epic 4g worth it without premium plan

[new2droids91]

the title pretty much explains it I am interested in getting the new epic 4g but whenever people talk about its lightning fast speeds i usually assume they have the premium plan but I am not in need a the 4g network at the moment but I like to keep my options open so what I am asking is...

is it worth it to buy the epic 4g over say the transform even with just using the 3g speeds or is all the hype about the new epic just because of the premium plan?

 

[jwp1223]

I don't think you can get the Epic 4g unless you get the $10 surcharge for the 4g access. You might want to talk to Sprint about that.

 

[ovrrdrive]

The evo and the epic both get better transfer rates than other phones that don't do 4G even on a 3G network. It has something to do with priority on data transfers or something. It's been discussed.

And yes you can see the difference in real life.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

The $10 additional fee has NOTHING TO DO WITH 4G ACCESS. You will need the fee whether or not you live in a 4G area and whether or not you wish to use 4G services. Sprint requires the $10 fee for EVO and EPIC users and there are no exceptions.

 

[MissJennell]

I don't even live in a 4g area and never use 4g and I would choose the Epic over the Transform any day.

 

[altimuh]

the title pretty much explains it I am interested in getting the new epic 4g but whenever people talk about its lightning fast speeds i usually assume they have the premium plan but I am not in need a the 4g network at the moment but I like to keep my options open so what I am asking is...

is it worth it to buy the epic 4g over say the transform even with just using the 3g speeds or is all the hype about the new epic just because of the premium plan?

Yes, regardless of whether or not you live in a 4g area, you'll be required to pony up an additional $10/mo. (But that wasn't the question!)

I don't live in a 4g area, and my wife and I simply love our Epics. I hemmed and hawed about the extra $20/mo (2 phones x $10 ea) being that right now we wouldn't even have access to the 4g network. However when I looked around to see what else was comparable, let's just say I went with my only option! I'm glad I went with the Epic. The phone itself is super quick (accomplishing tasks without lag - independent of browsing/downloading speed). A friend of mine has the Transform, and her's lags and freezes up.

What other phone(s) are you considering? What do you hope to get out of this or other phones?

 

[RickJ]

Yes, regardless of whether or not you live in a 4g area, you'll be required to pony up an additional $10/mo. (But that wasn't the question!)

The $10 fee is called Premium data, hence the replies. It doesn't appear any of the posters comprehension abilities are in question, maybe a re-read is in order?

The Epic is only sold at the contract price with a qualifying data plan, and the premium data add on.

Now, it may be a different story if one would like to purchase the phone at full pop and have it activated on other than the so-called qualifying data plans.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

The $10 fee is called Premium data, hence the replies. It doesn't appear any of the posters comprehension abilities are in question, maybe a re-read is in order?

The Epic is only sold at the contract price with a qualifying data plan, and the premium data add on.

Now, it may be a different story if one would like to purchase the phone at full pop and have it activated on other than the so-called qualifying data plans.

That won't work. Even if you buy the phone at full pop or get it from EBay or something, you will have to register the device's ESN number with Sprint in order to activate it. This will immediately show that you are using an EPIC 4G, and Sprint will require you to use the exact same plans available for all other EVO/EPIC users. The only difference is you won't be locked into a contract.

 

[EarlyMon]

The $10/month premium has been publicly questioned.

Sprint justifies it as "3G/4G unlimited access" - and yes, regardless of previous statements, that's their basis for this charge.

Here's my charge:

If a post gives anyone grief, just hit that handy Report button to the left of it.

I hope everyone reads the links in my sig, but I can sum them with two simple principles:

• We attack problems and not each others personally
• Be excellent to one another

Carry ... on!

 

[ovrrdrive]

I can honestly say that I don't mind the extra $10 if it's the only way to get a phone from sprint that works...

 

[capitoldog]

I can honestly say that I don't mind the extra $10 if it's the only way to get a phone from sprint that works...

I have had my trusty Treo for the last 5 years, and just switched over to the Epic in the last week or so. I can honestly say I am loving it so far! (even with the extra $10) I am having to learn new ways to do things, that is difficult sometimes. Overall, Yes it is worth it!

 

[RickJ]

That won't work. Even if you buy the phone at full pop or get it from EBay or something, you will have to register the device's ESN number with Sprint in order to activate it. This will immediately show that you are using an EPIC 4G, and Sprint will require you to use the exact same plans available for all other EVO/EPIC users. The only difference is you won't be locked into a contract.

Oh well, makes sense. So much for that possibility.

 

[gooberman]

is it worth it to buy the epic 4g over say the transform even with just using the 3g speeds or is all the hype about the new epic just because of the premium plan?

If your asking if you could get the exact same phone with or without 4G and not pay the $10 then I would say it's not worth it. But you can't.

To get a fast phone (processor) and a big screen you need the Evo or Epic.

To me that is worth the $10 a month.

I had a hero for a month before the Evo came out and it was night and day. To me screen size is important as my eyes aren't what they used to be....

 

[HXC]

I honestly dont see why you guys are stressing over 10 dollars a month.. Have you not noticed that sprint is the FASTEST 3g/4g service out their not to mention that is UNLIMITED! ATT is not unlimited but it is a lil slower than Sprint. Verizon is unlimited but its 30$ PER PHONE to have a data phone. Tmobile just is slow.

 

[buggerritt]

Personally, I feel it is worth it. To date, this is THE best phone on the market, hands down, all across the USA. It's specs are rivaled by none but the iphone4 (which does come close but...no cigar). This is, by far the best phone I have ever laid hands on. I don't rally for the $10 extra but, I do feel it is worth paying more for. I wish that the Galaxy S line would extend to MetroPCS. Their premium data plan is only $55 and they now are able to roam on Sprint's towers with 4G. They just have crappy phones. I wonder if you can unlock an Epic and use it on the MetroPCS service. I will look into this, as an option. If this is possible, I will definitely consider doing just that.

 

[hayzooos]

In layman's terms, the reason for the $10 upcharge is because Sprint says you're likely to use more data with one of these phones. I would have to agree with them. I came from a blackberry (gasp, I know it) and took a gander at my data usage since getting the Epic. The chart was unreal, I couldn't believe it.

Taking into account the "this is cool, I'm going to play on it all day right off the bat" I still use quite a bit more data than previously on a blackberry, and since it truly is unlimited, I think the $10 uptick is justified IMO.

I've heard rumblings that the Verizon 4G network will blow Sprint's away, but I have a hard time believing it. And for that matter, how expensive are the Verizon data plans going to be? What are the chances they'll have an unlimited plan like Sprint?

 

[FreakyLocz14]

In layman's terms, the reason for the $10 upcharge is because Sprint says you're likely to use more data with one of these phones. I would have to agree with them. I came from a blackberry (gasp, I know it) and took a gander at my data usage since getting the Epic. The chart was unreal, I couldn't believe it.

Taking into account the "this is cool, I'm going to play on it all day right off the bat" I still use quite a bit more data than previously on a blackberry, and since it truly is unlimited, I think the $10 uptick is justified IMO.

I've heard rumblings that the Verizon 4G network will blow Sprint's away, but I have a hard time believing it. And for that matter, how expensive are the Verizon data plans going to be? What are the chances they'll have an unlimited plan like Sprint?

I'd rather have slightly slower speeds in order to pay these prices for totally unlimited. 4-8 Mbps is not bad at all considering the price.