Samsung Intercept on Virgin Mobile: $25/mo????

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maniac5999

Senior member
Dec 30, 2009
505
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So rumor has it that Virgin Mobile is going to offer the Samsung Intercept (800mhz processor, Android 2.1) in a couple weeks. Now the intercept definately isn't the world's best android phone, and Virgin Mobile isn't the world's best provider, but it looks like it's going to be 300minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited data for $25/mo (or possibly $35/mo if they charge what they're currently charging for a Blackberry) The cost is rediculous, Verizon's cheapest plan with unlimited text and internet is $90/mo, Sprint is $70, and AT&T is also 70, and T-Mobile is $60 (all 450min, except T-mobile which is 500, and unlimited text/data except ATT which is 2gb) Clearly the deal is rediculously cheap compared to everybody else, what does everyone think, is it worth using a mid-level Android phone, and Virgin mobile's (Sprint) network in order to save $35-75/mo?
 
AstroManLuca

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
maniac5999 said:
So rumor has it that Virgin Mobile is going to offer the Samsung Intercept (800mhz processor, Android 2.1) in a couple weeks. Now the intercept definately isn't the world's best android phone, and Virgin Mobile isn't the world's best provider, but it looks like it's going to be 300minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited data for $25/mo (or possibly $35/mo if they charge what they're currently charging for a Blackberry) The cost is rediculous, Verizon's cheapest plan with unlimited text and internet is $90/mo, Sprint is $70, and AT&T is also 70, and T-Mobile is $60 (all 450min, except T-mobile which is 500, and unlimited text/data except ATT which is 2gb) Clearly the deal is rediculously cheap compared to everybody else, what does everyone think, is it worth using a mid-level Android phone, and Virgin mobile's (Sprint) network in order to save $35-75/mo?
Click to expand...

Well, that's the big question, isn't it? This will vary from person to person. Some of us really want the latest and greatest devices like the Galaxy S, Droid X, G2, etc. Others don't care so much. Unfortunately, those same people who don't care will also probably stick to the major carriers and many will be overpaying for phones that are similar to the Intercept or even worse.

I can see this having great appeal to some people who would rather have any smartphone at a low price than a high-end one for a high price. I think they will mostly be people who don't have a smartphone yet and want to get one but don't like the prospect of paying $60+ per month for one.
 
RiDE

RiDE

Platinum Member
Jul 8, 2004
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M

maniac5999

Senior member
Dec 30, 2009
505
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Well, I'm going to start by saying that I'm a cheap B@$%^&! I currently have a 2.5 year old Samsung Juke on a Verizon family plan, so this would be a major upgrade for me (at virtually no monthly cost difference, since my line + texting runs $25/mo right now) I've got big questions however. 1) how's the service? I'm in Northern NJ/NYC, does that mean that the service should at least be equal to ATT's from 2-3 years ago? 2) Is the phone hackable? can I put FroYo on it and use it as a 3G modem for my laptop? 3) It's supposed to have a slower 3G modem, how fast is the modem anyway? if I use it as a modem could I say, play WoW on it decently? Does anybody have ANY experience with either the phone or Virgin's network at all?
 
RiDE

RiDE

Platinum Member
Jul 8, 2004
2,139
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maniac5999 said:
Well, I'm going to start by saying that I'm a cheap B@$%^&! I currently have a 2.5 year old Samsung Juke on a Verizon family plan, so this would be a major upgrade for me (at virtually no monthly cost difference, since my line + texting runs $25/mo right now) I've got big questions however. 1) how's the service? I'm in Northern NJ/NYC, does that mean that the service should at least be equal to ATT's from 2-3 years ago? 2) Is the phone hackable? can I put FroYo on it and use it as a 3G modem for my laptop? 3) It's supposed to have a slower 3G modem, how fast is the modem anyway? if I use it as a modem could I say, play WoW on it decently? Does anybody have ANY experience with either the phone or Virgin's network at all?
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1. No clue... no experience with Sprint's network.
2. No roms are out for it yet but it will get official froyo eventually. Yes you can tether it.
3. WoW will be a lagfest

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1670819-How-fast-is-Virgin-Mobile-USA-3G-s-speed
 
Pliablemoose

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
rudeguy said:
Really? But isn't there 2 different versions of EVDO? That stuff confuzzles me.
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Yeah, I looked into them when the $25/month plan came out.

The speed tests I'm seeing are pretty decent.

These phones aren't the cutting edge, but are pretty decent, and for $25/month, a pretty good deal. Target has them in stock now.

The biggest complaints I see are there doesn't appear to be a face sensor to turn off the screen and the stock launcher is pretty slow, ADW Launcher is a recommended upgrade.
 
rudeguy

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
interesting. If this was an HTC or Moto I would be very interested. But there is very little hackability with Samsung.

Anyone know what the price of the phone will be?
 
Pliablemoose

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
rudeguy said:
interesting. If this was an HTC or Moto I would be very interested. But there is very little hackability with Samsung.

Anyone know what the price of the phone will be?
Click to expand...

$229/$249 I'm considering picking up a couple and putting the kids on them.
 
Pliablemoose

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
I suspect there will be an active hacking community for this device very soon, Virgin Mobile (Sprint) started a price war with their $25/month plan.

They just raised the stakes with an Android device on their network...
 
Pliablemoose

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
I just scored 2, the Target I went to had to look them up, they just showed up, weren't on display had to look up the ID # on my phone so they could plug it into their system and find the carton of phones.

They're certainly not a superphone, but for $300/year for unlimited data/texts and 300 voice minutes, it's a steal. I wa going to put the kids on Page Plus, but I can't keep my PP account straight, I know they won't be able to....
 
Pliablemoose

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
$249

I currently pay 1380/year on TMobile (4 phones, data on one line only), this cuts the tab down to $900 (3 phones) and gives everyone unlimited data.

The screen isn't great, but it's very useable, and like I said, Virgin Mobile just declared war on data plans with this phone...

I might go crazy and get an Evo or something and use my employee discount on it...
 
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v8envy

Platinum Member
Sep 7, 2002
2,720
0
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Very nice, I'll definitely keep an eye on this phone to snap up during any possible sales.

I'm currently a VM customer with the LG Tumor Ouch. It's a "downs phone" -- a dumbphone VM gives a few extra whacks to the head with just because they can. The phone is locked to only allow WAP, not sockets which limits apps it could run even if it were allowed to install them. Which also forces apps through VM's wap servers, which for some time were overloaded and slow.

Some hacks exist to de-retard the phone, but it's still just a basic phone.

$249 for a real phone on the beyond talk plan would be orgasmic.
 
S

sirishmen

Junior Member
Sep 30, 2010
1
0
0
I have to agree with AstroManLuca that the people who most likely will go for the Samsung Intercept is someone who does not already have a Smartphone and who does not want to pay the rate Verizon, ATT, etc. charge per month to make such a phone. I'm such a person and my cell phone contract expires this month so I'm making the switch.

If 300 minutes are not enough, Virgin does have a $40 plan that bumps up the minutes to 1200.

Also to answer someone's question, the Intercept uses EVDO rev. 0 instead of the faster rev. This is mentioned by pretty everyone who reviews the phone who works for a major publication. This is also one of the reason why it will appeal more to people new to smartphones then pulling in existing smart phone users.

Finally concerning Froyo, all i can say about that is that there was an article on the web that did stay that Sprint will be getting Froyo on the Intercept. I'm assuming this will also mean that Froyo will also be available for them on Virgin since Virgin is owned by Sprint now. This will be great since the Intercept has a slower processor then the Droid, EVO, etc. and the dramatic speed improvement it causes doing certain tasks.
 
Pliablemoose

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
Well, tinkered with them for a few days on WiFi, am still impressed. For $25/month, they're a great phone on an insanely priced plan.

I hope the plan/phone puts some pressure on the other carriers to cut their prices.
 
B

Bryf50

Golden Member
Nov 11, 2006
1,429
51
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RiDE said:
3. WoW will be a lagfest
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I don't see why it has more then enough bandwidth and 200-300 ping is easily doable in WoW. I play just fine on vzw. It'll probably depend on how good of a signal you can get.
 
SunnyD

SunnyD

Belgian Waffler
Jan 2, 2001
32,674
146
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www.neftastic.com
Isn't there no roaming with Virgin? Means you're basically limited to Sprint's native and somewhat pathetic network footprint, no?
 
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