Any actual downside to an unlocked phone?

[jeeves744]

So I have been on the same carrier for a very long time and have plans of changing, so I have always just gotten a carrier phone. But I am finding better deals on unlocked s26s then carrier phones so I am thinking of going that route. My question is, is there actually any downside to an unlocked phone these days?

 

[mustang7757]

No downside

 

[monsieurms]

No downside

You know, I don't think I've ever bought an unlocked phone! I've unlocked some after. Now I'm suddenly thinking. Always dangerous to be sure.

But if say you buy an unlocked phone and you're a T-Mobile customer, there are some T-Mobile features like the video voicemail that are useful that I like.

How do you get that back? Play store? TMO website?

 

[mustang7757]

You know, I don't think I've ever bought an unlocked phone! I've unlocked some after. Now I'm suddenly thinking. Always dangerous to be sure.

But if say you buy an unlocked phone and you're a T-Mobile customer, there are some T-Mobile features like the video voicemail that are useful that I like.

How do you get that back? Play store? TMO website?

Play store visual voicemail

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Verizon takes away some features on unlocked phones. One is call filter which worked good, better then then the built in one.

 

[mustang7757]

Another thing if you buy a carrier or unlock version you can flash to either of them with Odin easily

 

[bearone2]

s25+: i've seen too many posts of folks buying unlocked, whomever saying trade-in not received, no credit!!

a year ago i traded a 2 yr old, $400 a545g to verizon for a $1k trade-in!!

with smart switch, got what i needed + hand receipt from verizon for the trade-in!!

i live with the bloat, life goes on!!

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

s25+: i've seen too many posts of folks buying unlocked, whomever saying trade-in not received, no credit!!

a year ago i traded a 2 yr old, $400 a545g to verizon for a $1k trade-in!!

with smart switch, got what i needed + hand receipt from verizon for the trade-in!!

i live with the bloat, life goes on!!

Carriers have had those same situations, not received, even when if you give it to them in person.

 

[bearone2]

Carriers have had those same situations, not received, even when if you give it to them in person.

hard for 'em to deny with verizon receipt!!

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

hard for 'em to deny with verizon receipt!! View attachment 373430

You must be new to Verizon.

 

[bearone2]

You must be new to Verizon.

yeah, 1998!!

star tac, droid, s3, s5, note5, s8+, s10+, a545g, s25+!!

 

[Mike Dee]

s25+: i've seen too many posts of folks buying unlocked, whomever saying trade-in not received, no credit!!

a year ago i traded a 2 yr old, $400 a545g to verizon for a $1k trade-in!!

with smart switch, got what i needed + hand receipt from verizon for the trade-in!!

i live with the bloat, life goes on!!

I have yet to see one that they didnt get credit eventually. If you can prove you dropped it off to FedEx you are in pretty good shape.

 

[Mike Dee]

So I have been on the same carrier for a very long time and have plans of changing, so I have always just gotten a carrier phone. But I am finding better deals on unlocked s26s then carrier phones so I am thinking of going that route. My question is, is there actually any downside to an unlocked phone these days?

The downside is one you dont get carrier bloat. Im good with that.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

yeah, 1998!!

star tac, droid, s3, s5, note5, s8+, s10+, a545g, s25+!!

I wouldn't be able to list all of my Verizon phones...I can't remember them all.

 

[nuangel2]

You know, I don't think I've ever bought an unlocked phone! I've unlocked some after. Now I'm suddenly thinking. Always dangerous to be sure.

But if say you buy an unlocked phone and you're a T-Mobile customer, there are some T-Mobile features like the video voicemail that are useful that I like.

How do you get that back? Play store? TMO website?

I have had unlocked phones on T mobile for years. I have an unlocked S24 ultra and I use tmobile Visual Voicemail works fine for me

 

[KupKrazy]

I've been doing unlocked for years and the only thing I've noticed is that I seem to get security and firmware updates later than people with carrier phones.

Anyway, when you insert the sim from your carrier, your phone is going to download a number of carrier related apps (at least with ATT and T-Mobile) but pretty sure you can delete them.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Here's a benefit of unlocked phones, at least if you have Verizon, is you don't get charged the $40 activation/upgrade charge.

 

[mustang7757]

Here's a benefit of unlocked phones, at least if you have Verizon, is you don't get charged the $40 activation/upgrade charge.

They still charge for that

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

They still charge for that

If you get carrier phone thru Verizon. In fact they just raised it from $35. I assumed all of them did this.

 

[mustang7757]

If you get carrier phone thru Verizon. In fact they just raised it from $35. I assumed all of them did this.

That's crazy