What has Verizon taken away from V20?

[Almeuit]

AT&T and Verizon both have similar prices if you compare their plans side by side, but Verizon will throw in an extra 2 GB per line if you purchase a large data plan so you could get more data for less, plus their phones are cheaper than AT&T so...

That is a promo at the moment -- can't compare a promo now and say they're always better. Not very fair .

 

[Almeuit]

Unless .. did they make it perma part of their plans? If so then Verizon beats AT&T. AT&T would only beat them if someone uses a lot of data and has AT&T at home so they could snag the unlimited plan.

 

[TheMarcus]

That is a promo at the moment -- can't compare a promo now and say they're always better. Not very fair .

Unless .. did they make it perma part of their plans? If so then Verizon beats AT&T. AT&T would only beat them if someone uses a lot of data and has AT&T at home so they could snag the unlimited plan.

I don't know if it's permanent. I'm actually a new Verizon customer. Even without that deal giving you an extra 2 GB per line, the data plans are comparable. They're very close in pricing, but Verizon gets the edge with cheaper phones. Just look at the V20. $672 vs $830. That's a huge difference.

The unlimited AT&T plan is only useful if you have a TV plan through them. Considered it for a brief second, but I don't even watch TV. Fine print says they'll throttle you after 22 GB of use. Not sure if that's per line or per account that they'll throttle.

 

[Almeuit]

I don't know if it's permanent. I'm actually a new Verizon customer. Even without that deal giving you an extra 2 GB per line, the data plans are comparable. They're very close in pricing, but Verizon gets the edge with cheaper phones. Just look at the V20. $672 vs $830. That's a huge difference.

The unlimited AT&T plan is only useful if you have a TV plan through them. Considered it for a brief second, but I don't even watch TV. Fine print says they'll throttle you after 22 GB of use. Not sure if that's per line or per account that they'll throttle.

The unlimited plan means 22 GB per line -- And it isn't a perma throttle like you're thinking. It isn't like T-Mobile's old plans where you hit 5 GB and you're capped 100%. It means if you're in a congested area and that line is over 22 GB it will be toned down for others. Once congestion clears it will return to normal. You still get unlimited -- 22 GB per line pretty much. You just get toned down if you're in an area that the towers are being rocked at the time.

Also yes -- As I said if you have AT&T it is worth looking into. I wouldn't go out of my way for it. I have AT&T now for home internet (they put fiber in my neighborhood and it is stupid fast lol) so they're an option for me IF T-Mobile ever forces me off my older unlimited plan. The new Verizon prepaid plans are actually pretty nice. I am glad they did what they did to them recently.

 

[juliesdroidsync]

Probably because they're not the most expensive, bloatware can be disabled or ignored, branding can be ignored, and they're known to have great coverage.

Was with AT&T about 8 years, then Cingular for maybe 3, until they were bought out. Then Alltel about 4, (2 of which Verizon owned them if memory serves) and Verizon since, making it about 10 w/ Verizon.

Verizon is really the only game going where I live, (signal) but my bill went way up... For years I've looked at my bill and wanted to switch because every other major carrier had much better deals... For a family with just 2 or 3 lines, anyway. We now have 2 phones, 2 tablets, YMMV I realize.

But I don't think phones are "generally cheaper" at Verizon. 672 is the lowest price for the v20, BUT... the phone is missing so much functionality, that we're not really comparing apples to apples.

Sammy phones have been about the same as the other carriers. 869 was the price of my Note 7, and the S7 edge is still close to 800, at 7 months old.

It's the network... I can't leave... yet.

 

[TheMarcus]

But I don't think phones are "generally cheaper" at Verizon. 672 is the lowest price for the v20, BUT... the phone is missing so much functionality, that we're not really comparing apples to apples.

The only functionality this phone is missing is an FM radio. That's not "so much functionality," it's on thing. And don't say Smart Settings. Smart Settings sucks and is barely functional itself. It can and should be replaced by a third party Play Store app. I've been using Llama forever before switching to MacroDroid. Smart Settings is a joke that I'm happy to see gone and not bloating my Settings menu. You're not comparing apples to apples, you're comparing the V20 to the V20 and that FM radio isn't worth nearly $200.

This is my first time in years not being a T-Mobile customer, so this is my first experience with looking at other carrier prices for phones so maybe AT&T isn't typically more expensive, but it definitely was this time of year when compared to Verizon and T-Mobile and it's significantly so. Even before deciding on the V20, I considered getting the G5 or maybe even the V10 — not even remotely worth it if you were purchasing from AT&T as both those phones were still full launch price.

 

[TheMarcus]

I really miss T-Mobile, by the way, but their network got too congested where I live and I just couldn't handle it. Gonna check back in a couple years. Even if I don't have the same plan I had (2 lines unlimited for $100), I'll probably get a better deal than Verizon or AT&T.

 

[ajb1965]

I don't know why people even use Verizon. It's the most expensive and they have so much bloatware and they are known for branding their logos on phones.

Because in some areas, there's only one carrier with acceptable coverage. Unfortunately, that usually means Verizon.

 

[ajb1965]

I really miss T-Mobile, by the way, but their network got too congested where I live and I just couldn't handle it. Gonna check back in a couple years. Even if I don't have the same plan I had (2 lines unlimited for $100), I'll probably get a better deal than Verizon or AT&T.

Have they deployed 700Mhz in your area yet? 700MHz LTE map - TmoNews

Makes a big difference.

 

[TheMarcus]

Have they deployed band 12 in your area yet? 700MHz LTE map - TmoNews

Makes a big difference.

They have. I live in the bay area. Ton of people. Ton of people on Metro, too. T-Mobile has been steadily downhill for the past three years for me. I used to recommend them for everyone, but ever since they started buying customers from other carriers, it go worse and worse. In downtown Oakland where I work, during work hours, LTE means I'm lunch to hit 2 mbps down. It was also widely inconsistent. I'd get great coverage at home, and ****ty coverage in a lot of places. When I switched to Cricket for a couple of months, I was much happier overall being capped at 8 mbps. That's how bad T-Mobile was for me.

 

[ajb1965]

They have. I live in the bay area. Ton of people. Ton of people on Metro, too. T-Mobile has been steadily downhill for the past three years for me. I used to recommend them for everyone, but ever since they started buying customers from other carriers, it go worse and worse. In downtown Oakland where I work, during work hours, LTE means I'm lunch to hit 2 mbps down. It was also widely inconsistent. I'd get great coverage at home, and ****ty coverage in a lot of places. When I switched to Cricket for a couple of months, I was much happier overall being capped at 8 mbps. That's how bad T-Mobile was for me.

Man that sucks. At my moms house I was lucky to get 128k. I called in 2 tickets, and opened 2 more with TForce sending them Speedtest results. They said 'Network congestion' and they were working on it yada yada yada. It took about 4 months, but whatever they did it's very fast now.

With 8MPS you can pretty much do anything, so I can't argue with your decision.

 

[juliesdroidsync]

The only functionality this phone is missing is an FM radio. That's not "so much functionality," it's on thing. And don't say Smart Settings. Smart Settings sucks and is barely functional itself. It can and should be replaced by a third party Play Store app. I've been using Llama forever before switching to MacroDroid. Smart Settings is a joke that I'm happy to see gone and not bloating my Settings menu. You're not comparing apples to apples, you're comparing the V20 to the V20 and that FM radio isn't worth nearly $200.

This is my first time in years not being a T-Mobile customer, so this is my first experience with looking at other carrier prices for phones so maybe AT&T isn't typically more expensive, but it definitely was this time of year when compared to Verizon and T-Mobile and it's significantly so. Even before deciding on the V20, I considered getting the G5 or maybe even the V10 — not even remotely worth it if you were purchasing from AT&T as both those phones were still full launch price.

Well first of all FM radio is kind of a big deal to me personally. Second, since you haven't tried smart settings on the v20 do you know if it works correctly or not?

Honestly I don't either but I'm about to find out. And if it does, I will be using it. Funny enough, one of the tech support people at Verizon had a V10 and she says she loves smart settings and doesn't have any problems with it.

She was initially kind of puzzled why they turned it off on the v20.

Google in app search shortcut is the best thing since sliced bread , but again Verizon has it disabled to make you use more data, apparently.

Theme support has another thing that is missing off the phone. However, I need to go back and read some of the posts because there is apparently some partial workaround for it. That is not important to me, but it is important to other people so I would never tell them that it's not important

So to me, that's a lot of missing functionality. I don't mind personally paying top dollar for a phone but when I do I want every Bell and whistle to work.

I don't want my phone gimped so more people can afford it. And even that would be okay if they would just disclose it to you... Just tell me what is not going to work on my phone when I buy it from you... I don't think that's too much to ask.

Verizon has flat out refused to give me a list of everything that has been disabled or not supported or not bought into or whatever politically correct phrase I need to be using here.

My daughter has been with T-Mobile for years still loves them. But her phone doesn't work when she is visiting here :-(

Anyway, to each their own but to say that the people who are annoyed at the situation or wrong just because they don't agree with you is well... Kind of wrong

We Live in a country that has principles about truth in advertising and deceptive practices. They are legally getting around it I understand this... But to me it doesn't make it right. And these forums are a way for us to talk about it so we can get some idea of what we're getting ourselves into.

Don't get me wrong... I respect your opinion Kama I just don't share it that's all

 

[TheMarcus]

Man that sucks. At my moms house I was lucky to get 128k. I called in 2 tickets, and opened 2 more with TForce sending them Speedtest results. They said 'Network congestion' and they were working on it yada yada yada. It took about 4 months, but whatever they did it's very fast now.

With 8MPS you can pretty much do anything, so I can't argue with your decision.

I've contacted them numerous times throughout the years. Same answer that they were upgrading the networks. When I finally decided to switch is when they told me 2 mbps was what I would expect for my where I work. Couldn't live with that.

 

[TheMarcus]

Well first of all FM radio is kind of a big deal to me personally. Second, since you haven't tried smart settings on the v20 do you know if it works correctly or not?

Honestly I don't either but I'm about to find out. And if it does, I will be using it. Funny enough, one of the tech support people at Verizon had a V10 and she says she loves smart settings and doesn't have any problems with it.

She was initially kind of puzzled why they turned it off on the v20.

Google in app search shortcut is the best thing since sliced bread , but again Verizon has it disabled to make you use more data, apparently.

Theme support has another thing that is missing off the phone. However, I need to go back and read some of the posts because there is apparently some partial workaround for it. That is not important to me, but it is important to other people so I would never tell them that it's not important

So to me, that's a lot of missing functionality. I don't mind personally paying top dollar for a phone but when I do I want every Bell and whistle to work.

I don't want my phone gimped so more people can afford it. And even that would be okay if they would just disclose it to you... Just tell me what is not going to work on my phone when I buy it from you... I don't think that's too much to ask.

Verizon has flat out refused to give me a list of everything that has been disabled or not supported or not bought into or whatever politically correct phrase I need to be using here.

My daughter has been with T-Mobile for years still loves them. But her phone doesn't work when she is visiting here :-(

Anyway, to each their own but to say that the people who are annoyed at the situation or wrong just because they don't agree with you is well... Kind of wrong

We Live in a country that has principles about truth in advertising and deceptive practices. They are legally getting around it I understand this... But to me it doesn't make it right. And these forums are a way for us to talk about it so we can get some idea of what we're getting ourselves into.

Don't get me wrong... I respect your opinion Kama I just don't share it that's all

If FM radio is that big of a deal, you get a different phone. Or you save that $200 and buy a small FM radio that you can throw in your pocket. Regardless, lack of an FM radio is not a $200 problem.

As for Smart Settings, I don't need to use it on the V20 to know that it works correctly. I know it works correctly. I also know it isn't any different than what I've routinely ignored in the past in my old G4 and G3. It's an embarrassingly limited app with barely any functionality, which you'd be well aware of if you ever bothered to use any of the widely available automation apps on Android. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Seriously, give it a try. Then laugh at Smart Settings. If you need help setting anything up, I'd be happy to help, but it's not complicated like Tasker. It's pretty easy to understand, assuming you're not one of those people who spend hundreds of dollars on a smartphone and doesn't know how to do anything beyond make phone calls, text, and check social media. I take it you're not since you're on this forum.

A shortcut to Google In Apps can hardly be considered missing functionality since that functionality still exists within the Google app.

Theme support is present and fully functional. Settings -> Display -> Home Screen -> Theme. No work around needed, "it just works." If this phone didn't have theme support, I would have returned it with the quickness and got the Moto Z Play.

So, again, the only actual functionality missing is the FM radio. In a real state of emergency, it's probably better to have an actual FM radio anyway, since that'll have a longer battery life than your phone.

This phone can hardly be considered gimped on Verizon considering how heavily discounted it is in comparison to other carriers or unlocked models. I've been closely following V20 forums and haven't heard much else missing except for what's noted above. If you ask me, Sprint got the short end of the stick with so many missing and hard to replace apps.

Buying the phone from Verizon is a compromise well worth it for the price, in my opinion. If it isn't, the unlocked model works for Verizon so anyone can go pay $800+ to bring their FM radio back if it's that important. Verizon is an even better deal for those of us who traded in phones during the promo period.

 

[Almeuit]

I really miss T-Mobile, by the way, but their network got too congested where I live and I just couldn't handle it. Gonna check back in a couple years. Even if I don't have the same plan I had (2 lines unlimited for $100), I'll probably get a better deal than Verizon or AT&T.

That is what I am worried about. So far it is pretty good and I get LTE everywhere I go in town and my town is very spread out (Jacksonville, FL) -- but if they either raise the price / force me off unlimited / or go to crap I will be forced to leave. Verizon would be a most likely choice for me (or maybe AT&T if I can justify the higher price for unlimited).

 

[SupraLB]

If FM radio is that big of a deal, you get a different phone. Or you save that $200 and buy a small FM radio that you can throw in your pocket. Regardless, lack of an FM radio is not a $200 problem.

As for Smart Settings, I don't need to use it on the V20 to know that it works correctly. I know it works correctly. I also know it isn't any different than what I've routinely ignored in the past in my old G4 and G3. It's an embarrassingly limited app with barely any functionality, which you'd be well aware of if you ever bothered to use any of the widely available automation apps on Android. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Seriously, give it a try. Then laugh at Smart Settings. If you need help setting anything up, I'd be happy to help, but it's not complicated like Tasker. It's pretty easy to understand, assuming you're not one of those people who spend hundreds of dollars on a smartphone and doesn't know how to do anything beyond make phone calls, text, and check social media. I take it you're not since you're on this forum. ??????

A shortcut to Google In Apps can hardly be considered missing functionality since that functionality still exists within the Google app.

Theme support is present and fully functional. Settings -> Display -> Home Screen -> Theme. No work around needed, "it just works." If this phone didn't have theme support, I would have returned it with the quickness and got the Moto Z Play.

So, again, the only actual functionality missing is the FM radio. In a real state of emergency, it's probably better to have an actual FM radio anyway, since that'll have a longer battery life than your phone.

This phone can hardly be considered gimped on Verizon considering how heavily discounted it is in comparison to other carriers or unlocked models. I've been closely following V20 forums and haven't heard much else missing except for what's noted above. If you ask me, Sprint got the short end of the stick with so many missing and hard to replace apps.

Buying the phone from Verizon is a compromise well worth it for the price, in my opinion. If it isn't, the unlocked model works for Verizon so anyone can go pay $800+ to bring their FM radio back if it's that important. Verizon is an even better deal for those of us who traded in phones during the promo period.

Yes it still works, but its such a pain to use that nobody will use it. If I need to search all messages and info for "Marcus Plans" on my phone, why is Verizon going to make me search Google.com and the web first, before getting to search the phone. They made it a long, dragged out process. Why would I want to search the internet first when I just want to search the apps?

Thats why its an App searcher. Verizon is making you search the internet first, then search your apps. Why dont they just make us search the internet for a phone number, before actually calling the phone number? Would be almost the same thing.

Again, this is not asking for a feature, its just giving the same shortcut icon that LG and Google provided, and all the other carriers left as-is.

 

[TheMarcus]

Yes it still works, but its such a pain to use that nobody will use it. If I need to search all messages and info for "Marcus Plans" on my phone, why is Verizon going to make me search Google.com and the web first, before getting to search the phone. They made it a long, dragged out process. Why would I want to search the internet first when I just want to search the apps?

Thats why its an App searcher. Verizon is making you search the internet first, then search your apps. Why dont they just make us search the internet for a phone number, before actually calling the phone number? Would be almost the same thing.

Again, this is not asking for a feature, its just giving the same shortcut icon that LG and Google provided, and all the other carriers left as-is.

I've been doing Google image and video searches the same way for years, so I guess I'm just not bothered by typing in my search and then flicking over to In Apps in a brief second.

Weird to remove a shortcut, but it's not something I'd ever complain about, especially since I'm more likely to just immediately launch Google than to go to my home screen when I want to search for something.

 

[juliesdroidsync]

If FM radio is that big of a deal, you get a different phone. Or you save that $200 and buy a small FM radio that you can throw in your pocket. Regardless, lack of an FM radio is not a $200 problem.

672 + 57 tax (in my case) to 800 (w/ no sales tax, online from B&H) was about $71 difference to me, not 200. But I didn't have a trade in like some. I also get the $99 tablet with the unlocked model (although I'm just going to sell it). So cost difference in my personal situation wasn't much different.

As for Smart Settings, I don't need to use it on the V20 to know that it works correctly. I know it works correctly. <snip> Seriously, give it a try. Then laugh at Smart Settings. If you need help setting anything up, I'd be happy to help, but it's not complicated like Tasker. <snip>

I will try Tasker... that is why I'm here - to learn things. And I might take you up on your offer to help. Thanks.

A shortcut to Google In Apps can hardly be considered missing functionality since that functionality still exists within the Google app.

Sorry; gotta strongly disagree here. Home screen shortcut - 1 tap to find anything on your phone. Something I do 10 times a day... That's how it was promoted, that's how it's supposed to work. Awesome! The Verizon version? Do a regular search of the internet for "Brad" (or whatever you were looking for on your phone), and when it's done, then scroll all the way over to the right under the search results, and search again in "In Apps". A ridiculous and sleazy move by Big Red to force you to use more of that data! Sorry, that one just annoys me to no end...

Theme support is present and fully functional. Settings -> Display -> Home Screen -> Theme. No work around needed, "it just works." <snip>

Ummm... mine only has 3 themes... have to do more research on this one; there is some kind of side-load workaround to get more.

<snip> In a real state of emergency, it's probably better to have an actual FM radio anyway, since that'll have a longer battery life than your phone.

The thing I'm most likely to have on my person if I'm away from home is my phone, not my hand-crank FM radio... which I do have at home...

<snip> Buying the phone from Verizon is a compromise well worth it for the price, in my opinion. If it isn't, the unlocked model works for Verizon so anyone can go pay $800+ to bring their FM radio back if it's that important. Verizon is an even better deal for those of us who traded in phones during the promo period.

Here's the kicker... I don't think FM radio is going to work out of the box... of course, LG and Verizon wouldn't tell me, but there is one unlocked model user w/ Verizon saying his doesn't work, and NextRadio saying they probably still need a software library update. So, no, I'm not hopeful at this moment for that. :-( What I am hopeful is that LG might add that software library to their phones if enough folks complain, considering it's an unlocked model and they can't cry, "It's the carrier's fault!" like they're doing with the Verizon model.

Also, since I will likely buy the Note 8 when it comes out (sorry, I just love them!) I do have to consider resale value of the phone, since Verizon now makes you pay 100% of any phone put on a device payment plan before you can upgrade again! Did they tell you that when you signed up with them? An unlocked model will likely be easier to sell, and probably will sell for more. The market will be flooded with these when Sammy folks go back. So the $71 difference plus a free tab that I'll sell for $50 gives me a net difference of about $21. (Would have been different if I had a phone to trade in, I know.)

 

[Ryano89]

If FM radio is that big of a deal, you get a different phone. Or you save that $200 and buy a small FM radio that you can throw in your pocket. Regardless, lack of an FM radio is not a $200 problem.

As for Smart Settings, I don't need to use it on the V20 to know that it works correctly. I know it works correctly. I also know it isn't any different than what I've routinely ignored in the past in my old G4 and G3. It's an embarrassingly limited app with barely any functionality, which you'd be well aware of if you ever bothered to use any of the widely available automation apps on Android. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Seriously, give it a try. Then laugh at Smart Settings. If you need help setting anything up, I'd be happy to help, but it's not complicated like Tasker. It's pretty easy to understand, assuming you're not one of those people who spend hundreds of dollars on a smartphone and doesn't know how to do anything beyond make phone calls, text, and check social media. I take it you're not since you're on this forum.

A shortcut to Google In Apps can hardly be considered missing functionality since that functionality still exists within the Google app.

Theme support is present and fully functional. Settings -> Display -> Home Screen -> Theme. No work around needed, "it just works." If this phone didn't have theme support, I would have returned it with the quickness and got the Moto Z Play.

So, again, the only actual functionality missing is the FM radio. In a real state of emergency, it's probably better to have an actual FM radio anyway, since that'll have a longer battery life than your phone.

This phone can hardly be considered gimped on Verizon considering how heavily discounted it is in comparison to other carriers or unlocked models. I've been closely following V20 forums and haven't heard much else missing except for what's noted above. If you ask me, Sprint got the short end of the stick with so many missing and hard to replace apps.

Buying the phone from Verizon is a compromise well worth it for the price, in my opinion. If it isn't, the unlocked model works for Verizon so anyone can go pay $800+ to bring their FM radio back if it's that important. Verizon is an even better deal for those of us who traded in phones during the promo period.

Theme support is not fully functional, you can't apply icon packs that say they are compatible with LG Home. It is listed under themes for everyone else, but the option is not present in the Verizon version

 

[TheMarcus]

672 + 57 tax (in my case) to 800 (w/ no sales tax, online from B&H) was about $71 difference to me, not 200. But I didn't have a trade in like some. I also get the $99 tablet with the unlocked model (although I'm just going to sell it). So cost difference in my personal situation wasn't much different.

Well, like I said, if the FM radio is that important, buy the phone unlocked, so it works out for you. I couldn't pass on $200 savings, though, for trading in my G3 and $300 savings for my girlfriend for trading in her G4.

I will try Tasker... that is why I'm here - to learn things. And I might take you up on your offer to help. Thanks.

Tasker us complicated. I couldn't bring myself to learn it. MacroDroid, though, is simple. That's the one I recommend. I'd recommend Llama, but it hasn't been supported for years.

Sorry; gotta strongly disagree here. Home screen shortcut - 1 tap to find anything on your phone. Something I do 10 times a day... That's how it was promoted, that's how it's supposed to work. Awesome! The Verizon version? Do a regular search of the internet for "Brad" (or whatever you were looking for on your phone), and when it's done, then scroll all the way over to the right under the search results, and search again in "In Apps". A ridiculous and sleazy move by Big Red to force you to use more of that data! Sorry, that one just annoys me to no end...

It doesn't search again. Just tried it with three different searches. Did my search as usual, flicked to the right and tapped In Apps, and the results were there without any additional loading. It really is just a quick flick away, not a "scroll." And it's not like it's using that much data for the initial web search. But, hey, if you're really using it that often, a one click shortcut is best, especially if you have it in your second screen. I hate that I still can't search Hangouts conversations. You'd think search company would have that baked in...

Ummm... mine only has 3 themes... have to do more research on this one; there is some kind of side-load workaround to get more.

Three pre-installed themes with more available from the SmartWorld app and two now available on the Play Store. I think AT&T might actually have taken out the ability to download themes from SmartWorld, or maybe it was Sprint. Definitely not Verizon, though. Fully functional.

Also, since I will likely buy the Note 8 when it comes out (sorry, I just love them!) I do have to consider resale value of the phone, since Verizon now makes you pay 100% of any phone put on a device payment plan before you can upgrade again! Did they tell you that when you signed up with them? An unlocked model will likely be easier to sell, and probably will sell for more. The market will be flooded with these when Sammy folks go back. So the $71 difference plus a free tab that I'll sell for $50 gives me a net difference of about $21. (Would have been different if I had a phone to trade in, I know.)

I'm financing to own, not to sell. Just like I did with my G3. I'll buy a new phone next year and keep this one as a backup for emergencies or maybe just as a TV remote. If I was planning on selling, I would have went unlocked, too, though I'm hearing that Verizon phones are unlocked? One YouTube reviewer of the Moto Z Play used the Verizon model on a non Verizon network.