What phone to get until LTE arrives?

**flyinb501** · 07-30-2012, 09:24 AM

Hey guys, I'm due for an upgrade in 1 month. I was leaning towards a GS3, or a G Nexxus, but now that I've learned that we won't have 4G LTE in my area for almost a year, I'm rethinking it. Now I'm thinking about just picking up a used 4G (Wimax) phone off of ebay or something until LTE launches in my area (at which point I would renew my contract, and use my upgrade). Is this a stupid idea, and if not which phone would be a good choice? I was thinking like an original Evo or something. I'd prefer not to spend more than $100. Right now I have an LG Optimus S, that I am eager to get rid of.

**srkmagnus** · 07-30-2012, 10:31 AM

There are some decent finds on Ebay and Craiglists for WiMax devices if you don't want to use your upgrade now. Keep in mind that 1-year deployment of LTE in your area may or may not actually happen. Even if it does there may not be widespread deployment to take full advantage of the LTE Device.

But then again, do you want to joys of new device minus data? There area lot of questions that only you can answer. Remember, if you upgrade now you'll have an LTE device now just in case you get LTE sooner...then hopefully in two years when you are due again coverage will be better with next gen devices.

**flyinb501** · 07-30-2012, 12:08 PM

Well, if I understand correctly LTE devices are not compatible with Wimax so I would be stuck on 3G until LTE launches. Correct? If that is the case I don't see the point of using my upgrade until LTE launches.

What are some good 4G wimax devices?

**Mikey47** · 07-30-2012, 12:26 PM

Do you currently have WiMax in your area?

**flyinb501** · 07-30-2012, 01:19 PM

I believe so. I'm in Minneapolis.

**Mikey47** · 07-30-2012, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by flyinb501

I believe so. I'm in Minneapolis.

Yep you do. Might want to look at EVO 4G, the Epic Touch or the Motorola Photon. I believe the Photon is the newest of those three.

**flyinb501** · 07-31-2012, 03:00 PM

Cool, thanks for the advice! I have a co worker that has a pretty lightly used Evo 4G, and he said he'd sell it to me for $75 so I think I'm probably going to buy that. So will I have to pay an activation fee for the Evo then?

Also, is there any disadvantage to holding off on my upgrade and signing a new contract for a while? For instance, is there any rumors of Sprint restructuring their plans for the worse?

**jerrykur** · 08-02-2012, 09:39 AM

Does activating a phone on a line reset the clock on upgrades?

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**jean15paul** · 08-02-2012, 01:23 PM

I was going to suggest an Evo 3D (much better specs then the OG Evo and just updated to ICS), but I doubt you could get one for $100.

Originally Posted by jerryk

Does activating a phone on a line reset the clock on upgrades?

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No, only using an upgrade resets the clock

**Airwolf79** · 08-02-2012, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Mikey47

Yep you do. Might want to look at EVO 4G, the Epic Touch or the Motorola Photon. I believe the Photon is the newest of those three.

The Epic Touch is the newest, but the Photon is the most
reliable, signal wise. However, I've heard people are having less problems with the white Epic. Still a crap shoot on whether u get a lemon or not though.

Originally Posted by flyinb501

Also, is there any disadvantage to holding off on my upgrade and signing a new contract for a while? For instance, is there any rumors of Sprint restructuring their plans for the worse?

Their network can only get better from here on out. No way it could possibly get any worse.
If u like rooting and flashing roms, go with the Epic or Evo3D. But if you're looking to pay only $100, your choices are none of the above. The Photon is proly the cheapest of the 3 for a used one, and I doubt u could find one for less than $180 in decent condition. Jump on that Evo for $75. That will seem like an upgrade from the phone ur using. Either way, you're making the right decision by waiting to upgrade.

**jean15paul** · 08-03-2012, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Airwolf79

The Epic Touch is the newest, but the Photon is the most
reliable, signal wise. However, I've heard people are having less problems with the white Epic. Still a crap shoot on whether u get a lemon or not though.

Their network can only get better from here on out. No way it could possibly get any worse.
If u like rooting and flashing roms, go with the Epic or Evo3D. But if you're looking to pay only $100, your choices are none of the above. The Photon is proly the cheapest of the 3 for a used one, and I doubt u could find one for less than $180 in decent condition. Jump on that Evo for $75. That will seem like an upgrade from the phone ur using. Either way, you're making the right decision by waiting to upgrade.

Yeah, but the screen on the Photon looks like crap. That might not be a big deal for other people, but it makes it a non-starter for me. Just putting that info out there.

**Airwolf79** · 08-03-2012, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by jean15paul

Yeah, but the screen on the Photon looks like crap. That might not be a big deal for other people, but it makes it a non-starter for me. Just putting that info out there.

Well, I wouldn't go that far, but the Photon's screen definitely doesn't compete with the Epic, even though it is QHD and the Epic's is not. Still, it depends on what ur needs are. A lot of people have problems with the GPS and data signal on the Epic, so even though it is a better multimedia device than the Photon (IF u get one that works ), it is far from a better phone, and that makes it a deal breaker for me. I wish Samsung could somehow put Motorola radios in their phones. That would make them the best phones on the planet. Sorry OP, getting a little off topic here. Just had to give my 2¢.

**garnetpalmetto** · 08-14-2012, 10:56 AM

My wife is going through the same thing. She currently owns an Epic 4G and is eligible to upgrade on September 1st. Ever since her phone got upgraded to Gingerbread it's been unstable. It constantly freezes, there's long app loading times (even to open the app menu) and the phone needs to be frequently hard reset. However, according to S4GRU, our area isn't slated to have LTE installation begin until September with initial service in December and an anticipated completion in August of next year. She and I are both kicking around ideas and have come up with a few:

1) Go ahead and upgrade to a GS3 or an Evo 4G LTE and suffer through 3G service until LTE gets turned on.

2) Hold onto her phone and suffer through a somewhat unusable phone until LTE gets turned on and then upgrade. (Not a likely possibility...she's ready to destroy it in a rage of frustration since it's never worked right since the Gingerbread update)

3) Use her upgrade on an Epic Touch, Evo 3D, or Evo Design (but then what would happen after LTE gets turned on - will Wimax go away in our area?)

4) Jump ship to a provider that already has an extant LTE network in our area (ie Verizon or AT&T...likely Verizon since I'd get a 20% employee discount)

So, what are opinions as to where to go in this scenario? Should she go to a Sprint store and try to address the problems her phone has been having? And what would happen after LTE gets turned on to the current Wimax towers - will they be immediately decommissioned or would they still be around?

**jean15paul** · 08-14-2012, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by garnetpalmetto

My wife is going through the same thing. She currently owns an Epic 4G and is eligible to upgrade on September 1st. Ever since her phone got upgraded to Gingerbread it's been unstable. It constantly freezes, there's long app loading times (even to open the app menu) and the phone needs to be frequently hard reset. However, according to S4GRU, our area isn't slated to have LTE installation begin until September with initial service in December and an anticipated completion in August of next year. She and I are both kicking around ideas and have come up with a few:

1) Go ahead and upgrade to a GS3 or an Evo 4G LTE and suffer through 3G service until LTE gets turned on.

2) Hold onto her phone and suffer through a somewhat unusable phone until LTE gets turned on and then upgrade. (Not a likely possibility...she's ready to destroy it in a rage of frustration since it's never worked right since the Gingerbread update)

3) Use her upgrade on an Epic Touch, Evo 3D, or Evo Design (but then what would happen after LTE gets turned on - will Wimax go away in our area?)

4) Jump ship to a provider that already has an extant LTE network in our area (ie Verizon or AT&T...likely Verizon since I'd get a 20% employee discount)

So, what are opinions as to where to go in this scenario? Should she go to a Sprint store and try to address the problems her phone has been having? And what would happen after LTE gets turned on to the current Wimax towers - will they be immediately decommissioned or would they still be around?

The GS3 and Evo LTE are great phone regardless of LTE or not. That said, if you already have 4G WiMax, you're not going to be happy going back to 3G. Unless you're on wifi all the time, I don't see that as a realistic option.

Also using an upgrade on a Epic Touch, Evo 3D, or Evo Design seems like a waste of an upgrade. Also that means you're stuck with that phone for 2 years, which is probably not a good idea. Those may be ok for the next 9 months to 1 year, but after that you're gonna hate them just as much.

Here are my recommended options:

~~1) Go ahead and upgrade to a GS3 or an Evo 4G LTE and suffer through 3G service until LTE gets turned on.~~

2) Hold onto her phone and suffer through a somewhat unusable phone until LTE gets turned on and then upgrade. (Not a likely possibility...she's ready to destroy it in a rage of frustration since it's never worked right since the Gingerbread update)

~~3) Use her upgrade on an Epic Touch, Evo 3D, or Evo Design (but then what would happen after LTE gets turned on - will Wimax go away in our area?)~~

4) Jump ship to a provider that already has an extant LTE network in our area (ie Verizon or AT&T...likely Verizon since I'd get a 20% employee discount)

5) If you have insurance bring the phone to Sprint and have them look at it. Maybe you can get a more stable replacement. Might take a little luck.

6) Root the current phone and install a less frustrating ROM. This could potentially breathe new life into the phone, make it more stable, and speed things up. There is a significant time investment with learning how to root and maintaining ROM updates.

7) Buy a used Epic Touch, Evo 3D, or Evo Design to last until LTE goes live and save your update. This might cost you a little more now, but perserves the value of your upgrade for later.

**flyinb501** · 08-16-2012, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Airwolf79

Their network can only get better from here on out. No way it could possibly get any worse.
If u like rooting and flashing roms, go with the Epic or Evo3D. But if you're looking to pay only $100, your choices are none of the above. The Photon is proly the cheapest of the 3 for a used one, and I doubt u could find one for less than $180 in decent condition. Jump on that Evo for $75. That will seem like an upgrade from the phone ur using. Either way, you're making the right decision by waiting to upgrade.

I went ahead and bought the Evo from my co-worker, and I couldn't be happier with the decision. The phone is awesome!

When I said this:

"Also, is there any disadvantage to holding off on my upgrade and signing a new contract for a while? For instance, is there any rumors of Sprint restructuring their plans for the worse?"

I was referring to the Sprint plans, not the service. Are they going to be changing the structure of the plans potentially in the near future? Raising prices, getting rid of unlimited data, etc?

**Airwolf79** · 08-17-2012, 02:55 AM

Originally Posted by flyinb501

I went ahead and bought the Evo from my co-worker, and I couldn't be happier with the decision. The phone is awesome!

When I said this:

"Also, is there any disadvantage to holding off on my upgrade and signing a new contract for a while? For instance, is there any rumors of Sprint restructuring their plans for the worse?"

I was referring to the Sprint plans, not the service. Are they going to be changing the structure of the plans potentially in the near future? Raising prices, getting rid of unlimited data, etc?

Cool, yeah the Evo was and still is a great phone. There's really not a lot that all these quad core 10000 ghz phones can do that the Evo can't. I still miss some features of my Evo.
As far as Sprints plans, I doubt they'll be changing anything soon. In the last two year they've changes their plans twice i think. Once for the $10 "premium data " fee, and once within the last 6 months, I believe, they changed the everything family plan to cost $10 more. I will be glad if they try to change it again cuz that will let me out of my contract early. I'm done with Sprint. There's no way they can get rid of the unlimited data, cuz if they do, that will be the end of Sprint.
Peace out.

**tirith** · 08-17-2012, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Airwolf79

But if you're looking to pay only $100, your choices are none of the above. The Photon is proly the cheapest of the 3 for a used one, and I doubt u could find one for less than $180 in decent condition. Jump on that Evo for $75. That will seem like an upgrade from the phone ur using. Either way, you're making the right decision by waiting to upgrade.

I've bought two within the past week at $100 a piece...
btw, the photon is dead to sprint (kinda ridiculous, it is an amazing powerhouse)

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