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Verizon: Any way to use my phone upgrade without changing my plan?

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daniel178

Member
Hello everyone,

My contract with Verizon is up and I'm allowed to get a discounted phone. However, I don't want to change my plan (I have an unlimited data plan). Is there any way to get an upgrade on a phone and NOT have to pay the full price of about ~$550 for a new phone?

And what would you guys recommend for a new phone? I am using a Thunderbolt now, and like high-end phones. Should I wait?

Also, off topic I know, and maybe taboo for this forum, but does anyone have/use a Windows phone? They seem pretty cool when I was playing with them...
 
Hi, daniel178.
I have moved this thread into the Verizon forum for further discussion since I think those who use VZW are best equipped to answer this question for you.
And you are perfectly welcome to discuss a windows phone and compare the differences with Android. But you'll be back!;):)
 
In short terms, you won't be able to use the upgrade on that line without losing the unlimited data. Other members have reported success using the upgrade on another line of a family plan and then transferring it over to the unlimited line.
 
jhawkkw said:
In short terms, you won't be able to use the upgrade on that line without losing the unlimited data. Other members have reported success using the upgrade on another line of a family plan and then transferring it over to the unlimited line.
Click to expand...

This is all true, unfortunately...

If you really use a lot of data you will just have to buy the device full price, you could probably just not use the upgrade and try and buy a device at a lower price off Amazon or eBay...

Otherwise if you really want you can just switch to Share Everything, which isn't awful, especially if you use a lot of Minutes and Texts.
 
Greetings daniel,

I don't know if it's still possible to do it with the way Verizon has concocted their accounts, but you would need to add a second line to your account. You will have to get a data plan for the second account.

Choose the phone you want on the second account, and when it comes activated it. Then take the new phone and deactivate it on the second line, and activate it on your primary line that has the unlimited service. You will then need to activate a dumb phone on the second line. Doing this will allow you to get rid of the second lines data plan.

Waiting is a matter of choice. There is always going to be something new and improved down the line. It's just the nature of the beast.

I really don't know how to tell you what phone to get, that subject is open to personal preference. I have a galaxy S3. I like it but some people don't.
 
What you are suggesting is against VZW Policy. You cannot add a line of service on your account without a contract and do an alternate upgrade. VZW will deny it because it circumvents the upgrade policy and the unlimited data plan. You can have a line of service on your account that is out of contract and do an alternate upgrade.

Plus the difference in pricing between single line pricing and family share plan pricing isn't worth it. He is looking at a lot larger bill.
 
NYankee said:
What you are suggesting is against VZW Policy. You cannot add a line of service on your account without a contract and do an alternate upgrade. VZW will deny it because it circumvents the upgrade policy and the unlimited data plan. You can have a line of service on your account that is out of contract and do an alternate upgrade.

Plus the difference in pricing between single line pricing and family share plan pricing isn't worth it. He is looking at a lot larger bill.
Click to expand...

It won't work if you have a single line plan because you can't open a new family plan because it would be a share everything plan, therefore no unlimited data. However if you already have a family plan, you most certainly can do it. In fact, I did it last December to get my GNex.
 
Big Red changed their policy in the past couple of months. Customers cant start up new lines of service without a contract and do an alternate upgrade on that line for another line with an Unlimited Data plan.
 
Thank you for all the replies, everyone :)

I suppose there's no way around it, which is what I was guessing in the first place. So, I am fine with paying full price for a new phone.

As for recommendations, what would you guys recommend for something now/near future? I'd like to get something within the next couple of months, and if there is anything on the horizon that seems worth the wait ("power-user" phones), Id like to hear about it. Again, I'm interested in the best specs. Also, since I'm paying full price anyway, is there anything better available from OUTSIDE the Verizon store?
 
Paying full retail outside of the verizon store will generally be higher if you buy brand new. As for the best new phones, now that the Note 2 is out, I don't believe we have any rumors about future Verizon phones. The best out there from each company spec wise is the Note 2 from Samsung, DNA from HTC, and the Maxx HD from Motorola.
 
daniel178 said:
Thank you for all the replies, everyone :)

I suppose there's no way around it, which is what I was guessing in the first place. So, I am fine with paying full price for a new phone.

As for recommendations, what would you guys recommend for something now/near future? I'd like to get something within the next couple of months, and if there is anything on the horizon that seems worth the wait ("power-user" phones), Id like to hear about it. Again, I'm interested in the best specs. Also, since I'm paying full price anyway, is there anything better available from OUTSIDE the Verizon store?
Click to expand...

There is ALWAYS something shiny, new and better on the horizon! Verizon will see how much data you have used over the last 6 months and you can select a plan that works for you (data wise) based on that. Unless you watch streaming videos ALL day you probably don't use as much as you think you do. I stream music probably 8 hours a day and I use less than 4 GB a month generally.

There are some great phones out right now. The iPhones are nice, but nothing new and interesting. The Samsung Galaxy SIII's are pretty highly thought of. Like you, I wanted to keep my unlimited data plan so I paid full price for the new Motorola RAZR HD Maxx which I love. GREAT battery life!

Both those phones have dedicated sub-forums here. The SIII has been out a while so there is a ton of info on them. The RHDM's are new so less info but no less dedicated fans. Good luck and let us know which way you go.
 
NYankee said:
Big Red changed their policy in the past couple of months. Customers cant start up new lines of service without a contract and do an alternate upgrade on that line for another line with an Unlimited Data plan.
Click to expand...

They can do this with existing family plans, just to be clear, but you may be correct about single lines. (I just did this to get my DNA). Although it may not be classified as an alternate upgrade. You buy the phone you want on the new line, then transfer a dumb phone onto it so you can remove the data plan, then put your Sim Card on the unlimited line into the new phone. Viola, new phone on unlimited line.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone!

I'm not crazy about the Galaxy SIII's design.
The Moto Maxx HD is only dual-core (I'm looking for quad core -- something that should be standard nowadays IMHO).
The best looking option right now is the HTC DNA, but that doesn't have the OLED screen which is cool. More importantly, it doesnt have external storage, which is a big deal (yes, it IS a big deal!).

Cant there be another option??
:)
 
daniel178 said:
Thanks for the replies everyone!

I'm not crazy about the Galaxy SIII's design.
The Moto Maxx HD is only dual-core (I'm looking for quad core -- something that should be standard nowadays IMHO).
The best looking option right now is the HTC DNA, but that doesn't have the OLED screen which is cool. More importantly, it doesnt have external storage, which is a big deal (yes, it IS a big deal!).

Cant there be another option??
:)
Click to expand...

Even though you think quad-core should be standard today, It isn't and probably won't be for some time. Dual core hasn't been out that long and as such there are very few apps optimized for dual core let alone quad-core. Obviously the hardware (speaking of quad and dual cores now) have to come out before the developers will design apps to take advantage of them. Like I said there are very few apps optimized for dual-core even now. The only thing a quad core brings to the table at the moment is bragging rights. I have a Maxx HD (which is dual core) and i'm quite positive it's going to be able to do everything I ask it to do over the next couple of years.

I guess my point to you is you're going to have to compromise of some area regarding your next phone and I'm suggesting the number of cores in your new phone will affect you the least. (unless of course "bragging rights" is extremely important to you)

I think you should pick your next phone that has a screen you like, (after all you'll be looking at it every day) also memory (storage capacity, because if you don't have enough and can't add more, it's a big problem) and battery capacity, which you didn't mention, but if you use your phone alot, is a big problem if you run out of juice at the wrong time.

Just my thoughts and hopefully give you some "food for thought".

Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

I'm just enjoying my Maxx HD (and newly installed Jelly Bean) and patiently waiting for the release of my next smartphone sometime in the Summer of 2014. :smokingsomb:
 
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