Unlocked Phones

2008-11-22 08:47:20

#1

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6973|67.222.138.85

I am pretty damn sure I know the answer here, but I don't want to make a very costly mistake.

If I buy an unlocked cell phone, say this, will I be able to swap in the SIM card from my current cell phone on AT&T and have everything work? Just need to change the plan to include internet access and such?

I talked to AT&T support...I'm pretty sure "Diane" didn't know what she was talking about. She said that all unlocked phones are associated with a carrier that has "unlocked" them for you, because I don't think she realizes you can get a phone straight from the manufacturer before a carrier got their grubby mitts all over it.

2008-11-22 08:50:04

#2

kylef: Gone; +1,352|6759|N. Ireland

lol at Diane

Yep - unlocked means any carrier will work.

2008-11-22 08:50:08

#3

phishman420: Banned; +821|5947

Please don't pay $660 for a phone. Yes, you can use an unlocked phone on any network that uses SIM cards AFAIK.

2008-11-22 08:53:56

#4

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6463|Winland

I'm glad there aren't any locked phones here. You just walk into a store and buy a phone.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2008-11-22 08:58:33

#5

max: Vela Incident; +1,652|6833|NYC / Hamburg

Freezer7Pro wrote:
I'm glad there aren't any locked phones here. You just walk into a store and buy a phone.

_{once upon a midnight dreary, while i pron surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of ' hot xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, " give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404.}

2008-11-22 09:02:43

#6

DUnlimited: got any popo lolo intersting?; +1,160|6729|cuntshitlake

max wrote:
Freezer7Pro wrote:
I'm glad there aren't any locked phones here. You just walk into a store and buy a phone.

The ones you get with an operator contract are locked though, but only for 1 or 2 years. Just unlocked mine the other day.

main battle tank karthus medikopter 117 megamegapowershot gg

2008-11-22 09:10:11

#7

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6973|67.222.138.85

phishman420 wrote:
Please don't pay $660 for a phone. Yes, you can use an unlocked phone on any network that uses SIM cards AFAIK.

I don't have a media player or camera. I'm not buying it specifically for the phone, I'm buying it for the package.

2008-11-22 09:17:46

#8

phishman420: Banned; +821|5947

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
phishman420 wrote:
Please don't pay $660 for a phone. Yes, you can use an unlocked phone on any network that uses SIM cards AFAIK.
I don't have a media player or camera. I'm not buying it specifically for the phone, I'm buying it for the package.

Does it have a QWERTY keyboard when you turn it sideways?

2008-11-22 09:17:56

#9

OrangeHound: Busy doing highfalutin adminy stuff ...; +1,335|6915|Washington DC

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
phishman420 wrote:
Please don't pay $660 for a phone. Yes, you can use an unlocked phone on any network that uses SIM cards AFAIK.
I don't have a media player or camera. I'm not buying it specifically for the phone, I'm buying it for the package.

Still ... $660??? I could replace my computer with something modern at that price (feeding kids is more important than a new computer).

I guess I'm old school. I use my cell phone for talking to people.

2008-11-22 09:25:46

#10

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6973|67.222.138.85

phishman420 wrote:
Flaming_Maniac wrote:
phishman420 wrote:
Please don't pay $660 for a phone. Yes, you can use an unlocked phone on any network that uses SIM cards AFAIK.
I don't have a media player or camera. I'm not buying it specifically for the phone, I'm buying it for the package.
Does it have a QWERTY keyboard when you turn it sideways?

I don't want or need a QWERTY keyboard.

OrangeHound wrote:
Flaming_Maniac wrote:
phishman420 wrote:
Please don't pay $660 for a phone. Yes, you can use an unlocked phone on any network that uses SIM cards AFAIK.
I don't have a media player or camera. I'm not buying it specifically for the phone, I'm buying it for the package.
Still ... $660??? I could replace my computer with something modern at that price (feeding kids is more important than a new computer).

I guess I'm old school. I use my cell phone for talking to people.

I don't want to talk to people. I want to take pictures and watch videos.

2008-11-22 09:26:21

#11

Gooners: Wiki Contributor; +2,700|6898

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
phishman420 wrote:
Flaming_Maniac wrote:
phishman420 wrote:
Please don't pay $660 for a phone. Yes, you can use an unlocked phone on any network that uses SIM cards AFAIK.
I don't have a media player or camera. I'm not buying it specifically for the phone, I'm buying it for the package.
Does it have a QWERTY keyboard when you turn it sideways?
I don't want or need a QWERTY keyboard.

OrangeHound wrote:
Flaming_Maniac wrote:

I don't have a media player or camera. I'm not buying it specifically for the phone, I'm buying it for the package.
Still ... $660??? I could replace my computer with something modern at that price (feeding kids is more important than a new computer).

I guess I'm old school. I use my cell phone for talking to people.
I don't want to talk to people. I want to take pictures and watch videos.

And play music. That's what fish do!

2008-11-22 09:36:24

#12

Varegg: Support fanatic :-); +2,206|7076|Nårvei

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
phishman420 wrote:
Flaming_Maniac wrote:
phishman420 wrote:
Please don't pay $660 for a phone. Yes, you can use an unlocked phone on any network that uses SIM cards AFAIK.
I don't have a media player or camera. I'm not buying it specifically for the phone, I'm buying it for the package.
Does it have a QWERTY keyboard when you turn it sideways?
I don't want or need a QWERTY keyboard.

OrangeHound wrote:
Flaming_Maniac wrote:

I don't have a media player or camera. I'm not buying it specifically for the phone, I'm buying it for the package.
Still ... $660??? I could replace my computer with something modern at that price (feeding kids is more important than a new computer).

I guess I'm old school. I use my cell phone for talking to people.
I don't want to talk to people. I want to take pictures and watch videos.

Why are you buying a phone if you don't wan't to talk to people? ... there are other products that is cheaper and better for the uses you listed.

I would never buy a phone just for the crappy camera or lousy mediaplayer, i'm like OH i guess ... i use a phone for talking to people

Wait behind the line ..............................................................

2008-11-22 09:49:59

#13

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6463|Winland

A phone camera is a phone camera. It can't match even a cheap compact camera.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2008-11-22 10:14:22

#14

phishman420: Banned; +821|5947

$120 Canon Digital Camera - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6830120256
$200 iPod nano - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6855101146
Whatever phone your provider gives you - Free
Saving $300 - Priceless

2008-11-22 10:54:48

#15

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6973|67.222.138.85

phishman420 wrote:
$120 Canon Digital Camera - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6830120256
$200 iPod nano - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6855101146
Whatever phone your provider gives you - Free
Saving $300 - Priceless

+ unlocked phone so the carrier doesn't have you by the balls + internet access + bluetooth etc. etc.

Freezer7Pro wrote:
A phone camera is a phone camera. It can't match even a cheap compact camera.

Like I would carry a camera around as well. Convenience is worth something.

2008-11-22 10:56:01

#16

Gooners: Wiki Contributor; +2,700|6898

phishman420 wrote:
$120 Canon Digital Camera - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6830120256
$200 iPod nano - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6855101146
Whatever phone your provider gives you - Free
Saving $300 - Priceless

Yeah but who the fuck is going to use them all at the same time.

2008-11-22 10:56:10

#17

phishman420: Banned; +821|5947

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
phishman420 wrote:
$120 Canon Digital Camera - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6830120256
$200 iPod nano - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6855101146
Whatever phone your provider gives you - Free
Saving $300 - Priceless
+ unlocked phone so the carrier doesn't have you by the balls + internet access + bluetooth etc. etc.

Freezer7Pro wrote:
A phone camera is a phone camera. It can't match even a cheap compact camera.
Like I would carry a camera around as well. Convenience is worth something.

What good is internet access if you don't have a keyboard...

Just get an iPhone.

Last edited by phishman420 (2008-11-22 10:57:24)

2008-11-22 11:00:19

#18

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6973|67.222.138.85

phishman420 wrote:
Flaming_Maniac wrote:
phishman420 wrote:
$120 Canon Digital Camera - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6830120256
$200 iPod nano - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6855101146
Whatever phone your provider gives you - Free
Saving $300 - Priceless
+ unlocked phone so the carrier doesn't have you by the balls + internet access + bluetooth etc. etc.

Freezer7Pro wrote:
A phone camera is a phone camera. It can't match even a cheap compact camera.
Like I would carry a camera around as well. Convenience is worth something.
What good is internet access if you don't have a keyboard...

If you know something very specific you want to get to (say look up the scores for a game) it's not hard.

My dad god a bluetooth keyboard for his Tilt that works very well, to the point he takes notes on that at some meetings if he doesn't want to deal with his laptop. He never uses the keyboard on the Tilt despite that being the main feature on that phone for internet or texting or whatever, and I am very similar in taste to him.

I have been researching this for months, other phones, other options, every aspect. I don't buy on impulse, I don't buy for flash, I don't get buyer's remorse guys.

2008-11-22 11:02:12

#19

TheDonkey: Eat my bearrrrrrrrrrr, Tonighttt; +163|5983|Vancouver, BC, Canada

http://zomgitscj.blogspot.com/2008/10/n … ature.html
That ^^

Vs

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aharvey2k/ … 349456649/
That ^^

Buy a camera and an iPod, sure a single phone is convenient, but I can tell you right now, the MP3 player WILL be crap to work with, you'll almost never use the camera because it's crap, and in 2 years you'll be spending another $600 on a new one.

2008-11-22 11:02:51

#20

phishman420: Banned; +821|5947

Well enjoy.

2008-11-22 11:05:49

#21

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6973|67.222.138.85

TheDonkey wrote:
http://zomgitscj.blogspot.com/2008/10/nokia-n96-camera-test-nature.html
That ^^

Vs

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aharvey2k/ … 349456649/
That ^^

Buy a camera and an iPod, sure a single phone is convenient, but I can tell you right now, the MP3 player WILL be crap to work with, you'll almost never use the camera because it's crap, and in 2 years you'll be spending another $600 on a new one.

Thanks for solidifying my faith in the N96 camera.

2008-11-22 11:06:07

#22

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6463|Winland

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
phishman420 wrote:
$120 Canon Digital Camera - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6830120256
$200 iPod nano - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6855101146
Whatever phone your provider gives you - Free
Saving $300 - Priceless
+ unlocked phone so the carrier doesn't have you by the balls + internet access + bluetooth etc. etc.

Freezer7Pro wrote:
A phone camera is a phone camera. It can't match even a cheap compact camera.
Like I would carry a camera around as well. Convenience is worth something.

Yes, it's good to have something quick at hand. I use my phone as a camera for those unplanned things, but I also have a better camera for more serious pictures. Get a cheap phone, most phones are pretty equal when it comes to media playing, then a bit better camera.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2008-11-22 11:08:40

#23

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6973|67.222.138.85

In any case does anyone have last words on the topic, has anyone actually bought an unlocked phone and swapped the sim cards? Nonrefundable purchase on newegg, messing this up would make me sad panda.

2008-11-22 11:12:38

#24

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6463|Winland

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
In any case does anyone have last words on the topic, has anyone actually bought an unlocked phone and swapped the sim cards? Nonrefundable purchase on newegg, messing this up would make me sad panda.

Unlocked should mean it can take any operator.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2008-11-22 12:10:40

#25

Sydney: 2λчиэλ; +783|7109|Reykjavík, Iceland.

Swap sim cards? I thought that by unlocked you mean that it doesn't have any sim card .

When I bought my new phone I just took my sim card out of the old one and put it into the new one (well, almost, I went and replaced my sim card for a 3G one)

BF2S Forums Unlocked Phones

Freezer7Pro wrote:

max wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

OrangeHound wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

OrangeHound wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

OrangeHound wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

TheDonkey wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

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