Should I switch?

Category: Cell Phone Talk

Post 1 by UniqueOne (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Friday, 14-Sep-2012 16:24:35

Hi all!
i'm debating if I should get the Iphone 5 or the 4s. I'm currently with verizon however I don't have a contract with them. It ran out a few months ago.
I use just a normal phone..nothing special on it. I can't do texting right now (wich is one of the major reasons I'm getting one of the iphones.)
What do you all think? what cell phone carryers do you use?
I like verizon..however the price galging is horrible! Was thinking of switching to possibly ATNT but not sure.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be great! I'm waiting on buying the Iphone. I am elegiable for an upgrade anytime so I'm not in a rush.

Post 2 by Izzito (This site is so "educational") on Friday, 14-Sep-2012 17:06:04

I would recommend sprint. It's all unlimited and they have the iPhone 5

Post 3 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Friday, 14-Sep-2012 20:20:37

Oh no, here's what I'd do in this situation.
If you really like Verizon, stick with them, because they have one of the best LTE networks out there. Go for the iPhone 5, not the 4 S. The iPhone 5 supports LTE.

Post 4 by Lisa's Girl forever (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Saturday, 15-Sep-2012 6:21:20

I have AtnT. and enjoy it. i also use the Iphone 4. and i won't switch.

Post 5 by UniqueOne (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Saturday, 15-Sep-2012 11:16:49

Lisa..you won't get the iphone 5? How's ATNT's prices and service?

Post 6 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 15-Sep-2012 21:50:40

Michael is correct. Right now Verizon is the best and for a single user cheaper. Sure Sprint gives you unlimited data, but you'll pay about 140 for that. On Verizon you can get unlimited and if you are not sharing pay about 92 with 2 GB data. You've not used data so probably won't. The iPhone is WiFi abled, so mostly you can use that everyplace you go and at home.
Last you'll get the iPhone 5 for $50 less than you will switching. You don't have to pay activation fees of $35 because you are renewing. Verizon offers customer loyalty that is the reason for these things.
I also forgot that Verizons contract goes down monthly. If you ever decide to buy out you'll not pay the $350 but a discounted price after so many months.

Post 7 by cowboy1 (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Sunday, 16-Sep-2012 0:04:20

I agree with for real though if t-mobile carried the iPhone or you could afford to buy it outright and get an unlocked one from AT&T, I would jump to t-mobile if coverage was decent in your area.

Post 8 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 16-Sep-2012 1:40:30

In that case she could do Virgin or Cricket. They have the 4 and 4S and will have the 5 on the 28th. She won't get the coverage, so I'd stick.

Post 9 by TechnologyUser2012 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 16-Sep-2012 16:41:36

I have verizon. and I really like it. I have the 4s and pay about $109 a month for 900 anytime minutes, 250 text messages and unlimited data.

Post 10 by UniqueOne (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Sunday, 16-Sep-2012 19:57:07

I want to get unlimited texts, just so as I won't have to keep track..I won't need much data..and I already have unlimited minutes. my unlimited minutes plan (with taxes and fees included..) runs me about 85 dollars a month.
My friend has crikit and her bill is way cheaper..but it's the coverage problem is why I haven't gone to them.

Post 11 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 16-Sep-2012 23:35:58

Tech if that plan suits you good, but you can get better. I'd revisit it and see. Do you really use that much data? The iPhone is a Wi Fi device so.

Post 12 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Monday, 17-Sep-2012 0:23:36

I get 3 gb of data on my plan with AT&T, and that's more than enough data for me, because I have WiFi at home. So unlimited data technically doesn't really matter if you have WiFi.

Post 13 by luckyluc20 (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Monday, 17-Sep-2012 12:59:24

I'd go with Verizon, but then I'm a shareholder... :-)

Post 14 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Monday, 17-Sep-2012 18:55:47

T-Mobile has worked out pretty well for me with the unlocked 4S. For now it's on Edge speed but I don't browse when out and about: just the occasional email or Twitter / Facebook and the GPS apps. It will be nice when they get 3G in place for the bands used by the iPhone but until then it seems to be fine.

Post 15 by icequeen (move over school!) on Monday, 17-Sep-2012 19:40:18

I'm also using an unlocked iphone on t-mobile. Edge has been ok. Been on t-mobile for years because it is so economical ($65 for unlimited everything, including international texts and calls) and the coverage has been good. However, I've recently began to travel a lot more out of urban areas, and am anticipating doing so now for some time, and thus need better coverage. Had Verizon years ago and liked it. Just got a bit pricey. Anyway, it seems Verizon has the best coverage, especially in rural areas, hands down.

Frustrating that the factory unlocked iphones - though capable of both cdma and gsm, are only gsm. Also frustrating that Verizon won't truly unlock their iphones - even after the contract has been completed.

Post 16 by dragons lady (Zone BBS Addict) on Monday, 17-Sep-2012 22:47:05

I am happy with my iphone 4s and not due for a upgrade for a while and figure 6 or something else will be coming out later so I am in no hurry.

Post 17 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 17-Sep-2012 22:58:04

If I could I would stick with Verizon and get an IPhone 5, but I have a contract that is not up until October 2014. It sucks because this is a piece of crap flip phone but at the time I baught it, that was all I could afford since I had no credit. The only spot where I had troubles with Verizon was when I was in Dallas, but maybe that was because of the hotel itself.

Post 18 by rat (star trek rules!) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2012 0:50:41

I'm a happy AT&T user, plan to stay with them. the plan i had is pretty sweet, 450 minutes with rollover, mobile to any mobile calling with unlimited texting and 2 gb data for about 90 bucks a month. the advantage with the mobile to any mobile is you can call any cell phone on any network for free. pluse the rollover is a handy thing to have.

Post 19 by UniqueOne (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2012 2:12:18

yeah, role over is pretty cool..but I'd need more than 450 minutes a month..so dunno..

Post 20 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2012 11:11:26

Ryan,
Try *228, hit send. when it connects, press option 2 to update your roming.
This will tell the phone about any new towers that verizon have put up.
They suggest you do this once a month (i'm not that good), but do it from time to time.
Verizon doesn't offer minutes planns anymore people.
you can get unlimited text voice and data for prepaid $55/Month.
i have waaaay more than i'll ever use.
700 minute family plann, 3 phones, no texting, the minimal data (dont remember what that was at the time of the plan), baught in 2010.
between the 3 of us , we're lucky if we use 400 minutes/month.
i'm closer to the 100 mark.
but that was the least amount of minutes you could get at the time, so we had no choice.

Post 21 by rat (star trek rules!) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2012 15:54:00

when i threw out the 450 that's waht i had, and keep in mind would most of your calls be to landline or to mobile devices. that's where the mobile to any mobile can save your life.

Post 22 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2012 16:24:56

I'm with AT&T; the same plan rat talked about. I love it.

Post 23 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2012 16:52:21

I've got 900 anytime minutes with AT&T, and of course the unlimited mobile to any mobile calling and unlimited texts. I've also the new 3 gb data plan for $30 a month. AT&T has never caused me any problems and I plan to stick with them when I get my new phone.

Post 24 by maddog (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2012 17:42:22

Fuck At&T. I was actually told that they're planning even more price gouging with the iPhone 5 and/or phones with iOS 6 than any other company. Rumour on the net is that they actually plan to make an extra charge appear for anyone who facetimes using their cellular network connection.
As far as I'm concerned, I would suggest either verizon or sprint if you intend to stick with an iPhone. They're the two best phone companies that currently carry iPhones. Especially if you're looking at service area coverage. They also won't gouge you as bad as AT&T will. I myself have Verizon and will never be convinced to switch by anyone.

Post 25 by Izzito (This site is so "educational") on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2012 17:54:08

Wich is why I recommended sprint. Unlimited everything and great coverage

Post 26 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2012 18:18:23

I don't really ever use FaceTime, so it's not going to matter much to me. I'd like to switch to Verizon myself, but the problem is the security deposit they want me to pay. lol

Post 27 by UniqueOne (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2012 18:31:56

not even sure what facetime is lol..or how to use it.
I actually have decided that I'm not going to leave verizon. I like them and if it's not broke don't fix it lol.

Post 28 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Tuesday, 18-Sep-2012 18:34:02

Facetime is a video calling service. Could be very useful if you're blind: call a sighted Facetime user and they in real time can look at something for you via the video camera. They can just ask you to move it and of course it updates in real time.

Post 29 by UniqueOne (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 20-Sep-2012 22:06:14

oh neat! cool!
BTW, to not make a separate board topic..my final choice..
I have preordered the iPhone 5 today! Verizon said it'll be here no later than October 12.
now comes the choice of apps..should I post a topic for that or just leave it and go search other topics or won't the info be as correct?

Post 30 by illumination (Darkness is history.) on Thursday, 20-Sep-2012 22:15:06

There are plenty of other topics for apps for the iPhone, so you'll probably want to do a search before posting another board topic about it.

Post 31 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 20-Sep-2012 22:26:21

I have been told that you will be able to just pick one up tomorrow. Both the stores near me say they'll have them in stock. I also have 2 Walmarts and Best Buys near. I am wondering if pre ordering was faster actually? I'm not going to buy, but I'll go and look at them tomorrow. I'm interested.

Post 32 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 20-Sep-2012 22:30:15

Also before you leave this board tell us what you think when you get your has on it.

Post 33 by UniqueOne (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Tuesday, 25-Sep-2012 23:21:43

Well, i have nothing to compair it to..
so, I'll say this and if anyone has questions feel free to ask or pm me.
I have a love/hate relationship with it. I like it cause it tells me who's calling..etc..i'm getting the hang of texting..(though, for some reason it's letting me reply to text messages, not start them..) so dunno what's up with that.
The screen is bigger than the 4s (i've seen the 4s so i do know what it looks like..) it's thinner. I really like my case. The only button/s on the phone are the volume up and down, lock button at the top and a switch to mute the ringer. everything else is touch.
Hope this helps if I can answer anything please let me know and I'll do my best! this is my 1st phone so I'll def. try.

Post 34 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 25-Sep-2012 23:46:50

Well you've got to really read that manual. Smile. You can reply to text because the number and all are already there, but if you want to send one depending on how you want to do it.
1. The person must be in your contacts list. Go to contacts find the person tap on there name and you'll find near the bottom send a message.
2. If not in contacts, but you know the number go to messaging tap on the today and in the two box there number. Next fine the text message box tap it on and write. Find that beautiful send button on the right about middle send it.
3. Talk to her. She'll listen. Press the home key until Siri says "listen and say send text message to
If they are in your contacts there name, if not there number. She'll repeat it maybe, Lol. If she does press the home key again and answer her question "what would you like to say to..." Say it, don't curse now.
She'll repeat it maybe, and well she'll ask if you want to send it. Press the home key and say send it.
*sigh.
Read the book of remain hateful. You read the book you'll be making her breakfast in the mornings. Lol

Post 35 by MDN1988 (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Saturday, 05-Jan-2013 21:17:10

Hi.
Someone mentioned that there is a Verizon Prepaid plan for $55 with everything unlimited. Does Verizon Prepaid work with the IPhone, or would you have to get an unlocked one? I don't want to get into a contract, so I am searching all prepaid options for different cellular providers. I've looked at Cricket and Virgin Mobile so far. How expensive would an IPhone on Verizon's prepaid be?
Thanks,
Misty

Post 36 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 05-Jan-2013 21:23:45

I dont know the answer as to how much a new phone would be, but you can by an unlockd iphone and put it on verizon. another idea if you are looking for the 4 or 4S (which while older might still work well enough for you) is to see if you can find a iPhone that is locked into Verizon used on eBay or Amazon
Then you can activate the phone and go on the $55 a month plann.

Post 37 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 06-Jan-2013 14:57:25

With Verizon the contract isn't all that bad if you look at the price of a new unlocked phone.
You pay $199, if you are a new customer, and some setup fees, providing they aren't having a special on these. This locks you in for 2 years, 24 months, of course.
Now the price of a new unlocked iPhone with is around $529, so you pay that up front, and you still pay the fees, if not for a special.
The thing is for each month of service the out fee goes down $10, so if you keep the phone 12 months is is $120 less off the $350 if you decide you want out, so $230, plus the $199 you paid up front. You can opt out in 18 months and not pay. Chances are most people keep a phone that long, plus if you are afraid of loss, you can insure it.
During a contract you are allowed to change your price plan as well. I think the cheapest is about $60 if you don't take any data and texting.
Verizon has different plans in different markets, so call and ask them.

Post 38 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 06-Jan-2013 17:52:51

Didn't think you could get a plann without texting and unlimited voice if you are on a contract.
The way the new sharing family plann works confuses me.

Post 39 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 06-Jan-2013 20:12:41

Sharing plans are good.

Post 40 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 06-Jan-2013 20:20:11

maybe, but the poster wanted the pre-paid one. It seems like the cheaper optionj , if it is just them .

Post 41 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 08-Jan-2013 22:57:08

Yes, but I thought I might show how a contract wasn't all that bad. If you have the phone pre pay is good, but if you're needing the phone you're not saving much if anything over the long haul.

Post 42 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 08-Jan-2013 23:03:43

i still dont get how a new contract with say a family plann works .
I know its unlimited voice and texting, you pay something for data and you pay depending on if its a feature phone or smart phone.

Post 43 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 08-Jan-2013 23:06:12

I think its $30 for feature and $10 for smart? i liked the you get certain amount of minutes , and you could choose texting or data if you wanted it plann better

Post 44 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 08-Jan-2013 23:07:36

does LTE improove talking reception or is it just for data.

Post 45 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Wednesday, 09-Jan-2013 11:56:07

I'm on a famliy plan with my mom. we're with Verizon. Not sure if the contract has expired or not. Got the iPhone 4 in October, 2011. Really would love an iPhone 5, so I can be on my own contract and pay my own bill. right now, it's covered by someone else in the family. Am not sure how to get out of this. Suggestions?

Post 46 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 09-Jan-2013 16:13:36

Probably expires Oct 2013
unless you were on a year contract, but the two year would get you your phones cheaper.

Post 47 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 09-Jan-2013 19:17:20

LTE is data.
To get out of a contract you can pay the remaining time. If you stay for a full 18 months, and you've got only about 3 to go you get a upgrade. At that point split the contract and start you're own.
It is cheaper to stay on the family plan however. If you want to pay the cost simply do that, but for good savings the family plan is better.