Should I buy directly from Iphone or use Verizon who I've been with for 20+ years? My wife says buy direct because Verizon adds their own apps on the phone. What say you?

Reload8098 said:

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Should I buy directly from Iphone or use Verizon who I've been with for 20+ years? My wife says buy direct because Verizon adds their own apps on the phone. What say you?

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You can likely get a "free" phone from Verizon and it will be sealed in the box as noted above.

I would buy an unlocked version, it will work on Verizon plus if you ever decide to change carriers it's much easier. A Verizon version phone will only work on their network.

AgDaddy08-11 said:

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I would buy an unlocked version, it will work on Verizon plus if you ever decide to change carriers it's much easier. A Verizon version phone will only work on their network.

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Aren't they all the same now? I was told Verizon and ATT phones were identical.

Yes, Verizon phones can work on any network now.

Thanks for the feedback, good info.

You'll have the same experience either way.
You're wife is wrong -- an iPhone from Verizon won't come preloaded with garbage. Apple doesn't allow that. Besides, it's not 2007 and you're not buying a a Moto Razor.
The advantage of buying from Verizon is you'll likely get on a plan that subsidizes the cost, but you'll likely be locked into a contract for a predetermined period of time.
OTOH, buying directly from Apple, it'll cost more up-front, but come unlocked and will give you the freedom to carrier-hop, should you decide to do so.

You might want to compare the price on Amazon for a new (or renewed) and unlocked phone vs Verizon. My wife and I have Samsung but we both recently got renewed phones from Amazon and just moved the Verizon SIM card to the phone. Hers is kind of weird though, it has a T-Mobile splash screen when powering up or restarting so the first owner apparently was on that network.

You've been with Verizon for a long time and I doubt you'll switch carriers, just buy from them. You'll be locked in till the end of your contract/balance if you finance which is what everyone is trying to tell you. They won't preload apps, that's an Android thing but they may tell you to if you setup at the store. Carriers can make deals with Android makers to preload apps but Apple won't allow it because Apple knows it degrades the experience. However, Apple does preload some apps you may not need that take up a lot of space such as Numbers, Keynote, Pages, and Garage Band. You just long press on those and tap delete. The only app you need from Verizon is the Verizon app for checking your bill.

Tip, most big carriers offer device protection. I recommend looking into that on how much it costs and what are the benefits. For example AT&T offers device protection for like $20 a month whereas Apple offers Apple Care / Theft Loss for like $15 a month. I decline AT&T's device protection because it's too expensive. I found out my parent's were paying for Family protection for like $50 a month for two phones while also having Apple Care / Theft Loss for $15 a month. They were overpaying for device protection. Watch out for that shady stuff with carriers. Know what services you have.

If you have the money, I would buy direct from Apple to keep you untethered. But that's just me not wanting to be locked into a contract.

I would also fire Verizon and go with someone cheaper because there is no reason to pay money for the big phone players anymore.