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Sprint Nexus 5

M

mdjd

Lurker
Hello,

I've been doing quite a bit of research and seem to be getting 50/50 answers. I'm trying to determine if a Nexus 5 purchased with a Sprint contract is unlocked and can be taken to other carriers, particularly Net10. Half the threads I read say Yes, the other half say No.

Here's my situation:
I currently have two phones on a family plan with Sprint that's out of contract. This plan has no data - just talk and text.
I need a new phone for work that has unlimited talk/data/etc., so I wanted to go with Net10 (GSM) and use their AT&T towers.
If possible, I would like to sign another two year contract with sprint to get the subsidized price on the Nexus 5 and take the Nexus 5 to Net10. I would still keep the other two lines with Sprint for two family members.

I was actually considering other phones too, but I don't believe these are unlocked. In addition, if they are unlockable, they would only be CDMA, right? This is primarily why I was leaning towards the Nexus 5.

I was trying to decide between the following phones in no particular order of preference: LG G2, HTC One, Samsung S4, Nexus 5.
I'm coming from an old Katana LX flip phone so any one of these will be a significant step up.

Thank you.
 
The nexus 5 is the only phone I'm aware of where you can take it to either CDMA or GSM carriers (not Verizon though).

The only hangup/complication is getting it from Sprint...

You'd be signing a new 2 year agreement, and then would need to maintain paying for that line for 2 years. Additionally, sprint would require the line that gets upgraded have data and not just voice/text

IMO if you can swing it, getting it from the play store is likely going to be the better option.
 
I agree with Rxpert83, but it from the play store would probably be the simplest solution. I bought my nexus 5 from the play store (mostly because Sprint doesn't sell the 32 gb model). in less than 2 weeks I ended up on att because Sprint is having problems with triband lte phones. all I did was simple pop out the sim and kept moving.
 
Well I just activate my Nexus 5 at sprint with no problem. My phone was from the play store, received it couple days ago.Went to sprint and they put a sim card in,swap my HTC one that's still on contract and everything went good. I was some what surprise since a lot of folks having issues with Sprint.Maybe Sprint figure things out after that first wave of Nexus devices.
 
Tesla12 said:
Well I just activate my Nexus 5 at sprint with no problem. My phone was from the play store, received it couple days ago went to sprint and they put a Sim card in swap my HTC one that's still on contract and everything went bgood. I was some what surprise since a lot of folks having issues with Sprint.
Click to expand...

At launch there were many problems, but sprint seems to have remedied them :thumbup:

Welcome to the n5 family! :D
 
Can you upgrade one of the lines to the N5? After that, swap the old phone back on it. I used to do this on VZW to get new phones every year but I don't know if it'll work the same on Sprint.

Outside of that, I say try to swing one from the play store, it'll be a much easier option.
 
FACT - The Sprint Nexus 5 comes fully unlocked so you can pop in a sim card and take it to any carrier you'd like (assuming that carrier supports the phone) or international.
 
sl00w said:
FACT - The Sprint Nexus 5 comes fully unlocked so you can pop in a sim card and take it to any carrier you'd like (assuming that carrier supports the phone) or international.
Click to expand...

Almost 100% true. I jumped from Boost (on the Sprint network) to Ting (still on the Sprint network). I didn't want the contract, just the phone. Wanted to keep my low cost of service, and still stay on the Sprint network (it works in many of the buildings I do work in, while *all* other carries can't seem to find service in).

If you buy a Sprint N5, you can't take it to Boost or Ting.

Just in case: I had Boost to get the $5 drop in monthly cost, and then found Ting, which looks to be even better.

You can either try Ting: https://ting.com/
Or try it by referral: https://ztjl702qiq4.ting.com/

Bottom line: MVNO's won't accept the Sprint store bought N5, only the direct from the Google Play store N5.

And if you buy the Play N5, it won't come with the MicroSim, but you can get one of them from the Apple store. SIMGLW206 for an iPad 2.
 
sl00w said:
Why won't they accept it?

I thought the Nexus 5 is the exact same no matter where it was purchased?
Click to expand...

Sprint doesn't want you taking a phone you got from them to one of their prepaid carriers.

Because they assume its still got a contract tied to it.

If you get it from the play store you're good to go
 
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