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Help me decide between Sprint and Verizon TP2

New Guy here. First post.
OK, so here's my issue. I've been a Nextel customer(moved over to Sprint awhile back) for about 10 years. My contract is about up and I'm going to get a Smartphone finally after all these years of using my Axim and cell phone separate.
I've kinda nearly decided on the Touch Pro 2 and they are both available from Sprint and Verizon. Sprint only offers the TP2 with the older OS and can't give me any idea of when they will update it if ever. Also, they want $350 for it. Verizon has it with the newest OS for $200.
Is there any reason I should stay with Sprint or should I be looking at Verizon? Other than if you have a bias for or against a particular carrier, is there a benefit of one over the other?
Thanks
JTMcD.

The new verizon OS has been a real pain for me so far.
I may be looking to switch to a cooked rom if I can't get e few things working.
I do NOT use the TF3D (or Sensui) interface, I use the normal today screen. If you use the TF3D interface, the new rom looks like it may be better for you.
If that doesn't matter, then it has more to do with the cost and coverage. Where I need my phone to work, VZW has better coverage.

I would consider these things (in no particular order):
1. Which carrier has the best coverage in my area?
2. What plans are available, and which plan suits my needs best?
3. Which carrier has the best customer service?
4. How much will equipment and accessories cost?
5. Which carrier has the most up to date software (for PDA's)?
I had AT&T for 5 years, and just recently switched to Verizon. I was considering Sprint, but when I considered the things listed above, Verizon was a better choice for me. I'm not telling you to switch to Verizon by any means. I'm just giving you some things to think about. Switching carriers can be a hassle up front, so don't expect the transition to be smooth if you do switch.

I've been reading a lot about the Touch Pro2, and it sounds to me like the Sprint and Verizon versions are pretty similar. Personally, I'm sticking with Sprint, but one advantage to the Verizon version is that, although it comes locked, apparently if you can get Vz to unlock the GSM portion of the phone, it will work with US carrier SIM cards. Not so with the Sprint version, which is unlocked by default for overseas carriers but will not work on GSM bands in the US at all (unless you hack the thing).
In terms of phone cost, I think it would be helpful to just compare your overall two year cost of ownership (e.g., including monthly plan payments) rather than just the out-the-door phone price. Also, I think it's basically a certainty that Sprint will be upgrading their Touch Pro2 to WM6.5, by the way.

That's where I'm at right now. I can say that I've had great coverage and utility from Nextel/Sprint over the past years. Talking to others though I am the minority and not the majority. My wife says it was the first carrier she had that allowed her to get a signal in class at the local college.
At the same time, People here who have Verizon swear by them.
I am leaning more toward Verizon at this point since. I figure, we have 30 days in order to switch back if we find we don't get as good of coverage.
I just wonder if Sprint is actually faster than Verizon as far as 3G/4G goes. I find it odd though that Sprint seems to be on again, off again when advertising a 4G network.

eh.... i wouldn't base your decision on what the stock rom is.... there are several good cooked roms, i have sprint and i managed to use the stock rom for about a week before i started flashing roms over... and i haven't looked back since
and sprint has some good things going for their service plans... any mobile any time. and i dont have any roaming charges, so i really dont care if sprint has good service as i get service anywhere anyone else does now....

I'm not comfortable enough to use a cooked ROM on a device I rely on. After I make the switch over to a smartphone I'll start playing with those on my Axim x51v and then maybe eventually start hacking my phone. Right now, I don't want to run the risk of bricking my new phone. I need the PDA for work as I am a trauma Nurse and use alot of different programs and if I loose my PDA, it could very well cost a life. Not just an inconvenience, it kinda is a necessity on my part.
If it wasn't for that, I'd hack it in a heartbeat.

then i would go with the one with the most stable os. personally i am sprint and have been for years but with the great rates and coverage i haven't really had a need to look elsewhere. from the above post it sounds like there are some issues to sort out with the vzw 6.5 rom and i can tell you first hand that the sprint 6.1 is very solid, fast, and stable. thus far it's been the best stock rom that i have come across. personally i just don't like 6.1 anymore or i would probably be running stock. it is a little higher in price (ok a lot higher), but it bsaically pays for itself with the cheaper plans compared to vzw.

I have had both Sprint and Verizon. I went with Verizon because everybody I know has VZW and I could basically call/text anybody I know without using any minutes or texts so it allowed me to put a super low minutes/text plan on my phone. As far as service Sprint and VZW have been pretty much equal in my book. They both kick the crap out of ATT that's for sure.

One thing NOT to worry about is the up-front cost of the phone. Considering the difference in cost for the plan over a 2 year contract, the phone's price is minor.

I just switched from Sprint to Verizon. I had two branded TP2's with Sprint and I have two branded TP2's with Verizon. I was with Sprint for 8 years prior to the switch and have had the Mogul, TP, and TP2. I've been flashing ROM's on all my Sprint phones since the Mogul.
For me personally, Verizon has the best coverage for the area where I work and live. The Verizon TP2 just "feels" better and more solid in my hand than Sprints.
As far as coverage, I was on 1x or Roaming with Sprint inside my workplace. With Verizon I have 3G. The Sprint battery would last about 12 hours at best, since my phone was constantly looking for a tower. With Verizon I get 20.5 hours of average use. Plus Verizon has Rhodium500 which is newer.
I've found the Verizon phone is faster out of the box. I just finished upgrading the phone to the newest official 6.5 build and I'm mildly impressed. But I will be on a custom rom by the end of the week.
The newest build has some touchflo GUI enhancements which is pretty slick, plus visual voicemail.
htcfan78 is right, check on coverage. I live in Florida. Verizon built backup generators at all their towers. So if another hurricane comes thru and knocks out power, I'll still have cell coverage. Can't say the same for Sprint.
Having been with Sprint for 8 years, I'm really impressed with Verizon, both the phone and customer service. But in the end its all relative to your own individual experience.

sprint would be cheaper monthly just upfront is where verizon wins.

Verizon or Sprint
Here are a few things to consider
A while back Sprint and Verizon got into bed together
Verizon wanted a fast dependable data network without paying to develop it so they actually pay sprint to use there data network, part of the agreement was that Sprint would get to use all of verizon's voice service for sprint roaming at no cost to there customers. So as far as usage they are the same network.
Verizon charges there customers for every little thing they do., and until the other day did not have a affordable everything plan. also sprint and HTC have an accord that (even though most carriers have released the final version of the phone) all the other cariers would be beta testers for the touch pro 2 .
other than that the phones are virtually identical.
oh btw sprint customer care sucks.

thanks for all the input. Keep it coming.
I'm beginning to lean a little toward the Sprint again now. I discovered that a friend of mine via a totally different website is a Sprint Tech who works on the infrastructure and tech side of things. He's provided me a little more insight on the overall costs and benefits compared to Verizon and even AT&T.
I went through the Hurricanes a few years back and remember our EMS services here in Polk swithing over to Verizon, from Sprint, after and most have more issues now than before. One of the Captians says he can be sitting in his office with a tower within visual sight and still not have a signal. I know, doesn't mean it's a Verizon tower but still....
Everyone I know on the civilian side that has Verizon has nothing but good to say about it. I think my wife and I are about the only people who have Nextel/Sprint that doesn't have a problem with cell service. From what I've read and what I've been told by some in the know, there will be a update on the Sprint Phone, just not until it is stable and as bug free as possible. This weekend, the wife and I will be out shopping and going to some of the service centers to see what kind of deals we can get. I onlt just learned about the Premiere customer service from Sprint adn apparently I more than qualify for it. Also, I think I may even get a small discount for working at the Hospital. I know Verizon has a 18 or 19% discount. Why not 20%, I don't know. ALso, I'll call and speak to Customer care at Sprint to see what they are willing to offer to keep me a a customer. Then it ultimately comes down to what Sprints plan and price is compared to Verizons plan and price and how much it costs with any addons. I read a coupld of sites over the last couple days that show where Sprint is $20 cheaper at minimum for the same services. That alone would make up the difference in phone cost. Especially over the lifetime of the phone as I don't upgrade often.
Heck, I'm still using the same Axim x51v that I bought back in 2005 and the same ic902 that I got back in 2006-7 and have been hapy with both ever since. I'm just tired of carrying both around all the time.
Thanks for all the input. Please keep it coming.

I'll chime in for Sprint. It depends on how much you talk and who you talk to, but Sprint's plans are pretty cheap. My wife and I pay ~$120 a month for unlimited messaging and data for both of us, meaning even extra premium services like GPS, TV, radio, etc. We admittedly don't have the most minutes, but Sprint lets you call any cell phone, regardless of carrier, without using minutes. We mostly just call people on their cells and call parents and the like on weekends, so the small number of minutes we get is never even closed to being exhausted. They also don't roll-over, but if we never come close to going over, who cares? I've found Sprint's coverage to be excellent where I live in Utah, and quite comparable to Verizon in the high Rockies in Colorado when we visit my parents.
There will always be good and bad stories of customer service, but I like the reps at our local Sprint store and they actually know quite a bit about the hardware they're selling (I will never forget when I was exchanging a bad Tilt (Kaiser, not the Rhodium) and I asked the AT&T rep if he had any suggestions for ROM's or software. He told me he didn't really know about any of that, but he had watched a movie on his once and thought that was cool, haha).

I have sprint.. I have the everything data plan which comes with ANY CELL ANY TIME so I can call my friends on any cell service.. I also get UNLIMITED DATA and UNLIMITED TEXT/MMS.. also 1500 minutes...
the stock rom is not good at all.. I use mighty rom and its made my phone 10000000 times better

Well, I stayed with Sprint. Took the TP2 and the wife opted for a Blackberry 8350 or something like that. She got it becasue it was Purple.....
To make things even better, Since I'm an RN and with teh Trauma team for my local hospital(probably employee discount they all get), I got an additional 23% discount on my plan so my $129 plan is closer to $100. Verizon was only giving 18% off their price so it was even a greater savings for me. So I'll more than make up the difference in price of the phone over the next year.
Thanks for all the input. As you can probably already see, I'm playing with the new phone and already have questioins.

G2x on AT&T?

Would it be possible to run this beast on AT&Ts network?

ookami614 said:
Would it be possible to run this beast on AT&Ts network?
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Yes, but you won't get 3g speeds.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App

I heard that it is possible for at&t 3G ..but I think it would be a result if the merger goes through or not
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As of right now, not possible for 3g data. The phone doesn't have the baseband but there is a group that thinks the phone actually supports Att 3G but is locked down until the merger goes through. Would make sense that Tmo would keep it locked in order to maintain customers as long as possible.

hiko36 said:
As of right now, not possible for 3g data. The phone doesn't have the baseband but there is a group that thinks the phone actually supports Att 3G but is locked down until the merger goes through. Would make sense that Tmo would keep it locked in order to maintain customers as long as possible.
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I am totally hoping that ATT comes in, forces a massive switch to their network, and then allows everyone to update their phones inside of the current contracts.
I would get the G2x, keep it as a wifi machine or sell it on Ebay, and be able to get the Galaxy SII for the low contract price.
I want ATT to take over the towers, and give all the old users new hardware to work within the ATT system. And the T-Mobile data costs locked in. Great deal for everyone.
One thing for sure, if ATT comes in, they have to give the same 4G (3.5G++ or whatever you want to call T-Mobile 4G) service to all the G2x owners...one way or the other.
Heck if ATT is not able to finish the purchase they need to pay up 6 billion in penalties. A bunch of new phones to existing user, going out a new contract prices, is easy. Plus ATT has way more solid coverage in my area.
I went with the G2x hoping that it would become an orphaned phone in the ATT world....gets me a new piece of hardware on the cheep

I agree with this. If AT&T forces people into having crippled phones without offering heavily subsidized replacements on their new network then surely there will be an outcry ... with that said we could be getting a great upgrade deal for getting the shaft (but this would be nearly 2 years down the road so its sort of win win)
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App

tombaker1 said:
I am totally hoping that ATT comes in, forces a massive switch to their network, and then allows everyone to update their phones inside of the current contracts.
I would get the G2x, keep it as a wifi machine or sell it on Ebay, and be able to get the Galaxy SII for the low contract price.
I want ATT to take over the towers, and give all the old users new hardware to work within the ATT system. And the T-Mobile data costs locked in. Great deal for everyone.
One thing for sure, if ATT comes in, they have to give the same 4G (3.5G++ or whatever you want to call T-Mobile 4G) service to all the G2x owners...one way or the other.
Heck if ATT is not able to finish the purchase they need to pay up 6 billion in penalties. A bunch of new phones to existing user, going out a new contract prices, is easy. Plus ATT has way more solid coverage in my area.
I went with the G2x hoping that it would become an orphaned phone in the ATT world....gets me a new piece of hardware on the cheep
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Uhhh i guess you want plan costs to go through the roof. No one wants this merger to succeed. Tons of tmobile plans will disappear
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk

Several upcoming phones for Tmobile support AT&T 3G bands and it is quoted in several sources that "the bandband for AT&T will be locked until the merger goes through".
AT&T is putting up a pretty big wager guaranteeing it would go through. I don't see why it wouldn't. Sure AT&T would be the only major GSM carrier in the US but there is still plenty of competition (Verizon). Plus larger cities have their own local cell carriers.
They probably would also be subject to leasing out their frequencies to companies like Cricket and Boost Mobile, that piggy back off other carriers towers.
I personally think it is a good idea because there is only so much frequency bandwidth for GSM and having to split it up among different groups creates problems. Not all area's have all the frequencies but once the merger goes through, phones would support all and would be able to connect to anything. This means more signal and bandwidth for everyone.
Sure I dislike AT&T but I did like their service (back before the iFone). It then became over crowded and I couldn't use it at my house. For travel, AT&T > Tmobile. At home, where I am most of the time, Tmobile>AT&T. If they combine, it will be the best of both worlds.

[Q] Cheap No Contract Android Phone for Wife

Hello. Does anyone have any suggestions for a cheap (sub $200) Android phone with no contract for AT&T? My wife is wanting to get her first smart phone, but she is not due for an upgrade until January 2012. We are on AT&T through a business plan. I'm looking for something cheap and something that can run custom ROMs (has an active development base). I'm running a Samsung Captivate with Serendipity 7 now. I'd like to get an android phone for my wife and I don't have a problem setting her up for a data plan, but I'm trying to keep it under 200.

You might want to try one of the prepaid networks some like virgin/boost etc. many have decently cheap phones android phones off contract. If you do not mind being on a CDMA network instead of GSM you could always try the LG Optimus V it retails for 149.99 and the plans are cheap as well. Just food for thought.

Buy X10, its cheap **** when you buy it used, and until you dont have custom ROM/Kernel it really sucks, so you can play with this things Had it before really pain, even Had LG Optimus V/One yes that one have official dev in cyanogen. But i suggest something like Xperia Mini, i dont know price bcuz its still not out.

Ok I am a little noobish when it comes to the differences between networks. Can I unlock a boost or virgin phone and use it on att's network? I have thought about changing carriers too, but I would hate to do that and then never have a signal anywhere (i work IT in a rural town). The price difference between like att and tmobile is crazy though. I currently am on a business plan through my work and pay around 75 a month for 550 minutes and another 35 per month for unlimited data on one line.

G.Hook said:
Ok I am a little noobish when it comes to the differences between networks. Can I unlock a boost or virgin phone and use it on att's network? I have thought about changing carriers too, but I would hate to do that and then never have a signal anywhere (i work IT in a rural town). The price difference between like att and tmobile is crazy though. I currently am on a business plan through my work and pay around 75 a month for 550 minutes and another 35 per month for unlimited data on one line.
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No you can not use a CDMA phone (boost/sprint/metropcs/alltell-verizon/virgin) on a GSM network, (AT&T/T-Mobile). I'd go on to each of the carriers I mentioned websites and use their coverage maps to determine if you have service where you are.

First post! Need help..

Hey guys...I've lurked on this forum for a while...But this is my first post. Sorry if this has already been asked a million times or if it's in the wrong forum. But I need help asap.
I had a Verizon Galaxy Nexus but just cancelled my plan because it was getting too expensive. I was going to sign up with Sprint because I get a huge company discount, but a friend of mine just gave me his Verizon S4 because he bought a G2. Anyways...I would rather bring the S4 to a carrier like Straight Talk and avoid getting a new phone an plan with Sprint.
Anyways...I've read a bunch of different threads that have conflicting information. Am I able to active the S4 with Straight talk? I went to their website and found that the phone is indeed compatible. But I am getting two messages, "Purchase an Activation Kit which contains a 30 Day Unlimited Service Plan Card, SIM Card and Network Access Code." and "For your particular phone only the Service Plan Card and SIM Card are needed for activation. The Network Access Code is not required. The SIM Card is in the blue area for AT&T Compatible phones and the pink area for T‑Mobile Compatible phones."
Am I going to get screwed if I buy all this stuff? Has anyone tried this? And if so, do I straight up select an AT&T compatible SIM card even though it's a Verizon phone? Any help would be huge! I'd like to get this done today.
Thanks in advance.

Alright, so this is pretty simple.
First of all, people are going to say the VZW Galaxy S4 is CDMA and thus does not work on Straight Talk and other GSM carriers. They are false. Verizon has been SIM unlocking all of their phones, including the iPhones, for the past year or so.
There is one caveat. You will NOT be able to access LTE. Just HSPA+ or pseudo 4G which is actually pretty fast.
Now, when you sign up with ST, you can choose to go with AT&T or T-Mobile since they piggyback off both services. AT&T has the better coverage but there's a hard 1.5 GB data cap (or so they claim. it is unclear on what ST's data usage policies are). The T-Mobile side has spottier coverage but I hear there are less strict data rules. Mileage may vary. It's prepaid so you're free to try out both sides.
As far as the Network Access Code question, just buy the one with it. I've never used ST but as long as it doesn't cost more, it is better to have the code than not.

sorry for that
sorry for that

SM-S907VL Straight Talk Verizon CDMA Root Please! With Android 7.0 Rom! Please!

Can someone please help all of us! We need root and 7.0 rom for SM-S907VL Straight Talk CDMA phone! Please someone! Please!
*bows to the DEV beings*

Don't buy a straight talk phone. I'm sorry, but I learned the hard way
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zounduser said:
Don't buy a straight talk phone. I'm sorry, but I learned the hard way
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What is a straight talk phone? And is this even a S6? I mean 907 is different from 92X...

A little late finding this but yeah Straight Talk has a Galaxy S6
Model:SM-S907VL
Unfortunately I got this phone back in November and I've yet to find anything that works with this model, like someone said earlier, probably shouldn't buy from Straight Talk, the phones aren't bad but since they arent used by nearly as many people they lack development, or at least the kind that the carrier specific and international models receive

jacdelad said:
What is a straight talk phone? And is this even a S6? I mean 907 is different from 92X...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the S6 SM-S907VL, I had a Verizon S6 before I got the SM-S907VL, there is no difference in the phones as far as quality & specs go, the SM-S907VL comes with far less pre loaded apps though so it actually runs smoother & faster, the only problem that I am having with the Straight Talk phone is that there is no stock rom backup downloads or root methods for the phone, this has me really frustrated, however the phone it's is superbly smooth & fast, Straight Talks service is actually really good, I am really surprising by it actually, coming from being a Verizon Wireless customer of 15 years & then going to Team Mobile which has TERRIBLE cell service coverage & then going to AT&T which has good cell service but TERRIBLE customer service & adds all kinds of extra fees on the bill every month just like Verizon which is the whole reason that I decided to leave Verizon in the 1st place, after leaving AT&T I went with Cricket Wireless & Straight Talk Wireless, I have Straight Talk on my phone & my tablet is Cricket Wireless, I am thoroughly pleased with both carriers, Cricket is better than Straight Talk as far as cell service & speed b/c it is 4G & it is actually pretty much just as fast as AT&T's & with Crickets unlimited $70.00 plan you get unlimited 4G service & have mobile hotspot option on your device & if you connect a debit card or credit card or pre paid credit card to your Cricket account so that the bill is automatically paided each month then you get $5.00 off the bill so the bill is $65.00 a month, however Straight Talk I only pay $55.00 a month & it is now unlimited data but it is only 3G so it isn't as fast but it is surprisingly faster than I thought it would be, Straight Talk crushes Cricket when it comes to phone selection though, Crickets Phone selection is very limited as far as what they sell but of course you can bring any phone in & get it connected as long as it isn't Sprint or some of the older Verizon phones like the LG Intuitive VS950, Cricket's only good phones that they sell that I have seen are the Galaxy S series & the ZTE Grand X Max 2 & iPhone for those who are Apple fans, Straight Talk now sell a wide variety of phones, not just cheap phones either, they carry Samsung's flagship Note phones as well as the Galaxy S series as well as all the other brands flagship phoned & they carry the latest models as well as several of the older models, Straight Talks prices on the high end flagship phones are cheaper too, Crickets Prices on the S series is cheaper than Cricket but they only carry the 1 phone, the S7 is what is it at the moment, Straight Talk sells the S8 & S8 + & the Note 8 & many more, I was super resistant to leaving Verizon b/c it's cell service & customer service is hands down the best but they were getting $250.00-$400.00 a month off of me & that was just me, there were no other people on my plan, I had 2 devices, I loved Verizon & hated leaving them & struggled with it for a while afterwards, I especially struggled with being satisfied with other carriers, I was especially UNHAPPY with Team Mobiles service coverage & they did add a few extra fees on the bill & Metro Wireless cell coverage SUCKS as well & Boost Mobiles service coverage wasn't/isn't much better that Team Mobile & Metro Wireless, AT&T was almost as expensive as Verizon by the time they added all the extra monthly fees & but unlike Verizon their customer service SUCKS, after leaving AT&T & deciding to try Cricket Wireless & Straight Talk Wireless I can honestly say that I am now very happy that I left Verizon b/c I am extremely satisfied with both Cricket & Straight Talks cell service coverage, they both get service EVERYWHERE, I can be in downtown Atlanta or hours away from the city way out in the country & have no problems with cell service & I am paying way less money each month & the prices are fixed fees so there are never any extra charges & both Cricket & Straight Talk have good customer service, at this point I honestly dont know why anyone stays with with Verizon or any of the high end contract required cell carriers, it's crazy honestly, it's absurd to stay with cell companies that charge so much money each month for phone service, I now see those contract cell carriers as obsolete b/c their is truly no need for them anymore, some prepaid cell carriers have service coverage & spead that is just as good & comes with unlimited EVERYTHING for affordable prices & carry top quality mobile phones & tablets & Smartwatches.
---------- Post added at 10:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 AM ----------
Sparky56p said:
A little late finding this but yeah Straight Talk has a Galaxy S6
Model:SM-S907VL
Unfortunately I got this phone back in November and I've yet to find anything that works with this model, like someone said earlier, probably shouldn't buy from Straight Talk, the phones aren't bad but since they arent used by nearly as many people they lack development, or at least the kind that the carrier specific and international models receive
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I too am having the same issue & I am very annoyed with it !