[Q] Where/how to upgrade Verizon phone? - General Questions and Answers

So, I'm do for an upgrade, but the choices on the Verizon site stink. I'm supposed to get a "new every two" but that's a joke. Letstalk and WireFly both have a decent deal on either a Inc2 or a Thunderbolt, but...
I don't understand the upgrade process. Those sites both appear to want to change my plan. I do not want to change my plan! I have all the minutes and data I need. Both sites appear to be jacking me on my plan.
What's the best way to upgrade without changing plans?

buy a new phone out right, then use your existing plan on the new phone
else, they would try to force you to lose your current plan

I was afraid of that. I keep hearing about people getting decent phones for $0-$99, but there always seems to be a catch.

Man... hard as heck to find a decent phone...
How do I get a SIM card if I buy a used phone?

If it is say Verizon or Sprint, they don't distribute sim cards as they do not operate on gsm. If it's t-mo or att I think you just walk into a store and ask.

Probably because your on an out dated plan. Verizon used to have over 20 ? plans and slimmed it down. In most cases you wont spend more money on the plan. Just never activate a non smartphone if you already have unlimited data obviously
Sent from my COR3SOURC3 using XDA App

Kailkti said:
If it is say Verizon or Sprint, they don't distribute sim cards as they do not operate on gsm. If it's t-mo or att I think you just walk into a store and ask.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon's LTE operates using SIM cards.
Sent from my LG G2x

follow up...
I think I got this figured out. The "deals" Verizon offered me to extend the contract were nuts. I found a lightly used Thunderbolt and got it at a good price. it is supposed to have a clean ESN and unused SIM card (wait and see).
I do have an older plan with unlimited data ($30) and the minute-package is $10 less than what they are now... no way I'm changing my plan.
So hopefully I'll be able to activate the 'Bolt and not change anything.
jw

jweaks said:
I think I got this figured out. The "deals" Verizon offered me to extend the contract were nuts. I found a lightly used Thunderbolt and got it at a good price. it is supposed to have a clean ESN and unused SIM card (wait and see).
I do have an older plan with unlimited data ($30) and the minute-package is $10 less than what they are now... no way I'm changing my plan.
So hopefully I'll be able to activate the 'Bolt and not change anything.
jw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the old phone that you were using, did it use SIM card?

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A

AllGamer said:
the old phone that you were using, did it use SIM card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, no sim. (Droid Eris)

lufc said:
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry about that. I realized too late I posted in wrong place. My join date may be 2008, but I'm still a noob.

Related

Question on qualifying plan for Nexus S

Any anyone here bought the nexus s with a two year agreement and was able to pick the two year agreement as the plan?
BrianDigital said:
Any anyone here bought the nexus s with a two year agreement and was able to pick the two year agreement as the plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are you asking? I got a two year plan which of course means I have the two year plan. Your question makes no sense man.
the phone is sold unlocked
you can just buy it outright
you can go on a month to month plan
no need to sign any stupid carrier locked up contract
AllGamer said:
the phone is sold unlocked
you can just buy it outright
you can go on a month to month plan
no need to sign any stupid carrier locked up contract
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that what he was asking? I have no clue what he was trying to figure out...
kenvan19 said:
Is that what he was asking? I have no clue what he was trying to figure out...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that was my best guess
i'm pretty sure he was trying to get the phone for cheap with a 2 year agreement, but IMO that is not worth it
AllGamer said:
that was my best guess
i'm pretty sure he was trying to get the phone for cheap with a 2 year agreement, but IMO that is not worth it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To each his own, I suppose. In America, I'm very happy with T-Mobile, always have been. Only reason I left for a few months was I got talked into the "cheapness" of Sprint which ended up costing me more.
Oh I'm sorry guys, I was wondering if I could sign up with the data only sim plan for the nexus s
BrianDigital said:
Oh I'm sorry guys, I was wondering if I could sign up with the data only sim plan for the nexus s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
of course you can, you just wont get voice, but you can still use the SNS as a PDA with 3G
AllGamer said:
of course you can, you just wont get voice, but you can still use the SNS as a PDA with 3G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my plan, I am on sprint right now and when I look at my bill my minutes are so low I barely break fifty a month. Data usage can go high on months, I just plan on using my gizmo account with the built in SIP for the random call I need to make when I am about town, also will be porting in my current cell number into google voice.
and well hey if tmobiles coverage is so so in an area im in I can always go to mcdonalds and make a call on free wifi
thank u I just could not build that plan on best buys website
kenvan19 said:
To each his own, I suppose. In America, I'm very happy with T-Mobile, always have been. Only reason I left for a few months was I got talked into the "cheapness" of Sprint which ended up costing me more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same boat here, me and my girl stayed with sprint to get those yearly upgrades and less than a year later they pull it. I might just go with buying the phone outright just exploring my options
BrianDigital said:
Oh I'm sorry guys, I was wondering if I could sign up with the data only sim plan for the nexus s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To get a Nexus S with the data only plan (webConnect plan), you must buy the Nexus S at full price. Then call up T-Mobile and request the webConnect plan, and give them the SIM card number for your Nexus S (there's an unactivated SIM card included with every Nexus S).
The only way to get the subsidized price is to start a new 2-year voice+data contract.

Double Your Data Allowance!

Anyone on capped data may be interested to know that starting tomorrow you can double your data allowance for no extra cost through the month of November.
4GB - $30
10GB - $50
20GB - $100
You will be able to set it up through myverizon.com
This only applies to 4G smartphones
ONCE YOU GET IT YOU GET TO KEEP IT!
also applies to new lines and upgrades!
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using xda premium
If you like it, thank it.
Good to know glad I got w/verizon when they had the unlimited data plans.but good info to know.
Sent from my epicly gingerbolt powered by forever cube using XDA App
It would be NICE of verizon to make this a permanent change to their data lineup.
Just sayin.
is Verizon paying you or something?.. you've posted this in multiple forums. heh...
Can I double unlimited? Like how a prisoner can serve 8 life sentences lol.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
I only pay $9.95 per month for unlimited for each of my five lines. I think I'll stick with that plan.
on a side note, when I called Verizon about upgrading my phone, they insisted on doing it over the phone & stated that for exsisting customers you have to do it that way. however, I called a local Verizon store yesterday and they said I can just go into the store and do it.
uh oh... different people telling me different things. shame on you Verizon!
as Mordecai & Rigby would say.. "tsk tsk... hmm hmm hm hmm hmm hm!"
voxigenboy said:
on a side note, when I called Verizon about upgrading my phone, they insisted on doing it over the phone & stated that for exsisting customers you have to do it that way. however, I called a local Verizon store yesterday and they said I can just go into the store and do it.
uh oh... different people telling me different things. shame on you Verizon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless the sales person over the phone is offering you something special or exclusive, there is no reason why you can't go into any Verzion Wireless dealer and do an upgrade.
Back on topic, just upgraded my data. 6GB with Mobile Email/Hotspot for $25. Awesome.
prjkthack said:
Unless the sales person over the phone is offering you something special or exclusive, there is no reason why you can't go into any Verzion Wireless dealer and do an upgrade.
Back on topic, just upgraded my data. 6GB with Mobile Email/Hotspot for $25. Awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used 6GB this morning downloading a PC game.
prjkthack said:
Unless the sales person over the phone is offering you something special or exclusive, there is no reason why you can't go into any Verzion Wireless dealer and do an upgrade.
Back on topic, just upgraded my data. 6GB with Mobile Email/Hotspot for $25. Awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you have to buy a new phone? i am pissed i had unlimited data and washed my old dinc in the washing machine. due to lack of funds i re activated my old flip phone temporarily and then 1 month later bought a Tbolt. now i just looked at my verizon account and i have a 2GB plan. WTF? i am an idiot, i know but how do i get 6 gb for 25?
kidhudi said:
did you have to buy a new phone? i am pissed i had unlimited data and washed my old dinc in the washing machine. due to lack of funds i re activated my old flip phone temporarily and then 1 month later bought a Tbolt. now i just looked at my verizon account and i have a 2GB plan. WTF? i am an idiot, i know but how do i get 6 gb for 25?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if i were you i would call verizon and ask to talk to a supervisor & complain big time. try and get that unlimited back if you can.
He was talking about 4gb for being the double and 2gb for mobile hot spot. That is the 6gb.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
What Vox said, Yea tell them you never had it removed and SD still paying full amount,
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
I'll let my unfortunate capped friends know, thanks
"Verizon says the offer will be active for a “limited time” with no announcement on when the deal will end.At the conclusion of the promotion, the double data allotments will revert back to the normal rates."
only for a limited time
kidhudi said:
"Verizon says the offer will be active for a “limited time” with no announcement on when the deal will end.At the conclusion of the promotion, the double data allotments will revert back to the normal rates."
only for a limited time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you expect anything less? : /
I know there is no conclusive answer as to the length of the program once activated . i can't find a definative answer if the double is " for the holidays" and expires then, or if it continues through the remainder of the customers current contract.
kidhudi said:
I know there is no conclusive answer as to the length of the program once activated . i can't find a definative answer if the double is " for the holidays" and expires then, or if it continues through the remainder of the customers current contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP says once you get it, you get it for the contract but if you can't find a definitive response, who knows.
In all the promo material Verizon it states that you will keep it until you opt into something, no longer how long you keep it. However if you switch to a 3G phone you will lose it, and will be unable to get it back.
Verizon has confirmed that this will be grandfathered once you get it.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using xda premium

[Q] General ATT Data Plan Question

Hey Everyone,
Not sure if I should be asking here so let me know if I should go somewhere else. Here is my situation: I currently have a ATT GS2 (NOT skyrocket 4g) which I used my upgrade for about 6 months ago, but now I want the One X. I am on a family plan and I am grandfathered to unlimited data. Now, my sister is eligible for an upgrade and she wants a GS2, so I was thinking of using her upgrade to get the One X and we can just swap phones, win win right? Now the part I am confused about is would I get to keep my unlimited data since the One X is a 4G phone? Would the unlimited data be 4G speeds if I did get to keep it? Would she be able to downgrade to the cheaper non 4g data plan after the switch? It is all very confusing to me and any clarification would be appreciated.
Thanks!
kroovy said:
Hey Everyone,
Not sure if I should be asking here so let me know if I should go somewhere else. Here is my situation: I currently have a ATT GS2 (NOT skyrocket 4g) which I used my upgrade for about 6 months ago, but now I want the One X. I am on a family plan and I am grandfathered to unlimited data. Now, my sister is eligible for an upgrade and she wants a GS2, so I was thinking of using her upgrade to get the One X and we can just swap phones, win win right? Now the part I am confused about is would I get to keep my unlimited data since the One X is a 4G phone? Would the unlimited data be 4G speeds if I did get to keep it? Would she be able to downgrade to the cheaper non 4g data plan after the switch? It is all very confusing to me and any clarification would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People with Unlimited data are getting switched to unlimited LTE. No worries
And no difference in price for LTE, either. Just make sure they do it right, especially if done in store. If they mess it up and put you on a tiered plan, its very difficult to switch back.
redpoint73 said:
And no difference in price for LTE, either. Just make sure they do it right, especially if done in store. If they mess it up and put you on a tiered plan, its very difficult to switch back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Make sure they repeat back your data plan and features back to you to make sure and what I usually do is when I get home I call AT&T (dial 611) and double check with them as well.
If they do end up removing your "unlimited" data, and they try to tell you they "can't" switch it back, just request a regional manager, they should have someone local, and demand it. My local corporate store has, on two different occasions, (tried to) switch me to a tiered plan but I ended up getting it back.
Thanks for the advice everyone! One last question: would it be best for me to buy it from the ATT store to have the easiest transition, or, lets say if I got it from Amazon/Target/wherever its cheaper, would that be too much of a hassle or impossible to get the correct data plans?
kroovy said:
Thanks for the advice everyone! One last question: would it be best for me to buy it from the ATT store to have the easiest transition, or, lets say if I got it from Amazon/Target/wherever its cheaper, would that be too much of a hassle or impossible to get the correct data plans?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you buy onlinefrom amazon you have to choose a new plan at purchase so get it at a store.
It's a simple cross upgrade. You'll be fine. You'll be grandfathered into an LTE plan which means 5gbs of data before you get throttled. I always advise folks to go to an ATT corporate store over getting the phone cheaper at authorized retailers cos they usually mess things up. Amazon has weird contracts too. Something about they won't let you change your plan for 6 months? Idk
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

[Q]Best Way to Upgrade to GS3 While Keeping Unlimited?

I thought of a few ways to upgrade while keeping unlimited data.
There was..
Add a new line, with the GS3, give that phone to the unlimited data, and then put a basic phone on that line so it doesn't require the data fees...
There's buy a used cracked screen on eBay, replace the cracked screen with a replacement on eBay..
Any ideas anyone?
I would suggest against buying any used phone, especially for verizon phones, only because of the risk that if the person selling it has any remaining balance on that account that the phone was tied to, it would be useless for you and by law Verizon will be unable to add it to your phone line. If you can confirm that it in fact has no left over balance, then this is probably the best way to go.
Better off going with the plan of adding a line with a basic phone and switching the two numbers, but that will cost you another 40$ every bill and verizon will probably still make you pay an arm and a leg for the SGS III essentially at full retail price if you really want to keep that unlimited data plan. So you might as well just pay full price for the phone and then just switch your number to it in order to keep the unlimited data plan.
Hope this helps.
Martakia said:
Better off going with the plan of adding a line with a basic phone and switching the two numbers, but that will cost you another 40$ every bill and verizon will probably still make you pay an arm and a leg for the SGS III essentially at full retail price if you really want to keep that unlimited data plan. So you might as well just pay full price for the phone and then just switch your number to it in order to keep the unlimited data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I get the GS3 on the extra line and I switch a basic phone onto it, wouldn't it be just 10 dollars a month?
That's basically what I did to keep my unlimited data. Added a line for the GS3, switched it to my line with unlimited data and activated a basic phone I had lying around onto the new line.
weblexa said:
That's basically what I did to keep my unlimited data. Added a line for the GS3, switched it to my line with unlimited data and activated a basic phone I had lying around onto the new line.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How much a month is it for that line? 10 dollars?
Well I have 2 lines that had an upgrade on the same day. Mine had unlimited data, and the other one was my moms who had no data at all. So what we did was use my upgrade to upgrade her line to a sgs3 with 2gb of data a month , then put that phone on my line and put the basic phone back on her line. Then she upgraded with her updrage to a sgs3 for herself
Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S3
weblexa said:
That's basically what I did to keep my unlimited data. Added a line for the GS3, switched it to my line with unlimited data and activated a basic phone I had lying around onto the new line.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I did as well. Added $10/month to my bill.
Martakia said:
I would suggest against buying any used phone, especially for verizon phones, only because of the risk that if the person selling it has any remaining balance on that account that the phone was tied to, it would be useless for you and by law Verizon will be unable to add it to your phone line. If you can confirm that it in fact has no left over balance, then this is probably the best way to go.
Better off going with the plan of adding a line with a basic phone and switching the two numbers, but that will cost you another 40$ every bill and verizon will probably still make you pay an arm and a leg for the SGS III essentially at full retail price if you really want to keep that unlimited data plan. So you might as well just pay full price for the phone and then just switch your number to it in order to keep the unlimited data plan.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a question about this. Does the new use of a SIM card change what you're saying about left over fees owed to Verizon? If a person were to buy a phone from Ebay and put their own SIM in would that be Ok even if the original owner owed money on their SIM?
All I did was order online. I originally went into the store to upgrade, but they told me I had to get a new data plan. I went home and ordered the GS3 online that night and it let me keep my unlimited plan. They probably fixed that glitch by now though.
pcdisme said:
I have a question about this. Does the new use of a SIM card change what you're saying about left over fees owed to Verizon? If a person were to buy a phone from Ebay and put their own SIM in would that be Ok even if the original owner owed money on their SIM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the new SIM card system that Verizon has started to use, I am not quite sure about that, but when reading past experiences, and one that my cousin had to go through, they all bought used phones from online sites like ebay and amazon, but ended up being unable to apply them to their own plans because of a check that was done on the phone's background. (I know there is a way to do this yourself, but you pretty much have to have the phone in your possession in order to do so.)
When my family had to add a new line to our family plan for my little brother, a basic phone, verizon wanted to charge us $40, and instead we got him a smartphone which was only $30. Verizon is really pushing smartphones, primarily android devices and especially the SGS3. Essentially what they tried to sell us, but we told them no lol.
Martakia said:
With the new SIM card system that Verizon has started to use, I am not quite sure about that, but when reading past experiences, and one that my cousin had to go through, they all bought used phones from online sites like ebay and amazon, but ended up being unable to apply them to their own plans because of a check that was done on the phone's background. (I know there is a way to do this yourself, but you pretty much have to have the phone in your possession in order to do so.)
When my family had to add a new line to our family plan for my little brother, a basic phone, verizon wanted to charge us $40, and instead we got him a smartphone which was only $30. Verizon is really pushing smartphones, primarily android devices and especially the SGS3. Essentially what they tried to sell us, but we told them no lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got my SGS3 from someone that had left over fees and it didn't effect me at all. I think the SIM card system has made this a thing of the past.
MrSmith317 said:
I got my SGS3 from someone that had left over fees and it didn't effect me at all. I think the SIM card system has made this a thing of the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome , then i guess the op is good to go and buy the one off ebay and replace the screen.
Thanks for all the input guys! Much appreciated.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Dude, all u have to do is calling Verizon & give them the imei or serial, they will tell u if the fone legit. Bought mine used but looks like new.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
quattr0 said:
Dude, all u have to do is calling Verizon & give them the imei or serial, they will tell u if the fone legit. Bought mine used but looks like new.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep or you can use one of the following online service to check the IMEI/MEID, Verizon's is the more accurate one, if it says call customer service then the IMEI is bad:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/estore/certifieddevice/cd
http://www.checkesnfree.com/
I upgraded a flip phone line on my plan to the SG3 and gave it 2gb data temporarily. I then had them switch the SG3 to my number, re-enable the flip phone on the upgraded line, and then cancel the 2gb data plan, reverting it back to $10 nondata plan. Verizon will not charge for a data plan that is changed within 24 hours. Worked for me anyhow, but did have to pay the $30 upgrade fee.
Martakia said:
With the new SIM card system that Verizon has started to use, I am not quite sure about that, but when reading past experiences, and one that my cousin had to go through, they all bought used phones from online sites like ebay and amazon, but ended up being unable to apply them to their own plans because of a check that was done on the phone's background. (I know there is a way to do this yourself, but you pretty much have to have the phone in your possession in order to do so.)
When my family had to add a new line to our family plan for my little brother, a basic phone, verizon wanted to charge us $40, and instead we got him a smartphone which was only $30. Verizon is really pushing smartphones, primarily android devices and especially the SGS3. Essentially what they tried to sell us, but we told them no lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.....
I don't think so.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[Q] GSIII Sprint to ATT?

So xmas coming around I'm getting asked what I want. I have been wanting a new phone as I've had my OG Evo for over 2 years and my contract is up in March. I was thinking of getting the GSIII but my question is, I've also been thinking of going over to ATT once my contract is up... can I swap the phone over to ATT or do I have to get another again?
Naturesretard said:
So xmas coming around I'm getting asked what I want. I have been wanting a new phone as I've had my OG Evo for over 2 years and my contract is up in March. I was thinking of getting the GSIII but my question is, I've also been thinking of going over to ATT once my contract is up... can I swap the phone over to ATT or do I have to get another again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can but then it will be like taking another data plan so you might have to pay extra
I'd really look into this before doing this because everything I see after doing a quick Google search says that no, you can't - the Sprint GS3 has an embedded SIM for LTE that's soldered into the phone. So you can't just pop an ATT or T-Mobile SIM in there.
There might be a way to hack it to work, but, really, I wouldn't waste my time with it outside of "let's do this for a fun hobby" - not "let's do this to use as our daily use phone". For all the work you'd have to do completely taking the phone apart and replacing parts and doing who knows what to get it to work - you'd be better off selling the Sprint phone and buying an ATT one especially if you're not good with that sort of hardware and hacking thing.
I'm going to cut to the chase, and tell you as someone who used to be a Sprint and a Verizon technician, and also someone with common sense (no offense to anyone) that, no you can't make a CDMA phone with no accessible SIM card slot work on a GSM network. The Verizon works with some hacking around, but that's because the SIM card slot is accessible and the phone has the necessary internal hardware. You'd need either the T-Mobile version (it gets AT&T HSPA+, but not LTE), the International i9300, which I use (It gets AT&T HSPA+ but not LTE), or the AT&T version (it does LTE).
Thank you for the quick replies.... So it's safe to assume that any phone I would get on sprint would follow the same course of actions as they're all CDMA. Any advice on whether I could sell my sprint one for the same price or would ATT do an in store trade in for their GSM version????
Naturesretard said:
Thank you for the quick replies.... So it's safe to assume that any phone I would get on sprint would follow the same course of actions as they're all CDMA. Any advice on whether I could sell my sprint one for the same price or would ATT do an in store trade in for their GSM version????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd guess so.
You could try to sell the Sprint one used and buy a comparable used one and maybe break even or only lose a bit to the tune of eBay fees - if you're lucky and patient. And are aware of the risks of buying used and make sure eBay has you covered.
I don't know about in-store trade-ins. Do that do that with phones from other networks ? If they're going to recover costs, I'd think they're probably not going to give you the best deal. I mean, Sprint told me my old phone had a $5 trade-in value, but it's going for $40-50 on eBay (it was an old dumb-phone, so I wasn't expecting much - but $40 is still a lot more than $5).
Personally, I would check out the ETF you have left at this point and probably just pay it if you're sure you want out instead of waiting until March and having a phone that will deprecate in value that you were never intending to keep.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda app-developers app

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