Can't decide whether to get the 4s on Virgin or the Iphone 5 on Sprint

[n00dz]

Yes, I have decided to give the Iphone a try. Problem is, I can't decide whether to get the 4s on Virgin Mobile, since it's cut by $200 now, or to get the Iphone 5 from Sprint on a two year contract.

Which decision would save me the most money in the long run?

 

[thebryceee]

4S

 

[SuperAfnan]

Buy an android. That's the best answer I can give you.

 

[mogelijk]

Buying the phone on Virgin Mobile saves a lot of money, just because of how much lower the monthly payment is. This article explains how buying an iPhone from Virgin can save you $750 over two years (length of an iPhone contract), and that is with the price still at $650. It is also sounding like Virgin Mobile will sell the iPhone 5 in the 1st quarter of 2013.

 

[Ranhead]

If you get good VM coverage in your area, go with the 4s. With its current price and VM's cheap rates, you'll save lots of money. My wife just bought a new 4s at Radio Shack for $449 plus $90 in future gift cards (she's on the $30 plan). Target also has the VM 4s for $499 with a $100 gift card, starting tonight and going through Black Friday.

That being said, I would still got with an Android. I still catch here playing with her old OV from time to time. Of course she would vehemently deny that - lol.

 

[hiwatt]

I'd go with VM on the provision that you get the same speeds as Sprint. Test that out in the store first. If not and you still wanna contract phone, I'd go with Verizon and be done with wondering where the LTE towers and such are at. Yeah, they're more money, but I think it's worth it. If I leave VM, I'm headed to Verizon no question.

 

[mikeca]

You save a ton on virgin over any contract. Great prices on 4s now or wait for 5 rumored for Jan. Release on Virgin.

 

[OverByter]

I'd go with VM on the provision that you get the same speeds as Sprint. Test that out in the store first. If not and you still wanna contract phone, I'd go with Verizon and be done with wondering where the LTE towers and such are at. Yeah, they're more money, but I think it's worth it. If I leave VM, I'm headed to Verizon no question.

I would never deal with big red ever again, while the service is quite good the way that Verizon treats it's customers is appalling, that's why you're never going to see a Google branded Nexus on their service ever again. Even though HTC stated that all phones going forward from 2011 would be capable of being unlocked, acknowledging the dev community, just this week Verizon forced HTC into removing the ability to unlock the Droid DNA's bootloader from the htcdev website. Definitely not a company that I wish to lie down with. :banghead:
Back to the OP, I'm an Android person but would definitely recommend the 4S on Virgin.

 

[frantik508]

4S on Virgin. Like everybody is saying, you'll save a ton of money in the long run. Plus, the 5 is not much different from the 4S internally.

But, like everyone else is also saying, go with/stay with Android.

 

[Carlos0903]

Virgin Mobile might be getting the iPhone 5 soon, so if I was you I would wait, but to be honest with you Android is way better (my opinion)

 

[Ranhead]

I'd go with VM on the provision that you get the same speeds as Sprint. Test that out in the store first. If not and you still wanna contract phone, I'd go with Verizon and be done with wondering where the LTE towers and such are at. Yeah, they're more money, but I think it's worth it. If I leave VM, I'm headed to Verizon no question.

I left Verizon for VM and I'm never going back. If VM didn't work for me I would go with an unlocked phone and prepaid. Right now that would be Nexus 4 and Straight Talk ..... T-Mobile sux in my area.

 

[aurora40]

Which decision would save me the most money in the long run?

Assuming a new individual contract, Sprint would cost a minimum of $200 for the i5, and $80/month for service.

VMU would cost a minimum of $450 for the 4s and $30/month for service.

It would only take 5 months for Virgin Mobile to catch up to the subsidized cost of Sprint. Over the remaining 19 months, Sprint would cost you $950 more.

Granted, the plans aren't equal, nor are the phones. Only you know what you need from a plan or a phone. But if saving money is your goal, pre-paid is absolutely the way to go. You can also leave for a better deal/phone if one comes along during those two years, or you have some hardship, or a windfall, or move out of good coverage, whatever.

 

[vmforlife]

Bottom line, I'd NEVER EVER AGAIN lock into a post-pay contract! EVER!

The Europeans think we are drunk and crazy Americans for signing these contracts. Most of Europe do pre-pay no contract or "Pay as you go".
That's why pre-pay is finally gaining traction here in the US.

I have an iPhone 4s that I activated on H20 (ATT Pre-Pay). I also used the 5. IMO, the 4s is FINE. If you do the upgrade to the new OS, it will operate the same as the 5, for a lot less money.

Now, after goofing around with the iPhone for about 3 months, I de-activated it from H20 and sold it on eBay. Why? I do NOT prefer Apple's IOS to the Droid platform. On the contrary, I think Android is a far superior operating system, and I'd go with Droid in a heartbeat rather than lock in to Apple's firm architecture. On Apple, you basically spoon-fed what and how they want you to do things. Some features are cool, yes, but some pissed me off. And I could not change them. Apps? Android is hot on the heels and now both platforms basically offer the same apps when NEW apps are introduced. Besides, how many apps can you really run? Is 2 or 3 or 4 or even 5 million apps enough? Sheesh!

Android is far more open and customizable. I believe it's the future and will be by far the dominant platform in years to come. Time will tell.