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Hazzah
09-19-2015, 11:37 PM
So, I have avoided getting a smartphone for the longest time now, but it seems my old dumb phone is finally dying and that seems like a perfect reason to upgrade. My problem is I don't understand how they work and keep getting mixed things on reddit when I ask questions there (I think the people answering my questions are idiots, but I don't want to call them out on it).

I have Verizon and need to stick with Verizon so I can continue to have service in my area (although I am also considering Project Fi as an alternative since I can use the wifi when Im at home). I wanted to start with an Amazon Firephone since its cheap, decent specs, and has a year free of Amazon Prime with it, making the phone cost like $40 however I keep getting mixed reviews on whether it will work on Verizon or not once it's unlocked. I don't see why it wouldn't but others have told me it doesn't and I am avoiding calling verizon because I imagine their idiots are going to give me mixed things and try to sell me a different phone.

If the Amazon firephone doesn't work I was considering a OnePlus 1 or a Zenfone 2 but once again, the same thing. I have no idea if they will work with my carrier, especially the Zenfone 2 since it's At&t.

Any help and ELI5 sort of explanation would be great! I know I can get a sim card or something to make it compatible, but from a quick google that seems to add another $50 to the price of the phones or will Verizon provide one for free once I upgrade to a data plan (heard mixed things on that as well).

Grimxxdeath223
09-19-2015, 11:51 PM
snip

I hope I can assist you at least a bit. By doing some quick research, I found this http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Fire-Phone-32GB-Unlocked/dp/B00OC0USA6 which says and I quote from the page "U.S. compatibility: All GSM networks including AT&T, T-Mobile, and more. Not compatible with CDMA networks such as Verizon and Sprint" so I am going to say that is dead right there. Is there a way to make it work? I don't know personally.

The OnePlus 1 http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2457951,00.asp has a similar result quote "With GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz), UMTS (Bands 1/2/4/5/8), and LTE (Bands 1/3/4/7/17/38/40), the OnePlus One is well equipped to handle a variety of networks, including AT&T and T-Mobile here in the U.S. I tested the phone with an AT&T SIM, which worked perfectly in New York City." just like before, maybe but I can't say for sure.

Zenfone 2 http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2484577,00.asp quote "Band-wise, the ZenFone 2 supports U.S. and foreign 2G and 3G GSM networks. For LTE, it has bands 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/17/20. That means it works on both AT&T's and T-Mobile's networks, and has LTE roaming in Europe and Canada. It lacks T-Mobile's new Band 12, though, which will reduce T-Mobile LTE coverage in some suburban and rural areas. The phone also supports 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and a raft of GPS systems." same as before.

So I think you are out of luck on your options... if you want something different try the Nexus 6 http://www.google.com/nexus/6/ it supports all networks and supports Project Fi. Hopefully this helps you out. I might be wrong on somethings but I only did quick google searching.

Hazzah
09-20-2015, 12:37 AM
My problem is I don't really want to spend more than $300 on a phone I don't think I am going to be using that much (I barely use my current phone except to make calls and send maybe a few hundred text messages a month) and I almost always carry my laptop with me even though its a behemoth. I feel like if I was going to spend $500 on a phone I better get 4-5 years out of it (I am a cheap bastard).

Grimxxdeath223
09-20-2015, 01:37 AM
My problem is I don't really want to spend more than $300 on a phone I don't think I am going to be using that much (I barely use my current phone except to make calls and send maybe a few hundred text messages a month) and I almost always carry my laptop with me even though its a behemoth. I feel like if I was going to spend $500 on a phone I better get 4-5 years out of it (I am a cheap bastard).

They do have these http://www.verizonwireless.com/basic-phones/

Hazzah
09-20-2015, 02:04 AM
Yea, I was gonna use the verizon sight, but I can't because it refuses to load for me. http://i.imgur.com/eWCkBhL.png

Grimxxdeath223
09-20-2015, 02:11 AM
snip

Try using firefox, chrome, opera, or even IE if needed.

Hazzah
09-20-2015, 02:23 AM
Yea, I tried chrome, firefox and IE and Edge, all three failed to load the page for me after like 5-6 minutes so I just gave up haha.

Im thinking of going with a Note 3 or possibly the Note 4 if I can find a reasonable deal. It really comes down to expandable storage for me at this point though because I don't have service around the area I live, so I want to store a good portion of my music, pdcasts, and possibly some video on this device.

E: It worked in IE but not edge. Shit website.

flakazoid
09-20-2015, 02:40 AM
They do have these http://www.verizonwireless.com/basic-phones/

^As far as the basic phones go, the LG Cosmos is terrific if all you want is to call and text. I had one for 6 years until the speaker broke.

If you absolutely need a smartphone, I've never found the newer models worth it. These companies seem to come out with new models far more often than it should be necessary to upgrade a phone, and the difference in performance is not noticeable. I keep the same phone for years, and just replace the battery when it starts to reach the end of its usable life.

This is somewhat complicated by recent changes by verizon. If sticking to slightly outdated smartphone models, you used to be able to get a free phone every few years. I'm not sure how things work now - it seems like they are renting out the phones. Perhaps it is still possible to pick something up used and transfer it over to your plan.

Hazzah
09-20-2015, 03:13 AM
I know I am going to be sticking to a 2gb/month plan (I hear the new one is 1Gb/month at the same price) so I don't want to sign a contract to get the free phone every 2 years. With the Note 3 it's already 2ish years old so Its not top of the line tech. But it still seems to have great specs and expandable storage up to 128GB. Price seems to be around $300 on them.

I have had an LG NV 2 or 3 (not sure which one it is) for the last like 8 years. Its been a great phone but its beyond end of life (only works on speaker, camera flash doesn't work, camera only works when you use it on the closed mode) so it just seems time to upgrade.

E: For those who might be interested, I got a Note 3 for $205 with free shipping. So far its working really well, not quite accustomed to it yet, but I assume I will get there eventually. It's a really big phone (same size as the iPhone 6+ I think). So far I am really happy with it.

nickkarlsson552
09-27-2019, 07:05 AM
Go with zenfone 2, it will work absolutly fine.