Pixel XL to work on Sprint?

[ihbsbA]

I don't own the Pixel/Pixel XL but, based on my experience with the N6P last year, I just cannot justify buying and activating this phone on the Sprint network unless you are willing to deal with the possibility of poor call quality and clueless Sprint representatives asking you what a Pixel is.

Sprint made it immensely difficult for me to activate my N6P and it was only after digging on Reddit to find the right SIM card that I was able to convince someone at the store to buy it for me. I'm lucky to live two blocks away from a Sprint store, so I had no problem going in and working with the customer service reps over the course of several weeks to get things up and running. But call quality was never good and the lack of Wi-Fi calling made it a miserable experience. I don't mind paying less for less reliable service (I don't care what Sprint's commercials claim - Sprint call and LTE quality immediately takes a hit within any four walls, which is impossible to avoid in an urban area), but my family and friends on Sprint have had immensely different experiences with the Galaxy S5-S7 and iPhone. Not only does wi-fi calling make a difference, but call quality was noticeably better.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, since all the hype over the Pixel has been deafening. Google really dropped the ball by making this phone a Verizon exclusive. They could have, at the very least, paired up with two carriers. I'm now in the market for a new phone and may switch from Sprint since they're making my life a living hell staying in a grandfathered plan that I've had for a very long time. But if I stay, there is no way I'm going to risk basic features - good call quality, wi-fi calling et al. - that should be standard on all phones just to get the Pixel experience.

I'm on Sprint. My calls are no different than my n7. Too many variables to make broad statements like this... I have taken time to befriend and educate my Sprint reps, showing them the info I find and the boards I read. They now know that I know what I'm talking about and are willing to do just about anything I ask them to. If you don't like Sprint, there are several other options.

 

[Almeuit]

I'm on Sprint. My calls are no different than my n7. Too many variables to make broad statements like this... I have taken time to befriend and educate my Sprint reps, showing them the info I find and the boards I read. They now know that I know what I'm talking about and are willing to do just about anything I ask them to. If you don't like Sprint, there are several other options.

You're lucky to have that type of relationship with local reps -- Not all of us are that lucky to get the same people every-time .

 

[ihbsbA]

You're lucky to have that type of relationship with local reps -- Not all of us are that lucky to get the same people every-time .

I created it. I make friends with anyone I can in a customer service situation. After the n7 fiasco, one of the techs had done so much for me that I gave him a Starbucks card... Before that, he referred to me as "one of the nice customers", and all I had done was ask about his day. Relationships are important.

 

[Almeuit]

I created it. I make friends with anyone I can in a customer service situation. After the n7 fiasco, one of the techs had done so much for me that I gave him a Starbucks card... Before that, he referred to me as "one of the nice customers", and all I had done was ask about his day. Relationships are important.

Well I meant it is hard when people change out of the store a lot. Also sounds like you have ones even willing to work with you. I am dealing with Sprint for my parents right now on the iPhone 7 deal. They say the "free iPhone" deal was only for lease and not installment as of 9/16 .. But the promo didn't even start till 9/16 so how does it change before it starts? Especially when the site had it plastered all over "Free iPhone via 24 month installment credits" upon ordering on 9/20 and still says that on the news release from them. I most likely just got a bad rep who had no idea what they were talking about so I am going to call on lunch.

Either way -- just saying it is nice you have that. Not everyone has that so just remember not everyone is in your shoes .

 

[Hellman4710]

I ended up switching away from Sprint to T-Mobile. Even with the replacement device I received from Google I was still having the same issue which has me concluding that the issue is on Sprint's end. Curious to know what though since it isn't a problem with anyone else.

 

[spawndoodling]

I would say the same thing if someone contemplated spending $800 on a Pixel to put an AT&T SIM in it. My concerns aren't with the network so much as it is with the Pixel's incomplete compatibility with networks other than Verizon (and maybe T-Mobile, which seems to be supporting the Pixel). As I said before, there's no Wi-Fi calling, Sprint isn't going to actively service the Pixel to improve call quality, and though many Sprint reps have probably been briefed on the phone, they still won't know much about it.

The Pixel is a boss phone, and Sprint is an OK network if you're willing to deal with some service issues (though I do have to say: their Unlimited Freedom plan is absolute garbage; won't be fooled into switching once my grandfathered unlimited plan ends this year). But at the end of the day, if I am on Wi-Fi without good service (aka in my house) and can't send a text, I could care less about how zippy the Pixel is. This is 2016; Wi-Fi calling and texting shouldn't be a luxury and flagship smartphones should have the complete functionality of the networks they're on.

Even without Wi-Fi calling, I have experienced poor call quality and signal strength on both my N6 and N6P - unlocked phones bought directly from Google. At the end of the day, a smartphone is still a phone. And my experience with unlocked phones on Sprint has been "it'll work, but not well, and dont bother complaining."

 

[Almeuit]

I would say the same thing if someone contemplated spending $800 on a Pixel to put an AT&T SIM in it. My concerns aren't with the network so much as it is with the Pixel's incomplete compatibility with networks other than Verizon (and maybe T-Mobile, which seems to be supporting the Pixel). As I said before, there's no Wi-Fi calling, Sprint isn't going to actively service the Pixel to improve call quality, and though many Sprint reps have probably been briefed on the phone, they still won't know much about it.

The Pixel is a boss phone, and Sprint is an OK network if you're willing to deal with some service issues (though I do have to say: their Unlimited Freedom plan is absolute garbage; won't be fooled into switching once my grandfathered unlimited plan ends this year). But at the end of the day, if I am on Wi-Fi without good service (aka in my house) and can't send a text, I could care less about how zippy the Pixel is. This is 2016; Wi-Fi calling and texting shouldn't be a luxury and flagship smartphones should have the complete functionality of the networks they're on.

Even without Wi-Fi calling, I have experienced poor call quality and signal strength on both my N6 and N6P - unlocked phones bought directly from Google. At the end of the day, a smartphone is still a phone. And my experience with unlocked phones on Sprint has been "it'll work, but not well, and dont bother complaining."

That's Sprints fault for not working with the wifi calling and other features built into the phone. T-Mobile supports unlocked devices with the new versions of Android since wifi calling is built in and now so does Verizon. If AT&T and Sprint wanted they could allow it to work as well. It isn't the phones fault.. It's definitely capable but it being capable doesn't mean the network is going to allow it.

On T-Mobile / Verizon we have wifi calling, VoLTE, HD voice, etc.