Sprint Existing Customers: Samsung VG1000 for $79!

[skatsev]

... I did a quick search and didn't see anything so here goes:

I went to Best Buy yesterday, and they already have the VG1000 on "sale" for $209. (That's with a $30 instant rebate I think). In addition, Sprint has announced rebates for *existing* customers, if you extend your contract for a year they'll give you $65 for this phone... two years and it goes up to $130. In fact, this is valid for a bunch of other phones... Best buy has the rebate information at the store, and its probably online too.

So, in summary:
Phone: $239
- Instant rebate: $209
- Mail-in rebate: $79


-- Sergey

 

[ys]

Just a heads up, the rebate qualification for existing customers is that you have to have your phone for 18 months.
You can check your eligibilty here:

http://pcshandsetupgrade.sprint.com/index.php

 

[aldamon]

You also need a $35 plan or higher. I have a $30 plan with the old WW. Oh well. I'm not going to spend $60 more a year for the plan plus $180 more per year for the Vision just to save $130 on a phone.

 

[ICantAffordIt]

Amazon also has this phone for $260 with a $80 Amazon rebate and the $130 Sprint rebate, price is down to $50.

I have a question for those of you who use camera phones with Sprint. Do you pay the $15/month for unlimited vision, or do you pay the $.01/Kb without the vision plan?

How much bandwidth do you use? Is there a secret plan that includes Vision without the $15... it just seems pretty steep to be able to take low-res pictures?

Thanks.

 

[aldamon]

Originally posted by: ICantAffordIt


How much bandwidth do you use? Is there a secret plan that includes Vision without the $15... it just seems pretty steep to be able to take low-res pictures?

Thanks.

Nope. That's why Sprint wants everyone to have a camera phone. Anyone who wants to use the camera frequently will have to pay $180 more a year. If you want another option, I've heard that the Sanyo 8100s allow photos to be downloaded by a connection cable.

 

[shuan24]

I think apparently the $.01/Kb is the way to go. If you're merely downloading pics or ringtones, its alot cheaper to pay per bit or kbit. The vision plan is for avid users of vision, if you're planing on browsing the web, downloading games and what-nots.

 

[ICantAffordIt]

It seems that way to me too... I wouldn't use the camera all that often... maybe 10 times a month. Those images can't be that big can they? Maybe 5K?

 

[beatle]

Also note that you not only have to have your phone for 18 months, but you must have the same phone NUMBER as well. I moved and changed my number back in March (and signed a year long agreement). Since I changed my number, I wasn't eligible. However, this phone and my relationship with Sprint is close to THREE YEARS OLD!

-beatle (still using his bulletproof Sanyo SCP-4000).

 

[aldamon]

Originally posted by: shuan24
I think apparently the $.01/Kb is the way to go. If you're merely downloading pics or ringtones, its alot cheaper to pay per bit or kbit. The vision plan is for avid users of vision, if you're planing on browsing the web, downloading games and what-nots.

This thread is about a camera phone. Presumably, if you buy a camera phone, you'll want to take and SEND a decent amount of pictures. I don't think the a la carte system fits a camera phone well. Sprint knows this.

Originally posted by: ICantAffordIt
It seems that way to me too... I wouldn't use the camera all that often... maybe 10 times a month. Those images can't be that big can they? Maybe 5K?

If only it were that simple. Each photo message has additional overhead. Needless to say, if you're only going to take 10 pictures a month, why bother with a camera phone?

 

[WallyKid]

a little off topic here, but are there any cellphone companies that doesn't require a contract and have good plans?

 

[ICantAffordIt]

If only it were that simple. Each photo message has additional overhead. Needless to say, if you're only going to take 10 pictures a month, why bother with a camera phone?

Yeah, I've seen the commercials... take a pic of a dog at a steering wheel... but come on, in reality, how many times would you use this as a camera? You're not going to take family photos with this thing. The camera function is just a novelty and not a substitution for a camera. The reason to get one, is because it's hard to find a decent new phone without a camera.

I've got to know now... how many pictures does the average schmoe take with a camera phone? I was being generous when I said 10 per month.

 

[zodder]

but come on, in reality, how many times would you use this as a camera?

I can imagine all sorts of wives asking for a picture of where their husbands are so they can corroborate their stories of where they are.

 

[PoPPeR]

K i'll answer some of the questions. First off it's the VGA1000, aka the Samsung A620.

When you sign up for vision, you get the first two months free and can cancel anytime in those two months and not have to reset your contract or pay any dues period. I found that I don't use vision that much, even with the camera, so at the end of this month, when my two free months expire, I'm going to cancel.

The first month I had my VGA1000 I went without the vision add on, I downloaded maybe 10 ringtones and a couple wallpapers and games, and didn't use the internet at all, and racked up about $5 in charges. If you're going to use the internet, the vision package is well worth it. If your'e going to use the camera seriously, then get the vision package. It's a cool novelty thing to have, and with highest quality, the pictures do their job. I dont' know how big the low res images are, but the "high" res ones are over 50k, which would mean 50 cents to upload your picture each time.

Again, it's not a digital camera. It's a novelty, a "cool" toy to play around with.

You can sign up for Sprint without a contract but you have to pay an extra $10 a month, and you get 0 rebates on your phones.

Lastly, yes the Sanyo 8100 is the only Sprint phone that has the ability to directly transfer images from your phone to your computer with no Sprint costs. You can get the cable and software off ebay for under $20.

One quick note: there are a number of VGA1000 handsets that have a fair number of bugs. I've gone through two of these phones and neither had bugs (my first one got stolen), but other users have reported them. It's a small #, but just be aware of that.

 

[Solema]

I have an 8100, and my wife has one, and my twin brother. I think collectively we take maybe 10 pictures a month. But I signed up for the 2000-minute share plan in April and have unlimited vision for all three phones, so it doesn't really affect me.

 

[sixt7gt350]

Originally posted by: ICantAffordIt

If only it were that simple. Each photo message has additional overhead. Needless to say, if you're only going to take 10 pictures a month, why bother with a camera phone?

Yeah, I've seen the commercials... take a pic of a dog at a steering wheel... but come on, in reality, how many times would you use this as a camera? You're not going to take family photos with this thing. The camera function is just a novelty and not a substitution for a camera. The reason to get one, is because it's hard to find a decent new phone without a camera.

I've got to know now... how many pictures does the average schmoe take with a camera phone? I was being generous when I said 10 per month.

Bingo. The very reason I ended up with a Sanyo 5300. Sanyo had the best battery life and reception of all the Sprint phone makers. I wanted a flip phone, since I'd been spoiled by Startacs. I've probably taken a total of less than 20 pictures with my phone. I've had it for about 9 months.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: aldamon
You also need a $35 plan or higher. I have a $30 plan with the old WW. Oh well. I'm not going to spend $60 more a year for the plan plus $180 more per year for the Vision just to save $130 on a phone.

Same here... on all counts. Everything points to Verizon for me come December... the end of my 2-year contract...

My fiancee just switched hers over and she gets a signal everywhere imaginable... even in the basement ! I get no bars even in my home office which pisses me off more often than not. :|

 

[DorkBoy]

Originally posted by: ys
Just a heads up, the rebate qualification for existing customers is that you have to have your phone for 18 months.
You can check your eligibilty here:

http://pcshandsetupgrade.sprint.com/index.php

thanks for the link

 

[DorkBoy]

Originally posted by: ys
Just a heads up, the rebate qualification for existing customers is that you have to have your phone for 18 months.
You can check your eligibilty here:

http://pcshandsetupgrade.sprint.com/index.php

thanks for the link

 

[DorkBoy]

Originally posted by: ys
Just a heads up, the rebate qualification for existing customers is that you have to have your phone for 18 months.
You can check your eligibilty here:

http://pcshandsetupgrade.sprint.com/index.php

thanks for the link

 

[PoPPeR]

yw

yw

yw

 

[hrdsurfer]

Originally posted by: aldamon

Originally posted by: ICantAffordIt


How much bandwidth do you use? Is there a secret plan that includes Vision without the $15... it just seems pretty steep to be able to take low-res pictures?

Thanks.

Nope. That's why Sprint wants everyone to have a camera phone. Anyone who wants to use the camera frequently will have to pay $180 more a year. If you want another option, I've heard that the Sanyo 8100s allow photos to be downloaded by a connection cable.

If you get a plan for $100 a month or more, you get vision for free...

 

[hrdsurfer]

Originally posted by: aldamon

Originally posted by: ICantAffordIt


How much bandwidth do you use? Is there a secret plan that includes Vision without the $15... it just seems pretty steep to be able to take low-res pictures?

Thanks.

Nope. That's why Sprint wants everyone to have a camera phone. Anyone who wants to use the camera frequently will have to pay $180 more a year. If you want another option, I've heard that the Sanyo 8100s allow photos to be downloaded by a connection cable.

If you get a plan for $100 a month or more, you get vision for free...

 

[C1eaN]

"Lastly, yes the Sanyo 8100 is the only Sprint phone that has the ability to directly transfer images from your phone to your computer with no Sprint costs. You can get the cable and software off ebay for under $20."

Anyone know if you can UPload pics into this phone with the same cable. I like the picture caller ID thing but would like to upload pics I have from my digicam after sizing them down?

Tx in advance!!!

 

[Krutoy]

To clarify a few things: to be eligible for the rebate, you must have the same heandset for 18 months. If you had one for 12 months, lost it, bought a new one at full price you're still out of luck. Best thing to do is to call customer service and see if you can get credit on the bill for resigning the contract.
I have this phone with unlimited vision, and I dont use it that much. I do take pictures occasionaly and I also like the online yellow pages. The phone itself is awesome and I like it better than the Sanyos, also the A620 has more camera options, like sketch modes and more fun frames.
Also you can send your own pictures and ringtones to your phone, check out this website for more info. (Making mp3s into ringtones can be a bit tricky, this website has some good information on how to. Don't forget to make your wave into 8kHz, 16-Bit, Mono.)

 

[PoPPeR]

Originally posted by: C1eaN
"Lastly, yes the Sanyo 8100 is the only Sprint phone that has the ability to directly transfer images from your phone to your computer with no Sprint costs. You can get the cable and software off ebay for under $20." Anyone know if you can UPload pics into this phone with the same cable. I like the picture caller ID thing but would like to upload pics I have from my digicam after sizing them down? Tx in advance!!!

Yes, you can do that.