At least in my market the VPGM gets somewhat of a final say on certain phones we carry. She has tried in the past to get higher end nokias but either the price is too high or ATT higher ups decline it. Our VPGM despises SEs because of many many issues with them in the past but she started getting some newer ones in our market. Of course you can always buy them unlocked directly from the manufacturer or on ebay, but then you have to configure them to work on ATT's network for most data apps and sms to work.

stephen5688 said:
with att not having any high end phones from nokia or sony? or anybody really? i have the iphone now but the talk quality is just not there, my wife has the V3xx and is sound so much better and had a signal in many places the mine dont. I know, why not just get one of those? well I really wont something a little more high end than that.

Because you can buy those high end phones for less than ATT is willing to subsidize them. A $750 Nokia can be bought for $550.Those who can afford a $750 MSRP phone should not need a subsidy more than $200. The best part is you get to keep your plan if you like it. No contract. No changes.