Verizon isn’t known as the most hacker-friendly US carrier, often keeping the bootloaders on their Android smartphones locked down tight. As a result, we see many flagship smartphones offered in “Developer Edition” models, which feature easily-unlockable bootloaders so that tinkerers can tinker. Today it’s been revealed that that tradition will continue with the Galaxy Note 4.
Samsung’s US website now includes a page for the Galaxy Note 4 Developer Edition. This Note 4 looks exactly the same as the standard Note 4 spec-wise, but it likely includes a bootloader that can be easily unlocked, allowing owners to load custom ROMs onto the phone. Samsung says that the device hasn’t yet been approved by the FCC, so it can’t be sold right now, but it is listed with a price tag of $662.53.
Samsung has offered Verizon Developer Editions of several of its flagship smartphones in the past, including the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note II. While these models make it easy for tinkerers to dig into their phones, they’re not offered with a subsidy, so that means you’ll have to pay full retail price if you want a unit.
It’s not clear when the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Verizon Developer Edition will go on sale, but if it’s gone live on Samsung’s website, I can’t imagine that it’s too far off.
Have you ever bought a Developer Edition phone or tablet? Would you buy this Note 4 if you were on Verizon?
Via Droid-Life, Samsung
