AT&T vs. Unlocked

[detroitmikeb]

Is there any benefit to ordering the Unlocked version over the AT&T version if you use AT&T? Will you get updates slightly quicker since there's no carrier approval?

 

[KennyJohnson]

You could. Also you don't get any of the At&t bloatware (which is limited on the MotoX). I always get an unlocked phone because i'm on T-Mobile but if I could get one for At&t i would. it's the same price, I think.

 

[detroitmikeb]

For the same price, why would you chose the AT&T version over the Unlocked one? Just curious.

You could. Also you don't get any of the At&t bloatware (which is limited on the MotoX). I always get an unlocked phone because i'm on T-Mobile but if I could get one for At&t i would. it's the same price, I think.

 

[benhaube]

Just curious. Is there any "unlocked" phones that work with Verizon? I'm stuck with them because they are the only provider with LTE access in the rural area I live. I always pay full price for my phones, so I can get a new one at any time. My Moto X is locked in with Verizon, but I would love to have a boat free unlocked version.

Sent from my XT1060 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[detroitmikeb]

Yes, the Moto X

Just curious. Is there any "unlocked" phones that work with Verizon? I'm stuck with them because they are the only provider with LTE access in the rural area I live. I always pay full price for my phones, so I can get a new one at any time. My Moto X is locked in with Verizon, but I would love to have a boat free unlocked version.

Sent from my XT1060 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[detroitmikeb]

No one has the answer?

 

[matt3166]

Unlocked means you can pretty much go to any carrier that supports radio bands in the phone. If you get just AT&T it just works on them, you can unlock it afterwards but you would still get the bloatware.
Updates should come faster as well, usually only a few weeks after the release instead of months.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[dpham00]

Just curious. Is there any "unlocked" phones that work with Verizon? I'm stuck with them because they are the only provider with LTE access in the rural area I live. I always pay full price for my phones, so I can get a new one at any time. My Moto X is locked in with Verizon, but I would love to have a boat free unlocked version.

Sent from my XT1060 using AC Forums mobile app

The Verizon moto x should be factory sim unlocked so you can use it on other gsm carriers. You can't use an unlocked phone on Verizon though unless it is in their database.

dpham00, Android Central Moderator
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3

 

[detroitmikeb]

Thats what I was looking for, thanks! The GSM Unlocked and AT&T have the same bands right, so I shouldnt see any difference in quality?

Unlocked means you can pretty much go to any carrier that supports radio bands in the phone. If you get just AT&T it just works on them, you can unlock it afterwards but you would still get the bloatware.
Updates should come faster as well, usually only a few weeks after the release instead of months.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[sting7k]

Just curious. Is there any "unlocked" phones that work with Verizon? I'm stuck with them because they are the only provider with LTE access in the rural area I live. I always pay full price for my phones, so I can get a new one at any time. My Moto X is locked in with Verizon, but I would love to have a boat free unlocked version.

Sent from my XT1060 using AC Forums mobile app

The Verizon version should be SIM unlocked. As per Verizon's deal with the FCC when they last won a spectrum auction. However it will not be bloat free as it's Verizon branded. It also likely has more worldly GSM support and may be missing some bands used by AT&T and Tmobile.

To get bloat free you need to buy either the Tmobile version or developer edition Moto X. However both of those versions lack the CDMA support required by Verizon's network.

 

[JoeNM84]

The Verizon version should be SIM unlocked. As per Verizon's deal with the FCC when they last won a spectrum auction. However it will not be bloat free as it's Verizon branded. It also likely has more worldly GSM support and may be missing some bands used by AT&T and Tmobile.

To get bloat free you need to buy either the Tmobile version or developer edition Moto X. However both of those versions lack the CDMA support required by Verizon's network.

Verizon has a Developer Edition Moto X available. Developer Edition just means the bootloader is unlocked and you are still covered under warranty if you unlock and root it. I assume it would still have the bloat for Verizon though.

 

[benhaube]

The Verizon moto x should be factory sim unlocked so you can use it on other gsm carriers. You can't use an unlocked phone on Verizon though unless it is in their database.

dpham00, Android Central Moderator
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3

I was not aware of this. I don't have the developer edition, just the Moto Maker model. Even that is factory Sim unlocked?

Sent from my XT1060 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[PapaGary]

I was not aware of this. I don't have the developer edition, just the Moto Maker model.

You might try this:
How to to access developer options in Moto X? - Moto X Phone Owners Community

Note: I haven't tried this as I already have a developer's edition.

 

[dpham00]

I was not aware of this. I don't have the developer edition, just the Moto Maker model. Even that is factory Sim unlocked?

Sent from my XT1060 using AC Forums mobile app

It should be. Easiest way to try is to order a prepaid sim from tmobile. You do not need to activate, just insert the sim. Sometimes tmobile will offer it free or cheap.

dpham00, Android Central Moderator
Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 3

 

[sting7k]

Verizon has a Developer Edition Moto X available. Developer Edition just means the bootloader is unlocked and you are still covered under warranty if you unlock and root it. I assume it would still have the bloat for Verizon though.

Completely forgot that there was also a Verizon dev edition.

 

[sting7k]

I was not aware of this. I don't have the developer edition, just the Moto Maker model. Even that is factory Sim unlocked?

Sent from my XT1060 using AC Forums mobile app

Yes, it should be SIM unlocked. Verizon iPhones come SIM unlocked.

 

[benhaube]

You might try this:
How to to access developer options in Moto X? - Moto X Phone Owners Community

Note: I haven't tried this as I already have a developer's edition.

Oh yeah, I enable developer options on all my Android devices because I guess I'm a control freak. I didn't see anything pertaining to network type in there, but under more settings I can select between CDMA and GSM.

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[matt3166]

Thats what I was looking for, thanks! The GSM Unlocked and AT&T have the same bands right, so I shouldnt see any difference in quality?

Shouldn't see any difference in quality what so ever.
I should clarify that updates times are always different, the Verizon Moto X got 4.2.2 before any other even unlocked I believe, but having stock android it does help with timely updates.

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[ougrad1]

No one has the answer?

I always love the douchey call out for replies since no responded to the OP's post fast enough for him. Forget that the time delay was overnight and others may be sleeping. :-X

 

[tonymhoffman]

Is there any benefit to ordering the Unlocked version over the AT&T version if you use AT&T? Will you get updates slightly quicker since there's no carrier approval?

My unlocked for 4.4.2 about 6 weeks before att did. I use mine on att because update are faster generally.

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