Cell Phone Query - 1 year or 2 year contract?

[zippy]

UPDATE: Definitely getting the A530. F' the cameraphone.

Now I'm just struggling with the 1 year vs. 2 year contract. 2 year the phone is $30 less (I was wrong - $50 rebate applies for both contracts, but the phone is more expensive with the 1 year) and there is no $35 activation fee, plus, at the end of the 2 years I get $100 towards a new cell phone. However, I also might be stuck with a phone that isn't that great for a year. Or, is it possible to get a new phone/plan at any point during the 2 years and just make another contract?

Also, should I get the Wireless Phone Protection for $3.99/month and/or the Extended Warranty for $1.99/month?
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I'm ordering a new cell phone today. I've had my heart set on the Samsung A530 for awhile now...but it's somewhat tempting to get one of those cameraphones. If you have one - do you find you use it a lot? I kinda think I will have no use for it, but if I had it, I might be tempted to take more random pictures.

Also, 1 year or 2 year contract? Any new, important technologies coming out that would cause me to get a new phone in a year? If I go with the 1 year I pay a $35 activation fee and the phone is $200. With the 2 year plan it's a free activation and the phone is $200 with a $50 MIR.

What's the call?

 

[anxi80]

if you are on verizon (im guessing you are, a530), then i would wait. ive seen some sample pictures taken with the vx6000 and i havent been too impressed. if you decide to get a phone, dont get locked in for 2 years, aim for no contract extension or a 1-year at that. phones can only get better, including the camera and adding flash and getting better reosolutions, and with push to talk coming soon also, might as well wait a year and see whats new. if i were in your shoes, id go with the samsung you have your heart set on (im partial to my vx4400), and get a 1-year.

 

[pennylane]

I'd wait a year...

 

[DaWhim]

safer to get a 1year contact and pay the $35 activation fee. I just ordered a phone this way last night. I can get another new and free phone next year.

 

[KingNothing]

I don't think they're worth it at all. I'm looking at getting a cell phone/PDA combo unit (Samsung SPH-I330), that's a lot more worth it in my opinion.

 

[chin311]

NO CAMERAPHONE, they are practically useless, and make some phones bulky...just get a regular phone + digicam if you need one.

 

[zippy]

Well, waiting a year isn't an option. When does the push-to-talk come out for Verizon? Also, wtf is push to talk? Just like a walkie talkie feature?

I really don't know if getting a cameraphone is worth it though. Is it really useful at college? I have a digital camera...though I'm not inclined to carry it around everywhere like my phone.

Also, how do you like that VX4400?

 

[zippy]

Bueller?

 

[Nocturnal]

Get the Samsung P408.

 

[IamElectro]

Ive seen the pictures these things take not that great. I would wait a year and get a better phone and camera for the same price.

 

[oreagan]

I have a Nokia 3650 and love it. The picture quality is decent to good, not great but certainly acceptable. You never realize how often you'd take pictures if you can all the time.

 

[Beller0ph1]

If you are with Verizon, go with a 2 year contract. Not only will you get the phone for a lower price, but they will give you a credit to your bill towards the price of a new phone at the end of your contract with the New every 2 program. The camera phones are kinda neat, but if you're going to invest in a phone, the A530 is a good one to go with. Just don't lose it.

 

[zippy]

On the one hand, I've gotten nearly 2 years of use out of my current phone (I could finish the last 5 months if I had to). On the other hand, I have a feeling that there are new technologies that will tempt me into getting a new phone after a year.

What do I do? I'll be going with the A530 - the cameraphone seems like a nice novelty, but not one I'll be using all that frequently after a little while.

I'll effectively be paying $85 more to get a 1 year contract as opposed to a 2 year. Think monthly cell phone charges will go down enough next year to cover up that $85 over the year? For instance, will a $40/month plan become a $30 or $35/month plan next year? As more and more people buy cell phones the prices keep dropping.

What's the call?

 

[KokomoGST]

I highly doubt the cell phone prices will drop to the level that they once were with companies paying for your phone even if it was the latest and greatest phone out there.

The A530 is a nice phone, albeit it doesn't have analog capability but Verizon's digital network is so big that it's of little concern in most areas. Considering that Verizon pretty much charges you for anything and everything beyond your standard features of voicemail and long distance, they're not the best company to go with for "features."

Some people have already complained about the LG VX6000's reception. The Samsung A530 is also only digital. The Samsung I300/I330 is not available with Verizon but the Samsung I700 is. Seems that VZW is moving toward phasing out AMPS capable phones.

If you have Sprint, a cameraphone is an excellent buy. I have a Sanyo 5300... great phone despite Sprint's every so crappy service. I can't complain too much though since I have a indirect retailer employee plan that's only $15 a month for more minutes than I can use. My boss has the I300 and loves it. The Sanyo 8100 is a hugely popular phone and because demand is so great, Sanyo actually raised the retail price of the phone.

Verizon's not quite there yet with their cameraphones, and I talked with the TMobile/AT&T guys right outside... even they think TMobile sucks. AT&T still has a few problems with their cameraphones as well. It seems there's always a compromise with getting a cameraphone currently unless you get Sprint's kinda pricey Free&Clear America plan which allows no roaming charges across ANY network w/Vision.

I don't really like LG phones, Samsung generally gets their phones right after the first try on a new tech. Hopefully the Samsung A670 will be good as the A600 seems to be so far. I think it's not really a big deal signing a 2year contract if it reduces the price of the phone enough. Plus a 1yr contract with VZW means $35 activation fee. Ebay is your friend.

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: KokomoGST
I highly doubt the cell phone prices will drop to the level that they once were with companies paying for your phone even if it was the latest and greatest phone out there.

The A530 is a nice phone, albeit it doesn't have analog capability but Verizon's digital network is so big that it's of little concern in most areas. Considering that Verizon pretty much charges you for anything and everything beyond your standard features of voicemail and long distance, they're not the best company to go with for "features."

Some people have already complained about the LG VX6000's reception. The Samsung A530 is also only digital. The Samsung I300/I330 is not available with Verizon but the Samsung I700 is. Seems that VZW is moving toward phasing out AMPS capable phones.

If you have Sprint, a cameraphone is an excellent buy. I have a Sanyo 5300... great phone despite Sprint's every so crappy service. I can't complain too much though since I have a indirect retailer employee plan that's only $15 a month for more minutes than I can use. My boss has the I300 and loves it. The Sanyo 8100 is a hugely popular phone and because demand is so great, Sanyo actually raised the retail price of the phone.

Verizon's not quite there yet with their cameraphones, and I talked with the TMobile/AT&T guys right outside... even they think TMobile sucks. AT&T still has a few problems with their cameraphones as well. It seems there's always a compromise with getting a cameraphone currently unless you get Sprint's kinda pricey Free&Clear America plan which allows no roaming charges across ANY network w/Vision.

I don't really like LG phones, Samsung generally gets their phones right after the first try on a new tech. Hopefully the Samsung A670 will be good as the A600 seems to be so far. I think it's not really a big deal signing a 2year contract if it reduces the price of the phone enough. Plus a 1yr contract with VZW means $35 activation fee. Ebay is your friend.

So you recommend that I go with the 2 year contract - which saves me the $35 activation fee and gives me a $50 MIR on the phone - and then I can always head to ebay in a a year if I decide? I hadn't even thought of that.

I can't imagine that the price of plans will be going down much either - but I figured I would ask. I have no intention of going with TMobile or Sprint - the reception isn't good enough. I currently have Cingular and I wish it had better coverage - it's pretty decent, but not as good as Verizon's. Frankly I don't think I'll be missing not having a cameraphone. If I need to take some photos...I'll bring my digicam.

I'll be using this phone mostly in Ithaca, NY and Verizon is unanimously dubbed the best cell service in the area.

 

[RichieZ]

1 yr contract, and camera phones are kinda cool but not too useful. I have the Sony Ericsson T610.

 

[zippy]

So how do I label this bump? Extremely late night or extremely early morning? Goddamn.

Does it cost anything extra to change phones after 1 year of the contract? Obviously I have to buy the new phone but do I have to pay verizon anything? That's if I go with the 2 year plan.

 

[vegetation]

The only good decent image quality cameraphone out there is the Nokia 3650/7650, as they have a true 640x480 resolution. Even so, it's not really good pictures quality but passable for outdoor sunny images. I've seen all the other camera phone images and they are really horrendous, headache inducing quality, don't bother..

 

[rh71]

Why does it matter if it's 1-yr vs. 2-yr ? That only ties you into the service provider, not the phone you have, am I right? THat's the case with Sprint. I've had a 2-yr contract with them and, without penalty, I'm able to purchase a new phone for use OR sign up for a new plan (which may come with a free phone). So why does it matter what the term will be as long as you plan on sticking with Verizon ?

 

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: zippy
So how do I label this bump? Extremely late night or extremely early morning? Goddamn.

Does it cost anything extra to change phones after 1 year of the contract? Obviously I have to buy the new phone but do I have to pay verizon anything? That's if I go with the 2 year plan.

if you sign up for a 2-year agreement and want to change phones, you have to wait 2 months before your 2 year contract expires or you have to pay full retail for the phone. and they will kill you on the full retail price. thats why i suggested the 1-year plan. keep in mind also if you get a new phone right now, you have a 15-day trial period, so try out the a530 and vx4400 (which i love by the way, good dependable phone, just waiting on the new flash upgrade), and see which one works out best for you. a few other people on this board own a 4400 also and they are very pleased with it. the a530 is nice, but with lack of analog, im not ready to take the all-digital plunge quite yet. when i go to the mountains and go gambling and such, i wan to make sure i always have service.

 

[zippy]

anxi80 - aw damn. I'll have to call Verizon and see if in the middle of the two years whether I can get a new plan and phone or if I get screwed like you say I do. I have a creeping suspicion that you're right. However, what if I bought a phone (off ebay) and wanted to switch my plan onto that phone - is that expensive?

Thanks.

 

[Lonyo]

I have a camera phone, never use it.
Don't bother unless it has other features you might want.

 

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: zippy
anxi80 - aw damn. I'll have to call Verizon and see if in the middle of the two years whether I can get a new plan and phone or if I get screwed like you say I do. I have a creeping suspicion that you're right. However, what if I bought a phone (off ebay) and wanted to switch my plan onto that phone - is that expensive?

Thanks.

believe you only have to pay the activation ($35). actually, thats probably the better way to go.

 

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: zippy
Well, waiting a year isn't an option. When does the push-to-talk come out for Verizon? Also, wtf is push to talk? Just like a walkie talkie feature?

yeah, its a walkie talkie feature. and rumor is that it comes out tomorrow or the end of this week. simply a rumor though. for more info, check out this howards forum post, which can be found: here

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: anxi80

Originally posted by: zippy
Well, waiting a year isn't an option. When does the push-to-talk come out for Verizon? Also, wtf is push to talk? Just like a walkie talkie feature?

yeah, its a walkie talkie feature. and rumor is that it comes out tomorrow or the end of this week. simply a rumor though. for more info, check out this howards forum post, which can be found: here

How does the walkie talkie feature work? Only with other walkie talkie enabled phones where you just press the button and it does a little *beep*boop* noise and then you're talking to the person? Seems like it won't be useful in the beginning anyway until people start getting PTT enabled phones.

Or am I way off?