Edit* I meant GSM not GMS.
OK here is my full question. I currently have a HTC EVO 4G LTE, and I am on a two (2) year contract. If I were to sell this phone and purchase an Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S III, would I be able to have that phone activated on my contract until it's over with? Is this even possible or would I just have to terminate the contract and do something else? I really want to get an unlocked phone instead of being locked into a two year contract on a terrible network. Which now I regret extending the contract I'm on now. I have never owned an unlocked phone so I really am not sure how they operate other than you can use any SIM card in it. Can you even purchase SIM cards for major network carriers here in the states?
.torrented said:
Edit* I meant GSM not GMS.
OK here is my full question. I currently have a HTC EVO 4G LTE, and I am on a two (2) year contract. If I were to sell this phone and purchase an Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S III, would I be able to have that phone activated on my contract until it's over with? Is this even possible or would I just have to terminate the contract and do something else? I really want to get an unlocked phone instead of being locked into a two year contract on a terrible network. Which now I regret extending the contract I'm on now. I have never owned an unlocked phone so I really am not sure how they operate other than you can use any SIM card in it. Can you even purchase SIM cards for major network carriers here in the states?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the unlocked galaxy would work,but activating it would defeat the purpose of it being unlocked. Your contract should continue as signed just by swapping your sim in your HTC into the unlocked Samsung. Think of it like if you were to break your HTC and they give you a PAYG phone to keep the sim working, only it's not a crap $100 phone it's a galaxy s3.
Sent from my U8150 using XDA
Allanitomwesh said:
Yes the unlocked galaxy would work,but activating it would defeat the purpose of it being unlocked. Your contract should continue as signed just by swapping your sim in your HTC into the unlocked Samsung. Think of it like if you were to break your HTC and they give you a PAYG phone to keep the sim working, only it's not a crap $100 phone it's a galaxy s3.
Sent from my U8150 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason I want to do this is cause I would rather just sell this phone and buy an Unlocked phone and not pay an ETF right away and or when my contract is up I can switch and keep the same phone.
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
.torrented said:
The reason I want to do this is cause I would rather just sell this phone and buy an Unlocked phone and not pay an ETF right away and or when my contract is up I can switch and keep the same phone.
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or just stick to prepay after your contract. It's way cheaper. I'd say transfer your contract to whoever buys the HTC and get a prepaid sim and the Samsung. There's no fees for transferring you contract.It'll take like 15 minutes at a store if you go together.
Sent from my U8150 using XDA
Related
Im on T-Mobile
I have a samsung vibrant. Can I buy a T-Mobile G2x, and take the sim card out of the vibrant, which is on a 2 year contract, and put it in the G2x? Are there rules against this? Is it going to even work? Thanks
Please include as much info as you can Im not a phone nerd But Im trying to get as smart as I can with them
Yes, if you buy a phone off contract you can use it with your contract.
It will be quite expensive as it won't be subsidised.
Just buy the phone sim free from wherever.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
My experience is ... yes
On AT&T, which also used SIM, I simply swapped the SIM card to an alternative phone and powered up the new phone and it had service. This was with a Blackjack 2 which isn't exactly a "smart" phone. Experience is from approx 2 years ago.
You can switch phones at any time on any carrier. But you will be paying retail for the new device, unless you buy it used.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
I just moved to NC and get absolutely **** AT&T service. I hear Verizon works best in my area, so I'm wanting to switch to Verizon but not at the cost of buying a brand new phone when I have my beloved Infuse, and the deposit.
I actually have NOT rooted my Infuse because I liked the stock so much, saw no need to. I did have a rooted Galaxy S, as well as a rooted Nook, so I'm not a complete noob.
I'm just nervous about unlocking my phone to possibly hook it up with Verizon. Can you tell me how this works? After unlocking are you sure it'll be 100% to use with Verizon?
Anything else I need to know? How's your mother doing?
I don't think the infuse will work with Verizon. Verizon uses cdma and infuse is a gsm phone. How's tmobile over there? It'll work but with slow data speeds.
Sent from my SGH-I997
Ugh, eff. This is going to suck. Tmobile is shiz, too. I was really hoping to avoid having to spend $200+ plus whatever security deposit requirements. I've been with AT&T over 5 years.
Grr.
Idk infuse maybe compatible with cdma, I've seen the option to use it in a special menu somewhere, its regularly set for cdma/gsm so it maybe able to use Verizon but I'm no developer so I'm not to sure
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
Plus isn't T-Mobile at&t anyway. Don't they use the same towers? I thought I heard at&t bought t-mobile
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
You could try switching to Credo, which uses sprint's towers and you wouldn't lose any money.
They will buy out your at&t contract if you switch to them, so you don't have to pay at&t early termination fees. If you sign their contract, you can also get the sprint sgs2 For $200 and just sell your infuse to cover that cost. So you would have to drop some money at first but get it all back.
I've been considering doing this because Credo spends their money on things like lobbying against sopa/pipa, whereas at&t is really into censoring the uses of our phones.
Edit:
Contract buyout info
http://www.credomobile.com/specialoffers/
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk
goobieracing said:
Plus isn't T-Mobile at&t anyway. Don't they use the same towers? I thought I heard at&t bought t-mobile
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The merger did not happen.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk
zOMGrae said:
I just moved to NC and get absolutely **** AT&T service. I hear Verizon works best in my area, so I'm wanting to switch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
]
If service sucks in your house, look into getting a used Microcell from Ebay or Craigslist. On principle I hate the fact I have to use my own broadband connection, buy my own device, and still have my minutes and data usage count against my monthly alottment but that's the way AT&T plays. If it's the entire area you are in then maybe a carrier change is in order.
The Samsung Infuse is a GSM phone. It does not have the capability to connect to CDMA networks (Verizon, Sprint, and any of the MVNOs using Sprint or Verizon's network).
If unlocked, you can use any SIM from another GSM carrier and make voice calls. You will also be able to use Edge (2G) data coverage from any GSM carrier.
In the US, the two largest GSM carriers are AT&T and T-Mobile. They use different 3G frequencies which means using a phone originally for AT&T on T-Mobile only allows you 2G data speeds and vice versa (in general... though some T-Mobile smartphones can use AT&T's 1900Mhz band)
Hope that helps. Unlike Europe and Asia, our phones are by and large locked to their respective carriers even if you unlock them because of the technology difference and frequency differences.
zOMGrae said:
I just moved to NC and get absolutely **** AT&T service. I hear Verizon works best in my area, so I'm wanting to switch to Verizon but not at the cost of buying a brand new phone when I have my beloved Infuse, and the deposit.
I actually have NOT rooted my Infuse because I liked the stock so much, saw no need to. I did have a rooted Galaxy S, as well as a rooted Nook, so I'm not a complete noob.
I'm just nervous about unlocking my phone to possibly hook it up with Verizon. Can you tell me how this works? After unlocking are you sure it'll be 100% to use with Verizon?
Anything else I need to know? How's your mother doing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Won't work on VZ... sorry bro.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk
Anyone else upgrading to a different phone within the next few months? If so which phone? Ill be upgrading to the galaxy s4 once its released
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda app-developers app
I'm downgrading actually to the iPhone 6 lol jk I want Note 3 figured if I save a dollar a day from here til it comes out I'll still be like $400 short lol
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Haha, the note 2 is already like $700, the note 3 going to be like $900? I may acquire an s4 or something new like it, but not sure whats going to be out in 5-6 months as im going army reserves and will be gone for some time
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda app-developers app
idk my contract ends on September but i asked on t-mobile and they said the earliest i can renew my contract with full discount and everything will be in march on my b-day but i might just wait till a holiday so i can get those juicy specials so maybe the s4 or note 3 on the 4th of july
anybody wanna make a new holiday?:laugh::laugh: lol
So... by the time you're renewing your contract, will T-Mo have scrapped their classic plans and phone subsidies completely yet?
My contract is due next week. I want a Nexus 4 and use it with a prepaid service. Here in PR, TMo signal is not good or maybe is this phone not being able to pick 3G. I don't know. My mom has AT&T and she has signal everywhere with her Samsung Focus. So, I think Nexus 4 with one of those minor carriers that uses AT&T network. Won't go back to a two year contract hopefully never in my life. It's been a pain in the...
My gf got a Note 2 and it's great, but without contract is too expensive, worth 2 N4. So Nexus it shall be.
Im waiting on my N4 to get here. Ive already bought the sim from straight talk. I advise any of you guys that plan on using straight talk to goto walmart.com and buy the att micro sim while its in stock. After they are gone no more att straight talk byod sims. Apparently they lost a contract with att to sell just the sims. Ill be picking up two more in the coming weeks if they are still available just because.
Chris if you are going to goto a att mvno make sure you can bring your own phone. Most of them restrict you to their phones. Atleast in the states they do.
My contract expired over a month ago and as always it will depend on $$$. I want my next device to be LTE capable. It's great that T-Mobile is finally implementing LTE yet it's only in a few markets right now. last time I looked the Note 2 was the only LTE device T-Mobile had. I heard they'll be getting the LTE capable Galaxy S3 soon. Until T-Mobile steps up with adequate devices it's pointless to upgrade yet. Just my opinion.
I'm on Chris' s same track. I also live in PR and Tmo's signal is unpredictable. My contract expired 3 weeks ago, and my wife bought me the Note 2. I can't complain, I'm in love again with my device as i was with my SGS4G. Battery life is amazing, considering the 3100mAh and running pure stock, with some bloat removed. :thumbup:
I still lurk around this community and test some of the Roms here, as I gave my SGS4 to my son.
Sent from my Die Hard Galaxy Note II
eollie said:
Im waiting on my N4 to get here. Ive already bought the sim from straight talk. I advise any of you guys that plan on using straight talk to goto walmart.com and buy the att micro sim while its in stock. After they are gone no more att straight talk byod sims. Apparently they lost a contract with att to sell just the sims.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy a SIM cutter for a few dollars that will punch a micro out of a standard one.
For example, http://www.amazon.com/Noosy-Generation-Micro-Cutter-adapters/dp/B005EMS1YG/ or http://www.amazon.com/QQ-Tech®-Cutter-Standard-iPhone-Adapters/dp/B009P16FKY/
(I have not used one of these, but the reviews seem good)
Posted from my SGS4G, thanks to Team Acid development
jeffsf said:
You can buy a SIM cutter for a few dollars that will punch a micro out of a standard one.
Posted from my SGS4G, thanks to Team Acid development
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or download templates online or borrow a micro one and line it up and cut it with scissors or just wing it. lol. I have an old prepaid card that I use for unlocking iPhones with (still legal in Canada) and I just winged it and cut it and it works.
jeffsf said:
You can buy a SIM cutter for a few dollars that will punch a micro out of a standard one.
Posted from my SGS4G, thanks to Team Acid development
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not a matter of the sim size. They are going to stop selling the att brand sims. It will be only T-Mobile brand sim cards.
eollie said:
Its not a matter of the sim size. They are going to stop selling the att brand sims. It will be only T-Mobile brand sim cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does that mean that they'll also loose the tower contract with ATT? I haven't looked into it at all but isn't the tower contract part of anti monopoly law? If so is this ATT's way of finding a workaround?
I've got to say that getting off the subsidy-based plan makes far too much sense to me now, especially with T-Mobile re-farming the spectrum in the US. With better alignment of the bands, I find it hard to consider a T-Mobile-crippled phone (both hardware and firmware). When you take into account the difference in price in the plans over a two-year period, even if it is only $20 a month (and it is significantly more for me), that is $480 -- which is probably more than the subsidy would "buy" you anyways.
jeffsf said:
I've got to say that getting off the subsidy-based plan makes far too much sense to me now, especially with T-Mobile re-farming the spectrum in the US. With better alignment of the bands, I find it hard to consider a T-Mobile-crippled phone (both hardware and firmware). When you take into account the difference in price in the plans over a two-year period, even if it is only $20 a month (and it is significantly more for me), that is $480 -- which is probably more than the subsidy would "buy" you anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Add to that that unlocking a carrier based phone is "illegal" and I'll only be buying non branded phones. Plus the international versions always have better specs than the US versions anyway. I don't live in an LTE area so that is far from a deal breaker for me.
hechoen said:
Does that mean that they'll also loose the tower contract with ATT? I haven't looked into it at all but isn't the tower contract part of anti monopoly law? If so is this ATT's way of finding a workaround?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No just the sims for the byod plans. I just ported my number to straight talk today. It was a pain in the ass but ugh finally. From the limited info given out straight talk just lost sim card contracts. Tower usage is still the same. But if you get the t-mobile sim you CANT connect to the att towers.
Unlocking your phone is not illegal as long as you get permission. I am on the fence on that as I think people shouldnt buy phones subsidized then unlock pay etf and change carriers. But if you have been a customer long enough for them to give the code it shouldnt be a issue.
Is the note 3 and s4 going to be LTE? I live in Tennessee and im sure theres no LTE out here but it wont bother me any.
And isnt it only illegal to unlock a phone if it was bought after a certain date? Or is it legal if you buy it straight out or from another owner
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda app-developers app
I will probably get the s4 when it comes out in April. I like the Note, but it is kinda big.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium
gizmoscoop said:
I will probably get the s4 when it comes out in April. I like the Note, but it is kinda big.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The note is big, i agree, so im probably getting the s4 as well, the specs are amazing
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Will I be able to use the phone on sprint and then when my contract is up use the same phone on T-Mobile?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
slyd0997 said:
Will I be able to use the phone on sprint and then when my contract is up use the same phone on T-Mobile?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, since the one device has all the frequencies we would assume that it could be used interchangeably. However, if you buy it straight from sprint its really up to them (but they should be required to unlock it as long as your account is in good standing).
I'm hoping the playstore just sells one version that will work on all carriers.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
No, since you used the Galaxy Nexus, if you're one Sprint, there's your answer. Verizon sell 'world phones' but it come through them first, with the software approved and ESN allowed to be activated, there will be two versions if they're going to be a CDMA version.
sent from xda premium app
big gulps huh? said:
Well, since the one device has all the frequencies we would assume that it could be used interchangeably. However, if you buy it straight from sprint its really up to them (but they should be required to unlock it as long as your account is in good standing).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I am hoping for. My Sprint contract doesn't end until February but my SGS2 is starting to show its age and what can I say...I get impatient.
I am hoping to buy a N5 unlocked and it would be great if I could buy it at launch, do a device swap on my Sprint plan so I can use the newer handset for the last few months of the contract, and then buy a T-Mo prepaid SIM for the $30/mo plan, port my number, and cancel Sprint.
I'm gonna have to keep an eye on things to see how that works out since I don't want to just assume it will work and I end up screwing things up somehow. I mean...I can wait until February if I have to, I'd just rather have the new handset sooner than later if I'm already buying it outright with no subsidy.
I see that bestbuy only carries the nexus 5 for sprint will it work on att??
SuperMiguel said:
I see that bestbuy only carries the nexus 5 for sprint will it work on att??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
Exact same phone, the one at Best Buy just comes with an $100 SIM card.
This is one of the most appealing features of this phone that has so far gone pretty much unrecognized. You can take this single model and jump to most major and prepaid carriers.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Directed to the two posters above who say it will work on AT&T - how do you know? Do you have confirmation from someone who bought the phone at Best Buy? The listings on Bestbuy.com both say (Sprint) after the name of the phone.
I have the nexus from Sprint and can personally verify it works with a prepaid att straight talk Sim card. FYI the sprint sold phone does not include the Sim tray key.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Can i just walk into bestbuy and buy one? or i actually need a sprint account?
ronwi2 said:
Directed to the two posters above who say it will work on AT&T - how do you know? Do you have confirmation from someone who bought the phone at Best Buy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
SuperMiguel said:
Can i just walk into bestbuy and buy one? or i actually need a sprint account?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you are paying full price, you should be able to get it without a Sprint account. It will of course depend on whether the sales person you deal with decides to be a jerk or not.
uh60james said:
Exact same phone, the one at Best Buy just comes with an $100 SIM card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If we don't want the SIM card can we get $100 off?
haha jk, I bought mine at best buy and was able to get them to match the play store.
ktt4510 said:
I have the nexus from Sprint and can personally verify it works with a prepaid att straight talk Sim card. FYI the sprint sold phone does not include the Sim tray key.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you just stick an AT&T SIM card in there and it'll automatically switch to it? Was your phone already activated on the Sprint network? I'm curious since Sprint would tie in with the ESN activation for CDMA. If it's just as simple as putting in an AT&T or Tmobile SIM, then I'm sure getting it!
scoliosis said:
So you just stick an AT&T SIM card in there and it'll automatically switch to it? Was your phone already activated on the Sprint network? I'm curious since Sprint would tie in with the ESN activation for CDMA. If it's just as simple as putting in an AT&T or Tmobile SIM, then I'm sure getting it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it really was that simple. Just put the Sim card in reboot the phone and your good. I had to change a couple settings in the connections menu to go back to sprint but it was relatively painless
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
scoliosis said:
So you just stick an AT&T SIM card in there and it'll automatically switch to it? Was your phone already activated on the Sprint network? I'm curious since Sprint would tie in with the ESN activation for CDMA. If it's just as simple as putting in an AT&T or Tmobile SIM, then I'm sure getting it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought a Nexus 5 from Best Buy and I'm an AT&T customer. Yes, the phone will automatically connect to AT&T's network. It took a few minutes to convince the BB employee that the phone would work on AT&T. They also insisted it was store policy that they activate every phone they sell, so I had to pay the $30 activation fee.
ktt4510 said:
Yeah it really was that simple. Just put the Sim card in reboot the phone and your good. I had to change a couple settings in the connections menu to go back to sprint but it was relatively painless
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! If you can detail out the settings you had to change to go back, that would be much appreciated!
I can't remember specifics but I had to change the settings here back to LTE a couple of times. For some reason it wouldn't stick after the first reboot. I can't retest it because my straight talk Sim is not active right now. I can assure you it works relatively easily though.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
ronwi2 said:
Directed to the two posters above who say it will work on AT&T - how do you know? Do you have confirmation from someone who bought the phone at Best Buy? The listings on Bestbuy.com both say (Sprint) after the name of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because all N5's sold in North America are the same model, with the same frequencies (D820), the only thing that may have to be changed is the APN.
this is not like other Sprint specific devices like the G2 (LS980) vs the AT&T G2 (D800)
AT&T - D800
GSM 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS 850/1900/2100
LTE 1900(2)/1700(4)/850(5)/700(17)
Sprint - LS980
GSM 850/1900
CDMA 800/850/1900
UMTS 850/1900
LTE 1900(25)/800(26)/2500(41)
brooksyx said:
If we don't want the SIM card can we get $100 off?
haha jk, I bought mine at best buy and was able to get them to match the play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would have been awesome, I don't understand why everybody charges $100 more unless Google really is taking a hit on each one they sell.
Glad you got them to price match, they wouldn't budge for me. Brought them a few receipts where other people did it, brought them the price printed. They just kept telling me it's not the same phone, got to the point where I was just tired of wasting my time with them and didn't want to wait on the Play Store so I just got it at full price.
uh60james said:
That would have been awesome, I don't understand why everybody charges $100 more unless Google really is taking a hit on each one they sell.
Glad you got them to price match, they wouldn't budge for me. Brought them a few receipts where other people did it, brought them the price printed. They just kept telling me it's not the same phone, got to the point where I was just tired of wasting my time with them and didn't want to wait on the Play Store so I just got it at full price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think Google is necessarily taking a hit but I do think they are selling them just slightly above cost. You have to remember that Google isnt a electronic sales company like Apple, they make all of their profits from there data mining and advertising business. Android is just another medium to collect data and deliver ads. So they could give these away for free and still benefit. However companies like best buy and sprint make their money off of retail sales and cell phone plans. So they are trying to maximize profits that way.
Anyways bummer that they didn't match for you. I guess I just got luck. I walked in not feeling to confident with my play store ad. They were cool but hesitant. After the guy asked his manager he said that they normally wouldn't match the play store but were will to make an exception.
I am in the same boat but for T Mobile. Anyone know if this phone will work for T Mobile as well? I would believe so but I want to make especially if BB is going to charge me an activation fee.