Thinking about grabbing a phone from Best Buy for the first time and the “activate today” pricing looks super tempting, but I’m confused about what that means long-term. Can anyone break down what really happens behind the scenes with these deals?
- If I buy an “unlocked” Android at Best Buy with “activate today,” does that flip it to a carrier-specific firmware or profile? For Samsung specifically, does it change the CSC from unlocked to carrier and affect update timing, 5G features, Wi‑Fi calling on other carriers later, etc.?
- For iPhone, if I pay in full but connect to a carrier at checkout, does it still get flex-locked for 60 days? If someone returns it and it becomes open-box, does the lock timer carry over for the next buyer? Can staff check the lock status/timer by IMEI before I buy?
- Open-box gotchas: is there a risk the IMEI is tied to a previous buyer’s installment plan or carrier debt? Any reliable way to check blacklist/lock/financing flags in-store?
- eSIM question: with iPhone (US models), if I pick “activate later,” can I set it up first with a foreign eSIM for travel without triggering a US carrier lock or any retailer flags?
- Do Best Buy SKUs ever differ in band support or update cadence vs buying direct from the manufacturer?
- When does warranty/AppleCare/Samsung Care+ actually start-on retail scan or first activation?
- Best way to stack deals while keeping the phone truly unlocked: price match + activate later + trade-in? Any membership perks or return policy differences I should know about when you “activate today” vs “activate later”?
Would love a simple checklist for doing this the smart way and avoiding hidden locks/fees.