T Mobile switch a good idea?

[cq]

I am seriously considering this weekends T Mobile free smartphone promotion. I am currently a Verizon user and have been for 10 years. My wife and I have OG Droids (and two other feature phones), and I am unhappy by the lack of stock Androids coming out, and just Verizon in general. My termination fee for all four phones is only $350.00, and I think I could sell them to cover most of that.

I am really looking at the G2, to get for free, but also be able to buy the next Nexus when it comes out (even if I have to pay full price). The savings on four new smart phones, and being able to put the other two on the $10.00 a month plans is great. Plus, the extra bonus is I can port my numbers to Google Voice while canceling my Verizon plan.

Is there any reason I should be considering something else? Any of you have Tmobile in Pgh - and if so, what kind of coverage do you get?

 

[splmonster]

G2 and Nexus S are both awesome devices. Also the Nexus S is already out.

 

[Jude526]

Look at the coverage map for T Mobile. Put the zip codes in that you travel the most with and you will see how it will be for you. And also remember, on the tiered plans if a person goes over the data usage there is a nice charge for it......think things out carefully before you switch. I have had Verizon for years even before they were Verizon. Always been the best service. If you like the G2 then go for it. I personally don't like the qwerty keyboards, especially after coming from BB and now on the Incredible. I prefer the full function of a touch screen device. Really is easy to type on. I have a friend who has the G2 and she likes TMobile just fine, but she doesn't like the bulk of the phone and wishes she had gotten a total touch screen. She wishes she could have my phone. I couldn't keep her from wanting to play with my Incredible LOL If their coverage is good then you have to do what is best for you. But I think Verizon's line up on Droid is very good.

 

[pocchaku]

I just switched from Sprint to T-Mo at the end of the year, and I'm mostly happy with it. Coverage for me could be better indoors, and I notice a considerable lag with receiving visual voicemail (like up to 12 hours), but their support is good, and compared to my previous and beloved 2007 SERO plan, my EM+ 750 family plan rocks. I suppose the concensus would say their HSPA+ buildout looks promising, so I'd say go for the free stuff if you're cool with the pricing; my wife and I are satisfied with our MT4's (Android first-timers), though we're still learning the ropes. Good luck!

 

[cq]

I know that the Nexus S is already out, but it is not part of this promotion, and I was going to wait for the next one (in about a year). Hoping to have front facing camera. My luck I will switch networks and the next Nexus will come out on Verizon (although I doubt it with their Droid line and no GSM - might use LTE though).

 

[cq]

@Jude526 I do like the coverage of Verizon, but I do not love all the control. I am also worried about them charging much more with 4G. Years ago they used to have great customer service, but now they don't care. Just a number. I manage the business account for my company and we had dozens of problems and they didn't care until I met with an AT&T rep, and all of the sudden we got 10 free Androids, and some other concessions.

I would travel outside of Tmobiles coverage, but probably only once or twice a year. It seems they are the greatest partner with Android, and I am now wondering if Verizon will start catering much more to the iPhone.

 

[splmonster]

A vanilla Android device on Verizon is highly unlikely to happen. So don't expect that to happen. Remember that Verizon also has data throttling and the unlimited data isn't truly unlimited. It has a 5gb cap.. Personally if you want Android... T-Mobile or Sprint are the best options.

 

[Baconator]

A vanilla Android device on Verizon is highly unlikely to happen. So don't expect that to happen. Remember that Verizon also has data throttling and the unlimited data isn't truly unlimited. It has a 5gb cap.. Personally if you want Android... T-Mobile or Sprint are the best options.

You mean smartphone, right. The Xoom is vanilla. haha just had to point that out. Sorry.

 

[splmonster]

Since that is not the topic why would someone need to point that out? We are talking about smartphones. So why should I specify on the topic, when we all know what is being talked about? The Xoom also isn't going to always be Vanilla, as Moto has confirmed a Blur style UI that will be available for download. So updates still go through Moto and will have Moto elements on the Xoom. So that does not make it a vanilla device.

Just another thought to ponder.. A vanilla Android device is one with total freedom and no locked down anything. However VZW has locked the Wi-Fi on this if you don't have a data plan. So VZW and Moto can still lock things out. Therefore making it not a vanilla device.

So let's not get off topic with those types of responses. Thank you

 

[cq]

@Baconator - I tend to agree with splmonster about Verizon and Moto still somewhat locking down the Xoom - especially with their "Motoblur" update. I was all ready for a Xoom, and possibly getting a Bionic, but Moto just keeps messing up. Plus the $800 price tag.

I also saw that you have a Nexus S. What do you think about it? How is the phone? What about Gingerbread, and how about Tmobile?

 

[splmonster]

@Baconator - I tend to agree with splmonster about Verizon and Moto still somewhat locking down the Xoom - especially with their "Motoblur" update. I was all ready for a Xoom, and possibly getting a Bionic, but Moto just keeps messing up. Plus the $800 price tag.

I also saw that you have a Nexus S. What do you think about it? How is the phone? What about Gingerbread, and how about Tmobile?

I think the Nexus S is a solid device. As for T-Mobile, lately it seems they are becoming more and more reliable. Adding tons of 4G data around the country, they seem on the right path. Again though it's always good to check coverage for your area, and surrounding areas if you travel. I like T-Mobile and have contemplated switching to them numerous times. They have solid 4G here in Phoenix and some of the best Android devices.

 

[Droid800]

Do it. If you're in an HSPA+ area, you will see speeds easily three times that of Verizon. And once you try them out, anything else will seem slow.

 

[grayfox99]

I plan on swapping to T-mobile as soon as they get teh Galaxy S2 line of phones. The plans are cheaper and the HSPA+ is well covered in my area, I was with them before I was married about 6 years ago and never once had an issue I only swapped to VZW because my wife had them, but now our bill has been to 200.00 a month for 2 smart phones, and that INCLUDES a 20% corporate discount that I get, combine that with the removal of new every 2, and removal of upgrades every 13 months and i'm leaving, plus I have a bad feeling about the pricing structure of the LTE thats upcoming.

 

[JGuez]

Maybe I'm wrong here:

I've been thinking that if you ported your number to Google Voice, and you signed up with T-Mobile to get a data only plan you could get unlimited text and minutes on your phone (and the data) for $50 a month.

Just don't set up a number but a data plan.

Would T-Mobile block such a set up?

 

[Left Coast DJ]

Nothing is ever free! When buying a phone, don't look at the upfront cost, be it free or not. Calculate the "cost of ownership" amortized over your 2-year contract.

 

[dajogejr]

I'm thinking of picking up a MyTouch 4 to mess around with until the TBolt on VZW is out...whenever that happens...