Will Unlocked Pixels Support HD Voice and WiFi Calling on Verizon?

[dpham00]

Where are you getting these answers from?

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.androidcentral.com/dont-buy-your-google-pixel-verizon?client=safari

 

[Clocks]

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.androidcentral.com/dont-buy-your-google-pixel-verizon?client=safari

And where did he get his answer from? Haven't seen any evidence (other than quoting blogs which do not have sources) stating this is the case. I think we may just have to wait until VZW customers with unlocked pixels start receiving them.

 

[dpham00]

And where did he get his answer from? Haven't seen any evidence (other than quoting blogs which do not have sources) stating this is the case. I think we may just have to wait until VZW customers with unlocked pixels start receiving them.

You could ask him, but in my experience, Andrew doesn't just randomly report stuff without having a credible source

 

[Clocks]

You could ask him, but in my experience, Andrew doesn't just randomly report stuff without having a credible source

I've tried

 

[Lilybell2]

After hearing from others here that the Verizon Pixel will have VZW hooks, I am wondering if only those Pixels will have WiFi Calling and HD Voice supported.

Context:. Bought an unlocked S7 Edge, and could not get HD Voice or WiFi calling enabled on ATT.

This is typical AT&T policy. On the one hand, they encourage potential customers to bring their own devices to AT&T. On the other hand, they will block an important feature, like HD Voice and WiFi calling, on those very same devices.

As AT&T no longer subsidizes phones via 2-year contracts, blocking an important feature or features on unlocked phones is just another tool to encourage customers to purchase an AT&T carrier branded phone; thereby tying the customer to AT&T. Sure, once the phone is paid for it can be SIM unlocked and moved to another carrier. However, the caveat is that although the phone can be moved to another carrier, it will no longer receive updates. Almost all AT&T carrier branded phones receive their updates exclusively OTA via the AT&T network. If the phone is no longer connected to AT&T's network, it will receive no updates.

It's all about the leverage.

AT&T is my carrier. If they follow their usual feature blocking tactic with the Pixel phones, I will simply move my phone to Project Fi where all the phone's features will be unimpaired.

 

[dsignori]

I am going to order it through Verizon to be sure it has HD Voice/ Advanced Calling, as I actually do make phone calls a lot (imagine that . I care very little that the next OS update will be received somewhat later on my Pixel than on unlocked Pixels (though it will likely be recieved significantly sooner than just about every single other phone out there, by the way). Having the latest OS is nice, but it isn't my main driver for looking to purchase this phone. I expect I am in the minority in this forum though

 

[Ryano89]

I am going to order it through Verizon to be sure it has HD Voice/ Advanced Calling, as I actually do make phone calls a lot (imagine that . I care very little that the next OS update will be received somewhat later on my Pixel than on unlocked Pixels (though it will likely be recieved significantly sooner than just about every single other phone out there, by the way). Having the latest OS is nice, but it isn't my main driver for looking to purchase this phone. I expect I am in the minority in this forum though

I'm with you, I literally need Wifi calling as there are places I spend a significant amount of time where Wifi us the only option.

 

[robschertzer]

I have the Nexus 6P and even though the phone is capable of voice over WiFi, Verizon blocks this ability. So I am waiting for some solid proof that the unlocked version direct from Google will actually work for Voice over WiFi since my Nexus 6P is pretty useless as a phone though Verizon has the best reception where I live. I need voice over WiFi like my wife gets on her iPhone.

 

[Almeuit]

You could ask him, but in my experience, Andrew doesn't just randomly report stuff without having a credible source

This.

 

[Ryano89]

You could ask him, but in my experience, Andrew doesn't just randomly report stuff without having a credible source

The unlocked version will be CAPABLE of taking advantage of these features, that is accurate. But nobody knows if Verizon will ALLOW the unlocked versions to access them. I think we are having two separate debates here.

 

[robschertzer]

So it might be just like the Nexus 6P which is CAPABLE but Verizon does not allow it. Sigh. Guess we will know more once it is in people's hands.

 

[dpham00]

The unlocked version will be CAPABLE of taking advantage of these features, that is accurate. But nobody knows if Verizon will ALLOW the unlocked versions to access them. I think we are having two separate debates here.

But the end result is the same. Fact is it won't work on Verizon.

 

[Ryano89]

But the end result is the same. Fact is it won't work on Verizon.

Agreed. Sorry I quoted the wrong person. I meant to quote the person who insists that it WILL work.

 

[matty032]

The Unlocked version will only work with TMo WiFi calling as far as TMo, Sprint and ATT go. I do not know if unlocked will work with VZW WiFi calling.

 

[jam4775]

I would be very very surprised if Verizon's HD Voice (VoLTE) didn't work on with the unlocked Pixels on Verizon... Because it works great on my Nexus 6P. You do have to make sure it's enabled on your Verizon account and on the Nexus 6P

Now far as Wi-Fi Calling that's a different story. I wouldn't be surprised if that doesn't work.

 

[Clocks]

Here is the reddit post that says wifi calling works on unlocked pixels on Verizon.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/570rc4/unlocked_pixels_will_work_with_verizon_wifi/

 

[G3OFF]

Here is the reddit post that says wifi calling works on unlocked pixels on Verizon.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/570rc4/unlocked_pixels_will_work_with_verizon_wifi/

That is awesome news...think that's just the push I need to order through Google store once they're in stock!

 

[stanleybb50]

I still have no effing idea who to believe. Lol.

Still wondering about the mobile Hotspot too...

 

[PGrey]

I still have no effing idea who to believe. Lol.

Still wondering about the mobile Hotspot too...

Me too. I was considering Verizon earlier this year, and a call to them confirmed WiFi call/text support (with the 6P/5X, but apparently not, from my reading up here.
Not that AT&T has it either, unfortunately. TMobile is by far the most BYOD friendly, if only their coverage was decent, outside of metro areas...

In terms of hotspot, you're almost always better off with non-branded, as some of the carrier versions make it insanely hard to use the hotspot functionality on another carrier (this varies somewhat, depending on manufacturer/device/carrier).
I think that carriers ought to be held to a higher, portable standard here, it's almost like they're saying "yeah, it's an unlocked phone, unless you try to use ALL the features", hmm...