Android, iOS & Mobile Phones

[magatsu]

Hi, I'm from Argentina and I'm visiting Las Vegas. I wanted to know If I can buy a Pixel 3 unlocked to use it with my carrier here in Argentina. I cannot buy through google store since they request a credit card with billing address in the US and ofcourse I dont have one, but I do have an International credit card that I have already used to buy a google home mini in Best Buy. So my only chances of getting a Pixel 3 is buying it in Best Buy.


PS: does the Pixel 3 sold in best buy support any of this bands?
2G (EDGE, GSM/GPRS): Bands 850 / 1900 MHz
3G (HSPA+, UMTS/WCDMA): Bands 850 / 1900 MHz
4G (LTE): Bands 4 (AWS o 1700) / 7 (2600) / 28 (APT o 700*)

[bobberuchi]

I have a PIxel 2XL and it is a spectular phone.  Sadly for me my contract still has another 14 months on it so by that time it will be the Pixel 4 or 5.

That being said. As far as I know the only way to get an unlocked Pixel 3 would be to go through Google.  Best Buy only carries the Pixel 2 as unlocked. 

However, I did read somewhere that if you purchase an Unlocked Pixel 3 it will only activate with Verizon or Google Project Fi  unless you purchase it direct from Google.

Depending on how long your in the Las Vegas.  I would suggest trying to find a friend that has a US card.  You give them the money and order the phone to be delivered to their US Address.

[magatsu]

sadly I dont have anyone in the US. I read somewhere that you could activate with a verizon sim and in less than 24hs it would be unlocked by Verizon. Could I get a prepaid sim or something like that?

[Allan-BBY Senior Social Media Specialist]

Hi magatsu,

Thanks for reaching out to us on this. All items sold on BestBuy.com, and in our U.S. stores, are intended to be used in the U.S. If you do end up purchasing this unlocked Pixel 3 please contact your carrier first to make sure the hardware is compatible with their network. It looks like we only sell this phone locked to Verizon.

Thanks,

[magatsu]

I know what hardware my carrier supports but don't know what hardware (bands) does Best Buy's Pixel 3 supports. Is it different from the one sold in the Google Store?

[bobberuchi]

Phones and what carriers they support are not determined by Best Buy but the manufacturer.  If that helps.

[magatsu]

I know that, but since Best Buy is selling it I assumed they know the specification of what they are selling. According to google store Pixel 3 is compatible with my carrier networks, but since this is a verizon one and I know Verizon uses CDMA, I wanted to be sure it is also compatible with GSM Bands. I dont know if there are 2 versions of this phone or just one