A:Answer Absolutely, you always have the choice to purchase a phone outright. Carriers subsidize the cost of phones because they are so expensive, customers usually don't want to pay the full price upfront, and it gives them a way to get you locked into (usually) a two year agreement through monthly payments on the phone, on top of your service with them, until the phone is paid off.
But if you have the cash, you can always purchase it outright on day one, and not be locked into any agreement with the carrier. Just transfer the SIM card (if compatible) or have the SIM that comes with the new phone set up at the store.
