What's the best Lumia to buy for under $120 in 2015?

[RumoredNow]

lilnicki...

You don't need eBay and you don't need to pay.

Get a GoPhone and an ATT style SIM from an mvno will just work. Then you can fill out the form at ATT and get it unlocked. I've done 4 phones from them this year - 3 of them GoPhone and one regular ATT. Unlocked 'em all for free and I have never had an ATT cellular account.

https://forums.windowscentral.com/e...Fwww.att.com%2Fdeviceunlock%2F&token=QuP1XhE9

You can even apply the unlock without a "foreign" SIM by dialing ##7820# on the keypad and entering the 20 digit code they email you. Last unlock I got the code in about 3 - 4 hours.

 

[lilnickiwonder]

So to unlock you need a "foreign" sim? I was going to unlock without a SIM at all and get a SIM from pure talk to put in it at the end of this months usage cycle, in the meantime I thought id just pop on my cricket SIM after the unlock

 

[RumoredNow]

So to unlock you need a "foreign" sim? I was going to unlock without a SIM at all and get a SIM from pure talk to put in it at the end of this months usage cycle, in the meantime I thought id just pop on my cricket SIM after the unlock

"Foreign" means not ATT that is why it is in quotes. An ATT mvno SIM will look "domestic" and not trigger an unlock request. Put in a T-Mo SIM and it is "foreign" to the ATT firmware. The phone automatically asks for an unlock code.

To unlock it without the auto-trigger of a "foreign" SIM you need to use the method I outlined above with the ##7820# hash code.

 

[lilnickiwonder]

So basically I apply for a code, they send it to me, then I input the code with the instructions above and float into unlocked phone heaven? Awesome!

 

[pankaj981]

So basically I apply for a code, they send it to me, then I input the code with the instructions above and float into unlocked phone heaven? Awesome!

FYI
Unlocked ≠ Unbranded/Factory Unlocked
Hint: Software updates

 

[lilnickiwonder]

FYI
Unlocked ≠ Unbranded/Factory Unlocked
Hint: Software updates

I think I know what you mean, factory unlocked gets faster updates. I guess it comes down to whether someone wants to pay a lower price and unlock or buy an unlocked device for a higher price, that's what I've seen online shopping for phone for years is that unlocked is higher.
My opinion is that if the price difference is $80 vs $199.99 I would choose $80 and just wait for my updates. I'm not big on spending alot of money on one thing (unless its like a laptop or something you have to spend to get a good one that lasts) but spending alot of money on one thing just lol it takes a piece of me with it when I press confirm purchase I just can't part with that much money of mine at once for one item.

 

[lilnickiwonder]

I found this browsing Pure Talk website: http://www.puretalkusaphones.com/Nokia-930-Windows-8.1.html

I have never seen a Lumia 930 with 4g lte in the US before this!

 

[jefbeard911]

I'd go 920, or HTC 8X

 

[lilnickiwonder]

I'd go 920, or HTC 8X

Would you choose the 920 over the 640?

 

[pankaj981]

My opinion is that if the price difference is $80 vs $199.99 I would choose $80 and just wait for my updates.

My thoughts are exactly opposite (blame T-Mobile's 810 fiasco). I would rather pay a little bit more and get a deal on a phone which is either factory unlocked or at least lets me flash another ROM to forcefully get an update. Why limit the potential of a platform because the carrier is being a d*%k (AT&T 830). For example the unlocked Lumia 830 RM-985 costs slightly more than the off contract AT&T RM-983. The biggest reason of that phone's launch was to showcase the camera improvements that denim supposedly bought. I've been using denim since February because my slightly expensive (on paper) phone was factory unlocked and flashable to another ROM while it's still July and the AT&T variant hasn't received the update yet. There are similar stories about delays for the Icon, 810, T-Mobile HTC 8X, T-Mobile Lumia 521, AT&T Lumia 920 etc. to name a few. Software updates are very very important to enjoy the benefits of any ecosystem.

 

[lilnickiwonder]

I guess I'm thinking, I like all that the update it is on right now offers me, I'm excited for Windows 10, but I'm just not going to pay all the money for an unlocked phone when I could just wait, I like the software experience it already has, so I would be ok with waiting.

 

[EspHack]

Would you choose the 920 over the 640?

yep, the 920 was designed to be the BEST,while the 640 was designed to be cheap, that's a huge difference you can only notice by day to day use, while they may seem similar in numbers and specs and even pictures online, I assure you every part of the 920 is higher quality, you will have no problem using it directly under the sun at 1pm for example, it will sound better with headphones and the screen would feel better/more responsive and so on

here are the options, buy the newer phone with more up to date software and support, or the one with higher quality hardware with a not so clear future in regards to software apart from w10, but who knows, Microsoft could ditch both the old flagships and the cheap new phones in upcoming updates since they are pretty similar specs wise

 

[lilnickiwonder]

I just got my L640 tonight add I have to say it's pretty smooth, text looks sharp and the screen is gorgeous, won't know about gaming until tomorrow though, in doing full setup of apps then

 

[lilnickiwonder]

By the way, just an update, I did but the ATT go phone 640 from my local WalMart, and it's nice, (the gophone SIM came preinserted but per Yazen's recommendation I took it out before I even put the battery in the phone) I popped in my Cricket sim and everything instantly worked! I think I may still unlock it but, it's nice that I don't have to get a new sim or anything!

 

[mj0]

Good for you. Enjoy your new phone and have fun.

 

[lilnickiwonder]

Good for you. Enjoy your new phone and have fun.

Thank you!

 

[Asik15]

Thank you!

Congrats, just ordered My Lumia 640

What color did you bought ???

 

[lilnickiwonder]

Black, but I'm going to have a beautiful case

 

[Queen Kong1]

I like 640 but feel its bit large for me, I think they are releasing many with win 10 so maybe wait also. always better to get the factory OS on it.....I think 1 gig is a must now though. Always something around the corner!

 

[lilnickiwonder]

Yay, thanks @RumoredNews! I'm now the proud owner of an unlocked ATT L640!!!