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Debating on: T-Mobile, $30 Plan, Samsung Exhibit II 4G

Hi everyone. I have been debating between Virgin Mobile's $35.month plan (300 mins, Unlimited Text, 2.5gb Data) with an LG Optimus Elite ($149) OR T-Mobile's $30/month plan (100 mins., Unlimited Text, 5gb Data) with a Samsung Exhibit II 4G. I am leaning towards the T-Mobile plan as I need more data. I rarely use a cell to talk; more for text and internet (data). I have an HTC Inspire that was used with AT&T, but that service was disconnected due to they charge waaaaay too much. I thought about getting the phone unlocked and using it on the T-Mobile plan, but then I found out that the speeds will be different (no 3G/4G) as it was set up for AT&T. So I'll just end up selling that phone and using the $ towards whatever choice I make between Virgin Mobile or T-Mobile. With all that being said, what is your opinions on the T-Mobile $30 plan and the Samsung Exhibit II 4G? Thanks in advance. =)
 
I started with the T-Mobile $50 Monthly4G plan, which is unlimited talk and text, with 100MB 4G bandwidth. Burned through the 4G cap pretty quick. So I bought another SIM card and activated it on the $30 100min talk/unlimited text/5GB 4G plan, and am now on my 2nd month of that plan, so far so good. I use Google Voice, so I have GrooVeIP installed for calls when I'm on WiFi, usually works pretty well. Technically it can also be used over 4G, but in my area I can move from 4G to EDGE pretty quickly just getting from my house to the main parts of town. So far I haven't gone over the 100min talk cap when I'm away from WiFi.
 
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I've been on the 30/mn for about 6 months now, love the service, on my rooted exhibit I've been tethering with no warnings like I got with AT&T...note tmobile network is very poor generally, so depending on your location results will vary greatly. I get 4g here in Dallas but if there is an event with an overloaded network or I'm driving across state tmobile is god awful, but for the price I can't complain how rare that is for me...and grooveIP is really not usable unless you have a perfect data signal(not moving either) so don't count on that to supplement your 100 min. The Samsung exhibit is a cheap phone and is buggy but if your a semi tech guy and root or install a custom rom you can make shit shine. Any tmobile 4g phone will work though, so if rooting is a concern you can hit Craigslist for a similar deal on a better phone.
 
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Thanks for the info.! I'm glad that plan is working well for you. I never really thought about making calls over Wi-Fi. Good idea! It will save on minutes. I rarely use minutes though, so hopefully it won't be a big deal. But ya never know. =/ So, what phone are you using?
I bought a lightly-used Exhibit 2 off eBay, paid less than half the price of a brand new one. The Samsung Precedent I bought from Straight Talk wasn't compatible with T-Mobile, and was barely usable as an Android device on top of that. I still need to sell it off and get back some of the $130 I paid for it.
 
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Thanks for the info.! I'm glad that plan is working well for you. I never really thought about making calls over Wi-Fi. Good idea! It will save on minutes. I rarely use minutes though, so hopefully it won't be a big deal. But ya never know. =/ So, what phone are you using?
Also, the Exhibit 2 is a T-Mobile UMA phone, meaning that even normal phone calls will go over wifi if you're connected, no need for a separate VoIP app. But those calls do use minutes, so Groove IP is quite helpful in that regard.
 
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I got mine brand new at walmart for $130. I just said that target had it for $130 lol

I was on straight talk but after using 3gb of data 3 months in a row they shut my phone off for "excesive data usage" I called them up first two guys said they couldnt help me. Third person got me a full refund of the phone i had purchased the nokia e71(also at walmart said target had it for 130 Straight talk gave me 200 refund for it) and since i was only a week into my new plan the refunded the $45 for the phone card. I used that money to get the tmobile $30 4g plan and couldnt be happier
 
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I'm on the Tmobile $30 plan and it's working great. Data speeds are pretty good compared to what I got on Boost. My 3G speeds on Boost were abysmal at about 40-50 kbps. Now, on TMobile, I get about 2-3 Mbps throughout the city, not just at my house, plus the monthly cost is cheaper. It's a no brainer for me.

I got my phone for $110 used on Ebay in close to mint condition. No scratches or scuff marks. Highly surprised! Screen is clear. Back and sides look brand new.

Talkatone or GrooveIP (w/Google Voice) means VOIP so my minutes aren't affected.
 
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I'm wondering if you use Skype (with the cheaper minutes on your Skype account) to make phone calls over 4G on a ROOTED Samsung Galaxy Exhibit, you will be deducted minutes on your T-mobile account.

I've confirmed that I'm able to do this on my rooted EVO V 4G from Virgin Mobile.

A friend of mine, currently using T-mobile, is considering this plan for her first smartphone.. being able to use Skype to continue to make calls cheaply after using up the 100 minutes will make this plan worthwhile.
 
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I'm wondering if you use Skype (with the cheaper minutes on your Skype account) to make phone calls over 4G on a ROOTED Samsung Galaxy Exhibit, you will be deducted minutes on your T-mobile account.

I've confirmed that I'm able to do this on my rooted EVO V 4G from Virgin Mobile.

A friend of mine, currently using T-mobile, is considering this plan for her first smartphone.. being able to use Skype to continue to make calls cheaply after using up the 100 minutes will make this plan worthwhile.

I don't use Skype for regular phone calls but isn't it free for skype to skype only? Otherwise I think you have to buy minutes to call non skype phones. I may be wrong. If it's true, then I might as well buy minutes on Tmobile or upgrade my plan.
 
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I don't use Skype for regular phone calls but isn't it free for skype to skype only? Otherwise I think you have to buy minutes to call non skype phones. I may be wrong. If it's true, then I might as well buy minutes on Tmobile or upgrade my plan.

True, but vastly exaggerated.

She already has a Skype plan on her PC to make unlimited calls to all US numbers for about $2.99/mo.


I've been using one too since 2009 in lieu of a landline.

What does $3 get you from T-mobile? 30 meager minutes?
 
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