I really want an iPhone. But, I just don’t know that getting an iPhone is in the cards right now. I have a Sprint contract, yet I have nothing but seething disapproval for Sprint lately. Mostly because the signal is crap where I live and I’m tired of paying to not use my phone.
When I got Sprint, I was living in Texas which is basically mountainless, hill-less and otherwise into the great, wide open, as it were — at least in Dallas. The signal was fantastic there and it never occurred to me to get anything else. When I moved to California, I started having signal loss, mostly because I lived in areas that had some sort of hills, like North Park and now, South Mission Hills. And if I’m not in a hill, I’m in a canyon or a mall or some other stupid reason why the phone drops calls, sends me voicemail alerts four days later or texts all in a big, startling heap at 3am.
So, I got a better phone. And mikey and I still share a plan (simply because it’s cheaper and convenient for both of us), so he got a better phone, too. And still we have this problem when we talk to each other or anyone else, for that matter. I am so totally over it.
It’s not really a good time to invest in a totally new AT&T phone plan and two iPhones (because sharing costs in this economy is what it’s all about)… but I could use an upgrade on the phone I’ve got. It’s stopped taking photos and I sometimes wonder if it’s just this same crappy phone I keep buying over and over (just the newer models) that is the problem. I talk to other people with Sprint and they seem relatively happy.
Sprint has that new Everything Plan for one flat rate, which is very enticing. Plus, they have a lot more phones that are similar to iPhones. I was thinking about a Blackberry, but I don’t know if Sprint carries those…. and I don’t think Id like those teensy keys.
Does anyone have any recommendations for good touch-screen phones that are iPhone similar and have decent apps and whatnot? And should I stay with Sprint or are you compelled to sing the praises of another plan?
there are downsides to the iphone too. but att sucks in san diego. you’d prolly get the same kinds of dropped calls.
as for sprint, the two phones you want to look at are the samsung instinct and the blackberry 8330.
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/compare.php?id%5B%5D=1449&id%5B%5D=1560
My AT&T has gotten way good since the 3G iPhone. Even at work in the basement under 4 feet of concrete! Even in my canyon where I thought I’d NEVER get 3G signal! I have no complaints at this point. But that’s not what you wanted to hear… I have to say tho, looking at the first sentence of this post I’d say hold out till you get what you want. Because no matter what you get, you will still wonder about the iPhone. Get the next free phone that requires no new contract with the Sprint if possible and go from there. Heck, there could be a new iPhone this summer. Just in time for you!
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I’m interested to see what people have to say because I’m going to change my plan. I wanted to have a decision by tomorrow though!
I have Sprint and I have not had any complaints with them at all, other than the fact that when I make changes to my service it extends the contract. I don’t like that. AT&T doesn’t do that, so I’m leaning in their direction. The rollover minutes are also way appealing to me.
I was also considering Verizon, but they do that contract extension, too. I hate that! And no rollover. Rollover is groovy.
Some phones will have a better antenna than others so a different phone MAY help your dropped call rate, but not a significant amount I wouldn’t think.
I’m rambling. It’s what I do.
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I have Sprint and have had Treo’s forever and just last week switched to the Blackberry Curve 8330 – it is not touchscreen, but I tell you what – I AM IN LOVE WITH IT. The apps are great – and actually work really well for mobile versions, Facebook, Myspace, Blackberry Messenger, Yahoo IM, Slacker Radio (free satellite style radio for blackberries), Full Sprint TV, Twitterberry (awesome Twitter app), GPS, Maps, Pocket Express for News/Weather, decent browser, Flickr Uploadr, 2 megapixel camera w/ flash (awesome) – and I still get the full keyboard that I love. I played with the iPhone and just did not like a touchscreen keyboard.
I have been super happy with it. All the apps I have, are really all I need. Here is the next iPhone concept – not sure if and when it is coming out.
Hope that helps.
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Oh and P.S. – there are tons more apps – but I was listing the ones that come with the phone, or are a quick free download.
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I have the LG Dare, which is similar to the iPhone in a lot of ways. I’m pretty happy with it. Like Misty mentioned, the touch-screen keyboard isn’t that great. Even though it’s a qwerty keyboard, it’s hard to hit the “keys” I want correctly on the first try. Other than that, though, it’s a nice phone and I’ve been happy with it. It takes great pictures, too.
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The HTC Touch Pro is available through Sprint and my boyfriend, who is a super geek (Network Architect, no less), loves it.
WOW! You guys have been really helpful… I’m so stumped. AT&T seems like the best plan for me, considering the rollover minutes and the no ‘contract extension’. I checked out the service available for AT&T where I live (which is the biggest obstacle, since I live on a hillside) and of course it SAYS it’s full coverage, but I don’t know that I can believe it since it’s from the AT&T marketing. lol.
This gives me hope, though! I’ll check out the blackberry, too… that looks like a good one. Thanks!
I’m sorry that I can’t recommend anything except the iPhone because it has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. Yeah, I know it’s a phone but YOU HAVE NO IDEA.
I was with T-Mobile, had zero problems with my Blackberry but wanted the iPhone so I coughed up the $175 cancellation fee and made the switch. It was the best thing I’ve ever done. The AT&T plan actually costs me less than T-Mobile and I never have any issues with AT&T service.
My husband has the new BB Bold and it’s alright but like I said, I can’t find it in my heart to ever like another phone this much again.
Good Luck
p.s. great new layout
Thanks, Karen! I’m still considering just splurging a bit and getting the iPhone and just move forward. But if there’s a new one coming out this Summer, as Daniel mentioned, I might need to be a little more patient. I hate buying something and then a new one comes out moments later.
Does AT&T (or Sprint, for that matter) have a 30 day return option? Verizon has their Test Drive program where you have 30 days to try your new phone on their network. If you don’t love it you don’t have to pay a termination fee. Or so they say
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Well, I checked back here to see what others had to say.
I called Sprint to cancel my account but I wound up staying with them. They offer an unlimited plan that was way better than what I was going to get by switching to AT&T and other than the contract extension issue, which they now claim is not how they do it now, I’ve really been happy with Sprint. So, I stayed. They don’t have the exact BlackBerry I wanted (the specs look the same but the body is different, but I need to get over that…it’s a phone) but I stayed anyway. Service vs aesthetics I guess.
So, not sure if that helps your decision making at all…but thought I’d throw it in anyway.
OH! And to answer Geeky, dude on the phone this morning said that yes, Sprint does do the 30 Day return option. So, we’ll see.
Andrea’s recent blog entry: She’s So Far Gone And She Feels Just Like A Fool
I love loVE LOVE my Blackberry 8330!! I mean jumping on couches, LOVE IT!!! I just got it on Boxing Day, and I can honestly say that it has changed my life! All the apps available for it are amazing! So many to choose from, some free, some not… I even have an app that changes my indicator LED to different colours instead of the standard red (you can change the colour independently based on whether it’s an email, SMS, missed calls, voicemails or reminders!!) I have a different colour for everything, so I just look at the flash and know what it is. (Emails are pink on mine!)
There are also some apps that cost more, but are sooo worth it too!
I was looking to eventually get a GPS unit for my car, but didn’t want to spend mega $$$ so I’ve been holding off. I found a free 3 day trial of Garmin Mobile today! It works like a dream! It’s like having an actual GPS unit. The app costs $99.99 but it says that it includes all future updates and maps for the life of your Blackberry! I just need to convince the hubby that I need this!
I cannot rave enough about my blackberry! I’m even more addicted to Twitter & Facebook now (oh god!!!) because of Twitterberry and the Facebook Apps. My husband has a Blackberry too and we keep in contact during the day via Blackberry Messenger (which is free for Blackberry users). We’re like a couple of teenagers texting or IMing back and forth!
I LOVE it…. Can you tell??
My Blackberry
I *can* tell! haha! Thanks for the hearty recommendation….
I have an iPhone and I have been with AT&T for about 9 years. I have had all different types of phone on the same network here in Portland, and all the phones have had different amounts of reception. I went from a Blackberry Pearl to the iPhone and at first the coverage was pretty horrible while running in 3G mode, ended up lowering the quality to EDGE and left it there, internet was slower, but better call reception. I do have to say they seemed to have improved the 3G reception around here within the last few months as I am now getting better reception.
AT&T does have a 30 day return policy, but they charge a 10% restocking fee on the iPhone only. You also have to pay for part of the service used if over a certain amount.
i got my iPhone last September and I do love it. There are a few Blackberry features I miss, but the benefits outweigh the disappointments. I suggest it, oh and there is a possibility a new version will come out this summer, since the 3G dropped in July.