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In 2008, Verizon won a large spectrum of cellular radio.
That auction carried a number of requirements with it, one of which is the reason for this thread.
The winner of the "C Block" of the 700mhz spectrum was required to sell all its phones in an unlocked state (this means the phones could be used on any carrier from the time they were purchased)
Verizon later requested a waiver from this requirement from the FCC "to prevent fraud".
This waiver is still in place and requires Verizon to unlock its phones automatically at 60 days from purchase.
Fast forward to 2021: Verizon purchased the largest MVNO in the world: American Movil (better known for its Tracfone brand).
In late 2021, Tracfone published new requirements for unlocking its phones: 60 days for phones activated on Verizon's backbone, and 12 months for phones activated on T-Mobile or AT&T.
What does this mean for you?
It means you can go to tracfone.com and purchase high quality phones
cheap.
Just add $40 to whatever price you see listed there (the cost of 60 days worth of Tracfone service) and that's the price you'll pay.
After 60 days (if activated on Verizon's network), the phone can be unlocked & used on any carrier in the USA.
At the time of this writing, one can get . . .
- Samsung Galaxy A01 (Reconditioned) - $14.99 (+$40 [60 days service time])
- Samsung Galaxy A02s (Reconditioned) - $34.99 (+$40 [60 days service time])
- Moto G Pure (New) - $59.99 (+$40 [60 days service time])
- Samsung Galaxy A03s (Reconditioned) - $59.99 (+$40 [60 days service time]) - This phone is currently available as an HSN bundle for $79.95
with one year's service included.
- Moto G Play (Reconditioned) - $59.99 (+$40 [60 days service time])
- Samsung Galaxy A51 (Reconditioned) - $69.99 (+$40 [60 days service time])
- Samsung Galaxy A12 (Reconditioned) - $74.99 (+$40 [60 days service time])
- iPhone SE 64GB (Reconditioned) - $94.99 (+$40 [60 days service time])
- iPhone XR 64GB (Reconditioned) - $164.99 (+$40 [60 days service time])
- iPhone 11 64GB (Reconditioned) - $164.99 (+$40 [60 days service time])
If you are a nerd, none of this is for you - Tracfone policy means a hard-locked boot loader (so no buying to put LineageOS or microG or other third party Android solution on)
All of Tracfone's products (new or reconditioned) include a 30-day money back guarantee + a 1 year limited warranty