Why stick with TMobile for Nexus One?

R

Rhinoserious

New member
I'm a G1 owner, purchased a little over a year ago when they first started being available. While I've loved my G1, I'm sick of it's slowness, TMobile's inconsistent coverage in San Diego, and the fact that it basically doesn't multi-task with the browser (go to a website, once loaded, switch to IM (or another app) and send a few messages, switch back to the Browser and watch it leave you with a blank screen while it automatically goes out and re-loads the page you already loaded).

So I'm looking at the Nexus One. As a current T-Mobile customer mid-contract, this will cost me $529 (according to www.google.com/nexusone).

It says that the Nexus One will be available on Verizon in Spring 2010, just a few months away. At that point, I could just pay an Early Termination Fee, switch to Verizon, port my number, sign a 2 year contract, and pay presumably $200 or so. Theres no way the Early Termination Fee and the number porting fee are >$229, so this saves me money.

Pros:
Cheaper cost of phone
Hugely bigger network

Cons:
Monthly fee might go up, depending on Verizon's plans?
Can't do voice-and-data at the same time on Verizon


Am I missing anything? What other considerations might there be?
 
i didnt think you could do voice and data at the same time on tmobile either.. Even though i love the nexus im not biting at the nexus, theres too much bs surrounding it thats why im waiting till tmobile gets the bravo, its basically the same thing, plus google currently has horrible customer service if any at all, So nexus/full price/no support vs bravo/normal discount/great support... i think i have to go with bravo... but yea far as the nexus it does seem currently jumping ship is a better option if your looking for a cheaper price up front, if not, buying it in full and using even more plus plans on tmobile is the better deal...
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NARUTO ADVICE
 
you're missing something. you'll be locked into a contract for two years and if it's similar to the t-mobile contract it will be around $80 a month. with your g1 contract up in october, you can lower your plan and save a lot of money. that's what plan on doing come october. i bought the non-contract nexus one. if you pay more than $80 a month now and you actually use all the minutes it probably doesn't make a difference, but i'll save a few hundred over the 2 year period i would have been under contract if i waited and bought the "cheaper" t-mobile subsidized phone.
 
Thanks for the comments guys, and yes, simultaneous voice+data on Tmo is definitely possible, I do it every now and then.



So the monthly plan is cheaper if you're not on contract?

I always thought month-to-month was MORE expensive.
 
The voice+data issue is a GSM level problem. It's the same for all GSM networks (any that you use a SIM card with).

You can't use data and voice at the same time when only connected via 2G. This is the same everywhere in the world on every GSM network. Only 3G connections (or 2G plus WiFi) support voice + data at the same time.
 
Its cheaper for them because they don't have to subsidize the phone. If you buy a nexus outright then when your contract is up you can switch to the $80 unlimited everything plan. That's what I'm doing. With Verizon you'll most likely be over $100 a month. Depends on what you want to pay really. More for the phone and cheaper in the long run or less for the phone and expensive plan with better coverage. To me Tmobile has had fine coverage so it's not a big deal, I rather save money.
 
Voice and data works simultaneously on any GSM carrier... this is an issue of GSM vs CDMA (3G vs EVDO). On a GSM network you can use HSPA (3G) and voice simultaneously... on a CDMA network you cannot use EVDO while voice is using the connection.

There are advantages and disadvantages of each technology. I am personally an advocate of GSM but many people criticize GSM for poorer battery performance because of the underlying technology.
 
yea i do, but ive noticed it jumps from 3g to edge sometimes, im thinking in the times ive tried it that its jumping down to edge, or getting stuck between the two.. cause i just tried it with 3g and it was working,
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Ducati Apollo
 
...only if you have 3G coverage though. If you're not in a 3G signal area, or your carrier does not support 3G, then you cannot do voice + data at the same time.
 
I left T-Mobile a few months ago in favor of the Droid; I will be purchasing a Nexus One when they become available for Verizon.

The coverage of Verizon is MUCH better than T-Mobile- but the price is a bit more expensive. For unlimited voice + data + SMS you are looking at about $150/month. I have 350 min/200 SMS/unlimited data for about $80/month.

Verizon just hiked their ETF fees to $375 on 'select' smart phones- and I believe this includes the Droid and the Nexus one.

In addition, there we info on the web that if you buy a subsidized Nexus One from Google, you would also have to pay them an ETF to Google if you canceled early- which I think was $350.

So (if this works out like the T-Mobile Nexus One pricing) if you get a Nexus One on Verizon under subsidy, it is $179. If you decide to cancel in 3 months, you will pay Verizon $375 and Google $350 for ETF- making the phone cost you $904.

If you are dedicated to Verizon, I say go for it- just don't plan on switching to another carrier for 2 years. If you do, buy the phone out-right for $529.

T-Mobile has great customer service, but the 3G is very lacking (don't visit New Orleans); Verizon has excellent coverage and so far I haven't needed to contact support.
 
This is a good overview choice... especially given the absolutely monstrous ETF fees. Why the hell does Google impose one anyway? Sometimes it seems their decision to sell the Nexus One is more and more puzzling.

Thanks for the info.

In one year, the landscape of Android phones went from basically only the G1 to where we are now. How can anybody reasonably commit to a phone for TWO years given that kind of advancement?
 
I agree. I was landed with an 18 month contract when I got my G1 back in March. In that time (11 months), had I not been tied into that contract, I would have got a Hero, Droid/Milestone, and Nexus One. I wish you could have 3 month contracts!
 
During my 2 year contract I've had 4 different phones... I love SIM cards and I like the new pricing strategy Tmobile has. Combine those two and I think that's the way to go. Wish more companies did that.
 
Those are some crazy speeds! I can't touch that with WiFi. And my Edge service is laughable compared to that. But Tmo has been a great service provider for the 10 years that I and my company have been with them. Along with reasonable prices for the plans that I need, and great costumer service, I ain't going anywhere.
 
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