I finally gave up my unlimited data - I was averaging less than 1G a month anyway - since I stay connected to Wi-fi at home and work. Even chosing the 4G plan, to take advantage of the mobile hotspot feature, I came out less than what I was paying.
I loved the Tbolt when it first came out, even got used to having the extended battery on it as "normal". But then in the last six months I've hated it. It would stall out when I'd try to make calls, I'd have to text people and ask them to call me, because I couldn't call out. More often than not, people would hear me muttering under my breath..."stupid phone!"
I was considering moving to the DNA, but the fact that you couldn't change the battery or add a SD card was very concerning to me. I was already getting low resources error on my Tbolt (had to disable Facebook a year in, because I'd get that error every time I used it), and storing most of my apps on the SD card.
I went into the Verizon store wanting to see the DNA and the Note 2. All the Verizon reps I spoke to said they'd get the Note 2 over the DNA, and that the Note 2 was the phone they all lusted after (for those that didn't yet have it). As a woman, I was concerned about the Note 2's size, but knew after playing with both of them that I really wanted the Note 2. So - I went for it, and I'm in love with my phone again. This phone is the best user experience for me and my needs of my previous phones. There's so much I'm discovering about this phone every day.
And the size? Just not an issue for me, even with the Otterbox Commuter case on it. I'm not a tight jean wearer, so it fits comfortably in my pocket.
My boyfriend is what we'd call technology challenged, and he's on the plan with a "dumb phone". He was eligible to upgrade as well, and I really tried to get him to consider moving to a smart phone, but he said he was happy with the phone he has and has no desire to upgrade - so if another phone comes along in a year or so, I'll use his upgrade at that time for another phone. But for now, I can't see my love affair with the Note 2 ending any time soon.
And the T'bolt - I'll be factory re-setting it and selling it to a co-worker who can't really afford to upgrade right now and let her have it. She's using my old original DINC right now, so the TBolt will still be an upgrade for her.