I've been with Verizon for probably close to 10 years and have typically replaced my phone when the two year contract was up, taking advantage of the subsidy.
However, even though I only use about 2GB of data on each of the three lines that we have, it would cost me at least $60 more a month for service if I were to switch from our unlimited plans to a family share plan. So, I have pretty well resolved that I'm never buying a subsidized phone from Verizon again and facing a contract renewal and plan change.
Which means I need to understand what the options and considerations are when it comes to buying phones in the future. I think it will be somewhat easier as all three of my family's current phones are already 4G LTE phones with their SIM cards (2 Galaxy Nexus + 1 Galaxy S3). I assume that switching to a different phone would just be a matter of popping the SIM card out of a current phone and installing it into a "new" one and making it mine?
I expect the easiest way would be to just buy a new phone unsubsidized from Verizon. Would it still come with a SIM card and would I just stick it in a drawer and put my old card in to "activate" it?
What I'm less sure about it buying used. Do I need to be concerned if I buy a used phone that it would somehow still be locked to the original owner and I wouldn't be able to use my SIM card to make it mine? Is there some hassle that I have to face with Verizon before I could use a phone that I bought from somewhere else?
What else do I need to know?
Thanks to all,
However, even though I only use about 2GB of data on each of the three lines that we have, it would cost me at least $60 more a month for service if I were to switch from our unlimited plans to a family share plan. So, I have pretty well resolved that I'm never buying a subsidized phone from Verizon again and facing a contract renewal and plan change.
Which means I need to understand what the options and considerations are when it comes to buying phones in the future. I think it will be somewhat easier as all three of my family's current phones are already 4G LTE phones with their SIM cards (2 Galaxy Nexus + 1 Galaxy S3). I assume that switching to a different phone would just be a matter of popping the SIM card out of a current phone and installing it into a "new" one and making it mine?
I expect the easiest way would be to just buy a new phone unsubsidized from Verizon. Would it still come with a SIM card and would I just stick it in a drawer and put my old card in to "activate" it?
What I'm less sure about it buying used. Do I need to be concerned if I buy a used phone that it would somehow still be locked to the original owner and I wouldn't be able to use my SIM card to make it mine? Is there some hassle that I have to face with Verizon before I could use a phone that I bought from somewhere else?
What else do I need to know?
Thanks to all,