Feb 3, 2011 is the day that current Verizon wireless customers can order their I Phone. To hear some of the techies describe this occasion you would think it is the greatest thing to happen since Marconi discovered radio waves. But to the average person is this a big deal?
Well it just depends. Here is some basic information
You
might remember these Verizon Map ads from a year or so ago.
Verizon rightly proclaimed they have the largest 3g data
network and ATT responded with a lawsuit that they quickly and quietly
dropped. ATT's new ads now proclaim that their network is faster. In
the blue areas that is true. ATT is billing their current net
as 4g but really it is an enhanced 3g. The current Iphone
does not work on any of the true 4g networks that are rolling out. So
if you want truly fast Internet on your phone then look at the Sprint
Evo or the soon to be released HTC Thunderbolt or Droid Bionic from
VZW.
If you are concerned about call quality and dropped calls then the VZW network is generally regarded as a better network than ATT. However, if you are a current ATT customer and happy with your call quality then it shouldn't matter. Many ATT customers are not happy with the call quality and want to actually be able to talk in their phone.
Both phones are the same Iphone 4th generation. The 4g does not refer to 4g network speeds. There are some minor differences. The facetime video chat feature on the VZW phone will only work if you also have a wifi connection. Likewise if you want to talk and surf at the same time. I don't think that is a very big deal but to some it might make a difference. The VZW Iphone does have one feature that the ATT device does not. That is mobile hotspot. You can use your phone to broadcast a wifi signal and connect your other wifi devices like ipod, laptop, etc to the Internet using you phone as a modem. I don't know the cost for this but on other VZW devices it's about $20 per month and that will get you 2gb of data.
Speaking of amounts of Data .... the ATT data plans are limited and you will incur extra charges if you go over the allowance. The $25 plan gives you 2 gb of usage which is a pretty good chunk but if you are a real heavy user that's not enough. The current data plan for $29.99 on VZW is unlimited!!!! Depending on your usage habits this might be a really big deal. Take note that VZW says the $29.99 is a promotional offer. If you get in now you'll be able to keep it. I think it does send a strong signal that there will be a change in their data plans though. Sprint charges and an extra $10 if you have the Evo. ATT has the limits already discussed. T-mobile degrades your service if you go past the limit. Look for VZW to make some sort of change to the data plans in the future. However, like I said, you'll be "grandfathered" in on the unlimited plan if you already have it.
My opinion: If you are a current ATT Iphone user and happy with the service don't even consider changing. If you are a current VZW customer and have been dying to worship at the alter of Apple then jump on it. If you want a super cool, super fast phone, then other phones that are already on the market or the very near horizon will blow the current generation of Iphone out of the water. The Samsung Galaxy S phones are on all 4 major networks, the current Droid2 and upcoming Thunderbolt and Bionic on VZW are dual core processing Android powered rocket ships running on a true 4g LTE network where available, and the Motorola Atrix on ATT was the top reviewed cell phone from this years consumer electronic show.
Current Verizon Wireless customers can order on Feb 3 for delivery by Feb 10. If you want to switch to Verizon and order the Iphone you'll need to wait until Feb 10.
If you are concerned about call quality and dropped calls then the VZW network is generally regarded as a better network than ATT. However, if you are a current ATT customer and happy with your call quality then it shouldn't matter. Many ATT customers are not happy with the call quality and want to actually be able to talk in their phone.
Both phones are the same Iphone 4th generation. The 4g does not refer to 4g network speeds. There are some minor differences. The facetime video chat feature on the VZW phone will only work if you also have a wifi connection. Likewise if you want to talk and surf at the same time. I don't think that is a very big deal but to some it might make a difference. The VZW Iphone does have one feature that the ATT device does not. That is mobile hotspot. You can use your phone to broadcast a wifi signal and connect your other wifi devices like ipod, laptop, etc to the Internet using you phone as a modem. I don't know the cost for this but on other VZW devices it's about $20 per month and that will get you 2gb of data.
Speaking of amounts of Data .... the ATT data plans are limited and you will incur extra charges if you go over the allowance. The $25 plan gives you 2 gb of usage which is a pretty good chunk but if you are a real heavy user that's not enough. The current data plan for $29.99 on VZW is unlimited!!!! Depending on your usage habits this might be a really big deal. Take note that VZW says the $29.99 is a promotional offer. If you get in now you'll be able to keep it. I think it does send a strong signal that there will be a change in their data plans though. Sprint charges and an extra $10 if you have the Evo. ATT has the limits already discussed. T-mobile degrades your service if you go past the limit. Look for VZW to make some sort of change to the data plans in the future. However, like I said, you'll be "grandfathered" in on the unlimited plan if you already have it.
My opinion: If you are a current ATT Iphone user and happy with the service don't even consider changing. If you are a current VZW customer and have been dying to worship at the alter of Apple then jump on it. If you want a super cool, super fast phone, then other phones that are already on the market or the very near horizon will blow the current generation of Iphone out of the water. The Samsung Galaxy S phones are on all 4 major networks, the current Droid2 and upcoming Thunderbolt and Bionic on VZW are dual core processing Android powered rocket ships running on a true 4g LTE network where available, and the Motorola Atrix on ATT was the top reviewed cell phone from this years consumer electronic show.
Current Verizon Wireless customers can order on Feb 3 for delivery by Feb 10. If you want to switch to Verizon and order the Iphone you'll need to wait until Feb 10.
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