I see that the preferred network type selection is missing now in the Verizon network preferences. I haven’t used it as much lately but sometimes I use it to disable 5G when it’s acting up.
It’s still accessible in the service menu.
It can also be added back by editing the carrier config (here we go again). Set hide_preferred_network_type_bool to false.
This one doesn’t sound like an oversight.
I’ve finally done the research into where these settings come from. They’re part of the factory image (or OTA, presumably). USMobile doesn’t even have its own dedicated settings - it looks like we’re just getting the default Verizon settings. The ability to select network type was removed for all Verizon customers in the June update. I checked both the generic and the Verizon carrier versions (I hoped it was a mistake and was fixed in the carrier version).
This is a very bad finding. It’s just Verizon being Verizon. I’d be pretty surprised to see USMobile get preferential treatment.
The lesson as usual is: you don’t own your phone if you don’t root it.
(Technically speaking, unlocking the bootloader is enough.)