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#1 Peter1

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Posted 22 May 2016 - 09:50 AM

Hello     Fore note; My firmware is the oldest on the planet earth.

 This is my situation. I have 2 Galaxy S 5's with one activated via Verizon, the other on a shelf and both are Samsung. I have an extra battery and charger.

I use very little data and have 2 GB's

My wife has a little T-Mobile Prism prepaid, no data and the $10. is due 6-2-16.

I have lollipop not marshmallow and it is only rumored that Verizon will upgrade it in June.

I ideally would like the LG V 10, 32 GB's , 4 GB ram, and at least a GB data with expansion. I would like it unlocked. I was told GSM is better than CDMA but Verizon is CDMA. I have removable batteries as does the LG V 10. That's important.

I have options that are so confusing. Sprint and Verizon give two for one but not sure if it is the one I described.

I could also add Verizon to my account for my wife. it would mean altering the plan and paying to activate that 2nd Galaxy. Fine if the marshmallow occurs.

Sprint seems to give a lot more for the dollar than Verizon but I have heard it is not as good as far as connectivity is concerned.

I have a contract with Verizon which they are willing to let me upgrade and the other carriers are willing to buy them out. I think my Galaxies are unlocked.

T-Mobile is generous also but their coverage, drop off reputation is dubious.

We are elderly and retired but I am fairly techy as it is my hobby. Our budget could tolerate about $100 a month, + or -.

Then there are Windows phones with Windows 10 which would be compatible with my computers' operating systems. Although, I have heard Android cannot be beaten for security etc.

I am not an Apple fan, nor a Blackberry one.

I think I have given enough information to help someone who is knowledgeable to help me decide if they are so inclined. I am a bit handicapped so getting around is a bit of an issue. There is nothing like face to face for a fair deal.

So, could you please offer an opinion that might help me sort through this confusion?

TY

Peter

 


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#2 Tomk

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Posted 22 May 2016 - 11:54 AM

I can offer opinions... but I don't know how much help they will be as my situation is completely different than yours in many respects.  We all use our devices differently and you are on the East Coast (probably urban) and I am on the west coast in the boonies.

 

I might as well say right up front that I hate all cell service providers.  First and foremost, I have a phone to make phone calls.  All of the cell service providers seem to be much more focused on data rather than phone service.  The handset manufacturers seem more interested in camera's than reception.

 

That being said.  I'm a Verizon customer because they have the best reception for places I go.  No one else is even close.  I say that even though their reception isn't as good as I used to have.  Back in the late 80's or early 90's I got my first cellular phone.  It was a motorola bag phone through Cellular One.  Cellular One was owned by RCC that got bought out by Verizon in 2006 or 2007 (I think).  Our phones were GSM prior to the Verizon buyout and we then were forced to CDMA.  I had much better coverage locally when we were GSM.  However, we were mostly 800 mhz transmitters and Verizon switched everything to 1900 mhz.  So even though there are many more transmitters, I still don't get as good of coverage.  I'm told that it is because the 800 mhz transmitters had better range, though wouldn't carry as much bandwidth.  I would switch to a different carrier if I could get better coverage.  And also, Verizon has horrible customer service.  I'm pretty convinced Verizon cares absolutely nothing about the individual consumer.  Another thing you might consider when looking at CDMA vs GSM, you can't transmit data and voice at the same time on a CDMA phone.  You can on GSM.

 

Once upon a time, I switched to Sprint/Nextel for almost two weeks.  Not a good experience.  I wouldn't try to use their system again if they paid me to use their service.  I have carried Tmobile and ATT phones on a loaner basis a couple of times.  Tmobile is great if you stay in metropolitan areas, but is a joke outside of town. ATT is the closest to Verizon over areas I ever travel, but is way behind.  US Cellular has the best local coverage, but sometimes I'm not local.

 

I don't think I'd own a phone without a removable battery.  A guy I work with has an Apple phone and it has locked up when updating.  Twice.  Can't do anything with it except send it in.  Verizon will send out a replacement right away, but it still leaves him without a phone for a day or two.

Back in the analog days, Nokia was my favorite manufacturer after they started making better phones than Motorola.  They were tougher and got better reception. Currently I use Nokia (now MIcrosoft) windows phones.  Samsung used to make a pretty good windows phone.  Don't think they do anymore.  I like Samsung.  If I had an android phone I would go with Samsung.  I just don't like the HTC phones even though they seem to have a good name.  LG's also have a good name, I just think the Samsungs make better android phones and Lumia's are better windows phones.

 

Verizon seems to hate windows and try to talk everyone into Iphones.  They tell everyone that the windows phones don't work well and are confusing. I got a windows phone originally because my father, who is mechanically inclined, has much trouble with computers and current technology.  He worked hard trying to use Apple phones, and would have got there with the android phones, but I handed him a windows phone and he was using it the first day and has had very few issues over the last 3+ years.  He's on his second Lumia.  Verizon doesn't have any windows 10 phones.  They have not "approved" windows 10 for use on their system.  You can make your windows phone run windows 10, but it takes some work.  Another thing I like about windows phones is that they handle microsoft office files natively.  That is handy for me.  Also, I can remotely connect to my office computer from the field with just a touch of an icon.  I can get files or send print jobs from anywhere.  Neither androids or apples handle word and excel files well.  They both can connect remotely, but mine just seems to work faster an easier.

 

I have not heard of any security issues with windows phone.  I'm not sure how much that is dependent on the operating system and how much is because the bad guys don't typically go after fringe markets and windows phones only make up a small percentage of the phone market.  You may have noticed that there have been very few true "infections" in the malware forum since the advent of windows 8/8.1/10.  Current operating systems are just more secure.  People mostly come to the forums with PUP's and PUM's.  In the vast majority of cases, it is something they downloaded and installed.  It is rare to accidentally download and install something on a phone.

 

I don't know if pricing is the same, but in my part of the world, you and your wife could share 6gb of data on a plan with two phones and spend about $100 per month.  I use wi-fi as much as possible so that would be more data than I ever use.  If the two of you only need 3gb of data, your cost would be about $15 less. (I'm on a business plan with 12 lines so I share 25gb for $30 per phone - we have never used more than 3.5gb in a month)

 

If you want the most you can get for the money, you might consider the resellers like Straight Talk.  There you can get unlimited plans for $45 or less per phone/month.

 

Obviously, the choices are legion and the final decision is personal.  Good luck.


Tomk
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#3 Peter1

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Posted 22 May 2016 - 04:12 PM

Hi Tom

Thank you for taking the time - it is all useful to me. One thing confused me; you said you have Verizon. You also said you have a MS phone [which I originally wanted because of F+F's and syncing with my pcs.]

However, I believe you then said Verizon does not carry Microsoft phones.

We certainly agree they, carriers, especially Verizon, are cold and lack integrity.

I was told GSM is better than CDMA too.

I was told by Verizon my upgrade date of 1-1-17 can be worked around but they likely will want me to pay off the remaining 7 months.

The only way around that would be to go to another carrier who would pay it off.

I too heard Sprint was lagging some time ago but that they are moving up like T-Mobile and the few I have spoken with find it acceptable..

As my profile indicates I am in MD almost in DC - Montgomery County, so it is quite urban. I live in leisure World with the old folks.

Your prices may vary but I would like to think my wife and I could have decent phones and pay around or under $100.

I am going to poll my contacts in my address book as to coverage satisfaction.

 

In a perfect world I would like 2 Windows phones or LG G 5 phones like my Galaxy with removable batteries, a carrier with at least decent coverage- GSM, and stay under $100. 

Would you believe my average data is about 120 MB a mo? I use my secure WI FI network or when I visit ask if I can use their network. Even traveling the GPS takes over for data. AS you know obtaining characters to enter the network is not a puzzle but it is nice to ask. 

Thanks again for your information as it all helps.

Peter



#4 Tomk

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Posted 22 May 2016 - 05:02 PM

Verizon has windows phones.  Just not Windows 10.  Stores local to me don't carry any in the store, but you can order them.  Verizon will have them delivered to your house with free 2 day shipping.  The only current windows phones on the Verizon system is the Lumia 735 and the LG Lancet.  You can pay off the 735 at $8 per month or buy it outright for $192 (Total cost is the same either way).  The Lumia has a better battery, twice the onboard memory, wireless charging, upgradeable to windows 10, and though the LG has a higher pixel rating on the camera, the Lumia has a better lens and thus takes better pictures.  You can also order either one of these plus the HTC One through the windows store.

 

There are several windows phones  of the 8/8.1 variety that work on Verizon, they just aren't current phones.  Samsung ATIV (windows 8 only I think), Lumia Note, 822, Lumia Icon, 928 (which doesn't have a removable battery).  They work fine, but... they are "old" technology as they are all two or three year old models.

 

As I said.  I like the window phones.  Everything sync's fine with my computers (running windows 7) though one drive.  I use one note and Lens quite a bit.  I really like one note as I can save virtually anything two it and it syncs with my office computer and my Lappy at home.  I make memo's to myself in the field all the time and then take them off at home at night or in the office.  I suspect that I could do something similiar with an android phone... I just haven't played with one enough to figure it out.  My brother in law and my nephew both have androids and get along with them fine... however, they don't set them up to sync (or do much of anything besides making calls and playing games).  I just know it's a no brainer on the windows phone.


Tomk
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#5 Peter1

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Posted 23 May 2016 - 08:04 AM

I do understand about the compatibility factor. I can do  well with Android so Windows would be even better. 

There are so many variables.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 I think one of my stumbling blocks is the 2 year obligation to Verizon. I can get the balance paid off with another carrier but it seems most people use Verizon for coverage. i will go to these stores and talk turkey. Your information has proven very important to my decision making and I do appreciate it.

The key is not to take business personally and to have patience. We do live in a society based upon capital not charity so the fallout is bottom line.

Gotta keep punchin'

Peter 



#6 Peter1

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Posted 24 May 2016 - 06:09 AM

I spoke with Verizon today and will share data with my wife who will have no contract. I will continue my contract til 1-17 then my monthly rate goes to $78 from $100.
Free T+T and 1 GB data. I average about 120 MB a mo.
If the update comes through good but if not the phones does all I could ask for.
So we will sign her up tomorrow $40. activation as long as she, not I can stop if he wants with no penalty.
She has T-Mobile now and needs better coverage and calling like my Verizon.
I guess a a lot depends on where you live.

We will both be free in 1-17.


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