Is there any disadvantage to buying an unlocked phone?

October 7, 2023 6:37 AM

I'm about to buy a new Google Pixel phone. I use Verizon without a contract. I have no plans to switch carriers, but am just wondering if there will be any issue with buying an unlocked phone "just in case" I don't want to use Verizon anymore in years to come. If I buy an unlocked phone, can I just transfer my current Verizon SIM card and all my contacts etc., without any probems?
posted by DMelanogaster to Technology (7 answers total)

No disadvantage, and yes you can pop your current SIM in.

Incidentally, most people now store their contacts on their Google account rather than on the SIM (assuming you are migrating from another Android phone).
posted by Klipspringer at 6:50 AM on October 7, 2023

I forgot to ask --- how will all my apps get transferred? (yes I'm migrating from an older Pixel phone).
posted by DMelanogaster at 7:19 AM on October 7, 2023

oh, and do I call Verizon to do all this transferring? will a store like Best Buy help me? (ha!) the Verizon store, if I buy the phone there? (sorry for all the anxiety)
posted by DMelanogaster at 7:25 AM on October 7, 2023

So when I was buying my pixel 7a there actually was a technical difference between the Verizon and unlocked phones. Only the Verizon one supported Millimeter Wave which is something only a few providers like Verizon support that works better in large city buildings. You'll have to check the fine print on the phone page as it depends on the exact pixel model. I do not know why it is different, maybe some regulatory thing or contract requirement.

There was absolutely no difference between the Unlocked and Google Fi options which confused me, they are 100% identical from what I could tell and both are fully unlocked.
posted by JZig at 8:10 AM on October 7, 2023

The last time I got a new Android phone (a Pixel 6a), all of my apps got transferred through my Google account when I set up the phone. Extremely easy!
posted by Jeanne at 8:10 AM on October 7, 2023

By the way, if your old phone was purchased through the carrier while you were under contract and that contract is now completed, you should contact the carrier about unlocking that phone before you make any change in your service.
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:01 PM on October 7, 2023

The last many times I've switched from Android to another Android, the new phone has told me what to do. And at least the last two times, it has just recreated the old phone set-up almost exactly. There are some types of app data which may not be transferred, if they're not on the cloud.

You don't have to contact the Verizon people, but they'd probably help you if you needed it.
posted by lookoutbelow at 5:00 PM on October 7, 2023