Considering buying an unsubsidized phone instead of renewing contract...

[CurseTheSky]

Hi guys,

My girlfriend and I have a shared Verizon plan that's costing us nearly $200 every month right now (unlimited data + text, two phones, Blackberry email, and a USB WAN modem grandfathered with truly unlimited data). So far the bill hasn't been an issue, but we're both in our early 20's and I'd like to have the ability to drop it, or part of it, at any time if shit hits the fan. Recently we were talking about buying phones at the full price (now, while we have the cash) and simply paying month to month. That way, we could cancel when we want, or upgrade in the future if something new comes out that's really nice.

I'm currently using a Blackberry Tour that I got free from a friend when they upgraded in a 2-for-1 deal. I HATE the thing. I find that it's generally too business oriented for my tastes, the phone is slow at times with certain menus, and I really miss having a touch screen. The only applications I've downloaded are Gmail and Google maps (I don't leave the maps app running), so there shouldn't be any reason for the slow down.

So, if you were in the market to pay full price for a phone right now, what would you buy? Obviously it has to be Verizon compatible, and I'd prefer touch screen. I'm expecting to pay around $500, but less would be nice. I'd also like to get away from Blackberry so I can drop the $25 email package every month. I was toying with the idea of getting a Droid, or perhaps a Droid Eris due to the lower price, if the software is still worthwhile.

Thanks.

 

[MJinZ]

$200 a month? I would say that you're insane but a voice in the back of your mind is probably already telling you that.

My Sprint Blackberry does all of that with 450 minutes and costs me $30 + $10 + fees.

Also, my contract is coming up in a month or two, so I will be switching to either Verizon or AT&T. I'm a little disappointed with phones right now. They all seem to have some drawbacks.

Verizon would cost me approximately $50-$60 a month with their voice + unlimited data plans:

Moto Droid
Palm Pre Plus

AT&T:

iPhone

And god damn Google for putting the Nexus One on the shittiest carrier in the world, T-Mobile.

 

[CurseTheSky]

It's roughly $100 for the 800 minute + unlimited data and text family plan, $10 or $15 for the additional line, $25 for the Blackberry email + data garbage, and $60 for my girlfriend's USB WAN modem. It adds up quickly.

I was just looking at the Nexus One and hoping it had already come to Verizon. The site says Spring 2010, but I want it NOW, dammit! I might hold off, since I'm going to spend at least as much for the Droid anyway.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Nexus One will be coming to Verizon by April, rumored at March right now. It's the best Android phone out there supposedly. Droid is a good option too.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Ok, sounds like I'll be waiting for the Nexus One then. Thanks for the info!

 

[MJinZ]

Nexus One will be coming to Verizon by April, rumored at March right now. It's the best Android phone out there supposedly. Droid is a good option too.

I absolutely hate the way the Nexus One looks though. If they Moto DRoid it (make it over with all black and maybe some silver in the back instead of gold), I'll be all over it.

Honestly, I just want a Nexus One Flip or Slide phone, and it doesn't need the huge screen but it does need the huge capabilities.

 

[anxi80]

Ok, sounds like I'll be waiting for the Nexus One then. Thanks for the info!

nexus one for verizon march 23?

 

[CurseTheSky]

Late March? Sweet.

Now, does Verizon charge you an additional "smartphone" fee like the $25 / month I'm paying for the Blackberry email BS? On the VZ site, I see some fine text like "Requires minimum $29.99 / month data plan." Does that just mean I need a plan with data (which I have), or is that an additional charge?

 

[anxi80]

need data and a talk plan, but thats it and that'll take care of your email. for example my current plan is $39.99 for the minutes and $29.99 for the data. so its $70/month (actually i get a discount through work so actually my bills come out to $65/month after taxes; but you get the picture)

 

[her209]

Wouldn't it just be cheaper or the same to renew with a new phone and pay the early termination fee when you want to get out?

 

[MJinZ]

Wouldn't it just be cheaper or the same to renew with a new phone and pay the early termination fee when you want to get out?

That's true, if the - early termination fee + price paid for phone < price phone can be sold for.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Wouldn't it just be cheaper or the same to renew with a new phone and pay the early termination fee when you want to get out?

Possibly, but the Nexus One is (IIRC) only available subsidized through T-Mobile. So $200 for the phone plus ~$300 for early termination (roughly what it costs for Verizon and AT&T, again IIRC), plus the hassle of going through all that = not worth it in my eyes. For a different phone available directly through Verizon it might be a better deal. It also depends whether there's different versions of the Nexus One (CDMA and the current GSM) or if one model supports it all. Finally, weren't there some reports of people taking a hit on their credit score for early termination?

What's the deal with the extra $25 / month Blackberry email and data charge anyway? I never really understood that, but they wouldn't let me use the phone on that plan without it.

 

[Fox5]

Nexus One is available unlocked straight from google.
And that version won't work on Verizon anyhow, you'll have to wait until the Verizon version launches next month.