Carrier or Outright from Google?

[bjrosen]

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.

Developer mode is grayed out on Verizon phones so you can't enable developer mode, if you can't enable developer mode you can't flash a factory image, you can only do OTA updates. There is one more very important thing that developer mode allows which has nothing to do with rooting or flashing, you can't turn off animations unless you are in developer mode. I don't know why they've tied this to developer mode or why animations even exist in the first place because they are useless and slow down the user interface but it is what it is. The very first thing I do with a new phone or when I've done a reset (usually because I flashed an image) is to enable developer mode and then turn off all of the transition effects and animations.

 

[Almeuit]

Developer mode is grayed out on Verizon phones so you can't enable developer mode, if you can't enable developer mode you can't flash a factory image, you can only do OTA updates. There is one more very important thing that developer mode allows which has nothing to do with rooting or flashing, you can't turn off animations unless you are in developer mode. I don't know why they've tied this to developer mode or why animations even exist in the first place because they are useless and slow down the user interface but it is what it is. The very first thing I do with a new phone or when I've done a reset (usually because I flashed an image) is to enable developer mode and then turn off all of the transition effects and animations.

That is literally what I said. You can flash OTA updates -- You just can't do full ROMs which are usually custom ROMs. You said previously you couldn't do OTA updates (a.k.a side load them) which was incorrect (quoted below).

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.

You also went on to say Fi / other carriers wouldn't work on the Verizon variant which is also incorrect. The phone will work on all carriers, including Project Fi, without a hiccup.

 

[Almeuit]

Developer mode is grayed out on Verizon phones so you can't enable developer mode, if you can't enable developer mode you can't flash a factory image, you can only do OTA updates.

....The very first thing I do with a new phone or when I've done a reset (usually because I flashed an image) is to enable developer mode and then turn off all of the transition effects and animations.

Also this is incorrect. Bootloader being locked means you can't flash a full image (not OTA updates) and that is it. I can still access Developer Mode on my phone. See below...

 

[bjrosen]

That is literally what I said. You can flash OTA updates -- You just can't do full ROMs which are usually custom ROMs. You said previously you couldn't do OTA updates (a.k.a side load them) which was incorrect (quoted below).



You also went on to say Fi / other carriers wouldn't work on the Verizon variant which is also incorrect. The phone will work on all carriers, including Project Fi, without a hiccup.

I don't know about other carriers, I take your word for it but I'm sure that Verizon has something in there contract that will make you give back any discounts that they offered if you change carriers.

When I said that I don't like to wait for OTAs, I've never flashed an OTA image I always flash full factory images. I don't mind that a full factory image does a factory reset, factory resets clean every thing up.

What I don't know is if you can use Project FI and Verizon at the same time, it seems that would be useful. The Pixel 2s have e-sims in them which support FI so in theory it should be possible to have Verizon and Project FI at the same time. The scenario where I would see this as useful is for overseas travel. At home Verizon has the best coverage so there isn't a need to supplement it with FI, but when you are out of the country Verizon's overseas roaming plans are very expensive, FI would be a huge benefit under those circumstances.

 

[bjrosen]

Also this is incorrect. Bootloader being locked means you can't flash a full image (not OTA updates) and that is it. I can still access Developer Mode on my phone. See below...

//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171124/bc4ed0542694d83d2c0c629ea4614c92.jpg

I stand corrected.

 

[Almeuit]

I don't know about other carriers, I take your word for it but I'm sure that Verizon has something in there contract that will make you give back any discounts that they offered if you change carriers.

As with any carrier. If you have discounts (bill credits) from one carrier you can't leave said carrier and go to another and somehow keep the discounts. How would that make sense? ^_^

When I said that I don't like to wait for OTAs, I've never flashed an OTA image I always flash full factory images. I don't mind that a full factory image does a factory reset, factory resets clean every thing up.

That is fine if you want to do that but most would just flash the OTA if they truly didn't want to wait for the new security patch / updates ... They can do this on the Verizon version.

What I don't know is if you can use Project FI and Verizon at the same time, it seems that would be useful. The Pixel 2s have e-sims in them which support FI so in theory it should be possible to have Verizon and Project FI at the same time. The scenario where I would see this as useful is for overseas travel. At home Verizon has the best coverage so there isn't a need to supplement it with FI, but when you are out of the country Verizon's overseas roaming plans are very expensive, FI would be a huge benefit under those circumstances.

You could do this in a sense. Use your Verizon SIM at home and when you go aboard pop in your Project Fi SIM. It will work just as you're thinking. The phone will use any SIM that is put into it and connect up all the same. Google Store variant or Verizon variant makes no difference.

 

[bjrosen]

As with any carrier. If you have discounts (bill credits) from one carrier you can't leave said carrier and go to another and somehow keep the discounts. How would that make sense? ^_^




That is fine if you want to do that but most would just flash the OTA if they truly didn't want to wait for the new security patch / updates ... They can do this on the Verizon version.



You could do this in a sense. Use your Verizon SIM at home and when you go aboard pop in your Project Fi SIM. It will work just as you're thinking. The phone will use any SIM that is put into it and connect up all the same. Google Store variant or Verizon variant makes no difference.

The Pixel2s have an eSIM built in so you don't have to put in a Project FI SIM. I've found the answer, you can have both services at once. All you have to do is enable Project FI and then you can just switch back and forth between carriers, pretty cool.

https://www.androidcentral.com/using-project-fi-pixel-2s-esim-amazing

 

[pseudoware]

Developer mode is grayed out on Verizon phones so you can't enable developer mode...

Wow, is this true on the Pixels? Sorry, but that is BS.

 

[Almeuit]

Wow, is this true on the Pixels? Sorry, but that is BS.

Read the next post under his -- I proved that isn't true .

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=850735&p=6083334&viewfull=1#post6083334

 

[pseudoware]

Read the next post under his -- I proved that isn't true .

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=850735&p=6083334&viewfull=1#post6083334

Ah got it, I guess I was too shocked to read on.

 

[Orion78]

Unlocked from here on out. I never want to deal with carriers.

 

[briareos4]

Unlocked from here on out. I never want to deal with carriers.

Honestly, I'm not sure how your phone even works without a carrier

But seriously, I travel a lot for work so Verizon works best in my experience due to it's massive coverage area. So since I have no plans of switching carriers, why not let them sell me a great phone for a good discount for doing something I planned to do anyway (maintain my service)?

As far as the locked bootloader debate, I'm certainly never going to expose my phone to some modded image written by some dude in his basement claiming faster animations and better battery life. The faster OEM updates and security patches are enough for me.

 

[Orion78]

Honestly, I'm not sure how your phone even works without a carrier

Lol you know what I mean. I basically just buy my phone..switch my sim and I'm good to go. Hey do whatever is best for you but that's mine.

 

[doorwindowtim]

I just bought a XL 2 via Verizon's Black Friday sale.. I had thought of just buying from google, however I had also thought and maybe I'm wrong that buying from Verizon and having a 2 year warranty from google gives you a couple of places to try if you have trouble?

 

[mwb1957]

I got the XL 2, 128gb panda on line from Verizon. They had it in stock, got it the next day.

 

[Morty2264]

I just bought a XL 2 via Verizon's Black Friday sale.. I had thought of just buying from google, however I had also thought and maybe I'm wrong that buying from Verizon and having a 2 year warranty from google gives you a couple of places to try if you have trouble?

I think you are right in doing this; especially if Verizon has their own kind of insurance or warranty for returns and replacements, etc.

 

[anon(10334997)]

I went with the Pixel 2 through Verizon. I don't mind that it is the Verizon "branded" model. I would do this again in a heartbeat because I don't always have $700 laying around to be spent. I can easily save up enough money to buy out my contract and upgrade earlier if I wanted to.

 

[Morty2264]

I went with the Pixel 2 through Verizon. I don't mind that it is the Verizon "branded" model. I would do this again in a heartbeat because I don't always have $700 laying around to be spent. I can easily save up enough money to buy out my contract and upgrade earlier if I wanted to.

This is a good point. I bought my Honor 8 unlocked last December and really enjoyed the experience; however, this time around I'm doubting I'll have the budget room to buy unlocked again. Sometimes buying through your carrier is a bit easier and less of a financial strain.

 

[anon(10334997)]

Sometimes buying through your carrier is a bit easier and less of a financial strain.

Finances aside, I think it's kind of pointless to get anything other than a Google device (Pixel, Nexus) unlocked / factory direct. I only see two advantages to buying direct:

1. No carrier bloatware
2. Timely updates

For bloatware, you can disable most if not all of it. Out of sight, out of mind. Also, it isn't running in the background so you aren't wasting RAM on processes that you don't want or need. I use My Verizon to manage my account, pay bills, etc. I used Messages+ to backup my SMS when switching phones. But the NFL app? Slacker? Those are disabled as soon as I feel the need to. On my G6 they were all categorized into a folder, so I didn't really see a need to go in there and begin disabling apps. They were already out of the way.

The other "advantage" is more timely updates. Yes, those could happen. But, it is still up to the manufacturer to produce and release those updates. Still don't see Oreo for the G6. Was having my G6 on a security patch several months old frustrating? No, it didn't impact anything. I don't side-load applications and carefully select which apps I install on my phones from the Google Play Store.

 

[Morty2264]

Finances aside, I think it's kind of pointless to get anything other than a Google device (Pixel, Nexus) unlocked / factory direct. I only see two advantages to buying direct:

1. No carrier bloatware
2. Timely updates

For bloatware, you can disable most if not all of it. Out of sight, out of mind. Also, it isn't running in the background so you aren't wasting RAM on processes that you don't want or need. I use My Verizon to manage my account, pay bills, etc. I used Messages+ to backup my SMS when switching phones. But the NFL app? Slacker? Those are disabled as soon as I feel the need to. On my G6 they were all categorized into a folder, so I didn't really see a need to go in there and begin disabling apps. They were already out of the way.

The other "advantage" is more timely updates. Yes, those could happen. But, it is still up to the manufacturer to produce and release those updates. Still don't see Oreo for the G6. Was having my G6 on a security patch several months old frustrating? No, it didn't impact anything. I don't side-load applications and carefully select which apps I install on my phones from the Google Play Store.

I agree with you. Sometimes it's just a matter of what works best for you at the time. I too don't always see a need for having the latest security patch. It doesn't make me antsy or nervous - ill get it eventually!

I don't mind either method of purchasing phones. I too pull all my Rogers apps into a folder and just let them be. Disabling stuff if need be is always good.