[Q] Best option for minor (17) - General Questions and Answers

Hello XDA,
I'm 17 and I currently have a Galaxy Nexus on Verizon. My contract expires in March 2015. With the LG G3 coming out, or already out, I would like to know what carrier I should go with (I'm 17 so I can't sign any contracts legally) and still get the G3? Right now, to exit my contract and get the G3, I'd spend $350 roughly. $200 ETF and $100 for the upgrade. But because I'm so close to 18, my dad won't let me upgrade.
I had a 2013 Nexus 7 32GB which I sold to get the G3. As of now I have just enough to get the G3 off contract, but I'd prefer NOT to.
My thought:
T-Mobile with the base plan and pay the phone off over 24 months. BUT, because I'm 17, I can't do that. I'd have to go with a no credit check plan and I can't pay the phone off over time, I have to get the phone unlocked.
Many stuck, much option.

Related

AT&T Early Upgrade

So quick question. I have a Iphone 5 under contract in AT&T from April 26th. I might go for the HTC one or S4 in the Future, like in the upcoming months. How long before we can use a early upgrade?( I am talking about the one with the extra $250 that you pay for getting a different phone).
Thanks

[Q] Help with ETFs and carrier plans

Hey guys,
SO, here is my story. I had a SGS3, but the screen cracked, so I decided to use the money from the rebate to try out an iphone 5. I am unhappy with my iphone after using it for about a year and I would like to change phone asap. I am currently a verizon user and have time left on my contract. I would like to change carriers to straight talk so that I am no longer locked into a contract. I know that T-mobile is offering to pay of ETF's if you switch to their service, so I was planning to try the following. I understand this may not be the most morally right thing to do but it would make me the happiest and save the most money.
1. Switch my number over to an old flip phone (t-mobile requires you to turn in your current phone for market value and buy one of their phones, in order to pay of the ETF)
2. Sell my used iPhone 5 on Swappa (would generate more $ than the $200 t-mobile is offering for it)
3. trade in my old flip phone and have t-mobile pay off ETF of verizon, purchase a t-mobile phone of any value.
4. Sign up for 1 month of a t-mobile plan (as required by the current promo offer to pay off the ETF).
5. Sell the t-mobile phone, unopened, at the price I bought it for, and purchase an unlocked nexus 5 from swappa (using $ from iPhone 5 sale).
6. Sign up for straight talks $45/month plan under AT&T service (I do not get good service from t-mobile or this would not be an issue).
7. pay for 1 month on t-mobile service then cancel t-mobile and only pay for straight talk.
Overall, depending on the sale and purchase price of the phones, i hope that this transaction would only cost me <$100.
iPhone 5 Sale - ~~$400
t-mobile phone - buy and sell for same price
Nexus 5 on swappa - [~~$350 - $400]
pay for one month of unused t-mobile plan - [$30] (cheapest plan available).
Begin straight talk - sim card [$10]
Total - ~~$40
Does this plan seem to make sense? If not does anyone know what I could possibly due to avoid paying $200 in ETF from verizon but still switch to straight talk under AT&T service and get a Nexus 5 instead of an iphone 5?? Thanks!

Verizon Black Friday

So Verizon has a deal going on for all new phones other than what they have on special for $100 off. The HTC One M8 is $100 so after the deal it'll make it free basically with a 2 year contract. I am going to ask a Verizon rep either way but thought I'd ask here first to see if anyone's had any experience with their deals.
My contract is up Dec 6th, would they possibly still give me the same deal at that time?
RemnantKing2 said:
So Verizon has a deal going on for all new phones other than what they have on special for $100 off. The HTC One M8 is $100 so after the deal it'll make it free basically with a 2 year contract. I am going to ask a Verizon rep either way but thought I'd ask here first to see if anyone's had any experience with their deals.
My contract is up Dec 6th, would they possibly still give me the same deal at that time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Usually best buy has been having better deals on the m8 than verizon. A couple months ago I got mine online from best buy, I got the single plan unl talk & text & 2 gb's of data for $60 a month and they had the m8 for $49.99 which at that time verizon had the same plan special price but wanted $199.99 for the m8 so bb was $150 less on the phone.
The Vzw M8 is free on Amazon at the moment.

[Q] Locked Bootloader

Would this prevent you from buying it if it's still locked just like the S5? (for Verizon and AT&T variants). Discuss
You know, I was just thinking the same today. I think since Samsung appears to not be using Qualcomm, they should be using the same Exynos processor on all variants. What that means is that there shouldn't be a huge issue whether you get the original or Tmobile version. More than likely AT&T version will have a locked bootloader. I would say wait until the phone gets released and see if it has it or not. Hopefully this locked boot loader wont make a difference from here on.
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I will never be fettered by Verizon or AT&T after spending my money on my own phone again. The only way they will get my money is through Straight Talk, and I'll buy my own device.
If you dont want locked bootloader then why not pay full price for 900$?
They'not forcing you buy locked version for only 200$.
Aircondition said:
If you dont want locked bootloader then why not pay full price for 900$?
They'not forcing you buy locked version for only 200$.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The locked version isn't "only $200." That's just what you pay up front, but they collect the balance from you with every billing cycle for 24 months. In the end, no amortized phone is cheaper than a phone purchased outright.
And if you wait out the first couple months, the price always lowers to a sane level.
CafeKampuchia said:
The locked version isn't "only $200." That's just what you pay up front, but they collect the balance from you with every billing cycle for 24 months. In the end, no amortized phone is cheaper than a phone purchased outright.
And if you wait out the first couple months, the price always lowers to a sane level.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's interesting because I have yet to see my bill go down or up depending on if I'm on contract or not. You say 24 months as if when that ends, poof you pay less. Or when you subsidize, bam you pay more. At least on vzw.
zathus said:
That's interesting because I have yet to see my bill go down or up depending on if I'm on contract or not. You say 24 months as if when that ends, poof you pay less. Or when you subsidize, bam you pay more. At least on vzw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On AT&T right now, a Note 4 is $27.54 x 30 mo. = $826.20. Their 3GB mobile data plan is $65/mo. before taxes & fees, so probably ~$80 with. Over 2 years (and the remaining 6 mos. on the phone), that's $2,746.
Or I buy the phone outright for $630 unlocked and use Straight Talk (AT&T's equipment) for $45/mo. = $1,710, $1,036 cheaper. I can sell the phone when I get bored with it and still come out way ahead.
Edit
On Verizon, $300 for the phone and $80/mo. 2 yr. contact before taxes & fees (probably ~$100/mo.), so about the same as AT&T for 1GB less data.
CafeKampuchia said:
On AT&T right now, a Note 4 is $27.54 x 30 mo. = $826.20. Their 3GB mobile data plan is $65/mo. before taxes & fees, so probably ~$80 with. Over 2 years (and the remaining 6 mos. on the phone), that's $2,746.
Or I buy the phone outright for $630 unlocked and use Straight Talk (AT&T's equipment) for $45/mo. = $1,710, $1,036 cheaper. I can sell the phone when I get bored with it and still come out way ahead.
Edit
On Verizon, $300 for the phone and $80/mo. 2 yr. contact before taxes & fees (probably ~$100/mo.), so about the same as AT&T for 1GB less data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the edge program (for Vzw) and is in place so that you can upgrade every 6 months. Which would void the 24 moth discussion. On a regular contract. You pay the 200 or 250 subsidized price.
Here's my plan. I have 5 lines, each line is 40 per month. 2 lines are still unlimited, 3 are 6 gigs. My plan is 80 a month. My Wifes company gets us a 15% discount. (i think) all in all I spend 193 a month. 3 lines are off contract ( obviously 2 are unlimited lines) and the price is the same as the on contract lines. I subsidized a droid turbo on launch, 64 gig for 180 (got a few discounts) sold it last weekend for 490. (wasn't happy with it) so I pocket 300 for a line I was going to be paying for no matter what. I have no intentions of leaving Verizon, so why not use the program that gets me a massive discount and no extra cost? So now, I take that 500, subsidize a s6 when it comes out, pay..250ish.. And basically I got the s6 for free..
How is buying the phone outright a better deal then that? Obviously it's situational. But for my situation it works
zathus said:
That's interesting because I have yet to see my bill go down or up depending on if I'm on contract or not. You say 24 months as if when that ends, poof you pay less. Or when you subsidize, bam you pay more. At least on vzw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On any carrier besides Verizon both of those are in fact the case.
But then again, if you use Verizon you probably don't care about whether or not you're being screwed.
MikeyMike01 said:
On any carrier besides Verizon both of those are in fact the case.
But then again, if you use Verizon you probably don't care about whether or not you're being screwed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said. Its situational. Generalizing it is fun, but doesn't make it fact. If I switched to tmoble today, who's coverage doesn't even come close to VZ in my area, I would pay 140 more per month, and I have to pay full price for the phones...yeah, I'll pass! Lol...situational!
My plan on Verizon:
- 15GB data: $100/month - 22% discount = $78/month
- 5 lines (no contract and/or EDGE): $40/line - $25/line discount for month2month = $200 - $125 = $75
- Insurance on 3 lines = ~$30
Total: ~$200-205 after taxes
Edit: What I'm trying to say is.... those 3 lines you have with no contract, you get $25/line off your bill. But most Verizon reps don't know about it, and will keep saying "that's only if you're on the Verizon EDGE program", its called the month2month discount, for not having a contract, and if a rep doesn't know about it, tell them to go ask their manager where the discount is located in their system.
zathus said:
That's the edge program (for Vzw) and is in place so that you can upgrade every 6 months. Which would void the 24 moth discussion. On a regular contract. You pay the 200 or 250 subsidized price.
Here's my plan. I have 5 lines, each line is 40 per month. 2 lines are still unlimited, 3 are 6 gigs. My plan is 80 a month. My Wifes company gets us a 15% discount. (i think) all in all I spend 193 a month. 3 lines are off contract ( obviously 2 are unlimited lines) and the price is the same as the on contract lines. I subsidized a droid turbo on launch, 64 gig for 180 (got a few discounts) sold it last weekend for 490. (wasn't happy with it) so I pocket 300 for a line I was going to be paying for no matter what. I have no intentions of leaving Verizon, so why not use the program that gets me a massive discount and no extra cost? So now, I take that 500, subsidize a s6 when it comes out, pay..250ish.. And basically I got the s6 for free..
How is buying the phone outright a better deal then that? Obviously it's situational. But for my situation it works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't root anymore, so locked bootloaders don't have any effect on my decisions. But I wish rooting was more like the "good ole' days (htc hero - galaxy s3 days, and windows mobile before that).
it wont prevent me, but its sad that my bootloader is locked when the other carriers arent (vzw)
vikramjatt11 said:
My plan on Verizon:
- 15GB data: $100/month - 22% discount = $78/month
- 5 lines (no contract and/or EDGE): $40/line - $25/line discount for month2month = $200 - $125 = $75
- Insurance on 3 lines = ~$30
Total: ~$200-205 after taxes
Edit: What I'm trying to say is.... those 3 lines you have with no contract, you get $25/line off your bill. But most Verizon reps don't know about it, and will keep saying "that's only if you're on the Verizon EDGE program", its called the month2month discount, for not having a contract, and if a rep doesn't know about it, tell them to go ask their manager where the discount is located in their system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will look in to that. Thanks
Definately changing my mind.. Locked BL.. So boring.. Last four month i am look like iphone users always the same.. I used evo 4g, photon, s3 and s4 with sprint i enjoy this all phones.. Now i will buy tmobile s6 or m9 then be free.
Droid_Evo_8 said:
Would this prevent you from buying it if it's still locked just like the S5? (for Verizon and AT&T variants). Discuss
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hell yeah! Had the S5 from att for 14 days and returned it. Became boring and went back to my s3
I'm done with locked bootloaders. If i can't root it, I don't want it. Bought the T-Mobile S6 to use on AT&T. Now all i have to do is get it sim unlocked.
greyhulk said:
I'm done with locked bootloaders. If i can't root it, I don't want it. Bought the T-Mobile S6 to use on AT&T. Now all i have to do is get it sim unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you do that? Were you able to get it without getting a t mobile account.

Samsung upgrade programme

I went for this and will upgrade present contract to a sim only deal. Overall it's a similar price to a 24/12 contract but I get the option to upgrade after a year. What do others think?
Did same in UK Samsung online, pretty happy overall . .getting the option to upgrade to the S8 when it arrives next March is a winner in my book
Oh and a free gear vr means i can sell my S6 with my innovator edition gear vr i had for my s6
felixthecat said:
I went for this and will upgrade present contract to a sim only deal. Overall it's a similar price to a 24/12 contract but I get the option to upgrade after a year. What do others think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did exactly the same thing will switch to sim only on August when contract is up. Will save me about 200 pound over the two years instead off a two year contract and can upgrade to next Samsung next year . 27 is pounds a month and no network bloat . Can't wait till the 8th
Wish they had this in the states.
cepheid46e2 said:
Wish they had this in the states.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same. If Apple can, why can't Samsung?
I thought this idea came from the states . Mabe they are trialing it here. Will put straight into a case as scratches are counted after the year. I emailed the re getting a gear vr as it was not stated on the email and here is my reply Thank you for contacting Samsung UK Online Shop.
We would like to confirm that all pre-orders placed on Samsung UK
Online Shop are eligible to receive the free Gear VR Lite headset.
The product will be added automatically to all pre-orders in a few days.
We remain at your disposal, might you need any further assistance.
Regards,
Velina
So it's the vr lite which I guess is the latest consumer version.
I'm on Sprint here in the States and they have the Galaxy Forever plan which is like their iPhone Forever deal. You basically do the 24 month phone lease plan and after 12 months you can upgrade to the next Galaxy (S8 I would assume next year) or if you wanted a different brand etc you would need to wait the 24 months OR pay off the remaining year's worth of lease payments to swap early. So yah as long as you want the new Samsung replacing the S7 you would just give them the S7 and they would give you the new Galaxy phone. I guess the only difference would be that your charges may go up or down depending on the new phones monthly lease cost.
I went for this in the UK and I note this adds £84 on top of the sim free price of the Edge. About £3.50 a monthj
I have one year left of a 2 year contract and so I'll see what to do in January. I could end up paying off the Samsung S7 Edge and selling it and then taking out a new contract with whichever network to get the new phone.
One thing I couldn't tell, if I pay it off early do I save some interest?
I worked it out, it's £30 a month plus £15 or so for a sim only deal, so £45 all in - same price as a normal contract
In uk sim only deals usually 1/12 and not 24/12 so worth bering in mind as may be cheaper in a year.
inzimam said:
I went for this in the UK and I note this adds £84 on top of the sim free price of the Edge. About £3.50 a monthj
I have one year left of a 2 year contract and so I'll see what to do in January. I could end up paying off the Samsung S7 Edge and selling it and then taking out a new contract with whichever network to get the new phone.
One thing I couldn't tell, if I pay it off early do I save some interest?
I worked it out, it's £30 a month plus £15 or so for a sim only deal, so £45 all in - same price as a normal contract
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't see it mentioned either, but as it seems similar to a lease there must be some early termination charge. Probably better off to speak to them directly as it isn't mentioned at all in their T&C's.
EDIT: Also it seems to be 14.9% APR interest
I'm definitely doing this. The contract on my S6E isn't up till March next year but by doing this I can sell my old Edge as part of payment for the remainder of my contract, then switch to a sim only plan next year. It's the only way I could do it without buying the phone outright. I can't see anyone beating Samsung for the next two years in terms of phones, besides the Nexus line. And besides, you don't have to upgrade to the S8 if you don't want to either. Can just continue your monthly payments as normal, so pretty much a no brainer.
I really wanted to do this. under £30 a month and an upgrade to the latest galaxy device after 12 months (providing you return the existing handset). Unfortunately, due to one late payment recorded on my credit file this year, Samsung have refused me
That's too bad! I think mobile contracts are easier to get than this type of credit, not sure though.
The only problem with upgrading after 12 months is that you sign another 24 months contract.
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
inzimam said:
That's too bad! I think mobile contracts are easier to get than this type of credit, not sure though.
The only problem with upgrading after 12 months is that you sign another 24 months contract.
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I generally have good credit but Samsung will not accept if there is even 1 late payment recorded on your credit file.
You do sign another 24 month contract but if you return the handset after 12 months, they wipe the remaining 12 months.
inzimam said:
I went for this in the UK and I note this adds £84 on top of the sim free price of the Edge. About £3.50 a monthj
I have one year left of a 2 year contract and so I'll see what to do in January. I could end up paying off the Samsung S7 Edge and selling it and then taking out a new contract with whichever network to get the new phone.
One thing I couldn't tell, if I pay it off early do I save some interest?
I worked it out, it's £30 a month plus £15 or so for a sim only deal, so £45 all in - same price as a normal contract
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This still works out cheaper than my current contract . If I want to upgrade with Vodafone ots 56 a month for the exact same tariff . By buying the phone on the upgrade program even with the little bit of interest I'm still saving around 200 over the two years going sim only and this offer
---------- Post added at 03:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:12 PM ----------
zedlor said:
I can't see it mentioned either, but as it seems similar to a lease there must be some early termination charge. Probably better off to speak to them directly as it isn't mentioned at all in their T&C's.
EDIT: Also it seems to be 14.9% APR interest
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says you can make payments or pay off whenever if you paid it off in say 6 months you wouldn't then pay interest on the remains 18 months
I was thinking of taking the plunge doing the upgrade programme route, I usually buy the phone outright as I have a business sim card in the phone.
How's everyone finding the programme so far now it's been out for awhile?
tinker_tf said:
I was thinking of taking the plunge doing the upgrade programme route, I usually buy the phone outright as I have a business sim card in the phone.
How's everyone finding the programme so far now it's been out for awhile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have had no issues they have taken around 3 payments and no issue's. Just upgraded contract to a rolling 30 day sim only contract so im happy
Any update of program for Asian countries?

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