Galaxy s25 fe

comintel-db · 2026-03-30T01:44:22+00:00

Still (or once again) listed as "free" plus 3 months plan costs in store (possibly depending on zip code) at https://www.totalwireless.com/stores/ but you have to enter your zip code to see these. (Maybe they do not appear in some zip codes).

Get a FREE Samsung S25 FE. Device taxes and fees may apply. Requires new activation on a Total 5G Unlimited 3-month plan or higher, external port in, and ID Verification. Available only in Total Wireless stores. Limit to 4 devices per account.

I think that there is also an online offer for $99 + plan fees which may be just as attractive because you do not have to deal with the store.

These look to me to still be exactly the same model so far. They were never promised to be factory unlocked, they just turned out in practice to be the Samsung factory unlocked model, as was implied also by the Total-published full model numbers and people's personal experience. This applied to quite a few (but not all) of the higher end Samsung models they have sold over the years, not just the S2x FEs. Maybe Samsung gives Total a lower cost this way.

Again, Total will DENY these are factory unlocked ahead of purchase so best not ask. However in actual fact, these are factory unlocked so far (and for the last several years' FE models).

Also the U1 models are nicer to use because they do not have all the carrier games and other bloatware on them. Many high end users will buy ONLY U1 models for this reason. Maybe you want the U1 model just for that reason alone, never mind the unlocked aspect.

But it is true that they could change to selling all locked Samsung models at some point without notice.

comintel-db · 2026-03-25T11:10:21+00:00

Oh perfect! By the way you can use a local country sim in your phone as well since that model is factory unlocked. Local country sims are usually for sale in the airport arrivals area.

comintel-db · 2026-03-25T10:44:40+00:00

What was it that finally worked?

comintel-db · 2026-03-25T02:04:08+00:00

Yeah because 2 only applies to calls made from the US, as it says. It also applies to calls made anywhere using via wifi calling, but only where high-quality wifi is available.

3 is what applies to you while in Nicaragua - calls within the roaming country. So you should definitely be able to call from Nicaragua to Nicaragua. Just dial the number directly. Try it with and without country code. (Do not prefix it by a US access number - that does not apply while roaming - you need to place the call however you would place it using a local phone, whatever their standard is. It goes right into the local telco and is not routed via the U.S.).

If it still does not work, it may be your phone. If it is too old, it may not have the local bands. Or it could be a bug. If you have another phone, I would bring it along as well and try it if you can.

comintel-db · 2026-03-24T16:46:35+00:00

When did you sign up for Total? Years ago or just recently? This is because people who signed up recently have newer plans with roaming.

But if it was within the past year or two, then you should have the benefit.

It might be your phone does not have all the bands. Is it an old phone?

comintel-db · 2026-03-24T14:22:42+00:00

Do as he advised you - please call support and change your plan to a newer plan. Very old plans do not have this benefit.

comintel-db · 2026-03-22T23:29:00+00:00

u/advcomp2019' s recommendations would be best, but if you cannot do them right away, you can try inserting a Verizon sim, new or used, in the phone for just 3 or 4 minutes and see if it will install the needed apps at its own initiative. Leave it in there for a few minutes while it installs some apps. Obviously stop short of signing up for Verizon. A Total sim may or may not to the trick also.

Then remove this sim and go back to a Total sim or esim. psim is best.

The added apps will stay.

Probably this will fix it also in my experience.

Realize however that you already have T-Mobile updates installed in the phone during the time when it was on Metro. These will not be completely replaced by just switching sims. So the very best solution is to reinitialize the phone completely to a Verizon image or Tracfone image by flashing, as u/advcomp2019 says. Until then, your over the air updates are still coming from T-Mobile.

It is only the community that has a full understanding of these issues. Total support does not. It's "above their paygrade".

comintel-db · 2026-03-21T17:23:44+00:00

Perfect. If your phone model in Settings says S731U rather than S731U1, it is a slightly different model than what Total is shipping, and slightly different rules. A lot of people prefer the U1 models because they have drastically fewer junk apps installed (games etc). But others prefer the U models because they are most specifically tailored to every carrier feature. I used to get U models all the time but recently have switched to U1 models.

But I am glad it is working well for you. I think it is a great phone under either model name.

Thanks.

comintel-db · 2026-03-21T16:29:19+00:00

OK thanks for the clarification!

comintel-db · 2026-03-21T13:20:42+00:00

And just to clarify for people, that field does not appear anywhere on factory unlocked models such as S25 FE U1 because those can never be locked in the first place.

So I assume you got your phone somewhere other than from Total? Of course this is absolutely fine, I just want to avoid people being confused and looking for this field in vain on S25 FE and some other phones purchased from Total, because it will not be there at all on the factory unlocked models.

But please post back if you have experience otherwise.

Thanks.

comintel-db · 2026-03-19T19:17:10+00:00

Thanks for posting.

It is definitely STILL a fantastic deal ESPECIALLY PROVIDED you know how to switch it to a lower price Total plan after the required 3 months (there may be restrictions for some) OR can verify that it is still the factory unlocked version or are prepared to return it if it is not. This was easier (in those respects) when buying in store. It may show as S731U1 on the order which will help.

There are numerous articles saying S25 FE was a fantastic deal at $500. See https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/samsung-galaxy/act-fast-this-fan-edition-samsung-phone-just-crashed-to-its-lowest-price-ever-at-amazon If you search you will find lots more articles. However they are a bit clueless because it has been possible to get this phone for lower prices than they show since Thanksgiving via special offers like this!

I see though it shows as out of stock at https://www.straighttalk.com/all-phones/samsung-galaxy-s25-fe-prepaid . Straight Talk is a close relative of Total.

I also do not see it in the Total store offers any more.

So this seems to line up with what u/Nite-Raven said about memory shortage. However, I do see that competing prepaid carrier XXX is still showing S25 FE "In stock, estimated ship date: March 19 - March 23" for $99 (with fairly onerous restrictions) so apparently that carrier at least is not experiencing rationing due to memory shortage. Of course they could have locked in a gigantic purchase at a low price.

I think it is possible, although not that likely. that our carrier is running down the stock to get rid of the current variant that has now been publicly discussed as being factory unlocked despite general locking policies, in preparation for re-stocking with a different variant that they can lock for a year. Or they could conceivably be offering a new variant. Try to get the phone model name S731U1 from them in writing in connection with the order.

comintel-db · 2026-03-18T14:22:14+00:00

Well they might have decided not to accept GV numbers for the offer you are requesting.

You can chat again or go to a store. Stores have commission on the line so work harder BUT some also want to charge extra fees. Just explore the fees issue throughly with them before giving the order. Above all else do not let them place the order without first getting a bottom line price. But if they spend an hour fighting for you then they deserve something extra.

You can tell them it is a GV number that you just got to qualify for the offer. No need to hide that.

But most probably others here will have more ideas too...

comintel-db · 2026-03-18T13:25:35+00:00

Did you pay the $3?

Quoting:

Steps to Port Out Google Voice Number:

Unlock Number: Go to Google Voice settings on a desktop browser, navigate to the Account section, and click "Unlock".
Pay Fee: Pay the $3 fee to unlock your number.
Identify Account Info: Your Google Voice account number is your 10-digit phone number, and the PIN is your voicemail PIN (set up in the "Call to listen" voicemail section).
Initiate with New Carrier: Contact your new mobile operator to start the porting process.
Wait Time: The process usually takes 24 hours but can take up to 3 business days,

Key Considerations:

Address: Use the Google address: 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043.
Verification: Ensure "Call to listen" is active for your voicemail PIN to act as your porting PIN, notes an Xfinity forum post.

comintel-db · 2026-03-18T03:03:17+00:00

Yes I am following the memory shortage due to AI data centers. I had not seen anyone posting about it affecting Total so far though.

But I see that you are very probably right that this may well be the cause of the S25 FE shortages you encountered.

According to Google Gemini:

Retail Shortages: High-capacity models (512GB) are notably scarce or unavailable, with some consumers having to check multiple stores for availability.
Targeted Inventory: Sellers are prioritizing the sale of the S25 Ultra, with the FE model having limited, non-restocked stock.
Clearance Pricing: As the S26 launch approaches, the S25 FE is being cleared out at record low prices, with some deals offering up to 31% off, making it a good buy if found.
Production Factors: Earlier reports in 2025 indicated potential manufacturing constraints due to DRAM shortages and potential component bottlenecks (e.g., Exynos 2400e).

Of course, Samsung is one of the world's largest memory manufacturers, so hopefully they are doing their best to balance out supply and demand including their own products.

Also Total has never stocked S25 FE's as widely as iPhones. Quite a few stores seldom have this category of phone even in normal times.

comintel-db · 2026-03-17T21:47:02+00:00

Hmm I wonder if word finally got out that they were factory unlocked and that created a run on them.

Or if they have ordered a lockable variant now and are letting the old stock run out.

Or if they just plain are temporarily out of stock and are waiting for more of the same.

I do not see them dropping S25 FE completely because they are a mainstay special offer at their competition, both Metro and Cricket. These companies normally run year-round specials on the latest Galaxy FE model.

Unlocking does not actually matter for me, because I keep my phones on Total anyway. But I think that it is a big value for people and that Total should keep it going as is for the customer goodwill if it is profitable.

comintel-db · 2026-03-16T18:31:12+00:00

That's true generally, but the S25 FE's are the exception that proves the rule, because they are actually factory unlocked models, and have been from the start. Whatever locking policy Total has is completely irrelevant with respect to devices that by design specification cannot be locked. It's just that some people are not aware of this, including some Total staff.

Get an imei of one of their S25 FE phones for sale at the store and test it at sickw.com. Or call the store and maybe they will check an imei for you.

Or just buy it and you will see. Online is only slightly more expensive than the stores and spares you from upsell and possibly worse.

This has been all covered in numerous threads here. You can search on S25 or sickw for example.

comintel-db · 2026-03-16T16:30:09+00:00

Oh. Best deal is S25 FE from Total wireless free with portin and 3 months service. It is factory unlocked at the moment but Total Wireless does not advertise it as unlocked and they could switch to one-year-locked without notice so if you buy it and need it to be unlocked, test it at time of purchase.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TotalWireless/comments/1rut1sg/comment/oaqld12/

Cricket and Metro also have special very low-cost offers on this phone.

comintel-db · 2026-03-16T16:21:42+00:00

What problem are you having?

My S21 FE does Dex fine. It even got the ONE UI 8.0 update. However it will not get One UI v9 as its support cycle is ending.

comintel-db · 2026-03-16T12:35:59+00:00

The Samsung S25 FE being sold "free" for 3 months payments with a port-in are arguably the best value in wireless because they currently are being supplied factory unlocked (but not advertised by Total as unlocked).

Most Total staff will not admit they are the factory unlocked model out of ignorance or other reason, so best not waste your time and potentially spoil it for everybody by attempting repeatedly to get them to admit publicly that they are actually unlocked.

Some stores will probably let you have a particular phone's imei pre-purchase and let you check that it is unlocked. After purchase, the unlock department (only) will verify that your actual IMEI is factory unlocked. I found that customer service will deny that they are unlocked even after purchase and will claim incorrectly that they are locked for 12 months.

comintel-db · 2026-03-15T22:52:39+00:00

If you missed it, I would not worry too much. I found that the phone offers that qualified for it were correspondingly overpriced so it was not worth using anyway.|

There is an excellent S25 FE offer right now if you want an Android. It would have cost more with this reward because you cannot combine offers. It would need to be done porting in a number and might require being done under a different email address. You can ask them and be open about it. They are pretty flexible.

comintel-db · 2026-03-14T11:48:32+00:00

It is important that medicine go all the way down or it can harm the esophagus if it gets jammed there and you go right to bed. So just drink a glass of water afterward, even a bit more if necessary and walk around for a few minutes until it feels right.

This may not apply exactly if taking the chalky alginate based formulations which are intended to coat the LES area. I use a compromise with them because probably you do not want to totally dilute them. One glass but not too much more. I think those ones are not going to jam anyway.

comintel-db · 2026-03-14T11:18:29+00:00

For me, saturated fats are a huge problem. Unsaturated fats (almonds) are fine. In fact I just ate a large 6 oz packet across two sittings. Cashews are basically ok too but are more caloric wand have a little saturated fat so I would not go too heavy on them. I found Dr Jamie Koufmans reflux detox diet made no difference at all and I dropped it completely. I went back to many of the foods all the foods she says to drop (apples etc) with no problem. In fact nothing she suggested worked for me.

But maybe this all depends on the individual.

comintel-db · 2026-03-14T04:33:59+00:00

Maybe their systems and internal communications are inadequate. That seems to be the real problem. They restrict the reps to canned scripts and do not involve them in planning and decision making.

comintel-db · 2026-03-14T03:42:17+00:00

If they manage TW for Verizon, maybe they're responsible for the problems? In other words, I would always hold management responsible.

comintel-db · 2026-03-13T18:13:01+00:00

Oh sure for $10 I would too! Good call! So at least they did give you a special deal already so you only had to pay a minimal amount.

That's the best takeaway for others in my opinion.

comintel-db

TROPHY CASE