Verizon carrier lock

[Reddog58]

So if I paid cash for the Verizon version I should be able to call them and have them lift the carrier lock. If I do that will the radio work on T-Mobile? I have an opportunity for such a good deal on the Verizon version its going to cost almost nothing. Also if this all works would WiFi calling work on T-Mobile?

 

[KnownDominance]

What kind of deal do you have? Sounds like you might be getting on a contract thinking it gives you a cheap cast phone

 

[Reddog58]

What kind of deal do you have? Sounds like you might be getting on a contract thinking it gives you a cheap cast phone

My employer has offered to pay the purchase price but they insist I be on Verizon. I'm on a great plan with T-Mobile and I don't want to change. I might since this is the XL phone so I can't lose one way or the other.

 

[KnownDominance]

My employer has offered to pay the purchase price but they insist I be on Verizon. I'm on a great plan with T-Mobile and I don't want to change. I might since this is the XL phone so I can't lose one way or the other.

Explain to them that you can buy it through the Google Store and still use it on Verizon. Otherwise I would contact VZW and see if they will be carrier locked or not if you purchase through VZW.

 

[hollowlog]

I read somewhere that the VZW version won't be carrier locked. I think popping in your T-Mobile SIM card before you ever start it up will allow you to use it on VZW

 

[Reddog58]

I read somewhere that the VZW version won't be carrier locked. I think popping in your T-Mobile SIM card before you ever start it up will allow you to use it on VZW

So the thinking is the one SKU will have the radio support for any US carrier? And a locked bootloader doesn't matter since I am not planning on rooting it, at least not in the short term. As a cash sale I should be able to walk out with the phone and pop in my T-Mobil SIM and be online. I understand none of this is certain until I have the phone in hand.

 

[schwem]

So the thinking is the one SKU will have the radio support for any US carrier? And a locked bootloader doesn't matter since I am not planning on rooting it, at least not in the short term. As a cash sale I should be able to walk out with the phone and pop in my T-Mobil SIM and be online. I understand none of this is certain until I have the phone in hand.

All VZW phones are carrier unlocked. They include all gsm radios and have no issue with popping T-Mobile sims in and running. VZW has never had carrier locked devices.

 

[uicnren]

If you purchase the Pixel thru VZW, it will be carrier unlocked. The bootloader is locked, and cannot be unlocked. This has been confirmed by Google and VZW.

Better to purchase thru the Google Play Store, as it will (hopefully) at least have an unlockable bootloader (if you require that).

 

[hollowlog]

If you purchase the Pixel thru VZW, it will be carrier locked. Already been confirmed by Google and VZW.

Where did you see this? I have read confirmation that the bootloader will be locked. I haven't read anything saying it will be carrier locked.

 

[bsweetness]

If you purchase the Pixel thru VZW, it will be carrier locked. Already been confirmed by Google and VZW.

Buy the same phone from Google Play store, it is not carrier locked, and it has been confirmed that Wi-Fi calling and HD Voice will work with the GPS version on VZW, both by Google and VZW.

Not true. In fact, the opposite has been confirmed. It's 100% SIM unlocked like every other Verizon LTE device has been. No Verizon phone with LTE has been SIM locked per their agreement with the FCC when purchasing a large block of LTE spectrum. The issue with getting some other Verizon LTE devices fully working on a different carrier has been band support. That doesn't appear to be an issue here.

 

[uicnren]

@hollowlog @bsweetness my apologies, you are both correct (I will edit my post). I swear I read somewhere (of course I cant find it now) that they were carrier locked as well as bootloader locked (and unlockable).

Apparently reading some more, they ARE carrier unlocked, with a locked (and unlockable) bootloader.

 

[Reddog58]

Not true. In fact, the opposite has been confirmed. It's 100% SIM unlocked like every other Verizon LTE device has been. No Verizon phone with LTE has been SIM locked per their agreement with the FCC when purchasing a large block of LTE spectrum. The issue with getting some other Verizon LTE devices fully working on a different carrier has been band support. That doesn't appear to be an issue here.

This seems to be one of the most confusing aspects of the relationship between Google and Verizon. What exactly is the point of buying from Verizon? As you read the posts you see more and more reasons which are mostly due to an employer subsidized price which is also my reason. I wouldn't even think of buying from Verizon if not for the discount I will get. But in my case the discount is almost 100% of the purchase price. But what they don't subsidize is the monthly plan. So I can't pass on the phone but I want it to work on my T-Mobile sim. Verizon is not even close to the pricing on the data plan I get from T-Mobile. But maybe that day isn't as far off as it has been in the past.

 

[DirgeExtinction]

So apparently Verizon Pixel/XL will receive updates at the same time as the unlocked versions do.
Shame the Verizon versions have a locked bootloader.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[neyenlives]

So apparently Verizon Pixel/XL will receive updates at the same time as the unlocked versions do.
Shame the Verizon versions have a locked bootloader.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

I don't expect that to remain. The bootloaders on the Nexus 6 which I owned and the 6p/5x all came locked and were right away unlocked. Odds are it will get unlocked. Better odds than any other phone actually.

Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

 

[NickOlsen8390]

Greetings all.

Not to completely hijack this thread. But I was absolutely beside myself when I saw the mention of all verizon LTE devices being carrier unlocked. I guess I had never tried it and just assumed that phones on VZW's edge payment plan, Or under contract were carrier locked like many other carriers do.

So, I set out to test it. Me and a buddy both have Note7's on VZW. Both are not even a single payment in. And we have already pre-ordered pixel XL's due to the now 2nd recall of the note 7.

Anyways, I have a T-Mobile sim from a work issued phone. Popped it in my buddies Note7 and no kidding. It worked without issue. Had to program the Tmobile APN. But it sure is unlocked.

Screenshot of LTE discovery.
http://i.imgur.com/Ua0lapj.jpg

It would however appear that the VZW Note 7 variant does not support Band 12 (Or it's disabled) as popping the same SIM in my older Nexus 6p lands the phone directly on band 12. Band 4 if I take it outside where the RSQ improves. Covering the Note 7 with my hands to attenuate the signal causes the phone to fall off LTE (Not until a damn low -128. Which is crazy) and it'll land on GSM/HSPA+.

So, Seeing my note7 work with a T-Mobile simcard squarely lands me on believing the Pixel XL will be carrier unlocked. If Verizon isn't allowed to sell a carrier locked phone due to it's FCC dealings, The Pixel is no different. I figure the way it works out is fantastic for the end user. Verizon CANT lock the phone to them. And Google I assume doesn't want that done anyways. So there's no push from either side to lock the device.

Now that bootloader. Time will tell. And I'm anxious to see the outcome.

 

[Virus1x]

Verizon Employee here, NO 4G LTE devices are Carrier Locked. We do not yet know on dev or employee side if bootloader lock. Verizon will not be involved in updates of software so when Google releases they get it similar to Apple at least that's what the news released today on Android Central says.

 

[johnciaccio]

My Nexus 6 from Verizon was completely unlocked. However my S6 Edge+ was locked including the other bands necessary for T-Mobile was locked. However after the S6 Edge+ update to 6.0 it was carrier unlocked for the radio bands.

Considering my Nexus 6 was unlocked I expect the Pixel to be unlocked. However they have stated the bootloader would be locked. I would not buy one from Verizon.

 

[jackdforme]

So if I paid cash for the Verizon version I should be able to call them and have them lift the carrier lock. If I do that will the radio work on T-Mobile? I have an opportunity for such a good deal on the Verizon version its going to cost almost nothing. Also if this all works would WiFi calling work on T-Mobile?

Verizon phones are unlocked. It'll be fine without needing to call them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[neyenlives]

My Nexus 6 from Verizon was completely unlocked. However my S6 Edge+ was locked including the other bands necessary for T-Mobile was locked. However after the S6 Edge+ update to 6.0 it was carrier unlocked for the radio bands.

Considering my Nexus 6 was unlocked I expect the Pixel to be unlocked. However they have stated the bootloader would be locked. I would not buy one from Verizon.

The VZW Nexus 6 came locked. Once you had it you could go in and unlock it. It's been this way with every Nexus on VZW. So far that's the trend.

Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

 

[nrage23]

Seems to be a bit of confusion about locked and unlocked. All Verizon LTE phones are 100% sim (carrier) unlocked per their deal with the FCC as stated above. They may not have all bands enabled in the radios to work perfectly with all carriers. All Nexus and Pixel phones are bootloader locked form Google or anywhere else you get them. All of them but the Pixel phones sold by Verizon can be bootloader unlocked after you buy them via ADB commands. The bootloader on the Verizon sold Pixel phones will be encrypted so initially they will not be unlockable. Only time will tell if a developer can find a way to unlock the Verizon bootloader.