buy thunderbolt when it comes out or wait for sprints CTIA event?

[matt0715]

well today phandroid was invited to a sprint CTIA event. i am on sprint now but was gunna go to verizon for the thunderbolt since sprint has been releasing some crappy things and may be switching to LTE which may leave wimax users out of luck. the event might be a evo 2. any thoughts? wait for event which might be a evo 2 or stick with switching to verizon and getting the thunderbolt?

 

[Papadroid]

I admit I'm intrigued by this announcement. With the TB taking f o r e v e r to be released it's definitely leaving the door open for other possibilities. I've often thought of leaving Verizon for Sprint because of the cheaper plans. I know Verizon is superior but where I live they're all pretty good. As a matter of fact we use Sprint at work and I can definitively say that coverage is really good and we have 4G. Now if I did any traveling I would stick to Verizon as they have the best coverage across the state. So if they announce an EVO 2 that is anywhere near the TB I might seriously consider it. The only thing that might hold me back is the fact that I was going to get my wife the iphone but maybe I could just get her the EVO shift.

 

[matt0715]

yeah im guessing the EVO 2 will be almost identical to the thunderbolt.

 

[Cavemansol]

When is sprints ctia event anyhow? If sprint has a LTE capable EVO in the works, then id for sure be interested in sticking around for that...

 

[matt0715]

When is sprints ctia event anyhow? If sprint has a LTE capable EVO in the works, then id for sure be interested in sticking around for that...

i doubt it will be LTE, im just scared of getting a wimax phone then they all the sudden change to LTE

 

[Papadroid]

i doubt it will be LTE, im just scared of getting a wimax phone then they all the sudden change to LTE

I'm not worried about that at all because if they go LTE they will phase WiMax out over several years. By that time there will something else out.

 

[Cavemansol]

I'm not worried about that at all because if they go LTE they will phase WiMax out over several years. By that time there will something else out.

Good point, Well, if theres a TB clone on sprint, id be more than willing to jump ship.

 

[Cavemansol]

Also you have to consider this, depending on when this event is, youll probably be waiting for quite awhile for whatever they announce to come out as well.

 

[matt0715]

this is a hard decision. i pre ordered the thunderbolt at best buy but i dont know what to do now. sprints going to raise their prices almost to identical to verizon sooner or later. each smartphone is $10 more a month

 

[AustinTech]

Can't do Sprint.

 

[Cavemansol]

this is a hard decision. i pre ordered the thunderbolt at best buy but i dont know what to do now. sprints going to raise their prices almost to identical to verizon sooner or later. each smartphone is $10 more a month

Itd still be $20 less a month correct? Not sure if its worth having the better network when i dont travel...seems like id be smart to be on sprint since where im movin to in seattle has fine coverage...

 

[theacoustician]

You realize if you don't draw a line in the sand and just go for something, you'll always be doing this. There is always a better phone on the horizon. That's kinda the point.

 

[rushmore]

I would not and for the same reason VZW are so arrogant. Sprint coverage and everyone else blows chunks in far more areas. Places I get 3G with VZW, I can not even get a phone signal with the others. Especially Tmo.

The other carriers need to team up and make VZW more humble

 

[Papadroid]

I'm in no hurry to make a decision one way or the other. I've been considering moving for a while now but it all depends on Verizon and what they are going to do with their pricing. I'm not impatient on waiting for phones to come out nor do I need the latest and greatest. But in regards to this article, for the reasons already stated, I am intrigued.

 

[jmz768]

Sprint doesn't have 4G in the Detroit area and doesn't even have it on the list of cities being upgraded so there's no way in hell I'm going with Sprint. Also, I had a very bad experience with them involving customer support so I'm not sure I'd ever give them another chance even if they had 4G in my area.

 

[matt0715]

i have found a solution! the event is on march 22nd. so if the thunderbolt comes out on the 10th thats gives me 14 days to decide to keep verizon or not which will end the 24th. problem solved! if the announced product by sprint is better than the thunderbolt i will get that. but if not i will keep the thunderbolt!

 

[McMike]

I am considering the Thunderbolt and Verizon for many reason but the main reason is the LTE 4G service. I have been a customer of Sprint for 5 years and believe me when I tell you this, 4G Wimax is horrible in doors! I am lucky to get 1 bar sometimes. I know 4G LTE works great indoors as I have tested the Verizon internet dongle with my tablet and it worked great. Don

 

[jhsu123]

I am considering the Thunderbolt and Verizon for many reason but the main reason is the LTE 4G service. I have been a customer of Sprint for 5 years and believe me when I tell you this, 4G Wimax is horrible in doors! I am lucky to get 1 bar sometimes. I know 4G LTE works great indoors as I have tested the Verizon internet dongle with my tablet and it worked great. Don

 

[Wolfedude88]

But are you willing to pay $299 for the 2 yr or $750 off contract for the TB? It seems rather steep to me. I was willing to pay $249, but with CTIA on 3/22, it seems like there are some other 4G phones coming out at the same time... (Samsung Infuse 4G offered by AT&T, Samsung SCH-i510 (formerly known as the Samsung 4G LTE smartphone)

Samsung Infuse 4G announced for AT&T: 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, crazy thin -- Engadget

Samsung Stealth V pays a visit to the FCC, is the phone known as Samsung 4G LTE smartphone - Phone Arena

I did put a deposit down at BB, but am conflicted now. I want a FFC, sim V/D and really like the HTC sense interface.... But the price is steep. Any thoughts?

Still don't think the 299 has been confirmed or not.

 

[jhsu123]

Still don't think the 299 has been confirmed or not.

The $299 price for a 2 yr contract on the TB has been running in the BB ads for the last 2 weeks now.

 

[McMike]

Jhsu123:

I understand your dilemma. As another poster mentioned, you could always return the phone should something be announced by Sprint that is worth wild. I don’t mind paying the $250-$299 (+$100 early termination fee) because my work pays for my monthly bill so the upfront charge is ok with me. My problem is not the price though, it’s the WiMax vs. LTE. As for phones, I really like the Atrix on AT&T BUT the data plans on AT&T are limited. T Mobile says its unlimited but after 5 gigs, they throttle you. So my problem is deeper than the phone selection, it has to do with the carriers.

Also, I could never go for any screen that is smaller than 4" now. The EVO really spoiled me, in my opinion it is the exact size a phone screen size should be. By the way I love my EVO and if there were no issues with WiMax, I would not switch and just wait for Sprint to announce the EVO 2.

 

[Wolfedude88]

The $299 price for a 2 yr contract on the TB has been running in the BB ads for the last 2 weeks now.

That but that is Best Buy, I think Verizon is going to be cheaper. And you should be able to get it from best buy for 249, that is what is was on their site last week for. I printed that off just in case.

I would still like to hear officially from Verizon, don't care about Best Buy.

 

[Red Devil]

Is there a one-year contract being offered? If so, is there a price range floating around?

 

[snuggles]

If Verizon would have come out from the start and given a status of production and knowing all the hype around this phone I wouldn't consider jumping ship. Now I'm looking to take my business else where.

 

[Filinator13]

Is there a one-year contract being offered? If so, is there a price range floating around?

Price floating around for a 1-yr is the typical VZ +$70 on top of the 2-yr price. Not sure yet if they will offer a 1-yr for this phone though.