Friend wants to sell me his used Epic (Fixed)

[bupkus]

He's had his Samsung Epic for about a month now and he doesn't want it anymore. I told my gf and she said in about 1 month I can get a new one for just a little more money.

I'm wondering if I go to Sprint with my own Epic if a plan will be less money than if I get a new one with a contract. Or is the cost the same per month only with my own Epic I would only be required to pay by the month but still at the same monthly price.

Also, if I just want to use this phone for like an iPad while only using it for wifi and Skype will that work?

I'm not very experienced with smartphone plans as you can tell.

Thanks.

 

[TheStu]

He's had his Samsung Epic for about a month now and he doesn't want it anymore. I told my gf and she said in about 1 month I can get a new one for just a little more money.

I'm wondering if I go to Sprint with my own Epic if a plan will be less money than if I get a new one with a contract. Or is the cost the same per month only with my own Epic I would only be required to pay by the month but still at the same monthly price.

Also, if I just want to use this phone for like an iPad while only using it for wifi and Skype will that work?

I'm not very experienced with smartphone plans as you can tell.

Thanks.

Thanks for making a new thread

At least for me on AT&T, my monthly cost is the same regardless of where I get the phone from. The advantage of bring your own phone to the table is that you avoid the ETF, having to sign a contract, and leaving open the ability to get a newer phone on discount (at least the first one) whenever you are ready to upgrade and sign a contract.

 

[rudeguy]

Thanks for making a new thread

At least for me on AT&T, my monthly cost is the same regardless of where I get the phone from. The advantage of bring your own phone to the table is that you avoid the ETF, having to sign a contract, and leaving open the ability to get a newer phone on discount (at least the first one) whenever you are ready to upgrade and sign a contract.

Yep.

The plans are the same on ATT if you are using your own phone (COAM) or buying one from them. If you play it right, you might be able to sign up with your own phone and never be on contract. That's a huge plus. But even if not, you'll still be eligible for an upgrade sooner than if you get a phone through ATT.

 

[TheStu]

Yep.

The plans are the same on ATT if you are using your own phone (COAM) or buying one from them. If you play it right, you might be able to sign up with your own phone and never be on contract. That's a huge plus. But even if not, you'll still be eligible for an upgrade sooner than if you get a phone through ATT.

That is how I roll, no contract with my original iPhone. If I could swing a newer smartphone without contract I would go that way as well. Leaves my options open. Shame I can't afford to drop $400-600 every 6-12 months for a fancier phone

 

[pm]

Also, if I just want to use this phone for like an iPad while only using it for wifi and Skype will that work?

Having never actually used an Epic, I can't answer this with confidence, but I believe that plan will work. Put it in the Android equivalent of "airplane mode" and then turn on WiFi and you should have some sort of Android touchscreen mini-iPad thing.

 

[s44]

If you're not going to use 4g or a pile of data, you may even be able to take the phone with you to a CDMA prepaid service that would be cheaper... Not Virgin mobile though-that's their own phone lineup only.

 

[rudeguy]

Having never actually used an Epic, I can't answer this with confidence, but I believe that plan will work. Put it in the Android equivalent of "airplane mode" and then turn on WiFi and you should have some sort of Android touchscreen mini-iPad thing.

It is very possible. If your friend wipes it, you may have to go through the Google setup screen or if you want, you can bypass it with the right code.

The phone will connect to wifi, access the market, everything except make calls. There's debate on whether or not you would be able to download any firmware over the air but that's another story.

If you want it, buy that phone.

 

[boomhower]

You will still have to sign a contract. Sprint doesn't offer month to month unless you have fulfilled a contract and just haven't renewed. You can't start a new account and not have a contract. (They do have a voice only plan that will but that doesn't matter for you.)

 

[bupkus]

You will still have to sign a contract. Sprint doesn't offer month to month unless you have fulfilled a contract and just haven't renewed. You can't start a new account and not have a contract. (They do have a voice only plan that will but that doesn't matter for you.)

I've been with Sprint for almost 4 years now and just recently downgraded my phone but upgraded my cell phone experience by dropping my Palm Treo Pro with Windows mobile 6.1 for an old Samsung M520 my gf stopped using.
Sure, it does less but it does it so much better.

 

[bupkus]

I just talked to Sprint and to connect an Epic requires I pay for full service for $69.99 with a $10 fee for 4G. Since we have a 2 phone plan that would bump to $129.99 + $10 for a 2 line Data plan and $10 if my gf has a phone that can use 4G. That's already $150 pre-tax.

Our last payment was $77.25 for our 2 phones so that's a rather large bump. I think this issue is dead.