Subsidized Nexus One carrier locked?

[hej]

I'm curious if the Nexus One is actually "locked" to T-Mobile if you get one with the 2-year contract subsidy. Can anybody who's ordered one confirm if you're actually prevented (out of the box) from using an AT&T sim card after ordering your phone for the 2-year contract price?

On one hand, I would be surprised if Google was actually making two different versions of the phone. On the other, it seems like a no brainer to save $350 up front, and pay $240 of it back over 2 years in the form of a higher monthly rate (assuming after two years you could change to the Even More Plus plans).

[Big_Pete1999]

from everything I've heard, they will sell in contract Nexus Ones for like $200 or less, and unlocked ones for around $500

[hej]

Originally Posted by Big_Pete1999

from everything I've heard, they will sell in contract Nexus Ones for like $200 or less, and unlocked ones for around $500

Yes, I know the prices. I'm trying to find out if the ones under contract are actually going to be locked.

[Big_Pete1999]

Yes they will

[landotheripper]

I ordered mines through Google directly and paid $529. I know its unlocked because I tried my buddy's AT&T sim cars and the phone was able to make calls. But there is a catch, these that are "unlocked" are still only "fully" capable to operate under T-Mobile, meaning that you can't use AT&T's data signals or 3G, only calls and maybe messaging.

[hej]

Yeah, I know that the $530 unsubsidized sets are unlocked. And that locked or not, you won't get 3g speeds from AT&T.

I'm mostly wanting to hear from somebody who:
A) Bought a subsidized set (i.e. paid $180 for it), and
B) Has tried using it with AT&T just out of curiosity

Also of interest if there is any sort of T-Mobile branding on the subsidized phones.

[nebrunner]

I bought the subsidized one, turns out there is no T-Mobile coverage in my area of town, and T-Mobile doesn't fully support my state (NE) so I called T-Mobile and had them cancel. Then I took the phone into AT&T and signed up, popped in the sim card and it worked fine.

There is no T-Mobile branding on the subsidized phone. It seems most likely that the subsidized phone is the exact same hardware as the non subidized, it just comes pre-loaded with a T-Mobile SIM.

Hope that answers all your questions.

[hej]

Originally Posted by nebrunner

I bought the subsidized one, turns out there is no T-Mobile coverage in my area of town, and T-Mobile doesn't fully support my state (NE) so I called T-Mobile and had them cancel. Then I took the phone into AT&T and signed up, popped in the sim card and it worked fine.

There is no T-Mobile branding on the subsidized phone. It seems most likely that the subsidized phone is the exact same hardware as the non subidized, it just comes pre-loaded with a T-Mobile SIM.

Hope that answers all your questions.

This is exactly what I was trying to find out. Thanks, nebruner.

[vkuropatka]

What about other GSM carriers? Will Nexus One purchased from T-Mobile work with network providers of Europe for example? So, it is fully sim-free or supposed to work properly only with AT&T and T-Mobile?