Database Users

Taking a Spring S4 over to Straight Talk?

Hello folks! I've been rooting Android devices since the OEM Droid, but I feel out of my depth with my new endeavor
I just scooped up a brand new Sprint S4 on the cheap via craigslist(literally 30 mins ago).... but here's the plan:
I plan on taking this new S4 over to Straight Talk to see how I like it. But, I've NEVER transferred a device between carriers before, and don't know what the crap I'm doing. I'm assuming I need to unlock the phone before activating with Straight Talk(not a problem, I'm sure I can get 'er done. I've only ever unlocked AND rooted both together, but assuming I can figure it out).
But after I activate with Straight Talk am I up a creek as far as flashing new ROMS on the device? Can I still root and flash (whatever) via this same device thread?
I'm coming from a Verizon Galaxy Nexus. I'm actually out of contract for the first time in 17 years, and almost can't believe it. The stock S4 is light years better than my rooted and overclocked Nexus, so worst case scenario, I'm plenty happy with staying stock if I'm SOL. But I'd LOVE to tinker with this puppy if I'm able to.
A good shove in the right direction would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks for taking to read this post!

it would appear I didn't do enough homework Looks like I've got my work cut out for me just to get the dang phone to work with Straight Talk.

Your best bet to get your CDMA phone working with them is to call customer service to check out the ESN. Or if you get good t-mobile or att reception in your area, you could always unlock it and pick up an att or tmo sim card to use.
There is this thread that shows how to unlock a Sprint S4 for domestic GSM carriers if you're interested...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530610

Dlnp22 said:
Hello folks! I've been rooting Android devices since the OEM Droid, but I feel out of my depth with my new endeavor
I just scooped up a brand new Sprint S4 on the cheap via craigslist(literally 30 mins ago).... but here's the plan:
I plan on taking this new S4 over to Straight Talk to see how I like it. But, I've NEVER transferred a device between carriers before, and don't know what the crap I'm doing. I'm assuming I need to unlock the phone before activating with Straight Talk(not a problem, I'm sure I can get 'er done. I've only ever unlocked AND rooted both together, but assuming I can figure it out).
But after I activate with Straight Talk am I up a creek as far as flashing new ROMS on the device? Can I still root and flash (whatever) via this same device thread?
I'm coming from a Verizon Galaxy Nexus. I'm actually out of contract for the first time in 17 years, and almost can't believe it. The stock S4 is light years better than my rooted and overclocked Nexus, so worst case scenario, I'm plenty happy with staying stock if I'm SOL. But I'd LOVE to tinker with this puppy if I'm able to.
A good shove in the right direction would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks for taking to read this post!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, on top of our private messages... I'm on straight talk and so far very happy. Only thing I can complain about is not having 4g...which I never had, so I've never experienced it. The flash service through ebay, the guy will take control of your PC and you can have it done when the flasher scheduled you a time. I bought my s4 on ebay with a bad ESN for like $389 a month after release. Also, the native hotspot doesnt work, but works once you flash the hotspot hack and use a widget from the playstore to turn it on/off it works perfectly. I personally use exlir 2 as my widget. I'm on a Sprint phone and it's flashed to Verizon's towers too, which is better in most areas. Other then that, for rooting/ROM purposes, I have zero issues. Signal/GPS is perfect. It even takes the OTA updates as long as your pure stock.:good: Using Odin .tar files is okay.
On second thought, the ebay service is illegal...your cloning a phone. Straight Talk thinks I have a Blackberry

KStyles69 said:
Again, on top of our private messages... I'm on straight talk and so far very happy. Only thing I can complain about is not having 4g...which I never had, so I've never experienced it. The flash service through ebay, the guy will take control of your PC and you can have it done when the flasher scheduled you a time. I bought my s4 on ebay with a bad ESN for like $389 a month after release. Also, the native hotspot doesnt work, but works once you flash the hotspot hack and use a widget from the playstore to turn it on/off it works perfectly. I personally use exlir 2 as my widget. I'm on a Sprint phone and it's flashed to Verizon's towers too, which is better in most areas. Other then that, for rooting/ROM purposes, I have zero issues. Signal/GPS is perfect. It even takes the OTA updates as long as your pure stock.:good: Using Odin .tar files is okay.
On second thought, the ebay service is illegal...your cloning a phone. Straight Talk thinks I have a Blackberry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I'm late in responding, but you made a point I found out after the fact. No 4G when taking the CDMA phone over to Straight Talk. This was a deal killer for me. I've since turned the phone on craigslist, and am looking for an AT&T version now
My only question is- How do you flash for specific towers?

congrats
Dlnp22 said:
Hello folks! I've been rooting Android devices since the OEM Droid, but I feel out of my depth with my new endeavor
I just scooped up a brand new Sprint S4 on the cheap via craigslist(literally 30 mins ago).... but here's the plan:
I plan on taking this new S4 over to Straight Talk to see how I like it. But, I've NEVER transferred a device between carriers before, and don't know what the crap I'm doing. I'm assuming I need to unlock the phone before activating with Straight Talk(not a problem, I'm sure I can get 'er done. I've only ever unlocked AND rooted both together, but assuming I can figure it out).
But after I activate with Straight Talk am I up a creek as far as flashing new ROMS on the device? Can I still root and flash (whatever) via this same device thread?
I'm coming from a Verizon Galaxy Nexus. I'm actually out of contract for the first time in 17 years, and almost can't believe it. The stock S4 is light years better than my rooted and overclocked Nexus, so worst case scenario, I'm plenty happy with staying stock if I'm SOL. But I'd LOVE to tinker with this puppy if I'm able to.
A good shove in the right direction would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks for taking to read this post!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
congrats on being out of contract...I love straighttalk, paid a whole year off at once......use hotspot often...last month got 90 gb of data usage....I used my tmo note 2....but I have 2 sprint s4's that I would love to take to ST....if it works out well for you please let me know

oclark1011 said:
congrats on being out of contract...I love straighttalk, paid a whole year off at once......use hotspot often...last month got 90 gb of data usage....I used my tmo note 2....but I have 2 sprint s4's that I would love to take to ST....if it works out well for you please let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 week in and LOVING it. So long VZW.

[Q] Why does this guy want money to "fix" my Note 3?

I have a Note 3 from my old, expired, contract with Sprint. I'm still shopping around for a better carrier in my area. In the mean time I opened service with a company called Metro PCS. As a side note this also lets me evaluate T-mobile's network (since I believe they are on the same network).
An employee at the local dealership checked out my Note 3 and said it would totally work with their network, IF I payed him $75 to do some "magic" to the phone. Ok then... He promised it worked and had a few examples on a shelf that he'd worked on for others to show me.
I got him to lower the price to $40 and signed my phone over (I'm not kidding, I made him sign an agreement...as legal as that really is xD), then a couple days later he tells me he can't set it up because it's running the custom cyanogen rom I have on it.
Now I'm wondering two things....
Why would my rom cause an issue???
And wtf was he going to do anyways???
I work 5 days a week and don't have much free time to screw with all of this stuff. That's a big reason I was down to shell out some cash for it to just "work".
Does anyone have any clue what this dude was up to? And what should I do next?
Thanks folks!
P.S. I'd re-install stock rom if it wasn't such a piece of s#!t

Maybe he would flash some files that could open for your new network. And it was made for stock roms? That's why he can't do it for you on CM.
Get your phone back.
Maybe some one can help you here with unlocking your device.

jcanuet said:
I have a Note 3 from my old, expired, contract with Sprint. I'm still shopping around for a better carrier in my area. In the mean time I opened service with a company called Metro PCS. As a side note this also lets me evaluate T-mobile's network (since I believe they are on the same network).
An employee at the local dealership checked out my Note 3 and said it would totally work with their network, IF I payed him $75 to do some "magic" to the phone. Ok then... He promised it worked and had a few examples on a shelf that he'd worked on for others to show me.
I got him to lower the price to $40 and signed my phone over (I'm not kidding, I made him sign an agreement...as legal as that really is xD), then a couple days later he tells me he can't set it up because it's running the custom cyanogen rom I have on it.
Now I'm wondering two things....
Why would my rom cause an issue???
And wtf was he going to do anyways???
I work 5 days a week and don't have much free time to screw with all of this stuff. That's a big reason I was down to shell out some cash for it to just "work".
Does anyone have any clue what this dude was up to? And what should I do next?
Thanks folks!
P.S. I'd re-install stock rom if it wasn't such a piece of s#!t
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He probably is charging for the network unlock code.

Extended controls app for free wifi hotspot on Nexus 6P on Verizon ?

Ok I have been reading around but I have what I think is a moot question but i have not heard it answered specifically before.
I currently have a Galaxy Nexus (completely stock) phone with grandfathered unlimited on Verizon. I use an app called Extended Controls from the Google play store and by turning on the widget app for wifi hotspot I have been getting free use of my unlimited for when I am working out of range of any decent wifi.
Since my device was not updated past 4.2.2 I am now wanting to buy the new Nexus 6P for Christmas ( I have had the same Galaxy Nexus for 4 years! - no case either).
From what I have been reading once I get Verizon to give me the new sim and add me to the account to maintain my unlimited (after I pay full price ) I will no longer be able to use this app to gain access to my free wifi hotspot.
It seems that other people's methods (foxfi etc - I never used any other besides Extended Controls) no longer work but I have not seen anyone here mention having used Extended Controls.
So my questions are :
1) when I get the Nexus 6P - will I have to use root in order to obtain the free wifi hotspot as some others have mentioned?
2 ) is there a safe rooting for dummies yet for the Nexus 6P which is just about foolproof?
3) What is it that Verizon did that now blocks those apps - which we used before - from working now?
So I currently use about 28 - 35 GB per month so moving off unlimited is out of the question at this point. I stream music at my job - in a building where there is no wifi allowed - and I do it in my car as part of my cummute (45min - 1hr ) getting to work. I cannot imagine buying a $650 phone as nice as the Nexus 6P and not having the ability to use my unlimited the way I still do now.
I have done a few searches in the 6P thread but I didn't see anyone mention the Extended Controls app not working and they don't say it does work on the Google Store.
thank you in advance for anyone to steer me in the right direction. At this point I will be lucky to get a 6P by Christmas and hopefully by then have a few days vacation to figure out how to get the phone working like I need it to work.

Hmmmmm, if memory serves me correctly (had the same phone, same plan from vz - but over 2 yrs ago), I never had to use an app for hot spot - but - I unlock/root as soon as I get a device and run custom roms/kernels.
So, again, if I remember, part of vz tweaking the os is hiding the Android native hot spot feature. So, by getting stock Android, you'll have that feature, and shouldn't need any special apps - you can even add a tile to the quick settings drop down to switch hot spot on/off.
If I also remember, there was an entry added by some carriers in a database on the phone that would check if hot spot was allowed by the carrier - when carriers would charge separately for hot spot data. Most if not all custom roms at the time were kind enough to fix that for ya - yet another good reason to unlock and root.
What you could try is - cutting down your present SIM - and just using it in the new device. My understanding is if you already have an activated SIM, you can just use it in a new device, no need to get vz involved - which is always a good thing imho.
I'd Google - cut down SIM - you'll get tons of info and how tos on the subject. I'm planning on doing this when my 6p comes in.
Lol - this is what I said to Verizon when I got my n5 2 years ago;
"I've been waiting about 15 years to say this - cancel my forking account"
Verizon never had coverage where I lived, not even calls, so I was paying $125/month for 2 lines - pay for each text, sharing like 700 minutes talk between 2 lines - and never really able to use any of it!
Unlimited talk/text and 5 gigs a month fit $45 on straight talk now - and I can make calls and text from home now. Would never go back to Verizon!

Phazmos,
Thanks for the reply but I am probably still a little confused.
If I remember correctly when the Nexus 6 came out many did what you suggest - cut their sim to fit - but the phone didn't always register as an official verizon device. Unfortunately my company provides me with a 17% discount on my monthly bill but only if you can prove that your phone is officially on the network. Verizon actually calls me every year to reverify it.
I am not sure how Extended controls works on the 4.2.2 version Galaxy Nexus I have now but I am pretty sure that it turns on the wifi hotspot without Verizon knowing about it. If I go straight to the "portable wifi hotspot" part of my settings then it comes up with the same error as everyone else on Verizon without wifi hotspot enabled. But "this .99 app- Extended Controls - just turns it on ... on the sly.
If the new version of the 6P has that feature and I just turn it on then Verizon will charged me. - I am already going to have to eat the extra $20 per month.
I am planning on buying the phone through Google but I will have to talk to a couple of the main Verizon stores here to guarantee that they will turn on my new sim (I am scared of cutting my current sim- what if I **** it up then I have no phone not even the Nexus!)
I have heard of people convincing the store manager to activate their new micro sim in a store model and then put it in the phone.
I am so leary of spending $650 and then having them refuse to activate it correctly.
Also I have always been afraid of rooting because I figured that right out of the box I could have a brand new $650 brick on my hands.
What I do know is that I cannot continue with this dinasour that I have now! It is way past it's prime days.
I really would like to switch over to something like T-mobile but even here in Northern VA - their coverage lacks in too many areas that I travel to.

mhughes1966 said:
Phazmos,
Thanks for the reply but I am probably still a little confused.
If I remember correctly when the Nexus 6 came out many did what you suggest - cut their sim to fit - but the phone didn't always register as an official verizon device. Unfortunately my company provides me with a 17% discount on my monthly bill but only if you can prove that your phone is officially on the network. Verizon actually calls me every year to reverify it.
I am not sure how Extended controls works on the 4.2.2 version Galaxy Nexus I have now but I am pretty sure that it turns on the wifi hotspot without Verizon knowing about it. If I go straight to the "portable wifi hotspot" part of my settings then it comes up with the same error as everyone else on Verizon without wifi hotspot enabled. But "this .99 app- Extended Controls - just turns it on ... on the sly.
If the new version of the 6P has that feature and I just turn it on then Verizon will charged me. - I am already going to have to eat the extra $20 per month.
I am planning on buying the phone through Google but I will have to talk to a couple of the main Verizon stores here to guarantee that they will turn on my new sim (I am scared of cutting my current sim- what if I **** it up then I have no phone not even the Nexus!)
I have heard of people convincing the store manager to activate their new micro sim in a store model and then put it in the phone.
I am so leary of spending $650 and then having them refuse to activate it correctly.
Also I have always been afraid of rooting because I figured that right out of the box I could have a brand new $650 brick on my hands.
What I do know is that I cannot continue with this dinasour that I have now! It is way past it's prime days.
I really would like to switch over to something like T-mobile but even here in Northern VA - their coverage lacks in too many areas that I travel to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Registering as official may be a problem - a problem with most any unlocked device. Carriers, vz in particular, can be real touchy about devices not supplied by them.
Oh, took a look at that app on play store - guess what - I also bought that app! Had to be like 3 or 4 years ago! Was surprised to see "purchased" when I found it. But, I didn't have to use it for hot spot, not after unlocking/rooting and loading custom roms.
I never used hot spot much, mostly when our network would go down - I'd for up the hot spot to get a few co-workers internet access till it came back up, and I'd just use native Android hot spot. That tells me you have the database thing going on. If I remember, that would send the native hot spot through a certain gateway (I think) and if you didn't have access, browsers would be redirected to the "sign up for hot spot" page from the carrier.
I also thought most carriers, vz included, didn't care about hot spot usage any more. There was a BIG stink about that a few years back - as in you're paying for data - how you use it is up to you, not the carrier. As I recall, there were a few law suites from users.
Anyway - since the new device isn't carrier supplied - or approved as they like to call it, you'll have other issues when going the new SIM/imei not in their database route.
A note on SIM trimming - it's super easy - and if you do screw it up - tell them you lost service and tried pooping the SIM out, then you dropped it and the dog ate it and get another! They want your $$$ - believe me - they'll give you another. I'd even "mention" to them you're gonna get this device - which works on any carrier, and mention att, tmobile and any other carrier - and you'd be more than happy going to a carrier that does support the device. Again, they want your $$$, they'll accommodate - and try to get ya to a new limited data plan - beware!
And a note on unlocking/rooting - real easy and real reliable on that device - same for any nexus device, especially if gotten from Google. The nexus line is actually for developing the os and apps. You could say it's made to load custom Android versions - when you want to test, you do it on a nexus.
PS - I resurrected my gnex a few months ago - loaded lollipop on it and gave it to my sister as her droid x2 finally died. It ran it pretty good for an old timer! Just like I run pretty good - for an old timer!
Good luck!

Wow you rooted your old Galaxy Nexus and got Lollipop running? Interesting.
Maybe after I get the newer phone I will experiment on the old nexus. The screen actually still looks pretty good. it is just the way it operates on the older software that makes me want to throw it in the Potomac.

mhughes1966 said:
Wow you rooted your old Galaxy Nexus and got Lollipop running? Interesting.
Maybe after I get the newer phone I will experiment on the old nexus. The screen actually still looks pretty good. it is just the way it operates on the older software that makes me want to throw it in the Potomac.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did, actually unlocked/rooted a week after I got it. As soon as some development started happening, I started loading roms. Nexus devices get the most love from devs, there was a lollipop version available, so away we went. Once you're unlocked and rooted and have a custom recovery, loading roms is basically a matter of downloading it and installing it. Pretty painless.
Don't know if you've seen lollipop, but it finally made Android a beautiful looking os - Android lost the acne and grew up, so to speak. And since newer Android is made to work on many different devices with lots of different hardware, it's made to run on minimal, or marginal, hardware. The gnex certainly fits into the minimal hardware category now days.
I forgot to mention yesterday, there is another thread here - what to expect from Verizon - I think it is, where questions like this are being actively discussed.
You may get more info there - you're not the only 1 wondering about Verizon. Googling - 6p on Verizon - also gets an article or 2 on the subject. That's where I got some of my info (I've been in technology close to 20 years now, so I'm the go to tech guy for a lot of people, including more than a few Verizon users).
And always remember, there's a work around for everything, ya just gotta find it!
Oh, surprised to hear the screen was still good. The gnex had a horrible screen. Amoled displays have come a looooong way since the gnex. Mine w had a horrid blue cast to it, especially when turned down, and was starting to burn in. Never noticed the blue till I got my next phone, the nexus 5. On that the whites were actually white - I almost fell over - it was that much of a difference!

To prepare for new 6P and nano sim you can buy a Sadapter Sim to Nano Sim adapter. Buy this quality brand only.
Visit a Verizon company store mention you'll be getting a new phone, one with nano sim like iphone or moto-x, and would they activate a new nano sim for you so you are prepared to plug and play when you get new phone. In meantime insert nano sim and adapter into your Gnex. For above you might get better cooperation going to Bestbuy vs Verizon.
.
For activating Hotspot while bypassing Verizon check, it is to be determined if any current apps like Foxfi will work. You will probably need to do the build prop edit for "tether provisioning" mentioned elsewhere. You can prep for this also by downloading tools (adb & fastboot) and Drivers to your PC.
There are some Guides on XDA to walk you through steps to get to and through the "tether provisioning" bit.

Thought I might add a little to the conversation based on my experiences... I recently updated from my Nexus 5 (which I loved) to the Nexus 5x. on my unrooted Nexus 5 Wifi worked wonderfully with ATT as my carrier. On my updated Nexus 5x I can turn on the Wifi hotspot and bluetooth network sharing - HOWEVER it is buggy and the throughput is not good. A few of the bugs are I cannot turn on the wifi hotspot via the quick tile, only from the settings menu, the first time I select the hotspot a toast message pops up stating it is checking with carrier then flashes off and I have to turn it on again at which point it does come on. I actually get better speed from the Bluetooth network sharing...
so from what I have read the Nexus 6p is the same in this area as the Nexus 5x so you may want to look at getting a Nexus 5 which would be a great update from your phone and can run Android Marshmallow - I am strongly considering going back...

I have a nexus 6p, and cannot use my hotspot (I'm on an AT&T based MVNO). The phone will say "please contact AT&T to enable hotspot". There are workarounds (at least as of android 6.0.1) for non-rooted phones, such as ejecting the sim card, reinserting it, and quickly activating hotspot before the phone has a chance to provision (confirmed working if your timing is right), but this gets annoying really fast. There is no other way to override this check at this time on the stock ROM, which is really disappointing. I don't know if other MVNOs will be the same, but I'm really disappointed Google chose to take this path

Leasing and Rooting/Flashing ROMS

Hey everyone,
So I currently own a S4 on Sprint and it's rooted with a custom ROM and I use the mobile hotspot for my internet at home ( can't get any decent internet in the apartment I live in ). I have been looking into finally upgrading to the S7, but it's a little too pricey to outright buy it so I am looking into leasing it.
I have never leased a phone so I am not sure how it works in regards to rooting, flashing ROMS, and most importantly for me at the moment the mobile hotspot. I have never had an issue so far with getting throttled or been warned about my data usage from Sprint so far, but I'm not sure if their policies change if I start leasing a phone from them. I figure when it comes time to turn my phone back in I could flash it back to stock. I remember though that with KNOX even if you flash back to stock the warranty would still be voided and I'm not sure if that would be a problem when I try to flash back to stock before returning the phone.
Any guidance on the issue would be appreciated.

I also upgraded from a S4. right now i have a S7 that i just got today. flashing and rooting should have no affect except that your warranty will be void. if you really care, then you can always flash stock rom via odin after you download the firmware from SamMobile. my S4 has been rooted and went through like 10 different roms.

If Knox is tripped my understanding is some features won't work. I could see this being problematic upon return. Though if you're careful and don't trip knox as long as you flash back I don't see it would be an issue.

VeriSkye said:
If Knox is tripped my understanding is some features won't work. I could see this being problematic upon return. Though if you're careful and don't trip knox as long as you flash back I don't see it would be an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible to not trip Knox these days? If I remember correctly there was a time when there was no way around it.

sj7ftw said:
Is it possible to not trip Knox these days? If I remember correctly there was a time when there was no way around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, there is no known way not to trip knox unless you have a factory engineering image

Depending on your plan, Hotspot is included if you have one of the gig bucket plans. Use to have to do Hotspot tweaks too,
I went from the 1500 unlimited data, to a 3gig plan and Hotspot is included.
My plan with 2 ezpay s7 phones and 3 gigs is much less than I was paying. Plus I never use more than 3 gigs, usually way less with wifi.

sj7ftw said:
Is it possible to not trip Knox these days? If I remember correctly there was a time when there was no way around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it was. But I've been living in the HTC world for a while so I admittedly haven't kept up like I used to.

I am also leasing my s7 edge.
I dont think there would be an issue root and roming the phone, as long as:
A; you do not call sprint for software issues.
B; if you do, put stock back on the phone before hand.
If you have hardware issues, its OK to call sprint, just dont tell them the phone is rooted. You will have to put the phone back to stock (hopefully knox resets when this happens) to return the phone for hardware replacement.
I've replaced my Samsung phones so many times. I have the monthly insurance.

Thanks for the replies... If anyone does know how to reset Knox/warranty bit when going back to stock let me know. Now to wait for a hotspot mod. I do have GalaxyTools still on my S4. Anyone know if that would work?

There is no way to reset Knox.

sj7ftw said:
Hey everyone,
So I currently own a S4 on Sprint and it's rooted with a custom ROM and I use the mobile hotspot for my internet at home ( can't get any decent internet in the apartment I live in ). I have been looking into finally upgrading to the S7, but it's a little too pricey to outright buy it so I am looking into leasing it.
I have never leased a phone so I am not sure how it works in regards to rooting, flashing ROMS, and most importantly for me at the moment the mobile hotspot. I have never had an issue so far with getting throttled or been warned about my data usage from Sprint so far, but I'm not sure if their policies change if I start leasing a phone from them. I figure when it comes time to turn my phone back in I could flash it back to stock. I remember though that with KNOX even if you flash back to stock the warranty would still be voided and I'm not sure if that would be a problem when I try to flash back to stock before returning the phone.
Any guidance on the issue would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The S7 in my op is so far above the S4 it is scary. Well worth your lease. Also if at the end of the lease terms you want to buy the phone Sprint has options. I got a loyalty discount on my lease at 50% off. With the buy option at the end leasing the phone I would save around 200$ as opposed to buying it out right.

No way to untrip Knox, and it IS against the terms of your lease, just FYI.

Right now this is all moot. Bootloader is locked. Unfortunately.

All us is locked

Instead of leasing there is the payment to own, this way you are buying it instead. I didn't there was leasing option for the S7 yet.

As far as the payment to own... i dont understand why anyone would want to do that? It seems much better to sign two years and pay $250.00 in stead of paying the full price after payments are said and done. Am i missing something? or i don't see a bigger picture everyone else does.

lost0138 said:
As far as the payment to own... i dont understand why anyone would want to do that? It seems much better to sign two years and pay $250.00 in stead of paying the full price after payments are said and done. Am i missing something? or i don't see a bigger picture everyone else does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The service costs more with a two-year contract, so there's that. It doesn't actually work out that you get the phone $500 cheaper. You make up for it in the cost of service.
IMO the Galaxy Forever is the way to go. New phone every 12 months, no need to worry about the battery being unreplaceable, an old Android having little resale value, etc.

lost0138 said:
As far as the payment to own... i dont understand why anyone would want to do that? It seems much better to sign two years and pay $250.00 in stead of paying the full price after payments are said and done. Am i missing something? or i don't see a bigger picture everyone else does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only reason I have considered the leasing option with the payment to own is I got a huge discount through Sprint for being with them for over 10 years. Without that discount the lease option and the payment option are about the same end cost. As far as the 2 year contract, I have not been given that option through Sprint, the only time I see that option is for new customers when I am not signed into my account on the web site.
I am right now on the Galaxy for life program because I have opted for the lease with Sprint. Unless the next Note or Galaxy is a home run and includes a removable battery cover I don't know if I will opt for the upgrade when they come out. I really dig this GS7.

Sign and pass along
https://www.change.org/p/sprint-unl...utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

Zer0C0oL said:
The only reason I have considered the leasing option with the payment to own is I got a huge discount through Sprint for being with them for over 10 years. Without that discount the lease option and the payment option are about the same end cost. As far as the 2 year contract, I have not been given that option through Sprint, the only time I see that option is for new customers when I am not signed into my account on the web site.
I am right now on the Galaxy for life program because I have opted for the lease with Sprint. Unless the next Note or Galaxy is a home run and includes a removable battery cover I don't know if I will opt for the upgrade when they come out. I really dig this GS7.
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That's why I did the lease too. I got $10 off a month and I get to upgrade next year. I love to upgrade so it was a no brainer for me.

Samsung Galaxy yearly upgrade

Messaged VZW On FB. Asked about my "upgrade" since we are almost forced to change phones. Was told if I downgrade aka upgrade to a s7 edge I would waste my upgrade. And be locked into the device agreement on that phone. Then asked about the yearly Galaxy upgrade she send me the link and after reading into it we are no longer eligible. As of 9/10/16 we cannot be apart of this. Took a screenshot of it. So I expressed my feelings to vzw. They didn't have much to say about wasting a downgrade and if we would be eligible for early upgrade due to our situation. Might go to BB For that TV. And the $100 for swapping to another Samsung.

I never knew this was a thing. And now I'm sad. They're really going to have to re-think our ineligibility now that we're being forced to switch devices. They should really honor the original purchase date on the first round of Note 7s so that people who pre-ordered or received a Note 7 before the 9/10/16 date would be included if they ended up switching to an S7 or S7E because of the recall.

Exactly why I'm not giving up my note 7. We essentially get screwed over. It's bullish!t

Use the carrier switching technology..
Switch to Tmobile or ATT and then switch back.. Yes a bit of hassle but you get a new phone of your choice..
This does not apply to people on the older (read unavailable/legacy) plans..

Yes there's always that option lol!

I ordered the S7 Edge thinking I was good to upgrade in a year. When I saw this I called to cancel and the Verizon rep said even if I took the S7 as my upgrade I'd still be eligible to upgrade later at any time because they haulted/ saved all upgrades due to the recall. I asked if he could email that to me, he said he can't email out but would save the notes and give me his user Id. I went ahead and canceled anyway, screw the useless credits, I want my Note and the ability to upgrade later.

I just left a store, I went to inquire about swapping out to a s7 edge or possibly a note 5. My question was if say in 3 months a phone came out that I actually wanted, would I be able to upgrade without penalty.
So after chatting for about 5 minutes with the manager, I don't get an answer to my actual question, but am told that I can call customer service and I "SHOULD" be able to upgrade to a s7e with no penalty for this swap. However if i wanted to (upgrade in store) I would have to pay the balance of my note 7 up to half of the total value.
WHAT!
So for a DOWNGRADE I don't want, that I'm basically being forced to take I would have to pay off half the phone you say I must return to you?
Wth

shizumie said:
I just left a store, I went to inquire about swapping out to a s7 edge or possibly a note 5. My question was if say in 3 months a phone came out that I actually wanted, would I be able to upgrade without penalty.
So after chatting for about 5 minutes with the manager, I don't get an answer to my actual question, but am told that I can call customer service and I "SHOULD" be able to upgrade to a s7e with no penalty for this swap. However if i wanted to (upgrade in store) I would have to pay the balance of my note 7 up to half of the total value.
WHAT!
So for a DOWNGRADE I don't want, that I'm basically being forced to take I would have to pay off half the phone you say I must return to you?
Wth
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That person was mistaken. Amazing how wrong they continue to get it.
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dottat said:
That person was mistaken. Amazing how wrong they continue to get it.
Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk
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Ya, I have read to many accounts of people walking in, getting a 2nd phone and leaving with both (to wait on a fireproof shipping container for n7) only paying an upgrade fee or taxes, to be returned upon receipt of n7.
I truly hate vzw, but where I live / work there is no other viable option.

Yeah there is no right answer at this point. They're just blowing smoke up our azz's until something gets figured out. The tech I talked to basically agreed with everything I said, first saying he too had a note 7 and also cancelled the order, then later said he might cancel the order. I find it hard to believe that after accepting an upgrade I'll still magically have another upgrade available to use anytime I want. If that were the case I could just keep upgrading over and over. What's the upgrade limit, will we be able to keep our original upgrade eligibility date from when we bought and activated our Note 7, what actually happens if we decide not to upgrade right now... These are the golden questions.