Leaving Sprint for Verizon and the Droid DNA?

[coachdvc]

Tomorrow I plan on paying the $200 ETF and leaving Sprint. They are the only cell phone company I've ever had, but my "4G" phones (EVO first gen., and my current Epic 4g Touch) have become useless on their network in Orlando, FL. I've done my usual basic research on the DNA and Galaxy S3 with Verizon, and I'm leaning toward the DNA. I've also looked at the price structure at Verizon, so I know I will be paying approximately $20/month but I'm hoping you get what you pay for. The important factors for me are being able to use data when I'm off wifi and out on the town (terrible with Sprint), a good camera, good screen for viewing videos/pictures, and having the most up-to-date version of Android. Storage won't be an issue because my music and pictures are stored in the cloud.

Can anyone give me good reasons not to leave Sprint for Verizon and the DNA?

 

[yankeesusa]

Tomorrow I plan on paying the $200 ETF and leaving Sprint. They are the only cell phone company I've ever had, but my "4G" phones (EVO first gen., and my current Epic 4g Touch) have become useless on their network in Orlando, FL. I've done my usual basic research on the DNA and Galaxy S3 with Verizon, and I'm leaning toward the DNA. I've also looked at the price structure at Verizon, so I know I will be paying approximately $20/month but I'm hoping you get what you pay for. The important factors for me are being able to use data when I'm off wifi and out on the town (terrible with Sprint), a good camera, good screen for viewing videos/pictures, and having the most up-to-date version of Android. Storage won't be an issue because my music and pictures are stored in the cloud.

Can anyone give me good reasons not to leave Sprint for Verizon and the DNA?

I'm on sprint and I say go ahead and switch. I'm like you, and am tired of not being able to use my data almost everywhere I go. But a good way to leave is to force roam your phone so they kick you off instead of paying the $200 etf. But if you must I say do it. You'll be happy. Only reason I'm not switching is because I have 5 lines I have to deal with and don't feel like the hassle, yet. Have you also checked with tmobile? Their pretty good with data speed too and their low priced. Good luck. Either way, at least you'll be able to use your phone the way it was intended instead of almost throwing it out a window cause it's too slow or can't connect.

Sent from the Beast that is Galaxy Note 2

 

[LudwigRocker]

Sorry, can't talk you out of it. I left Sprint for Verizon when the Droid
RAZR came out and didn't look back. I had to pay an ETF on two phones but for me it was worth it, great signal & no dropped calls. That being said I don't know if any carrier is better than another for updates, the RAZR was my first smartphone, and Verizon has its share of bloatware and the want to sell you everything. Happy hunting, for me I want a Nexus for my next phone.



Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

 

[pretext]

Do it. I left for the same reason after being with Sprint for 10 years. As long as you've done your research and know you'll have service where you live, work, and play you won't regret it. Verizon might cost a little more but at least you'll be able to use your phone to its full potential like others have said.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

 

[jerrykur]

We (wife and I) switched at the beginning of December. I wish I would not have waited so long.. The lte network is very fast, we often see 25 Mbps. Voice quality is good and no more hour delays on text messages. We got the 4 GB plan and it looks like that will be more than enough since WiFi is so ubiquitous.

Sprint was good 3 years ago but won't have decent lte coverage for over a year, and data speed off lte is around 100 kbps.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Wingznut]

Put me in the same camp as the others above... My family switched from Sprint to Verizon last month, and I have nothing but good things to say. Yep, it's a little more expensive, but "you get what you pay for" certainly is true in this case, from my experience.

 

[droidman2177]

I love vzw. More expensive? Hell yeah, but a phone is only as good as the network behind it. Vzw is simply way ahead. Give them a try, you get what you pay for.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

 

[bballboy32591]

I did this exact same thing, leaving Sprint for Verizon to get the DNA and I have no regrets. Once you can actually use your phone off wifi there is no going back.

 

[Topgonzo]

Personally I would never leave sprint but that's because everywhere I go now has 4g LTE and speed is incredible and service is great. I guess no one can talk you into something you have already made up your mind that you are going to do.

Sent from my EVO 4G LTE

 

[yankeesusa]

I am really close to leaving but will be giving sprint till beginning of 2013 to see what updates come to the network in my area. If by end of January or February no updates that improve my 3g speed or at least give me 4g lte I will most likely choose tmobile as I get a work discount with them now and their speed is great here even without lte.

Sent from the Beast that is Galaxy Note 2

 

[BoredandTattooed]

I live in Michigan, where theres Wimax in 1 city(100miles away) and no LTE... I'm on my 2nd 4G phone that has never seen a 4g signal... I've been with Sprint 10years...

All that being said, I'd never leave sprint..... I'd never give up my seniority... Sprint sees us as long time customers.. a new carrier would see you as a newbie.... Sprint has always helped me, given me discounts and freebies, and always worked with me on bills(if one needed to be late)...

 

[anon(924308)]

I've never had any wireless carriers other than VZW so I can't speak for Sprint. I've never, ever ever had issues with lost reception or terrible data signals--where I work, pretty much no one else can get reception except those of us with VZW. That being said, if you want special attention or the ability to talk your way out of superfluous charges (e.g. the $30 upgrade fees) VZW isn't great. If you ever have any issues, you'll have a hard time getting things sorted out.

If you have issues with Sprint signal strength where you live/work, you might as well switch carriers.

About the DNA specifically:
-The camera is suitable. Not bad by any means, but by no means an improvement in 2012 cameras. I actually think the GSIII's camera is slightly better, especially for video recording.
-You want a gorgeous screen? The DNA's perfect. Stunning display.
-This might be an issue with my DNA specifically, but if you use it for anything other than texts/calls, it won't last you the whole day. Just wifi web browsing on min screen brightness with 4g/gps/etc disabled, I can't get more than 4 hours' screen time (probably less). The battery rots rapidly even when the device is off or asleep, at least compared to my old phone. Keep an external battery charger handy.
-Depending on your data plan, I wouldn't rely too heavily on cloud storage. If you consume a lot of media and plan on uploading lots of pics/videos, and if 11gb usually isn't enough for you, you might want something with expandable memory. I'm on an ancient plan where 2gb is $30/each phone, so I leave my stuff stored on the device until I have wifi access. Though, despite having most of the apps I'll ever need, and 2gb of music, I still have a decent 7gb of space left.
-If you really want the latest version of Android, you should look into Google devices. Who knows how long the DNA will be on 4.1 (not that I care, JB is great). My Nexus 7 got the 4.2 update as soon as it was released.

Bottom line--if Sprint isn't living up to your expectations you should switch. The DNA is a beautiful device but it has its drawbacks. If you're not in a hurry you might as well wait a few months and see what flagship devices come out in Feb/March.

//if you want the DNA for cheap w/o tax, Target's online mobile store has it for $150. Straight from VZW it's like $250 (in CA tax on phones is based on the full price, idk idk if it's different elsewhere).

 

[joansin]

I traded a RAZR HD for mine. It's sexii, and beyond fast. I don't have battery issues nor do I have storage issues. VZW is costly but you get what you pay for. ALWAYS have data coverage. Download Nova Launcher too... made the phone 100% for me!

 

[delta7]

I think the small battery and 1080p screen will be a problem, I'd stay with sprint till htc reveals their new m7 line and see what's that like but the DNA is to me gonna go down like the rebound by march it will be forgotten and you can't swap the battery.

I have sprint and data blows a big one but I'm a sero p user so I just live with it due to my cheap bill.

 

[coachdvc]

Thanks to everyone for the information. I went ahead and got the DNA about two hours ago. Very happy so far!

One question, am I supposed to pull that gray piece off the back?

 

[fivegear]

I switched from Sprint to Verizon about a month ago, we have five lines and it was a big pain. We gained coverage in a couple places and lost it in a couple places, kind of a wash. Data on the other hand is night and day difference!! Sprint hadn't even bothered to upgrade our area to 3G let alone any form of 4G, we had dial up speeds on a GREAT day, most things just timed out and didn't work at all on Sprint data. Verizon has LTE here and it is seriously fast, now if I just wasn't scared to use it for getting raped by Verizon for doing so.... We spend considerably more money per month but our phones can now do more than call and text!!

Now on to the DNA.... I have 3 Galaxy S3's on the account, one HTC DNA, and a Galaxy Note 2. The DNA is a great phone but I will take the Galaxy Note 2 any day of the week over the DNA. If the size of the GN2 isn't an issue for you then I highly recommend it. Next choice would be an S3, and then the DNA. I used to love HTC phones and had almost every single one they ever put on Sprint's network, but Samsung has the edge this time around, they really stepped up the game. I will give the nod to the DNA's screen though, it is absolutely gorgeous!!

 

[dwaynewilliams#WN]

I Can see Sprint being a pain if you don't have good coverage for LTE, because 3G Speeds can be bad. But for those of Us who have LTE, Sprint is the best thing going. In less than a month I have consumed over 80 GBs of data. I average around 25 down and 10 up. With the price I pay minus my 17 percent discount, unlimited data with the baddest phone on the planet, there is no switching for me.

from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2, baddest phone on the planet.