Sprint vs Verizon

[mjk]

Morning,

My current plan is up this month. I have had Sprint, since I first bought a cell phone, but it may be time for a change. I am one of the last people on earth (ha) that has not gone the route of a smart phone yet..

I plan on moving in that direction with a new contract. The quality of my last 2 phones have been abysmal, and given what is out there, it is time to upgrade.

What are the thoughts of Sprint vs Verizon? I live in Minneapolis, as an FYI.

It seems new customers are given preferential treatment, thus my interest in exploring options. It looks like the S5 is being offered for a dollar, with new activations @ Verizon/Sprint/AT&T.

Thoughts on providers, and a low-cost smart phone? It would be nice to find a 4.5" phone (if possible)...

Thanks.

 

[Chris142]

Sprint is cheaper but slower and less coverage. If your happy with your coverage then stick with sprint.if you have dead areas go with Verizon.

 

[RamFan]

I've used 4 different carriers since arriving to the States; T-Mobile, Boost, Virgin, and Verizon. Verizon one me over, yes it's pricey, but to have coverage anywhere I go is a great relief. The extra expense is well worth the coverage and speed that I experience.

 

[eljefino]

I'm rocking my first smartphone, a cheapie from Virgin, which as you know, is sprint. $35/mo, unlimited data, but it slows down after ~ 2.5 GB/month.

It doesn't work everywhere-everywhere. I still have a landline so I can be reached. I like it a lot when it works.

As others said, Verizon is $$$ but works.

If home is the only place you demand perfect service, consider a phone/plan that seamlessly does VOIP over your wifi.

 

[4D-56]

Some questions, the answers to which are none of my business but you might ask yourself:

Why do you want/need a smartphone?

Do you want/can you afford the increase in cost?

I ask because after 4 or 5 yrs with said expensive smartphone, im thinking of going back to basics.

 

[mjk]

Originally Posted By: stro_cruiser
Some questions, the answers to which are none of my business but you might ask yourself:

Why do you want/need a smartphone? Initially, basics like email and a GPS throughout the day. I am sure I'll find other applications, but I'll never be a 'gamer' or will be streaming videos. There are numerous outdoor applications that I'd probably adopt for fishing as well.

Do you want/can you afford the increase in cost? Yes

I ask because after 4 or 5 yrs with said expensive smartphone, im thinking of going back to basics. IMHO, the quality of dumb phones have really sunk in recent years. Do your research.

 

[mjk]

How is AT&T, compared to Sprint --- both on cost and coverage?

 

[4D-56]

I had Sprint on a contract, ok coverage, most months were $110, GREAT customer service.

Now im with ATT non-contract. better coverage/speed. [censored] customer service. $75 per month for 4GB data and I also have the international calling plan for calling UK.

 

[kschachn]

I've had Sprint for over 10 years now. We have decent LTE coverage and even Spark in our immediate area. The unlimited data thing is nice, some months our account (4 phones) uses over 15 gigs of data and it's nice to not have to think about going over a limit. Not all Sprint plans have unlimited data anymore of course.

 

[Nate1979]

I have sprint for a work provided cell phone. The coverage is horrible compared to at&t and Verizon.

 

[MNgopher]

Depends on where and how you plan to use the phone.

I used to be a Sprint customer due to work. Coverage in the Twin Cities was OK. Verizon and Att are better though. Coverage outside of the Cities was very hit or miss on Sprint. I currently use ATT, and I have LTE coverage from home to our cabin on Lake Vermilion.

On other fishing trips up there, the friends who have Sprint can usually make calls and text, but the data services are poor.

 

[ctrcbob]

Both Sprint and Verizon use the CDMA system which is the old system only used in the USA and some third world countries in South America.

AT&T and T-Mobil use the GSM system which is used world wide. GSM is the newer system.

I use AT&T and I have coverage everywhere.
I drive to NY, NM, CA and TX and I always have antenna, even in the middle of the desert. Also, when I go to France or Italy, my GSM phone connects automatically with (France) Orange or FSFR or BiTell or (Italy) Wind or Vodafone.

If I HAD to use CDMA, I would go with Verizon as I've never met anyone who was happy with their Sprint service. Also T-Mobil (GSM) customers complain that they don't get coverage (antenna) everywhere.

Lastly, if you want an Apple (iPhone) product, buy it direct from the Apple store then get your carrier to activate it. This way, you are buying an UNLOCKED phone. If you buy it from Verizon, AT&T, etc. it will be locked to only that carrier.

If you want a NON smart phone, just a phone, and you want to stay with Sprint, you can buy unlocked phones off the Internet such as Cell Hutt. Then take it to Sprint to activate it.

To those of you with AT&T or T-Mobil, one of my two phones is a non smart phone (dumb phone), All I had to do was remove the SIM Card from my old dumb phone and install it in my new dumb phone. Did not even have to tell my carrier. All the information is on the SIM Card. This only works with phones that take SIM Cards (GSM). When the day comes that I change my other phone, a smart phone (iPhone-5), I will buy the replacement directly from the Apple, unlocked.

 

[Eddie]

I have and like Verizon but, pricy for sure. The novelty of my smart phone has worn off after a number of years and thinking of going back to a nice flip phone IF they still offer one. Ed

 

[JustinH]

Take a look at the offerings from republic wireless.

They use sprint and your home wifi.

I pay 10 per month.

 

[SLATRON]

Best value IMO is net10/straight talk. Can be less than $45/ month and coverage through AT&T or Verizon. Good smart phone selection but not great customer service but not issue to me. Mine works everywhere, streaming with no delay n cheap.
2.5 gigs at 4g then 3g unlimited after

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: mjk
Sprint vs Verizon?


Both AT-T and Verizon has coverage that far out-ranges Sprint. Unless you live in a medium-large city and have no intentions of spending days/weeks away in rural areas of this country, then Sprint works fine.

Otherwise, there's no contest here. Both ATT and Verizon are a half Preakness Race Course better than Sprint....... winners by 100 lengths at-least.

 

[mjk]

I just talked to a friend who is leaving AT&T, after having been with them for over 20 years.

He is going over to Cricket with his Iphone. Apparently, they use AT&T towers. An unlimited talk/text 2gb data plan is around 40.00 (including all taxes).

Might have to inquire with them. I think Cricket is relatively new to the Minneapolis market.


Edit: How do you quantify data useage? I have not received a good answer, from several people...

 

[CKN]

AT&T bought Cricket. I checked in to Cricket about 6 months ago and the two SEPARATE networks were not "married" yet. That of course could be changed by now. If not, once he leaves a metro area the phones do not work well. At least that was a wide spread compliant about the Cricket network previously.

You can Google what different media requires for data. A 3 minute song, an hours television program and so on. If your checking email without many images 2GB will be fine.

However, if your checking social media with images and video that 2GB can be used up quickly.

On edit I just Googled how much data in an average 3-ish minute song. The source indicated you could listen to 39.5 hours of music and use 1GB of data.

 

[supton]

I do Tracfone and rarely have data on. I will turn on WiFi occasionally, that way when I do want to check email it won't chew up a bunch of megs doing so. On the Verizon towers, had to make sure I got the right model for that.

I consider it a throwawy item, get frustrated with CS and I'm done. But so far, no issue. I buy a $20 card every three months.

Its overkill for my needs, but since my dumb-phone battery was dying, and this model was $90, it seemed like a good time to try. So far, I'm pleased--but had I paid $500 and/or $75+ plus a month, I would not be.

 

[CKN]

A $500.00 phone and $75.00/plan wouldn't be right for your use. It's like buying a half-gallon of milk and only needing a quart.