Verizon's upcoming tiered data plans are forcing my hand. The leap into a smartphone.

[Glayde]

I'm a long-time verizon wireless customer who's put off upgrading his phone for ~6 years now.

I've never had a smart phone.

Verizon just recently announced that if you want to get grandfathered in to the unlimited data and avoid tier pricing you have to get in before July 7th.

So it seems I have to look at getting a smartphone now.

What i'd most likely use it for:

- A phone.
- I don't text very often..
- A camera/video camera for convenience - this would be fairly nice to have.
- video-- if it's possible to use my netflix subscription to watch stuff while I was on the bus.
- email checking

Things I'm not 100% clear on:

- I have a wireless network at home and at work, does this mean I'd only need to use 3g or 4g data pipes when I'm not somewhere there is an existing accessable wireless network?

- It looks like only one of the 4g phones has a netflix app (is it really that limited by device? do any 3g verizon phones allow netflix access?)

- Is the speed difference between 3g and 4g great enough that I'd want to choose between one of the three 4g phones available now? Or would I be happy enough with 3g to do things like watch netflix on the bus.

- If I do have a 4g plan, I'd use the 3g network when the 4g isn't available depending on where I am, right?

- Coincidently it looks like a droid3 is releasing on July 7th, I wonder if they'd let you use the old dataplan if swapping over.

- I guess one option is to just get a very cheap smartphone, upgrade to data before july 7th and use my 2 yearupgrade on a newer phone after that date. Is this possible?

 

[bonkers325]

If you lived without a smart phone for six years you won't have to worry about data plans since you are unlikely to go over. You have survived this long without data, I'm sure you could exercise some self control and not go over the cap.

Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk

 

[Pliablemoose]

I went without a texting plan and use Google Voice, saves a few bucks.

You can score an orig droid for $100 or so and use your upgrade later...

You can get Netflix to run on most Android phones now, and they'll figure out how to make it work on more later...

 

[Glayde]

Just talked to a verizon person via online chat.

Please hold for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience.

You are now chatting with 'shalonda'

shalonda: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?

You: hello I had a couple of questions

shalonda: I will be more than happy to answer your questions today.

You: I recently heard that verizon will be dropping the unlimited web/data package and going tiered in july?

You: the 7th I believe

shalonda: Yes, that is correct new data packages will be available on the 7th.

You: atm I have a six year old phone with an old plan

You: but it looks beneficial

You: to get grandfathered in on the current packages

You: with unlimitd to avoid tiered pricing

You: since I still have my old phone that also means im sitting on my 2year upgrade option

You: which means at first glance, this looks like a good time to upgrade to a smart phone before the tiered packages go into place

shalonda: Yes, I would definitely recommend doing so.

You: the first issue I see is that

You: or well a question first

You: since im going under a couple of assumptions

You: 3g and 4g are two types of networks available, based on the phone you get

You: and 4g coverage is limited moreso than 3g?

You: 4g being newer/faster

shalonda: Correct 4G is faster than 3G.

You: does that mean if I had a 4g phone, and I'm not in 4g coverage, would I be able to still get coverage in 3g?

shalonda: Yes, 4G phones still work in 3G areas.

You: ok

You: does a 4g plan cost more?

You: or is it just a matter of having the different phone?

shalonda: No, the 4G plans do not cost more they are the same ones available for 3G phones.

You: ok, the thing that's making me a little hesitant to take the leap atm

You: is that there are only 3(?) 4g phones available?

You: and they all seem to have particular drawbacks

shalonda: Yes, there are only 3 4G phones available at this time.

You: are there any newer phones coming out before july 7th?

shalonda: No, unfortunately not before the 7th there aren't any coming out.

You: nod I see two phones people are looking forward to, the droid3 and the galaxy s2 or something like that but their release dates will be past the july 7th date it looks like then

You: on the website I see I have the option to upgrade/change my calling plan

You: and it looks like I would be able to simply add a dataplan right now

You: is that correct?

shalonda: That is correct.

You: that would grandfather me into the unlimited plan

You: but I could hold off upgrading my phone

You: so I would upgrade by adding the 30 dollar a month unlimited data

shalonda: Correct, but when you do upgrade you will have to select from the available data packages at that time.

You: but simply not get a phone

You: and then get a phone upgrade after july 7th?

You: because I was under the impression renewals and contract upgrades under existing dataplans

shalonda: Yes.

You: would not be forced into the tiered pricing

shalonda: When you upgrade to a new phone after 7/7/2011 then you will have to select one of the limited data packages in that ordering process.

You: oh, that's different than what I had heard

You: so then my only choice would be to go with an inferior phone

You: that's disappointing

shalonda: The only way to save your data package after the 7th would be to order in the store or over the phone but online will navigate you to get a new data package.

You: oh, so I would be able to do what i planned just not online? and still use my 2 year upgrade for a yet-to-be-released phone?

shalonda: Correct.

You: as long as the phone prices are the same that doesn't sound like too big a problem

shalonda: No it really isn't a big issue.

You: so that's more a limitation of the online store

You: than an actual policy/rule that would prevent it

shalonda: Yes.

You: Ok, sounds like I'll be spending some time in one of the stores this weekend, since I'll want to at least get an idea on the size of the newer phones

You: thanks for the information

shalonda: Did I resolve all your questions and concerns today?

You: It seems so. thank you

shalonda: You're Welcome! Have a Great Day!

Your chat session has been ended by your Verizon Wireless online agent.

Basically I had noticed on their site I could add a dataplan to my existing line, seemingly without needing a new phone.

So I wanted to know if I could add the dataplan before the 7th then wait until the droid3 or something else newer that has better reviews comes out that I could use my 2year discount on. The chat representative seemed to say I would be able to do this.

 

[Oyeve]

You can get Netflix to run on most Android phones now, and they'll figure out how to make it work on more later...

If you root it. Only 7 phones out of 200 are actually support by Netflix.

 

[anxi80]

Verizon gives you 2 weeks to return/exchange the phone. Perhaps you like the smart phone you originally buy, or perhaps in 2 weeks time when the Droid 3 comes out you exchange for that. You'll still be under the old data contract terms.

 

[s44]

If you root it. Only 7 phones out of 200 are actually support by Netflix.

None of which are worth buying. They'll all be official eventually.

OP, just get a Charge. Do it at Costco if you can so you can trade to another phone w/in three months.

 

[boozie]

If you root it. Only 7 phones out of 200 are actually support by Netflix.

I thought there was a modded netflix app that doesn't require the check for an approved phone. Does it still require rooting?

 

[poofyhairguy]

The default Netflix app now no-longer does the device check, yet it is not compatible will all phones.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

None of which are worth buying. They'll all be official eventually.

OP, just get a Charge. Do it at Costco if you can so you can trade to another phone w/in three months.

Does Costco actually let you trade in the phone for a new phone at the subsidized pricing?

Say I grab a charge which is $170 at Costco and Im waiting on the GS2 and say its "$200" with a 2 year plan, would I be able to get it for $200?

 

[Anubis]

new info
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/edit-verizons-datagate-plans-leaked-in-excruciating-detail/

 

[boozie]

The default Netflix app now no-longer does the device check, yet it is not compatible will all phones.

Sorry to be dense, I am getting a phone between now and July 7th so I'm just reading into all this stuff. So the modded app that I have heard about won't work?

Following that, how hard is it to root the Droid Charge with no prior experience? I can't figure out which of the 4g phones I want.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Sorry to be dense, I am getting a phone between now and July 7th so I'm just reading into all this stuff. So the modded app that I have heard about won't work?

All the modded Netflix app did was take away an arbitrary device check that the software had. Newer versions don't have that check anymore.

Some Googling tells me that the Charge doesn't have Netflix support, and the only Verizon 4G phones that do are LG's and the Thunderbolt (with Gingerbread).

 

[smartpatrol]

I'm pretty sure the HTC Trophy has Netflix as well. It's not 4G, though.

 

[Mopetar]

Could get an iPhone as that has a Netflix app. It won't have 4G though, so the streaming might not be that good. You'll also have to wait about three months for the next software update that adds a lot of nice features that people have wanted for a while.

 

[boomhower]

Could get an iPhone as that has a Netflix app. It won't have 4G though, so the streaming might not be that good. You'll also have to wait about three months for the next software update that adds a lot of nice features that people have wanted for a while.

Netflix streams fine on 3G, heck it's even fine on Sprint. Just give it a minute for the buffer to catch up the picture quality is down right good. When it first comes on it looks like crap but smooths out very nicely.

 

[boozie]

All the modded Netflix app did was take away an arbitrary device check that the software had. Newer versions don't have that check anymore.

Some Googling tells me that the Charge doesn't have Netflix support, and the only Verizon 4G phones that do are LG's and the Thunderbolt (with Gingerbread).

Thunderbolt doesn't come with Gingerbread. Would that involve rooting it? Is that easier to do on the Thunderbolt?

 

[notposting]

<--irked with his droid...just get an iphone or the trophy

 

[MoxJr]

Once tiered data plans, will there still be an extra charge for tethering? I don't see the logic of having tiered + extra tethering charge....

 

[Glayde]

How does verizon deal with it if you wanted to use an older phone? Say I get a 3g phone now, would my girlfriend be able to use that if I upgraded to a 4g phone later?

 

[boozie]

How does verizon deal with it if you wanted to use an older phone? Say I get a 3g phone now, would my girlfriend be able to use that if I upgraded to a 4g phone later?

Well she would have to be on a data plan, but else I think so.

 

[de8212]

Does Costco actually let you trade in the phone for a new phone at the subsidized pricing?

Say I grab a charge which is $170 at Costco and Im waiting on the GS2 and say its "$200" with a 2 year plan, would I be able to get it for $200?

i have a similar question.

I don't have a Verizon account. I'd like to get the Bionic (no confirmed release date). So, is there any way I can sign up before July 7th to get the $30 data plan and then upgrade to the Bionic when it's released and get the ~$200 price as well as keep the $30 data plan?

No local Costco yet. They are building one and it should be open in the next few months.

 

[davestar]

i have a similar question.

I don't have a Verizon account. I'd like to get the Bionic (no confirmed release date). So, is there any way I can sign up before July 7th to get the $30 data plan and then upgrade to the Bionic when it's released and get the ~$200 price as well as keep the $30 data plan?

No local Costco yet. They are building one and it should be open in the next few months.

I'm thinking of doing this as well. Bring Verizon-compatible hardware to a Verizon store, open a new account (with data), and make sure that the rep notes on your account that you'll be using your 2-year contract discount on another phone in the future. As far as I can tell, it's allowed by Verizon.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1347618-new-contract-now-discounted-phone-later

 

[boomhower]

I'm thinking of doing this as well. Bring Verizon-compatible hardware to a Verizon store, open a new account (with data), and make sure that the rep notes on your account that you'll be using your 2-year contract discount on another phone in the future. As far as I can tell, it's allowed by Verizon.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1347618-new-contract-now-discounted-phone-later

If I can get out of my Sprint contract that's what I am doing as well. I've got an OG Droid sitting around I picked up for dirt cheap a while back. I never thought Sprint would take this long to boot me.

 

[Tristicus]

So from what I see of that plan, you can keep an inferior phone and use that until GS2 comes out and then get that?

Gotta do some calculations.