Can you use a smartphone without a data plan in US?

[birchest]

I understand overseas carriers let you do that,but I am not sure about US carriers.

 

[Melrose]

If you mean, without a long contract then it depends: AT&T will not let you use an iPhone with their prepay accounts (which I didn't know when I bought my iPhone).

If you mean, just buy them and use them otherwise without any phone ability, yes.

 

[RedReplicant]

If you're not getting the phone at a discount via new contract then usually yes.
When you sign a contract for a smart phone it usually has the stipulation that you must carry the smartphone or data extra fee for the entirety of the contract.

If you mean, without a long contract then it depends: AT&T will not let you use an iPhone with their prepay accounts (which I didn't know when I bought my iPhone).

If you mean, just buy them and use them otherwise without any phone ability, yes.

They don't let you... but there are ways to do it.

 

[zap2]

Try an unlocked device. Then a post paid or prepaid account should work(assuming AT&T doesn't sell the phone themselves) Also AT&T has an Android device that is prepaid and you can add data,so if you don't want it, you're fine.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

pretty much you need to be grandfathered in on it and bring other non iphone smart phone on it that are hand me downs or bought off contract.
My dad uses a smart phone with out a data plan mind you it is a hand me down from my brother and sister. He is planning to join the smart phone crowd soon when he gets my blackberry hand me down and getting a 200 meg data plan with it.

 

[Melrose]

They don't let you... but there are ways to do it.

I would be very interested to know. I've searched all over and haven't been able to find details on doing so..

 

[Tilpots]

Can't be done on Verizon. The device ESN autmaically triggers a data package add-on. Now, there's always the possibility of the exception to the rule, but I've never seen nor heard it.

 

[paolo-]

I'm in Canada and use an unlocked AT&T iPhone on Roger's network without data, had no problem, they even were the ones to install the SIM in my phone. I also had put my SIM from my payphone in the iPhone without any problem before that.

If you are using an iPhone that's not locked to another carrier, how would they know/care what phone you put their SIM into? I guess you'd be beter off giving them a call.

 

[7on]

I'm in Canada and use an unlocked AT&T iPhone on Roger's network without data, had no problem, they even were the ones to install the SIM in my phone. I also had put my SIM from my payphone in the iPhone without any problem before that.

If you are using an iPhone that's not locked to another carrier, how would they know/care what phone you put their SIM into? I guess you'd be beter off giving them a call.

Manufacturers often give carriers the list of IMEIs for a particular handset. E.g. T-mobile carries the G2X, they likely have all the IMEIs of the Optimus 2Xs in their system as well.

Though I don't know how they knew I used an iPhone, maybe IMEIs from their parent co?