Why I'm leaving Sprint

[dagaetch]

Y'know, I recognize that this makes me look impatient and a bit of a whiner, but here goes.

I became eligible for a new phone upgrade last October - still rocking the Hero I purchased on launch day. They didn't have any phones I wanted - Evo was too big, and I didn't want a keyboard. So I figure, wait patiently for the tech shows this winter to bring new phones. What do we get as the big deal new phone? The Echo. Um...old processor, practically a guarantee that you won't see timely OS updates, and just not interested. Then the Evo 3D, which I'm sure will be good but again, likely to have slow OS updates and too big a screen for me. Plus, the dual cameras just don't make the phone look professional, which is important to me.

So I decide I'll go for the Nexus S. Guaranteed fast OS updates, good screen, etc. Sure, it's older tech, but not bad. And since its already in existence, should see it soon! Well, it's been almost a month now and they're still saying "coming soon", not even any information on expected date or if there's a delay/explanation for delay. Meanwhile, they change their policies so that right before (or so I thought) I could get my nice new phone - I'm not eligible for an upgrade anymore! I know they have to compete, and I'm fine with them changing the program for future contracts, but I had been sitting on this upgrade for months because they didn't have a phone I liked. Now you have a phone and you take my upgrade away? That just doesn't sit well with me.

So, this morning I went out and signed up for T-Mobile, getting myself a nice new G2X. Dual core, Tegra 2, 4inch screen, near-vanilla Android, pretty much exactly the phone I would design for myself. I'm giving it a couple days, and then I'm canceling my Sprint contract. I haven't had real problems with them - service has been fine, no billing issues or anything; I just wanted a new phone in a reasonable time frame. Doesn't seem that's too much to ask.

Anyway, I guess I'm posting this because I'm curious to see if others feel similarly right now about Sprint. Hope I'm not that only one who was frustrated!

(as a side note - the G2X is gorgeous and ridiculously fast; then again, after my Hero a turtle on downers might seem speedy)

 

[drjb74]

I can understand your frustration. I have been with Sprint for over 10 years now. For a while, I watched as everyone else got the newest and fanciest phones, while Sprint put all their chips in on the Palm Pre.

However, I waited for the EVO, and for me personally, it was worth the wait. I have been nothing but satisfied with my EVO. It has been a great phone for me, and I can honestly say that there is nothing on the market now that I would want to switch to and replace my EVO.

The premier program change has definitely screwed some people over, and that sucks. but like you said, Sprint has to compete, especially now that it is becoming a distant third place finisher to VZW and ATT-Mobile. I think Sprint could have handled that situation differently, but it is not a dealbreaker for me, personally. I used to switch phones a lot (once or twice a year), but I am keeping my EVO until something comes along that blows me away (EVO 3D just doesn't do anything for me).

It's too bad that Sprint could not work something out with your upgrade, but hopefully you will satisfied with your new phone and provider. It sounds like you found what you were looking for. Must be a huge change from your Hero to the G2X...

 

[dchawk81]

I would have called customer service to see if there's anything they could do for me first.

If they basically gave me a big F-U, I'd leave too. I don't hold any carrier in higher regard than any other. I used to say "carrier first" but I don't have that thought anymore. You have to be happy with the device too. After all, it's your physical connection to the carrier.

 

[dagaetch]

Had there been a phone that I really wanted and that was available, I would have tried calling and seeing about getting the upgrade back. Didn't see the point in trying if I wasn't going to use it.

So far the G2x is great - difference in speed between it and the Hero is night and day. Having a little trouble getting a decent 4g connection in my apt, but that's true with Sprint as well. and the WiFi calling feature is pretty awesome, with the Hero I literally couldn't walk into my kitchen without losing the call, now it just stays clear.

 

[dchawk81]

Well you mentioned the Nexus S. It's not available yet, but I would have asked if they could hold my upgrade for its arrival.

 

[dagaetch]

Yea...what can I say, I'm impatient and saw this lovely G2x available now and couldn't wait . Mostly I guess I just don't like Sprints choices of phones to carry. Had the Nexus S been available on Sprint back in December, I would have bought it and not looked back. Now it just seems dated (i know, only a few months, but this tech is changing so fast...)

 

[dchawk81]

I hear ya. I'm on an Epic so you won't see me with a Nexus S. It's the same thing basically and there's no upgrade from here. It's slim pickins at the moment.

 

[drjb74]

Yea...what can I say, I'm impatient and saw this lovely G2x available now and couldn't wait . Mostly I guess I just don't like Sprints choices of phones to carry. Had the Nexus S been available on Sprint back in December, I would have bought it and not looked back. Now it just seems dated (i know, only a few months, but this tech is changing so fast...)

I understand not wanting to wait. It sounds like you are satisfied with your decision, and that is what matters. I am still on Sprint simply because I have not had any issues with them before, and their prices have always been competitive. I have 5 lines on my account, so that can definitely add up for me.

I always wanted the latest and greatest thing when it came to my cell phone, but surprisingly have been very satisfied with my EVO. Even when the Nexus, EVO 3D, and whatever else is released, I strongly believe that I will stick with my EVO (though that could change...never say never).

 

[MissJennell#IM]

If the service is good and they have the phone you want then hey why not.

 

[dagaetch]

I only have one line, so the prices are basically the same across carriers (i don't use that much data so the 2gb cap at TM isn't a problem). But like I said, Sprint's service was fine, it's the phone selection and the stupid corporate decisions that turned me off.

I don't think of myself as needing the latest greatest - I was using that Hero for 18 months and it wasn't a problem. But when I do upgrade, I want future-proof tech.

 

[ragnarokx]

But when I do upgrade, I want future-proof tech.

This does not exist unfortunately. The best you'll probably do is "future-resistant" tech, and that will last 6-9 months at best.

Sent by a little green robot

 

[hamagc]

Lol so you quit sprint because they took away your "early" upgrade and went to tmo? Hoping att doesn't do the same? (Assuming the deal goes through)

I'm a sprint fan for years now and don't agree with some of the crap they are doing right now but I still don't like the pricing and terms from anyone else so I stay. Sero prob. has alot to do with that though.

Also the evolution 3d is from HTC so updates might not be to bad, the nexus should be out in a month, maybe 2 and hopefully another LG will come around.

 

[dchawk81]

This does not exist unfortunately. The best you'll probably do is "future-resistant" tech, and that will last 6-9 months at best.

Sent by a little green robot

Technically you can't future proof anything. That's why it's just an expression.

 

[ragnarokx]

BTW there have been repots of people on SprintUsers that were downgraded to Silver Premier that got their 1 year phone upgrades back by calling customer service. Worth a shot if anyone else is in this position.

Sent by a little green robot

 

[dagaetch]

Lol so you quit sprint because they took away your "early" upgrade and went to tmo? Hoping att doesn't do the same? (Assuming the deal goes through)

I'm a sprint fan for years now and don't agree with some of the crap they are doing right now but I still don't like the pricing and terms from anyone else so I stay. Sero prob. has alot to do with that though.

Also the evolution 3d is from HTC so updates might not be to bad, the nexus should be out in a month, maybe 2 and hopefully another LG will come around.

On my new contract I know from the start that I don't get an upgrade until 2 years. Like I said, I don't have a problem with Sprint changing the terms for in the future, it was taking away an upgrade I already had available that frustrated me. But yeah, if I had a SERO plan I might've thought differently.

as for AT&T, they've said that anyone coming in from T-Mobile would be able to keep their existing contract. I don't think the FCC is going to approve the merger anyway (although that might just be wishful thinking). Regardless, and this is what I think is the problem for all the carriers - I have no brand loyalty! None of the cell providers give you a good reason to remain a long time customer, they all change contract terms and don't provide any real value to staying. So...I'm going to go where the technology is. And yes, that might change next year or even next month, but like I said, I'm impatient

 

[lmc05]

On my new contract I know from the start that I don't get an upgrade until 2 years. Like I said, I don't have a problem with Sprint changing the terms for in the future, it was taking away an upgrade I already had available that frustrated me. But yeah, if I had a SERO plan I might've thought differently.

Technically its every 22 months at T-Mobile that you can upgrade to a new device. I hope you're loving your new G2X

 

[Fitz39]

Y'know, I recognize that this makes me look impatient and a bit of a whiner, but here goes.

I became eligible for a new phone upgrade last October - still rocking the Hero I purchased on launch day. They didn't have any phones I wanted - Evo was too big, and I didn't want a keyboard. So I figure, wait patiently for the tech shows this winter to bring new phones. What do we get as the big deal new phone? The Echo. Um...old processor, practically a guarantee that you won't see timely OS updates, and just not interested. Then the Evo 3D, which I'm sure will be good but again, likely to have slow OS updates and too big a screen for me. Plus, the dual cameras just don't make the phone look professional, which is important to me.

So I decide I'll go for the Nexus S. Guaranteed fast OS updates, good screen, etc. Sure, it's older tech, but not bad. And since its already in existence, should see it soon! Well, it's been almost a month now and they're still saying "coming soon", not even any information on expected date or if there's a delay/explanation for delay. Meanwhile, they change their policies so that right before (or so I thought) I could get my nice new phone - I'm not eligible for an upgrade anymore! I know they have to compete, and I'm fine with them changing the program for future contracts, but I had been sitting on this upgrade for months because they didn't have a phone I liked. Now you have a phone and you take my upgrade away? That just doesn't sit well with me.

So, this morning I went out and signed up for T-Mobile, getting myself a nice new G2X. Dual core, Tegra 2, 4inch screen, near-vanilla Android, pretty much exactly the phone I would design for myself. I'm giving it a couple days, and then I'm canceling my Sprint contract. I haven't had real problems with them - service has been fine, no billing issues or anything; I just wanted a new phone in a reasonable time frame. Doesn't seem that's too much to ask.

Anyway, I guess I'm posting this because I'm curious to see if others feel similarly right now about Sprint. Hope I'm not that only one who was frustrated!

(as a side note - the G2X is gorgeous and ridiculously fast; then again, after my Hero a turtle on downers might seem speedy)

what u wrote here is how i feel exactly!! unfortunately my contract isn't up for another year and a few months and i cant afford cancellation fees. i have also been eyeballing the G2X. ugh is it as awesome as it sounds?

 

[dagaetch]

what u wrote here is how i feel exactly!! unfortunately my contract isn't up for another year and a few months and i cant afford cancellation fees. i have also been eyeballing the G2X. ugh is it as awesome as it sounds?

It's pretty damn good. Ridiculously fast - I haven't noticed a single cpu delay. Only problem I have so far is the battery draining fast and bad reception. The battery thing appears common, but there's a bunch of possible solutions already talked about and I'm hoping that gets fixed. there's talk of an OTA update to fix that and the reception, so...who knows. Either way, it looks like Cyanogen has already got most of the work done for this phone anyway, so Gingerbread update here I come!

 

[drjb74]

Dagatech - how is the build quality? I don't have any real experience with LG devices, but one thing that concerns me about the Nexus is how it will hold up. I have always been happy with HTC, but my wife has an EPIC, and it feels cheap to me. Just curious what your impressions are with the G2X.

 

[dagaetch]

Build quality is great! The phone feels solid in hand, and the glass front is really nice. I think its gorilla glass? I'm a fan of the soft-touch plastic on the back, plus that metal strip is good for grip. Buttons have good travel...all in all, I'm very pleased.

There have been some complaints about backlight issues, but my phone seems good, plus I think the people who go out and buy new phones on first day (other than iphone) are the ones who notice this stuff, the average consumer doesn't tend to.