Hello everyone,
I know this may be a little off topic. My contract with Verizon is up and I'm allowed to get a discounted phone. However, I don't want to change my plan (I have an unlimited data plan). Is there any way to get an upgrade on a phone and NOT have to pay the full price of about ~$550 for a new phone?
And what would you guys recommend for a new phone? I am using a Thunderbolt now, and like high-end phones. Should I wait?
Also, and again off topic, but does anyone have/use a Windows phone? They seem pretty cool when I was playing with them...
daniel178 said:
Hello everyone,
I know this may be a little off topic. My contract with Verizon is up and I'm allowed to get a discounted phone. However, I don't want to change my plan (I have an unlimited data plan). Is there any way to get an upgrade on a phone and NOT have to pay the full price of about ~$550 for a new phone?
And what would you guys recommend for a new phone? I am using a Thunderbolt now, and like high-end phones. Should I wait?
Also, and again off topic, but does anyone have/use a Windows phone? They seem pretty cool when I was playing with them...
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If you already have an unlimited plan, you should be able to keep it.I upgraded from a 3G phone to a 4G phone without changing my plan.
Did you pay full price or the discounted price (new contract)?
Related
If I buy off contract will I need to get a new SIM? I have an old $20 unlimited data plan that I dont want to lose.
bfrank said:
If I buy off contract will I need to get a new SIM? I have an old $20 unlimited data plan that I dont want to lose.
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You won't need a new SIM if you buy it off contract All they give you is the new phone
bfrank said:
If I buy off contract will I need to get a new SIM? I have an old $20 unlimited data plan that I dont want to lose.
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you can buy off contract (out right), but if your $20 data plan is not for a smart phone. The system will automaticlly put you on the 2g data plan and you will lose your unlimited. Now if your $20 unlimited data is for a smart phone i would make sure that when you purchase the phone, talk to the rep and make sure that they still have you on the unlimited plan...there are way around this...hope this helps...
Currently using it on a Fuse on 3G
So the big issue is $20 per month plus ~$600 for the phone = unlimited data (2 years = $1080)
or
$25 per month plus ~$150 for the phone = 2gig per month (2 years = $750)
Currently using less then 2gig per month but thats with the Fuse....struggling with what to do but I guess we need to see real prices first.
if your on a smartphone unlimited plan, you are locked in for unlimited data on any smart phone... you have tol let the rep know that you have unlimited data when you get the atrix...
I have the vibrant on a at&t unlimited plan that's non smartphone. Will I be detected & upgraded with the atrix 4g?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
If you are on a non-smartphone data plan and get an Atrix it is extremely likely that AT&T will detect you and require you to switch data plans.
Just curious, why haven't they detected my vibrant?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Because the Vibrant isn't one of the phones AT&T issues.
Rastor said:
If you are on a non-smartphone data plan and get an Atrix it is extremely likely that AT&T will detect you and require you to switch data plans.
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This isn't the case. At least, it wasn't when I quit Radioshack a year ago.
All people on AT&T that had the original $20 unlimited data are entitled to it, for as long as they want. You just have to tell them you had it. They can check your plan to see if you previously had it, and if you did, will be able to keep it.
Although, AT&T royally ****ed me when I quit Radioshack(They cancelled my Employee Plan, and I lost all my benefits, they then went ahead and told me they have no record of me ever being a *customer,* so I wasn't entitled to the older plans.)
Again, this was a year ago; They might have changed things since then. I would call and ask.
Realistically, though, 2gb on a phone isn't the easiest thing to cap out.. Especially when the phone has built in Wi-Fi.
I am very interested the atrix and would luv to rid myself of the vibrant. I am going strickly american.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Milkshakes00 said:
This isn't the case. At least, it wasn't when I quit Radioshack a year ago.
All people on AT&T that had the original $20 unlimited data are entitled to it, for as long as they want. You just have to tell them you had it. They can check your plan to see if you previously had it, and if you did, will be able to keep it.
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Right, if you had an old data plan you can keep it. But AT&T categorizes some plans as "non-smartphone" plans, and if you get an AT&T smartphone they will notify you that they are switching you to a smartphone plan. I know multiple people that had this happen to them, starting around November.
smeadow said:
I have the vibrant on a at&t unlimited plan that's non smartphone. Will I be detected & upgraded with the atrix 4g?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Yes because the AT&T system will automatically add a smart phone data plan. There is no way around it. Trust me
Rastor said:
If you are on a non-smartphone data plan and get an Atrix it is extremely likely that AT&T will detect you and require you to switch data plans.
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Correct.
I still have my unlimited data plan from my first Tilt... used it for my Tilt 2.. and I plan on getting the Atrix 4G.
I assume I'm safe as long as I tell/remind/make sure with them, correct?
I'm on a non-smartphone unlimited data on my milestone due to AT&T not recognizing the phone.
My thought process is to get a Bell version Atrix if they are the same hardware as the AT&T and flash AT&T's firmware when it becomes available. That way AT&T can't recognize the IMEI and make me get the higher data plan. I'm currently on $10 unlimited data since i have the unlimited text.
Anything wrong with this thought process? Just curious. Thanks!
AllTheWay said:
Yes because the AT&T system will automatically add a smart phone data plan. There is no way around it. Trust me
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Nope, you're incorrect.
If Atrix has a new simcard format, and will force u to get a new simcard, then perhaps.
If standard old sim works with Atrix, you will NOT be upgraded/changed.
This topic was around for a long time, and I'm tired of seeing this. I've been using my simcard for about 5 years now, coming from HTC Kaiser to TouchPro to TouchPro2 to NexusOne to Captivate. Same 1 simcard. Same $20/unlim data.
In fact, I called AT&T (about a different issue) and decided to ask them outright about this policy. They specifically told me that they will not change your account to a more expensive data plan by themselves, unless you ask them to. So I asked (off the record) whether it's ok that I keep the same simcard and using same data plan (i use up around 2-6GB per month data) as I sell/buy my phones off contract. They said they don't care, unless they want me to change it, they won't.
So, 5-6 years with AT&T and 5 (soon to be 6) phones I changed tell me you're wrong.
My advice: sell your N1/captivate/g2/whatever, add $100/$200, get Atrix off contract, plop in the old simcard, never tell AT&T about it, and live happy.
DarkDvr said:
Nope, you're incorrect.
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There's a ton of evidence to the contrary, including my own experience. I bought an N1 outright and signed up for AT&T service. At the suggestion of a friend, I went into the corp store with an unlocked feature phone so I could sign up for the $15 unlimited data plan. I did, swapped SIMs, and in less than a day I got a text saying I had been switched to the 2 GB DataPro plan.
AT&T does IMEI scans, and if they are pretty good at telling which phones are smartphones. It's not 100% perfect, but pretty good.
That being said, there should be no reason that you need a new SIM for the Atrix unless you have a REALLY old pre-3G SIM. But, don't count on being able to keep a non-smartphone data plan.
stoli412 said:
There's a ton of evidence to the contrary, including my own experience. I bought an N1 outright and signed up for AT&T service. At the suggestion of a friend, I went into the corp store with an unlocked feature phone so I could sign up for the $15 unlimited data plan.
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Big difference being that you actually tried to go and get this grandfather $15/mo unlimited plan, which is no longer available. I got this plan many years ago, before iPhone, and just kept renewing my contract on the same terms, which AT&T was happy about. A year ago they already started doing away with unlimited plans, yet they gladly renewed my contract with unlimited data, even though I used the contract extension subsidy to get a new TouchPro2 from them, right from their store.
So maybe the moral here is that if you have the old plan with unlimited data - u can just keep extending it every 2 years without trouble. Cannot do that for new contracts.
stoli412 said:
But, don't count on being able to keep a non-smartphone data plan.
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Oh, I've counted on that for last 5 or so years, and don't see why I can't in the future =)
DarkDvr said:
Big difference being that you actually tried to go and get this grandfather $15/mo unlimited plan, which is no longer available.
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Maybe we have our wires crossed here. Data Unlimited for non-smartphones is still very much available and is $15/month. But if you try to use it with a smartphone, 95% of the time they're going to automatically switch you to a DataPro plan for smartphones once they do an IMEI scan. This is exactly what happened with me. I signed up with a dumbphone, and within a day of switching my SIM to my N1 I got a text saying I had been switched.
Now if you are grandfathered into the old unlimited smartphone data plan, the absolutely you should have no trouble keeping it when swapping SIMs.
xryousukex said:
I'm on a non-smartphone unlimited data on my milestone due to AT&T not recognizing the phone.
My thought process is to get a Bell version Atrix if they are the same hardware as the AT&T and flash AT&T's firmware when it becomes available. That way AT&T can't recognize the IMEI and make me get the higher data plan. I'm currently on $10 unlimited data since i have the unlimited text.
Anything wrong with this thought process? Just curious. Thanks!
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I plan on doing the same thing! Just got to make sure you get it unlocked some way or another! thats really the only thing you have to worry about...
Question starts with a bit of background.
My NE2 upgrade was available in March, but I bought my Thunderbolt off of craigslist because I want to save my upgrade for a dual/quad core phone (Kal-El anyone?) but wanted to get in on the unlimited 4GLTE for 29.99 before it changes to tiered. So my question is, When I want to use my upgrade and sign a new contract will i be able to keep my unlimited 4G? or will my signing of a contract and getting a new phone nullify my grandfathered 29.99 unlimited 4G?
anyone know this for sure?
Asked customer service..but honestly they don't know what they are talking about half the time.
I'm not sure of anyone is really going to have a definite answer for that one. I would assume they follow suit with att and allow for grandfathered plans, but we will have to wait and see until something official comes down the pipeline
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
In the past with Verizon they let you keep grandfathered prices after an upgrade but they have also been changing a lot of their policies to f*ck their loyal customers, so who knows
Tradition says yes. But, nothing is final until VZW says so.
My buddy in verizon call center says yes but once u change phones u will be screwed take that as u will
sent from planet snarf
churro7 said:
My buddy in verizon call center says yes but once u change phones u will be screwed take that as u will
sent from planet snarf
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The only reason to sign a new contract is to get a new phone, so that doesn't make sense. Maybe he means if you go from a 3g to 4g phone?
4g is unlimited with an unlimited 3g plan.
i used to work at VZW several years ago.
This is how it worked then:
you upgraded your phone... features changed (data plans, text packages, etc) but the plan stayed the same. so until you upgrade your phone, you will be grandfathered in until you change phones (even that might not make you change it, but i would say it would).
i used to see people on crazy old text plans when i upgraded them and it kept it the same... data plans however, are different and may not behave the same.
Hi guys, thanks for your time.
I'm debating heavily whether or not to buy an unlocked phone. I am thinking of ways to lower my phone bill if I do. I'm still in a contract with AT&T and I already read someone mention getting the $10/mo unl data plan for non-smart phones since AT&T can't 'see' that I have a smartphone.
My question is, does anyone know if i need a phone plan with my contract or will a data plan suffice? I am thinking of making all calls/texts through google and/or skype so I wouldn't need a phone plan right?
How practical is this? Anyone doing this at the moment? Only downside i see is areas with bad data coverage you may not be able to make a call :/.
mods if this isn't the right forum feel free to move it to a more logical place.
Thx
Hello Everyone,
I in the next few days I will be available for a device upgrade. I am going to go from a Rezound to S4 but I am concerned about my unlimited data.
I still have unlimited data on my plan, will upgrading my device change this?
I know now they are forcing everyone into tiered plans but I was hoping this would not change my plan. My wife and I are on a shared plan and she had to get a 2GB data plan when she got her Rhyme. I was grandfathered into my unlimited when I got my Rezound. I also still have the 500 txt messages for $5 a month which they do not offer anymore. I hope that does not get changed either
Thanks,
Ian...
if you get the phone subsidized you lose unlimited, if you have another line you can take and activate the new phone on then move the phone back to your unlimited line you should be good. just don't activate the subsidized device on the unlimited line or you are toast. at least I think that's how it all works.
Spyke562 said:
Hello Everyone,
I in the next few days I will be available for a device upgrade. I am going to go from a Rezound to S4 but I am concerned about my unlimited data.
I still have unlimited data on my plan, will upgrading my device change this?
I know now they are forcing everyone into tiered plans but I was hoping this would not change my plan. My wife and I are on a shared plan and she had to get a 2GB data plan when she got her Rhyme. I was grandfathered into my unlimited when I got my Rezound. I also still have the 500 txt messages for $5 a month which they do not offer anymore. I hope that does not get changed either
Thanks,
Ian...
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Click to collapse
You need to buy the phone outright at full price to retain your unlimited if you can't do the alternative line option corporal_hades pointed out. Verizon is offering financing to split the cost over 12 months with an additional $2 a month charge I believe.
I'm in the same boat you're in, I would like to upgrade, don't wanna give up my unlimited either.
Thanks for the information guys. Sometimes it seems like Verizon and the other carriers got us by the [email protected]
Don't forget the Moto X is $399, and the LG G2, HTC One, and Droid Ultra are $449 off contract now... just one more way to keep unlimited data.
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/08/2...-retail-with-no-hassle-use-the-iconic-portal/
It may also be worth it to decide if you really need unlimited data, or change your usage somewhat to get within 2 or 4 GB of data a month, you can save a lot if you can make some changes to your usage and get on WiFi more.
I know corporate stores will not do it, but one of the smaller Verizon stores I went into the other day said I could use my upgrade to get a new phone on my wife's life(alternate upgrade), then do a hardware swap to put the new phone on my line. It wouldn't hurt to ask a few of the stores around you to see if theyll do that.
She said if I did this I would be able to keep my unlimited.
Sent from my HTC Rezound using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I upgraded to the HTC one through best buy and was able to keep my unlimited plan. I upgraded the phone on my account that's already on the tiered data plan. Then switched the new phone to my unlimited line at the Verizon store. Best buy or Verizon didn't give me any problems doing it. Small price to pay to keep unlimited data.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using xda app-developers app
Hey all,
I've searched a lot on the net about keeping my unlimited data plan, and I've found tons of answers on how to use best buy, or upgrades on different lines, but nothing that seemed to touch on my situation - if any of you have any solutions, I'd be really grateful.
I've had an HTC Thunderbolt since it first came out, and I have the unlimited data plan. I don't have any other lines, and I currently have an upgrade available. I'm out of contract by about 16 months, and pay month to month now.
I have a friend who works for a cell phone remanufacturer and they got me a verizon samsung galaxy s4 for a good price so that I don't have to use the upgrade and lose my plan..
I stopped by verizon and asked for a blank sim card for it, and got that with no problems.
My question is, how do I go about activating the S4 and keeping my grandfathered plan - just call verizon, or take it to the store, or ...?
Thank you for any help you have, and sorry if this has been touched on somewhere else - I wasn't having any luck finding it.
laughingwolf said:
Hey all,
I've searched a lot on the net about keeping my unlimited data plan, and I've found tons of answers on how to use best buy, or upgrades on different lines, but nothing that seemed to touch on my situation - if any of you have any solutions, I'd be really grateful.
I've had an HTC Thunderbolt since it first came out, and I have the unlimited data plan. I don't have any other lines, and I currently have an upgrade available. I'm out of contract by about 16 months, and pay month to month now.
I have a friend who works for a cell phone remanufacturer and they got me a verizon samsung galaxy s4 for a good price so that I don't have to use the upgrade and lose my plan..
I stopped by verizon and asked for a blank sim card for it, and got that with no problems.
My question is, how do I go about activating the S4 and keeping my grandfathered plan - just call verizon, or take it to the store, or ...?
Thank you for any help you have, and sorry if this has been touched on somewhere else - I wasn't having any luck finding it.
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There's a long thread in the General forum about this. Perhaps you should read that.
The best thread is here and also this.
I'm not telling you what to do but I called Verizon and spoke with them before upgrading my phone. The woman told me that as long as I didn't take the upgrade and simply activated my new phone using the website, I would keep my unlimited data plan. This is what I did and all worked swimmingly. Bought the phone on Ebay making sure the EIN was still good and activated on the website. All remained the same and I had a new phone.
Smabbage said:
I'm not telling you what to do but I called Verizon and spoke with them before upgrading my phone. The woman told me that as long as I didn't take the upgrade and simply activated my new phone using the website, I would keep my unlimited data plan. This is what I did and all worked swimmingly. Bought the phone on Ebay making sure the EIN was still good and activated on the website. All remained the same and I had a new phone.
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Click to collapse
I'm on now my 4th phone since they discontinued upgrades on grandfathered plans. If it needed a different sized SIM, I got one from the store, otherwise I just swap from phone to phone. No problems at all. Even spoke to the VZW rep about it who told me he did the same thing and his phone was rooted as well. But as long as you don't change'extend your plan, you're good. THAT is what takes away grandfathered data
Activating a device should not change your plan. The only circumstances under which it might would be if you had a 3g plan (iPhone 4 for example) and bought a 4g device. Your plan would need to be updated to support 4g services. That being said, I don't think they would change any of the primary features. You simply cannot use a subsidized upgrade on your unlimited data line; they have it set up to where purchasing a new device requires that you add "compatible" features - and unlimited data isn't, according to their sales rules. So, as long as you buy your own device, you should be fine.
I had a thought on the 3g>4g thing - wife currently has a 3g phone; if I were to buy a 4g device out of contract, would it be possible to keep her on 3g services? She has a 2gb data limit and the low bandwidth seems to be a good way of limiting her data use (although she routinely approaches 1gb of usage every month...damn Facebook/Pinterest/Instagram.