Buying from Play Store / Moto vs. Carrier?

[Zendroid1]

Is there a difference in model if I buy from the Play Store / Moto vs. my carrier (T-Mobile)? I realize if I buy from T-Mobile they may(?) lock the device to T-Mobile until I pay it off or whatever but other than that is there any difference? I plan on paying full price and it's $100 cheaper on T-Mobile than the Play Store / Moto right now but I'm hoping T-Mobile doesn't muck it up somehow.

 

[Gekko]

Is there a difference in model if I buy from the Play Store / Moto vs. my carrier (T-Mobile)? I realize if I buy from T-Mobile they may(?) lock the device to T-Mobile until I pay it off or whatever but other than that is there any difference? I plan on paying full price and it's $100 cheaper on T-Mobile than the Play Store / Moto right now but I'm hoping T-Mobile doesn't muck it up somehow.

i think you're OK buying from T-Mob. AT&T and Verizon both add carrier branding which annoys me. i don't think T-Mob alters the device - so for a $100 savings it's probably worth it. i do always prefer to buy direct from Google whenever possible because i like that "agnostic" carrier-free feeling it gives me.

 

[WP7Nettwerk]

Every update carrier specs review and if they are happy with it than you will get update. So if you are happy with it, buy from carrier. Sure you can debrand but you will lost some exclusive app from T-Mob branded Moto X. If I'm not wrong one of this feature is Wifi Calling. But I believe this should work with any phone. Required maybe special app for it.

 

[diesteldorf]

Is there a difference in model if I buy from the Play Store / Moto vs. my carrier (T-Mobile)? I realize if I buy from T-Mobile they may(?) lock the device to T-Mobile until I pay it off or whatever but other than that is there any difference? I plan on paying full price and it's $100 cheaper on T-Mobile than the Play Store / Moto right now but I'm hoping T-Mobile doesn't muck it up somehow.

No difference. Buy from TMOBILE and save the money. I bought mine on TMO and used it on Verizon, while I was still paying off the device. It is 100% unlocked, and so is the Sprint version.

 

[Zendroid1]

No difference. Buy from TMOBILE and save the money. I bought mine on TMO and used it on Verizon, while I was still paying off the device. It is 100% unlocked, and so is the Sprint version.

No T-Mobile apps or startup screens or anything?

 

[diesteldorf]

No T-Mobile apps or startup screens or anything?

The ONLY TMO thing it has, is a MY TMOBILE app for checking your TMO account and data usage.
All you have to do is uninstall it like any other app.

You may be able to avoid it completely, if you take out the TMO sim before turning it on.

Sprint's version is the exact same, except it doesn't have any Sprint apps installed and only comes in 32 GB.

But, getting back to your question, just uninstall the MY TMO APP and you'll be good to go. ROOT IS NOT REQUIRED.

Here's a link reiterating what I said earlier, but it comes from a corporate executive and is more colorful, though he doesn't drop any "F" bombs as John Legere has been known to do:

http://www.tmonews.com/2014/11/unlike-its-competitors-t-mobile-keeps-the-nexus-6-unbranded/

 

[Zendroid1]

The ONLY TMO thing it has, is a MY TMOBILE app for checking your TMO account and data usage.
All you have to do is uninstall it like any other app.

You may be able to avoid it completely, if you take out the TMO sim before turning it on.

Sprint's version is the exact same, except it doesn't have any Sprint apps installed and only comes in 32 GB.

But, getting back to your question, just uninstall the MY TMO APP and you'll be good to go. ROOT IS NOT REQUIRED.

Here's a link reiterating what I said earlier, but it comes from a corporate executive and is more colorful, though he doesn't drop any "F" bombs as John Legere has been known to do:

Unlike its competitors, T-Mobile keeps the Nexus 6 unbranded » TmoNews

Thanks! As long as I know you can uninstall the T-Mobile app I'll buy it from T-Mobile. I have the G4 from T-Mobile right now and they won't let me even disable the T-Mobile My Account app, let alone uninstall it.

 

[diesteldorf]

It may not make a difference, but I've had the best luck doing a factory reset, whenever I am switching between carriers.

If you are activating for the first time, you may just be able to remove the TMO sim and insert whatever sim for the carrier you will be using. However, I've always gone from TMO to Verizon or Sprint to International GSM Prepaid sim (when on vacation).

Even though the phone is unbloated and unlocked, I think the phone activates slightly differently between GSM and CDMA, Sprint, and Verizon.

If you are going from TMO to AT&T or vice versa, you may not gain anything by factory resetting.

 

[MoneyMike84]

When I bought mine from Verizon it didn't have anything Verizon on it except where it says Verizon on the back. No Verizon apps and no Verizon boot screen. I was happily surprised.

 

[diesteldorf]

When I bought mine from Verizon it didn't have anything Verizon on it except where it says Verizon on the back. No Verizon apps and no Verizon boot screen. I was happily surprised.

When I login into my VZW account, it shows my TMO Nexus as a "NON VZW NEXUS 6"

Does your account actually show a picture of your Nexus 8, since you bought it and, I assume, are using it on Verizon? Just curious.

 

[Gekko]

When I login into my VZW account, it shows my TMO Nexus as a "NON VZW NEXUS 6"

Does your account actually show a picture of your Nexus 8, since you bought it and, I assume, are using it on Verizon? Just curious.

[Shocker] Even After Launching The Nexus 6, Verizon Still Won't Officially Activate One That Wasn't Purchased From The Carrier

 

[MoneyMike84]

When I login into my VZW account, it shows my TMO Nexus as a "NON VZW NEXUS 6"

Does your account actually show a picture of your Nexus 8, since you bought it and, I assume, are using it on Verizon? Just curious.

Yeah I'm using it on Verizon and yes it shows as nexus 6 in my account.

 

[Gekko]

Google discounts the Nexus 6 by $150, throws in free shipping | Android Central

 

[Lee_Bo]

No T-Mobile apps or startup screens or anything?

The Tmo My Account can be uninstalled.

As for the boot logo. I'm on LYZ28E (5.1.1 with wifi calling) and there is no carrier boot screen. Just the four colored dots dancing on the screen that transform in the word "android" and then the home screen.

 

[berdinkerdickle]

Stuck my cut down Verizon Note2 Sim in my new unbranded Nexus 6. Within minutes it showed up at MyVerizon as
"NON VZW NEXUS 6"

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[bhatech]

Buy unbranded ones and not one from the useless carriers with their ugly logos. They shame the nexus with the logo, especially Verizon with the disgusting Verizon logo. Not sure how anyone can tolerate that crap.

 

[dmlv]

Buy unbranded ones and not one from the useless carriers with their ugly logos. They shame the nexus with the logo, especially Verizon with the disgusting Verizon logo. Not sure how anyone can tolerate that crap.

Agree 100%....seeing there are options with moto.com and Google Play...why not!
Unless someone does the carrier installments for financial reasons...that would really be the only reason. And a very legit one.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[bluefalcon13]

The T-Mobile one is basically unbranded. No extra markings on the phone itself, and only one app which can be uninstalled easily.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[dmlv]

Correct, I should not have lumped T-Mobile in with vrz, att.... Tmob gets it. There device is the Google addition. The apps only download when the sim is recognized. at&t's apps can all be uninstalled on the unlocked version..

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[bluefalcon13]

On the flip side, T-Mobile is selling the phone for $50 more than Google play and Motorola. Also, at one point wasn't Motorola offering terms similar to T-Mobile for financing a phone through them? Might be a nice alternative if they do, as then you can have your cake and eat it too

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk