My wife and I have a contract about to run out with Verizon, and while we've toyed with jumping ship to AT&T due to Verizon's terrible customer service, seemingly endless garbage charges, and did I mention the lack of customer service, we're thinking of staying on board mostly for area coverage reasons. We are toying with the idea of getting a true smartphone this time around (right now we just have Samsung Rogues with mobile web/email). I'm a tech guy, and I've researched the two OS's a bit, and most articles seem a bit biased one way or another depending on the source, and I know a few of you are big smartphone guys, and I think one of you work's for Verizon, correct? I would like your input on these two OS's, and what you like/dislike about them. Any recommendations would be great as well. My initial gut reaction? I don't like Apple products for the "yuppy" following they have (not to say all owners are yuppies, because that's far from the truth), but if it's the better product, so be it. I'm not a big app guy, but I do use my current phone for research when I'm out and about as well as looking up restaurant info, directions, etc (one thing I hate about our current phones is lacking the ability to see true mapquest/google maps).
I think the Iphone is the superior phone, more apps and features IMO. I wouldn't switch to AT&T, if I wasn't sharing a plan already, I'd switch to Verizon. AT&T coverage is garbage and dropping calls like crazy lately.
I am on my second Android phone now. The first was the Motorola Droid and now the HTC thunderbolt. This phone is insane. It is far superior to the Motorola and way better than my ipod touch (basically the same thing as the iPhone). Without a doubt I would recommend this phone. It lacks in nothing that I can find. Truly a sweet phone. I had 4G coverage down in Columbus and it was blazing fast. The 3G speed is very good as well. The phone auto switches between 3&4G coverage as well.
I hate to tell you Matt but at@t has the worst Customer Service in the industry and the charges will be no different, both companies have nearly identical plans. I may work for Verizon and sound biased, but you will be challenged to find any independent surveying showing at@t above the Verizon in Customer Service, let alone Network. I don't carry an iPhone, have an Android 3G and an Android 4G device replacing the work Blackberry. If you are a tech junkie I would get the new Samsung Charge coming out with the 4G LTE chip. We are seeing upload speeds on the low end in the 8-10 Mbps range and up to 20+ in some areas. What does this mean to you???? When in 4G coverage areas you can download songs on 4-5 seconds, no waiting when downloading HD videos on the phone. There are also more free apps with Android and it is a more open user interface. The iPhone will have better music abilities and network security if you are on an exchange server but Android is releasing a more secure interface for exchange. If you have any questions on charges you can pm me, I will not access your account but can explain if they should be credited or can be.
I'm getting the Thunderbolt this week to replace my Blackberry, have you have issues with battery life? I know that has been the one major complaint with it and haven't had a chance to see firsthand.
No Tizzle my battery life is pretty good. Better than that of the Motorola Droid. My buddy has the older version of this phone that sprint carries and his battery life is not very good. Not sure if the battery was updated or not. I do know many other things were updated though.
Raceway, Trevor, and Scott, thanks for the input. Greatly appreciated. I should also let you know I live in an area where we just got 3G late last summer, haha. With that being said, the 3G/4G auto switch would be beneficial when I'm traveling. Not sure if I want to buck up the $60 additional charges each month for data for the wife and I, but we'll see.
Matt, check out Sprint before making a decision...I left Verizon for the reasons you mentioned and went to Sprint. I haven't noticed any differance in coverage and they have a very good customer service...not to mention $155 a month for 2 lines with unlimited mobile to mobile on any network, unlimited internet, unlimited text,pic,and video messaging..and 1500 min. Verizon can't compare. I have a HTC Hero which is a good phone but will be updating to the EVO...that things amazing.
So I activated the new Thunderbolt 20 minutes ago and got the Wi-Fi mobile hotspot going. I am hitting anywhere from 6-14Mbps on my downloads and 1.5-4Mbps on my uploads while doing speedtests on my laptop. So far I am pretty impressed with this thing, it smokes in 4G!!!!
The EVO and Thunderbolt are pretty much the same thing. Although there are some differences, it is basically the same phone. It's a sweet phone, you will love it.
While the mobile hot-spot is a cool feature.... Another $20 or $30 (cant remeber for sure) per month on top of the $30 data charge on my phone plan is not cool. Passed on that.
Sprint definitely has the price advantage, but I've heard the coverage isn't great here in NC PA. Have you ever been up this way?
I write apps for both phones, either one is a great choice. The IOS has better applications IMO, but that gap is closing.
Im very happy with my Droid X. Matt, here at my house I've put it up against Iphones and AT&T and my Droid has been faster. (3G)
Hahah...This is why dumped AT&T and went to Verizon 6 years ago. I wouldn't go back to AT&T even it was free.
Just an update here. Finally reached our discount period, so my wife and I went to Verizon to check some things out. We're 100% sure she's getting an iPhone because it best suits what she wants, and what she's comfortable with. A buddy of her's who is a sales rep there really didn't give any Droid phone there the time of day, and simply state why he thought the iPhone was superior. I like how you don't have to pay the additional $5/month of navigation on the Droid that you do have to with the iPhone. I've heard, however, that battery life is much better on the iPhone. I prefer the size of the iPhone over most of the droids except the Incredible (that phone is the perfect size for me). If I were to get an iPhone, I like that they offer the OtterBox cases, which is attractive for me, because I spent some time with the Casio Commando, and while I like the fact that it's a rugged smartphone, the features are lacking a bit at that price. I couldn't get a definitive answer on how well Google Voice works on the iPhone, but I know it's great on my brother's Droid X. This is nice, because I would like to set it up to make outgoing calls with this number for out of network #'s. I honestly, don't feel any closer to a decision than I did when I walked in there today.
Hear that Matt. I've been in and picked around. I've been eligible for an upgrade for nearly two years and can't find anything that does it "completely" for me.
