Comparisons

[legalmoose]

Okay, so I've been looking at the plusses and minuses of various plans while considering upgrading my phone to a Treo 650.

And here's what I've found...

I can stick with my current carrier, T-Mobile, and get an unlocked GSM Treo.

One time cost: $599-$699 for the unit.
Recurring monthly costs: ~$62.00 with taxes
Plan provides: Unlimited web browsing (?), 1k SMS/month, 600 "anytime" minutes, unlimited nights & weekends.

Advantages: Stay with current month-to-month plan. No complaints about service from carrier. More minutes than other basic voice plans. Can switch over to Cingular with unlocked phone. GSM phone can be used overseas.
Disadvantages: High entry cost for the unit. Can only be used on two US networks, T-Mobile and Cingular. Don't travel that often overseas (like, never), so unlocked GSM capability is of limited value. Might have to upgrade data plan (additional $15 a month, still less than other plans charge).

I can get a (locked) CDMA phone for either Sprint or Verizon, or either a locked or unlocked GSM phone with Cingular.

Sprint -

One time cost: $450 for the unit, $36 activation fee for 2 year contract = $486
Recurring costs: $35 + $10 + $10 + $5 = $65 plus taxes
Plan provides: 300 anytime minutes, Unlim N&W, Unlim. email & IM through AOL/Yahoo, Unlim. Web, Unlim. SMS, equipment protection.

Advantages: Phone price not bad. Customizable plans more flexible. Not paying much more per month than now. MMS agreements with T-Mobile, Cingular (yay for pics to/from ironmanjt).
Disadvantages: Locked phone, 2 year contract. Supposedly can get service in Metro tunnels for $5/month, but seems unlikely because phone is digital only, Metro is analog still.

Verizon -

One time cost: $400 for the unit ($180 if I go through buy.com and do the mail-in rebate thing), $20 activation fee for 2 year contract. = $420.00
Recurring costs: $80 + $15 + $6 = $101 plus taxes
Plan provides: 450 anytime minutes, Unlim N&W, unlim. calling to other verizon cells, Unlim. web, Unlim. SMS to other Verizon (500 to non-Verizon), equipment protection.

Advantages: Low phone cost, activation fee. Unlimited in-network services useful with several family and friends in network. Can get MMS from crazy parents while they travel in their RV. Largest coverage area in country.
Disadvantages: Locked phone, 2 year contract. Not quite doubling current monthly rate.

Cingular -

One time cost: $400 for the unit (w/$50 mail-in), $36 activation fee for 2 year contract (or buy an unlocked unit, of course) = $436
Recurring costs: $40 + $40 + $10 = $90 plus taxes
Plan provides: 450 anytime minutes, 5k N&W minutes, unlim in-network calls, unlim. web, 1k SMS.

Advantages: Can use unlocked phone. Plans more customizable a la Sprint.
Disadvantages: Possibly locked phone. 2 year contract. Mail-in rebate oh phone. High monthly costs.

Comments

[fj.livejournal.com]

In about 6 months, the higher monthly costs of the Verizon plan will make the total price (Treo + monthly charges) more expensive than T-Mobile, and from then on the Verizon plan will stay more expensive and accumulate a total cost after two years that is way higher than T-Mobile. Cingular will take about a year to reach that point, and then also stay more expensive.

The variable costs for Sprint are so close to T-Mobile's that it would take longer than the contract period to become more expensive, but be absolutely sure you don't use more than 300 mins and they don't get you with any other taxes or extra charges.

[cutepacub.livejournal.com]

I have Verizon and love my service. I rarely have coverage issues. When I do, it's my phone and not the service (hehe, I abuse the hell out of my phones). The one thing I love about Verizon is their customer service. It is the best (other than Progressive) that I've ever had. I have friends that have Cingular, and have a lot issues with coverage. I think that whatever you chose, there are pro's and con's for all them.

[eyow.livejournal.com]

I know you want the Treo because you want to lug fewer gadgets around, but if anything happens to the phone, now you've also lost your PDA. I'm just saying.

Re: Getting a better price

[legalmoose]

T-Mobile does not (yet?) offer the Treo 650. :-/