What phone now?

[AdironRider]

I haven't but need to relatively quickly. Have the Nexus 5X currently. I know at one point Fi was offering a trade in value for exactly what I paid for it two years ago, which seems crazy to me.

[frorider]

GF switched to pixel 2 last year after yrs with att/iPhones. She’s mostly stoked with the change. We are mostly in remote areas. I see now why that camera wins the reviews.

[RShea]

After my two year experiment with Fi, I'm dumping it to go (I think prepaid) on Verizon. Any good android phones under 200 bucks out there? I use email, web, pandora, paypal, and venmo apps exclusively. No need for cameras, latest tech.

I actually loved Fi but I'm doing a ton of traveling the next couple years for my new business and unfortunately their rural coverage kinda sucks. Calls and texts are fine but I need to be able to process payments via phone and have been getting skunked more often than not.

Any differences on the Verizon network between prepaid and regular service? Prepaid seems like a better deal for my average data usage (1-3 gb a month) comparatively. I'll be packaged with my wife who uses about 5 gb, so we'd be in the 85 ish a month range, vs 120 or so for the unlimited non prepaid plan.

There is some coverage differences between the Verizon post paid (used to be contract) and the prepaid. They have maps out there where you can select the postpaid and then prepaid coverage. Prepaid does not do the "extended" network, basically Verizon has some roaming agreements with smaller CDMA carriers (important in some areas like New England- Vermont I've been told) and other pockets that these smaller carriers are strong in.

Only other issue is you may want to find out if the prepaid allows you to share the bundle of data. I know prepaid will offer a higher data amount if you go on their autopay plan (bumps up the data from the standard listed amounts). If you use 3 gb one month and 1 gb the next, then your wife is using say 4 gb the first month and 5 gb the next- you would be covered with a combined 8 gb shared plan if the data is pooled together across both devices. The times you get hit are if your big monthly usage on your high side or over your 3 gb is the same month that she also is close or going over her estimated 5 gb of average usage. Postpaid allows for family or multiple lines with the shared data (can't share unlimited though...) I have looked at Verizon prepaid, but they from time to time do change their offerings and rules and it has been a while. Plenty of info out there though on cell phone forums.

[Dantheman]

I haven't but need to relatively quickly. Have the Nexus 5X currently. I know at one point Fi was offering a trade in value for exactly what I paid for it two years ago, which seems crazy to me.

Looks like you can get $94 for it. If it were me I'd jump on that. I've traded in two phones and it's been super easy. You could have a G6 next week for $100+tax. There's no way you'll find a better deal than that.

[riser4]

After my two year experiment with Fi, I'm dumping it to go (I think prepaid) on Verizon. Any good android phones under 200 bucks out there? I use email, web, pandora, paypal, and venmo apps exclusively. No need for cameras, latest tech.

I actually loved Fi but I'm doing a ton of traveling the next couple years for my new business and unfortunately their rural coverage kinda sucks. Calls and texts are fine but I need to be able to process payments via phone and have been getting skunked more often than not.

Any differences on the Verizon network between prepaid and regular service? Prepaid seems like a better deal for my average data usage (1-3 gb a month) comparatively. I'll be packaged with my wife who uses about 5 gb, so we'd be in the 85 ish a month range, vs 120 or so for the unlimited non prepaid plan.

I here ya about Fi. Coverage sucks here. However I go to Canada just often enough to justify putting up with it. And it is worth it for the low cost data and ease of international travel. It was also really nice last summer when I was in Germany for two weeks and Romania for one week. I am thinking of some other options, however I am not there yet.

[El Chupacabra]

After my two year experiment with Fi, I'm dumping it to go (I think prepaid) on Verizon. Any good android phones under 200 bucks out there? I use email, web, pandora, paypal, and venmo apps exclusively. No need for cameras, latest tech.

I actually loved Fi but I'm doing a ton of traveling the next couple years for my new business and unfortunately their rural coverage kinda sucks. Calls and texts are fine but I need to be able to process payments via phone and have been getting skunked more often than not.

Any differences on the Verizon network between prepaid and regular service? Prepaid seems like a better deal for my average data usage (1-3 gb a month) comparatively. I'll be packaged with my wife who uses about 5 gb, so we'd be in the 85 ish a month range, vs 120 or so for the unlimited non prepaid plan.

I have a Nexus 5X still, and was on Google Fi for about 2 years before switching. I liked the international usability of Google Fi, but like you, T-Mobile/Sprint just doesn't compare to Verizon's network for US travel out in the boonies.

I switched to Total Wireless, which is a prepaid MVNO that runs on Verizon's network. Mrs. C. and I share the 2-phone plan, which is $60 for 15gb data. Auto-refill (i.e. give them your credit card and they charge you automatically each month) gives a 5% discount, so the total each month is around $57. No overage possible -- if you use up all 15gb, it just stops. You can buy additional data if needed.

Like RShea said, Verizon network postpaid gives you some roaming capability that you do not get on prepaid. I have read that Verizon MVNOs get their data rate throttled slower, but I have also read that that practice has stopped -- YMMV, I guess. My experience on Total Wireless has been that data is plenty fast (can stream Netflix in HD) and I have not noticed any area where I thought I should have cell coverage but didn't -- we used to have Verizon postpaid, and TW's coverage seems identical as far as I can tell.

TW's customer service is minimal. You have to do your port and set up basically on your own. Their online chat is fairly helpful. I would not recommend TW to someone used to Apple Store levels of handholding/personal service, because you'll be very disappointed.

[billyk]

Looks like this thread is mostly geared towards android phones, but there are some good 2 for 1 deals on iPhone 8 right now. I think I saw similar deals on one of the Samsung phones, as well.

Plus, for older folks, T-Mobile has a great plan for those who are 55+. Two lines “unlimited” for $70/month total. We were paying $155 on Verizon. I’ve been a long time Verizon guy, but that was too good to ignore. The only question is coverage. Haven’t had any problems around town. Need to take some trips to see if I will have regrets.

[abraham]

It matters what carrier. Google appears to be adding a wider range of phones that work with Fi.

Duh. Forgot about that. Tmobile. That might change before I finish with this new phone but it's a work plan and I haven't had time to look into changing it. Plus the international rates are pretty useful for us.

Abe - 2nd the samsung galaxy (Note 2,3,4,5,6,8 probably skip 9) Note or S-line but, it's all about the carrier given your aversion to bloatware.

I'll look thanks. I had a galaxy s4 that I was pretty happy with but the nexus may have spoiled me.

Which Nexus? There's probably still a Fi trade-in credit available for the 5X or 6P. Do it now before it bootloops and becomes a paper weight.

Pixel 2 reviews are universally positive, and the camera is supposed to be amazing. They're offering $150 in Fi credit if you buy an XL, which brings the price down to $500 which is a pretty good deal. Motorola minimally cunts up Android. Moto X4 and G6 are on sale now from Fi for $250 and $200, respectively, if you don't want to throw down for the Pixel 2, possibly even less if you can get some trade-in credit. I'm pretty happy with my X4 so far, especially considering that it only cost me $150 after I stacked trade-in credit for my 5X on top of the sale price they were offering at the time.

Nexus 5. It probably has negative trade in value. The usb connector stopped working about a year ago and the power switch has a crack so it turns on part way through booting up most of the time. That's a new issue and that's why I need to pick something up.

Thanks, I'll look into those phones too

[AdironRider]

I have a Nexus 5X still, and was on Google Fi for about 2 years before switching. I liked the international usability of Google Fi, but like you, T-Mobile/Sprint just doesn't compare to Verizon's network for US travel out in the boonies.

I switched to Total Wireless, which is a prepaid MVNO that runs on Verizon's network. Mrs. C. and I share the 2-phone plan, which is $60 for 15gb data. Auto-refill (i.e. give them your credit card and they charge you automatically each month) gives a 5% discount, so the total each month is around $57. No overage possible -- if you use up all 15gb, it just stops. You can buy additional data if needed.

Like RShea said, Verizon network postpaid gives you some roaming capability that you do not get on prepaid. I have read that Verizon MVNOs get their data rate throttled slower, but I have also read that that practice has stopped -- YMMV, I guess. My experience on Total Wireless has been that data is plenty fast (can stream Netflix in HD) and I have not noticed any area where I thought I should have cell coverage but didn't -- we used to have Verizon postpaid, and TW's coverage seems identical as far as I can tell.

TW's customer service is minimal. You have to do your port and set up basically on your own. Their online chat is fairly helpful. I would not recommend TW to someone used to Apple Store levels of handholding/personal service, because you'll be very disappointed.

This might be a winner for me. I'll look into them further. That would be even a better deal than Fi.

[riser4]

I wish Fi's coverage was mo better. Their data pricing is another reason I stick around. I rarely go over 800 MB. So paying for what I use works really well for me. An occasional bill for more than that is a lot better than paying for data I'll never use.

[riser4]

Duh. Forgot about that. Tmobile. That might change before I finish with this new phone but it's a work plan and I haven't had time to look into changing it. Plus the international rates are pretty useful for us.

I'll look thanks. I had a galaxy s4 that I was pretty happy with but the nexus may have spoiled me.



Nexus 5. It probably has negative trade in value. The usb connector stopped working about a year ago and the power switch has a crack so it turns on part way through booting up most of the time. That's a new issue and that's why I need to pick something up.

Thanks, I'll look into those phones too

So I have a Moto X^4 and it OK. There's better options now on Fi and most definitely on other carriers. If it had not been for Fi, I would have gotten the Moto G5s Plus, or maybe the G5 Plus. I don't own either one so I can't say how they have held up. I certainly would not buy the new G6 based on it's specs. Generally I like Moto. They don't cunt up Android. However sometimes they release a phone that is a real head scratcher of weird compromises, like the X^4 and the G6.
The prices on the G5 series have come down making it attractively priced. However, it's an "old" phone now, so it won't get updates for as long. Of course Moto has been pretty good about releasing patches for their older phones.

[RShea]

I have a Nexus 5X still, and was on Google Fi for about 2 years before switching. I liked the international usability of Google Fi, but like you, T-Mobile/Sprint just doesn't compare to Verizon's network for US travel out in the boonies.

I switched to Total Wireless, which is a prepaid MVNO that runs on Verizon's network. Mrs. C. and I share the 2-phone plan, which is $60 for 15gb data. Auto-refill (i.e. give them your credit card and they charge you automatically each month) gives a 5% discount, so the total each month is around $57. No overage possible -- if you use up all 15gb, it just stops. You can buy additional data if needed.

Like RShea said, Verizon network postpaid gives you some roaming capability that you do not get on prepaid. I have read that Verizon MVNOs get their data rate throttled slower, but I have also read that that practice has stopped -- YMMV, I guess. My experience on Total Wireless has been that data is plenty fast (can stream Netflix in HD) and I have not noticed any area where I thought I should have cell coverage but didn't -- we used to have Verizon postpaid, and TW's coverage seems identical as far as I can tell.

TW's customer service is minimal. You have to do your port and set up basically on your own. Their online chat is fairly helpful. I would not recommend TW to someone used to Apple Store levels of handholding/personal service, because you'll be very disappointed.

Total Wireless is one of the MVNO's that from what I read does not throttle the data. At the start of NVMO's offering 4G data, they were all throttled to 5 mbps down and about 1 mbps up. Some of the MVNO's have had that lifted (Total Wireless was one of the first if I remember) and you should for the most part get same data speed and postpaid (but at a lower priority if you are in a very congested area- like at a sports event, concert, very busy holiday ski weekend at a resort or other similar venue with a prepaid you would possibly not connect as fast as a postpaid account holder.

Total Wireless is part of the large America Movil and Slim Carlos controlled (always on the one of the richest men in the world lists). All customer support tends to be through overseas call centers with all the AM brands (Tracfone, Net10, Straightalk, etc. also are their long list of other brands). Walmart and direct through the web site are sources for phones if you need one and the monthly plans and renewals.

As for the port- you really do not do it yourself, but have to basically verify the account information and then follow up if there are issues when you submit the port request online. There is no way carriers would allow individuals that have never done a port to be dealing with the porting departments and their specialists that do this with each of the carriers.

[RShea]

This might be a winner for me. I'll look into them further. That would be even a better deal than Fi.

Compare Boom US Mobile also if you like what you see with Total Wireless and compare. Boom and Total from what I have read on Howard Forums have similar offers from the standpoint of the hard data cap (or renew plan earlier or the added data overage pin cards the same way as TW) and not throttled. They do not have roaming option (some of the MVNO's offer roaming for a per minute fee, so you have to have a bit of a balance on the account). They have US based customer service that many are reporting as better if you have an issue with the service. I am not sure if they have any family plans where you share the bucket of data between phone though - so that needs to be considered or you can risk having to do overage cards more often as the trade off.

[RShea]

So I have a Moto X^4 and it OK. There's better options now on Fi and most definitely on other carriers. If it had not been for Fi, I would have gotten the Moto G5s Plus, or maybe the G5 Plus. I don't own either one so I can't say how they have held up. I certainly would not buy the new G6 based on it's specs. Generally I like Moto. They don't cunt up Android. However sometimes they release a phone that is a real head scratcher of weird compromises, like the X^4 and the G6.
The prices on the G5 series have come down making it attractively priced. However, it's an "old" phone now, so it won't get updates for as long. Of course Moto has been pretty good about releasing patches for their older phones.

Motorola has had a few phones that specs wise they are definitely not up to a Samsung or Google Pixel level for things like camera quality or memory, etc. But at the same time many of their phones are in the $200 to $400 price range and not the $600 to $1000 price range their flagship products are released for (without promotions like buy one get a second free with a switch of 2 lines over to the carrier.)

[riser4]

Motorola has had a few phones that specs wise they are definitely not up to a Samsung or Google Pixel level for things like camera quality or memory, etc. But at the same time many of their phones are in the $200 to $400 price range and not the $600 to $1000 price range their flagship products are released for (without promotions like buy one get a second free with a switch of 2 lines over to the carrier.)

Right. Just some of them are better than others. The G6 took a step backward. Moto makes some weird decisions when it comes to trade-offs to keep their price range.

[El Chupacabra]

Rshea's comments are spot on.

I'll add: though I don't have any roaming on Total Wireless, I have not found that to be an issue because of the good coverage on Verizon's own network. This is even with usage across Nevada and eastern Sierra.

I wish Fi's coverage was mo better. Their data pricing is another reason I stick around. I rarely go over 800 MB. So paying for what I use works really well for me. An occasional bill for more than that is a lot better than paying for data I'll never use.

I was able to keep my Google Fi data down in the 600-800mb range most months, but with conscious effort to limit data usage until I had wifi access. For about the same monthly cost, I switched to TW and gave up international roaming in exchange for much better coverage and a ton of data that I don't have to worry about.

[riser4]

Rshea's comments are spot on.

I'll add: though I don't have any roaming on Total Wireless, I have not found that to be an issue because of the good coverage on Verizon's own network. This is even with usage across Nevada and eastern Sierra.
I was able to keep my Google Fi data down in the 600-800mb range most months, but with conscious effort to limit data usage until I had wifi access. For about the same monthly cost, I switched to TW and gave up international roaming in exchange for much better coverage and a ton of data that I don't have to worry about.

No conscious effort needed to keep data down on my part. I just don't go a lot of places. Plus I live 12 minutes from the Poutine Curtain. I go there often enough that the international data roaming is worth the US coverage hassles to me. Makes things a lot easier too on the trips to take my kid to Uni in NB, or to and from the Montréal Airport. And if I can't get US service near the tower, I often bounce off a Canadian tower. It would take very little change of US travel habits for me to consider figuring out some other solution for Canada. Such as paying for Fi and not using it very often. I gotta read their fine print. Unfortunately I am not aware of a Fi compatible dual-SIM phone. I have done a bunch of research and can't find a Canadian pay as you go that gets what I want at a reasonable rate and without a Canadian CC. That shit's expensive in Canada. I get Chattr service for my kid when she's at school. No data. And no CC required, just local bus fare to Wally World every month. She can use campus WiFi. Or nothing and like it. Having a local number makes her life easier and safer. And she and I can text back and forth to our heart's content.

[AdironRider]

So after spending the last three hours going to all the cell joints in town, it appears prepaid is out for me. Every network either can't guarantee I'll have good enough data speeds in crowds (verizon), straight up lesser network (att) and sprint/tmobile as I already mentioned are out due to service issues.

So I guess that leaves me with Verizon vs ATT postpaid plans. Seems to be exactly the same monthly costs at probably 150 a month all in. My wife is apparently getting 50 bucks a month towards her phone from her job, so that helps.

ATT also seems to be having some pretty dope BOGO deals, which the wife wants iphone with portrait mode and is pushing hard for. They'll also hook it up with an Ipad for 100 bucks assuming I get service on it at 20 a month. That is basically two years of cell coverage on the ipad for free in effect vs buying just an ipad at 350. ATT will also waive all the bs activation fees and such if I put it on my business. Dude claims Id be saving 90 bucks. And I get HBO for free on an app. Theres some shit with DirecTV as well but I'm not going there. Are they desperate? Thats like 1250 bucks worth of free shit if I get the Iphone 8 plus.

Verizon pretty much has jack shit to offer in terms of sweetners. So the answer becomes, just how different is ATT from Verizon coverage wise?

[Dantheman]

Right. Just some of them are better than others. The G6 took a step backward. Moto makes some weird decisions when it comes to trade-offs to keep their price range.

Interesting. I'll admit I hadn't even looked at the G6 specs. The G series have always been great bang-per-buck phones, so it didn't even occur to me that it would be a step down from the G5. Still, it's a $250 phone, hard to believe it's not worth that.

[ghosthop]

Unfortunately I am not aware of a Fi compatible dual-SIM phone.

Pixel 2 can be set up to use physical SIM and eSIM, there is a good thread on the XDA forums about it.

[Ted Striker]

Anyone have thoughts on a pixel 2 or pixel 2 XL?

The 2 XL screen has a bluish hue if viewed from off axis. Not necessarily a deal breaker for me, but the internet is full of complaints.

[Ted Striker]

It's probably been said, but wtf is it with design features lately? No 3.5mm jack? No sd card? No wireless charging? The fucking notch?!!!

[reckless toboggan]

It's probably been said, but wtf is it with design features lately? No 3.5mm jack? No sd card? No wireless charging? The fucking notch?!!!

No replaceable battery.

[east or bust]

yea yea apple sucks, iPhones suck, whatever.

who's got an iPhone X? thoughts?

[Ted Striker]

No replaceable battery.

Shit, I forgot that one! I used to have two batteries for my old samsung, and I'd charge the spare. No time wasted charging the phone. And when the old battery didn't hold a charge, just buy a new battery - not a whole fucking phone.