Unlocked Questions

[AspenQn]

Never ordered unlocked phone before so what should I do/expect? Assuming I will need a new SIM card or just pop out of old phone? What about voicemail?

I am currently a VZW customer but seriously considering switching to TMob. I will be upgrading from a S9+.

 

[Lecrae116]

I'm a former legacy sprint customer (RIP) which is now t-mobile using the note 10 plus. I bought my note 20 ultra as an unlocked version as well. According to sprint,my note 10 plus' sim card IS COMPATIBLE with the new note 20 ultra.

 

[Lecrae116]

Never ordered unlocked phone before so what should I do/expect? Assuming I will need a new SIM card or just pop out of old phone? What about voicemail?

I am currently a VZW customer but seriously considering switching to TMob.

I'm a former legacy sprint customer (RIP) which is now t-mobile using the note 10 plus. I bought my note 20 ultra as an unlocked version as well. According to sprint,my note 10 plus' sim card IS COMPATIBLE with the new note 20 ultra. What phone do you currently have?

 

[james702283]

Same boat. Note 10+ going to the Note 20 512 GB unlocked. First time going with unlocked. Sprint was clueless via chat when I asked about what I needed to do so I can be ready to activate it when it arrives. It's like nobody ever wanted to be able to use their phone the day they got it. I was told by them my note 10+ sim wouldn't work and to call once I get the device and they could try and order a sim, even though I kept telling them repeatedly I want to be able to activate it when I receive it and waiting days for a sim is not acceptable. 45 mins of that basically over and over again. I kept getting a link from him where there is no online way of ordering a sim. Just useless. So chat as usual was a bust. Ended up calling telesales and the rep said I would need to buy a sim and he checked to see if they had one then he came back and said they have a sim for the note 20 ultra, he did the order over the phone which was $10 and I've already got tracking on it. I guess I'd rather be safe.

 

[Gary02468]

Same boat. Note 10+ going to the Note 20 512 GB unlocked. First time going with unlocked. Sprint was clueless via chat when I asked about what I needed to do so I can be ready to activate it when it arrives.

I've done several upgrades of unlocked phones on T-Mobile. You just transfer the sim card from the old phone to the new, and it works. No need to buy a new sim card.

 

[TheMiz]

Assuming I will need a new SIM card or just pop out of old phone? What about voicemail?

I am currently a VZW customer but seriously considering switching to TMob.

My last 2 have been unlocked I just pop in the Sim card from the phone I am replacing.
I am on VZW so no problems. Good to go in minutes

If you switch later to TM they will give you a new TM SIM.

Voicemail has not been a problem.

 

[jay887]

My last 2 have been unlocked I just pop in the Sim card from the phone I am replacing.
I am on VZW so no problems. Good to go in minutes

If you switch later to TM they will give you a new TM SIM.

Voicemail has not been a problem.

I am wondering if it matters if you come from a phone that isn't 5G or if that even matters. Also on VZ and getting an unlocked for the first time.

 

[ihbsbA]

I'm a former legacy sprint customer (RIP) which is now t-mobile using the note 10 plus. I bought my note 20 ultra as an unlocked version as well. According to sprint,my note 10 plus' sim card IS COMPATIBLE with the new note 20 ultra.

This is exactly what I did - I guess we will pop the sim over and find out in t minus 14 days.

 

[AspenQn]

My last 2 have been unlocked I just pop in the Sim card from the phone I am replacing.
I am on VZW so no problems. Good to go in minutes

If you switch later to TM they will give you a new TM SIM.

Voicemail has not been a problem.

So no problem with IMEI with just swapping the SIM? And does it also get around that stupid new phone activation fee they always charge?

 

[Morty2264]

Looks like your questions have been answered, OP! I've bought some phones unlocked as well. They should work with your carrier since they are unlocked models. Just pop your old SIM into your new phone and you'll be good to go!

Going unlocked is a great route! Enjoy your new phone when it arrives!

 

[danhartman26]

So no problem with IMEI with just swapping the SIM? And does it also get around that stupid new phone activation fee they always charge?

The rep I talked to at VZW said there is an "upgrade" fee of $40 for each line I am upgrading. He said they will just put it on my bill when they see the new phones ont here. We'll see what happens... It's clearly a rip off since they don't actually have to lift a finger, but what are you going to do?

 

[ClintRo]

On Verizon I always just swap SIM from old phone to new one.

 

[ClintRo]

I don't recall ever seeing an upgrade fee on an unlocked phone I got. Verizon variant I think they do charge you. Otherwise you would get a charge if you like to switch phones or buy used.

 

[danhartman26]

I don't recall ever seeing an upgrade fee on an unlocked phone I got. Verizon variant I think they do charge you. Otherwise you would get a charge if you like to switch phones or buy used.

I'm crossing my fingers that you are right ClintRo. That's kind of what I was thinking would happen, but without experience, I could only report what the rep told me.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

I'm crossing my fingers that you are right ClintRo. That's kind of what I was thinking would happen, but without experience, I could only report what the rep told me.

Just put your old SIM card in the new phone. Being it's unlocked you will not pay that fee. I've never paid it in the ones I got unlocked.. That's a bonus of buying unlocked

 

[Lecrae116]

Just put your old SIM card in the new phone. Being it's unlocked you will not pay that fee. I've never paid it in the ones I got unlocked.. That's a bonus of buying unlocked

That's exactly what a sprint engineer told me. Simple as pie

 

[ihbsbA]

That's exactly what a sprint engineer told me. Simple as pie

Had another Sprint employee tell me the SIM cards are "phone specific". I will be super irritated if my Note 10+ card doesn't work.

#callmekaren

 

[TheMiz]

Had another Sprint employee tell me the SIM cards are "phone specific". I will be super irritated if my Note 10+ card doesn't work.

#callmekaren

Think its more "specific" to you phone number

 

[LdotAdot13]

Never ordered unlocked phone before so what should I do/expect? Assuming I will need a new SIM card or just pop out of old phone? What about voicemail?

I am currently a VZW customer but seriously considering switching to TMob. I will be upgrading from a S9+.

I use unlocked on VZW and just swap my sim card from whatever phone I have. After about a month I'll go into a corporate store and get a new sim just so there's no issues.

 

[Carrie Greicar]

The rep I talked to at VZW said there is an "upgrade" fee of $40 for each line I am upgrading. He said they will just put it on my bill when they see the new phones ont here. We'll see what happens... It's clearly a rip off since they don't actually have to lift a finger, but what are you going to do?

The upgrade fee is only if you purchase the phone through Verizon