Any actual downside to an unlocked phone?

[jeeves744]

Thanks everyone. Decided to preorder an unlocked s26 ultra from best buy. I'm upgrading from a S10+, so zero trade in value and best buy atleast had a discount of a couple hundred if you preorder from them.

 

[swebb]

My gut reaction would have been that unlocked has no downside, but clearly there are advantages for some. So again it comes down to what works for you.

 

[PsychDoc]

Thanks everyone. Decided to preorder an unlocked s26 ultra from best buy. I'm upgrading from a S10+, so zero trade in value and best buy atleast had a discount of a couple hundred if you preorder from them.

Did you check out the deal on Amazon? It's pretty amazing. You may want to take a look.

Amazon.com: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Unlocked Android Smartphone + $200 Gift Card, 512GB, Privacy Display, Galaxy AI, AI Camera, Super Fast Charging 3.0, Durable Battery, 2026, Black : Cell Phones & Accessories

Amazon.com: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Unlocked Android Smartphone + $200 Gift Card, 512GB, Privacy Display, Galaxy AI, AI Camera, Super Fast Charging 3.0, Durable Battery, 2026, Black : Cell Phones & Accessories

www.amazon.com

 

[jeeves744]

Yes I saw that too. I was going to go that route, but decided to get the 1Tb version and amazon doesn't have it, but Best Buy did.

 

[edubfromktown]

yeah, 1998!!

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

The point being made is that carriers can hose up trade-in's and have dodgy support like anywhere else.

I used AT&T exclusively for as long as past employers paid for the phone and bill (nearly 20 years), then Verizon with one employer briefly (and was not impressed). Once I had to pay for the phone and service I switched to unlocked phones with MVNO's (~10 years).

The other two major downsides to carrier-provided phones:

You are forced into a mid-high level (and potentially more expensive per month) multi-year plan for "upgrade" and "discounted" new customer eligibility.

Carriers load extra bloatware background services and apps that are not present on unlocked devices.

I've purchased unlocked Samsung phones and traded in old ones with no issues. My prepaid yearly plan comes out to $15/month (with no additional fees, taxes, etc.) for 10 GB of data with unlimited text and talk. That is ~2-3x the average data I use on a monthly basis.

 

[robert02]

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?

Unlocked phones give more freedom—switch carriers, get faster updates, no bloatware. Only minor downside: some carrier features like VoLTE or Wi‑Fi calling might need extra setup. Overall, a better choice today.

 

[Zorrak]

I had some trouble getting my visual voicemail to work on my unlocked 25U on Verizon but aside that No difference. And pretty sure I never saw an upgrade charge! how would that work? You can switch phones on their app or website at anytime

 

[bearone2]

The point being made is that carriers can hose up trade-in's and have dodgy support like anywhere else.

I used AT&T exclusively for as long as past employers paid for the phone and bill (nearly 20 years), then Verizon with one employer briefly (and was not impressed). Once I had to pay for the phone and service I switched to unlocked phones with MVNO's (~10 years).

The other two major downsides to carrier-provided phones:

You are forced into a mid-high level (and potentially more expensive per month) multi-year plan for "upgrade" and "discounted" new customer eligibility.

Carriers load extra bloatware background services and apps that are not present on unlocked devices.

I've purchased unlocked Samsung phones and traded in old ones with no issues. My prepaid yearly plan comes out to $15/month (with no additional fees, taxes, etc.) for 10 GB of data with unlimited text and talk. That is ~2-3x the average data I use on a monthly basis.

10g data, no wonder it so cheap/month!!

 

[bearone2]

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

i still have all but star tac/droid!!

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

10g data, no wonder it so cheap/month!!

I have a T-Mobile prepaid line for $15 month unlimited talk text and 5 Gigs data. I don't even care if it has data, I might even have the data turned off, I have Verizon for data. Not everyone wants data, I have a guy I know that wants just talk, no data and he won't even look at texting, you want to talk to him you better call him, lol.

 

[edubfromktown]

10g data, no wonder it so cheap/month!!

The Unlimited plan from US Mobile (where you can choose ATT, T-Mobile or Verizon service) is currently "on sale" for 1st year @$25 / month and then goes up to $32.50/month if that's your requirement.

 

[martint235]

I can't remember the last time I bought a carrier phone. In the UK it's much cheaper to buy the phone yourself and just get a cheap SIM deal.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Everything works great on T-Mobile with Ann unlocked phone. I downloaded the T-Mobile visual voicemail app from Play Store.

 

[monsieurms]

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.

Was wondering about that. Makes sense and seems to be a complete answer.

 

[Rose4uKY]

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

Really! I didn't know that how do I disconnect the phone I'm using and activate the new one?

 

[tube517]

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

T-Mobile does it too but I complained the last 2 times and got it waived. I communicate with T-Mobile thru X/twitter and they are very lenient vs the phone reps.

 

[AspenQn]

Not that I can think of. I had been on Verizon with unlocked until my last upgrade to my S23U when we switched to TMo. I think I had to download a couple of things like TMo Visual Voicemail and Scam Shield from the Play Store but that was about it. Knowing I was switching carriers back then I did swap my eSIM for a physical SIM card and was able to rock and roll right out of the gate.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Really! I didn't know that how do I disconnect the phone I'm using and activate the new one?

That's why I still use physical SIM cards, just move the card new phone

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

T-Mobile does it too but I complained the last 2 times and got it waived. I communicate with T-Mobile thru X/twitter and they are very lenient vs the phone reps.

We used to do that with Verizon but they for smarter, you pay it up front with the taxes

 

[Katrina White1]

That's why I still use physical SIM cards, just move the card new phone

Google Pixel got me to move to esim. Now I'm stuck here because I moved to an iphone. And even tho I sold my Pixel 10Pro, I feel confident I'll pick up an 11 Pro XL. I prefer physical sim though.