Sprint is not going to follow up with AT&T’s choice of locking up the Samsung Galaxy S4 bootloader. Recently, Sprint was observed confirming its chirpy decision of shipping the beast with an unlocked bootloader.
AT&T surprised fans by announcing a locked-up bootloader in their Samsung Galaxy S4s, especially when Samsung Galaxy S3 and Note 2 were offered by the same with unlocked bootloaders.
An unlocked bootloader allots plenty of customization facilities. You can load customized programs and software into the beast, such as CyanogenMod or other AOSP ROM just as AOKP. This sort of customization specs are nearly impossible with locked bootloaders, unless geeks figure out an incredible way to it.
While AT&T confirmed that their S4’s bootloader would be locked, it was easy to assume that fellow US carriers would abide by the same. However, Sprint’s announcement of an unlocked SGS4 emerged as a healing ointment.
Verizon has not yet confirmed anything on this, but most likely it is to follow AT&T’s strict determination. All previous Verizon devices came locked and we have not yet figured out an influential event that could make the carrier change its unattractive decision.
On the contrary, rumors suggest that T-Mobile is going to distribute an unlocked SGS4. T-Mobile has always been quite customer-friendly, following tactics that could keep consumers satisfied and hence, it may not mind distributing 2013’s hottest smartphone till date in an unlocked version.
Whenever, Android devices arrive, the geek communities flood with ways to unlock them. Sprint is shipping the SGS4 not with an ‘unlockable bootloader’ but with an ‘unlocked bootloader’. So, you need not stress your mind over tactics to set your beast free to accept any software.
Nexus devices usually do not arrive in unlocked versions, but it is quite easy to unlock these as well. But you need to stress your mind over unlocking a device containing a locked bootloader, as it voids the warrantee.