Upgrade after 4/1

[Whiskeypawz]

This came up in another thread yesterday so rather than tie up that thread with unrelated content I thought I'd start a new one.

The question was brought up as to whether you would lose your eligibility after 4/1 if you qualify now but won't be a "gold" customer. Here was my conversation with Sprint about it.

13:00:37 : Connected to sprint.ehosts.net

13:00:37 : Session ID

13:00:37 : Me: Initial Question/Comment: With the new Premier program coming, if I'm eligible for an upgrade now but won't qualify for "Gold" status will I lose my upgrade on 4/1?

13:00:47 : Please wait and the next available account specialist will be with you shortly.

13:00:47 : You are number (12) in queue.

13:04:52 : You are number (11) in queue.

13:06:32 : You are number (10) in queue.

13:06:42 : You are number (9) in queue.

13:07:02 : You are number (8) in queue.

13:07:27 : You are number (7) in queue.

13:07:37 : You are number (5) in queue.

13:08:32 : You are number (3) in queue.

13:08:52 : You are next in queue...

13:08:57 : Sprint has joined this session!

13:08:57 : Connected with Sprint. Your Reference Number for this chat session.

13:08:57 : Thank you for contacting Sprint. My name is (Sprint rep).

13:09:12 : Sprint: I am happy to help you. Please hold a moment while I access your account.

13:11:37 : Sprint: You are already eligible for upgrades as on 2010/10/01.

13:13:37 : Me: Yes, I understand that. But after the new premier program takes effect 4/1 I will only qualify for a 2 yr upgrade (silver status). I won't be at 2 yrs until 10/1/11. Will I lose my current upgrade eligibility with my "silver" status or will I be able to retain my eligibility until I upgrade?

13:13:58 : Me: Right now there is not a single phone Sprint carries that I am interested in.

13:14:58 : Sprint: You will be able to retain the upgrade eligibility as you have on the account.

13:16:13 : Me: Ok, just so I'm understanding correctly....If I still have my Hero on 4/1 I will still qualify for full upgrade price ($150 off) if Sprint comes out with a phone I want on 5/1?

13:19:13 : Sprint: Yes, you are correct, You will be able to use the $150 rebates as on 05/01/2011 there will be no change on the account.

13:20:01 : Me: Great, I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't lose it. But once I upgrade I will only qualify for the $150 rebate every 2 years at silver status, correct?

13:21:08 : Sprint: yes, that is absolutely correct.

13:21:45 : Me: Ok that was all I needed. Thank you for your help.

13:21:58 : Sprint: You are welcome.

13:21:58 : Sprint: My goal is to ensure the issues that prompted you to chat today are fully resolved. Did I address all the reasons for your chat today?

13:22:04 : Me: Yes you did.

13:22:23 : Sprint: It

 

[330D]

Thank you Whiskeypawz, that clears up a bit of confusion on my part..... Hopefully it was a knowledgeable rep you were speaking with, and not just some schmuck telling you what you wanted to hear....

 

[Whiskeypawz]

Thank you Whiskeypawz, that clears up a bit of confusion on my part..... Hopefully it was a knowledgeable rep you were speaking with, and not just some schmuck telling you what you wanted to hear....

I'm just as skeptical as you are about their knowledge. But like I said, I have it in writing if they try to tell me I have to wait!

 

[BenChase7]

Thats great news, looks like most of us will have one more yearly upgrade. Thanks for your research and report!

 

[330D]

If that truly is the case, I'm going to limp my hero along until they have a new handset that is the successor to the EVO. I just can't justify getting year old hardware right now, with all this talk of dual core craziness. (Not that the EVO isn't a good phone, I just am going to have it for 2 years, so it better be the newest I can get...)

 

[Whiskeypawz]

If that truly is the case, I'm going to limp my hero along until they have a new handset that is the successor to the EVO. I just can't justify getting year old hardware right now, with all this talk of dual core craziness. (Not that the EVO isn't a good phone, I just am going to have it for 2 years, so it better be the newest I can get...)

I'm just going to hope they come out with something smaller than the Evo very soon. Whether it's an Evo 2, a Hero 2 or (hopefully) the LG Optimus Black. (Hey, a girl can dream can't she?!) I like the Evo it's just ginormous, I need something smaller if I want to avoid back problems.
I don't know how much patience I have left for my Hero resetting itself every time I hit the home button. (I'm not being sarcastic, it literally does!)

 

[Rigmaster]

Good luck, but be patient. There are probably a lot of 4+" screens coming, and I don't think being super-small will be their bright spots.

If you're worried about the Evo dimensions, so was my wife. I just asked her to show me what purse/pocket she wanted it to fit it. Evo did. She was reluctant but wouldn't go back, especially now that she's figured out that Evo freed her up from iPod Touch and digital camera, plus she has readable GPS on demand.

You probably wanted something like the Incredible, but I think that was as much VZW's big hitter as Evo was for Sprint. I didn't expect anything like Inc to come to Sprint.

 

[Whiskeypawz]

I'm trying to be patient but my patience is wearing thin!

My friend has an Evo & like I said, very nice phone. I like the camera button on it much better than I do the Hero (trackball). It's just so big! It won't fit in my pocket, I barely get my hand all the way around it. But she has the otter case (whatever it's called) on it & I think that does add a little bit of bulk.

If it comes down to it I'll probably get the Evo & not put it in my pocket. I'll have to make sure to put my chiropractor's # on speed dial (haha!). But I'll wait a little longer. As it's been said multiple times, we still have MWC & CTIA coming up.

 

[330D]

I would take any one of Sprints 4g handsets, but like I said, I was already behind the curve with the hero. I won't do it again. And FWIW, my hero has also started to reboot often. Just about every other time I text someone, and it does the loading spin, it will reboot. So, you're not alone.

 

[UniversalRep]

I would take any one of Sprints 4g handsets, but like I said, I was already behind the curve with the hero. I won't do it again. And FWIW, my hero has also started to reboot often. Just about every other time I text someone, and it does the loading spin, it will reboot. So, you're not alone.

If you have your insurance on your line and you take the Hero in up to 3 times within 6 months, they actually up you into a LG Optimus typically now. The worst that can happen is you get an actual working Hero Android device until you upgrade.

 

[330D]

If you have your insurance on your line and you take the Hero in up to 3 times within 6 months, they actually up you into a LG Optimus typically now. The worst that can happen is you get an actual working Hero Android device until you upgrade.

Thanks, dude. I actually would feel bad returning my phone. It has been flashed so many times that I would truly feel guilty. It will hang in there until we see what is next, and if it doesn't, I will just grab an Evo.

 

[Whiskeypawz]

If you have your insurance on your line and you take the Hero in up to 3 times within 6 months, they actually up you into a LG Optimus typically now. The worst that can happen is you get an actual working Hero Android device until you upgrade.

I just don't take it in because when I first got it they just did a factory reset & it never solved any problem I had. Rather than have to reset everything I just gave up & deal with it now. I even talked to HTC & they also told me to do a factory reset. I told them what I thought about their suggestion!

 

[KitsapAndroid]

I just don't take it in because when I first got it they just did a factory reset & it never solved any problem I had. Rather than have to reset everything I just gave up & deal with it now. I even talked to HTC & they also told me to do a factory reset. I told them what I thought about their suggestion!

Just Root it, back it up with Titanium Backup, then flash on a new ROM and restore your backup. That should fix your reboot problem.

 

[Whiskeypawz]

I'm too chicken sh** to root!!

 

[BenChase7]

I'm too chicken sh** to root!!

I was there with ya but, Its unbelievably easy with Unrevoked3. You download the program to your comp, connect your EVO via USB, and press root. It does 90% of it for you.

EDIT: Now adding a custom kernel or ROM is a little more in depth.

 

[Whiskeypawz]

Ben, the part that scares me the most is the custom kernel or ROM. I don't even know the difference! I just don't have the confidence to do it.

 

[BenChase7]

Ben, the part that scares me the most is the custom kernel or ROM. I don't even know the difference! I just don't have the confidence to do it.

Sorry.. I havent gone that far yet. Just getting my feet wet myself. But, I can say with Unrevoked3 and a video I found on YouTube for Unrevoked3, it was a breeze. You can root in 15 mins (less if you have experience). I am researching the kernel's now, cuz thats what allows you to overclock.

 

[KitsapAndroid]

Whiskeypawz, you're on a Hero so it's so easy. There are a ton of threads around here to guide you through it. A lot of people suggest using z4root. It's a 1 click root so all you have to do is download and then run the app. As for flashing a ROM, it's super easy. After rooting, DL ROM Manager, run the app and follow the instructions. BenChase, most custom ROMs come with a custom Kernel already built into it. I would look into the ROM before the kernel.

 

[BenChase7]

^^
Good to Know! Thank You!

 

[gonk24]

Unfortunately some Sprint reps don't know what they're talking about. If an upgrade is available it must be used by March 31st or it will be pushed to the 22 month date from last upgrade. Here's the text from the premier changes:

Effective 4/1/11:

* Sprint Premier Gold accounts will continue to receive the annual upgrade benefit based on maintaining a 3-month average of $89.99* for individual plans or $169.99 for shared plans, or for 10+ years service. Gold accounts will receive one annual upgrade per qualifying plan.
* Sprint Premier Silver accounts:
o If the line qualifying for an annual upgrade is 22 months from the last upgrade, there is no impact. The line would continue to be eligible for an upgrade under Sprint's New For You upgrade program, which allows eligible customers to upgrade every 22 months.
o If the line qualifying for an annual upgrade is 12-21 months from the last upgrade, the upgrade must be used by March, 31, 2011. Otherwise, effective April 1, 2011, the upgrade eligibility on that line will be changed to 22 months.
o If the line qualifying for an annual upgrade is less than 12 months from the last upgrade, their upgrade eligibility will be changed to 22 months.
o To check your upgrade eligibility go to Sprint - Upgrades.

Sprint Premier Gold and Silver | FAQ

 

[330D]

Unfortunately some Sprint reps don't know what they're talking about. If an upgrade is available it must be used by March 31st or it will be pushed to the 22 month date from last upgrade. Here's the text from the premier changes:

Effective 4/1/11:

* Sprint Premier Gold accounts will continue to receive the annual upgrade benefit based on maintaining a 3-month average of $89.99* for individual plans or $169.99 for shared plans, or for 10+ years service. Gold accounts will receive one annual upgrade per qualifying plan.
* Sprint Premier Silver accounts:
o If the line qualifying for an annual upgrade is 22 months from the last upgrade, there is no impact. The line would continue to be eligible for an upgrade under Sprint's New For You upgrade program, which allows eligible customers to upgrade every 22 months.
o If the line qualifying for an annual upgrade is 12-21 months from the last upgrade, the upgrade must be used by March, 31, 2011. Otherwise, effective April 1, 2011, the upgrade eligibility on that line will be changed to 22 months.
o If the line qualifying for an annual upgrade is less than 12 months from the last upgrade, their upgrade eligibility will be changed to 22 months.
o To check your upgrade eligibility go to Sprint - Upgrades.

Sprint Premier Gold and Silver | FAQ

Well, looks like sprint better hop to getting a phone out, or I will be switching to Verizon. I'm not going to upgrade to year old hardware, to be stuck with it for 2 more years. I guess now that they have started to climb out of the hole they have dug themselves, they can act like the rest of the carriers. I'm not buying into it.