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The reason I'm bothering to argue with you about this is not because I'm hell bent on changing your view or defeating you, its because the original statement and your insistence can mislead new and inexperience users who don't know better.
All pixel phones are "OEM unlockable" IF they are "carrier unlocked". Therefore it is meaningless to talk about OEM unlockability as a category of distinction. The only meaningful distinction is "carrier unlocked" or not.
Every phone has multiple model numbers. These model numbers are unique to each version of the phone including carrier specific models that are locked. So phones that have multiple carrier locked versions have a different model # for each carrier's version (see Samsung phones for an example). Also noteworthy is that all phones with the exact same model number are EXACTLY the same.
The model numbers of a phone can be found on many websites including GSM Arena. For example for the pixel 6a only the three models GX7AS, GB62Z, and G1AZG exist. I'll let you research to see which are the unlocked ones. Therefore once the user knows which model number is the right one for them they need to do the due diligence of making sure the version they are buying (from whatever seller) is the right one. I would never buy from a seller that doesn't indicate the exact model number. And if the model number is indicated and what you receive is a different model number, then you have reason to return the item to the seller. This ensures that you get exactly what you paid for and that you get an unlocked one of that's what you wanted. So i just don't see any reason how you could get burnt on buying a phone from a seller with return policy if you have done this homework. So you see?
Even bestbuy ALWAYS indicates the exact model of items. Its written in small text on the item page. Most ebay and amazon sellers do the same. Interestingly enough google itself doesn't do that.
I hate to get nitpicky but the original statement was:
Ciapp23 you just need to make sure it's unlocked. For most people that means ordering directly from Google.
This statement implies that the only way that "most people" can get an unlocked pixel is through google. Well that's just soooo NOT true. I wouldn't have bothered to pick on this if the statement wasn't so far reaching in affecting the view of the uneducated reader. You can get an unlocked pixel from MANY other sources for a cheaper price and perhaps easier than you could get from google. "Bestbuy" alone is a clear example. Who are MOST pixel buyers? North Americans perhaps? And bestbuy is generally a better option for them, cuz they can just walk in, pay cash, instantly get a phone, and for cheaper than google, with equal level of "trust". How is that not better than buying online from google?
Please don't feel that I'm picking on anyone or have any animosity with anybody, I just felt it was important to make this clarification because the statement had a firm tone and strong impact on reader opinion and was generally not true.
If I'm incorrect about anything I've said I'm completely open to be corrected. My intention is better information for the newbie not forcing my view.