UPDATE: Verizon GN2 Release (& White GN2 on US Cellular)

[Osensnolf]

During the past two weeks I have spoken to two people in upper management at Verizon Wireless regarding the GN2 release. This post is for those that care about the conversation.

Both conversations happened with individuals no further than 3 levels down from the CEO. Keep in mind that many of the same questions were asked or mentioned multiple times and the same answer was not always repeated and thus I had to read between the lines.

Here is what I gathered.

Verizon did not sell the Note 1 (as we know) and was not confident enough that it would work on their network as planned so instead of releasing it when other carriers did, it instead allowed 1) field testers to use it for the past month as they have with much success and 2) allow US Cellular to sell the gray version (to test) since they share many towers.

Realizing the white version is much more popular, US Cellular is not allowed to release it until/after Verizon does (to avoid customers switching to US Cellular). Apparently Verizon and US Cellular share A LOT of towers and if you are in an area without VZLTE, USC may be a better option.

The release is targeted for Christmas shopping and VZ did not see enough demand to warrant releasing it any earlier (ie: prior to Thanksgiving). Given the comment that was made about needing to test the phone, I'm not sure this would have even been an option.

Throughout both calls, both mention that the phone will be released on the 27th and also will be shipped on the 27th but also mentioned that it will be released on the 29th. I purposely did not try to pin down a date since what we have heard is that it will ship by the 27th and release on the 29th. I'm not familiar with Verizon so I'm not sure if a Tuesday release is possible. The Droid DNA is to be released on November 21 so we know Wednesday is an option.

All of this does not help us get our phone any sooner but I ended both conversations felling more aware of why Verizon postponed the release and confident that it will be my next carrier on the 27/29th of November.


Hope this was worth the read.

 

[Digital Controller]

Thanks for the info, i know a lot of people are confused and upset about the delay of the Note 2, and it will certainly shed some light on things

 

[jasaero]

Interesting smoke they fed you.

I would have asked what aspect of "was not confident enough that it would work on their network as planned" they were referring to?? They have the most robust and probably the fastest network in most all areas of the country. How would it not work as "planned" on their network in relation to other networks?? Or is this referring to the VZW bloatware? Doubtful as GSIII has similar build of samsung stuff and the bloatware was already running on it.

And the USA release is far enough behind the rest of the world that I am pretty sure any network that really wanted it for their users from the get go had plenty of time to test it out for more than just the last month. Shoot as annoyed as peeps were they didn't bother with the Note I, they should have asked for an advanced testing phase before other networks with the Note 2. Reading between the lines of what you thought they were getting at, my take is they didn't want the device at all, but knew they would bleed customers if they didn't announce as one of the carriers at launch. Only option after that is to hold out as long as possible with actually releasing it and try to get as many of the holiday buying rush peeps onto different devices as possible over TGiving so only those bound determined to get a Note were left when it finally released. They did this with the GNex also.

 

[MrMLK]

...my take is they didn't want the device at all, but knew they would bleed customers if they didn't announce as one of the carriers at launch. Only option after that is to hold out as long as possible with actually releasing it and try to get as many of the holiday buying rush peeps onto different devices as possible over TGiving so only those bound determined to get a Note were left when it finally released.

I'm sorry, but this just sounds silly to me.

1) Given that Verizon is in the business to make money, why wouldn't they want to sell the Note2? I can see them skipping the Note1 because they didn't want to sell a device that they thought would bomb. But what would they have against the Note2 now that there is some evidence that the large phones have a market? What is there about this device that makes you think it would be an exception to the "Verizon is in it to make money" theory?

2) You argument seems to be that Verizon thought there were people who wanted the Note2 so badly that they would jump carriers to get it, but would ultimately settle for some other device if they had to wait an extra three weeks to get it. Are these people dying to get the Note2, or aren't they? Wouldn't Verizon make more money buy selling the phone right away so that no one would jump ship?

 

[jasaero]

I'm sorry, but this just sounds silly to me.

1) Given that Verizon is in the business to make money, why wouldn't they want to sell the Note2? I can see them skipping the Note1 because they didn't want to sell a device that they thought would bomb. But what would they have against the Note2 now that there is some evidence that the large phones have a market? What is there about this device that makes you think it would be an exception to the "Verizon is in it to make money" theory?

2) You argument seems to be that Verizon thought there were people who wanted the Note2 so badly that they would jump carriers to get it, but would ultimately settle for some other device if they had to wait an extra three weeks to get it. Are these people dying to get the Note2, or aren't they? Wouldn't Verizon make more money buy selling the phone right away so that no one would jump ship?

Both of these are assuming VZW does thing for logical makes good customer and business sense logic.

Some customers want full priced unsubsidized phones and lower monthly payments in return. Offering such a thing as an alternative to the whole 20 month subsidy regime would make sense and offer plans that undercut competitors other than those like TMo already doing this and probably woo a lot of customers off the likes of AT&T and Sprint. If most customers are exploiting the subsidy every 20-24 months anyhow it wouldn't cost you anything either.

It could also be the underlying cost structures that can be negotiated out of the different devices is at play also. They are demanding a pretty penny extra up front for the Note 2 so my guess is that Sammy is demanding more behind the scenes out of VZW. I really don't know all the reasoning for it, but Verizon never seems real aggressive in pushing devices they haven't had a lot of influence on. Even iPhone on VZW is marginally marketed compared to AT&T. That was more to get AT&T customers over. I have seen iPhone/AT&T dual sponsored commercials often, but not so much the VZW/iPhone commercials other than maybe when the first one launched.

These aren't arguments that assume sound logic and good business sense on VZW's part by any means. Oh, and BTW, I am a lost VZW customer due to the delayed launch and points listed above. I am not the only one either.

 

[menmyjeep]

Realizing the white version is much more popular, US Cellular is not allowed to release it until/after Verizon does (to avoid customers switching to US Cellular). .

Where is the data that shows the white is more popular than the Grey? I haven't see any concrete evidence to that fact. The poll within this forum actually has the grey as being the more popular..... http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2/607939-note-2-color-options-discussion.html

 

[Dan GSR]

If vzw didn't announce the note 2 I would have gone to T-Mobile

 

[ScandaLeX]

Where is the data that shows the white is more popular than the Grey? I haven't see any concrete evidence to that fact. The poll within this forum actually has the grey as being the more popular..... http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2/607939-note-2-color-options-discussion.html

A poll on a forum is not concrete evidence either. Most people jump on forums when they've run into a problems with their phones. If I took a poll of the neighbors on my street the winner would be white.

 

[menmyjeep]

A poll on a forum is not concrete evidence either. Most people jump on forums when they've run into a problems with their phones. If I took a poll of the neighbors on my street the winner would be white.

Yeah....... That is my point exactly. I was merely rebutting the fact that it was said that white was the more popular color. At least I had something to back it up. No where have I seen anything to suggest white was more popular than Grey; Forum polls, carrier stats or other wise.

 

[ronjr123]

All of that is "bull hockey". I believe the reason behind the launch delay has to due with the DNA. This is the phone they want to push over turkey day weekend. They have a lot of time and money invested in the DROID family line. The DNA is a DROID. Although these phones aren't in the same category they will still compete against each other due to screen size. If you are looking for a big phone and these were sitting side by side, which would you choose?

As long as they continue with the DROID branding, it will always be a priority to them over a standard android release. As someone stated above they did the same thing last year with the Nexus. Why? It wasn't in the DROID family. It would have taken sales away from that line over the biggest shopping weekend of the year. I believe this will be treated the same way as the Nexus too, with delayed updates, sales reps whispering it is not the phone for you...etc.,etc. They consider this a niche device and like the Nexus will treat it as such.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[Osensnolf]

Yeah....... That is my point exactly. I was merely rebutting the fact that it was said that white was the more popular color. At least I had something to back it up. No where have I seen anything to suggest white was more popular than Grey; Forum polls, carrier stats or other wise.

This was more of a candid conversation. At no point did/would I ask for stats to back up a comment they made.

This is the first white device I have ever wanted and I've heard many others make the same comment. I'm sure they have stats from the G3 and iPhone to determine which color is most popular as of lately.

Don't waste your time looking for stats on stuff that doesn't matter. The point is that the phone is not out and as of now, what I was told is the only thing I have heard as to any reason why that may be the case. There could be another reason but for now that will be speculation.

Here's what matters... 9 days...

 

[Harplayr]

This was more of a candid conversation. At no point did/would I ask for stats to back up a comment they made.

This is the first white device I have ever wanted and I've heard many others make the same comment. I'm sure they have stats from the G3 and iPhone to determine which color is most popular as of lately.

Don't waste your time looking for stats on stuff that doesn't matter. The point is that the phone is not out and as of now, what I was told is the only thing I have heard as to any reason why that may be the case. There could be another reason but for now that will be speculation.

Here's what matters... 9 days...

Make that 9 LONG days

 

[menmyjeep]

This is the first white device I have ever wanted and I've heard many others make the same comment. I'm sure they have stats from the G3 and iPhone to determine which color is most popular as of lately.

Neither the G3 nor the iPhone has Grey as an option so I am not sure how there is a comparison at all.

 

[menmyjeep]

Don't waste your time looking for stats on stuff that doesn't matter. The point is that the phone is not out and as of now, what I was told is the only thing I have heard as to any reason why that may be the case. There could be another reason but for now that will be speculation./QUOTE]

I would never waste my time looking for such stats.....I was already aware of the forum Poll which is why I posted that link above. You are the one that brought up the fact the white was the more popular according to who you talked to. I was merely stating that I have never seen anything to back that comment up. And if that truly is the case, which I am doubting, I wouldn't say that it doesn't matter to the folks over on US Cellular who may be waiting for the white one.

 

[Deleted User]

All of that is "bull hockey". I believe the reason behind the launch delay has to due with the DNA. This is the phone they want to push over turkey day weekend. They have a lot of time and money invested in the DROID family line. The DNA is a DROID. Although these phones aren't in the same category they will still compete against each other due to screen size. If you are looking for a big phone and these were sitting side by side, which would you choose?

As long as they continue with the DROID branding, it will always be a priority to them over a standard android release. As someone stated above they did the same thing last year with the Nexus. Why? It wasn't in the DROID family. It would have taken sales away from that line over the biggest shopping weekend of the year. I believe this will be treated the same way as the Nexus too, with delayed updates, sales reps whispering it is not the phone for you...etc.,etc. They consider this a niche device and like the Nexus will treat it as such.

Just my two cents worth.

Exactly. It's all about the DNA. It is a Droid branded phone and is considered top tier phone by VZW. All droids are. I wonder, think, that somehow they get money from those wanting to brand their phone a "Droid" like HTC. There is marketing value in saying it's a Droid vice just a Samsung. They branded and made a household name of it. Guarantee there is money more money being made by VZW on the DNA than the GN2.

 

[Osensnolf]

Exactly. It's all about the DNA. It is a Droid branded phone and is considered top tier phone by VZW. All droids are. I wonder, think, that somehow they get money from those wanting to brand their phone a "Droid" like HTC. There is marketing value in saying it's a Droid vice just a Samsung. They branded and made a household name of it. Guarantee there is money more money being made by VZW on the DNA than the GN2.

Very possible. Hopefully the Note 2 stats are much more impressive than the DNA so that when the Note 3 or 4 come around, VZ knows not to offer some cheaper option in hopes of us running to it.

 

[ScandaLeX]

Very possible. Hopefully the Note 2 stats are much more impressive than the DNA so that when the Note 3 or 4 come around, VZ knows not to offer some cheaper option in hopes of us running to it.

Just thinking out loud on my part but if Verizon wants to catch a clue they can do so based off of current sales.

I'm still in agreement that they'll place anything 'Droid over other phones.