Can I use my current 4G LTE sim card in a new device?

[whitefang]

Hi all,

I had a Samsung Stratosphere (Verizon 4G LTE) for a little over a year until it started experiencing a boot loop problem recently, so I'm looking to get a new smartphone. What phone that would work w/my current sim card would you recommend for under $200, and also, more importantly, were I to get a new 4G LTE phone, could I pop in my current 4G LTE sim card, would it work fine? Like, do I need to get an unlocked phone, or could I just get one of those that comes with a contract (since they're a lot cheaper), and use my own sim card like normal (w/o having to get a new contract)?

Thank you!

 

[Mayhem]

I believe the 4G card will work in any other 4G device. You'll have to re-activate it online by associating it with your new phone.

As far as what phone to get, I cannot comment.

 

[finndo77]

I asked in a corporate Verizon wireless store if I could use my LTE sim card from my Spectrum in a mifi and they told me it would work fine as long as I associated it with my account first.

It might be worth the extra cost to get a Nexus 4.

 

[whitefang]

I believe the 4G card will work in any other 4G device. You'll have to re-activate it online by associating it with your new phone.

As far as what phone to get, I cannot comment.

Thanks for replying - so any phone would work, even the ones that sell really cheap with a new plan, or do I have to get those unlocked/get an unlocked phone in the first place?

How does the reactivation work? Does the account automatically detect my new phone when I swap in the sim card?

 

[breadnatty08]

Most new devices use a micro SIM so you'll likely have to get a new one. It's very easy, I've done it.

 

[whitefang]

Most new devices use a micro SIM so you'll likely have to get a new one. It's very easy, I've done it.

Get a new what? The Stratosphere does come with a micro SIM card, I believe.

 

[Digital Controller]

You could not put a 4G SIM card from Verizon in a Nexus 4 since the Nexus 4 does not support the radio bands of Verizon.

You could only, theoretically put the SIM in a phone that supports a CDMA network.

 

[Mayhem]

Thanks for replying - so any phone would work, even the ones that sell really cheap with a new plan, or do I have to get those unlocked/get an unlocked phone in the first place?

How does the reactivation work? Does the account automatically detect my new phone when I swap in the sim card?

You'll have to go into your account online and enter the IMEI (if I recall correctly) for the new phone to associate it with your SIM card. Any phone that takes a 4G card (with the exception of micro cards mentioned in another post, unless, of course, yours is a micro card too) should work.

 

[whitefang]

You could not put a 4G SIM card from Verizon in a Nexus 4 since the Nexus 4 does not support the radio bands of Verizon.

You could only, theoretically put the SIM in a phone that supports a CDMA network.

Oh. So what phones can I get that support a CDMA network currently? Do I have to get an unlocked version of those phones, or can I get one that comes w/a contract and use my sim card instead?

 

[whitefang]

You'll have to go into your account online and enter the IMEI (if I recall correctly) for the new phone to associate it with your SIM card. Any phone that takes a 4G card (with the exception of micro cards mentioned in another post, unless, of course, yours is a micro card too) should work.

Thanks for letting me know. Where in my account can I do this? Also, are their any restrictions for the IMEI?

 

[Digital Controller]

Oh. So what phones can I get that support a CDMA network currently? Do I have to get an unlocked version of those phones, or can I get one that comes w/a contract and use my sim card instead?

You would need to look up the phone you want to buy, and be wary that certain phones are produced on multiple networks but will still only work for that specific network.