Android, iOS & Mobile Phones

[NewComment]

Best Buy lists the unlocked Samsung Galaxy s21 5G for $499 and on another part of the same page lists the exact same phone for the unlocked Samsung Galaxy s21 5G for $699. What is the difference? Why would anyone pay $699 when the exact same phone is $499?

Also Best Buy says the phone has to be activated on the day of purchase to get that price. What does this mean in terms of an unlocked phone? Is the phone still unlocked once its activated? Also does that mean the buyer is stuck with that phone company for a particular length of time and if so how long?

[NewComment]

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@NewComment wrote:

Best Buy lists the unlocked Samsung Galaxy s21 5G for $499 and on another part of the same page lists the exact same phone for the unlocked Samsung Galaxy s21 5G for $699. What is the difference? Why would anyone pay $699 when the exact same phone is $499?

Also Best Buy says the phone has to be activated on the day of purchase to get that price. What does this mean in terms of an unlocked phone? Is the phone still unlocked once its activated? Also does that mean the buyer is stuck with that phone company for a particular length of time and if so how long?

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When looking at it again it appears that the S21 5G  is $499  and it is the S21+ 5g that is $699. But the other question is still not answered.

Best Buy says the phone has to be activated on the day of purchase to get that price. What does this mean in terms of an unlocked phone? Is the phone still unlocked once its activated? Also does that mean the buyer is stuck with that phone company for a particular length of time and if so how long?

[bobberuchi]

The $699 one has a larger screen and is compatible with more carriers some of which are no contract carriers.

[Deysha-BBY Social Media Specialist]

Hello, NewComment,

Welcome to the Best Buy Forums!

Thank you for reaching out to this amazing community! Looking over your question, you can see the full details here. Being that there are limited carrier we can activate this specific phone with, the sale price will apply to the "With activation today" option. Once activate with that specific carrier, you will be in some sort of plan with them, which will let you know the length of your contract with them. Let me know if the page I provided answers your questions.

Sincerely,

[NewComment]

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@bobberuchi wrote:

The $699 one has a larger screen and is compatible with more carriers some of which are no contract carriers.

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Dont think this is correct a unlocked phone is compatibe with all carriers, some are GSM unlocked only and are only compatible with GSM and some are CDMA and are only compatible with CDMA. But as far as Im aware the difference between the s21 and the s21+ is not about compatibility but other features

[NewComment]

That page does not answer the questions. Best Buy is selling this phone as an unlocked phone, which means it can be used on any carrier. The ad says the unlocked phone must be activated today. You say activating creates a contract. Are you saying that if an unlocked phone is activated it is no longer an unlocked phone?

Best Buy is charging $499.00 for the unlocked phone if activated today. ATT sells the exact same phone (locked) free with contract. They require a trade in but the trade in can be worth $35, so they are selling the exact same phone (locked) for $35 with contract.

If a contract is required for the $499.00 price frome Best Buy but the exact same phone is free (or $35)  with contract if bought from ATT, why would anyone buy the phone from Best Buy?

@Deysha-BBY wrote:

Hello, NewComment,

Welcome to the Best Buy Forums!

Thank you for reaching out to this amazing community! Looking over your question, you can see the full details here. Being that there are limited carrier we can activate this specific phone with, the sale price will apply to the "With activation today" option. Once activate with that specific carrier, you will be in some sort of plan with them, which will let you know the length of your contract with them. Let me know if the page I provided answers your questions.

Sincerely,

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[NewComment]

Best Buy advertises the unlocked Galaxy S21 for $499. Then they say same day adtivation is required to get this price.

If a customer activates this phone with ATT, is a contract required to get this price and if so for how long and how much per month and can it be prepaid or only post paid?

If a contract is required the phone can only be used with that company and thus should not be advertised as an unlocked phone

[NewComment]

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@NewComment wrote:

Best Buy advertises the unlocked Galaxy S21 for $499. Then they say same day adtivation is required to get this price.

If a customer activates this phone with ATT, is a contract required to get this price and if so for how long and how much per month and can it be prepaid or only post paid?

If a contract is required the phone can only be used with that company and thus should not be advertised as an unlocked phone

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Also why should a customer pay Best Buy $499 for this phone when  ATT is selling the exact same phone (locked) for FREE with contract ($39 with the required trade). What is the benefit of buying this phone from BestBuy

[Deysha-BBY Social Media Specialist]

Good afternoon, NewComment!

Thank you for responding! To clarify, these unlocked phones will, in-fact, lock to the first carrier you use. However, if you were to switch to a different carrier, you would contact your first carrier to ensure they release the phone from their network.

Per our FAQs section on the right side of the link I provided, by activating with one of the carriers we can access today, you'll be eligible to save money on the cost of your device. We’re currently only able to activate service on this unlocked phone with Verizon, T‑Mobile, AT&T and Sprint. That is the current sale offer for this unlocked phone. If you prefer to buy the device unlocked and unactivated, you'd pay the full price of the phone.

Per the AT&T website, you can get up to $800 in bill credits with a smartphone trade-in value of $35 or higher. We also have a Trade-In program, which can help with this purchase as well. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Regards,

[NewComment]

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@Deysha-BBY wrote:

Good afternoon, NewComment!

Thank you for responding! To clarify, these unlocked phones will, in-fact, lock to the first carrier you use. However, if you were to switch to a different carrier, you would contact your first carrier to ensure they release the phone from their network.

Per our FAQs section on the right side of the link I provided, by activating with one of the carriers we can access today, you'll be eligible to save money on the cost of your device. We’re currently only able to activate service on this unlocked phone with Verizon, T‑Mobile, AT&T and Sprint. That is the current sale offer for this unlocked phone. If you prefer to buy the device unlocked and unactivated, you'd pay the full price of the phone.

Per the AT&T website, you can get up to $800 in bill credits with a smartphone trade-in value of $35 or higher. We also have a Trade-In program, which can help with this purchase as well. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Regards,

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If what you are saying is correct then the Best Buy Ad is some kind of scam. An unlocked phone means it can be used with any company with the same kind (GSM or CDMA) that all one need do is take the sim from the old phone and put it in the new phone. Now you are saying that the phone locks to the 1st carrier used, if so then it is not an unlocked phone and should not be advertised as such