Sprint Contract about to expire...

[jdwright]

Had a blackberry for a long time and really liked it until it went through the wash =\. Ended up getting a basic phone to save cash - lg rumor touch - and pretty much hate it for everything but texting.

Point is, I want the next phone I get (for my wife and I) to be very solid for syncing gmail, navigation potential, music through google music or pandora, and light surfing. Some modability would be nice, but not a necessity out of the gate.

Sadly, I've pretty much lost track of the HUGE variety of phones and providers. I'm also not sure if I should make it a priority to get an unlimited data package to grandfather in, or if my habits won't warrant it. I haven't had any problem with Sprint coverage, so I'm inclined to stay with them, but I could be convinced to move with the right package.

Sorry to blather on about it, but I'm kinda confused. Any input would be appreciated!

J

 

[ImDonly1]

Had a blackberry for a long time and really liked it until it went through the wash =\. Ended up getting a basic phone to save cash - lg rumor touch - and pretty much hate it for everything but texting.

Point is, I want the next phone I get (for my wife and I) to be very solid for syncing gmail, navigation potential, music through google music or pandora, and light surfing. Some modability would be nice, but not a necessity out of the gate.

Sadly, I've pretty much lost track of the HUGE variety of phones and providers. I'm also not sure if I should make it a priority to get an unlimited data package to grandfather in, or if my habits won't warrant it. I haven't had any problem with Sprint coverage, so I'm inclined to stay with them, but I could be convinced to move with the right package.

Sorry to blather on about it, but I'm kinda confused. Any input would be appreciated!

J

Top sprint phones right now/coming soon are:

1. htc evo 3d, dual-core, wimax. Update to the very popular evo 4g from last year. Lot of people waiting for this. It should be out in a week.

2. nexus s 4g by samsung. nice screen, stock android for smoothness, wimax, but single core. Also has some reception issues, which might be fixed with a software update.

3. Motorola photon not sure when its coming maybe sometime in july/summer. No reviews so can't comment. If it is the typical motorola, not many people will get it because it will be locked down and prevent you to flashing custom roms on it. Has dual-core tegra 2, wimax.

4. Lastly, the samsung galaxy s2. Release date unknown but expected to be end of july, august, or september. The most popular phone out right now (but not out in the usa yet).


So if I were you, I'd get the samsung galaxy s2 if you can wait. That might be a long wait though. If not and need it this week or next, I'd get the evo 3d.

As for other carriers, t-mobile has the htc sensation, which I don't think is any better than the evo 3d. ATT has the infuse, atrix, etc. But its att and again I'd rather have the evo 3d. Verizon has LTE, which is fast... but no dual-core + lte phones, and they are expensive. Also sprint has unlimited data, ATT doesn't and does overages with really low limits (2gb). T-mobile has limits of 2gb, 5gb, 10gb and then they throttle you down to dial-up (edge speeds) with no overages. Verizon has unlimited data still, but not for long.

If you want cheap/budget... wait for the virgin mobile motorola triumph. Should be a good near the top end phone and virgin mobile is cheap. They also use sprint's network, but no roaming.

 

[zerocool84]

If you want cheap/budget... wait for the virgin mobile motorola triumph. Should be a good near the top end phone and virgin mobile is cheap. They also use sprint's network, but no roaming.

Yup the Motorola Triumph looks great for a prepaid phone. Plus Virgin Mobile has extremely cheap plans.

 

[Icepick]

Top sprint phones right now/coming soon are:

1. htc evo 3d, dual-core, wimax. Update to the very popular evo 4g from last year. Lot of people waiting for this. It should be out in a week.

2. nexus s 4g by samsung. nice screen, stock android for smoothness, wimax, but single core. Also has some reception issues, which might be fixed with a software update.

3. Motorola photon not sure when its coming maybe sometime in july/summer. No reviews so can't comment. If it is the typical motorola, not many people will get it because it will be locked down and prevent you to flashing custom roms on it. Has dual-core tegra 2, wimax.

4. Lastly, the samsung galaxy s2. Release date unknown but expected to be end of july, august, or september. The most popular phone out right now (but not out in the usa yet).


So if I were you, I'd get the samsung galaxy s2 if you can wait. That might be a long wait though. If not and need it this week or next, I'd get the evo 3d.

As for other carriers, t-mobile has the htc sensation, which I don't think is any better than the evo 3d. ATT has the infuse, atrix, etc. But its att and again I'd rather have the evo 3d. Verizon has LTE, which is fast... but no dual-core + lte phones, and they are expensive. Also sprint has unlimited data, ATT doesn't and does overages with really low limits (2gb). T-mobile has limits of 2gb, 5gb, 10gb and then they throttle you down to dial-up (edge speeds) with no overages. Verizon has unlimited data still, but not for long.

If you want cheap/budget... wait for the virgin mobile motorola triumph. Should be a good near the top end phone and virgin mobile is cheap. They also use sprint's network, but no roaming.

Why did you recommend the Galaxy SGS2 over the EVO3D?

 

[jdwright]

Yeah, those sound pretty much like the options I was looking at from Sprint - probably leaning toward the evo3d.

On another note, I'm a bit of a security nut on my computers and I've heard some kinda dicey stuff about the android apps that are grabbing personal info from phones where they are installed. I've actually thought about an iPhone based mainly on the fact that it is proprietary as opposed to open.

Do you think that's a valid concern with Android over iPhone?

Really appreciate the help with all this...I can't keep up... =P

J

 

[Pliablemoose]

Suffer along with the rumor for a while, then, go to the Sprint store and pick one of the new releases in the next month & a half.

The Virgin Mobile Triumph is the one to get if you don't use a lot of voice minutes, but if your wife is typical, and a heavy voice minute user (nothing wrong with that BTW), you should stick with Sprint...

The 3D looks pretty good if you stick with Sprint.

You may want to consider going with a Sprint phone for wife and getting a Virgin Mobile Triumph for you (you can text her )

As far as app security, stay with reputable apps/developers. Amazon seems to be doing a great job keeping their app store offerings safe...

 

[Dulanic]

Why did you recommend the Galaxy SGS2 over the EVO3D?

Why not? The sgs2 CPU is faster, it has Super AMOLED+ which if you like Super AMOLED, you may not want to give up. The HTC bootloader is also locked right now and the Samsung should have a big dev community with Samsung pushing to get dev support by giving away phones to them. The HTC also has less memory with a 4GB internal card /w no external card included where the samsung comes with 16GB card.

Nothing against HTC, just saying both will be good phones but most likely my next will be the sgs2 over the evo 3d.

 

[zerocool84]

Yeah, those sound pretty much like the options I was looking at from Sprint - probably leaning toward the evo3d.

On another note, I'm a bit of a security nut on my computers and I've heard some kinda dicey stuff about the android apps that are grabbing personal info from phones where they are installed. I've actually thought about an iPhone based mainly on the fact that it is proprietary as opposed to open.

Do you think that's a valid concern with Android over iPhone?

Really appreciate the help with all this...I can't keep up... =P

J

It doesn't matter what phone you have, if it's a smartphone, your personal data is getting logged. It happens just as much on the iPhone as it does on Android and Windows Phone 7. The fact that the iPhone is not as open as Android means nothing. If you're worried about that the only thing you can do is not get a smartphone. It's just how it is now.

 

[jdwright]

Well, I'm definitely leaning toward the Evo 3d and the Amazon app store suggestion makes sense. Just out of curiosity, what exactly would the Photon be able to do that the Evo 3d couldn't? I'm not really a power user with my phone and neither is my wife - though I guess I might be with a decent phone/plan. We just want tech that won't be out-dated in a matter of hours.

Thanks again for all the advice. Should make my shopping (demands from Sprint) much simpler =).

J

 

[sciwizam]

Well, I'm definitely leaning toward the Evo 3d and the Amazon app store suggestion makes sense. Just out of curiosity, what exactly would the Photon be able to do that the Evo 3d couldn't? I'm not really a power user with my phone and neither is my wife - though I guess I might be with a decent phone/plan. We just want tech that won't be out-dated in a matter of hours.

Thanks again for all the advice. Should make my shopping (demands from Sprint) much simpler =).

J

Not much, the only thing I can think of is TegraZone games.

Photon has Tegra2 dual core SoC from Nvidia, the Evo 3D get it's dual core Snapdragon SoC from Qualcomm. Nvidia has some game developer connections to optimize some games to better utilize it's hardware for better graphics. Though there's an app called ChainFire3D in the marketplace that allows non-Tegra phones to play those optimized TegraZone games, but it's a hit or miss based on the game.

I would go with the Evo 3D just for the screen (just the 2D part, not even taking into account the glasses free 3D). Moto will probably use a pentile qHD, instead of the RGB arrangement.

 

[Icepick]

Why not? The sgs2 CPU is faster, it has Super AMOLED+ which if you like Super AMOLED, you may not want to give up. The HTC bootloader is also locked right now and the Samsung should have a big dev community with Samsung pushing to get dev support by giving away phones to them. The HTC also has less memory with a 4GB internal card /w no external card included where the samsung comes with 16GB card.

Nothing against HTC, just saying both will be good phones but most likely my next will be the sgs2 over the evo 3d.

All valid reasons. By the time September comes it will be a great time to be in the market for a new phone with all of the options coming up.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I'm a fan of the EVO 3D because it'll likely have massive developer following, the EVO has so many ROM's available, it's amazing...

They have the forums set up for the EVO 3D : http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1095

That being said, I'm likely going to kill all my lines and pick up a Moto/Huawei Triumph on Virgin (depending on the reviews) I use virtually no voice minutes, and for $25/month it's a steal...

 

[s44]

Well, I'm definitely leaning toward the Evo 3d and the Amazon app store suggestion makes sense. Just out of curiosity, what exactly would the Photon be able to do that the Evo 3d couldn't?

Perma-root?

Moto locks the bootloader/kernel down, but it's been pretty easy to get root and change stuff in /system. With HTC's locked phones the S-ON thing (locking down /system as well) is another hurdle, and thus months-old models (Incredible S/Incredible 2) *still* haven't been properly rooted.

Things might be different with the Evo3D, whether because it'll be the best phone on Sprint (bleeding edge on Verizon has LTE) or because of HTC's announced change in bootloader locking... Maybe not, though.

 

[boomhower]

I'm planning on leaving Sprint but if i do stay I'll wait for the Galaxy SGS2. Both the EVO 3D and the new Moto have locked boot loaders. I have gotten addicted to ROM's and kernals on my EVO. I don't and won't fight a locked bootloader. The stock ROM's are always crap without fail, particularly on Sprint.

 

[you2]

Htc has claimed no more boot loaders and they will push an update this summer to unlock sensation and evo3d (it remains to be seen if they will follow through).

 

[randomlinh]

Why not? The sgs2 CPU is faster, it has Super AMOLED+ which if you like Super AMOLED, you may not want to give up. The HTC bootloader is also locked right now and the Samsung should have a big dev community with Samsung pushing to get dev support by giving away phones to them. The HTC also has less memory with a 4GB internal card /w no external card included where the samsung comes with 16GB card.

Nothing against HTC, just saying both will be good phones but most likely my next will be the sgs2 over the evo 3d.

HTC has a decent enough community to deal w/ the current locked bootloader. Also, the EVO 3D has 4GB onboard, it ships w/ an 8GB mSD card.

But yes, techincally, the SG2 should be better. Thinner too. Unfortunately, if Sprint gets a mutilated version like the Epic, it will be a disaster. Personally, I'm not waiting (still no date!), given dual core benefits are slim now, just got it for the future =) That and I really like the dedicated camera shutter.

 

[boomhower]

Htc has claimed no more boot loaders and they will push an update this summer to unlock sensation and evo3d (it remains to be seen if they will follow through).

I'll believe that when I see it. No way would I buy a phone counting on them unlocking the bootloader with an update.

 

[Doboji]

Why would you stay on Spring if you don't have to?

 

[A5]

Why would you stay on Spring if you don't have to?

Because it's cheaper and the coverage is fine if you don't live in the boonies (and then you can just roam on Verizon).

 

[sjwaste]

I used to be the biggest Sprint fanboy there was, but the service has taken a nosedive in my area. I have an Evo and get really slow 3G speeds, basically about 1X rates (and yes, I've verified actual 3G - the stock icon always reads that out, I know). Wimax in my area isn't any better than it was a year ago, maybe even a little worse.

If you're in Verizon LTE territory and can afford the price, go for that. If not, I'd really just suggest Virgin Mobile. Sprint service with a more appropriate price.

EDIT: My area is Arlington, VA.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Seems the best part about Sprint is how they don't care about tethering.

 

[sjwaste]

Seems the best part about Sprint is how they don't care about tethering.

My data speeds are so bad that I don't even bother to do it at hotels anymore. I've started staying at more Hiltons (mostly free wifi) and fewer Starwood (mostly paid wifi).

Actually, that reminds me, I need to write a letter to SPG explaining how a former SPG Gold is now HHonors Gold and enjoying not being nickel and dimed to death once I'm in the hotel. I digress.

 

[kaerflog]

The best deal out there is T-Mobile with their new plans.
1000 mins family line is only $60.
1000 mins is more than enough for 2 people and add in $20 for unlimited texting.
Thats $80.
Then if you only check emails/light browsing its $10(200mb) for data so $100 for both of you.
Or its $20 for 2gb(which 99% of users do not go over) making it $120 for both of you.
You can easily find 15% dsicount for Tmobile so the final bill will be ~$120(2gb data) for both of you.
Theres a fathers day sale on Sat 18th which will make your plan even cheaper.
No other main carrier can touch the $120 bill.

 

[ImDonly1]

The best deal out there is T-Mobile with their new plans.
1000 mins family line is only $60.
1000 mins is more than enough for 2 people and add in $20 for unlimited texting.
Thats $80.
Then if you only check emails/light browsing its $10(200mb) for data so $100 for both of you.
Or its $20 for 2gb(which 99% of users do not go over) making it $120 for both of you.
You can easily find 15% dsicount for Tmobile so the final bill will be ~$120(2gb data) for both of you.
Theres a fathers day sale on Sat 18th which will make your plan even cheaper.
No other main carrier can touch the $120 bill.

Sprint has higher percentage discounts than t-mobile, so you could probably get service from sprint for cheaper. I find t-mobile to have the lowest discounts compared to the other carriers. But I do agree, t-mobile is somewhat a good value price-wise when compared to the other big carriers and tied with sprint.

Just an fyi, I don't see the point in getting t-mobile postpaid service. If you price it out, the 2gb plan is about $40 for 500 min + 10 for texting + 20 for 2gb data = $70 + taxes = 80+. T-mobile prepaid is $70-calling mart.com discount = $63/mo and the $70 t-mobile prepaid plan has 5gb data vs the 2gb on the postpaid. So with their prepaid you get a cheaper monthly bill and more data. You have to bring your own phone though. Also the even more plus plans now have a contract and don't allow discounts to be added to them, and don't give subsidize handsets either. If you get a corporate discount the regular plans come out cheaper and you get discounts on the handsets. This makes no sense in getting a even more plus plan unless you don't get any corporate discounts, although it is easy to get a corporate discount.

Sprint is the best value when you want unlimited everything data, text, mobile-mobile calling.

 

[kaerflog]

Sprint only advantage is if you want unlimited stuff.
If you get a smartphone, cheapest Sprint price is $150 for 2 people vs $120 for T-mobile.
Like I stated, 1000mins, unlimited texting and 2GB of data is good enough for >95% of people out there.
The plan for T-mobile gets cheaper if you only use light data.
You have no option with Sprint.
It starts at $150 for 2 people.