Straight Talk using Verizon

[frugalmomy]

I want to upgrade my Straight Talk smartphone. I currently have a LG Optimus Zip L75C, which does the job as a phone, but not a very good smartphone. I can only have about 5 apps on it (and those say they are stored on my microsd) and I can't run the FB app at all. I have to routinely delete texts because the memory fills up quickly. These are my two biggest issues with this phone. If it had more internal memory, I would be happy.

With that said, I am considering the Samsung Galaxy SII. My concern is this runs on the At&t towers. Is it worth switching from Verizon towers to At&t towers to upgrade my phone?
If I want to stay with the Verizon towers, then what phone should I consider?

 

[zedorda]

Straight Talk doesn't switch which towers you use. They just sub-contract with the original carrier. In most cases switching towers is just a PRL update they send to your device when you activate. In my case I got more towers to connect to plus my original set.

When looking for a phone for Straight talk look for either CDMA devices without LTE or GSM with LTE. My Verizon Galaxy Nexus isn't supported because it is CDMA with LTE.

 

[frugalmomy]

So, because I brought my verizon phone number, then any straight talk phone I buy will run on verizon? I thought it had to do with the actual phone being CDMA or GSM that determines what towers you use.

 

[zedorda]

Oh no what meant was if you get a phone from Verizon it will still have Verizon tower access. sry

 

[frugalmomy]

Thanks for clearing that up. So, I have looked at several phones on Cowboom.com that seem like they are really good prices. My next question is, If I buy a phone outside of Straight Talk, does it have to say unlocked? Several phones at cowboom say verizon, but don't say they are unlocked. When I put them in my cart and start to checkout they don't say anything about having to sign up for a contract.

 

[zedorda]

I think they have to be unlocked but I am not sure about that.

 

[frugalmomy]

One more quick question: I have an older Motorola Droid phone that I forgot about. It was my Verison phone before I switched to Straight Talk. I put the IMEI # into the Straight Talk bring your own phone check and it said I can bring this phone over.

I didn't know that this phone has a sim card. If I bring this phone over to Straight Talk, will it still run on the Verison towers? It looks like the sim card packet asks you to choose btw an At&t card or a Tmobile card. Now I'm confused. Any help?

 

[frugalmomy]

Now that I have enough power, I checked the specs: It is a Droid2 Global. Here is the info I found upon googling the specs:
2G Network CDMA 800 / 1900
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
SIM Mini-SIM

From this website: Motorola DROID 2 Global - Full phone specifications

 

[atkichr]

Yes you can take that phone over. Unfortunately that means talking to straight talks horrible customer service reps.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[thsixscrews]

If your wanting a better phone than what straight talk has, then find the the phone you want and have it flashed to straight talk.
Do a Google search on the phone you would want and see if it can be flashed to straight talk on the Verizon network.
I have a Sprint HTC EVO 4g LTE on straight talk and haven't looked back. It's running on Verizon's towers.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

 

[Bradb76]

If your wanting a better phone than what straight talk has, then find the the phone you want and have it flashed to straight talk.
Do a Google search on the phone you would want and see if it can be flashed to straight talk on the Verizon network.
I have a Sprint HTC EVO 4g LTE on straight talk and haven't looked back. It's running on Verizon's towers.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

OK let me get this straight, I currently have a HTC Rezound and it runs on the Verizon network, if I switch my phone to straight talk wireless it will still run on the Verizon towers?????

 

[cgardnervt]

OK let me get this straight, I currently have a HTC Rezound and it runs on the Verizon network, if I switch my phone to straight talk wireless it will still run on the Verizon towers?????

Yes but you have to have it flashed. Its not like a GSM phone sadly.

 

[wvufan1]

If the phone is a Gsm phone it doesn't have to be unlocked to get Straight talk, But if it is a CDMA it either has to be Flashed to straight talk or unlocked. I am using a Htc Rezound Verizon it is Flashed to straight talk and it works great.