How to tell if it is a direct purchase from google?

[gtbarry]

I know this sounds like a dumb question and I should know the answer.....

I purchased my Galaxy Nexus direct from google last year. Now I am considering getting my daughter one to replace her MyTouch 4g slide.

As we know, google no longer sells this phone. So, my only choice to purchase this is via ebay.

Question is: How can I verify that this is the Galaxy Nexus from google and NOT from Verizon, etc. with the seller before I bid? Model Number? Baseband version? Build Number?

Want her to have the same Galaxy Nexus experience as me (read as: not waiting for updates, etc.)

Thanks!

 

[Demache]

The LTE and GSM (Google) versions have two entirely different model numbers.

The GSM Nexus is the i9250.
The LTE Nexus is the i515 OR i516, being Verizon and Sprint respectively.

 

[Tim K]

Yes. And also, ANY GSM Nexus can be flashed to the "google" firmware which gets its updates directly from google even if it was bought in France originally. As long as you don't buy the Verizon or Sprint (LTE) variants you should be fine.

 

[jj14x]

Just out of curiosity, is the price cheap enough to justify not buying a new Nexus 4 (updated model, with warranty) instead?

 

[gtbarry]

The LTE and GSM (Google) versions have two entirely different model numbers.

The GSM Nexus is the i9250.
The LTE Nexus is the i515 OR i516, being Verizon and Sprint respectively.

Thanks! but could a i9250 also be from t-mobile?

 

[gtbarry]

Just out of curiosity, is the price cheap enough to justify not buying a new Nexus 4 (updated model, with warranty) instead?

They sell for used and apparently in very good condition on ebay for about $225-$275.

What I cannot justify is my daughter having a newer phone than me!!! (And she would not want my old phone as it would seem like a backhanded gift - "I wanted a new one so I bought one and gave her my old one as an excuse.

 

[Tim K]

Thanks! but could a i9250 also be from t-mobile?

I don't know if T-Mobile ever sold the galaxy nexus. Maybe someone else can confirm?

 

[Demache]

I don't know if T-Mobile ever sold the galaxy nexus. Maybe someone else can confirm?

I don't think so.

 

[jj14x]

They sell for used and apparently in very good condition on ebay for about $225-$275.

ah, ok. So, about $100 or so extra for the new one. Fair enough. (I hadn't ever looked at what the used ones were going for, so thank you)

What I cannot justify is my daughter having a newer phone than me!!! (And she would not want my old phone as it would seem like a backhanded gift - "I wanted a new one so I bought one and gave her my old one as an excuse.

hee hee - I hear ya - I'd want the latest one too (and probably wouldn't have qualms about giving the current one to her - she'd give me hell for it, but oh well... shhh... don't tell her!)

I'm on Sprint, so unfortunately, am stuck with the old one anyway - sigh!

 

[jj14x]

Thanks! but could a i9250 also be from t-mobile?

Even if it is, it will still be pure google, with timely updates. Worst case scenario, if you somehow ended up with a non-takju build (i.e.. yakju or yakjuxw) that somehow get slightly delayed updates, you can always flash the takju ROM onto it.

(search the web for those builds and you will get plenty of instructions on how to do that).

 

[gtbarry]

Did any operator sell their own branded GSM Galaxy Nexus?

 

[mogelijk]

Thanks! but could a i9250 also be from t-mobile?

No. The US carriers that use GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile) did not sell the Galaxy Nexus. Some of the Canadian carriers did sell the GSM Nexus, as well as in other countries. As has been mentioned, though, it is easy to install the Google factory image (takju build, easy instructions for flashing the image). Assuming the phone is carrier unlocked, once the factory image is loaded it will be like any other GSM Galaxy Nexus that was sold directly by Google.

 

[nomarsgirl]

They sell for used and apparently in very good condition on ebay for about $225-$275.

What I cannot justify is my daughter having a newer phone than me!!! (And she would not want my old phone as it would seem like a backhanded gift - "I wanted a new one so I bought one and gave her my old one as an excuse.

Either way, she's getting a used phone. At least if you give her yours, you know where it has been. Treat yourself!