Verizon or Sprint?

[CalBear]

That's the question. It's time for me to get a new phone -- the one I have is way post the 2 year mark. I'm going to get an Android phone on either Verizon or Sprint. Sprint's plans are a bit more "everything" deals. They haven't tiered their data plans yet, and there's no way I'll burn through the minute allotment, especially with unlimited calling to any mobile.

The real downside to Sprint compared to Verizon is their 4G network. It's not as fast. Sprint is actually going to roll out LTE within a few years, but the current devices don't have LTE chips in them -- only WiMax. So that's the drawback.

I'm going to get 20% off either way through a family member's corporate discount. The Verizon private site still shows unlimited data, but their main site shows tiered plans now, and I'm pretty sure tiered plans will affect the contract I sign up for. 2GB is actually a good amount, unless I get tethering, but I still don't like having the cap.

Summary:

Sprint
HTC Evo 3D 4G - $200
$125 Rebate
$50 instant rebate
$66/mo
450+300 Minutes
7 PM nights
Unlimited calling to any mobile
Unlimited Text
Unlimited Data
4G via WiMax (3-6 Mbps usually)
Fairly lax about tethering

Verizon
ThunderBolt (HTC) $200, or Droid Charge (Samsung) $250
$47/mo + Data tier charge
450 Minutes
9 PM nights
Unlimited calling to Verizon mobiles
Unlimited Text
Tiered Data (2GB)
4G via LTE (10-12 Mbps)
Stricter about tethering

Thoughts?

[zfields]

Just remember the vzw 4g phones have horrible battery life at the moment. I would really stick 3g, or just wait untill some new ones come out.


And vzw is not strict on tethering. Thats been my only internet for 5+ years, average at least 60gigs a month.

[deez]

CalBear,

Where do you live?

I have Sprint and it's been great so far...EXCEPT, I get lousy reception where I live (Berkeley Hills).

Verizon, on the other hand, works just fine up here.

[Jake Plsiken]

Ive had sprint for about 4 years now and its been everything ive wanted in a phone company.

[skanless]

Sprint for 10 years now. Very happy with them

[CalBear]

Well I think I may go with an entirely different option. I badly need a new phone, and I'd like an Android phone to help with development on Android, but I'm sort of interested in waiting a bit to see what the iPhone 5 has and if Sprint unveils LTE phones soon. So what I may do is port my cell number to Google Voice, order the LG Optimus through Amazon, get the cheapo $25 plan through Virgin Mobile, and use the Google Voice app on the phone. Virgin uses the Sprint 3G network.

[locosway]

Sprint has very good customer service. Verizon on the other hand likes to nickel and dime it's users to death.

I really like my Evo, and wouldn't want to switch phones/carriers.

[caoboy]

They'll try to nickel and dime you, but if you call them on it they'll knock it off.

They tiered their network and 2gb is nothing, you'll burn it up and they'll charge you for 'overages' fb YouTube, etc take up a lot of data.

Sprints network will get slower as more people jump ship for the cheaper unlimited plans.

If you can get onto the unlimited plan through Verizon, do it. Not worth it if you can't.

[locosway]

My only issue with Sprint and the Evo is I pay for 4g ($10), yet I never use it. Mainly because I don't have a need, but also because it's hit or miss around me. LA has far better 4g coverage than OC.

[zfields]

Well I think I may go with an entirely different option. I badly need a new phone, and I'd like an Android phone to help with development on Android, but I'm sort of interested in waiting a bit to see what the iPhone 5 has and if Sprint unveils LTE phones soon. So what I may do is port my cell number to Google Voice, order the LG Optimus through Amazon, get the cheapo $25 plan through Virgin Mobile, and use the Google Voice app on the phone. Virgin uses the Sprint 3G network.

Very good idea. Ive converted 100% to using Gvoice for my number. Only bad part is you can not receive picture messages using it.

[fourXfour]

My only issue with Sprint and the Evo is I pay for 4g ($10), yet I never use it. Mainly because I don't have a need, but also because it's hit or miss around me. LA has far better 4g coverage than OC.

+1 I have the Evo 4G and pay the extra ten bucks for the 4G service that doesn't work at home, work or anywhere I go. The coverage maps are very misleading, especially on the Peninsula.

However Sprints 3G has been great. Sprint offers full Google Voice integration and that has really paid off, especially when I forget to bring my phone to work. I can screen unknown callers and easily block all of the spam texts & calls that I shouldn't even be receiving since I'm on the do not call list.

[hcbr]

if you had to narrow it down; verizon if you really need coverage or Sprint if you want the better price and bundle!

[verapakill]

I would give up minutes and price to have a better cell coverage any day.

[socal-shooter]

verizon best coverage bar none

consumer reports gives verizon #1 in customer service too

[2shotjoe]

op, you can root your phone and get past the carries tethering and do it in the background. vzn will see it as app data.