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.

[rjsurfer]

PDA net is still needed on Verizon unless you pay $30 a month if your lucky enough to their unlimited plan.

I just purchased a used Galaxy S5 on Swappa and paid $300 for a mint Galaxy S5, I'm pretty particular about stuff and this phone is indeed perfect.

Just swapped out the SIM card from my Galaxy Nexus and reinstalled PDANet, all is good. Can't believe the difference in phone speed between the two phones should have done it sooner.

If things go well in 3 years I'll buy a used Galaxy S7 to replace my S5.

Good enough for me.

Ron W.

[larry_barnhart]

I used the hot spot today for 2 laptops and it was as good as our local high speed internet service. However the Pdanet I have is as good. I did not have any problems getting on or off. We have a 2 Gigabyte data plan

chevman

[Bull_Rider]

When I try and use the built in Hot Spot feature, I'm offered a 30 dollar a month subscription fee.

So PDAnet (for me) is still required. Thanks.

[donn0128]

Which is no longer true. As I understand carriers can no longer double charge for the data and the ability to connect via your smart phones wifi hot spot feature rendering pda net unnecessary. I used pda net for a while, but when Verizon quit charging me for the hot spot feature, and when pda net started doing weird things when I attempted to connect, i just gave up on it and now just use my hot spot feature. Easy, fast and convenient.

[MrWizard]

donn0128 wrote:
Pda net was originally designed as a fooled so your carrier did not know you were using data. Smart phones require a data package so instead of trying to use pda net you can simply turn on your phones wifi hot spot.

Not quite correct
Smart phones have always required a data plan allotment
PDAnet is a tool , to allow users to connect the PC and let the PC use the data.. So you can use a bigger display, you use the same data that Is on your phone account
PDA net allowed you to use the data with out paying an extra fee the phone company was charging just to be allowed to connect and use the same data you were already paying for..paying the phone company did not get you more data..only the Privilege of using it on the PC..essentially paying for it twice

[donn0128]

Pda net was originally designed as a fooled so your carrier did not know you were using data. Smart phones require a data package so instead of trying to use pda net you can simply turn on your phones wifi hot spot.

[crcr]

I still have unlimited data on Verizon. I buy my phones after they have been out about 6 months, off ebay, swappa.com, or craigslist, at a huge savings over new, and no sales tax. Then I just swap out the sim card, transfer data, then do a factory data reset on my old phone and sell it on ebay or swappa (lower fees).

I like Easy Tether Pro better than FoxFi / PdaNet. I've had it several years -- believe I bought it on Amazon Apps.

I don't know of any Android phones that have an HDMI plug, but you can get an adapter to go from the micro USB plug on the phone to HDMI.

I have the Galaxy Note 4. I thought the phone might be too big before I purchased it, but I have found that not to be an issue now that I own one. It's a wonderful phone. I recommend it.

[Bull_Rider]

Regarding throttling. It's like Matt posted, no throttling, but have had cell towers that bog down during peak times. But at 2 AM, they're super fast. But at 5 PM, they get overloaded with users.

One suggestion to avoid MSRP is Best Buy. Amazon may be another option but their prices are almost the same as Verizon.

I'm leery of Ebay, but maybe I should reconsider.

My bother has a paid for HTC One, that's was on AT&T, but I don't think it will work on Verizon. Been reading Android Forums until I can focus.... 🙂

LOL<. I remember when it was a BIG deal to have a "Princess" phone in the bedroom, "back in the day"....

[Matt_Colie]

2oldman wrote:

Bull Rider wrote:
when we travel in the winter we use 30-40 gigs a month. So I want to keep the unlimited.

..and you can get 4g speeds all the way? They don't throttle you?

When on the road, I burn 5~6gig/wk. I have have never noticed throttling. It does get slow in some urban areas and times, but I have come to expect that and it even happens early in the month.

The trick to keeping your unlimited data seems to be ...
DO NOT LET VERIZON "Give" you a new handset.
There are lots of alternatives to paying MSRP for it, just don't let Verizon get involved.

This is a little complex, but I was TOLD it works by the guy that did it. He had wife trade up to a new smartphone. After she did, she went back and activated her old flip. She gave the smart to him and he put it on his unlimited plan. I think I would have to clear this before I tried it.

Matt

[2oldman]

Bull Rider wrote:
when we travel in the winter we use 30-40 gigs a month. So I want to keep the unlimited.

..and you can get 4g speeds all the way? They don't throttle you?

[MrWizard]

I tethered with pdanet last week,
As stated pdanet & FoxFi are One combined program now
Both features in one app

[Klueck]

I recently bought a new phone from e-Bay. I got the same exact phone which may have been factory refurbished or may have been brand new. I believe it was brand new. All I had to do was move the sim card from the old phone to the new one. I was able to do that because I purchased the exact same phone, but if you get a different phone you may have to get a new sim card. I was told Verizon would do this for you free of charge. I have not lost my unlimited data.

BTW. Pda Net is not dead...at least it wasn't 2 weeks ago.

[guidry]

Ditto for Best Buy. I didn't want to chance a Ebay or Craigslist phone. I paid full retail but it's a business write off anyway. We also use my hotspot when camping, Foxfi works great.

[Bull_Rider]

2oldman: Not much when we're at our home, but when we travel in the winter we use 30-40 gigs a month. So I want to keep the unlimited.

Thanks Larry.

Thanks Executive, never though of ebay.