Android w/ Verizon questions

[GinasMuffins]

Hi all,

Hopefully the good folks here can give me some direction.

I have an upgrade available with VZ, with my contract up in July. I want to get an Android of sorts (preferably the Galaxy Nexus but I'm having problems finding an unlocked one with CDMA capability)

Anyway, if I buy a phone at full price I can go contract free and keep my unlimited data. Or I could go the standard route and renew my contract and lose my nice data package.

I have two questions. First, could I buy a phone somewhere online and unlock it myself? Or do I have to buy one that is already unlocked?

And if I have to buy a pre-unlocked phone, where is a good place to look? I really like the Nexus since it is a google phone and it's only $300. I might just end up renewing my contract if my only option turns out to be spending $600.

I don't require the new S4, or even the S3 for the matter. I'd be happy with an S2 or even the Samsung Fascinate..

Help, Androidians! Please and thank you

 

[TheAtheistReverend]

I would check out swappa.com. You can look for verizon specific phones there. I have dealt there a bit and find it to be a good place to find and sell phones. Decent prices sometimes. It pays to be patient and watch for a bit. As far as "unlocked" phones go, I can't think of a situation that would require it if you're on VZ using a VZ phone. Unlocking is more of a GSM to other GSM issue, or going from vz to GSM issue I believe.
I bought a Rezound off Swappa and just brought it into a VZ store and said "I'd like to activate this phone on my XXX-XXX-XXXX line." The popped a sim into it and said good day, and I was up and running. No cost, no locking/unlocking to worry about.

 

[hilmar2k]

No Nexus 4 on VZW. You'll have to pick up a used Galaxy Nexus somewhere (AR's swappa recommendation is a good one).

EDIT: Stay far away from the Fascinate, it's terrible. And Samsung phones in general tend to suck, at least on VZW.

 

[Demache]

All unlocked means is that your free to use it on different carriers. Since such a thing doesn't really exist here in CDMA land, don't worry about whether or not a phone is unlocked, just as long as it works with VZW. You should be more concerned with whether or not a phone is blacklisted.