Verizon phone + CM11, what's my best option?

[Q]

My current phone is a Droid Razr Maxx with CM11. I have unlimited data. Phone is great, but a few years old and just looking for a slight upgrade, but I want to keep CM.

Now, flashing/rooting was 'fun', but I'm new to it and quite frankly lucky I didn't brick it. I now want to use that easy installation method CM has, but seems only a few phones are supported: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/CyanogenMod_Installer#Officially_Supported_Devices

The descriptions throw me off, as I can't tell if a Verizon HTC One M7 is supported or not based on that list...

What's my best bet? I've learned to hate Verizon more than in the past now that I started to learn a little about GSM vs CDMA...

 

[ControlD]

The Verizon version of the M7 (m7wlv / m7vzw) is not officially supported.

I was always under the impression that the only Verizon phones that have official CM releases are the Nexus phones. This is pretty common across the board for the other big ROMs as well (Slim for sure has no official VZW release).

If you want official ROM support you don't buy Verizon phones. If you are like me and are stuck with Verizon then it is a matter of finding something that can be rooted and has good ROM support (generally in the form of some xda developer). Of course you will be stuck doing the same old download and flash every time an updated ROM image is released.

Maybe a Nexus 5 would be your best option? The Nexus 6 works on Verizon as well, but that is pretty pricey assuming you can ever find one in stock.

 

[isekii]

yea all verizon phones have their bootloaders locked. If you want to run custom, you need to get their developer edition models which are unlocked.

Note 4 Developer / Moto X Developer etc...

 

[ControlD]

yea all verizon phones have their bootloaders locked. If you want to run custom, you need to get their developer edition models which are unlocked.

Note 4 Developer / Moto X Developer etc...

I forgot about the developer editions, that's a good call.

I could be wrong, but my understanding is that the Verizon LG G3 actually has an unlocked bootloader. I haven't looked into whether the older G2 is unlocked or not, but it seems that LG devices don't have offial CM support anyhow so I guess that's a moot point.

 

[Q]

The Verizon version of the M7 (m7wlv / m7vzw) is not officially supported.

I was always under the impression that the only Verizon phones that have official CM releases are the Nexus phones. This is pretty common across the board for the other big ROMs as well (Slim for sure has no official VZW release).

If you want official ROM support you don't buy Verizon phones. If you are like me and are stuck with Verizon then it is a matter of finding something that can be rooted and has good ROM support (generally in the form of some xda developer). Of course you will be stuck doing the same old download and flash every time an updated ROM image is released.

Maybe a Nexus 5 would be your best option? The Nexus 6 works on Verizon as well, but that is pretty pricey assuming you can ever find one in stock.

I would love a N5 but they don't work on VZW. I would do a N6 but screen is too large. Hmm. I'm in a pickle

 

[ControlD]

I would love a N5 but they don't work on VZW. I would do a N6 but screen is too large. Hmm. I'm in a pickle

Sorry about that. I keep forgetting Verizon blocked the N5.

I am pretty much in the same boat your are. I am looking to upgrade but don't want to go with a locked bootloader. I almost have myself talked into the N6 even though I also am a little worried about the size, and I currently have a Note 2!

 

[paperwastage]

Nexus 6 works right now (unofficially) on Verizon. Since you'll be paying full price for a phone anyways (unless you do a bestbuy trick or something), you can get it from google

N5 wouldn't have worked on Verizon - Missing Verizon's band 13

 

[Q]

I was thinking of buying an older phone possibly used, like the Moto X Dev or so. Just such a small choice I have. It it were not for unlimited data I'd possibly jump ship to GSM.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Learn to love the Nexus 6's size lol.Or the Moto X 1 as you know:

http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Xt1060_Info

 

[ControlD]

Hasn't there been some talk about Verizon actually carrying the Nexus 6? After reading some of the horror stories about actually getting the N6 activated on Verizon's network I'm not sure it sounds like a home run either,

 

[poofyhairguy]

I am pretty sure they won't activate it. Verizon is picky like that, they won't activate phones they don't officially sell. But sim swapping is easy.

 

[ControlD]

I am pretty sure they won't activate it. Verizon is picky like that, they won't activate phones they don't officially sell. But sim swapping is easy.

Assuming you already have the right sized SIM card it is.

For someone like the OP upgrading from an older device, that won't be the case. From what I have read (could all be BS) Verizon won't just give you a SIM without a corresponding phone to link it to.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Assuming you already have the right sized SIM card it is.

It is REALLY easy to cut down a sim card. Especially if you have something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...po_sbs_dp_ss_1

I used one of those to cut my phone sim and my wife's phone sim. Used both for months no problem.

 

[Q]

Assuming you already have the right sized SIM card it is.

For someone like the OP upgrading from an older device, that won't be the case. From what I have read (could all be BS) Verizon won't just give you a SIM without a corresponding phone to link it to.

COrrect, my understanding is:

1) Buy a CDMA phone, remove my sim, put in new one. If it doesn't fit, have to cut or adapt it.
2) If I have upgrade available, buy full price phone from Verizon, activate as normal.

Am I correct?

Either way I'm finding I dislike VZW. Unlimited Data only thing keeping me there...

 

[ControlD]

COrrect, my understanding is:

1) Buy a CDMA phone, remove my sim, put in new one. If it doesn't fit, have to cut or adapt it.
2) If I have upgrade available, buy full price phone from Verizon, activate as normal.

Am I correct?

Either way I'm finding I dislike VZW. Unlimited Data only thing keeping me there...

That looks about right.

I share your dislike of Verizon. I don't have unlimited data, but they have the only real coverage in my area so I am also stuck with them.