Help Which Note 3 for Verizon?

[zovadka]

I have been a long time Verizon customer. I currently have unlimited data which I am very set on keeping. I also am in need of an upgrade as my Droid Bionic is not cutting it anmore. I'm dead set on getting the Note 3 which means I have to pay for the phone outright so I can get what I want and not lose my unlimited data. It also isn't feasible to switch carriers due to it being a family plan and partially under contract.

Aside from the Verizon branding and the preinstalled bloatware, what is the difference between the Verizon model and the factory unlocked N9005 model? I ask because I can save quite a bit of money with the N9005. I understand it is unlocked but am I going to have any problems with it or can I just drop a micro SIM in it, activate it, and never feel the difference between them?

Any and all information is GREATLY appreciated in advance!

 

[Rukbat]

The 9005 is a GSM phone, you want the Verizon version which is CDMA (900V). (A GSM phone won't work on Verizon's network.) You can find them for outright purchase online. Or go into a Verizon store (if a company store won't do it, try an independent Verizon dealer) and ask about buying one outright.

You should also be aware that the 900V (and the 900A - AT&T version) is locked up tighter than Fort Knox. We can finally root and there's a way to get other ROMs running (no, you can't just flash a ROM), but there's still no custom recovery.

 

[johnpjackson]

Verizon N3 is CDMA? Wait, isn't it LTE? Or is that an apples versus oranges discussion?

 

[zovadka]

That is exactly what I needed to know. I was hoping to be able to save a few hundred bucks on the N9005 but it looks like I'm stuck with the 900V instead.

I suppose my next question is are there any recommended/reputable e-tailers aside from Best Buy and Amazon so that I can find it cheaper? I don't want to droo $800 on it but I will if I have to.

 

[zovadka]

Verizon was CDMA and is now 4G LTE. They made the dive to LTE with the Thunderbolt.

 

[SFWB]

I ordered a Note 3 to replace my Bionic. My cousin just upgraded to an S4 and told me about getting a 6GB data plan for the price of 2GB as a "consolation prize" for giving up unlimited data. The guy at the VZ store told me the 6GB plan only is with their "Flex" program (which is a huge ripoff).

I called VZ directly and spoke to a rep who told me the guy at the store was wrong. As a previous grandfathered unlimited data customer, I can get 6GB for the price of 2GB ($30 which is what unlimited data was costing me). I'll never use 6GB. Between the wifi at my house and various other places I go, along with the wifi hotspots in the area that I can use from my ISP - my data usage is very low no matter what i do.

I picked the 2GB plan with my phone, but once I activate it I have to call the rep back and she will switch me to the 6GB "max data" plan for the same $30 price.

Just passing this along, not trying to convince you of anything. I was going to buy a phone outright as well for the same reason, but realized it just wasn't worth it for me.

 

[zovadka]

I ordered a Note 3 to replace my Bionic. My cousin just upgraded to an S4 and told me about getting a 6GB data plan for the price of 2GB as a "consolation prize" for giving up unlimited data. The guy at the VZ store told me the 6GB plan only is with their "Flex" program (which is a huge ripoff).

I called VZ directly and spoke to a rep who told me the guy at the store was wrong. As a previous grandfathered unlimited data customer, I can get 6GB for the price of 2GB ($30 which is what unlimited data was costing me). I'll never use 6GB. Between the wifi at my house and various other places I go, along with the wifi hotspots in the area that I can use from my ISP - my data usage is very low no matter what i do.

I picked the 2GB plan with my phone, but once I activate it I have to call the rep back and she will switch me to the 6GB "max data" plan for the same $30 price.

Just passing this along, not trying to convince you of anything. I was going to buy a phone outright as well for the same reason, but realized it just wasn't worth it for me.

I appreciate the info. I'm aware of this option but 6gb just isn't enoygh for me a few times outof the year. The overage charges for 20GB would be signifcantly more thqn buying the contract.

 

[Rockman]

Verizon was CDMA and is now 4G LTE. They made the dive to LTE with the Thunderbolt.

I thought Verizon was GSM and used sim cards? Was/is that not true? And I mean before LTE. I thought only Sprint was CDMA



Err never mind, I answered my own question.

 

[SFWB]

I thought Verizon was GSM and used sim cards? Was/is that not true? And I mean before LTE. I thought only Sprint was CDMA

Verizon 3G is CDMA, no SIM cards prior to 4G LTE.

 

[Rockman]

Thanks!

 

[Rukbat]

2G (voice and text) are CDMA, so a GSM phone will have a bit of a problem.

Eventually the US (and a few other countries) will fall in line with the rest of the world and we'll all be using GSM (or whatever new technology comes along) on the same bands. The same thing happened with roads, railroads - when technology is new, "standard" means "what we do here". Eventually it means "what everyone does everywhere".