there are conflicting answers as to whether the verizon model will be locked or not. purchase would be at full retail obviously null

Question

GregNewYork · Accepted Answer

I really cannot believe the amount of people who will answer questions but have ABSOLUTELY no idea what they are talking about. Here it is, plain and simple. You can buy this phone, pop in any SIM from any of the major carriers and it WILL work, period. The phone only comes with 3 apps from Verizon and they are all user removable, Period. The ONLY difference between this version and the Google Store version is the bootloader. The Verizon version is locked and the Google Store version is not. If you just plan on using the phone for day to day use and not planning on installing custom ROMs you will be fine and have no idea what a bootloader is. Chances are every phone you have ever used or purchased had a locked bootloader and you had no idea because you never cared to install any custom ROMs. This is the answer, this is the real answer and something that ANYONE can find using a very basic tool called Google Search.

Answered by GregNewYork 9 years ago

JamexRZ · Answer

Phone is sim unlocked. I popped in a tmobile sim card and worked fine. Google search the latest official statement by verizon and google: The verizon phones are sim unlocked, verizon will not get in the way of updates (meaning these phones will get updates from google directly and fast as any other pixel bought directly from google) and if you boot the phone with a verizon sim card, it will download just 3 verizon apps, however they are fully uninstallable.

Answered by JamexRZ 9 years ago

Top 100 Contributor

Turab · Answer

The phone comes locked or unlocked depending on your definition of what is a locked phone. The phone is sim unlocked meaning that you can use any carrier sim in it even if you get the Verizon version. The phone is bootloader locked meaning that you cannot get sudo access to the phone unless you completely remove all the software from it and install new android from scratch on it. However bootloader locked doesnt really will have any effect on day to day usage, you can use any sim.

Answered by Turab 9 years ago

rgull · Answer

The phone comes completely unlocked and without any form of bloatware. Google loading screen of course as well. Opened it up, powered it on, and put my AT&T sim in with no problems. 
The verizon model is also unlocked and any bloatware is uninstallable. I have a friend that bought his from verizon and it has no bloatware to speak of.

IVIarksIVIan · Answer

I bought the full retail version and immediately threw my T-Mobile sim into it. No problems.

WhiskeyTango · Answer

At this time, the Pixel/Pixel XL has an exclusive US carrier deal with Verizon. 

BestBuy is selling what Verizon is willing to let BB sell, which is the Verizon-subsidized, Verizon-locked versions (in all but Verizon exclusive blue). These phones are sold with Verizon's micro-SIM card pre-installed.

There are unscrupulous third-party sellers who are abusing the Verizon subsidy by "forced unlocking" Verizon subsidized Ps/PXLs and then selling them as "Factory Unlocked." 

Google Play Store is the authorized and reputable source for Factory Unlocked Ps/PXLs (in all but the Verizon exclusive blue). BB has never, to my knowledge, sold Google Play Store phones.

Unlocked Ps/PXLs can accept any carrier's micro-SIM card, but you will still have to negotiate with said carrier for actual service. No carrier is obligated by law to provide service on all possible devices. So ask your intended carrier about coverage before you buy unlocked.

JerryZ · Answer

Mine was locked, but plans are pretty fairly priced. Also, I heard rumors they will offer unlocked versions latter.

Saitzev · Answer

The bootloader will in fact be locked. The Google Play versions will be the only one's that are unlocked. This also includes that they will be unlocked for use on any of the major carriers.

Ironically, this is actually the only carrier based locked phone Verizon seems to be carrying, despite on their website claiming they do not lock any of their phones.

Malcolm · Answer

I had the same question you did, so I called Best Buy. These phones ARE locked when they are delivered. You can get it unlocked after you purchase it, as long as you don't use any financing to purchase it. There is a LOT of misinformation making its way around this board and a lot of people who won't be picking up the bill for anyone who listens to their wrong answers.

Answered by Malcolm 9 years ago

AKK1 · Answer

If you purchase from Verizon, then the phone will be locked to only work on Verizon network.

“there are conflicting answers as to whether the verizon model will be locked or not. purchase would be at full retail obviously”

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