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Resolved Question

Are you ever required to activate an unactivated phone?

Mar 6, 2016 5:11PM PST

This is a bit of a stupid question but I would like to be 100% sure. I want to buy an unactivated S6 Edge sometime this year, if I do so will the intended carrier of the phone require me to activate it any time or will it be up to me? Thanks

Discussion is locked

EsonPrimus has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
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Clarification Request
Which carrier issued the phone and which one...
Mar 6, 2016 6:04PM PST

...do you intend on using it with?

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No plan
Mar 6, 2016 6:07PM PST

I intend to use it without a plan because data costs too much

Best Answer

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If you pay full retail price
Mar 6, 2016 7:42PM PST

If you pay full retail you can use a smartphone on a prepaid plan. You can have data turned off on the account level by calling the carrier. This way you can use it as a phone only. Some plans are as little as $20 a month.
You cannot buy on a payment plan to use on a prepaid service - all prepaid plans require you pay full retail. ($500 - 700 depending on where you shop).
AND, You cannot use a smartphone on postpaid plans without using data and a data plan will be added whether you want one or not.

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Thanks
Mar 7, 2016 3:58AM PST

Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.

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Answer
So far, no.
Mar 6, 2016 5:50PM PST

But if it's on a plan they will make you pay for the entire plan duration or an early termination fee. There are folk that thought they would get an expensive phone cheap (by subsidy) then end the contract. What happens next is not happy.

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If its on a plan?
Mar 6, 2016 5:54PM PST

What do you mean by this? If I just get the inactivated phone it won't be on a plan right?

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Full price
Mar 6, 2016 7:44PM PST

Why would you pay $500-$700 for a cellphone you can't use as a phone? Then it's just a small tablet. Why not just buy the 7" Samsung tablet?

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Because...
Mar 7, 2016 3:57AM PST

Galaxies are superior to Galaxy Tabs because they have better cameras, they are more portable, etc.