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this post was submitted on 21 Jan 2026
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Assuming they let you BYOD. I know T-Mobile does because that's how I do it.
I get used Pixels off eBay for like $200. Carrier unlocked ones like $50 more. But I think only Verizon is the problematic carrier for those.
I haven't heard of a carrier that doesn't, at least personally. Then again, I've mostly used smaller carriers. Republic Wireless, FreedomPop, Mint, etc. I did use TMo for a while on a prepaid plan up until I got tired of the texting not working half the time
AT&T is the one with the device-specific whitelist. Verizon doesn't have a specific model white/blacklist but it does have lower compatibility because of the bands they support.
I bought a refurbished Pixel 6 Pro, carrier unlocked, for around $250. I also switched to an MVNO called Tello, and couldn't be happier. If I should need to switch carriers, it's going to be to another MVNO. I'm done with the major carriers.
https://tello.com/
Another good MVNO, for privacy, is Phreeli. Louis Rossmann (on YT) created a MVNO which collects no data from you, you can even pay cash-by-mail anonymously and with crypto.
Pretty straight forward value proposition: You pay and they provide phone services, don't sell your data and design their systems around not collecting your data in the first place or, if collected (like payment information) is used for the transactions and deleted.
The only information you provide is a zip code (optional, but ties the phone into your area's 911 system if you're into that kind of thing)
I am not an ad bot(OR AM I?)
I have been doing this on Verizon for several years now without a problem.. I don't even tell Verizon I just buy the unlocked phone and switch SIM cards It works perfectly fine
Thats what e-sim is going to ruin. Cant just move your cards around. Now you have to contact the carrier.
Huh?
My old iPhone had a eSIM via Visible. On my new iPhone, I installed the app and logged in then installed the eSIM from there. Done with it all in less than 5 minutes.
installing the carrier app is the same as contacting the carrier. it'll work until they allow it
Yup. Our family for better or worse is invested in the Apple ecosystem but US iPhones not having physical SIMs is really making me consider switching to Androids the next time we have to get new phones, even if Androids are pretty problematic too.
Graphene OS
Then don't use an esim...