Newbie help with buying unlocked phone

Max3732 · Nov 10, 2015

I have T-mobile and am looking at buying a new phone where I can just move the sim card and be all set. What's confusing to me is how to figure out what unlocked phones will work and which won't. Obviously I'd like to continue getting 4G speeds, which I've heard are the fastest. When I'm looking for unlocked refurbished phones online what should I look for to make sure it will work with the maximum speed with T-mobile and be compatible with both voice and data?

Also, I'm having a lot of trouble trying to figure out what phone to get without breaking the bank. The most important feature is having clear call quality as I sometimes get important calls on my cell. Next would be easy of use for texting/emails and then the camera and occasional web browsing. I'll stream music from my phone to my car and also use apps like yelp and navigation so that's important too. Plus I'd like to be able to hold it in one hand so no phablets.

I was looking at the Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8/M9, and Sony Xperia Z3. With the Xperia especially I can't figure out if it will work on my US T-mobile. Trying to research this is making my head spin. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Are there any great deals for black fridays on unlocked phones that will work on T-mobile?

AZgl1500 · Nov 10, 2015

I have a Samsung S5 and a HTC One M9.

piss on the M9, and will stay with my S5.

gave the M9 to my daughter to use, I don't like it, fonts are too small, the tiny thin case is hard to handle, I don't like the menus at all. my daughter put a case on it so she can hold it w/o it falling to the floor.
HTC has removed some of the features that I am accustomed to using on my S5s ( have two of them registered )

I bought the M9 for the front facing speakers, my daughter tells me that was money wasted, she has a Bluetooth speaker that she uses anyway. and, from reading the forums here on the HTC brands, it appears their attitude towards the end user stinks.

Still, that leaves a lot of phones for you to look at. those are just the two modern ones that I have.
I also have a Samsung S, but it is 6 years old and way too slow for today's world.

I am wanting to go look at the Nexus products, they are World Ready, and I don't think you could go too far wrong with one of those.... several in your budget range, unless you look at the new 6p

kate · Nov 10, 2015

For T-Mobile LTE compatibility you want to make sure it has the correct LTE bands:

Band 2 - 1900 MHz
Band 4 - 1700/2100 MHz
Band 12 - 700 MHz (I don't think this is as common as the other two)

Crashdamage · Nov 10, 2015

You can check for compatibility at this site. You'll need to know the sub-model number. Then go here to find out if the phone will work:

http://www.willmyphonework.net/

I very highly recommend Nexus phones or other phones running plain vanilla or only slightly tweaked Android.

The Nexus 6 is bargain-priced right now and still a very well-made, very capable high-end phone.

The new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are very good. So is the Moto X Pure.

For a budget option, the Nexus 5 can be had used or refurbished at low cost and is still a good performer, still supported by Google and gets Android Marshmallow 6.0.

AZgl1500 · Nov 10, 2015

I'm on Verizon and just looked to see what their options are for "selling to me", and the Nexus is not by name, but found the '6' available under 'Google'.

seems if you want a 6p, you have to buy it else where.

GoogleNexus 6™

Crashdamage · Nov 10, 2015

I'm sure Verizon would jump at the chance to sell you a 32GB Nexus 6 for $648, bless their greedy hearts.

But you can get one from Amazon for $340 with free shipping:

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Unlocked-Cellphone-Midnight-Warranty/dp/B00R1984DI

Some searching around might even find it a bit cheaper.

Max3732 · Nov 12, 2015

Crashdamage said:
You can check for compatibility at this site. You'll need to know the sub-model number. Then go here to find out if the phone will work:

http://www.willmyphonework.net/

I very highly recommend Nexus phones or other phones running plain vanilla or only slightly tweaked Android.

The Nexus 6 is bargain-priced right now and still a very well-made, very capable high-end phone.

The new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are very good. So is the Moto X Pure.

For a budget option, the Nexus 5 can be had used or refurbished at low cost and is still a good performer, still supported by Google and gets Android Marshmallow 6.0.

I read in consumer report that Motorola has more radiation so I'm trying to avoid their phones. How is the call quality of the Nexus phones vs the HTC One M8/M9 or Samsung Galaxy S5? I've also read good reviews of the Sony Xperia Z3 and the OnePlus Two. As I said I'd like something good at checking my email and the internet along with a good camera, the call quality is paramount.

Crashdamage · Nov 12, 2015

Motorola phones have a long reputation for good radios an call quality. Samsung not so much and they seem to struggle with email sometimes. I've had good luck with HTC, LG and Motorola. Presently I, my wife and daughter in law have Motorola-built Nexus 6's and they have been excellent. My daughter and son in law have Sony Z3's and really like them. I have never owned a Samsung and never will.

Just my opinion, for what little it may be worth....

Newbie help with buying unlocked phone

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