Brand-new to the whole XDA forums--although I have been a lurker for quite some time now. Lots of cool stuff coming out of here.
But back to my question: Verizon wants to charge me $700 bucks for this phone because I bought one of their phones on special when mine broke. Stupid me, I know. However, there are plenty of other phones from other carriers that are on sale on FeeBay and Craigslist. I called up Verizon and asked them if I had a phone would they activate it--which they promptly said no to. I expected nothing less.
So I asked them if they could reflash my phone to their firmware--which they also said no to. When asked, they said it was because they coulden't replace the phone in the event that they broke it. WTF? Not that the phone wasn't capable of being used on their network, only that I wouldn't be able to use it because they couldn't reflash my phone for fear of breaking it.
So my question is this: Can I flash it to VZW's firmware and they won't know it is an Alltel/Sprint/Whatever phone?
The only way it would be possible is to get Verizon to add the ESN to their database. Good luck with that.
Why don't you just buy an xv6800 on ebay or craigslist? They will activate one of their own phones perfectly fine, just not from another carrier.
You can say what you want about Cricket, but damn they except phones with bad ESNs!
You guys realize Verizon just bought Alltel for 28 billion right? Should be working soon.
hurtem said:
You guys realize Verizon just bought Alltel for 28 billion right? Should be working soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup they just bought them out, but the process will take months. It might be until the end of this year.
I just left verizon and went to alltel not to long ago and now the bought them. I knew I was a good customer but to follow me around like this is a bit ridiculous.
mr.ellsworth
Verizon just bought Alltel. The Alltel ESN's are not in Verizon's database, nor will they be for quite some time. Since the buyout, you can TRY to call Verizon and talk the customer service rep into adding your Alltel ESN to their database by saying you were with Alltel and now Verizon owns Alltel anyway...good luck.
First, thank you all for the responses. It really is appreciated.
I would buy a VZW phone, but I was just trying to see if it was possible. Seeing as how there are a ton more Alltel/Sprint/Whatever phones than VZW phones.
I just got off the phone with them again (I love calling them up over and over again--their answers always change!) and they said that if the phone had the correct firmware on it, and the phone was unlocked by the carrier (uh, isn't that you now guys?) then it would be possible.
So who bloody knows. I'm going to go back to seeing why our internet here at work is waffling more then Hillary.
I ordered a phone off of FeeBay and it's coming in the mail. So that's done and taken care of, at least. Thanks once again for all your help. I am sure I will be back to ask more questions later when I get to flashing it.
I ordered a phone off of FeeBay and it's coming in the mail. So that's done and taken care of, at least. Thanks once again for all your help. I am sure I will be back to ask more questions later when I get to flashing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What'd you order? xv6800?
gcincotta said:
What'd you order? xv6800?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. The Verizon-branded phone. It was almost $100 more than the Alltel or the Sprint, but I figured that I was still saving at least $350 off of retail prices.
I wonder if they will put insurance on it? :lol:
Related
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet. Has anyone else heard that Verizon is buying Alltel? $28.1 billion
It has been mentioned.
i guess its official. i heard through some inside people a while ago but its starting to show up online. $21.8 bil is the price.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet. Has anyone else heard that Verizon is buying Alltel? $28.1 billion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was news a few weeks ago. They've already made the deal.
think verizon will use the Mogul or XV6800?
Yeah. As far as our titans go: Verizon will offer it's updates now (since Alltel does) or Alltel customers won't get any more updates.
Personally I hope it mens better phones or at least the black PPC6800 which I think looks good. Not that I'd be able to switch I don't think...
yeah the black 6800 would be ill. official updates would be too
There is rumor that Verizon is going to look into buying Sprint shortly after Alltel merger is complete. that's just crazy
hmmm... monopoly?
Zenoran said:
There is rumor that Verizon is going to look into buying Sprint shortly after Alltel merger is complete. that's just crazy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then we can all have equally crappy tech service
i dont have any complaints about Verizon tech support. but thats because i dont let them tell me whats up i tell them. when i call i immediately ask for data support, when i get there i say "this is my problem, i've already done this this this and that give me the solution." most tech support calls take 5 minutes or less and they like me for already knowing the basic steps theyll tell me to do anyways. sometimes i lie. like 'yeah i did a soft reset hard reset bla blah' and they dont question it.
verizon has nutty good tech support. but this deal will make VZ the biggest wireless phone company in the US, with a few million over AT&T. ohh, and the FCC probably would not allow VZ to buy out sprint because of just that. it would be a monopoly.
think verizon will use the Mogul or XV6800?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. As far as our titans go: Verizon will offer it's updates now (since Alltel does) or Alltel customers won't get any more updates.
Personally I hope it mens better phones or at least the black PPC6800 which I think looks good. Not that I'd be able to switch I don't think...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You guys are looking into this way too much. Yes, Verizon bought Alltel. First, just because they bought them doesn't mean changes are going to happen soon. They probably won't happen for months. Verizon won't be releasing Alltel phones or incorporating them into their lineup. Over time, they will be acquiring Alltel's towers etc and will allow EXISTING Alltel ESNs on their network for people who have Alltel branded phones, but that's it. Don't expect Verizon PPC6800's or anything of the sort.
It also doesn't necessarily mean they will be offering updates just because Alltel did. It's up to them what they want to do in the future, and with Verizon's track record, don't expect much.
gc14 said:
...........It's up to them what they want to do in the future, and with Verizon's track record, don't expect much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with alltel's roaming agreements, you can see why i wasn't crazy about the merger. our phones are ok, and i'm not looking forward to that ...."don't expect much". hahah
wonder if they're going to add that "My Circle" thing to verizon.. that would be cool...
how can i reflash my sprint htc touch pro 2 work wit verizon. i switched to verizon but i got a one of those pos free phones n i wanna noe if i can use my sprint touch pro on verizon. any help is appreciated thanx
Yes instructions are at the PPCGeeks site
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=44663
eastsidewarrior said:
how can i reflash my sprint htc touch pro 2 work wit verizon. i switched to verizon but i got a one of those pos free phones n i wanna noe if i can use my sprint touch pro on verizon. any help is appreciated thanx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to this http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=61926 the trick no longer works!
Verizon cought on when their TPs weren't selling as much
mkalbouneh said:
Verizon cought on when their TPs weren't selling as much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Geeee I wonder why the super duper cripple Verizon touch pros are not selling...
Retarded Verizon... I recently broke my unlocked sprint touch pro on vzw... now i'm screwed and cant get another one on Verizon service... Back to the outdated xv6800 for me
I'm starting to hate verizon...
anyone know of a work around? I just bought a sprint tp to activate on my verizon plan.
yeah, call them and have them add your MEID to their database and wait. Then switch carriers when they balk at the idea
Actually guys, I just spoke with VZW customer service today and they put me on hold to talk to tech support and they told me there was no problem activating the Sprint Touch Pro on their network. They advised me to unlock the phone, then take it into Verizon Wireless service center and they could flash verizon's ROM to it and change the MEID to work in their system.
Did you have any luck at VZW? If this is what they do, couldn't we just flash a vzw ROM on our own and go in? I just cant see the tech's at vzw actually do this.
Well, of course VZW has ****ed yet another long standing customer. I called and was told what I stated in my earlier post. So I went off and bought a sprint touch on craigslist. Well I unlock it and take it in, then of course, NO we cannot do anthing like that. Called tech support twice and was given 2 more different contradicting stories. Well now I am completely livid after being lied to several times, spending the cash on a phone I am being told I can now not activate on vzw, and no way to be compinsated for my money spent.
Spoke with a supervisor on my 4th call to VZW explaining to her that I understood they can add the MEIDs, but "aren't allowed", so now I am just seeking some type of compensation for my wasted time and cash on the sprint Touch Pro purchase. After all said and done, I get offered an extra $50 credit on a new phone if I choose to sign up for my new every two agreement on the 21st of this month!
I guess I'll bite the bullet and get the damn crippled ass VZW version touch pro, but going to see if they can give me a $100 extra credit instead. We'll see.
And before any VZW touch pro owners flame me, I know the RAM doesn't make that much increase in performance between VZW and Sprint's TP. I just like the sprint versions look more and of course HATE the gay ass offset "M" key keyboard. (Worst design that could have been easily fixed)
nighcore said:
Well, of course VZW has ****ed yet another long standing customer. I called and was told what I stated in my earlier post. So I went off and bought a sprint touch on craigslist. Well I unlock it and take it in, then of course, NO we cannot do anthing like that. Called tech support twice and was given 2 more different contradicting stories. Well now I am completely livid after being lied to several times, spending the cash on a phone I am being told I can now not activate on vzw, and no way to be compinsated for my money spent.
Spoke with a supervisor on my 4th call to VZW explaining to her that I understood they can add the MEIDs, but "aren't allowed", so now I am just seeking some type of compensation for my wasted time and cash on the sprint Touch Pro purchase. After all said and done, I get offered an extra $50 credit on a new phone if I choose to sign up for my new every two agreement on the 21st of this month!
I guess I'll bite the bullet and get the damn crippled ass VZW version touch pro, but going to see if they can give me a $100 extra credit instead. We'll see.
And before any VZW touch pro owners flame me, I know the RAM doesn't make that much increase in performance between VZW and Sprint's TP. I just like the sprint versions look more and of course HATE the gay ass offset "M" key keyboard. (Worst design that could have been easily fixed)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amen! I've got a Sprint TP (VZW Enabled) right in front of me. When I say VZW Enabled, I mean that if I dial *611, I get VZW. There is nothing between this phone and VZW service but them administratively allowing it. Tommorow I'm going to try an experiment someone else suggested. I will setup the phone for Alltel, activate there (no contract required unlike VZW since I have the phone), then once it's working, walk into a VZW store and tell them I'd like to port my service (and phone) over to them (this should give them incentive right?). Then I can just cancel service with Alltel (no penalty) and be done with it. here's hoping.
All you nay-sayers can keep your pie-holes filled. Nobody wants to here "can't" or "won't"
I don't think that will work. The problem is getting the Meid on verizons DMD. It's possible it could work but it seems a lot more work/trouble. It would be easier for you to sell your sprint TP for an alltel TP and just activate that. Please let me know if it'll work as I'm trying to activate my sprint TP too.
rainabba said:
Amen! I've got a Sprint TP (VZW Enabled) right in front of me. When I say VZW Enabled, I mean that if I dial *611, I get VZW. There is nothing between this phone and VZW service but them administratively allowing it. Tommorow I'm going to try an experiment someone else suggested. I will setup the phone for Alltel, activate there (no contract required unlike VZW since I have the phone), then once it's working, walk into a VZW store and tell them I'd like to port my service (and phone) over to them (this should give them incentive right?). Then I can just cancel service with Alltel (no penalty) and be done with it. here's hoping.
All you nay-sayers can keep your pie-holes filled. Nobody wants to here "can't" or "won't"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did this work out for you?
tbhall77 said:
How did this work out for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great. Just flashed to 21725 yesterday and I'm still going strong. Once I switched service back to my Vogue and had trouble getting data back on my TP. Trick I found is to activate service on another phone (Vogue in my case), get everything working propertly, then use QPST to copy your keys. Activate the TP again and copy the keys in place. I think this is needed because SOME aspect of my Sprint TP hasn't been updated so OTA can't push the new keys down to the phone.
so i have alltel, my upgrate will be next month! like we all know alltel has terrible phones! i don't want to get a crappy phone for my upgrate! i love the motorola razr and read something about alltel getting this phone!!! i want to know if it's true, if anyone knows please let me know so i can wait !
Well I do believe vzw now owns alltel, so you should be able to switch to vzw Scot free. Which would give you the choice of vzw phones. Though feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using XDA App
Neymar9 said:
so i have alltel, my upgrate will be next month! like we all know alltel has terrible phones! i don't want to get a crappy phone for my upgrate! i love the motorola razr and read something about alltel getting this phone!!! i want to know if it's true, if anyone knows please let me know so i can wait !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alltel was purchased by Verizon two year ago so you will need to migrate to a verizon plan and you will be able to get the razr fine.
Thank you for the help, I'll ask alltel about changing my plan to get the motorola razr ! thanks again
Neymar9 said:
Thank you for the help, I'll ask alltel about changing my plan to get the motorola razr ! thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't be able to talk to Alltel they don't exist any longer they have been fully absorbed by vzw
I have the Alltell SP1200 plan, but am a Verizon customer. When you call your provider, do you get a Verizon rep? Or are you in one of the few areas where Alltell is still holding out?
Also, you may have a problem keeping your unlimited data plan if you still have an Alltell phone. Something about the plan codes. If you didn't get a verizon phone when they bought Alltell, you may have a problem now transferring your data plan over. Let me know how it works out.
right now, I have a droid razr maxx. When Verizon bought Alltell, my area got sucked up in the change and I immediately went out and got a Verizon phone. Now I got unlimited 4g data for $20 a month. It is possible.
Honestly alltel does survive in rural areas. Theres quite a few still around, not much though. Yes Verizon absorbed alltel in heavy incorporated cities but couldn't touch the rural areas, per FCC laws.
Sent from my rooted and Safe Strapped Motor DROID RAZR
i live in NC, alltel is still popular around here. You were right tho. i called alltel and it send me to verizon serrvice. I decided to go and ask, they told me alltel was not getting the razr and i could not get a verizon phone and install it on alltel!:/ so i guess i'll just wait till my contract is over and switched to verizon
Don't give up yet!!!!!!!
Since you got a verizon rep, that means your area (and you) fall under verizon. Create yourself an on line account and see if you can upgrade that way. That is the real tale.
I happened to me when I tried to go from a verizon 3G to a 4G phone. Customer service gave me one answer (that was wrong) but when I went on line, I was able to get it done.
Customer service reps typically are minimum wage and get bonuses for people that sign up for new plans. I don't know if it's accidental or on purpose, but you can't believe everything they tell you.
okay, I'll check it out and see if i can do anything! thanks for the help!
Seen so many *****es about Sprint I thought I'd share.
Only company with unlimited data.
Only company with SERO (I have original SERO and SERO Premium).
Even without SERO my daughter and my sister both switched from Verizon and got very close to SERO Premium prices.
So I have one phone on SERO original that is qualified for upgrade.
And by wobbly EVO 3D (due to VM leak, at no fault of Sprints, just mine) that is not qualified for upgrade for some time on SERO Premium.
So I used the chat to ask if I could use Touch PRO 2 upgrade for an EVO 4G LTE to replace the EVO 3D.
She said yes. But I lose the return policy and any mail in rebate.
Turns out it's all instant Rebate.
Then I asked if I upgrade it on the Touch PRO 2 (online) will it force me to upgrade it's plan.
She said no.
I said I was worried it might change it.
And she came back and asked me if it was on SERO.
She knew exactly what I was worried about. I had not given them any account info.
It only changes the plan when you activate. And I will activate it on my EVO 3D line.
She also said if I did it in a store (I think because it's SERO) it would of upgraded the plan.
I forgot to save discussion. But they emailed it to me !!!
I did the online upgrade and it stated exactly what she said that the plan would not upgrade unless activated on that line. Very clearly layed.
It clearly showed no plan change.
Excellent service !!!
Not the fasted network. But good enough for my needs and doesn't break the bank.
And usually offers great phones.
A lot of times you here about the shortcomings of Sprint so its good to hear the opposite side of the coin sometimes. Glad to hear everything worked out for ya.
I dont get the point of this post.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
bloodrain954 said:
I dont get the point of this post.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How could you not, you meant to say this post does not interest you so you're going to add a pointless post.
Glad you had a good experience with them, mine was unsatisfactory
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
its good to know everything worked out for you.. i wish i had that sorta of luck
So Sprint did what should be expected and that is commendable? Lol
Look at it this way, if it was T-Mobile, you would have just had to pop in the SIM card. No call (or chat), no activation, no concern for plan changes.
Not saying T-Mobile is great, just saying Sprint shouldn't be commended for doing the bare minimum.
You had a line due for an upgrade, they let you upgrade it, and use the phone on another line. Every carrier out there will do this, and most of them don't require any contact with their CS to make sure it's actually possible.
WatermelonSlim said:
So Sprint did what should be expected and that is commendable? Lol
Look at it this way, if it was T-Mobile, you would have just had to pop in the SIM card. No call (or chat), no activation, no concern for plan changes.
Not saying T-Mobile is great, just saying Sprint shouldn't be commended for doing the bare minimum.
You had a line due for an upgrade, they let you upgrade it, and use the phone on another line. Every carrier out there will do this, and most of them don't require any contact with their CS to make sure it's actually possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I truly miss this about gsm phones. Over the years I've collected so many gsm phones that friends usually come to me when they lose their phone, cuz I'd give them one to borrow. Just pop in a sim and it's good to go. This is my first cdma phone. God forbid I lose it, esp. at a time when I need to use a phone really bad or something.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA
Sprint SERO was the best plan ever! Wish Sprint had kept on with Sero and not let it go.
cool story bro
Yeah, too bad they no longer offer the SERO plans and have so many restrictions on them now. So you have an EVO on a SERO Premium plan, not a plain vanilla SERO, right?
mcguireslaw dot com/2011/01/18/sero-premium-and-premium-data/
I guess that answers the question.
I've thought about doing this. My wife's account is eligible for an upgrade. She doesn't want to upgrade because she wants a phone with a physical keyboard (she has the Epic 4G).
Mine is not eligible, as I bought my 3D when it came out. Can I use my wife's upgrade to get the 4G LTE, and then activate the 4G LTE on my line? I mean, I assumed I could do that, and it sounds like you are saying it's possible, but I wasn't sure. Do I need to give Sprint some special instruction not to activate the phone when I order it? Do they automatically activate it when you buy it (before it gets to you?).
Also, I know it will reset the upgrade period for my wife's account, but it won't for my account, correct?
I don't see another phone with a physical keyboard on the horizon, so I don't feel so bad in taking my wife's upgrade, heh.
sparhawk6 said:
I've thought about doing this. My wife's account is eligible for an upgrade. She doesn't want to upgrade because she wants a phone with a physical keyboard (she has the Epic 4G).
Mine is not eligible, as I bought my 3D when it came out. Can I use my wife's upgrade to get the 4G LTE, and then activate the 4G LTE on my line? I mean, I assumed I could do that, and it sounds like you are saying it's possible, but I wasn't sure. Do I need to give Sprint some special instruction not to activate the phone when I order it? Do they automatically activate it when you buy it (before it gets to you?).
Also, I know it will reset the upgrade period for my wife's account, but it won't for my account, correct?
I don't see another phone with a physical keyboard on the horizon, so I don't feel so bad in taking my wife's upgrade, heh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's exactly what I did.
No special instructions needed you can do it yourself online.
BUT... you might want to read the news on the 4G LTE. Sprint is no longer accepting pre orders and I suspect prior orders might get canceled. No fault of Sprints.
00_MACKIE_00 said:
cool story bro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell it again
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA
WozniaksOtherPhone said:
Sprint SERO was the best plan ever! Wish Sprint had kept on with Sero and not let it go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people sell their SERO plans. Or, if you know someone with SERO, you can add a line to theirs and get I think you can break it off to be your own. I'm still on SERO P, myself.
In my opinion Sprint Blows!!!!! I love Verizon!!!!!!
sprint has been great with me so far.. i lost my evo 4g like 8 months ago and they sent me an 3vo 3d.. i was souped!!!!! them i just got a letter saying i can do an early upgrade!!! sweet!! im gonna wait it out for a bit though.. i have not had any problems with sprint so far.. key words.. if my last year go's by good i will be mos deff signin up for another 2 peice
htcjunkie317 said:
In my opinion Sprint Blows!!!!! I love Verizon!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who cares.......
seriously, cool story bro.
not.
saying u like sprint because of sero is absolutely useless to the vast majority of sprint subscribers because its not available - not to mention, the vast majority doesn't have the plan.
upgrades on a yearly basis are over with, even for those with huge monthly bills.
network sucks - whats the point of unlimited data when you can't use it?
anyways, glad you like em. I don't. Very unhappy and leaving for verizon soon as a decent quad core with a large screen drops over there.
good luck.
aweskelo said:
seriously, cool story bro.
not.
saying u like sprint because of sero is absolutely useless to the vast majority of sprint subscribers because its not available - not to mention, the vast majority doesn't have the plan.
upgrades on a yearly basis are over with, even for those with huge monthly bills.
network sucks - whats the point of unlimited data when you can't use it?
anyways, glad you like em. I don't. Very unhappy and leaving for verizon soon as a decent quad core with a large screen drops over there.
good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enjoy your Verizon bills.
Data works fine for me with Sprint, not blazing but good enough, way better than any GSM provider. Calls do too. Verizon is better but not worth the price. Nor do I like how Verizon locks out features that Sprint phones provide.
A co-worker of mine has Verizon and he pays a fortune for his plan. His phone never ran any faster or more reliable than mine.
I have Verizon FIOS and every chance they get they try to rip me off. Oops sorry for the double billing, oops sorry we forgot to cancel that feature. I hate them.
I was excited because Sprint gave me a brand new $400.00 phone for $35 with no insurance and it was completely my fault.
They often do early upgrades where you don't have to wait 2 full years. And in this case they let me mix my upgrade options.
The only reason I mentioned SERO was because I was impressed the Sprint rep knew about it, why I was concerned I might lose it if I mixed and matched my upgrade options and that their flexibilty might be limited on a SERO plan. It was not the reason why I started this thread. SERO is just icing on the cake. And I'd have Sprint even if I didn't have SERO.
mswlogo said:
Enjoy your Verizon bills.
Data works fine for me with Sprint, not blazing but good enough, way better than any GSM provider. Calls do too. Verizon is better but not worth the price. Nor do I like how Verizon locks out features that Sprint phones provide.
A co-worker of mine has Verizon and he pays a fortune for his plan. His phone never ran any faster or more reliable than mine.
I have Verizon FIOS and every chance they get they try to rip me off. Oops sorry for the double billing, oops sorry we forgot to cancel that feature. I hate them.
I was excited because Sprint gave me a brand new $400.00 phone for $35 with no insurance and it was completely my fault.
They often do early upgrades where you don't have to wait 2 full years. And in this case they let me mix my upgrade options.
The only reason I mentioned SERO was because I was impressed the Sprint rep knew about it, why I was concerned I might lose it if I mixed and matched my upgrade options and that their flexibilty might be limited on a SERO plan. It was not the reason why I started this thread. SERO is just icing on the cake. And I'd have Sprint even if I didn't have SERO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For most people your post will be non applicable.
1: Sprint has the slowest data of all the carriers in most areas (according to several independent national tests). If it's faster in your area, just know that you are a rare case and it will be different if you travel to almost any other area. My Sprint 3G is actually slower than dial up (and slower than T-Mobile's throttled data).
2: Sprint is basically the same price as Verizon or AT&T these days. It might be a few bucks cheaper, but nothing significant.
3: T-Mobile is cheaper than Sprint.
4: Sprint's early upgrade program is dead. I know they used to do this in the past, but they killed that program. Now it's 2 years to upgrade, or pay the etf and then you can upgrade early.
I ordered an unlocked S9+ from Samsung for my wife last night since it was cheaper, and the articles I was reading said it was the way to go as the US carriers were screwing everyone over with their price increases. Unfortunately, I started looking into it more after I bought it, and I'm concerned that I'll regret this. It sounds like things like WiFi calling, video calling, HD voice, Visual Voicemail, etc. don't work on the unlocked version. Additionally, it sounds like updates are even slower than Verizon.
Basically, these are going to be non-starters with my wife. She doesn't care about the VZW bloat and would much rather have those features. Is it possible to flash the unlocked firmware to be VZW stock firmware? I think I saw this done on the S8, but I'm not sure if that was available on release day or if she is going to have to wait months for the VZW stock firmware to be leaked or something. Should I just return this and pay more for the Verizon version, or can I get this to work without pulling my hair out? Thanks for any help!
Probably, but not immediately
I face the same dilemma - I have pre-ordered the unlocked version from Samsung, because it really annoys me to be gouged by VZW, but I would like the VZW features you mention. As you say, the GS8/GS8+ unlocked could be flashed to the VZW firmware, so I expect that it will also be possible to flash the VZW firmware to unlocked GS9/GS9+. The catch is that that's not likely to be day 1. And if you do it later, it will probably be a hassle, because you may lose settings, etc. I.e. your wife will not be happy.
Frankly, for the $90 difference, it's probably not worth the hassle. If you value your time more than burger-flipping hourly pay, you'll probably do better holding your nose and paying the VZW gouge. Of course, you could just be patient and wait a couple of months for the price to come down/BOGO deals to emerge, etc. and/or the VZW firmware to be available to flash, but that's un-American - we want gratification NOW, dammit!
While I didn't get the unlocked one I did save money by getting in on the Best Buy deal for $100 off the phone! Verizon at the time was listed at $915 on the site, got $100 off so $815 out the door Beat Samsung's price from the get go... awesome. Verizon version of the 9+.
Same here
firefox15 said:
I ordered an unlocked S9+ from Samsung for my wife last night since it was cheaper, and the articles I was reading said it was the way to go as the US carriers were screwing everyone over with their price increases. Unfortunately, I started looking into it more after I bought it, and I'm concerned that I'll regret this. It sounds like things like WiFi calling, video calling, HD voice, Visual Voicemail, etc. don't work on the unlocked version. Additionally, it sounds like updates are even slower than Verizon.
Basically, these are going to be non-starters with my wife. She doesn't care about the VZW bloat and would much rather have those features. Is it possible to flash the unlocked firmware to be VZW stock firmware? I think I saw this done on the S8, but I'm not sure if that was available on release day or if she is going to have to wait months for the VZW stock firmware to be leaked or something. Should I just return this and pay more for the Verizon version, or can I get this to work without pulling my hair out? Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am having the same issue with my unlocked s9+ i got directly from samsung. besides duo, is there another workaround for video calling?
galaxys9plus said:
I am having the same issue with my unlocked s9+ i got directly from samsung. besides duo, is there another workaround for video calling?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that people have had success flashing it to VZW if you want to go that route.
Deathman20 said:
While I didn't get the unlocked one I did save money by getting in on the Best Buy deal for $100 off the phone! Verizon at the time was listed at $915 on the site, got $100 off so $815 out the door Beat Samsung's price from the get go... awesome. Verizon version of the 9+.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't forget the upgrade fee though if you did it on device payments
geoff5093 said:
Don't forget the upgrade fee though if you did it on device payments
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah lovely upgrade fee/line activation fee. I think its waved on the phone I upgraded, my new line I got nailed with it... wahooo.
Deathman20 said:
Oh yeah lovely upgrade fee/line activation fee. I think its waved on the phone I upgraded, my new line I got nailed with it... wahooo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way to escape that stupid fee is to buy an unlocked phone and swap SIM from an old phone. They should waive that fee if you buy at full cost from them or if you don't need to have a Verizon employee switch your SIM for you.
firefox15 said:
I ordered an unlocked S9+ from Samsung for my wife last night since it was cheaper, and the articles I was reading said it was the way to go as the US carriers were screwing everyone over with their price increases. Unfortunately, I started looking into it more after I bought it, and I'm concerned that I'll regret this. It sounds like things like WiFi calling, video calling, HD voice, Visual Voicemail, etc. don't work on the unlocked version. Additionally, it sounds like updates are even slower than Verizon.
Basically, these are going to be non-starters with my wife. She doesn't care about the VZW bloat and would much rather have those features. Is it possible to flash the unlocked firmware to be VZW stock firmware? I think I saw this done on the S8, but I'm not sure if that was available on release day or if she is going to have to wait months for the VZW stock firmware to be leaked or something. Should I just return this and pay more for the Verizon version, or can I get this to work without pulling my hair out? Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
firefox15 said:
I believe that people have had success flashing it to VZW if you want to go that route.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing for the most part has been only partially successful. Most can not get Video Calling to work all other features seem to work. 1 guy in the these forums claims everything works on his. I haven't been sucessful with getting the integrated Video Calling to work, My account blocks it and won't let me unblock it for the Galaxy S9 my other lines with carrier phones the don't have blocks when I switch SIMS the block switches to whichever line the Galaxy S9 is on.
I would say this, save yourself the hassle and keep the wife happy, buy the VZW version from Samsung Directly. If you buy it outright just make sure VZW releases your IMEI since the phone is paid off. Then if you want to leave VZW or sell the phone everything is good to go and your not handing the money directly to those greedy blood suckers at VZW. For myself I'm willing to go without their features, besides the service I won't buy anything from them anymore I last bought a phone through them 4 years ago, and now that Tmob has got real 4G I'm gonna port my number out.