Help with dumbphones and AT&T? - General Questions and Answers

Hey I am a smartphone user and going off to college next year.. Currently on AT&T and in a family plan with my mom and dad. Our contract "expires" this July as its been two years. Unfortunately I have like one more year b/c my phone got stolen and I had to upgrade. My parents didn't.
Currently our family plan is around $110. ($30 unlimited data, no texting for anyone, cheapest voice plan)
Anyway, they use "dumbphones" and I was wondering, since they can leave AT&T in July.. Is there a way for them to use like MetroPCS and me to stay on AT&T and save some money? I know they have some unlimited voice plans (which is ALL they need)
$10 is not that worth it but if I can use AT&T and my parents use voice-only on another carrier for $20 that would definitely be worth it.
All my parents need is voice unlimited and decent coverage in the North new Jersey / new york area.. A sim-card service would also be ideal (idk if metropcs is, just an example!)
(I know this is a long post, but I have honestly done the research but just cannot find the answer.. I know some of you guys can though!)
--
Alright, if you guys can allow me to get data only and both my parents with unlimited voice for around $90, AWESOME!
However, if it still rounds out to like $100 or $110 (current plan), I might as well stay with AT&T..
If this is the case, what is the "best" dumbphone for AT&T? They don't need a keyboard, no data obviously, need at least 2 days of battery life, and a screen with some decent-sized type so they can see all the letters/numbers. Also would like to pay no more than $50 on eBay or other site.. Don't wanna waste an upgrade for a free phone if I can pay $50
optional: touchscreen. also optional but kinda important is some sort of expandable memory cuz they might listen to some music.
-- Sorry for LONG post but I think the questions are fairly simple if you guys know.. So thanks a lot in advance!!

Anyone have any info? PRetty easy questions if you know
Thankss

Anyone..?
please

Wouldn't their phones be locked to AT&T or are you planning on unlocking them for them?

Related

So I bought an iPhone...but hear me out!

Nevermind, I can't come up with any reasonable excuse. At the time I thought it would make a nice gift for my girlfriend, but then she surprised me by wanting my Fuze....yeah I lost that battle. Wasn't even a battle really; just handed it over LOL
So anyway I also figured I could sell the iPhone for more than it would take to buy another Fuze. Does anyone know if there will be any SIM problems? Or anything else I might not foresee? I don't know much about the iPhone; only that I've had it for less than a week and hate it more every day. So please, HELP ME.
Unless the Fuze is simlocked, it should not be a problem.
Well and if it is simlocked,...
It wouldn't matter; I'm going to be using it with AT&T. I'm more concerned about the "iPhone data plan." When I purchased the iPhone I was told that I was required to keep it for the duration of my contract. I'm not sure whether I can use that with the Fuze.
btstarcher said:
It wouldn't matter; I'm going to be using it with AT&T. I'm more concerned about the "iPhone data plan." When I purchased the iPhone I was told that I was required to keep it for the duration of my contract. I'm not sure whether I can use that with the Fuze.
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no you dont have to buy the iphone data plan. i currently own the HTC FUze and iPhone 3G 16gb and i am only paying for the pda data plan. ive been using the pda plan for unlimited text and internet for about 3 years. $15 is pretty decent a month. okay so the reason why they tell you that it is REQUIRED for the iphone is because they want to make more profit by adding an additional $15 a month for the same exact data plan except for the name and saying its exclusive for iphones. i first realized this when i first had a few qwerty keybaord phones from at&t 5 years ago and used the media net package and when i first got my blackjack and then the tytn ii, i never had a problem with the $10 a month plan and was able to surf the web and text. at&t never complained or called. now they cant do anything about it since you can buy iphones without contracts now. im about to save up for the Nokia N97. but anyways, you dont need the iPhone data plan. i know every at&t customer rep tells you to but you really dont have to. they cant charge you more. its not legal to do so. but yes, enjoy the iphone. its not really that bad. its just as much fun as flashing my fuze cept its alot more easier. haha i got the set up like my fuze. 300+ games, apps, etc. etc. modified interfaces for os x leaopard, vista, xp, etc. etc. haha i love all my windows mobile phones and my first iphone
Which unlimited data/messaging plan costs only $15/month? Mine was $30, and it was the cheapest one I saw! Also I think they can require it or make you pay full price for the phone. It's one reason they discount their phones so heavily.
The iPhone has a decent interface, and I like the way I can connect it to my car stereo; I just like to be able to access more settings. Plus the applications I use are free, and also business related. I have to pay for the same basic things on the iPhone. I can't even find a way to sync with MS Money! And the calendar on the iPhone is practically useless. In any case, it's on eBay now; I'm pretty sure I can leave my plan as-is. It costs the same as unlimited data for the Fuze anyway.
You have 30 days to return it to the store. Just run back there and get you a Fuze.
I could, but the Fuze will run $250; the iPhone was only $100. The average price on eBay for the iPhone is $428; I can get a Fuze for $350. So if I can do this without any trouble I'll make money instead of paying more.
btstarcher said:
I could, but the Fuze will run $250; the iPhone was only $100. The average price on eBay for the iPhone is $428; I can get a Fuze for $350. So if I can do this without any trouble I'll make money instead of paying more.
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no you don't. i got mine for $150. Just call in to customer service and ***** at them about how you have been with att for x years and that they're just giving you a $50 discount off the normal price when refurbs are going for free and how you pay subsidy fees to get the prices down and it adds up over time, etc etc you get the piont
good luck if u try to do this. took me about an hour and a half back in feb
Ah, if only I had been with them longer than 5 months....lol
I've already got everything done; got $410 for the iPhone, bought a practically new Fuze for $350. So it all worked out, and I ended up making $60 net. I also can switch to a PDA plan now, since I no longer have the iPhone.
I just have to say, I feel so free again!
btstarcher said:
Ah, if only I had been with them longer than 5 months....lol
I've already got everything done; got $410 for the iPhone, bought a practically new Fuze for $350. So it all worked out, and I ended up making $60 net. I also can switch to a PDA plan now, since I no longer have the iPhone.
I just have to say, I feel so free again!
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Click to collapse
pop your sim into a nonpda phone, call them up and get the $10 or $15 a month data plan. if you have a family plan, get the $30 a month messaging plan with the $10 a month unlimited data on your line with the nonpda sim. switch back to the fuze and you're saving 20 a month! works GREAT for me!
I have a question here and I may have missed something, but how in Gods name did you get the PDA plan for $15...nhshah7 I'm familiar with doing that sim card swap but don't they have some sort of automated "scanner" that scans for non-PDA IMEIs or something like that?
slapdaddy said:
I have a question here and I may have missed something, but how in Gods name did you get the PDA plan for $15...nhshah7 I'm familiar with doing that sim card swap but don't they have some sort of automated "scanner" that scans for non-PDA IMEIs or something like that?
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mwahahaha
they have a scanner but it doesn't actually report the conflicting IMEI or anything to them. i just need to be careful what I say when I call in for support, etc, but it works great. It was just the sim swap but they dont really seem to notice/care. amazing, huh?
Thats..mmmm..grabbing my old RAZR now...lol
Id like to see if anyone else can do this without getting caught. thats awesome news... if this is true!~
15 bucks!????
slapdaddy said:
Thats..mmmm..grabbing my old RAZR now...lol
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hahahah have fun. just be like i dropped my phone and it broke
systematicdecline said:
Id like to see if anyone else can do this without getting caught. thats awesome news... if this is true!~
15 bucks!????
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lol no, $10 if you're on a $30 unlimited family plan
I'm still on a "smartphone unlimited" plan from when I bought my first Moto MPx200 - $10/mo. I called once (when I had my 3125) to see if there were other plan options and the CSR said "oh, I don't think the plan you have covers your phone, we offer this $30 plan" and (oops) we got disconnected. I'm still paying $10/mo for the smartphone plan with my Fuze. I just bought my wife a Samsung Epix and added a $10 "family unlimited" data plan to her line with her SIM in her old Samsung SYNC. Unless I rock the boat, we're going to keep getting two lines of data for $10 less than one line would cost at their "PDA" level. Seems ridiculous - nobody can do over 5GB/mo anyways...
hyachts said:
I'm still on a "smartphone unlimited" plan from when I bought my first Moto MPx200 - $10/mo. I called once (when I had my 3125) to see if there were other plan options and the CSR said "oh, I don't think the plan you have covers your phone, we offer this $30 plan" and (oops) we got disconnected. I'm still paying $10/mo for the smartphone plan with my Fuze. I just bought my wife a Samsung Epix and added a $10 "family unlimited" data plan to her line with her SIM in her old Samsung SYNC. Unless I rock the boat, we're going to keep getting two lines of data for $10 less than one line would cost at their "PDA" level. Seems ridiculous - nobody can do over 5GB/mo anyways...
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hah unless you tether...then torrent
AT&T
Oh boy, did I hate AT&T when I was with them. I used to have a Samsung Blackjack II, which is a SmartPhone. I added the SmartPhone unlimited data plan, I guess it was $15 a month, and once when I had to call about some bogus charges the rep said "Oh, I see you have a Blackjack II, that is a PDA not a smartphone, let me adjust you to the right data plan". Well, of course I argued with her for a few then just flat out told her she better not touch my account other than to deal with the bogus charges or my entire family will be canceling their service immediately. It wasn't a threat, it was a warning. I was on a family plan with my mom and pops, and my mom will pretty much do anything I recommend in the tech world.
Well, a few months ago, I got fed up to the gills with them and we canceled the account and all 5 phones on it and switched to MetroPCS and haven't looked back. I am now trying to convert any AT&T subscriber I see, not just to Metro, but to ANYONE else. I am doing my part to try to hurt AT&T. Down with them!
Tekzel said:
Oh boy, did I hate AT&T when I was with them. I used to have a Samsung Blackjack II, which is a SmartPhone. I added the SmartPhone unlimited data plan, I guess it was $15 a month, and once when I had to call about some bogus charges the rep said "Oh, I see you have a Blackjack II, that is a PDA not a smartphone, let me adjust you to the right data plan". Well, of course I argued with her for a few then just flat out told her she better not touch my account other than to deal with the bogus charges or my entire family will be canceling their service immediately. It wasn't a threat, it was a warning. I was on a family plan with my mom and pops, and my mom will pretty much do anything I recommend in the tech world.
Well, a few months ago, I got fed up to the gills with them and we canceled the account and all 5 phones on it and switched to MetroPCS and haven't looked back. I am now trying to convert any AT&T subscriber I see, not just to Metro, but to ANYONE else. I am doing my part to try to hurt AT&T. Down with them!
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...down with all ridiculously overcharging terrible and evil carriers! Damn them all!

Pre-paid plans using CDMA Rhodium

I have been a long time customer (more than 10 years) with Iowa Wireless. I LOVE the plan I have, and the rate I haven't been able to find a match to. I'm a big fan of GSM and how I can change phones at will, but alas, I am moving to an area of North Dakota that doesn't have any GSM data, and very poor GSM voice coverage.
I have to move to Verizon (or any other CDMA provider), so I have taken this as my chance to get a new Rhodium to upgrade from my Kaiser to. Yay me.
BUT...
I don't like it, but I have had some financial difficulty, and now must pay a heafty deposit to get 'normal' service from Verizon (which is over priced to begin with).
If I get the Verizon pre-pay unlimited plan *shudders*, can I add a TP2 from eBay by just providing the correct serial numbers?
What about other pre-pay CDMA providers? Wal-Mart's Straight Talk is the right plan at a reasonable price, but can I mount a CMDA TP2 to thier network?
If you have access to MetroPCS in your area, and are willing to jump through a few hoops in getting the device configured, you can use a TP2 there. I have a Sprint TP2 that I bought on eBay running on MPS without issue. Data speeds will take you back to 2003, but the $40 unlimited call/text/data plan is hard to beat.
goldenu said:
If you have access to MetroPCS in your area, and are willing to jump through a few hoops in getting the device configured, you can use a TP2 there. I have a Sprint TP2 that I bought on eBay running on MPS without issue. Data speeds will take you back to 2003, but the $40 unlimited call/text/data plan is hard to beat.
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Wow, I'll have to check them out. Is MetroPCS GSM, or CDMA based? Unfortunatly (in this case) the TP2 can run both GSM and CDMA... as for speeds, I'm used to a trunkated 20K, so anything is fine with me. *chuckles*
Thanks for the pointers!
Check out Page Plus it resells Verizon service thier data plans are crap 20megs and 50 megs and then prepaid $3 a meg (I think) lol but if you setup you phone right you can get allo the free data you can use. I had some issues but had it working pm me if you want details. thei unlimited plan talk and txt with 20megs of data is ~$40
Otherwise see if US Cellular is in the area still expensive for my plan but better than Verizon.
1000 anytime National plan, free nights and weekends starting at 7pm, free incoming calls txts and pics~$45
+txt plan 750 msgs ~$10
+data $24
+phone insurance ~$6
+taxes ~however much the government steals
gets my bill ~$100 per month
But I do pull about a 1megabit down and reasonable upload with 200ms to 250ms latency in my service area when tethered on my pc and I've only been in two places in all of america I did not get coverage so I like them allso the costumer service is the best I've ever had from ANY COMPANY HANDS DOWN.
If their was one company that deserves a hug in the whole world is US Cellular they are the best!
sorry for typos it's late I'm tired and lazy.
How do you get free unlimited data from Page Plus?
I am also curious as to whether or not you can tie an unlocked Touch Pro 2 to the Straight Talk network. Anybody have any ideas?
Verizon Wireless Basic Pre-Paid Plan
I've got a Blackberry through work and use that to read my work mails and for calls. I was still using the HTC P3600 as my PDA/MP3 player/Navigation/snapshots/movies/games/etc. and was thinking it's time for an upgrade. The TP2 seemed to be a worthy successor... thank god - I was waiting long enough. Anyway, I was also looking for a plan that I could use every now and then without any monthly commitments and related high charges. So the Verizon basic pre-paid plan seemed ideal for my situation - it costs 99 cents per day you use it - while giving you unlimited data for that day. I'd get a $100 charge so they let me keep my number for 1 year and I'd get OTA data for every third day during that year. So much for the plan...
First attempt: Try to get the Vz TP2 with the basic pre-paid plan. FAILED ... although the pre-paid guys told me the phone would work with the plan, they wouldn't be able to sell it to me without a monthly plan. I could have gotten it for the month-to-month price and then cancelled the plan after the first month - but I didn't want to go that far.
So I bought the phone through eBay. Slight complication - but I am very happy with my new phone so far!
Second attempt: Get the Vz pre-paid plan setup to my new TP2 that I bought off eBay. FAILED althought initially I was informed the pre-paid plan would WORK with the TP2 - Verizon Wireless refuses to set it up with the TP2 (which they will recognize as soon as you give them your MEID). They told me "the pre-paid network is not able to handle the traffic generated by the TP2 phone" right, like there's a separate pre-paid network....
Third attempt: PENDING I want to get some low-cost CDMA phone, either off eBay or from Vz directly (~$40 dollars one-time costs) and set that up with the basic pre-paid plan. Then I'll just "repair"/clone that phone's ESN to my TP2 and theoretically will be able to use my TP2 finally with the Verizon Wireless Basic Pre-Paid plan.
Anyone has any thoughts or - even better - real life experience? Will this work? Any ideas for a cheaper solution? I don't mind the workaround - it's fun so far...
Bizzled - THIS IS EXACTLY the kind of information I wanted to know! I'm reading this intently, I can't wait to hear how this went. I have a little bit of time before I have to change companies, I'd really like to do this...
I think I can get you a phone that is from VZ... used to be on the network, let me know if you need one, I'll go do the research on my end.
Page Plus is a prepaid service that uses the Verizon network. They will activate any unlocked CDMA phone (even phones from another carrier).
Most Verizon PDA phones work out of the box with no unlocking or anything needed.
See here:
http://www.pagepluscellular.com/
Sounds like exactly what you are looking for.
bizzled said:
I've got a Blackberry through work and use that to read my work mails and for calls. I was still using the HTC P3600 as my PDA/MP3 player/Navigation/snapshots/movies/games/etc. and was thinking it's time for an upgrade. The TP2 seemed to be a worthy successor... thank god - I was waiting long enough. Anyway, I was also looking for a plan that I could use every now and then without any monthly commitments and related high charges. So the Verizon basic pre-paid plan seemed ideal for my situation - it costs 99 cents per day you use it - while giving you unlimited data for that day. I'd get a $100 charge so they let me keep my number for 1 year and I'd get OTA data for every third day during that year. So much for the plan...
First attempt: Try to get the Vz TP2 with the basic pre-paid plan. FAILED ... although the pre-paid guys told me the phone would work with the plan, they wouldn't be able to sell it to me without a monthly plan. I could have gotten it for the month-to-month price and then cancelled the plan after the first month - but I didn't want to go that far.
So I bought the phone through eBay. Slight complication - but I am very happy with my new phone so far!
Second attempt: Get the Vz pre-paid plan setup to my new TP2 that I bought off eBay. FAILED althought initially I was informed the pre-paid plan would WORK with the TP2 - Verizon Wireless refuses to set it up with the TP2 (which they will recognize as soon as you give them your MEID). They told me "the pre-paid network is not able to handle the traffic generated by the TP2 phone" right, like there's a separate pre-paid network....
Third attempt: PENDING I want to get some low-cost CDMA phone, either off eBay or from Vz directly (~$40 dollars one-time costs) and set that up with the basic pre-paid plan. Then I'll just "repair"/clone that phone's ESN to my TP2 and theoretically will be able to use my TP2 finally with the Verizon Wireless Basic Pre-Paid plan.
Anyone has any thoughts or - even better - real life experience? Will this work? Any ideas for a cheaper solution? I don't mind the workaround - it's fun so far...
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Did you buy a verizon branded TP2? Just curious, since I'm dealing with my own issue with verizon.
@cdmccul - I'll definitely share the results once I'm done. Got a Verizon Phone already for the cloning process... just need to figure the cloning out now. Thanks for the offer though!
@SaltyDawg - thanks for the hint. I won't go with PagePlus though since they charge you $1.20/MB for data and that's all I'm interested in for my future TP2 plan...
MadM3rlin said:
Did you buy a verizon branded TP2? Just curious, since I'm dealing with my own issue with verizon.
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Yes I did.
bizzled said:
@cdmccul - I'll definitely share the results once I'm done. Got a Verizon Phone already for the cloning process... just need to figure the cloning out now. Thanks for the offer though!
@SaltyDawg - thanks for the hint. I won't go with PagePlus though since they charge you $1.20/MB for data and that's all I'm interested in for my future TP2 plan...
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$1.20 per MB? That's only if you take the standard plan.
http://www.pagepluscellular.com/Plans/Talk n Text 1200.aspx
That says you get 1200 minutes, 1200 text messages, and 50 MB of data for $29.99 per month (which is the same as the $1.00 per day that you were talking about on Verizon). And data is billed at .60 per MB if you go over the 50 MB.
I looked at PagePlus, but the web site wasn't working well for me, and it appears as though they won't get me a phone number near where I need one. Doesn't mean I won't try a different area code, but for now, if I can get Verizon to work, that would be 'better.
However, Verizon doesn't have any LOCAL numbers to exactly where I am. The closest town to where I am moving to is considered long distance to where I will be living.
cdmccul said:
I looked at PagePlus, but the web site wasn't working well for me, and it appears as though they won't get me a phone number near where I need one. Doesn't mean I won't try a different area code, but for now, if I can get Verizon to work, that would be 'better.
However, Verizon doesn't have any LOCAL numbers to exactly where I am. The closest town to where I am moving to is considered long distance to where I will be living.
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Just port your number in. Keep your existing number. If you don't have an existing number, buy a cheap prepaid phone and then port that number.
SaltyDawg said:
Just port your number in. Keep your existing number. If you don't have an existing number, buy a cheap prepaid phone and then port that number.
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I'll have to see if I can find any - the town I'm moving to isn't THAT small, but I haven't found any local cell numbers. I'll have to do more research, there's got to be somebody... That or I'll try to do something with the GoogleVoice thingy I read about a while ago.
Well if push comes to shove, you can port landline numbers too. So you could sign up for a landline from whoever the local phone company is, and then after a few days port it out to your cell phone.

[Q] New to XDA / Android Phones... Please advise :)

Hello XDA members,
Let me first start by introducing myself. I am poor college student currently on T-Mobile USA using the iPhone 3GS with a $10 unlimited data plan.
I am looking to switch to a T-Mobile phone so I can finally get 3G+ speeds... This iPhone gets horrid speeds due to the difference between AT&T & T-Mo's celluar bands.
I am torn between which phones to get, Google Nexus One, G2, MyTouch4G or the Samsung Vibrant. I want to root my phone and have "super access" and I would like to try and take advantage of the $10 plan if possible.
If not, I am aware of the $20 Preferred Android Plan, but as previous stated, it's hard for a poor college student to cough up the monthly plans when I have WiFi access.
I would appreciate any advice, comparisons or tips. Please be gentle.
First:
1) If you get a phone subsidized (meaning you pay upgrade price and add it to contract) you will absolutely have to get either the $10/250mb plan or the $30/Unlimited plan. There's no avoiding this.
2) If you buy the phone unlocked, you can keep your $10 unlimited plan, but they will auto-switch you to the Android $30 plan. You have to CALL CLD (Customer Loyalty Department), tell them to give you your $10 feature back and to block you from the premium so it won't auto switch you. Success here is hit or miss.
Now, for further questions:
Every Android device has its pluses and its minuses.
Do you want QWERTY physical keyboard? If so, go with the G2.
Do you want the most raw processing power with an HTC branded device? Go with the MyTouch 4G.
Do you want over-the-air updates to the latest Android and a powerful GPU? Go with the Nexus S.
Do you want TERRIBLE quality control, terrible reliability, terrible device, terrible everything? Go with the Vibrant.
The cons of the G2 are the keyboard hangs loose if it's upside down, the processor isn't as fast as the Nexus S/MyTouch 4G and it has less ram.
The cons of the MyTouch 4G are that it has a really bloated stock operating system and having permanent root isn't "guaranteed". You also have to make sure it has the good screen.
The cons of the Nexus S are that it's made by Samsung so GPS issues are highly possible and it has no MicroSD slot so you're stuck with 16GB.
Check out the HD2 and HD7 as well.
Essenar said:
First:
1) If you get a phone subsidized (meaning you pay upgrade price and add it to contract) you will absolutely have to get either the $10/250mb plan or the $30/Unlimited plan. There's no avoiding this.
2) If you buy the phone unlocked, you can keep your $10 unlimited plan, but they will auto-switch you to the Android $30 plan. You have to CALL CLD (Customer Loyalty Department), tell them to give you your $10 feature back and to block you from the premium so it won't auto switch you. Success here is hit or miss.
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Click to collapse
First off, thank you for your reply!
I will be buying the phone unlocked, probably on eBay or Craigslist, but I fear fake phones. I haven't heard of them auto switching people to the $30 plan, what premium would I need to request to be blocked?
HD2 / HD7 was a huge turn off due to the Windows OS, but if dual boot is an easy, viable option without emulation (thus running at 100% speed), then I may have to consider these phones as well... They do look quite pricey...
The Vibrant seems to be a love it/hate it phone. Clearly Samsung has bailed on the phone, but with such a great community, 2.2 seems to run great with a little tweaking.
The HD2, when modified, runs Android at full 100% hardware. It doesn't "emulate". The HD7 is a bad choice if you want to install your own operating systems so stay away from it.
The Vibrant is love it for people who are stuck with it and found ways around the problems. But most of those people, if given a "do over" would go HTC in a heartbeat.
G2's can be had for cheap coin here on our own marketplace. Just make sure you buy from a reputable seller. And your 3GS would sell easily for the price of what you can get a G2 for. (Roughly $275-350).
There's no premium to avoid the $30 plan, just have to tell them you had a $10 data plan on your account and you don't want it changed. If they tell you Android phones need it, tell them "No they don't. I didn't get my device from you so the contract doesn't apply to me. Give me my $10 feature back."
from personal experience i would say buy nexus one from amazon
Essenar said:
There's no premium to avoid the $30 plan, just have to tell them you had a $10 data plan on your account and you don't want it changed. If they tell you Android phones need it, tell them "No they don't. I didn't get my device from you so the contract doesn't apply to me. Give me my $10 feature back."
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Click to collapse
Thanks for your input, I will hope to keep the $10 plan. Do you have experience with using the $10 plan on Smartphones?
To be honest, I've never had experience with it on 3G.
I had an unlocked iPhone 2G for probably two months on T-Mobile with the $10 data and then it fell out of my pocket, fell 8 inches to the ground and shattered the screen.
After that, no more iPhone, no more $10 data. After all the data plan price changes, I regret my decision tremendously because almost everyone grandfather's the old T-Zone and $10 data plan. Data is data. As long as you're using the same APN, you'll connect to the towers and use 3G. Assuming you have a 3G antenna of course.
That's why Sprint charges an extra $10 for 4G whether you like it or not, because they can't control whether or not your 4G phone will pick up 4G service. If you have the hardware, the towers are there and the APN allows your device, you get the data.
Bump, I'd like more input on the phones...

[Q] Upgrading from Sprint Mogul to Evo 4G

I'm not sure where to ask this, but xda-developers was my first thought. I currently have a Sprint Mogul that is aging a bit too much lately and wanted to upgrade by buying an Evo 4G on ebay, however I just talked to a sprint store employee that said that the 4G phones REQUIRE an extra $10 fee. I already have $5/mo unlimited data, and no current 4G available anywhere near here. Is this a requirement that I can avoid or should I look for a good 3G android phone?
As far as I know it's a requirement for ALL smartphones now, not just 4g, so you might as well get an Evo. I'm spending roughly $80 a month after everything which is what I was paying at Verizon for a non-data, nothing unlimited plan. I'm on a plan with my boyfriend, but it's only $10 cheaper, so with the lowest required plan for the Evo, by yourself you'll be paying ~$90-$100. I think it's worth it, but you might not.
Well, the thing is, by any definition the mogul is a smartphone. What I want to do is change phones and not tell sprint what phone it is, it would allow me to maintain my plan at its current rate, but 4G is a different service, though without the towers I don't see how they would know it had the ability. I only wonder because the sprint employee seemed to think I could do this with any non-4G phone and not increase my rates, which is what I want.
Tb0n3 said:
Well, the thing is, by any definition the mogul is a smartphone. What I want to do is change phones and not tell sprint what phone it is, it would allow me to maintain my plan at its current rate, but 4G is a different service, though without the towers I don't see how they would know it had the ability. I only wonder because the sprint employee seemed to think I could do this with any non-4G phone and not increase my rates, which is what I want.
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Click to collapse
I asked this exact same question a few months ago when i got an evo. The answer is yes you can, but it might be illegal since you have to clone your mogul phone onto your evo. I forget which number it is, but there's a unique ID number for every cell phone - if you can copy the one from the mogul onto the evo, you should be able to just use it without sprint knowing any better.
But i believe it's illegal to do that and was told I shouldn't ask how to do that on here since it would probably just get deleted/i'd get banned.
I finally gave in and paid the stupid $10 a month even though i never use the 4g.
btw, i also had a mogul from sprint. If it's just going to cost you $10 more a month then what you are paying now, i'd say it's worth it, even if the extra $10 month is complete BS.
I guess that answers my question, though $10 is ten dollars a month, no matter how you look at it, it's not like I'm getting any extra service from them. From my experience, however, they aren't above negotiation over the phone, which is how I got my $5/mo unlimited data.
merkk said:
I asked this exact same question a few months ago when i got an evo. The answer is yes you can, but it might be illegal since you have to clone your mogul phone onto your evo. I forget which number it is, but there's a unique ID number for every cell phone - if you can copy the one from the mogul onto the evo, you should be able to just use it without sprint knowing any better.
But i believe it's illegal to do that and was told I shouldn't ask how to do that on here since it would probably just get deleted/i'd get banned.
I finally gave in and paid the stupid $10 a month even though i never use the 4g.
btw, i also had a mogul from sprint. If it's just going to cost you $10 more a month then what you are paying now, i'd say it's worth it, even if the extra $10 month is complete BS.
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Click to collapse
That $10/month extra, does that include the $5/month that I pay already for unlimited data or will that stack onto it?
Tb0n3 said:
That $10/month extra, does that include the $5/month that I pay already for unlimited data or will that stack onto it?
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Click to collapse
not sure - all i know is if you go to the sprint site and act like you are ordering a new phone with new service - if you pick one of the older smart phones you'll pay $10 less then what you'll pay if you pick one of the newer/4g phones. You wont get anything extra for the $10 - you get the same exact plan.
wow - what a rip off - i just checked the sprint site and now they are charging the $10/mo extra even for the older non-4g phones, like the touch pro 2.
If you are on an older plan, my guess is you'll have to upgrade to one of their current plans. so lets say $70 for the 450 minute plan and you'll have to pay an extra $10 on top of that if you buy any smartphone.
That's sort of what happened to me. I was on the old SERO plan - fortunately they started offering an upgrade path for sero users. So i wound up paying a little more then what i was paying before, but still cheaper then what regular new users get stuck with. Since they made me upgrade to a current plan, i'm guessing they'll make you do the same. So the $10 charge should replace the $5 charge you pay now.
I upgraded from a Sprint Mogul to an Samsung Epic and I to had to pay the 10 dollars, But the good think I noticed about the Epic. You can turn 4G feature on and off. When you are in an area that offers 4G and turn it on the Data bandwidth is a whole lot better verses a 3G area. If you have a phone that can do both next time you are in a 4G area do a speedtest and you will see the difference in bandwidth.
You are required to have the $10 dollars a month. It doesn't stack with the $5, I just replaces it.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Going to have a 2-year contract on September... Want a new Windows Phone

Hi, i am a student from Vietnam, but studying at United States right now. This is my first year at United States, so i haven't signed a contract yet because i know i will be back Vietnam for a little bit (for about ~4 months). I will be back here on September, 2011 and i think i am going to sign a 2-year contract and get a Windows Phone 7 Device because my currect monthly-contract with T-Mobile is kinda expensive i think...
i am current having the HTC HD7 T-Mobile T9292, bought on ebay. Work perfectly,i am loving it. And September seem to be far away, and HD7 is not a "failed" device, somebody would wonder why i create this thread.
But today, when i went back from the school, i suddenly dropped my HD7 to the ground quite hard and it had no cover at all ( i forgot to put the black-silicon cover for it because i was leaving in hurry in the morning). The phone was damaged physically outside, top right corner ( but still working, no problem while operating the phone) and it looks ugly. I am kinda a person who have a "eye-infinity", want to own something look sexy (that why i bought the HD7). So, when the phone is damaged and cannot be fixed, i get mad (not really, lol ) and there is one thing run across my head, "I am going to have a new phone" .
basically, i know nothing about signing a contract with a wiress-provider. If someone can give me some info that would be great. I am a Microsoft-Fan, and Windows Phone 7 is great to use. But now it get me really confuse. I don't know which phone i am going to get.
HTC HD7 is fine, since i have some special respect to HTC because they always make cool phones, but it has some issue, like "Pink-Camera", TFT-LCD only... Now, we even have a HD7S from AT&T. And again, i don't know which carrier to choose. People said AT&T is expensive, but has a better coverage than T-Mobile...blah...blah...blah. Even Android is not that bad. I am really confuse.
If someone can help me out, that would be great!
PS: I will be at St.Peterburg, FL next year, if someone are going to answer my question about coverage! Thanks!
Why not just order a replacement housing for it instead of signing up for a contract?
http://cgi.ebay.com/USA-Original-HT...ltDomain_0&hash=item3cb77dea52#ht_2185wt_1208
drkfngthdragnlrd said:
Why not just order a replacement housing for it instead of signing up for a contract?
http://cgi.ebay.com/USA-Original-HT...ltDomain_0&hash=item3cb77dea52#ht_2185wt_1208
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Click to collapse
+1
or put a cover on it ?
or buy anything off craigslist... a two year contract with the devil, for a phone you can pick up for $200 locally ?
drkfngthdragnlrd said:
Why not just order a replacement housing for it instead of signing up for a contract?
http://cgi.ebay.com/USA-Original-HT...ltDomain_0&hash=item3cb77dea52#ht_2185wt_1208
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link. But i have another question. If i sign a new contract (to T-Mobile for example), can i use my old phone? Or i must have another one?
I want to sign a contract because i cannot handle $50 /month plan for the whole year (Unlimited Talk and text, 100mb data). I choose that plan only beacause i want the "Data", i use the EGRPS/3G more than talk and texting. My friend who have a iPhone 4 AT&T, pay $25/month, and has 2GB Data, 2year contract.
ohgood said:
+1
or put a cover on it ?
or buy anything off craigslist... a two year contract with the devil, for a phone you can pick up for $200 locally ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the silicon cover for it. It cover the damaged part pretty well. But the idea of signing a contract here is having the Data Usage ( i am a heavily 3G/EGPRS user). I don't need Unlimited talk and text but i need EGPRS so that why i need to choose the plan $50/month...
Plus, remember, most likely AT&T will be merging with T-Mobile within 12 months or so. So, being with one or the other in the long run won't matter & signing a contract with T-Mobile, you may be able to cancel your contact free of charge in a yr. In the USA, you're allowed to cancel a contract free of charge when there's a merger of this type. Also, T-Mobile is cheaper than AT&T & in my experience has better service. I've seen many AT&T users not have signer where I do with T-Mobile, granted non of this matter once the merger is complete.
First thing to mention using an existing device, AT&T & T-Mobile have different 3G frequencies so a T-Mobile device won't get 3G on AT&T. Now they both are GSM & so have SIM Cards so you can reuse your device, just get a cheap free phone with your new contract.
I look at the Windows Phone Chart today, and i don't think any current device is better than HD7, since i have already gotten used to the 4.3 inch screen, it is hard to switch to something smaller than 4 inch.
Dell Venue now is a good choice, but i actually don't like the design that much, and Dell is not really famous in Smartphone category.
ASUS also has a plan for a Windows Phone 7 Device, same as HTC ( a new ad about Windows Phone 7 HTC Device with 16mp Camera and Front Camera for video call) ... and i think they are quite sexy to compare to the HD7.
I was just checking both AT&T & T-Mobile's plans & the cheapest Talk/Text/Web I see is $60 for T-Mobile (500 Mins) & $75 for AT&T (450 Mins w/ Roll Over, $39.99 Talk/$20.00 Text/$15.00 Web). Both have Unlimited Text & 200 MB Data.
So, you have signed the contract to T-Mobile? What is your current plan? (How much per month?) and What is the cheapeast plan that T-Mobile provide?
I have Unlimited Talk/Unlimited Text on 5 lines & Unlimited Web on 1 line. Our bill is $314.05 (With Taxes/Fees/Etc.). T-Mobile does have an Unlimited Talk/Text/Web deal for $80 for a single line.
drkfngthdragnlrd said:
I have Unlimited Talk/Unlimited Text on 5 lines & Unlimited Web on 1 line. Our bill is $314.05 (With Taxes/Fees/Etc.). T-Mobile does have an Unlimited Talk/Text/Web deal for $80 for a single line.
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Click to collapse
Do you have any suggestion? 200MB Web is not that bad if i use EGPRS only... but 3G maybe a little bit different, since i am not always home or any cafe' to have Wifi... I may get crazy one day and use all my data in watching video on YouTube!
But i can't believe that my friend can get $25/month, and 2GB Web Data on AT&T for iPhone 4!
I highly doubt he's only paying $25 a month. I believe that to be just for Data, not including talk/text. I pay $30 a month for my Unlimited Data, the 200 MB Data is only $15. AT&T does not have an Unlimited Data plan. They have the 200 MB & 2 GB plans.
drkfngthdragnlrd said:
I highly doubt he's only paying $25 a month. I believe that to be just for Data, not including talk/text. I pay $30 a month for my Unlimited Data, the 200 MB Data is only $15. AT&T does not have an Unlimited Data plan. They have the 200 MB & 2 GB plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, if you sign a contract, you can pay separately between call/texting and Web Data? That sould really cool to me...
Are you having unlimited data for your HD7?
Correct, my plan is a shared family plan of Unlimited Talk/Text for all 5 lines. My line has it's own Unlimited Data. I prefer to be safe for the extra $15 & not have to worry about data usage.
Thank you very much about the T-Mobile's Plan sir!
Look like i am going to have a contract with T-Mobile... The problem now, is waiting for some Cool Windows Phone 7 Device come out... and hopefully... t-mobile will have it

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