"Subsidize" a Galaxy Nexus(GSM) to use with AT&T, will this work?

**hull22** · 12-23-2011, 04:00 PM

Since AT&T has yet to offer this phone, I was wondering if I could, in a way, subsidize the phone myself. I would sign up for a new line with 2yr contract and purchase something like the iPhone 4S for $199, resell it for around $500 then take the $300 to reduce the cost of buying an unlocked GSM Nexus. Any reason why this wouldn't work?

**dmnall** · 12-23-2011, 05:31 PM

I don't see why it would not work, however, you might have to call up att to switch your data to a regular smartphone plan because the iphone has their own plan, plus you will need to get a microsim adapter since the iphone4s uses microsim cards. Are you a current att user?

HTH,
Charlie

**hull22** · 12-23-2011, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by dmnall

I don't see why it would not work, however, you might have to call up att to switch your data to a regular smartphone plan because the iphone has their own plan, plus you will need to get a microsim adapter since the iphone4s uses microsim cards. Are you a current att user?

HTH,
Charlie

No, I am currently with Verizon. Want to switch to ATT because they have HSDPA+ in my area and no Verizon LTE yet. I don't want another iPhone right now but none of the android phones on ATT are very appealing to me(especially compared to the new VZ ones). Not liking the low res SGS2 screen.

**ggong5150** · 12-24-2011, 02:10 AM

Originally Posted by hull22

Since AT&T has yet to offer this phone, I was wondering if I could, in a way, subsidize the phone myself. I would sign up for a new line with 2yr contract and purchase something like the iPhone 4S for $199, resell it for around $500 then take the $300 to reduce the cost of buying an unlocked GSM Nexus. Any reason why this wouldn't work?

What phone are u using now? Generally if it isn't a old phone u can turn around and sell for a pretty good price on Craigslist or eBay and then buy your Nexus instead of going through the hassle. Rumor is that there will be a 4G Nexus on ATT sometime in February. I just bought my Nexus from a Google employee and he said that it should be coming soon.
If you buy an iPhone generally u have 30 days to return. You can get it, sell it, then call ATT and tell them you returned the phone and to change your data plan back that is if u did not buy the phone from ATT.

**hull22** · 12-24-2011, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by ggong5150

What phone are u using now? Generally if it isn't a old phone u can turn around and sell for a pretty good price on Craigslist or eBay and then buy your Nexus instead of going through the hassle. Rumor is that there will be a 4G Nexus on ATT sometime in February. I just bought my Nexus from a Google employee and he said that it should be coming soon.
If you buy an iPhone generally u have 30 days to return. You can get it, sell it, then call ATT and tell them you returned the phone and to change your data plan back that is if u did not buy the phone from ATT.

Right now, I have an HTC Thunderbolt and my wife's iPhone 4(16GB) on Verizon. Would try to sell them(maybe $150/$300) on ebay to recoup the ETF of $270 left on the one line that has a contract. I would get here an iPhone 4 probably as the 2nd line with AT&T. Alternatively, we do have an old iPhone 3Gs from AT&T that my wife wouldn't mind using. Thus I could get two iPhone 4S(s) and resell them to actually covering the entire cost of the GSM Nexus.

**ggong5150** · 12-24-2011, 11:32 AM

If ur on Verizon then why not just upgrade to a Nexus or wait for the other line to have an upgrade that way u don't have to pay the termination fee. Also if u jump to AT&T you won't get the unlimited data plan. If u decide to sell try Craigslist, that way u don't have to pay the eBay fees on both ends.

**hull22** · 12-24-2011, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by ggong5150

If ur on Verizon then why not just upgrade to a Nexus or wait for the other line to have an upgrade that way u don't have to pay the termination fee. Also if u jump to AT&T you won't get the unlimited data plan. If u decide to sell try Craigslist, that way u don't have to pay the eBay fees on both ends.

I tried out the Nexus on Verizon already. Great phone except the signal sucks in my area and no LTE here. I want to switch to AT&T to get 4G like speeds. I don't want to wait another year(to be contract fee) to leave verizon. Yeah, will probably try craigslist first to resell.