Google Pixel 3 bought elsewhere - Wifi and 4G calling?

[haroon1984]

Hi,

My contract with EE is coming to an end and I'd like to join Vodafone. However the phone I want - Pixel 3 XL 128GB - is not sold by Vodafone. (Vodafone, bizarrely, only offers the 64GB version.)

So I have no choice but to purchase this device from elsewhere with a Vodafone contract taken out separately.

I'm happy to do that, but will I still be able to access Wifi calling and 4G calling on Vodafone?

[BandOfBrothers]

This link confirms the eligible tariff and phones that can use Calling over wifi. 

wi-fi-calling

In regards to 4G calling voLTE Who-can-get-4G-Calling.

"Apple devices can be used from any retailer, however all other devices must have been purchased directly from us."

[haroon1984]

Thanks @BandOfBrothers.

I've seen both of those pages before. They don't really answer my question because they don't mention the Google Pixel 3 XL - and I don't know how to interpret its omission from there.

Have Vodafone just forgotten to add anything about their now flagship Android phone to those two pages? Or are they slow updating it? Or is the act of omission a deliberate statement of non-compatibility?

Should one assume that any phone not listed on there definitely won't have 4G calling or Wifi calling? That would also include the Huawei Mate 20 Pro, which is Vodafone's other flagship Android device...

[BandOfBrothers]

For their own reasons which isn't available as public l knowledge they have decided to include the handsets shown and as you've seen unfortunately yours isn't there. 

Will it use those features or not I cannot say and Vodafone would advise they do not support that phone model. 

The only way is to actually try it and see but then you've committed to the purchase of the phone although some companies offer a cooling off period to be able to return the phone. 

I can only but advise to keep an eye on those pages to see if they include that handset model and their blog and coming soon pages. 

[haroon1984]

OK. 

Can someone from Vodafone please chime in with a definitive view? Surely the network will know and can answer my question.

[Tash]

@haroon1984 We're currently getting some confirmation on this for you. Once we receive an update we'll be in touch to let you know if the Google Pixel 3 can use Wi-Fi Calling with us when bought from a third party.

[haroon1984]

Thanks @Natasha.

Always grateful for a view from Vodafone technical specialists, but it seems like @jollyjester has already discovered an answer in this thread: https://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Pay-monthly/Wifi-Calling-on-Pixel-3-and-Pixel-3XL/m-p/2613802/highli...

[Tash]

Thanks @haroon1984  We've just had confirmation too that Wi-Fi Calling will work with us on the Google Pixel 3. This will be updated on our Wi-Fi Calling page soon.

[haroon1984]

Thanks @Natasha.

Can I just check - will that apply to any unlocked Pixel 3, or just those purchased from Vodafone?

[Slug]

" We've just had confirmation too that Wi-Fi Calling will work with us on the Google Pixel 3."

How about sorting out wifi calling on the Google Pixel 2 next? I have a handset, bought outright a year ago, that works fine on another network but won't do wifi calling on Vodafone despite my plan (Red Extra) explictly allowing it. If I'm paying for the service, and my handset is capable, then I expect the [i]full[/i] service. This is 2018, so device lock-in is [i]not[/i] an accptable excuse..