Should You Bring or Buy a Phone?

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Every time you decide to switch to a new carrier, you have two options: you can either purchase a new phone from the company or try and activate your own device, provided it is unlocked. Bringing your own device (often called BYOD) is when you simply activate a phone you already have on whatever network you’re moving to. If you have a GSM device, then you’ll need to purchase a SIM card. Of course, whether BYOD is the right option for you depends on a few factors:

BYOD is good if:

  • You love your phone
  • The phone is unlocked and compatible with the network
  • You are simply testing out the company or don’t think you’ll be there long
  • You don’t want to spend a lot of money

Buying a new device is good if:

  • The carrier requires it
  • You want to update your phone
  • You intend to stick with the company for at least 6 months
  • You’re activating a new line
Every carrier and situation is going to be a little different. Sometimes you won’t have a choice, like with companies like Republic Wireless, which has custom software on all of its phones. Other times, the company might not actually sell phones at all and you’ll have to get one elsewhere. It’s also worth noting that some companies still have trouble unlocking devices, so if you purchase a phone you might not be able to take it anywhere else. Long story short, be sure to check all of the fine print before you buy and make sure your device is 100% compatible before you activate it!]]>

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