Should I get the Thunderbolt or Evo 3D?

Been stuck with my iPhone 3G long enough, and I want to switch to a more reliable phone and a better OS. Was waiting for the next gen phones on Verizon, but their new tiered data plans are pushing up the date I need to sign up, at least for Verizon.

I've decided to make a switch to either Verizon or Sprint, coming from T-Mobile either will be a vast improvement. I'm torn between the Thunderbolt and the Evo 3D. Evo 3D is a killer phone but the Sprint network is meh, meanwhile the Thunderbolt seems like it's about to be dated hardware but it's on a spanking fast, mind melting network.

I plan to be a heavy data user, Netflix, Pandora Radio, Skype calls, you name it. So I need the unlimited data and I want a fast network. I'm also a tech nerd, I love new technology and when I buy something I expect it to be future proof for a good while afterwards. So that's the dilemma, go for the phone I want and settle for a decent network or get a decent phone and get full access to a super network where I can later add a better phone to it.

I should mention I live in Chicago and I work downtown, so I can take full advantage of both 4G networks. Problem comes when I go somewhere on the road, like how I'm visiting my family in Louisville for the 4th of July and I'll be stuck on 3G then. Thing is 3G on Sprint is kinda pathetic, meanwhile Verizon 3G can somewhat match Sprints 4G network or at least get half the speed which is still extremely impressive.

I've looked at both phone extensively, went out today twice to test the Evo 3D. I was all set to buy the TB yesterday but after getting my hands on the Evo 3D I instantly fell in love with it. I love the black trim of it, I like the camera position, brighter LED light, the button styles (hard and captive), even the gimmicky 3D view which I'd only use to show off, petty much everything about it till you get to the back with that awkward rubber grip and the camera that's so big that it gets in the way of your hand while holding. As for the Thunderbolt, I don't like the color scheme, it's ok but I'd rather have a black or gun metal look to it, I don't like how the font camera looks, or the rubberized plastic used on the back. I do however love the kickstand with the nice speaker hidden under it. I'm a bit superficial when it comes to my things, I need to like how they look. Overall the Evo 3D is much more appealing to me, but the TB does have some good points.

So now back to my question, which phone should I get because I'm having a serious problem deciding. Both are great phones, but the Evo is much better, but Verizon LTE is much better than Sprint's WiMax. Why couldn't the Thunderbolt have been more like the Evo 3D, it would have made my decision a no brainer...

 

I know and that's the hard part. It's not a situation where I could just flip a coin, and at the same time pros and cons for both options kinda weigh themselves out. Both are excellent options, and neither is a clear winner.

Also by the time I'm eligible for an upgrade Sprint will have LTE available as well, so either way I'll lock myself into an unlimited plan for a great network, only difference is with Verizon I can take advantage of some of the speeds now and I could always pay outright for a better phone and trade in my Thunderbolt, but I'd lose money in doing so.

 

I think I've decided to go with the Thunderbolt, the design has grown more on me and even though it's a lower resolution I do like the wider screen. I plan on rooting it and getting an extended battery so it should run fine.

I just figure I could get the phone I want but if the service is just as bothersome as T-Mobile is, at least with calls, data will still be better, then why bother. I rather get a great phone that's on a great service as opposed to a perfect phone on an ok network and lose the opportunity to get back on Verizon's network with unlimited access. Besides most of the apps I use on my iPhone are network taxing and not as much hardware taxing, so having a better network is more beneficial then having a better phone. Not like I'm running large games on them, I have my handhelds for that.

Also both services would cost me the same, about $80 a month with data, just with Sprint I get unlimited talk and text but I'll get enough on Verizon where I should do fine.

I just wish black was an option on the Thunderbolt


sexy

 

Actually scratch that last post. I'm now 100% committed to the Evo 3D. I've been doing some speed tests around Chicagoland and Sprint network seems to do pretty well, both 4G and 3G speeds. Even with Verizon 4G reaching super speeds, the Evo 3D still manages to load some stuff quicker just because it's more powerful than the Thunderbolt.

And the real kicker is the fact my dad's going to let me stay on his family plan, and I just need to pay him $30 a month so it's around the same price he's paying now for T-Mobile. Which is fine by me because on my own either Sprint or Verizon would cost me $80 plus tax a month, so the extra $50+ a month is a pretty good reason, and I'm not complaining because the Now Network seems it will work for me and the phone is amazing.

 

It mainly tested Youtube videos, of course I haven't done a proper test around downtownish since the Thunderbolt I tested wouldn't pick up a 4G signal. But the ones I tested a bit further out loaded about the same speed as the 3VO even on 4G. Now downloading stuff will no question go towards the ridiculous speeds on Verizon's 4G network, and I noticed on the webpages I was loading that the Thunderbolt loaded images instantly while the 3VO took a couple second but it still.