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+---- Thread: What do people mean when they say a phone is unlock, but provide a carrier too? (/showthread.php?tid=6007123)
What do people mean when they say a phone is unlock, but provide a carrier too? - datguy.dev - Sep 11, 2019
Greetings,
I'm not a smartphone person. I have a Google Nexus 5 from like 2013. As of late, I've been wanting to change my plan for more data. The online carriers like MintMobile require an "unlocked" phone. The site said my Nexus 5 would work, but it doesn't. Support told me to get another phone basically. I'm going to buy used and I see these listings like: "LG phone 32GB unlocked GoogleFi" If the phone is unlocked, then why include GoogleFi in the title?
Side note, if you have any suggestions for a cheap used phone I should look out for I'm all ears. The cheapest current phone. I use a Nexus 5, so you know I don't have many expectations besides it working on such networks and being affordable.
Thanks!
RE: What do people mean when they say a phone is unlock, but provide a carrier too? - Human - Sep 11, 2019
My guess is that they include these carriers to show it would work for that carrier. Like GoogleFi, you need an unlocked phone. So it works as reassurance.
RE: What do people mean when they say a phone is unlock, but provide a carrier too? - datguy.dev - Sep 11, 2019
(Sep 11, 2019 08:11 PM)Human Wrote: My guess is that they include these carriers to show it would work for that carrier. Like GoogleFi, you need an unlocked phone. So it works as reassurance.
As an Ebay seller myself, there is a lot of power in adding words to the title. I'll add typos and things like that. Just to be clear, there are no degrees or got'chas with an "unlocked" phone? If it is indeed unlocked, it is unlocked and end of the story?
RE: What do people mean when they say a phone is unlock, but provide a carrier too? - Human - Sep 11, 2019
(Sep 11, 2019 08:34 PM)datguy.dev Wrote: As an Ebay seller myself, there is a lot of power in adding words to the title. I'll add typos and things like that. Just to be clear, there are no degrees or got'chas with an "unlocked" phone? If it is indeed unlocked, it is unlocked and end of the story?
Obviously ebay sellers choose what to put in the title so you can never be to careful. I know someone people are willing to provide imeis and you can call the company you want to switch to.. to see if you are able to use it.
RE: What do people mean when they say a phone is unlock, but provide a carrier too? - datguy.dev - Sep 11, 2019
(Sep 11, 2019 08:37 PM)Human Wrote: Obviously ebay sellers choose what to put in the title so you can never be to careful. I know someone people are willing to provide imeis and you can call the company you want to switch to.. to see if you are able to use it.
Take for example, if I'm selling a fishing lure on Ebay. People often spell the fish "Muskie" or "Musky." But to contradict your unlocked phone listing by adding a carrier doesn't make sense. But an unlocked phone is universally unlocked? Not speaking of compatibility or anything like that.