VERIZON or Unlocked?

[openwheelracing]

Buys whichever ships sooner. You get the same updates. There is no bloat and you can uninstall Verizon apps. I am typing on a Verizon Pixel, the only difference is locked bootloader which is moot. Get Google if you can, otherwise Verizon version is just as good.

 

[Lilybell2]

Look at it this way... if you had both the Verizon phone and the Google phone setting side by side in a store, and you could buy either one for the same price, which one would you choose? Answer that, and that's the phone you should get.

 

[Almeuit]

I am not one to root and such so a locked bootloader doesn't matter to me.

Both phones are SIM unlocked.

 

[Jaycemiskel]

Buys whichever ships sooner. You get the same updates. There is no bloat and you can uninstall Verizon apps. I am typing on a Verizon Pixel, the only difference is locked bootloader which is moot. Get Google if you can, otherwise Verizon version is just as good.

I agree with this. I'm actually switching my order for faster shipping. I no longer root or fool with roms. No time for that anymore.

 

[sdsubball23]

Just to verify, if I were to buy directly from google, the pixel 2 xl will have the bootloader unlocked?

 

[cnotes2016]

Just to verify, if I were to buy directly from google, the pixel 2 xl will have the bootloader unlocked?

If you buy the unlocked version I believe yes

 

[Jaycemiskel]

Just to verify, if I were to buy directly from google, the pixel 2 xl will have the bootloader unlocked?

That's correct. As long as you buy the unlocked version. Well it'll come locked, but it's unlockable.

 

[sdsubball23]

That's correct. As long as you buy the unlocked version. Well it'll come locked, but it's unlockable.

By unlockable you mean following a software procedure made by someone with the skill to unlock bootloader? Or does Google provide a procedure?

 

[gabbott]

By unlockable you mean following a software procedure made by someone with the skill to unlock bootloader? Or does Google provide a procedure?

Google provides the s steps to unlock, no "hacking" required.

 

[Mike Dee]

I am not one to root and such so a locked bootloader doesn't matter to me.

Both phones are SIM unlocked.

I think earlier in this thread some posters stated that unlocked makes it possible to reflash your phone if it bricks. Not sure that happens that often by itself, however some feel it's important to have that option.

 

[paradroid]

So if the bootloader is unlocked the phone can be rooted?

My Note Edge phone was never rootable. Two things I like with rooting - adblocking and titanium backups. Don't need roms with the Pixel because the goal is clean android.

The last phone I was able to root was my EVO about 4 or 5 years ago. I installed the "Clean Rom" which was basically pure android. Loved it - gave an outdated phone extra life.

 

[Ca_lvn]

Or you can flash your phone with a new rom and the possibility of bricking a expensive phone.

Im over jail braking phones it was more of the challenge with ios for me in previous years

My preference is unlocked there's just more freedom, however I financed with BB so its Verizon for me.

 

[Almeuit]

So if the bootloader is unlocked the phone can be rooted?

My Note Edge phone was never rootable. Two things I like with rooting - adblocking and titanium backups. Don't need roms with the Pixel because the goal is clean android.

The last phone I was able to root was my EVO about 4 or 5 years ago. I installed the "Clean Rom" which was basically pure android. Loved it - gave an outdated phone extra life.

Yeah if you want to root/tinker it is best to go unlocked instead of Verizon. If rooting isn't a big thing then the Verizon version is the same as the unlocked version -- SIM unlocked and all .

 

[anon(49997)]

Unlocked for rooting here.
Titanium Backup serves me by being able to easily and quickly revert to a previous apk version if I do not like the updated one.
Root explorer for complete freedom in the file structure.
ROM flashing. I loath white BG screens and must have a dark ROM.
TWRP custom recovery for flashing, backing up, and restoring ROM's.
Custom ROM's will also add custom tweak options to the UI for more a more personalized setup.

There is more but these are some of my main stays.

 

[Lilybell2]

There can come a time when the only way out is to flash a factory image, following Google's instructions and using Google's files. Sideloading an OTA is easy and convenient, but there are times when flashing a factory image may be the only remedy.

https://developers.google.com/android/images

Instructions from the mothership itself, note instruction number 4:

If necessary, unlock the device's bootloader using one of the following methods:

The Verizon version's bootloader is encrypted and cannot be unlocked.

 

[sulla1965]

Unlocking the bootloader doesn't mean the phone can be rooted. Its the 1st step. But developers still need to create and release a working SuperSU.

 

[anon(49997)]

No it's not necessary to unlock bootloader before rooting. I always root first so I can unlock the boot loader.

But flashing custom ROM or recovery is not possible without unlocking the bootloader, because locked bootloader verify the ROM or recovery being flashed for company's official signature and custom ROM doesn't contain official signature .