Buying the unlocked Gnex in the US ...

worknman · Aug 6, 2012

After being told for the 100th time that "You're breaking up.... I can't hear you..." my Verizon Gnex is being permanently retired, since it is utterly useless as a phone.

I understand that the GSM Gnex doesn't have a horrible radio like the Verizon version does. That being the case, can I just get the unlocked version, take it to an AT&T or T-mobile store, and have it activated month-to-month, without a contract?

lordj · Aug 6, 2012

Sure can, though cheapest way is to order a $0.99 Sim from T-Mobile site. I got mine in two days. They also have a 100 minute, unlimited text, 5gb data plan for $30 exclusive online or in Walmart.

worknman · Aug 6, 2012

Cool, 100 minutes is usually about 80 more than I need every month

hehe

If I had both T-mobile and AT&T SIM cards, can I swap them back and fourth, just to compare the coverage of the two carriers? I use Google Voice, so phone number portability isn't really a concern.

Trooper · Aug 6, 2012

Or you can use Straight Talk (which I plan on doing). 45 dollars a month for unlimited talk, text, and data.

I keep missing Fed Ex so should have the card tomorrow or Wednesday. I've had the GSM Gnex at my house since last Wednesday.

worknman · Aug 6, 2012

Except that with Straight Talk, the 'unlimited data' really means 2gb a month and/or 100mb per day, or so I've heard. I could probably get by on 2gb a month, but the 100mb per day would really hurt.

Plus, that $30 a month plan on T-mobile, if it's real, would give me more than enough minutes.

Trooper · Aug 6, 2012

Good points but I plan to give it a go. If its horrible, I will go to ATT. Im on wifi most of the time anyways so should not be an issue.

worknman · Aug 6, 2012

So based on the research I've done, T-mobile works better than AT&T where I live. However, some of my relatives live out in the sticks where T-mo coverage is poor to non-existent, and I unfortunately have to visit them once or twice a year

So would it be possible to just pop in an AT&T SIM when I have to visit one of those areas, and use T-mo the rest of the time? Another option would be just to get a tablet that supports LTE... still waiting for that 4g TF-700 to come out

KtMack23 · Aug 6, 2012

worknman said:
Except that with Straight Talk, the 'unlimited data' really means 2gb a month and/or 100mb per day, or so I've heard. I could probably get by on 2gb a month, but the 100mb per day would really hurt.

Plus, that $30 a month plan on T-mobile, if it's real, would give me more than enough minutes.

Its definetly real, I've got it and am using it now, I love it! You can sign up easily online, don't listen the tmobile phone reps, they'll tell you that you have to buy a phone at Walmart to get the plan, which is not true. Hope this helps!

mogelijk · Aug 6, 2012

worknman said:
Except that with Straight Talk, the 'unlimited data' really means 2gb a month and/or 100mb per day, or so I've heard. I could probably get by on 2gb a month, but the 100mb per day would really hurt.

Plus, that $30 a month plan on T-mobile, if it's real, would give me more than enough minutes.

The $30 plan is quite real, though it is only available online or through Walmart. To get the plan, order the Activation Kit from T-mobile's website for $.99. You can also get it through T-Mobile stores for about $10. You have to sign up for the plan online, though.

You can get the Kit from Walmart and sign up for the plan there, though I've heard some Walmarts mark up the price (it shows at Walmart.com for $10).

As mentioned, it is 100 minutes talk and unlimited data, throttled after 5GB. It's working well for me; though I'm guessing I'm switching to Solavei when they start up in a little over a month, which also uses the T-Mobile network.

CrackBaby · Aug 6, 2012

mogelijk said:
though I'm guessing I'm switching to Solavei .

Why do this? Quick Google search shows that this is an opportunity to annoy your friends with a pyramid scheme and pay $20 MORE per month ($50 solavei vs $30 t-mo). Or am I wrong?

mogelijk · Aug 7, 2012

CrackBaby said:
Why do this? Quick Google search shows that this is an opportunity to annoy your friends with a pyramid scheme and pay $20 MORE per month ($50 solavei vs $30 t-mo). Or am I wrong?

It is not a pyramid scheme, though it can be done as a MLM. If you annoy your friends, then I would suggest that you aren't a very good friend. Basically, their idea is, instead of paying for advertising, they are giving the money that would be used for advertising to customers who refer friends. They have a very strong management team (including a former Congressman as head of the legal department, and an FCC chief of staff as an investor and adviser) and strong financing.

As for the $49, the difference is that you get unlimited talk and not just 100 minutes a month. If you compare to Straight Talk, you are paying $49 instead of $45 but getting 4GB, instead of 2GB of data before being throttled. Not to mention, if you do want to "annoy your friends", and get just three to switch over, you are suddenly paying $29/month for service.

lordj · Aug 7, 2012

mogelijk said:
It is not a pyramid scheme, though it can be done as a MLM. If you annoy your friends, then I would suggest that you aren't a very good friend. Basically, their idea is, instead of paying for advertising, they are giving the money that would be used for advertising to customers who refer friends. They have a very strong management team (including a former Congressman as head of the legal department, and an FCC chief of staff as an investor and adviser) and strong financing.

As for the $49, the difference is that you get unlimited talk and not just 100 minutes a month. If you compare to Straight Talk, you are paying $49 instead of $45 but getting 4GB, instead of 2GB of data before being throttled. Not to mention, if you do want to "annoy your friends", and get just three to switch over, you are suddenly paying $29/month for service.

You do know they also charge a $49 "affiliate fee" as well for the privilege of being one of their salesmen right? Hmmm...paying a company to work for them...yeah, sounds totally legit.

batman25 · Aug 7, 2012

Has anyone received a unlocked Gnex lately? I ordered one on the 3rd and haven't received anything even an email saying that my order is being processed.

Trooper · Aug 7, 2012

batman25 said:
Has anyone received a unlocked Gnex lately? I ordered one on the 3rd and haven't received anything even an email saying that my order is being processed.

Ordered last Monday morning. Had device in my hands on Wednesday morning.

batman25 · Aug 7, 2012

Trooper said:
Ordered last Monday morning. Had device in my hands on Wednesday morning.

MIP...Over a week?

mogelijk · Aug 8, 2012

batman25 said:
Has anyone received a unlocked Gnex lately? I ordered one on the 3rd and haven't received anything even an email saying that my order is being processed.

Are you sure your order went through? If you go to Google Wallet under Transactions, if you successfully ordered the Nexus you should see an invoice and the status of the order. It sounds like you either didn't complete the order process or, perhaps, your credit card was declined.

batman25 · Aug 8, 2012

mogelijk said:
Are you sure your order went through? If you go to Google Wallet under Transactions, if you successfully ordered the Nexus you should see an invoice and the status of the order. It sounds like you either didn't complete the order process or, perhaps, your credit card was declined.

Got it today. Had the email that said it shipped. Checked the tracking# and it was at my door.

Was the plastic on that back actually attached? My was falling off with alot of white flacks. The plastic on the cable also looked like it had been removed. The phone had no stratches and seems new. Soo much better than my G2X!!!

mogelijk · Aug 8, 2012

batman25 said:
Got it today. Had the email that said it shipped. Checked the tracking# and it was at my door.

Was the plastic on that back actually attached? My was falling off with alot of white flacks. The plastic on the cable also looked like it had been removed. The phone had no stratches and seems new. Soo much better than my G2X!!!

Glad you got the phone and are loving it.

Trooper · Aug 9, 2012

batman25 said:
MIP...Over a week?

No two days.

joshua.worth · Aug 9, 2012

batman25 said:
Got it today. Had the email that said it shipped. Checked the tracking# and it was at my door.

Was the plastic on that back actually attached? My was falling off with alot of white flacks. The plastic on the cable also looked like it had been removed. The phone had no stratches and seems new. Soo much better than my G2X!!!

What are you saying here? Plastic is flaking of the back of your brand new device and off your USB cable?

aurora40 · Aug 9, 2012

CrackBaby said:
Why do this? Quick Google search shows that this is an opportunity to annoy your friends with a pyramid scheme and pay $20 MORE per month ($50 solavei vs $30 t-mo). Or am I wrong?

Unlimited minutes vs 100, data is similar. So even if you don't sell anyone, it's a deal that T-Mobile doesn't currently have a similar plan for.

mogelijk · Aug 10, 2012

lordj said:
You do know they also charge a $49 "affiliate fee" as well for the privilege of being one of their salesmen right? Hmmm...paying a company to work for them...yeah, sounds totally legit.

I will admit, I don't care for the one time Membership fee. OTOH, that doesn't make them dishonest, unless you think clubs like Sam's or Costco are dishonest since they charge annual membership fees.

Petrah · Aug 10, 2012

Trooper said:
Or you can use Straight Talk (which I plan on doing). 45 dollars a month for unlimited talk, text, and data.

I keep missing Fed Ex so should have the card tomorrow or Wednesday. I've had the GSM Gnex at my house since last Wednesday.

If I were you Id do some serious research regarding Straight Talk. Last I heard they have a very bad reputation for shutting people off without notice if they go over quota.

Besides. How can you take any company serious with a business web site designed like that? After spending more than 10 years in the web hosting industry I can honestly say they have one of the worst web designs I've ever seen.

Trooper · Aug 10, 2012

Petrah said:
If I were you Id do some serious research regarding Straight Talk. Last I heard they have a very bad reputation for shutting people off without notice if they go over quota.

Besides. How can you take any company serious with a business web site designed like that? After spending more than 10 years in the web hosting industry I can honestly say they have one of the worst web designs I've ever seen.

Yeah I went with them as of yesterday and am having horrible data speeds. Not sure what to do to be honest. I heard all this good stuff about them. But I am not the only person having data issues. I see others posting on their forums about lack of data or slow data.

Who do you use with your phone? ATT or T-Mobile?

Petrah · Aug 10, 2012

T-Mobile.

Buying the unlocked Gnex in the US ...

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