I am looking to et a iPhone 4s with virgin mobile but that's $649! But is there anyway I can get a iPhone 4s let's say with Verizon AT&T or tmobile for $100 then unlock it and get virgin mobiles service with it? The only reason I want to get virgin mobile service because it's $35 a month with unlimited text and data and 300 call minutes. Do u think that's possible?
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Unlock iPhone 4s info
- Thread starter Envaproductins
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Virgin mobile is a CDMA network. You would need to find out if there is a local wireless shop that can flash another CDMA (sprint, Verizon, Cricket) iPhone 4S to Virgin. It would not be possible to flash a gsm iPhone like AT&T to Virgin because even though its possible to unlock a CDMA iPhone 4S to a gsm network it's not possible to flash a gsm iPhone to a CDMA network. Flashing the device would cost around 50 dollars and will depend on the iOS version. I would call around and see what's possible.
As far as a factory unlocked iPhone 4S goes, even if its originally for a cdma network they are only unlocked to work on any gsm network and can't be activated to another CDMA network. It would have to be flashed regardless.
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What do u mean by flashing? So if I get a iPhone 4s with Verizon I have to ask company's if they can flash it for me?
Flashing is the equivalent of unlocking but for CDMA networks. Since cdma networks dont use sim cards the MEID (mobile electronic identification) is used to activate a the device to the network. The meid must be registered to the network before it can be activated so "flashing" is a process where you use software programs linked with the networks system to register & activate CDMA devices to another network. It also change carrier bundles inside the phone so it functions properly with the new network.
The carrier will not flash it for you. You would need to contact a 3rd party wireless shop in your area. Many wireless repair shops and 3rd party sellers can do it.
Ok so I should be able to contact Verizon or Tmobile or cricket or a phone repair shop and they should be able to do it? Do I just ask if they can flash my iPhone 4s to virgin mobile ? So I'm gonna buy a iPhone 4s 16gb from apple.com and so do I buy it with Verizon? And once the phone gets to my house can I just go to a shop and ask them?
If you are just going to buy one from apple, don't they already have Virgin Mobile iPhone's? To flash one you would need a CDMA iPhone so Sprint, Verizon, Cricket, C-Spire. T-mobile and AT&T are GSM and won't work.
By that, I mean you can't get one at the subsidized price unless you satisfy the contract by fulfilling it or paying the ETF. If you do the latter, you'd need to wait for a month (I think) in order to keep the iPhone. Otherwise, they'll make you return it.
So I have to buy a iPhone 4s from virgin mobile for $649 or a iPhone 4s from apple.com for $100 then wait a month before I can get virgin mobile service with it?
Are you talking about Virgin Mobile Canada or Virgin Mobile USA? I work at one of their locations in Canada and we're an HSPA network, owned by Bell. However in the USA the Virgin name is owned by Sprint I believe, who are strictly CDMA. In which case you'd have to flash it somehow which would be a mega pain in the ass and if you bought it on contract you'd still be looking at fulfilling the terms of your original agreement, or pay ECF which would defeat the purpose of signing an agreement in the first place.
Buy an unlocked one at an Apple store duder, and sign up with a GSM/HSPA carrier in your area.
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while since I've frequented this site.
So u want me to buy an unlocked iPhone 4s from apple store and tell them to put virgin Mobile on it? And it's USA
He is suggesting to go with GSM carrier like AT&T, T-mobile or straighttalk and don't bother with Virgin Mobile which uses CDMA protocol
You're not going to materially save any money, and since virgin now offers the iphone 4 and 4s it's become almost impossible to flash a verizon or sprint over to it.
It wouldn't come out any cheaper for you even if you could flash it (which as I understand you pretty much cant anymore) unless you bought one used (in which case its gonna cost more than 100). Here's why:
If you buy a verizon iPhone new for 100. You're going to have to pay around 80-100 for the first months bill. Then you're going to have to pay a 350 for the ETF from verizon. Total 550 plus.
Buy the virgin one and be done with it.
It wouldn't come out any cheaper for you even if you could flash it (which as I understand you pretty much cant anymore) unless you bought one used (in which case its gonna cost more than 100). Here's why:
If you buy a verizon iPhone new for 100. You're going to have to pay around 80-100 for the first months bill. Then you're going to have to pay a 350 for the ETF from verizon. Total 550 plus.
Buy the virgin one and be done with it.
This is all seems a little errr... too complicated for the OP. OP, just go with Verizon or something.
Sima get an iPhone 4s and get on a family plan how much will it be just for me to get unlimited text and data cause the family plan already has 700 minutes for everyone