iPhone Question: Which plan should I choose?

[MickeyMomTo2]

I am upgrading to an iPhone in 10 days (yay!). I am a happy Verizon customer. My upgrade day is on the day the new shared plans roll out. Should I stick with Verizon and go with one of the new shared plans that has unlimited phone, unlimited text, and 1 or 2 GB of data, OR should I switch to Sprint for unlimited data, unlimited texts and a specific number of call minutes? Just wondering how much data I need. Will 1 or 2GB be enough for checking emails, websites, Facebook, etc...?

As far as price is concerned, the Sprint package would be $80 plus taxes and surcharges. The Verizon plan would be $100, but I think we get a 21% discount through my husband's job, making it about the same price. I have to check to be sure the discount can be applied to the new plans, and I also need to see if there are discounts available to us from Sprint.

I'm also wondering about the surcharges. Will Sprint's be similar to Verizon? I saw in the fine print that Sprint's surcharges could be up to 17% of the bill, but I don't think I live in one of the states that has extra charges (I am in TN).

I'd love to hear feedback from those of you with experience with iPhones and these carriers.

 

[lobmcf]

I am in a similar position. I've been with Verizon for 11 years and this new plan is making me pretty angry. We have 3 smart phones on our plan, planning on upgrading to iPhones and it would be insane to expect us to share 2GB. Now looking elsewhere!

 

[sam_gordon]

Ask around in your area and make sure Sprint customers are happy with their coverage. Price doesn't matter if you can't get a signal where you need it.

 

[DisGirlAllie]

Ask around in your area and make sure Sprint customers are happy with their coverage. Price doesn't matter if you can't get a signal where you need it.

This is what I was going to say. In my area, at least, Sprint doesn't have the greatest coverage. Then again, neither does Verizon.
If the coverage thing is not an issue, then consider how much data you use on your iPhone. Have you had any issues going over with Verizon? Will you be getting less or more data on the new Verizon plan?

 

[Kimberle]

My dd & I just got ipones w/ Verizon this w/end. We've been Verizon customers for years. I love that we share the data like we share minutes. It's a minimum of 1GB per phone or devise. If you need more, it's just $10 per GB.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

This is what I was going to say. In my area, at least, Sprint doesn't have the greatest coverage. Then again, neither does Verizon.
If the coverage thing is not an issue, then consider how much data you use on your iPhone. Have you had any issues going over with Verizon? Will you be getting less or more data on the new Verizon plan?

I haven't had a smartphone or a phone with any kind of data, so I don't know how much I will use. That's why I am trying to decide between 2GB with Verizon or unlimited with Sprint. I can get unlimited texts, unlimited phone and 2GB with Verizon for $80 or unlimited texts, 450 anytime minutes (unlimited mobile-to-mobile), and unlimited data for $80 with Sprint.

The Verizon coverage is great in my area, so I do need to ask about Sprint coverage.

 

[jel0511]

One thing to think about, just because you are eligible for an upgrade doesn't necessarily mean your contract is expired and you can just walk away. Usually the phone companies are smarter than that and allow upgrades a few months prior to your contract expiring, to rope you in for a couple more years. So be careful, you might be on the hook for a few more months with Verizon, which wouldn't allow you to take your number with you to Sprint. Look into the actual expiration date of your contract, not the upgrade date.......

 

[jel0511]

Wanted to add, I have 2GB through ATT and I VERY rarely go over 500 MB a month. I just use mine for email, Facebook, twitter, online calendar, etc.

 

[DawnM]

Mine does this. Yes, definitely check the date you can get out of your contract.

Dawn

One thing to think about, just because you are eligible for an upgrade doesn't necessarily mean your contract is expired and you can just walk away. Usually the phone companies are smarter than that and allow upgrades a few months prior to your contract expiring, to rope you in for a couple more years. So be careful, you might be on the hook for a few more months with Verizon, which wouldn't allow you to take your number with you to Sprint. Look into the actual expiration date of your contract, not the upgrade date.......

 

[robinb]

Just wondering how much data I need. Will 1 or 2GB be enough for checking emails, websites, Facebook, etc...?

I have an iPhone and I use it for Facebook, reading emails, reading the DIS, and general surfing. The most I used in the last 6 months was 1.1 GB when I was in Florida. The rest of my usage is about .7 GB per month.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

One thing to think about, just because you are eligible for an upgrade doesn't necessarily mean your contract is expired and you can just walk away. Usually the phone companies are smarter than that and allow upgrades a few months prior to your contract expiring, to rope you in for a couple more years. So be careful, you might be on the hook for a few more months with Verizon, which wouldn't allow you to take your number with you to Sprint. Look into the actual expiration date of your contract, not the upgrade date.......

Thank you! I just checked this, and you are right. My contract isn't up until 10/28. So, if I want to switch to Sprint for unlimited, I will have to wait four more months for the iPhone.

While the unlimited data with Sprint is very appealing to me, it sounds like the 2GB should be fine for daily use based on the comments here. I am so excited to get the iPhone, that I will have trouble waiting. I'm like a kids at Christmas.

Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[jel0511]

Thank you! I just checked this, and you are right. My contract isn't up until 10/28. So, if I want to switch to Sprint for unlimited, I will have to wait four more months for the iPhone.

While the unlimited data with Sprint is very appealing to me, it sounds like the 2GB should be fine for daily use based on the comments here. I am so excited to get the iPhone, that I will have trouble waiting. I'm like a kids at Christmas.

Thanks for the heads-up!

You're welcome!

DH has a 4gb plan uses it for work email general surfing even streaming Sirius radio and almost NEVER goes over 2gb. I think you'll be fiend with 2gb. DD streams Netflix on bus to/from school and doesn't come close to 2gb either.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Biggest caution with data is multimedia, apps/streaming from places like Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, Pandora, iHeartRadio will burn through data quickly.

I use about 1.5 - 2.5 GB a month, partner uses about 5 - 6 GB per month, I run with my phone all the time and listen to a lot of Pandora. Partner watches a few NetFlix movies and spends a lot of time on certain data intense apps, including a remote desktop app.

 

[DebbieB]

Wanted to add, I have 2GB through ATT and I VERY rarely go over 500 MB a month. I just use mine for email, Facebook, twitter, online calendar, etc.

Me too. I took the middle plan and was sorry, I should have taken the lowest one, I never use anywhere near 2GB.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

Me too. I took the middle plan and was sorry, I should have taken the lowest one, I never use anywhere near 2GB.

I am wondering if start with 1G, will they let me upgrade to 2G. I am guessing I can probably add on, but not take away--kind of like Disney tickets. Am I right?

 

[DawnM]

Or you can pay the penalty to get out of your contract early.

I love my unlimited data with Sprint!

Dawn

Thank you! I just checked this, and you are right. My contract isn't up until 10/28. So, if I want to switch to Sprint for unlimited, I will have to wait four more months for the iPhone.

While the unlimited data with Sprint is very appealing to me, it sounds like the 2GB should be fine for daily use based on the comments here. I am so excited to get the iPhone, that I will have trouble waiting. I'm like a kids at Christmas.

Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

Or you can pay the penalty to get out of your contract early.

I love my unlimited data with Sprint!

Dawn

That would cost over $200, and we are tightwads, so we won't do that! I am still thinking about it. If I decide I really want the unlimited data, I will just wait until October. But, I don't stream videos and music very often, so I am thinking the 2G will be more than adequate. The only thing that is so appealing about the unlimited data is not having to worry about it at all.

 

[fall08CP]

Here's my $.02:

if you have wifi at home, 2G is plenty. I don't have wifi at home or work so I use data exclusively when browsing the web, using twitter, uploading photos, etc. I get close to hitting it each month but haven't gone over. It notifies when you're at 66% and 90% so I have a good idea how much I'm using. If you have wifi, you'll never get close.

With AT&T I can upgrade my data plan by 1G at any time for $5 (overage would be $10).

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

Here's my $.02:

if you have wifi at home, 2G is plenty. I don't have wifi at home or work so I use data exclusively when browsing the web, using twitter, uploading photos, etc. I get close to hitting it each month but haven't gone over. It notifies when you're at 66% and 90% so I have a good idea how much I'm using. If you have wifi, you'll never get close.

With AT&T I can upgrade my data plan by 1G at any time for $5 (overage would be $10).

We do have wifi at home. Thanks!

 

[laughinplace199]

Can I jump on here? We are looking to get an iphone and I think we'll be ok with the 1 GB for DD and me.

As far as wi-fi at home, if I change the setting on my phone to wi fi when I'm at home, then I can use things like youtube and netflix on my phone without using up my data? I'm so clueless about these things.