and add your TMobile esim account to the device as well and use it as the primary. And the regular sim for google fi. It’ll still be active till 120 days that way.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

I previously used LastPass which worked well, but due to their past security breach issues I switched from it and use Keeper, which doesn't work with Samsung internet.

I am now using Firefox which is fantastic, imo, and better than Samsung internet. It supports Keeper and also Dark Reader addon which I have on my iPhone for Safari. This gives you a true dark mode that retains proper color unlike Samsung internet for some sites, and supports "true black" mode for all websites (makes the background true black and not dark gray), and overrides all sites / forces dark mode if enabled.

Sorry for a slight tangent, I too love Samsung internet but needed something else that supported my password manager, stumbled onto this a few days ago.

I’ve used that and last pass and 1password. Thankfully I left last pass a few years ago before these last breaches. I’ve been using bitwarden now and I’ve so far liked it better than any of the others.

 

[5105973]

Lol I had posted on the wrong part of the forum. @jamezr we got screwed over, too.

Samsung (Coppell Texas center that processes returns and trades) denied my husband’s trade saying his screen was cracked on his S22 Ultra.

They denied my refund saying the box I sent my phone back was empty and sent me video evidence to prove it. They did receive my cases. But the phone was gone. Unfortunately I didn’t take a picture or a video of my return. Just my husband’s trade

I hadn’t realized they were going to the same place because …well I’m an idiot who wasn’t paying attention.

I’ll keep you all posted on whatever resolution we can get.

 

[Technerd108]

Actually this is incorrect. You need to listen to those who have done it many times and not google reps.

Once you activate it with a port in number (which you can get from hello mobile or tello for cheap), verify it makes a call and data works. Then keep it alive for 24 hours once the ticker goes to 119 days left pull the sim out and put away. Do not ever put in another device or that will mess up your promo. Reset the phone and put your TMobile sim in. And you are done. After 120 days the promo will be complete and it will show that. You then can kill the account. This is all on Slickdeals and many have done this for the last several years.

Google does not need your device to be active. I can link the topic if it’s allowed.

It is not incorrect if it says so in the terms of the promotion, confirmed with a Google Fi representative when asked point blank and is an industry wide practice. Cricket uses same policy with promotional devices.

Now I am not here to argue what you or other people may have done and gotten away with. I wanted to simply state what the official policy is because of what others have posted.

I am not saying you are wrong or trying to be disrespectful but I am a skeptical person and have a limited budget. Last thing I need is Google saying after the fact that I violated their terms of the promotion and now I have to pay $600.

I would also hate to see anyone else have that happen.

I think it might be better to state official policy is this but many have done this and not suffered negative consequences doing this and explain both. That way people can make an educated choice and determine if they want to risk it.

You can't tell me with 100% certainty that if I do what you say is "correct" Google won't find out about it and charge me later.

I personally just don't think it is wise to advise people to do something that could possibly cause them financial harm no matter how slim the risk is or if you did it in the past before without warning them that it is not an official policy and there is a possible risk no matter how small.

It seems everyone that posts the advice act as though it will work and there is no risk by doing so because it worked for them in the past.

If you can guarantee that if I use the Google Fi sim for x amount of days then take it out and put a different sim in it and just store the Google Fi sim away without using it in another device I will not be disqualified for the promotion and you or any other poster will pay me $600 if I am charged then I might try it. However I doubt anyone would do that so I have to take forum members or Slickdeals posts as completely accurate and ignore what Google Fi rep told me instead.

Do you see why I have a problem?

It has been my experience that every time I call or log into my account with any carrier they can identify what phone I am using with their sim. They can also tell how many days my device has been active on their account and if it is a promotion device they know how many days I have used it on their network to qualify for a promotion or unlock. This is the reason what you are telling me doesn't add up. Maybe you are right and I am just being paranoid but I am the one shouldering the financial risk if you or others are wrong and I would rather be safe than sorry.

The cost for me to use there service for 4 months is only $100 more than I am paying with Boost. If they figure out I am not fulfilling the terms of the promotion I am out $600. Doesn't seem like a good bet or risk to benefit profile to me.

Heck the deal they are offering is decent and I don't mind following their rules to fulfill it. Plus in my situation if I kept my boost line and the cheapest option they have which I think is $30 I would still be paying $5 more than if I just switch and use the $50 unlimited plan. I can also test there service and at the end of 4 months switch to a cheaper carrier like US Mobile.

There might be more people like me using Boost or Mint or T Mobile prepaid.

Also in order for you to get the promotion you have to port your number in. I haven't heard anyone talk on that point. How do you use the number you ported on another sim?

 

[Technerd108]

Lol I had posted on the wrong part of the forum. @jamezr we got screwed over, too.

Samsung (Coppell Texas center that processes returns and trades) denied my husband’s trade saying his screen was cracked on his S22 Ultra.

They denied my refund saying the box I sent my phone back was empty and sent me video evidence to prove it. They did receive my cases. But the phone was gone. Unfortunately I didn’t take a picture or a video of my return. Just my husband’s trade

I hadn’t realized they were going to the same place because …well I’m an idiot who wasn’t paying attention.

I’ll keep you all posted on whatever resolution we can get.

What the F is going on at that place. Damn I am so sorry that happened to you. Something seriously crappy and underhanded is going on there.

Trade in values were bad enough but to deal with this is really unacceptable and so frustrating.

There must be a way you can prove you sent it in. Whoever is stealing these will have to activate the stolen devices sooner or later and the IMEI would show it is not in your possession.

I really hope this gets resolved. Samsung is going to lose a lot of customers if this keeps up. Part of doing a trade and taking a lower value is less risk to the customer. That is part of the deal. No one will trade in their devices if Samsung doesn't step in and do something about it.


You two can't be the only ones affected and calling Samsung. Samsung needs to do an internal investigation and stop the trade ins to whatever company they are working with immediately.

 

[mjschabow]

Lol I had posted on the wrong part of the forum. @jamezr we got screwed over, too.

Samsung (Coppell Texas center that processes returns and trades) denied my husband’s trade saying his screen was cracked on his S22 Ultra.

They denied my refund saying the box I sent my phone back was empty and sent me video evidence to prove it. They did receive my cases. But the phone was gone. Unfortunately I didn’t take a picture or a video of my return. Just my husband’s trade

I hadn’t realized they were going to the same place because …well I’m an idiot who wasn’t paying attention.

I’ll keep you all posted on whatever resolution we can get.

I would file a police report. They technically stole your phone.

 

[Technerd108]

I would file a police report. They technically stole your phone.

I agree and you have witnesses who can verify that you sent the old phone to Samsung trade in warehouse. You may not have video but you do have your husband at least as an eye witness.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

It is not incorrect if it says so in the terms of the promotion, confirmed with a Google Fi representative when asked point blank and is an industry wide practice. Cricket uses same policy with promotional devices.

Now I am not here to argue what you or other people may have done and gotten away with. I wanted to simply state what the official policy is because of what others have posted.

I am not saying you are wrong or trying to be disrespectful but I am a skeptical person and have a limited budget. Last thing I need is Google saying after the fact that I violated their terms of the promotion and now I have to pay $600.

I would also hate to see anyone else have that happen.

I think it might be better to state official policy is this but many have done this and not suffered negative consequences doing this and explain both. That way people can make an educated choice and determine if they want to risk it.

You can't tell me with 100% certainty that if I do what you say is "correct" Google won't find out about it and charge me later.

I personally just don't think it is wise to advise people to do something that could possibly cause them financial harm no matter how slim the risk is or if you did it in the past before without warning them that it is not an official policy and there is a possible risk no matter how small.

It seems everyone that posts the advice act as though it will work and there is no risk by doing so because it worked for them in the past.

If you can guarantee that if I use the Google Fi sim for x amount of days then take it out and put a different sim in it and just store the Google Fi sim away without using it in another device I will not be disqualified for the promotion and you or any other poster will pay me $600 if I am charged then I might try it. However I doubt anyone would do that so I have to take forum members or Slickdeals posts as completely accurate and ignore what Google Fi rep told me instead.

Do you see why I have a problem?

It has been my experience that every time I call or log into my account with any carrier they can identify what phone I am using with their sim. They can also tell how many days my device has been active on their account and if it is a promotion device they know how many days I have used it on their network to qualify for a promotion or unlock. This is the reason what you are telling me doesn't add up. Maybe you are right and I am just being paranoid but I am the one shouldering the financial risk if you or others are wrong and I would rather be safe than sorry.

The cost for me to use there service for 4 months is only $100 more than I am paying with Boost. If they figure out I am not fulfilling the terms of the promotion I am out $600. Doesn't seem like a good bet or risk to benefit profile to me.

Heck the deal they are offering is decent and I don't mind following their rules to fulfill it. Plus in my situation if I kept my boost line and the cheapest option they have which I think is $30 I would still be paying $5 more than if I just switch and use the $50 unlimited plan. I can also test there service and at the end of 4 months switch to a cheaper carrier like US Mobile.

There might be more people like me using Boost or Mint or T Mobile prepaid.

Also in order for you to get the promotion you have to port your number in. I haven't heard anyone talk on that point. How do you use the number you ported on another sim?

I hear ya and I’m without a job right now taking a leap in faith to make this work. But as I mentioned you can keep the fi sim in and use the esim with your carrier and use both for the 120 days. It’ll still show active daily to google then. Which I most likely will do. And just make sure no data is used from the google side. And use TMobile.

I bought a hello mobile sim for $6 bucks I think it was. Activated the account on another phone I have. Will port that over once the phone arrives. It’ll then be attached to that SIM card for google fi till it gets turned off after 120 days.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

Many people have been receiving empty boxes from google fi that go through FedEx. Sadly mine is with FedEx and I’m worried about it as well. I’ll be videoing me signing for it and opening the box to verify it’s in there or not. It’s happening way too often on Slickdeals users. So be warned.

This maybe what happened with the trade in too. I’m always afraid to send ones in by mail. Samsung needs to work a deal with Best Buy or somewhere local so people can do that.

 

[Technerd108]

Many people have been receiving empty boxes from google fi that go through FedEx. Sadly mine is with FedEx and I’m worried about it as well. I’ll be videoing me signing for it and opening the box to verify it’s in there or not. It’s happening way too often on Slickdeals users. So be warned.

This maybe what happened with the trade in too. I’m always afraid to send ones in by mail. Samsung needs to work a deal with Best Buy or somewhere local so people can do that.

Fi sent mine through UPS.

Went I got the Google 3xl it was in a sealed empty box! No phone but the box has never been opened. That was a head scratcher and PITA to get it rectified and for Google to send me a new replacement and not refurbished.

Oh the joys of buying phones through the web....

 

[Berries-A-Million]

Fi sent mine through UPS.

Went I got the Google 3xl it was in a sealed empty box! No phone but the box has never been opened. That was a head scratcher and PITA to get it rectified and for Google to send me a new replacement and not refurbished.

Oh the joys of buying phones through the web....

Oh man. Sounds like an inside job. That sucks!

 

[5105973]

My husband says if it’s theft he has insurance through the credit card. He is going to start with Samsung and then the credit card company for mine.

 

[5105973]

What the F is going on at that place. Damn I am so sorry that happened to you. Something seriously crappy and underhanded is going on there.

Trade in values were bad enough but to deal with this is really unacceptable and so frustrating.

There must be a way you can prove you sent it in. Whoever is stealing these will have to activate the stolen devices sooner or later and the IMEI would show it is not in your possession.

I really hope this gets resolved. Samsung is going to lose a lot of customers if this keeps up. Part of doing a trade and taking a lower value is less risk to the customer. That is part of the deal. No one will trade in their devices if Samsung doesn't step in and do something about it.


You two can't be the only ones affected and calling Samsung. Samsung needs to do an internal investigation and stop the trade ins to whatever company they are working with immediately.

Yeah my husband’s was a trade and we knew that was happening with trades which is why I recorded him. Mine was a return and I didn’t realize it was going to the problem zone in Coppell. I did after I sent it to FedEx but I zoned out at home.

It figures this would happen when my husband is about to go on a business trip. He doesn’t really have time for this. And I have little time too because I’m way behind because I got sick over the weekend.

And I just had sick kids from school over to my house. There’s a group project due. I herded all the kids into the basement and let them work and sent the dinner down there. I heard nonstop coughing and sneezing. I hope it’s the bug I already had.

 

[Technerd108]

My husband says if it’s theft he has insurance through the credit card. He is going to start with Samsung and then the credit card company for mine.

Sounds like an inside job kind of like the situation with FedEx when I bought the Pixel 3xl years ago.

It has to theft since you sent it in the trouble is knowing where the theft occurred? Did it happen in route by the shipper or was it the warehouse with some employees diverting packages and emptying them?

Either way once you sent your device in good faith and didn't have possession of it, it is Samsung's responsibility for liability IMHO but I am not lawyer. Just hope you are able to get properly compensated in a timely manner.

 

[Harthag]

@GrumpyMom - that's just horrible. So sorry you and your husband have to put up with this nonsense. Please do post updates on this.

This is why I now trade in my iPhones to Apple in person and traded my Pixel 7 for the S23+ at Best Buy in person. Or will sell on Swappa in the future. This BS is out of control. Happens with game consoles, phones, anything tech related.

 

[mjschabow]

I'm definitely on the edge of my seat now. My trade in is being delivered tomorrow. Very nervous that the phone will either be gone or they'll crash the screen on purpose.

 

[SteveJUAE]

My husband says if it’s theft he has insurance through the credit card. He is going to start with Samsung and then the credit card company for mine.

I would try writing to some of these influences this is far more worthy of their attention than their usual rants of misinformation

That should get Samsung's attention

 

[ian87w]

Wow, it’s always scary reading these package/mail theft, especially in a developed country. I’m just glad we seem to be doing a better job here in Indonesia. For trade ins, a courier will come with the new phone in a brown package, and I gave to the person my phone. The courier checks it, scan the IMEI, give my my new phone (which he doesn’t know what phone is inside), and that’s it. Seems simpler.

 

[mjschabow]

Yeah my husband’s was a trade and we knew that was happening with trades which is why I recorded him. Mine was a return and I didn’t realize it was going to the problem zone in Coppell. I did after I sent it to FedEx but I zoned out at home.

It figures this would happen when my husband is about to go on a business trip. He doesn’t really have time for this. And I have little time too because I’m way behind because I got sick over the weekend.

And I just had sick kids from school over to my house. There’s a group project due. I herded all the kids into the basement and let them work and sent the dinner down there. I heard nonstop coughing and sneezing. I hope it’s the bug I already had.

Are you able to see the weight of the package on FedEx? Mine is 1.5 pounds so if Samsung tries the same **** with me, I'm going to use that as additional proof.