Bloatware and Locked Bootloaders

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@Weston1998Reed wrote:

I recently purchaced a Galaxy Note IV, and found that it came bundled with tons of useless AT&T apps and contained a locked bootloader. I loved that my old phone had a custom bootloader and was rooted as it allowed me to do so much more with my phone. I hate that this phone is so locked down and AT&T dosen't seem to care that nobody uses their bloatware, they just keep adding it.

 

[Edited to comply with Guidelines]

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This is well known - and other than the locked bootloader, the "bloatware" is easily disabled/hidden. You won't be rooting Samsung devices, and with KNOX being adopted by Google for Android in general this will become more common in other devices.

If you want root, you should carefully research devices before purchase. Root isn't required for most users, or even developers (I develop using Samsung devices without root - no issue there.)

Carriers try to add value/differentiate their products by adding/bundling apps in Android. It might get slightly better when L devices start appearing, as Google is attempting to reign in the carriers a bit, but it's not likely to ever go completely away. If you don't want that stuff you need to buy the non-carrier unlocked version (still no root for samsung, but no AT&T stuff.) It will cost more.

actually you can root a samsung note 4 on tmobile because the bootloader is locked but not encrypted.  

chainfire's root will work on all models of note 4 except ATT and Verizon..

If you want root and unlockable bootloader either the m8 or nexus 6 are the way to go on ATT at the moment.  Nexus 6 is a nice phone and so is the m8.

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@johninsj wrote:

This is well known - and other than the locked bootloader, the "bloatware" is easily disabled/hidden. You won't be rooting Samsung devices, and with KNOX being adopted by Google for Android in general this will become more common in other devices.

If you want root, you should carefully research devices before purchase. 

Knox in itself does not prevent root.  Its just a hardware fuse that blows (can't be reversed in software) if the device is modified (such as root).  Once the Knox counter is tripped, it simply prevents the use of the Knox security features, but that is only relevant to enterprise users which choose to utilize Knox.

Although I completely agree that if root is desired, careful research is required before buying any Android device - especially from AT&T.  AT&T has their Samsung devices locked down tight.  On the Galaxy S5, it took quite some time (months?) for root to even be achieved.  And even then, to this day flashing any ROMs but TouchWiz-based is impossible due to the locked bootloader.

Knox is not a bad software for business users.  To me samsung should have never included it on regular non business consumer phones.  

As for knox in lollipop its not the same as what samsung has done tho.  I really have not dove into it since we dont need it here at work.

I have not bought an AT&T-branded phone in over 10 years and the way things are going it's unlikely that'll change anytime soon. Threads like this keep reminding me I should never go back 🙂

my nexus 6 is the att varient but you couldnt tell it is.  The tramp stamp was not put on mine and the att splash screen lasted the first boot.

I would not buy a samsung phone from att ever.  Now the only thing that stinks if you want a samsung phone that works with all att lte bands you have to get atts.  but that is going to change I believe as google is trying to drive that point home with the nexus 6

Yes, I hate Samsung's multitude of hardware variants and the lack of a model that works equally well on LTE on more than one continent at a time. Nexus 6 doesn't address that either. Sony seems to be the best about it with their flagships.

The HTC One (M8) is a fine device, even in the AT&T branded form.  As long as you are willing to unlock the bootloader (an easy process provided officially through HTC), you can remove the bloat or do whatever you want.  Yes, the AT&T "death star" logo is on the back, but its not too obtrusive.

For the most part, I've gone with AT&T branded devices (mostly HTC) and rooted/modded them.  The non-carrier devices haven't been that appealing to me, or very expensive (not subsidized).

yeah but with subsidized phones coming to a end carrier phones may become a moot point like they are in europe.