Using Galaxy S4 sim card in a different phone.

Is there a cheap off the shelf android phone, maybe a prepaid type, that would accept the sim from my Verizon Galaxy S4 so I can make and receive calls?

My S4 that I've only had since August 2013 got wet and now the screen doesn't work at all. There is no visible damage and my first response was to bury it in rice without battery or sim for two days and hope. Now the phone actually appears/sounds like it starts up completely but absolutely nothing is on the screen.

The phone can even send and receive texts, I know because I use the MightyText desktop application and with the phone powered on, but dark, the texts come and go. Can't receive or make phone calls though, so there's that little problem.

I plan to try to have the phone repaired but I can't go long without a working phone.

Accepted answers

damon18

Well, miracles happen I guess. Yesterday I brought the phone to a local Verizon store, ready to do whatever to get a working phone. I handed the "dead" phone to the clerk, who poked around on the phone punching buttons, just like I had been doing for 24 hours.

Then he says to me, "what seems to be the problem it looks like it's working fine?"

The phone was indeed working 100% as far as I could tell.

All comments

Verizon_Support

Hello damon18,

Have no fear, Verizon is here! May I ask when did you get your original S4? Also, is there any physical or liquid damage on the device? If you purchased it brand new and within 1 year then it should be under warranty. While sim cards are interchangeable with like devices, we can take a look at additional options if you like. If interested then please reply with the info for the questions noted.

Thank you…

ArnettH_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

damon18

Thanks for your reply. The original S4 was purchased from Costco in August 2013. Then about 90 days later I had the bad charging port problem that was apparently common on S4’s at that time. Costco exchanged the phone at that time, so the phone I have now I’ve had since early November 2013.

As far as damage, there is no physical signs of damage that I can see, but it did get blown off a picnic table under a gazebo and got slightly wet from blown in rain while on the ground. It was in a rubber type case, so there are no scratches and the glass is not broken.

damon18

Just to be clear, while it did get a little wet, the wetness indicators on the battery and phone are still clear x's and haven't turned solid red, which I understand means water damage.

Ann154

None of the Verizon Wireless branded prepaid phones will work since they are 3G EDVO only and can't connect to the 4G network or have a SIM card slot.

My first thought was to suggest buying a Moto X, but it uses a nano SIM. The Galaxy S4 has a micro SIM card. You can check Swappa or another third party site for a slightly used phone.

AZSALUKI

if you need one asap, check craigslist for any verizon phone that will use a micro sim card. otherwise, if the water damage indicators show that it's still good, take it to costco and see if they'll honor the warranty.

damon18

Then he says to me, "what seems to be the problem it looks like it's working fine?"

The phone was indeed working 100% as far as I could tell.