Should I get an iPhone and give up my unlimited data?

[Janepod]

My husband and I share a plan on Verizon. We both have Droids, unlimited data, a decent amount of texting (enough that we never go over), etc. We are very happy with our plan. It's a corporate rate and we pay a total of $122.78 after taxes, month in and month out.

We are on Verizon and will not leave Verizon -- it has the best coverage in our area (rocky, hilly, trees - we've tried AT&T and T-Mobile and Verizon is the best.)

We are eligible for new phones and would like to get iPhone 5s. However, that would mean giving up our unlimited data plans (unless we pay full price for the phone - haven't done that before and don't want to now.) Or we could get Samsung Galaxys. Or "other" - there's always an other.

Would we be foolish to give up the unlimited data plans? Once they're gone, there's no getting them back. What would you do?

(BTW why do I want an iPhone? Two reasons: Scrabble and iTunes. You could maybe talk my husband into a Samsung Galaxy, but I've made up my mind regarding the phone.)

 

[descovy]

Can you somehow track or find out how much data you currently use? Sounds like you have had smart phones for awhile so you could figure out your average data and purchase a plan that covers that with a little wiggle room.

I have wifi at home, work, and occasionally in various public hotspots. I don't use a ton of data because of the wifi I have available.

My data use is looking up maps and directions, checking email, and maybe keeping myself busy at a doctors waiting room. Maybe download a song I just heard on the radio.

Check for yourself, but you may not use as much data as you think you do. In which case why pay for unlimited if you don't take full advantage.

 

[Hrhpd]

My husband and I share a plan on Verizon. We both have Droids, unlimited data, a decent amount of texting (enough that we never go over), etc. We are very happy with our plan. It's a corporate rate and we pay a total of $122.78 after taxes, month in and month out.

We are on Verizon and will not leave Verizon -- it has the best coverage in our area (rocky, hilly, trees - we've tried AT&T and T-Mobile and Verizon is the best.)

We are eligible for new phones and would like to get iPhone 5s. However, that would mean giving up our unlimited data plans (unless we pay full price for the phone - haven't done that before and don't want to now.) Or we could get Samsung Galaxys. Or "other" - there's always an other.

Would we be foolish to give up the unlimited data plans? Once they're gone, there's no getting them back. What would you do?

(BTW why do I want an iPhone? Two reasons: Scrabble and iTunes. You could maybe talk my husband into a Samsung Galaxy, but I've made up my mind regarding the phone.)

What I would do is something you said you would not do.

I would get my Iphone5 and go with Sprint which has unlimited data and unlimited texting for the price you are paying.

As for that, my husband has to use his smart phone almost constantly for work so has done a ton of research on the two. The Samsung Galaxy out rates the Iphone5 in almost every category. So, he will be upgrading to the Galaxy this month. The only one in our family who wants the Iphone is our 16 year old and that is because it is the "cool" phone. Doesn't care about features, battery life, etc. Thus, we will have 4 Galaxy 3's and 1 Iphone5 in our family by Christmas.

 

[lsyorke]

I've heard conflicting reports on the "losing unlimited data". We upgraded recently, got the upgrade and kept our unlimited data.

 

[topolino]

As another poster suggested, have Verizon analyze the last few months of your usage. They will be able to tell you in just a few minutes whether your usage exceeds the plan they will downgrade you to from unlimited.

For the record, I have had Droids and liked them a lot, but I LOVE my iPhone. (I have the 4S and see no reason to get the 5, for now).

 

[arthuruscg]

Fyi: don't plan on using the GPS maps on the i phone 5. They suck.
Keep with your unlimited data plan. Have you uploaded you music to google play yet?

 

[figmentswife]

We upgraded to the iPhone5 and also had unlimited data before the switch. I called Verizon before the change and found out that we only used an average of 2g of data per month but to be sure I decided to go with the 6g for the first couple of months. I keep checking our usage and 2 weeks into it we have only used less then 1g of data. Now I will say that I have wifi at home and work so that helps.

I say go for it.... Get the iPhone 5 you will not look back

Oh and I have me and my 17 DS and my 10DD on our plan

 

[Janepod]

I should have mentioned that - I use 1.5 to 2.5 G a month. My husband is right around 3 a month. Thanks for all the input!

 

[Albort]

hurry and order one... iPhone 5 is soo backordered right now. I ordered one release date and is still waiting for my iPhone.

16days and still no updates on my phone.

 

[tvguy]

I'd look at doing nothing, keeping the phones and plan you have now.

 

[NikitaZee]

My husband and I share a plan on Verizon. We both have Droids, unlimited data, a decent amount of texting (enough that we never go over), etc. We are very happy with our plan. It's a corporate rate and we pay a total of $122.78 after taxes, month in and month out.

We are on Verizon and will not leave Verizon -- it has the best coverage in our area (rocky, hilly, trees - we've tried AT&T and T-Mobile and Verizon is the best.)

We are eligible for new phones and would like to get iPhone 5s. However, that would mean giving up our unlimited data plans (unless we pay full price for the phone - haven't done that before and don't want to now.) Or we could get Samsung Galaxys. Or "other" - there's always an other.

Would we be foolish to give up the unlimited data plans? Once they're gone, there's no getting them back. What would you do?

(BTW why do I want an iPhone? Two reasons: Scrabble and iTunes. You could maybe talk my husband into a Samsung Galaxy, but I've made up my mind regarding the phone.)

I could've written your post 3 months ago. I was trying to come to the same decision - only difference was that I was eligible for an upgrade 2 weeks before the unlimited data was discontinued. I was thinking about waiting until Sept when everyone assumed the iPhone5 was coming out, and taking the hit on the tiered data pricing. Ultimately, DH and I decided to keep our unlimited data and upgrade to new Android devices - for 2 reasons: Google Navigation and unlimited data! For the money, I use about 3G of data each month and DH uses about 2. So our bill would have definitely gone up. Google Maps/Navigation - I just really can't give this up. I use it all the time - sometimes daily, and nothing beats it. The turn-by-turn voice navigation and accuracy can't be matched by Apple at the moment, so we stayed with Android and our unlimited data and are happy with that choice. Good luck with yours!

 

[ilovemk76]

Can you somehow track or find out how much data you currently use? Sounds like you have had smart phones for awhile so you could figure out your average data and purchase a plan that covers that with a little wiggle room.

I have wifi at home, work, and occasionally in various public hotspots. I don't use a ton of data because of the wifi I have available.

My data use is looking up maps and directions, checking email, and maybe keeping myself busy at a doctors waiting room. Maybe download a song I just heard on the radio.

Check for yourself, but you may not use as much data as you think you do. In which case why pay for unlimited if you don't take full advantage.

I do not use my employers wifi. That is the same as using your company PC to surf the internet.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I do not use my employers wifi. That is the same as using your company PC to surf the internet.

Depends. Some companies do not have personal use restrictions or have a separate open network for personal devices.

 

[wdwmom2]

My husband and I share a plan on Verizon. We both have Droids, unlimited data, a decent amount of texting (enough that we never go over), etc. We are very happy with our plan. It's a corporate rate and we pay a total of $122.78 after taxes, month in and month out.

We are on Verizon and will not leave Verizon -- it has the best coverage in our area (rocky, hilly, trees - we've tried AT&T and T-Mobile and Verizon is the best.)

We are eligible for new phones and would like to get iPhone 5s. However, that would mean giving up our unlimited data plans (unless we pay full price for the phone - haven't done that before and don't want to now.) Or we could get Samsung Galaxys. Or "other" - there's always an other.

Would we be foolish to give up the unlimited data plans? Once they're gone, there's no getting them back. What would you do?

(BTW why do I want an iPhone? Two reasons: Scrabble and iTunes. You could maybe talk my husband into a Samsung Galaxy, but I've made up my mind regarding the phone.)

OP, just to be the bearer of bad news, sorry, but Verizon is doing away with even the grandfathered unlimited data.

DH has unlimited with Verizon with a corporate rate also. The last time he spoke with them they said that the next time he upgrades, around spring of 2014, he loses it. He will need to get a share plan. I am also on this account. Upgraded to my first smartphone less and a month ago. Right now I have the smallest data plan. He uses much more data than I do. When we have to "share everything", we will be getting the 6GB plan.

Here's some info
http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/16/technology/verizon-unlimited-data-plan/index.htm

 

[fall08CP]

How in the world do you hit 2GB? Do you not have wifi at home?

I lived without wifi last year (home or work) and used my cell data exclusively. I never hit 2GB. Came close once, but I can't imagine hitting it with wifi at home. I wonder if you have things running in the background eating up your data. I don't ever use my phone at work, save for lunch break, but I'd find a hotspot (restaurant/library) if I needed to access anything that badly.

But.. Point is.. I'd take the iphone and monitor my data usage. Unless you don't have wifi at home.

 

[Janepod]

We have wifi at home but we travel to the beach house a lot (3-4 hours in the car) and stream movies. My husband spends 3 hours RT on the train every day doing all kinds of things - work, movies, Youtube, whatever. Because we have unlimited data we've never been particularly mindful of how much we use our phones or whether we're on wifi or not.

I never use navigation (and in fact never turn on locator stuff on the phone) because I have GPS in my car. Is there any reason I would need to use navigation with iPhone?

 

[Albort]

We have wifi at home but we travel to the beach house a lot (3-4 hours in the car) and stream movies. My husband spends 3 hours RT on the train every day doing all kinds of things - work, movies, Youtube, whatever. Because we have unlimited data we've never been particularly mindful of how much we use our phones or whether we're on wifi or not.

I never use navigation (and in fact never turn on locator stuff on the phone) because I have GPS in my car. Is there any reason I would need to use navigation with iPhone?

navigation technically doesnt have to use data. Its only when u search for store location is when u need it. GPS on iPhone is useful for like walking or if your in a friends car looking for things... but wouldnt suggest using it much since it eats your battery.

I used TomTom Canada when travelling in Canada... May not be super accurate and takes a bit longer to lock ur phone but it works non the less...

 

[wdwmom2]

How in the world do you hit 2GB? Do you not have wifi at home?

I lived without wifi last year (home or work) and used my cell data exclusively. I never hit 2GB. Came close once, but I can't imagine hitting it with wifi at home. I wonder if you have things running in the background eating up your data. I don't ever use my phone at work, save for lunch break, but I'd find a hotspot (restaurant/library) if I needed to access anything that badly.

But.. Point is.. I'd take the iphone and monitor my data usage. Unless you don't have wifi at home.

Not sure if you are talking to me, you didn't quote anyone, but I never said I hit 2GB of data a month. I have had a data plan for less than 1 month, so I don't know exactly what my normal usage will be

No, I do not have WiFi at home. But I do use WiFi when I am traveling, if it is available.

And no, nothing is running in the background, I kill everything when I am done. Actually, when I am not using data, I turn it off. I try to be conservative

My DH travels for his job. He uses Google maps ALOT!!! Last month he used over 3GB of data. Other than that, his data usage is minimal.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

How in the world do you hit 2GB? Do you not have wifi at home?

I lived without wifi last year (home or work) and used my cell data exclusively. I never hit 2GB. Came close once, but I can't imagine hitting it with wifi at home. I wonder if you have things running in the background eating up your data. I don't ever use my phone at work, save for lunch break, but I'd find a hotspot (restaurant/library) if I needed to access anything that badly.

Pretty easy to do. It depends on what apps you use. Audio and Video streaming is very data intensive; ie. watching Netflix or listening to Pandora for extended periods of time.

I run with my phone, specifically RunKeeper and Pandora and pushing 2 GBs is not hard at all with a lot of running.

navigation technically doesnt have to use data. Its only when u search for store location is when u need it. GPS on iPhone is useful for like walking or if your in a friends car looking for things... but wouldnt suggest using it much since it eats your battery.

Navigation maps for both iPhone and Android devices (at least the integrated/base systems) are not stored on the device, they are downloaded on the fly as you are driving, which can increase data usage a lot, which is why when you are entering areas with bad 3G, the mapping can end/stop. Try using navigation with data turned off, you won't get any maps.

There are navigation applications that you can install maps for, but they tend to be more limited in POI and if you travel outside the map zone, you're stuck. I've used these on my phone when traveling to Canada where I don't like to use data because of the cost.

 

[Albort]

Pretty easy to do. It depends on what apps you use. Audio and Video streaming is very data intensive; ie. watching Netflix or listening to Pandora for extended periods of time.

I run with my phone, specifically RunKeeper and Pandora and pushing 2 GBs is not hard at all with a lot of running.



Navigation maps for both iPhone and Android devices (at least the integrated/base systems) are not stored on the device, they are downloaded on the fly as you are driving, which can increase data usage a lot, which is why when you are entering areas with bad 3G, the mapping can end/stop. Try using navigation with data turned off, you won't get any maps.

There are navigation applications that you can install maps for, but they tend to be more limited in POI and if you travel outside the map zone, you're stuck. I've used these on my phone when traveling to Canada where I don't like to use data because of the cost.

yeah, google maps and apple maps, yes it requires data... i was speaking for like TomTom, but yeah. TomTom uses google to look up addresses and i know that requires apps... i totally forgot about google maps/apple maps...