Verizon Galaxy S8 Is there a disadvantage to getting a Verizon phone from Samsung?

[mmmmmmmmoth]

I'm considering trading in my S6 for the S8 through Samsung for the discount. Is there any particular disadvantage if I buy a Verizon phone through them? I know with the unlocked phones they'll get updates later but I'd probably buy the Verizon version. Considering because Verizon doesn't have any offers or trade ins for the s8.

 

[anon(123856)]

I'm considering trading in my S6 for the S8 through Samsung for the discount. Is there any particular disadvantage if I buy a Verizon phone through them? I know with the unlocked phones they'll get updates later but I'd probably buy the Verizon version. Considering because Verizon doesn't have any offers or trade ins for the s8.

I'm thinking the only disadvantage of a Verizon branded device over an unlocked is the bloatware. If you want/use any of Verizon's extra stuff like VoLTE or WiFi calling the Verizon version should work better.

I use an unlocked S8 on Verizon prepaid and it works just fine. I only get VoLTE though I'm not entirely certain if thats due to the unlocked device or the prepaid plan.

 

[anon(7901790)]

The ONLY "disadvantage" is the so called bloatware. All of Verizon's phones are SIM unlocked. That means you can put ANY activated SIM in the phone and it'll work.

Verizon also has really good international coverage. Currently, I'm in Okinawa in business and I'm only paying $10/day for the same coverage I get in the US.

If you're in a country that Verizon doesn't partner, you can get a local SIM and it'll work.

You also get Verizon's warranty too. Verizon replaced my S8+ for dead pixels, no questions asked.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

You can't throw it on a payment plan on your bill, otherwise it's the same phone and Verizon will service it and provide warranty.

 

[anon(123856)]

The ONLY "disadvantage" is the so called bloatware. All of Verizon's phones are SIM unlocked. That means you can put ANY activated SIM in the phone and it'll work.

Verizon also has really good international coverage. Currently, I'm in Okinawa in business and I'm only paying $10/day for the same coverage I get in the US.

If you're in a country that Verizon doesn't partner, you can get a local SIM and it'll work.

You also get Verizon's warranty too. Verizon replaced my S8+ for dead pixels, no questions asked.

Verizon wouldn't do that for me because I am a prepaid customer. When I was in Italy I got a Vodaphone sim for 25 euro that gave me 300 mins of calls to the US (no incoming though) and 4 gig of data. And I had better coverage than a friend with Verizon. Local sim turned out to be a good deal. I guess it will depend on the situation.

 

[anon(7901790)]

Verizon wouldn't do that for me because I am a prepaid customer. When I was in Italy I got a Vodaphone sim for 25 euro that gave me 300 mins of calls to the US (no incoming though) and 4 gig of data. And I had better coverage than a friend with Verizon. Local sim turned out to be a good deal. I guess it will depend on the situation.

That is a pretty good deal. Japan only has two carriers and getting a SIM would have been more expensive, and give you much more limited data. A 2GB SIM is almost $40.

It's odd that Verizon wouldn't turn on Travel Pass because you are prepaid. I looked on Verizon's website and it says nothing about prepaid customers in Travel Pass.

Since I am on an unlimited voice/text/data plan. This was more economical for me. I also don't have to worry about my phone# changing. Also, if I decide to turn off my mobile data for a couple days, I can still make WiFi calls if I am in a WiFi hot spot, which are all over the place here. Verizon doesn't allow WiFi calling (other than Skype, Google Voice, etc) on non-Verizon branded (i.e. unlocked) S8/S8+ phones.

Also, Travel Pass in Japan is fairly recent, like in the last three months recent. I was here in Okinawa back in Feb and Travel Pass was not an option.

 

[anon(7901790)]

Honestly, I don't understand how people are so "anti-carrier" branding when it comes to phones. It's rather silly. The, "I don't want to see the [insert carrier name here] splash screen when I start my phone" type. Or I don't want the carrier logo on the phone. Are they ashamed that they use Verizon or AT&T; or whatever carrier they are using?

Bloatware is a better argument, but as devices come with ever increasing internal memory and STILL have microSD slots, that argument gets weaker. The S8/S8+ comes with 64GB, and the amount of "bloatware" by Verizon hasn't increased. I have 312 apps (that's including Verizon apps), using 16.6GB of space. The total space used by Verizon apps is just a small portion of that 16.6GB.


The only advantage an unlocked phone (at least as far as Verizon) is the possibility of getting a better deal on the cost of the phone. If you can save yourself a couple hundred dollars by getting an unlocked directly from Samsung, then by all means save yourself some money. Otherwise, get the branded version. Verizon phones are SIM unlocked, meaning you don't need Verizon's permission to swap SIMS. Just like @badcat did in Italy.

 

[anon(123856)]

That is a pretty good deal. Japan only has two carriers and getting a SIM would have been more expensive, and give you much more limited data. A 2GB SIM is almost $40.

It's odd that Verizon wouldn't turn on Travel Pass because you are prepaid. I looked on Verizon's website and it says nothing about prepaid customers in Travel Pass.

Since I am on an unlimited voice/text/data plan. This was more economical for me. I also don't have to worry about my phone# changing. Also, if I decide to turn off my mobile data for a couple days, I can still make WiFi calls if I am in a WiFi hot spot, which are all over the place here. Verizon doesn't allow WiFi calling (other than Skype, Google Voice, etc) on non-Verizon branded (i.e. unlocked) S8/S8+ phones.

Also, Travel Pass in Japan is fairly recent, like in the last three months recent. I was here in Okinawa back in Feb and Travel Pass was not an option.

I went to a Verizon store and inquired about it and was told no. I didn't press the issue any further since I had asked around and also here on AC and heard positive feedback about using local sim cards. My needs were simple and I wanted mobile data more than anything else. I couldn't get intl texting, which would have been nice but not required. I also heard good things about Verizon's travel pass from a few folks. That is an easy way to do it if available.

And just to clarify things I was using a Nexus 5X when I was in Italy, not a Verizon phone. Should have mentioned that before. Although it probably wouldn't have made a difference.

 

[aokusman1]

All my phones (6plus, 6, s6, s7, s8) have been verizon even though i have never used verizon service.