Cell phones

[5Cent]

Verizon user with Google Pixel 2XL going on 2.5yrs old. Works fine except camera stopped working a couple weeks ago. Tried everything including different apps, hard resets, etc., no luck. I didn't think not having a camera would be that bad, it's driving me nuts lol.

This phone does way more than I need or want out of a phone but was on sale for middle of road at the time (600). This was my first android, everything prior was apple and I'm would like to stay and just use Google account backup in the cloud for the new phone if possible.

Thinking of a non-flagship phone like the Moto G Power or G7 Power but don't know how big of a change these are. I'm clueless on what a locked phone is vs. where I can get a clean used one, etc. I'm reading I just need to switch SIM card if right phone?

Looking for all recommendations. A Pixel 3,3a is also fine too. Looking to keep cost low and keep Google account to be able to get a camera is the gist.

 

[hickslawns]

I have Pixel 2 as well. Love it. Starting to act bogged down. Thinking it is all the surge of internet activity.

We upgraded my daughter's phone. Went to Amazon. Bought an S9 refurbished. We are on our third try. First two were defective. Just saying to be cautious with the Amazon phones. Ours was from a larger vendor. No issues sending us another every time. Just a pain.

 

[5Cent]

I have Pixel 2 as well. Love it. Starting to act bogged down. Thinking it is all the surge of internet activity.

We upgraded my daughter's phone. Went to Amazon. Bought an S9 refurbished. We are on our third try. First two were defective. Just saying to be cautious with the Amazon phones. Ours was from a larger vendor. No issues sending us another every time. Just a pain.

Phil, this is golden, thank you. For the searching for used phones this was the obvious route. Pls tell me more about if you bought unlocked or a specific carrier version if ya don't mind.

 

[Jackalope]

I've bought 5 refurbished phones over the years from mywit. I always buy the refinished ones in excellent condition. All 5 that I received were pristine. Almost like they had never been used. I searched each one and only noticed a tiny scratch on each one as they came off the line blemished. You can take a look at their site at www.mywit.com. I'm a big fan of Samsung and buy a Verizon one and do the monthly prepaid. You don't have to worry about locked vs unlocked unless you plan to travel internationally and need to insert a foreign carrier sim card.

And be sure to google a coupon code. You can always find one for them.

Fun fact. Assurant here in Springfield (HQ in Atlanta) has their hands in a bunch of mortgage processing and insurance stuff. A little known fact is they also have the lion share of "extended warranty" plans that stores tries to sell you. As the insurer they also got the returned phones, as such they decided to create a company to refurbish them. Vis a vie Mywit.

Edit. Just looked. Unfortunately it looks like they only have apple right now and no Samsung phones. Sorry bud.

 

[hickslawns]

We bought a phone unlocked FOR Verizon networks. Contacted Verizon. COVID has all shut down. Dealt with a dipshit thru Verizon messaging on their website. Once he quit smoking his weed long enough to figure out what I wanted it was easy. I was like "Dude! I just need a new SIM card. Send me one for phone xyz. When we get it we will keep the line connected. Just switching number to our new phone." The Verizon guy was fried. He thought we were dropping a line/adding a line.

It IS an easy process if your phone carrier rep isn't freaking stoned out of his gourd. I'll look up the Amazon company who sent us two junk phones. Very kind. Zero hesitation to send a replacement for the defective "refurbished phone." Just a pain as we are on the third one. I'd avoid "Hybrid IT."

 

[Clay Showalter]

Apple is the way to go

 

["J"]

Apple is the way to go

X2

 

[Fletch]

Glad to hear someone else has a Pixel 2.... I also don't need alot of bullshit on my phone that's why I got the pixel on sale.. Not a bad phone but not the best either... Camera is very good though... One think I don't like is the volume when ringing, it's up all the way and still isn't very loud... Verizon service SUCKS BIG TIME lately though...

 

[5Cent]

Glad to hear someone else has a Pixel 2.... I also don't need alot of bullshit on my phone that's why I got the pixel on sale.. Not a bad phone but not the best either... Camera is very good though... One think I don't like is the volume when ringing, it's up all the way and still isn't very loud... Verizon service SUCKS BIG TIME lately though...

Agree on all the above Fletch. Curious what you don't like about the pixel? We had never heard of them until I went looking for a new phone. The camera not working has been the only issue.

Joe, very much appreciated. I will keep an eye on that site. I need to dig into the prepaid over Verizon account. Think both you and Jon are fans. Also good to hear on Samsung's working for you.

Lol, Phil, thank you for the update. Noted on the Amazon seller. I thought you could just switch a phone without calling someone. I was hoping to avoid going into store, just buy a used one and switch SIM card and activate.

 

[OhioWhiteTails]

No insurance on the phone I presume, Adam?

 

[Jackalope]

Agree on all the above Fletch. Curious what you don't like about the pixel? We had never heard of them until I went looking for a new phone. The camera not working has been the only issue.

Joe, very much appreciated. I will keep an eye on that site. I need to dig into the prepaid over Verizon account. Think both you and Jon are fans. Also good to hear on Samsung's working for you.

Lol, Phil, thank you for the update. Noted on the Amazon seller. I thought you could just switch a phone without calling someone. I was hoping to avoid going into store, just buy a used one and switch SIM card and activate.

Yep Verizon prepaid. $47 a month and I have unlimited talk, text and 15gb of data. Both times that I switched I just swapped sim cards and turned the new phone on. That worked the same way when I had to temporarily switch to a droid after busting my Samsung. Verizon automatically recognized it as a new phone and even changed the model in my Verizon dashboard.

 

[5Cent]

No insurance on the phone I presume, Adam?

Correct, plus Google doesn't support pixel 2 anymore and once it's value drops below a few hundred, I remove the monthly $12-$15 insurance cost.

It's like A/C in a car right now. Would be nice to have, just not needed so exploring all options for a low cost/easy replacement if I choose to do it without having to go to a Verizon store.

Joe, appreciate the cost on the prepaid.

 

[jagermeister]

Used to have Android phones. Now I'm an Apple fanboy. All of my Google accounts run through the iPhone and iPad without any issues.

I just bought a brand new iPhone SE version 2 for around 400-bucks. Pre-ordered it directly from Apple. Small size like the iPhone 8, but all the tech of the iPhone 11. So far I really like it and it's a great value, IMO.

I've also done the refurbished phone thing twice and it worked out great both times... except the first time, that phone only lasted a week... Not the phone's fault... I dropped it down an ice hole about 2 miles west of Catawba State Park. lol

 

[5Cent]

Went with the Samsung A51 for cheap replacement vs. flagship models. Trade in was only $27 on the Pixel 2XL, so that will stay in the drawer as a backup to be able to make calls if either of ours break.

Time will tell if it's worth the savings. Had it shipped to the house and will be how easy to activate once I get a case. Appreciate the input fellas. Nice to not have to go into a store.

 

[5Cent]

Verdict is in and overall I am very happy. Got everything online, delivered to our door and the transfer to the new phone was simple. Never had to go into the store. Today I wipe the old phone clean and put it in the drawer as the backup. Worst part of it all is downloading all the Apps to match what I had. Anyone know if there is a way to make sure your google/android account captures this for future transfers?

Received the Galaxy A51 earlier in the week, along with case and screen protector in the mail. Since I bought the phone off Verizon, it came with a SIM card and my account showed it being on the account and ready for activation/switch. I'm not sure how this would work with a used phone so I took the easier route.

Performance wise, this 1/3 cost phone has done everything I have asked of it. A slight delay when loading or switching between Apps but I can't say that it's worth the extra cost at this point. My fear of not going with a flagship model is no longer there. Think about it the next time you are thinking of buying a $1,000-$1,2000 phone.

 

[jagermeister]

Get an iPhone and all your apps transfer to the new phone via the cloud, automatically.

 

[Quantum673]

Once you sign into your google account they should automatically start downloading as long as the phone was backed up to your google account.

It will download, apps, contacts, text messages, and call history.

 

[5Cent]

Get an iPhone and all your apps transfer to the new phone via the cloud, automatically.

Had one for 5years for work then made the switch. I don't have a preference between the 2, except to say that Apple had some quirks now that I have been on an android.

Once you sign into your google account they should automatically start downloading as long as the phone was backed up to your google account.

It will download, apps, contacts, text messages, and call history.

I'm guessing I didn't let it get that far. Between updates and other downloads it was doing, I killed everything so it could do them 1 by 1. Most likely user error then, good to know. Thanks jon!

 

[giles]

I went the other way and ordered a Note20 this morning. Tired of fighting the Apple crap and them always wanting more money for storage and such. But with my group text stopping and me missing a bunch of information about dads health put me over the edge. I woke up and decided today was the day. Called off work and just went and made it happen. After 1.5 hours of them trying to figure out the issue we all threw in the towel.

AT&T has a promotion going on right now on the new Note20 and Note20 ultra. $1,000 rebate if you trade in a phone worth $60 or more. My Note20 ships Friday, the release date for these. First time I’ve ever had the latest and greatest phone. But it was basically free.

Hopefully this solves my issues. If anyone else is in this boat, I wouldn’t wait to go check the deal. I’m guessing it’s for pre-order only. Pretty damn smart by Samsung. Even the workers with iPhones are switching (at least the ones in the Chillicothe AT&T).

 

["J"]

I went the other way and ordered a Note20 this morning. Tired of fighting the Apple crap and them always wanting more money for storage and such. But with my group text stopping and me missing a bunch of information about dads health put me over the edge. I woke up and decided today was the day. Called off work and just went and made it happen. After 1.5 hours of them trying to figure out the issue we all threw in the towel.

AT&T has a promotion going on right now on the new Note20 and Note20 ultra. $1,000 rebate if you trade in a phone worth $60 or more. My Note20 ships Friday, the release date for these. First time I’ve ever had the latest and greatest phone. But it was basically free.

Hopefully this solves my issues. If anyone else is in this boat, I wouldn’t wait to go check the deal. I’m guessing it’s for pre-order only. Pretty damn smart by Samsung. Even the workers with iPhones are switching (at least the ones in the Chillicothe AT&T).

Traitor!!!!