Upgrade Cell Phone, keep unlimited data:

[Bull_Rider]

We have a Droid Bionic that's getting pretty old (for a cell phone) and I was reading a post here in the Technology Forum regarding upgrading hardware.

It's my understanding that I can still purchase a phone for full retail, and transfer my current (unlimited) plan to that phone. Please correct me if I have that wrong.

What does it mean when the phone is advertised as "unlocked"?

I've been reading about simply swapping SIM cards, but I don't know how this works and what it accomplishes.

We use PDAnet (paid version) and would have to have a phone that can run this software.

I'm only interested in a phone with a removable battery, and one that has an HDMI port. It appears that I could purchase a phone from Amazon, Costco, or Verizon. Are there other vendors that are reputable?

One last question, we're planning on traveling to Italy next year, when a phone is listed as "International" does that mean that it would work in Europe?

I'm leaning towards the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, but I will look at all suggestions.

This Bionic has been a great phone, but it's time to upgrade.

Thank you in advance for your time.

[larry_barnhart]

I use pda net when we travel using my HTC 4 g Verizon cell phone. I lost the unlimited data after the tech told me I would be able to keep unlimited. The 2 Gigabytes work ok but not for full timing use.

chevman

[Executive45]

I have Verizon with unlimited data. I just purchased my new phone off eBay. $250 vs $700. I pulled the sim out of my old phone, transferred all the data etc. from old phone to new phone, put the SIM from the old phone into the new phone and all is good. Logged onto Verizon's site and the new phone is already listed....data plan is not affected....Dennis

[2oldman]

How much data do you actually use?

[Bull_Rider]

donn0, you typed:

"Pda net is pretty much dead. All new smart phones have hot spot turned on"

I'm don't understand why Pdanet would be dead, can you add more info?

Thanks, we have a Best Buy about four hours from here.

[GordonThree]

strollin wrote:
I bought my current phone (LG G2) at Best Buy and they were able to activate it on my Verizon account without it affecting my unlimited data plan.

x2 for Best Buy. They were able to set me up, also with a G2 on Verizon, without altering my very old service plan. I think I paid $99 for the phone and $35 for activation, far less than the $600 retail price for the phone.

Unlocked refers to GSM phones... T-Mo and AT&T subsidized phones (free / cheap on contract) are locked phones, so you can't switch between carriers while on a contract. Once your contract is done, the carrier must unlock the phone at your request (and they can charge for that unlock.)

If you're on Verizon, the phones are not locked per-say, they're just proprietary to the Verizon network - the fancy features like 4g data, video calling, etc will only work on Verizon's network. Many of their high end phones have an unlocked GSM module as well, mainly for international usage. For example I can pop an AT&T sim into my Verizon phone and use it on the AT&T network (also works in Canada.)

[donn0128]

Pda net is pretty much dead. All new smart phones have hot spot turned on. Swapping Sims is a simple matter. Heck the retailer you buy your phone from should be able to swap them in less than a minute. To do it open back remove battery slip Sim and phone card out slip them into the corrosion sing slots in new phone. This is for Android phones only.

[strollin]

I bought my current phone (LG G2) at Best Buy and they were able to activate it on my Verizon account without it affecting my unlimited data plan.

As for which phones work with PDANet/FoxFi, here's the list: PdaNet+FoxFi Usage Guidant

The Samsung Galaxy S4 you mentioned is on the list!