Verizon S3 or AT&T S3?

[brewzer]

I am leaving Sprint and their slow ass network behind. The only choice I have to make is whether to go with AT&T or VZW. Right now my gf has VZW and I can join her plan if I want to. Or I can go with AT&T. The coverage area around me seems to be pretty similar. The one thing I have a question about is the discounted lines.

VZW only discounts the primary line. it doesn't discount any data plans, text messaging options or other features. Can someone tell me if I get a 24% discount on AT&T do they discount everything 24% or do they only discount the first line and but not data, or what?

 

[MattMJB0188]

Check this out for eligibility on AT&T Premier:

https://www.wireless.att.com/business/authenticate/

That will tell you if you qualify.

If coverage isn't an issue, I'd go with AT&T. You'll have a much smoother data experience with them due to HSPA+ and LTE. Verizon will have more LTE coverage but the second you step out of LTE you'll be on a very slow 3G network compared to AT&T's which can theoretically pull 21Mbps.

Since a cell contract is 2 years you'll want to see how much you'll be spending in the long run. Take all your services and plan prices and multiple that by 24 and then do the same for Verizon. If Verizon is cheaper with your discount then go with them. Assuming you get a discount from AT&T and the coverage is there with them, go the AT&T route.

Hope this helps.

 

[FLY_TY]

I am leaving Sprint and their slow ass network behind. The only choice I have to make is whether to go with AT&T or VZW. Right now my gf has VZW and I can join her plan if I want to. Or I can go with AT&T. The coverage area around me seems to be pretty similar. The one thing I have a question about is the discounted lines.

VZW only discounts the primary line. it doesn't discount any data plans, text messaging options or other features. Can someone tell me if I get a 24% discount on AT&T do they discount everything 24% or do they only discount the first line and but not data, or what?

I have two lines on AT&T and they discount everything that is not "unlimited".

 

[brewzer]

Thank you both because you both answered question I have. I actually get discounts at both VZW and AT&T, but my AT&T discount is bigger. Plus my friend works there and he said he can get my an even bigger discount.

I was wondering about the family plan as well but FLY TY answered my question before I could even ask it as far as that goes.

Since VZW would only give about an $8 discount on a $170 account where AT&T would give a $41 discount I know which way I am going to go. If the AT&T coverage is that bad I can always return the phone in 14 days and go to VZW.

 

[Eric Kane]

Not to mention the fact that for whatever reason, Samsung hasn't had the best of luck with CDMA (see: Galaxy Nexus). GSM Samsung products seem to be much better in terms of data connection and bugs. This S3 on AT&T is far and away the best phone I've ever used and I've encountered very minor, fixable issues so far. The only thing that concerns me is how quickly this phone gets updated, but a lot of that has to do with Samsung, too.

 

[anon(2255)]

AT&T will discount the main minute plan, and then any feature on any line over $25. Data over 2GB gets discounted, family texting gets discounted, etc.

I got 28% off AT&T, and 26% off Verizon, but the difference turned out to be like $30.

 

[Newtoandroid99]

The thing about going with att is you will get your phone a lot sooner. Who knows when Verizon will ship it's galaxy 3.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Android Central Forums

 

[milan03]

You should really be looking at the network quality and coverage rather than a few $$$ cheaper per month.
Verizon has over 300 LTE markets at this time, and coevers 2/3 of our population, while AT&T has barely 40 markets.

Just a thought.

 

[sniffs]

You should really be looking at the network quality and coverage rather than a few $$$ cheaper per month.
Verizon has over 300 LTE markets at this time, and coevers 2/3 of our population, while AT&T has barely 40 markets.

Just a thought.

You also have to think about fallback. Eventually AT&T will have a very large LTE network..

When you lose LTE signal on AT&T, you fall back to "4G"(HSPA+) which in itself is very fast, 8Mbps or higher.

When you lose LTE signal on Verizon, you fall back to 3G which is insanely slow compared to LTE.

 

[BbRelic]

You also have to think about fallback. Eventually AT&T will have a very large LTE network..

When you lose LTE signal on AT&T, you fall back to "4G"(HSPA+) which in itself is very fast, 8Mbps or higher.

When you lose LTE signal on Verizon, you fall back to 3G which is insanely slow compared to LTE.

That's why I am staying with AT&T.

 

[jontalk]

So help me out here.. I've been an ATT customer for years, but have only one line. It appears that the only way to get discounts is through an employer or being a student? Just curious how this works with them since I'll be getting a GS3 soon. Thanks.

 

[Eileen89]

So help me out here.. I've been an ATT customer for years, but have only one line. It appears that the only way to get discounts is through an employer or being a student? Just curious how this works with them since I'll be getting a GS3 soon. Thanks.

You can check your discount eligibility with AT&T by entering you info in this link. They will send you an email with info on how to set the discount up if you are eligible. https://www.wireless.att.com/business/enrollment/


Sent from my iPad LTE using Tapatalk HD.

 

[Eileen89]

I have two lines on AT&T and they discount everything that is not "unlimited".

My 24% discount with AT&T includes my voice and unlimited data plan. I guess it depends on the plan as to whether they will discount data or not.


Sent from my iPad LTE using Tapatalk HD.

 

[Gdwheel]

You also have to think about fallback. Eventually AT&T will have a very large LTE network..

When you lose LTE signal on AT&T, you fall back to "4G"(HSPA+) which in itself is very fast, 8Mbps or higher.

When you lose LTE signal on Verizon, you fall back to 3G which is insanely slow compared to LTE.

This is the primary reason for me. This and the fact that I was with Verizon for 10 years (and still have one line) and they were awful from every standpoint other than voice coverage. I have been very happy with AT&T, but coverage is very good in Atlanta. Other places are apparently not as good.

 

[diskoman69]

All of the posts regarding discounts for AT&T are incorrect (I am a supervisor for AT&T Mobility). AT&T discounts the rate plan on an individual plan or the primary line on a family talk/business talk group plan. They also discount any data plan higher than the base one (formerly 250MB, now 300MB). That's it. Features are not discounted. That includes messaging, subscriptions, international long distance or roaming, overage, etc.

 

[diskoman69]

You also have to think about fallback. Eventually AT&T will have a very large LTE network..

When you lose LTE signal on AT&T, you fall back to "4G"(HSPA+) which in itself is very fast, 8Mbps or higher.

When you lose LTE signal on Verizon, you fall back to 3G which is insanely slow compared to LTE.

This is completely correct. Not only that, but on Verizon the network doesn't handoff/step up seamlessly. Once you drop down to 3G during a data session it will not step back up to 4G during the same data session. On AT&T you have the same issue on step up, but handoff is seamless, and in some areas the difference in speed between LTE and HSPA+21 is negligible. If AT&T decides to also upgrade their switches to handle HSPA+42 then all bets are off, as that would cover nearly everywhere AT&T provides service in the US with high-speed data. MTCW

 

[diskoman69]

So help me out here.. I've been an ATT customer for years, but have only one line. It appears that the only way to get discounts is through an employer or being a student? Just curious how this works with them since I'll be getting a GS3 soon. Thanks.

Yes, that is correct. The link Irish Rose posted is correct as well, but you would need the FAN number (provided by the employer or college you are affiliated with...if they have an account with AT&T) to enroll. Internally we even call them "employee sponsorships".

 

[wilfreb]

GSM network all the way!

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Android Central Forums

 

[cgardnervt]

ATT! Providing the coverage in your area is good.

 

[hansgroter]

Yea I'm going with att