yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[General Topics] sitizenx:
Lumia 900, at&t, total cost something like $45 including pointless upgrade fee and tax.

I'm on the 450 month voice and getting it for $30 a month. $20 unlimited text. $20 300mb data. So that is $70h before the mystery taxes (<$5). It's a stiff bill but I'm thinking about ditching text. $55 is a lot saner.

If you've been on contract for a few months and you need to unlock your phone to go on a trip just call your carrier up. They will give you the unlock code. Don't do it in month two. Six months in should be fine. I guess they could make you wait until your contract is over... but in my experience they don't do that if you ask nicely and have a credible story.

It's not Braveheart. If you're in the US on contract just tell them you are going overseas for a couple of weeks and ask them for the unlock code. They've never turned me down.

Most Americans don't have a passport so I don't think unlocking their phone to put a foreign sim card in is a big priority. And you can't switch networks domestically because you are on contract. If you pay the break up fee I don't see why they wouldn't unlock for you.
[General Topics] jt.one:
damn. solo plans are so expensive :(
[General Topics] sitizenx:
It depends on how you look at it. The voice option is fine. It's 450 anytime minutes but ALL mobile to ANY mobile calls are free 24/7. Plus you get 5000 nights and weekends minutes for $30. That's not bad. I'm not sure how you would do better. I have roll over minutes accruing every month.

The text thing is a luxury. You don't need it. If you can make free phone calls to any mobile any time why text? It's just a mindset.

The data thing is okay. It's a little steep for 300mb. Considering for $10 more I can get unlimited data I feel $20 for 300mb is a bit much. I kind of like the idea of unlimited data but I don't need it.

I can get buy with $30 voice plan and $20 data. If someone really wants to type me a message they can email or IM. I'll get those just fine.
[General Topics] phoghat:
I'm an American ex-pat living in Mexico. I travel to the US on visits and need an unlocked phone to cover both countries. Recomendations as to what to buy would be appreciated.
[General Topics] MassrDagon:
I currently own a Motorola Droid X2 via Verizon and I wish I was carrier-independent. I am so tired of Verizon's crap. The unlocked phones might be more expensive on the onset but it is probably worth it in the long run. I have never purchased an unlocked phone and tried to apply it to a network however, I am assuming it is not a difficult process? I'd love to eliminate my phone contract someday.
[General Topics] simi123:
you can visit some Google sites......
[General Topics] ttm94:
buying a carrier branded phone over unlocked doesn't really matter if your going to root and flash custom roms because carrier bloat ware will almost always be removed and the device unlocked
[General Topics] adelmundo:
If you really need text, there are free ways to get text, such as using Google Voice or WhatsApp. Problem though is MMS, since they don't really support it, but I'm sure in the future they will get it sorted out.
[General Topics] sitizenx:
This isn't true. I've flashed ROMs onto multiple phones. It doesn't unlock them in my experience. You typically have to enter an unlock code or go through a specific unlocking procedure.

The thing is I don't NEED text messaging. It's nice but not for $20 a month particularly when I've got a data plan now for $20 a month as well. Only a few people consistently send me texts. I've explored both those options and decided it's less cumbersome to just use email. My work never communicates with me via text. I can live without it. And if there is an emergency I can receive texts for something like 20 cents a message. In any given month I will never get to $20 doing that. The bulk of my text messages are really pointless.
[General Topics] iregret:
and how's this possible?

@topic. unlock phones + prepaid sim = savings. though you have to pay up front a huge amount of money for the phone.

carrier phones cost less to let you think you bought the phone for a cheaper price, but you'll be on contract for 2 years. alot can happen in 2 years.
[General Topics] lichong000000:
The string you entered for the image verification did not match what was displayed

The machine can be installed because unlock third party ROM
[General Topics] james11417:
It's true. I have a SGS and $10 unlimited on ATT. $15 if I didn't have the family unlimited messaging plan. Going to get the sgs3 when it comes out
[General Topics] :
I'm using a debranded carrier phone (HTC Dream) + prepaid sim. Huge savings lol
[General Topics] OniV2:
I generally go for an international unlocked phone because it allows me to use what is generally labelled as a 'post-paid' (contract) smartphone in Australia with a pre-paid service. Otherwise, my selection on pre-paid is extremely minimal.
[General Topics] dlmx:
my biggest reason, is the contract. Those huge discounts come with a huge termination fee if you want to bail in the future. Just my 2 cents.

I am using a T-Mobile SGS2 unlocked with Straight Talk using the BYOD AT&T sim. Got the phone cheap, no contract and service works great, plus i am saving a ton every month over a standard AT&T postpaid line.
[General Topics] Vip3R85:
I'm using a debranded carrier phone and a prepaid sim. Huge savings thus the phone was nearly 10cents
[General Topics] finbaar:
I listen to a few Android podcasts and I am always amazed at the high price of phones in the USA. In the UK I just got a galaxy Note free on a 2 year deal for £21.50 a month ($34.70). It comes with 200 minutes and unlimited texts with 250mb of data. Not much data I know but the Sim will be used by my wife who is a lite user. Best of all because it came from a third patty retailer rather than a carrier it came Sim free and unlocked. Why are phones so expensive in America?
[General Topics] adelmundo:
If you buy a phone on contract, the phone is not that expensive, especially if you don't buy the latest and greatest top-of-the-line phone. In fact, there are many free and cheap smartphones if you you buy low to mid-level or wait for several months after a phone debuts for the price to come down. In fact, you can get some phones for free (with contract) and even some of the top-of-the-line phones that are about 6 months old can be bought for less than $100. Where the problem lies is mainly in the monthly contract price to pay for the phone subsidies. A single line can cost over $100/month (450 minutes voice, 3 GB data, unlimited text) in order to pay for the subsidies on the phone over a contract term of 2 years. Plus you have to remember the size of the United States as well vs the UK, where we have to pay more for our larger infrastructure (larger land size to cover and also the costs for deployment of 4G technology). There are still many areas in the United States, believe it or not, that don't get reliable coverage, such as the Western United States around the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains.
[General Topics] bruc3lee:
It don't come with carrier clutter.
[General Topics] pbrian138:
Straight Talk BYOD - $45 unlimited data!
[General Topics] adelmundo:
And on a side note, they are now selling the GSM version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (unlocked) directly from the Google Play store for $399 + tax and shipping (USA only). Unlocked GSM Galaxy Nexus + Straight Talk $45/month or T-Mo $30/month plan = Win You will easily break even with this phone on a prepaid plan vs buying the Verizon GNex on subsidy and paying $100/month within 4 to 6 months. In other words 4-6 months after the purchase, you would be paying more to Verizon vs going prepaid with the unlocked GSM version. In 2 years you would be paying roughly $1000 or more to Verizon than going prepaid.
[General Topics] bfgudrich:
My vote foro unlocked phone

Enviado desde mi MT11i usando Tapatalk
[General Topics] lusily:
What Are Unlocked Cell Phones?

What Are Unlocked Cell Phones?
[General Topics] danny26:
Unlocked phones are phones which are able to be used on any mobile network a d do t carry any network branding or bloat ware

---------- Post added at 10:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:58 AM ----------

Lol... Think I missed the n button couple of times then... Stupid iPhone lol
[General Topics] jonse01:
I think the positives for getting an unlocked phone are numerous as have already been listed:

Lack of bloat ware,

Can choose carrier as you like

Availabilty of more choice for plans, contracts, Pay as you go etc etc

Potentially higher resale value of phone

can avoid roaming charges when abroad which can be a real sting at the end of a holiday (this is a big reason to have an unlocked phone IMO)

and you can swap your phone as you like...

In the end I think that it all comes down to cost...

If you can afford upfront it there is no real reason not to get an unlocked phone because of all the reasons mentioned in this thread..

However for many an upfront payment for a new phone can be too much of an outlay in one go and so spreading the cost out over two years is appealing.

If this is the case you can always get a carrier locked phone and then buy an unlock code for £10 if you want to be able to use a different SIM eg when you go abroad, and if you are worried about bloatware, branding, lack of updates OTA then you can always root and flash custom ROM to keep upto date...

Just my 2 bits worth
[General Topics] sitizenx:
In the US if you've had your contract phone for a few months and you are going on a trip you can call up the carrier and if you are polite and have a credible story they will give you the unlock code. Just don't do it in month number 2. Try month 5 or 6+. I've never been turned down and you don't have to wait until your 2 year contract is up. As long as you keep sending them your monthly check they don't care.

If all else fails buying the unlock code works. The issue is here in the US even if you buy a phone from somewhere else carriers will not give you a discount on your monthly bill. Whether you bring your own phone or take a free/subsidized phone from them your monthly bill will be the same. So why not take the contract phone? My FREE Nokia 900 was worth it. My monthly bill wouldn't be any cheaper if I dropped $499 to buy the thing unlocked. That's the problem. Once you decide you like a particular at&t contract it doesn't make sense to buy an unlocked phone. Is whatever you are getting with an unlocked phone worth an extra $499?

What on earth are you paying Verizon $100/month for?! My at&t bill is $80. Unlimited data, unlimited text, unlimited mobile to mobile minutes, 450 anytime minutes, 5000 nights and weekend minutes. Gonna drop texts and have unlimited data and the voice plan for $60 month. I have a grandfathered unlimited plan and a corporate discount. You have to check and see if you get a corporate discount through your work or school. Several places I've worked/gone to school have them. From what I recall my last job had discounts with Verizon, at&t, and Sprint.

Put your work or student email in HERE and see if there are any discounts. Everybody should do this.
[General Topics] adelmundo:
I don't have Verizon. I was making a comparison if you wanted to buy a Galaxy Nexus. BEFORE you only had one choice, which was Verizon. If you didn't use any discounts, with tax and fees it would be around ~$100/month give or take. Now with both Sprint and T-Mobile are going to carry the Galaxy Nexus, you will have a choice of carriers. I personally still would get the unlocked GSM Galaxy Nexus direct from Google because I would still like a choice of carriers and save on my monthly bill.

Personally I don't have Verizon, I have Sprint for my work phone (company paid) and my other personal phone, a Galaxy Note, is on Straight Talk. If I just didn't buy the Note, I would be all over the GSM Galaxy Nexus deal.
[General Topics] votinh:
If what you said was true, then you are one of the lucky person.

I bet only you and maybe a few more, said 5, in the entire XDA community do get that sweet deal. Not me, yes, I have FAN# from my company, but it's far less than what you said. Anyway, put that 0.00001% chance aside, let's just focus on the generic term, not specific one. Put aside every technical thingy such unlocked, bloatware, contract, ....., it all comes down to the money AFTER 2 years.

---------- Post added at 12:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:34 PM ----------

Just checked the ATT plans

For the lowest individual Nation Plan, $39.99/month for 450m, 5000 N&W, unlimited M2M.

Note 1: if you want unlimited N&W, and 900m daily talk-time, it's $59.99. Unlimited? $69.99.

Note 2: unlimited M2M only applied for ATT customers only, you call Verizon/T-Mobile, then it is NOT counting as free. You have to read the fine print.

For data plan, the lowest is $20 for 300MB, if you want unlimited, you have to reverse back few years ago to get the grandma plan, as currently, there is NO SUCH unlimited, however, there is 5GB plan for $50/month.

For messaging, you can get $20 for unlimited

So now, if ones want an unlimited talk, unlimited sms/mms, unlimited data, how much they pay? $69.99 + $20 + $50 (not even unlimited) = $X

Now, what if ones get unlimited talk, unlimited sms/mms, unlimited data for $45/month.

How much they save after 24 months? Use that money to pay a new phone.
[General Topics] iiKaptain:
More freedom unlocked than stock.
[General Topics] eema731:
My vote foro unlocked phone
[General Topics] Att.Fan1982:
I use to be an avid fan of carrier branded phones but after dealing with slow or no software updates, bloatware and other carrier restrictions I'm going for unlocked devices from here on out.
[General Topics] MR4Y:
Maybe cause it's better to pay the full price as opposed to pay a inflated price in monthly increments? If you do the math, carrier discounted prices only work in the short run.
[General Topics] alpha-niner64:
I just like the fact unlocked phones support all the major frequencies (especially international ones), and therefore better reception overall. Friend's Galaxy Nexus gets strong reception in my house whereas every T-mobile branded phone (1700/2100) is basically dead.
[General Topics] Harry_Y:
I did it because the phone I wanted was not available

and I did not want to be locked beck in to a contract.
[General Topics] imheroldman:
Damn you guys and your theories making me think... Now I am tempted to buy the unlocked Nexus... But evo lte looks so awesome... But hboot is locked down... argh! Im going to go lie down....
[General Topics] Jaguar10301:
So that you aren't trapped in a 2 year contract. You re-pay that discount you get over the life of the contract. If more people were not locked into contract and went to the lowest priced carriers it would force overall prices down, contracts keep people trapped and thus put less incentive on the companies to lower prices.
[General Topics] alpha-niner64:
I noticed that unlocked phones show they support all the major bands. Whereas the locked phones only show their respective bands. For example: the SGS2 T-Mobile only shows their UMTS bands being 1700/2100, 2100 vs the Unbranded one which has 850/900/1900/2100 and then there's the Gnex that has 850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100. Does that mean that potentially the unlocked versions could have better 3G+ reception?

I have my M-Defy here and switching basebands to the 850/1700/2100 gave me great 3G reception in my house, whereas my branded Vibrant barely has any 3G reception and often switches to EDGE as I learned it only supports 1700/2100, 1900, 2100. This is also backed up by the fact that unlocked carrier phones are limited to only their GSM speeds since all GSM frequencies are supported on any phone but the UMTS bands are special to each carrier: the iPhone for example plays a huge role here and ever since TMO acquired some AT&T Spectrum: my iphone 3G does get 3G coverage and AT&T's 3G does cover the 850 spectrum.
[General Topics] bjoswald:
Freedom.

(One-word response because it's a blanket statement.)
[General Topics] sitizenx:
No. Quality of service keeps people "trapped." I had a pay as you go phone for years and switched to at&t because their service was better. I got a contract because I got a cheap phone and I could apply a work discount to the plan. I also got a grandfathered data plan.

at&t has free Lumia 900s and an "unlimited" LTE data plan that allegedly they don't start throttling until 5gb. Which non-contract carrier is offering all of that?

If I had a landline and I was just going to do some texting and light voice usage I would go with a pay as you go service assuming it had good voice service in my area. My problem with say Tmobile was its voice service sucked at one place I visited often. There was a time I made two hour drives in rural areas on a regular basis. It sucked. I had a phone and minutes and I couldn't use them because the service was so bad out there. So I just sat in the car for two hours. After about a year of that I joined at&t. Never had a problem with service again.

With a contract I am buying the NETWORK. Simply getting a contract solely for a phone does not make sense.
[General Topics] alpha-niner64:
You'd be surprised at just how many people do just that. They renew their contract: use their upgrade to buy the phone, then sell said phone for a premium on Craigslist, Ebay, Amazon, etc. Meanwhile obviously retaining their old phone for use. What does the carrier care? You're still paying their rates so it's not their business to ask what you do with your newly-acquired/newly-sold phones.
[General Topics] faisalis10:
unlocked fones accept any sim card. and unlock fones tend to last long
[General Topics] peteygnyc:
Silly question

This MAY be a silly question, but if the hardware is exactly the same (obviously, GSM and CDMA are different) but why can't you just re-flash a phone like a Galaxy S5 with an "Unlocked phone ROM"?

Again, I might get blasted for this, but couldn't you just re-flash it?

-Pete
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] Zardos66:
I'm wanting to pick up the unlocked version of the Galaxy Nexus. I will never give Verizon a penny, and I've read it works on both ATT and TMobile 3g.

I was thinking Amazon, but I don't know how the warranty and things will work. So, for those people with the unlocked version, where did you buy it.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] dnguyen1988:
I bought mine from expansys. It came out to be like 585 I think. You should check it out.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] spaceman860:
http://lastcall.dailysteals.com/?ut..._2012_Thur_5_Deals_2_29_2012&utm_medium=email One day only

Sent from my GNex {GSM} T-Mobile
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] martonikaj:
You've got 5 minutes to buy from Daily Steals (above post)

I bought from Negri Electronics and it's been great.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] EdwardUong:
In case you missed the dailysteal, try looking for on either eBay or Amazon. Try auction or whatever works for you. I won one auction for $585.05, so you should aim for that maximum amount. Or based on my calculation, you could wait another month or two and the price will go down to around $500. Good luck !
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] arzbhatia:
Got mine from Germany, Coated me about $538 with 2 cases and a screen protector.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] YoungAceAtlanta:
If your in the states i order mines from Amazon.. choose One day Shipping.. got it the next. You could get free two day shipping also.. Its only $594

Click this link. All my friends bought theirs from these guys
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] martonikaj:
If I had one bit of advice it'd be to discourage from buying on eBay or craigslist (or similar) if you at all care about warranty. I know it sucks and you'll hopefully never have to do it, but ordering from an importer will give you some peace of mind knowing you could send it in if you needed to. Importers have it for under $600 nowadays. Depends how much that's worth to you.

just my 2c
[Motorola Droid Bionic] ManOnTheMoon:
I flashed over beats audio port from that universal port from that popular post. Sorry I don't remember his name. But supposedly your supposed to copy over files to the /system folder and I did that and now I am bricked with my battery low. Soooo just a word of caution
[Motorola Droid Bionic] Bfitz26:
before i flash i always make sure i have at least 60 percent..
[HTC EVO 3D] tanmack33:
Long story short... leaving my family's unlimited everything plan (my bro just got married, fiancee getting moved into the plan, thus, kicking me out of Sprint...Stupid max of 5 lines). I am OK with this, since I need my Evo3D has got a busted screen - so I get a new phone, and I love Tmobiles 4G speeds in MN. So, I am jumping on my GF's family plan.

Long story longer... I had the Epic 4G, and told myself I would never buy a Samsung product again (long update times, awful battery, etc) But, after looking at ICS upgrade time frames for the SG2 and the Amaze 4G (same ICS dates as E3D), I think I may be leading to the SG2 based completely based off of that. SG2 is supposed to be Q1, but my guess is Junish.

Any one around here played with the Epic Touch for Sprint? (basically same phone for Tmobile, different processor, but I don't think it will make a huge difference) OR has anyone played with the Amaze?

I am going to miss the unlimited everything. But, I really never utilized it to the full potential anyway.

Thoughts?
[HTC EVO 3D] Mexhawk06:
Who said you could only get a max of 5 lines with sprint?
[HTC EVO 3D] tanmack33:
Sprint.. Already have 5 lines on our account ... I get there error when I try to add a line "Thanks for choosing Sprint. You already have the maximum amount of phones you can have on this plan. You can buy a new phone and plan in our online store"

Tmobile was the same way... max of 5 lines.

Is that incorrect?
[HTC EVO 3D] eXplicit815:
You should probably ask this question in a T-Mobile forum.
[HTC EVO 3D] tanmack33:
Good call... posted in Tomible forums... my Bad.. can cancel this one.

Just didn't know if anyone would have any thoughts over here.
[HTC EVO 3D] piscesjoey:
I almost went to T-Mobile myself last week, but after a long hard thought (and after selling my 3D in the process) I decided to stay with Sprint to save money, but I was gonna buy a used Sensation off Craigslist & just get added onto my girl's plan. If you're willing to sign a contract and stay with HTC, wait until April for the One S to come out on T-Mobile, & if you don't want to wait, then get the SGS2, they have great devs over there.
[HTC EVO 3D] YafaKlan:
My family has sprint n we have a family plan with 6 lines. Trust me when i say this, they can do it. It's possible.

you just have to bug customer service and the higher ups to make it happen.
[HTC EVO 3D] jayharper08:
I switched from the 3d to the Epic Touch and I love it. Not trying to start a war around here people. Just saying I like the phone. I still have my 3d and play around with it. Seems snappy and love the bigger screen. Rooting and flashing is a bit more trickier. Make sure you read read read before doing anything.
[HTC EVO 3D] chlehqls:
I would just go ahead and make the switch to T-MO. If you have great coverage in both data and phone calls, then it's a no brainer.

I have the GS2 so far in white and it's fantastic. We have some fantastic developers and two more are headed toward our way after moving on from the Samsung Vibrant/SGS4G.
[HTC EVO 3D] PatrickHuey:
Well if you don't mind waiting you should wait for the One X that T-Mobile should be getting shortly. Better than both, IMO.
[HTC EVO 3D] Cuppeerr:
The galaxy s 2 is getting ics march 15th so I'd go with that one. Or if you want to wait get like a cheap prepaid phone the later get the one x. Tmobiles version is gonna be the quad core tegra 3 version!
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] knives89:
Any word if Asus is going to fix the ics Xbox 360 controller compatibility? All the user fixes I have seen, don't fix the problem 100%. Does the prime have these problems?
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] knives89:
bump, anyone know anything about this?
[Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] knives89:
No one knows anything?