Question Regarding "Unlocked" iPhone 4/4S

[Saint Nick]

Hi all. I want to switch to Cricket for my cell phone provider as they offer $55/month unlimited everything with the iPhone 4/4S. Is there a difference between "factory unlocked" and "user unlocked" iPhone 4/4S? If so, would it make any difference when trying to activate that phone on Cricket?

 

[jpeyton]

Step 1: Cricket is CDMA, so you'll need a Verizon or Sprint iPhone to start.

Step 2: Get your iPhone flashed over to Cricket's network. Find a reputable Cricket dealer in your area and they'll flash your phone for a fee.

You don't need an unlocked GSM iPhone for Cricket because it isn't compatible with their network.

Personally I would go with Straight Talk's pre-paid $45/month unlimited everything plan instead. $10 less, it runs on AT&T's nationwide post-paid network (which has better coverage and speed than Cricket), and you can use any AT&T locked or unlocked device on it (including iPhones).

www.straighttalksim.com
www.straighttalk.com

 

[pm]

I agree with everything jpeyton wrote... including the last paragraph.

Usually when people talk about unlocked iPhones, they mean GSM-network compatible unlocked iPhones. You don't want one of those, you want a Verizon/Sprint iPhone which has been flashed to Cricket's network.

 

[God Mode]

What data speed does straight talk have? Is it edge or do they limit speed after 1gb etc? Their site sucks.

 

[Saint Nick]

I'm confused now ... should I get a CDMA or a GSM phone for straight talk? Does it matter? Or do both CDMA and GSM have the $45/month deal? I guess I'll go poke around on the sites.

 

[Saint Nick]

OK ... I think I get the gist of it. Echoing jpeyton...

1) I buy an AT&T compatible (GSM) iPhone 4/4S
2) Go to StraightTalk and port my number from VZW.
3) Profit?

At this point, does having it unlocked even matter?

 

[s44]

Straight Talk is basically a 2gb cap. Only GSM smartphones will work.

 

[jpeyton]

What data speed does straight talk have? Is it edge or do they limit speed after 1gb etc? Their site sucks.

It's everything but LTE, so that includes HSDPA if your phone supports it. Everything is routed through Straight Talk's proxy, but speeds are typical 3G/pseudo-4G.

 

[jpeyton]

At this point, does having it unlocked even matter?

Nope, it doesn't matter. Just order the AT&T-compatible microSIM from straighttalksim.com and pop it into an AT&T branded phone.

 

[Saint Nick]

Thanks for suggesting StraightTalk too, jpeyton... I never knew about it

 

[Saint Nick]

Hey guys, I just bought a 4S from a good dude here on AT. I don't need to bring my phone to the store for them to "activate" it, right? I can just order the SIM online??

 

[SAWYER]

order a sim and service card

 

[ImDonly1]

Hey guys, I just bought a 4S from a good dude here on AT. I don't need to bring my phone to the store for them to "activate" it, right? I can just order the SIM online??

Straight Talk doesn't have stores really. They sell their refill cards and phones at walmart, but they don't have real stores for support.

 

[Saint Nick]

Straight Talk doesn't have stores really. They sell their refill cards and phones at walmart, but they don't have real stores for support.

Right, that's what I meant (bring it to Wal-Mart). I can't buy the SIMs at Wal-Mart?

Edit, no worries now. Just bought the micro SIM and service plan on the site.

 

[ImDonly1]

Right, that's what I meant (bring it to Wal-Mart). I can't buy the SIMs at Wal-Mart?

Edit, no worries now. Just bought the micro SIM and service plan on the site.

FYI, you could have used the coupon simsave and got the SIM and a $45 refill for a total of $45. This makes the sim free and only pay $45 for the refill.

Might be a little late now.

 

[Saint Nick]

FYI, you could have used the coupon simsave and got the SIM and a $45 refill for a total of $45. This makes the sim free and only pay $45 for the refill.

Might be a little late now.

Actually I did use that coupon as I googled for a few before purchasing Cheers Donly

 

[Saint Nick]

Sounds like I'm going to have to do some trickery to make it work great with Straight Talk. Apparently MMS doesn't work unless the phone is jail broken.

 

[SAWYER]

http://wiki.howardforums.com/index.php/Straight_Talk_iPhone