If I get one, I have to get it from my phone's carrier?

[sirCLD]

Verizon and Sprint use cdma call network, evdo data network. Everybody else uses gsm/hspa so it'd be like trying to use an am radio to pick up xm radio stations to get one not Verizon/Sprint originated.

Verizon and Sprint are still on CDMA?!?! I had no idea...damn...

Posted via the Android Central App using the Note 4

 

[foxbat121]

Verizon wishes to ditch CDMA altogether in the future when VoLTE matures. But that's probably at least 5 to 10 years away. In the mean time, all voice calls and text are on CDMA while cell data on LTE (but not for Gear S as it lacks LTE radio). Some new phones can do VoLTE but with a lot of limitations.

 

[foxbat121]

Hey, if it was 150 like I see online for AT+T, I wouldn't care as much. Just work a extra 15 hours or so over the next few weeks and I'd be sold. But 300+ on Verizon....OUCH!

When you have no other options, your carrier can charge you whatever it likes to.

 

[MPSmith1]

No, Verizon is CDMA carrier, so is Sprint, which means you can't bring anything to its network that does not have Verizon name on it.
Specifically for Gear S since it only supports dual-band, you must buy a North American versions of Gear S, or you will not be able to use with any carrier.

So not even a Sprint model would work on Verizon?

 

[foxbat121]

So not even a Sprint model would work on Verizon?

CDMA means you must buy the carrier model. No exception unless you know CEO personally who can help put your Sprint version's ESN into Verizon's database.