Help requested - Where to buy and which service for Nexus 5? (Sprint rip off)

[BigBoyBoobs]

Hi I am currently with Sprint but am off-contract.

iPhone 5s is $200 on contract but is worth $650 off contract.
Sprint is selling the Nexus 5 for $150 on contract but is worth $350 off-contract.

So my question is what is the cheapest way to purchase this phone? If I pay $350 on google play then I'm throwing a way money since my monthly plan is the same whether I'm on or off contract (paying a subsidy to the next phone).


If I switch to At&t wouldn't I need to buy a Nexus 5 for $350 at google play and then run into the same problem since I would then have a contract to At&t and my subsidy is not going towards a phone?


How is everyone buying the Nexus 5 without overpaying carriers? Suggestions/help appreciated!

 

[Lanhoj]

How're we buying it without overpaying carriers?
By buying it from Google Play instead of the carriers.
If you buy it outright from a carrier it's 450$ since they always charge more than Google.

 

[gone down south]

The only way to save long term in an off contract situation is to go with T-Mobile. No other carrier gives you a discount for BYOD.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[ultravisitor]

How is everyone buying the Nexus 5 without overpaying carriers? Suggestions/help appreciated!

If you're concerned about paying a subsidy, then your options are either T-Mobile or prepaid.

 

[BigBoyBoobs]

How're we buying it without overpaying carriers?
By buying it from Google Play instead of the carriers.
If you buy it outright from a carrier it's 450$ since they always charge more than Google.

Because if you get a 2 year contract you get a subsidized phone such as buying an iphone 5s for $200 plus 2 year contract vs $650 out of pocket. But for At&t you cannot choose the Nexus 5 as a subsidized phone (you can only buy from an outside source such as googe play and use the at&t sim card).

For Sprint... it's a bad deal because like I said above they are only subsidizing the Nexus 5 to $150 w/ 2 year contract where as an iPhone 5s is subsidized to $200 but is worth $650.

 

[BigBoyBoobs]

If you're concerned about paying a subsidy, then your options are either T-Mobile or prepaid.

Can you get prepaid on At&t or Sprint?

How is everyone else buying this phone in the states?

 

[ultravisitor]

Can you get prepaid on At&t or Sprint?

Yes, they both offer prepaid plans, but you'll have to check the coverage offered for their prepaid plans. It's often different than postpaid.

Lots of people are using prepaid plans, though not necessarily directly through those companies.