For those impatient... Don't buy on Ebay!

**cnguyen0320** · 11-14-2012, 04:30 PM

Tmobile on contract $200 for N4, $200 for ETF. You walk out of Tmobile with a 16gb N4 right now for only $50 more.

There is also a $35 activation fee but many tmobile assistants will waive that if you ask.

**Jnorton2724** · 11-14-2012, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by cnguyen0320

Tmobile on contract $200 for N4, $200 for ETF. You walk out of Tmobile with a 16gb N4 right now for only $50 more.

There is also a $35 activation fee but many tmobile assistants will waive that if you ask.

Haha well if thats what some people want to do. I wouldn't want the Tmobile version of this phone based on what happened with the Galaxy Nexus from Verizon but thats just me.

**rclifton** · 11-14-2012, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jnorton2724

Haha well if thats what some people want to do. I wouldn't want the Tmobile version of this phone based on what happened with the Galaxy Nexus from Verizon but thats just me.

Its the exact same phone so no worries there.

**cnguyen0320** · 11-14-2012, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by rclifton

Its the exact same phone so no worries there.

Exactly! I think I'm gonna do this.

**Jnorton2724** · 11-14-2012, 04:49 PM

If its the exact same phone then no worries. Let us know how it works out for you guys.

**fredwardnelson** · 11-14-2012, 04:54 PM

They may try to charge you the difference of the full phone value. since they charge 500 and have you pay that off with a 15 dollar fee for 20 months, it's a bad deal. they may have you pay the eft plus the difference on the phone.

**cnguyen0320** · 11-14-2012, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by fredwardnelson

They may try to charge you the difference of the full phone value. since they charge 500 and have you pay that off with a 15 dollar fee for 20 months, it's a bad deal. they may have you pay the eft plus the difference on the phone.

I'd doubt it. They don't make you do that with any other phone but those are locked to tmobile. The N4 will be unlocked and seeing as how there isn't anything in the fine print, I find it unlikely.

**Fairclough** · 11-14-2012, 05:09 PM

I think you could be a genius but there must be a catch.

**cnguyen0320** · 11-14-2012, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Fairclough

I think you could be a genius but there must be a catch.

Fine print on their site doesn't say anything against it. At most you'll be paying $85 more if you pay the activation fee. I'd say its worth a try. I'd do it but I don't mind waiting and seeing what consumers say before I switch from my iPhone

**bkorver** · 11-14-2012, 05:22 PM

I walked in to a T-Mo store earlier today, dropped 500 bucks, walked out with a completely stock no crapware unlocked Nexus 4. I dropped my Straight Talk sim in, set up the APN, and have been up and running for a couple hours now.

**KenDavidson** · 11-14-2012, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by bkorver

I walked in to a T-Mo store earlier today, dropped 500 bucks, walked out with a completely stock no crapware unlocked Nexus 4. I dropped my Straight Talk sim in, set up the APN, and have been up and running for a couple hours now.

I am anxious to hear what your thoughts are on this phone once you have had a chance to put it to the paces. Also wondering if you do any mods like unlocking the bootlogger and/or rooting the device for comparison. I am equally anxious to get my shipping notification from Google Wallet but highly doubtful I will get it tonight as it is already 6:26 PM EST and nothing yet and the order still showing as "Shipping Estimate: November 15, 2012" under status.

**Andrew Martonik** · 11-14-2012, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Fairclough

I think you could be a genius but there must be a catch.

If the ETF really is only $200 then there's no catch. It's well known that right now most of the iPhone 5's are worth more than the up-front + ETF as well. iPhone 5 on Verizon is only $200 + $350 ETF, but retails for like $649.

**klau25** · 11-14-2012, 05:44 PM

haha, wow, what a great idea. The difference is actually less than 50 since no shipping fees and you are only paying tax for 200 and not 350.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

**skarletknite** · 11-14-2012, 05:55 PM

may i ask if there is a t-mobile logo on the device anywhere? thanks....was thinking of doing the same

**paul-c** · 11-14-2012, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by skarletknite

may i ask if there is a t-mobile logo on the device anywhere? thanks....was thinking of doing the same

No.

Sent from my Panasonic ELUGA

**Andrew Martonik** · 11-14-2012, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by skarletknite

may i ask if there is a t-mobile logo on the device anywhere? thanks....was thinking of doing the same

No, its literally the exact same as the Play Store one.

**cnguyen0320** · 11-14-2012, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by fredwardnelson

They may try to charge you the difference of the full phone value. since they charge 500 and have you pay that off with a 15 dollar fee for 20 months, it's a bad deal. they may have you pay the eft plus the difference on the phone.

Originally Posted by Andrew Martonik

If the ETF really is only $200 then there's no catch. It's well known that right now most of the iPhone 5's are worth more than the up-front + ETF as well. iPhone 5 on Verizon is only $200 + $350 ETF, but retails for like $649.

Yep ETF is indeed $200. I'm assuming that's because tmobile's plans are cheap to begin with. I do have a question for you. I know about the iPhone from Verizon but if I buy from Verizon and oay ETF, will the phone still be locked under Verizon's network?

**reign831** · 11-14-2012, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by cnguyen0320

Tmobile on contract $200 for N4, $200 for ETF. You walk out of Tmobile with a 16gb N4 right now for only $50 more.

There is also a $35 activation fee but many tmobile assistants will waive that if you ask.

I think you're forgetting that you have to pay for the first month of service.

**sx4dude2013** · 11-14-2012, 06:14 PM

You are required to keep the device active on contract for at least 14 days. Then you may cancel your contract and pay the ETF.
Also, most customers require a deposit to open an account....this is not refunded (to my knowledge) if you cancel your service after 14 days...

**Andrew Martonik** · 11-14-2012, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by cnguyen0320

I do have a question for you. I know about the iPhone from Verizon but if I buy from Verizon and oay ETF, will the phone still be locked under Verizon's network?

Buy what phone? The Nexus 4 isn't coming to Verizon. And Verizon phones (in general) are CDMA/LTE only, and can't be used on any other network. They're essentially "locked" because they're incompatible hardware-wise with other networks (except Verizon MVNOs, and even then that's a hassle).

Of the Verizon phones that do have the GSM capability to run on other networks (aka "world phones"), they're not always unlocked. Verizon isn't very nice about unlocking phones unless you're a contract customer traveling abroad. Some are unlocked out of the box though, like we're seeing with the Droid DNA, so its kind of a crap shoot.

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by reignx777

I think you're forgetting that you have to pay for the first month of service.

You'd only pay the pro-rated amount of using the service for the first 15 days, presuming you cancel the 1st day after the 14-day grace period.

But yes, there are likely other charges to crop up over and above the $200 + ETF you'd think you'd be paying. Like the activation fee, taxes, and partial-month's service.

**reign831** · 11-14-2012, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew Martonik

You'd only pay the pro-rated amount of using the service for the first 15 days, presuming you cancel the 1st day after the 14-day grace period.

But yes, there are likely other charges to crop up over and above the $200 + ETF you'd think you'd be paying. Like the activation fee, taxes, and partial-month's service.

Ah, true. In California we have a 30 day grace period, which would mean paying for a full month.

**ChromeJob** · 11-14-2012, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by cnguyen0320

I'd doubt it. They don't make you do that with any other phone but those are locked to tmobile. The N4 will be unlocked and seeing as how there isn't anything in the fine print, I find it unlikely.

"There isn't anything in the fine print." Famous last words. Anyone trying, you'd better read your actual contract, not some web site, word for word before signing. #JUSTSAYING

Originally Posted by sx4dude2013

... Also, most customers [are required to pay] a deposit to open an account....this is not refunded (to my knowledge) if you cancel your service after 14 days...

Usually (in my experience) the deposit is waived once you pass a credit check. Takes a minute or so.

Originally Posted by Andrew Martonik

... Verizon isn't very nice about unlocking phones unless you happen to own a Death Star and threaten to blow up Alderaan if they don't unlock it for you.

Here Andrew, I fixed that statement for you.

Originally Posted by Andrew Martonik

You'd only pay the pro-rated amount of using the service for the first 15 days, presuming you cancel the 1st day after the 14-day grace period.

I'd say read the contract. When I bought my Amaze last December, they charged me for a partial period, but hoo boy the math was flakey and seems I paid $20 or so I shouldn't have had to.

Originally Posted by Andrew Martonik

... But yes, there are likely other charges to crop up over and above the $200 + ETF you'd think you'd be paying. Like the activation fee, taxes, and partial-month's service.

Listen to Andrew ^ peope, there are all kinds of little tricks and hooks and gotchas they've baked into their contracts. The carriers have battalions of contract lawyers who use every trick in the book to protect their bottom line from us, the humble consumers. Tread carefully.

That said ... I'm wondering if I should buy one on a second line for my gf, give her my Amaze so she can do Google+ stuff with me for a few months, and walk out with the Nexus. Hrm....

**Andrew Martonik** · 11-14-2012, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by ChromeJob

That said ... I'm wondering if I should buy one on a second line for my gf, give her my Amaze so she can do Google+ stuff with me for a few months, and walk out with the Nexus. Hrm....

You're still better off signing a Value Plan (or Prepaid plan) and buying the device a the Google Play Store next week.

**cnguyen0320** · 11-14-2012, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew Martonik

Buy what phone? The Nexus 4 isn't coming to Verizon. And Verizon phones (in general) are CDMA/LTE only, and can't be used on any other network. They're essentially "locked" because they're incompatible hardware-wise with other networks (except Verizon MVNOs, and even then that's a hassle).

I meant like the iPhone 5 since it has a sim slot. Sorry, I should probably ask the apple forums but you seem to have knowledge so...

**Andrew Martonik** · 11-14-2012, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by cnguyen0320

I meant like the iPhone 5 since it has a sim slot. Sorry, I should probably ask the apple forums but you seem to have knowledge so...

The Verizon iPhone is quadband GSM with 850/900/1900/2100 (iirc), and the GSM part is unlocked. It has some good resale value as an unlocked GSM phone, but it doesn't have the proper LTE frequencies for AT&T, which cuts it down to either selling it as a Verizon phone or selling it overseas.