Carrier or Outright from Google?

[Morty2264]

Hi, everyone!

Now that Black Friday is here, it seems like there are phone deals everywhere - and it isn't even Cyber Monday yet!

To those of you who are thinking about buying a Pixel 2-series phone this weekend, or to those of you who already have one: will/did you get your Pixel 2-series device through your carrier or directly from Google?

 

[mumfoau]

Once my contract ended last year just after the 7/7 Plus came out, I said I was done going through Verizon. So, I purchased my Pixel 2 outright through Google.

 

[Morty2264]

Once my contract ended last year just after the 7/7 Plus came out, I said I was done going through Verizon. So, I purchased my Pixel 2 outright through Google.

Awesome! What colour did you get?

 

[mumfoau]

Awesome! What colour did you get?

"Just Black"

 

[bjrosen]

Verizon phones are locked, Google phones aren't. If you ever want to flash the phone you should buy it from Google, I do that all the time so I don't have to wait for the OTAs. Also if you think there is any chance that you will want to switch carriers or go with project Fi you will want the Google version. Personally I would never buy a phone from Verizon but ir you aren't the type to download images and flash them or if you have no interest in switching carriers then you should just look for the best deal.

 

[raqball]

I haven't purchased a carrier locked phone in years now. I always just purchase unlocked phones at retail pricing. Not interested in monthly payments and / or having it locked down to a specific carrier.

I am on Fi with a clearly white Pixel 2 (non XL). I purchased mine through Fi but at full price..

 

[Morty2264]

"Just Black"

Awesome! It's a beautiful colour!

 

[Morty2264]

Verizon phones are locked, Google phones aren't. If you ever want to flash the phone you should buy it from Google, I do that all the time so I don't have to wait for the OTAs. Also if you think there is any chance that you will want to switch carriers or go with project Fi you will want the Google version. Personally I would never buy a phone from Verizon but ir you aren't the type to download images and flash them or if you have no interest in switching carriers then you should just look for the best deal.

I have bought unlocked in the past and love the freedom of doing so; so I definitely understand your point. But I don't see myself switching carriers so I may look for the best deal, as you've said.

 

[Morty2264]

I haven't purchased a carrier locked phone in years now. I always just purchase unlocked phones at retail pricing. Not interested in monthly payments and / or having it locked down to a specific carrier.

I am on Fi with a clearly white Pixel (non XL). I purchased mine through Fi but at full price..

Hope you are enjoying your new phone! I too love buying unlocked. Gives you great freedom!

 

[mumfoau]

Yeah though I don't intend to leave Verizon, I bought the unlocked version from Google.

 

[Almeuit]

Verizon phones are locked, Google phones aren't. If you ever want to flash the phone you should buy it from Google, I do that all the time so I don't have to wait for the OTAs. Also if you think there is any chance that you will want to switch carriers or go with project Fi you will want the Google version. Personally I would never buy a phone from Verizon but ir you aren't the type to download images and flash them or if you have no interest in switching carriers then you should just look for the best deal.

Verizon phones are bootloader locked / Google ones aren't. That is the only difference.

You can flash OTA updates (versus waiting for the actual OTA) via Googles website even with the Verizon version. It is only if you want to install custom ROMs (full images) that you need the unlocked bootloader.

Also the Verizon version will work if you swap over to Fi -- why do you think it won't? The Verizon version will actually work with all carriers... exactly the same as the one bought from Google.

 

[pseudoware]

In general, unlocked variants tend to have a greater resale value.

 

[mumfoau]

In general, unlocked variants tend to have a greater resale value.

I've noticed that as well

 

[Almeuit]

In general, unlocked variants tend to have a greater resale value.

Of other phones? Yeah. With the Google one it is the same phone. As I said previously the only thing that is different is the bootloader and that only matters if you're doing custom ROMs / rooting (not OTA updates).

 

[raqball]

Verizon phones are bootloader locked / Google ones aren't. That is the only difference.

You can flash OTA updates (versus waiting for the actual OTA) via Googles website even with the Verizon version. It is only if you want to install custom ROMs (full images) that you need the unlocked bootloader.

Also the Verizon version will work if you swap over to Fi -- why do you think it won't? The Verizon version will actually work with all carriers... exactly the same as the one bought from Google.

True.. The bad on Verizon phones in the past (specifically the Nexus) was lack of updates. In some cases, the VZW version of phones is actually the best one to get (I'm looking at you iPhone) as they are really the true unlocked version as far as carrier phones go.

VZW was forced by the FCC years ago to make all phones their unlocked.

 

[Almeuit]

True.. The bad on Verizon phones in the past (specifically the Nexus) was lack of updates. In some cases, the VZW version of phones is actually the best one to get (I'm looking at you iPhone) as they are really the true unlocked version as far as carrier phones go.

VZW was forced by the FTC years ago to make all phones their unlocked.

Yeah that is with the Nexus. Since the Pixel they come out at the same time as Googles (in terms of OTA updates). It was like that with the Pixel 1 and I don't expect it to change with the Pixel 2.

Also if you want to sideload the OTA instead of wait for it you can do it the same as you can with a Google Store one.

 

[pseudoware]

Of other phones? Yeah. With the Google one it is the same phone. As I said previously the only thing that is different is the bootloader and that only matters if you're doing custom ROMs / rooting (not OTA updates).

Yes, I agree they are essentially the same. From a typical "aftermarket" buyer's perspective, they may not know or care. If someone sees both "carrier" and "unlocked" listed, all else being equal, I think in general, most people will prefer unlocked (i.e. greater demand).

 

[Morty2264]

In general, unlocked variants tend to have a greater resale value.

Agreed. Perhaps because you don't have to pay more elsewhere/go through the hassle of getting them locked to your carrier? So people, knowing this, will pay more for the phone/will have better resale "luck" when selling used devices?

 

[Almeuit]

Yes, I agree they are essentially the same. From a typical "aftermarket" buyer's perspective, they may not know or care. If someone sees both "carrier" and "unlocked" listed, all else being equal, I think in general, most people will prefer unlocked (i.e. greater demand).

Well if they are just regular consumer sure -- they have this idea that "unlocked" is better. For someone who does know they will know there is no difference unless they want to root/ROM. It will take time for people to learn .

Just like general consumers are starting to learn that Verizon phones are all unlocked out of the box to work on any carrier. No contacting your carrier for an "unlock code" like phones from other carriers.

 

[Mike Dee]

In general, unlocked variants tend to have a greater resale value.

Based on the prior pixel on swappa it's really not that big a difference