Best Buy Pixel vs Unlocked Google Pixel

[rockitdog23]

What exactly are the actual differences between the Pixel from BB and purchasing straight from Google? I'm on AT&T, is there a reason I shouldn't purchase from Best Buy? I've been looking for this answer and I can't seem to get a straight response. Are they they same or are they different?

 

[radgatt]

What exactly are the actual differences between the Pixel from BB and purchasing straight from Google? I'm on AT&T, is there a reason I shouldn't purchase from Best Buy? I've been looking for this answer and I can't seem to get a straight response. Are they they same or are they different?

The Best Buy Pixel is the same as the one from Verizon. It will have the 3 preinstalled Verizon apps that are completely removable. The LTE bands are the same as what you would get from Google. The updates will come from Verizon but they will be pushed at the same time as when Google pushes the update for phones bought from them directly. The bootloader on Best Buy's Pixel is not unlockable since it technically a Verizon phone. Besides that, it's the same phone.

 

[imartez]

The Best Buy Pixel is the same as the one from Verizon. It will have the 3 preinstalled Verizon apps that are completely removable. The LTE bands are the same as what you would get from Google. The updates will come from Verizon but they will be pushed at the same time as when Google pushes the update for phones bought from them directly. The bootloader on Best Buy's Pixel is not unlockable since it technically a Verizon phone. Besides that, it's the same phone.

The 3 apps do not come pre-installed (at least on mine). When I got mine, I removed the Verizon SIM before I booted up the phone and put in my T-Mobile SIM and there were no Verizon apps.

 

[rockitdog23]

The Best Buy Pixel is the same as the one from Verizon. It will have the 3 preinstalled Verizon apps that are completely removable. The LTE bands are the same as what you would get from Google. The updates will come from Verizon but they will be pushed at the same time as when Google pushes the update for phones bought from them directly. The bootloader on Best Buy's Pixel is not unlockable since it technically a Verizon phone. Besides that, it's the same phone.

I've never had a device from another carrier on AT&T. So I want to make sure I understand, I'll still be able to get the updates pushed to me from Verizon even though I'll have an AT&T sim card in the device, is that correct?

 

[cgardnervt]

I've never had a device from another carrier on AT&T. So I want to make sure I understand, I'll still be able to get the updates pushed to me from Verizon even though I'll have an AT&T sim card in the device, is that correct?

Good question! Does anyone know?

 

[Momof9Blessings]

at BB you can only get the 32 gb

 

[radgatt]

The 3 apps do not come pre-installed (at least on mine). When I got mine, I removed the Verizon SIM before I booted up the phone and put in my T-Mobile SIM and there were no Verizon apps.

Had you not removed the sim before booting the device you would have had the 3 apps.

 

[gozirra]

I'm not so sure about that.
I put my Verizon Note 5 SIM in my Pixel XL at Best Buy prior to activation and it didn't install any Verizon apps. Just checked, there are STILL no Verizon apps on my phone, 10 days after purchase.

 

[rockitdog23]

Is there a difference in the model number?

 

[Anzorian]

There really is no difference other than build numbers. I have the Google Pixel XL on AT&T and my friend has the Verizon Pixel XL. I am thinking of moving to Verizon because the missing HD Voice is starting to get to me now.

 

[ksat]

Can someone help me understand why BB isn't carrying the 128GB version?

 

[radgatt]

Can someone help me understand why BB isn't carrying the 128GB version?

Best Buy would be the one to answer that. If I had to guess it's probably an incentive to get you to buy the phone from Google or Verizon themselves.

 

[ihbsbA]

The 3 apps do not come pre-installed (at least on mine). When I got mine, I removed the Verizon SIM before I booted up the phone and put in my T-Mobile SIM and there were no Verizon apps.

Did you check in the system apps? I also removed the sim and those apps were/are listed in the system apps and I don't see where to uninstall them.

 

[NokFromApp]

I have a BB Pixel XL running on AT&T. Today I noticed that whenever a call is active, the data network moves to HSPA. It shifts back to LTE as soon as a call ends. I tried this 3-4 times. The behavior was consistent. Not a big deal for me, but I don't think my iPhone did that. Also possible that the the google store version does not do that

 

[imartez]

Did you check in the system apps? I also removed the sim and those apps were/are listed in the system apps and I don't see where to uninstall them.

There are apps from Fi, Sprint and Verizon in system apps and from my understanding they are there to support those respective carriers and do not impact your Pixel at all. You can disable them, but not sure if you can uninstall them. The 3 apps I was referring to from Verizon are go90, My Verizon and Verizon Messages, those apps did not install.

 

[ihbsbA]

There are apps from Fi, Sprint and Verizon in system apps and from my understanding they are there to support those respective carriers and do not impact your Pixel at all. You can disable them, but not sure if you can uninstall them. The 3 apps I was referring to from Verizon are go90, My Verizon and Verizon Messages, those apps did not install.

Oh! Same.

 

[mikef91]

Can anyone here who is using the Verizon Pixel on a different network tell me if they received the latest Nougat update?

 

[rockitdog23]

Can anyone here who is using the Verizon Pixel on a different network tell me if they received the latest Nougat update?

+1 - I'd like to know this as well.

 

[joeynumbers]

I've never had a device from another carrier on AT&T. So I want to make sure I understand, I'll still be able to get the updates pushed to me from Verizon even though I'll have an AT&T sim card in the device, is that correct?

Well...

Let's put it this way, I bought a Verizon Nexus 7 once upon a time, and immediately put a T-Mobile sim in it. I didn't receive even one update. I wouldn't trust Verizon with my Nexus updates, and so I wouldn't trust them with my Pixel updates.

 

[ToddPsyD]

Can anyone here who is using the Verizon Pixel on a different network tell me if they received the latest Nougat update?

I bought my Pixel XL from BB and I activated it with my T-Mobile sim. I've gotten the update and it's the version for unlocked phones (NDE63V), not the Verizon version.