Should I wait now or later? Question relating to Verizon's changes to their data plan

[Spartan616]

Ok, so I'm planning on getting my first ever smartphone between a week or till next year. I've been eyeing on a Droid X and would totally like to one one or a Samsung Fascinate (Verizon's Galaxy S) when it comes out. But I'd like to wait till my contract with them is up (next autumn). By then, perhaps, I'll be able to get a better phone, which probably will be the case, or get the X or Fascinate for a lower price.

But with Verizon's changes to their data plans taking affect as early as later this month I'd like to know whether or not it's safe to wait for a better phone to come along or get a x right now.

Also, how much data does the average android and/or smartphone user use? if it's under say 2GB I might just end up waiting anyways. In terms of data usage, I'll probably use Verizon's network for rss feeds, looking up websites, and using social networking apps. I might also use apps like Shazam or other apps that require data usage but I don't know for sure what ones and how much data they'd use.

 

[Menno]

We have no IDEA when Verizon is making changes, if they will be for 3g or 4g (or both) and what the limits will be.

Until we get some actual hard data, it's a bit premature to freak out about it.

 

[gmz73#AC]

Just my opinion but if I were in your shoes I would do it now so you get before they change. But it also depends on your usage and circumstances. I personally don't mind paying $30 for peace of mind when it comes to usage. But on the other hand I rarely use 2gb per month. It's a hard decision and if you are thinking about the X or Incredible they won't be available until 8/3. If you start A new contract say today and don't get the phone until then what plan will they give you?

 

[Spartan616]

I would imagine if I get a new contract today I'd be getting the unlimited plan only because that's a legally binding contract stating that I would get unlimited, since they are not officially enforcing that policy right now (if they did, I'm sure they'd have to tell me)

 

[anon(40376)]

I think I'm an average user. This is based on my personal phone. I surf the web a few times a day via my BB, do some limited downloads. Shoot some photos and send them to friends, received some photos and messages. I receive a ton of emails and reply to very few via the phone. I do look at a lot of the attachments and they are mostly photos. My usage over the past eight months is approx 200 meg per month. Now, since I'm on a BB that incoming data is compressed at 6.1. Therefore, if I do the math and figure it out on Android data usage amounts my monthly usage is about 1.2 gig per month. (NOTE: I do not use my BB for a radio so that saves a lot of data usage.)

My Gov't issued BB is strictly used for work, and I imagine its data usage is next to nothing since all I use it for are incoming/outgoing emails, photos sent and received when necessary for official purposes only and BB messenger.

 

[Spartan616]

Wait... Does using the FM Transmitter app use the 3G Data to find stations? I always thought that the hardware had some kind of modified radio tuner (or using the phone's antenna) to get the signal...

 

[Menno]

No, the FM transmitter uses your headphones as antenna, not anything in the phone