Is this phone worth losing unlimited data over? - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

Looked at all the reviews and comparisons to other phones but my focus is on the S4 but the real question is, Would you be willing to lose your unlimited data to upgrade to this phone?

You don't have to lose your unlimited to get this phone. You just have to pay full price unless your on a 3G only phone which if that's the case, you WiLL probably lose I when you get a 4g LTE phone. Now you might be able to argue to keep it, but that is doubtful.
Depending on your normal usage, only you can determine if losing unlimited is truly worth it

Just buy the phone unsubsidized and keep your unlimited data
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app

No phone is worth that. Are you on a family plan or a single line? If you're on a family plan, make a new line and then transfer your phone over to your main line. You'll come out about 200 dollars ahead of buying it straight up. Just be honest and let the salesperson know what you want. It's worked for me every time.
You'll have to keep that other line going for ten a month for the contract period, and you gotta put a dumb phone on it.

I'd wait for the Note 3 if even considering this, otherwise buy a used phone from Craiglist or full price subsidized.

You could do the twelve month installment plan. Need to do this at a corporate store.
If you use much data, no device is worth losing unlimited.

I currently have a galaxy nexus on a single line plan.

rushless said:
You could do the twelve month installment plan. Need to do this at a corporate store.
If you use much data, no device is worth losing unlimited.
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Click to collapse
I average about 4-7GB a month, so a 6GB plan might work.

You don't have to lose your data package. Regardless of your current phone. It is all a matter of talking to the right rep for an alternate upgrade (extending the contract of another line on the plan) or paying full price.
I went from the iPhone 4 to the S4. Paid full price, but you can still get discounts as referred to above. Verizon tries to tell retailers to not allow for it but most use the eRoes system and I know for a fact after using it for nearly 5 years that it can be done. Verizon just doesn't make as much money.
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androidrookie84 said:
I average about 4-7GB a month, so a 6GB plan might work.
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Click to collapse
The 6GB "Share Everything" plan (the new plans) come out to be $120/month for one smartphone. What are you paying now? If you are paying less than $120/month, consider that in your decision.
You may save money in the short term, but if you're paying $100/month right now and upgrade at the discounted S4 price to the 6GB Share Everything plan (and keep that plan for the full 24 months), you'll be paying an extra $480 over the life of the contract, not including any overages you may get (since you said you average up to 7GB).
I'm not sure what the current S4 upgrade price is, but I paid ~$650 full retail for mine. Had I upgraded at a discount and got the data plan that I would feel comfortable with, I would have ended up paying at least $30 more over 2 years then my current single line plan with unlimited data (assuming that I didn't need to upgrade to a higher data plan!). Not much, but every little bit counts.

I pay about 92.00 with my discount through my job.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Here's my suggestion. Go to a best buy Mobile (I work there) and buy the phone outright but make them price match a Verizon corporate store (new corporate policy "low price guarantee"... And BBM sells the phones at a higher outright price) and get a best buy credit card. You will get 18 months to pay the phone off with no interest (payments will be lower than VZW installments).
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

androidrookie84 said:
Looked at all the reviews and comparisons to other phones but my focus is on the S4 but the real question is, Would you be willing to lose your unlimited data to upgrade to this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nevermind I should read the first page before I start talking.
Sent from a Shaftamle Galaxy S4
"Thanks" are always appreciated!
http://mycolorscreen.com/Shaftamle/

If you have an old basic phone, open a line for it, $9/mo. Transfer your upgrade to that line. Activate new phone on that line. Transfer phone to your unlimited line. Activate basic phone back on the 9/mo line.
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Might buy a cheap basic phone and try that.
jova33 said:
If you have an old basic phone, open a line for it, $9/mo. Transfer your upgrade to that line. Activate new phone on that line. Transfer phone to your unlimited line. Activate basic phone back on the 9/mo line.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4 Beta

No. I came from sprint and now I am sad.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium

It was for me. I didn't want to lose Unlimited but I never go over a gig, so I figured why pay full price and bother try to hold on to something I don't really need? Paying $160 for this phone and keeping my existing monthly payment seemed like the smarter decision for me.

Verizon is smarter than you guys give them credit for. First, a couple of years ago they started calling around "secretly" telling people that if they want a smart phone to do it now because unlimited data was going away. Then, after they get you hooked, throw away the Grandfathered customers and hook you onto a tiered plan. Whats the next step? http://aboutus.verizonwireless.com/leadership/area/index.html
Now, to save money on phones you get an LTE only (ie. all data) phone for everything. What can you do? Nothing really, but you can let yourself be heard.
http://aboutus.verizonwireless.com/leadership/area/index.html
Find your regional VP and tell them how disappointed you are in the treatment if the loyal customers. Be courteous, but firm in your disappointment.

I considered ditching my unlimited data plan since I never came close to using it... but that's because my last phone (an original Motorola Droid) was so laggy that I couldn't take advantage of unlimited. Now with my S4 I'm doing a lot of stuff that wasn't possible or realistic on my older phone and I can easily blow through a gig over a weekend. Glad I bought mine used.

Yeah, don't ditch unlimited. The more super BA your phone is, the more data it will consume. Going from a 3G to a 4G phone my data doubled.
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Related

Verizon Killing Grandfathered Unlimited Plans

http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/16/verizon-cfo-says-grandfathered-unlimited-plans-on-the-way-out/
Pretty sure I'm going to go in and upgrade to a Rezound tomorrow and then exchange it for the Inc 4G when it comes out.
That'll be your last upgrade with unlimited data. So torn about stay with vzn from here on out
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I actually think I'm going to pick up the GNex tomorrow to try it out. My wife has a Rezound so when the DInc 4G comes out I can compare all 3 and decide which I want.
I'm already on tiered data, so it doesn't matter to me.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using Tapatalk 2
tylerlawhon said:
I'm already on tiered data, so it doesn't matter to me.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does me. It's the only thing that has kept me on Verizon (well, that and my wife. that's another story though ).
Hey guys,
Glad this came up here. So I am grannyd in on my dinc2 (signed 2yr in July) along with a really good old verizon talk/text plan and with a business discount. So all in all things are peachy for me atm.
So here are the problems: the wife has long been up and needs to ditch her iphone from work. Wtf do I do?!
1. Do I wait this out to see what the family plans look like?
2. Or do I upgrade her now onto a 4g phone and get in before the family plans come out? Hell they might actually be ok if priced decently?!
3. Could I get a used 4g phone add that to my unlimited plan?!
4. Should I add her a data line and get her an off contact phone so we aren't locked in for 2yrs?! Is that possible?!
Jezus this is f'd up. These greedy mofos will go down at some point. And here is praying that Google does it from right under their own feet (their own network)
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2
So, assuming the Inc 4G is released before this change goes into effect...
First Question:
Will upgrading to the Inc 4G guarantee that I'll have the unlimited data for the full 24months, or will put the kibosh on it once the shared plans go "live." It seems like contractually, it would be hard for them to do the latter, but given how Verizon hates it's customers, I wouldn't be surprised if they tried it.
Second question:
I'm on a family plan and we still have a few people with dumbphones. Suppose they upgrade to smartphones and sign up for a shared plans. Will my unlimited plan just coexist and not be part of that share, or will Verizon say "You can't sign up for any new shared plan without obliterating any unlimited data lines on your account." Again, Verizon hates it's customers, so I would not at all be surprised if they try that second option.
demarcmj said:
So, assuming the Inc 4G is released before this change goes into effect...
First Question:
Will upgrading to the Inc 4G guarantee that I'll have the unlimited data for the full 24months, or will put the kibosh on it once the shared plans go "live." It seems like contractually, it would be hard for them to do the latter, but given how Verizon hates it's customers, I wouldn't be surprised if they tried it.
Second question:
I'm on a family plan and we still have a few people with dumbphones. Suppose they upgrade to smartphones and sign up for a shared plans. Will my unlimited plan just coexist and not be part of that share, or will Verizon say "You can't sign up for any new shared plan without obliterating any unlimited data lines on your account." Again, Verizon hates it's customers, so I would not at all be surprised if they try that second option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your 1st question I'm interested in the answer as well,:
Your 2nd question, I'm in the same boat and was told I could keep unlimited as long as the plan doesn't change ie same # of texts etc, but dumb phones upgrading would havto, as of now the 4g tiered plan, not sure if after they ditch unlimited if they'll stroke you into the shared plan though . Anyone know exactly when the unlimited plans will ditched?
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http://www.androidcentral.com/verizon-clarifies-new-data-plan-policies
When the new options are introduced, Unlimited Data will no longer be available to our customers purchasing handsets and signing a new contract. Customers who choose to purchase phones at full retail price and are currently on an unlimited smartphone data plan will be able to keep that plan. The same pricing and policies will apply to all 3G and 4GLTE smartphones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I'm gonna wait at least a little while longer. I now know I don't need to rush out and upgrade today. Sounds like these plans won't start kicking in until "later this year" and they say they'll give plenty of advance notice so I should be able to wait for the DInc 4G to come out but it will be my last true unlimited plan upgrade.
demarcmj said:
So, assuming the Inc 4G is released before this change goes into effect...
First Question:
Will upgrading to the Inc 4G guarantee that I'll have the unlimited data for the full 24months, or will put the kibosh on it once the shared plans go "live." It seems like contractually, it would be hard for them to do the latter, but given how Verizon hates it's customers, I wouldn't be surprised if they tried it.
Second question:
I'm on a family plan and we still have a few people with dumbphones. Suppose they upgrade to smartphones and sign up for a shared plans. Will my unlimited plan just coexist and not be part of that share, or will Verizon say "You can't sign up for any new shared plan without obliterating any unlimited data lines on your account." Again, Verizon hates it's customers, so I would not at all be surprised if they try that second option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as your first question goes, yes upgrading to the Inc 4g before the new plans come out will allow you to keep your unlimited data. And you'all be under contract for another 2yrs with unlimited. Once your contract runs out you'll still be able to keep your unlimited data as long as you pay full retail price for all your phones from that point on. The min you buy a phone at reduced pricing from vzn you'll be forced on to a new teired data plan.
2nd. Question not so sure about but I highly doubt they'll let two different types of data plans coexist on the same plan.
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kg_jettaIV said:
http://www.androidcentral.com/verizon-clarifies-new-data-plan-policies
So, I'm gonna wait at least a little while longer. I now know I don't need to rush out and upgrade today. Sounds like these plans won't start kicking in until "later this year" and they say they'll give plenty of advance notice so I should be able to wait for the DInc 4G to come out but it will be my last true unlimited plan upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Won't be your last unlimited plan upgrade. Vzn released a follow up statement saying people with unlimited plans will be able to keep them but that they will have to buy their phones at full retail price. Once you upgrade through discounted pricing on a phone, that will be when they'll take your unlimited data away and put you on one of the new plans
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tnez said:
Won't be your last unlimited plan upgrade. Vzn released a follow up statement saying people with unlimited plans will be able to keep them but that they will have to buy their phones at full retail price. Once you upgrade through discounted pricing on a phone, that will be when they'll take your unlimited data away and put you on one of the new plans
Sent from my VivoW using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, not really looking forward to buying phones at full price
verizon really needs to clarify those already on family plans with shared minutes (like me and my wife)...what happens if she wants to upgrade? does that mean i get forced onto shared data with her?
cuz honestly, i wouldnt mind that much (mostly cuz on her own she wont use over say 2gb once i have my own lte phone) if she could still use her upgrades going forward if i could keep my unlimited data
Ok fom my expuerence if you guys have been with the company for a while just put up a ***** tell them you are leaving. Im with tmobile and i get great offers all the time that are meant to be for new customers only. I once got two new phones forget the name and only had to pay tax on them and i got them to order them for me. Believe me the last thing they want is for you to leave them.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA
whoa, I'm tmobile too but I have full unlimited data plan, all the bells and whistles and STILL have to pay FULL price for my devices! Complaining does nothing for me! My HTC SENSATION 4g costed me almost 700.00!! One good thing about tmo is you do have the option to take the device home and pay approximately 20.00 a month for the device. This makes it a bit easier than having to pay all at once.! But their data is NOT cheap! I have two lines unlimited data, one equipment charge (20.00)
My bill for last month was 254.00! That seems outrageous to me! I asked about it and they said I can cancel some services I have to lower it, such as hotspot tethering ect. But I need those services. I've been with them for ,4 years, seems like I should at the very least, get a reduced equipment charge! But I still have to pay full price! Complaints get me no where.!
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium
realsis said:
whoa, I'm tmobile too but I have full unlimited data plan, all the bells and whistles and STILL have to pay FULL price for my devices! Complaining does nothing for me! My HTC SENSATION 4g costed me almost 700.00!! One good thing about tmo is you do have the option to take the device home and pay approximately 20.00 a month for the device. This makes it a bit easier than having to pay all at once.! But their data is NOT cheap! I have two lines unlimited data, one equipment charge (20.00)
My bill for last month was 254.00! That seems outrageous to me! I asked about it and they said I can cancel some services I have to lower it, such as hotspot tethering ect. But I need those services. I've been with them for ,4 years, seems like I should at the very least, get a reduced equipment charge! But I still have to pay full price! Complaints get me no where.!
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
complaining may or may not get you anywhere with carriers
a lot depends on who you complain too, how often, what the complaint is, and your history of service and complaining with them
many people have gotten ETF's waived, but it usually takes a series of calls over several weeks and months proving there is something wrong with their lines and services
complaining about your contract and what it contains, depends on what you are up in arms about...i really dont see being able to argue your way into an upgrade AND keeping unlimited data once the family data share plans start...regardless of your circumstances/history (but who knows)
a few years back (2008/9) my wife and i were extremely unhappy with our BB8830s and were each around 8-10 months away from an upgrade (me 4 months into my annual my vzw upgrade, she was half way through a 2 year)...i must have called 25-30 times and spoken to half that many different CR's and supervisors, demanding that they move our upgrade dates up to get the BB Storm (lol, ikr) or that when our contracts were up we would leave for ATT to get the iphone because its what we both really wanted
basically everyone i talked to gave me the "ok, have fun with ATT" talk and refused to do anything except move *1* of our upgrades up by a few months....despite my carrying on that we had been customers since the late 90's (well i had been) it all fell flat
other times, however ive been successful in getting replacement devices with no ?s asked...wife actually dropped her first tbolt and it stopped working (but showed no real damage) and we got it replaced for free w/o insurance...and i got my fascinate replaced with the inc2 when the speaker failed (and the fascinate was actually a used device bought off ebay a few weeks after its launch)
so its all situational i suppose
/end rambling
tnez said:
Won't be your last unlimited plan upgrade. Vzn released a follow up statement saying people with unlimited plans will be able to keep them but that they will have to buy their phones at full retail price. Once you upgrade through discounted pricing on a phone, that will be when they'll take your unlimited data away and put you on one of the new plans
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat. We both have unlimited data planes and I'm sure she ain't going to want to pay $700 for her phones lol
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Ok if you wait till your contract is up you will have more leverage i have done it multiple times and even got one of my lines upgaded to a better u.nlimited ie 5 gb instead if 2 gb at no extra cost talk to someone higher up and results will follow. Tell them why woild i pay you x amount when i can change carriers for cheaper
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I was at the Verizon store today and asked about them about the Incredible 4g. Said it was supposed to be out this month but its delayed until probably next month. I also asked if it will be out before Verizon kills the unlimited plan and he says they have decided not to do it ans they got a corporate email saying so. Not that I believe them anyway just stating what they said.
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Fyreman97 said:
I was at the Verizon store today and asked about them about the Incredible 4g. Said it was supposed to be out this month but its delayed until probably next month. I also asked if it will be out before Verizon kills the unlimited plan and he says they have decided not to do it ans they got a corporate email saying so. Not that I believe them anyway just stating what they said.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your last sentence said it all... Cardinal rule of Verizon: never believe anything the salespeople say. It's never right.
I was a former in store tech for vzw before they laid us all off and i still have good friends that work as sales reps and one told me he heard a rumor about this taking affect at the end of june. Again its just a rumor but we all know its coming. If i hear anything gurther i will post my findings
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Keeping Unlimited Data?

Do you think the Galaxy Note 2 is worth giving up unlimited data? I can only imagine how much data I would be using with this phone. I could imagine being limited. I couldn't see myself paying ful price to keep unlimited data going. Sprint nor Tmobile have LTE in my area.
Has anyone found a way around being pushed into the upgrade? I also found it obnoxious that they are charging a $30 upgrade fee and giving me a $50 upgrade discount at the same time lol.
textron said:
Do you think the Galaxy Note 2 is worth giving up unlimited data? I can only imagine how much data I would be using with this phone. I could imagine being limited. I couldn't see myself paying ful price to keep unlimited data going. Sprint nor Tmobile have LTE in my area.
Has anyone found a way around being pushed into the upgrade? I also found it obnoxious that they are charging a $30 upgrade fee and giving me a $50 upgrade discount at the same time lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing is worth giving up unlimited data.
4g tethering / internet practically anywhere there is 4g... I would never give that up for anything. I use around 7-10gb of data on the average.
I will be giving up unlimited data this go around. After getting laid off of my job of 6 years I had to take a lower paying gig and the only way I could talk my wife into the Note 2 was if we combine our plans. I have never used more than 8 gb in a month and she uses 1 gb. We will either go with the 8 gb shared and save $30 a month by combining or maybe the 10gb plan. Its a small price to pay for me to upgrade from my X to the N2. It is what it is, I will make it work even though it does suck.
I'm likely buying the phone outright and keeping the unlimited data. Even my wife doesn't want me to give up the unlimited data.
That's cool. With 2 mortgages and 2 kids I couldn't justify 1400 for 2 phone's when we can get both for 700 and save 30 a month by combining. I hope all of you guys can keep unlimited, in 2 years ill see where the carriers are with respect to unlimited and move to another carrier if my 10gb plan isn't working for me. Honestly I doubt we will be having this conversation about unlimited on Verizon in 2 years. My guess is Verizon will decide in the near future to end it completely.
I wish there was a way to keep the plan. It's crazy they try to force you off.
My replacement Fascinate is defective with the constant reboots and overheating while charging. I was going to replace under warranty but I dropped it and the screen cracked which they have already tried to blame that for the problems. Assurion wants 99 bucks for a replacement. They keep telling me that my data usage is low. Yeah, my phone dies in 4 hours and crashes most when I use my web browsers.
Prior to that I was using 3-6 gigs a month. LTE + 2gb a month is like getting a Lambo to drive only in a parking garage.
Since I live at a University, I have to share with everyone else. I am averaging about 16GB a month so I have to keep the unlimited plan.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Yup. 16 gb would cost you 170 (40 + 130 for data) a month on the new plan.
Wouldn't it be illegal for them to "force" you to change data plans later when people continue to buy phones outright.
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ihavenewnike said:
Wouldn't it be illegal for them to "force" you to change data plans later when people continue to buy phones outright.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but thhey can terminate you after you contract expires
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I just got back from VZW Corporate store.
I have 4 lines on a family account, i'm the owner of the entire account - I have TWO upgrades on my account and there's literally no way to be able to keep the unlimited data if the upgrade is on the line that has unlimited. It only works if you use a tiered line's upgrade for your unlimited line.
I know this might seem hard to follow but in short:
Unlimited Line has upgrade = wasted, nothing you can do with it
Tiered line has upgrade = useful for unlimited line
I don't find really any phone being with $600 to $700 after tax. That's just plain robbery. I've been doing it on my past 2 phones and now that I have upgrades actually available, i'm plainly fed up. I threaten to close my account with VZW but they would LOVE for that to happen because they don't want unlimited plan folks on their network anymore.
Now it's a game to test my wits.. How long can I go with my SG3 before going insane? I have to wait another year for one of my tiered lines to have an upgrade available.
Diversion said:
I just got back from VZW Corporate store.
I have 4 lines on a family account, i'm the owner of the entire account - I have TWO upgrades on my account and there's literally no way to be able to keep the unlimited data if the upgrade is on the line that has unlimited. It only works if you use a tiered line's upgrade for your unlimited line.
I know this might seem hard to follow but in short:
Unlimited Line has upgrade = wasted, nothing you can do with it
Tiered line has upgrade = useful for unlimited line
I don't find really any phone being with $600 to $700 after tax. That's just plain robbery. I've been doing it on my past 2 phones and now that I have upgrades actually available, i'm plainly fed up. I threaten to close my account with VZW but they would LOVE for that to happen because they don't want unlimited plan folks on their network anymore.
Now it's a game to test my wits.. How long can I go with my SG3 before going insane? I have to wait another year for one of my tiered lines to have an upgrade available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So why don't you use the tiered line upgrade and then switch the note to your line? I'm not really following this since you said two upgrades are available one on the tiered line and one on the unlimited.
Speaking of lines and unlimited. Our plan states that both are smartphones share the unlimited data. I keep hearing people talking about no unlimited data on certain lines??
I did preorder Note2 full price so we could keep unlimited and we were not eligible anyway as my line isn't up till Feb.
I can't imagine not having unlimited with the Note2, because its so powerful and with large screen, plan to use Netflix and music a lot!!
I'll be buying outright simple because they tacked on a $30 upgrade fee when I tried to preorder...Yea I know it makes no sense but its a principle thing now...haha
eganraC said:
I'll be buying outright simple because they tacked on a $30 upgrade fee when I tried to preorder...Yea I know it makes no sense but its a principle thing now...haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you purchase the phone outright, say from Verizon or Amazon Wireless, and pop in your working SIM, you don't have to pay the upgrade fee?
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
xdadevnube said:
If you purchase the phone outright, say from Verizon or Amazon Wireless, and pop in your working SIM, you don't have to pay the upgrade fee?
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, I bought my DNA yesterday with no upgrade fee when I paid full retail. I also had no fee when buying my GS3 or MAXX HD.
Diversion said:
I just got back from VZW Corporate store.
I have 4 lines on a family account, i'm the owner of the entire account - I have TWO upgrades on my account and there's literally no way to be able to keep the unlimited data if the upgrade is on the line that has unlimited. It only works if you use a tiered line's upgrade for your unlimited line.
I know this might seem hard to follow but in short:
Unlimited Line has upgrade = wasted, nothing you can do with it
Tiered line has upgrade = useful for unlimited line
I don't find really any phone being with $600 to $700 after tax. That's just plain robbery. I've been doing it on my past 2 phones and now that I have upgrades actually available, i'm plainly fed up. I threaten to close my account with VZW but they would LOVE for that to happen because they don't want unlimited plan folks on their network anymore.
Now it's a game to test my wits.. How long can I go with my SG3 before going insane? I have to wait another year for one of my tiered lines to have an upgrade available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an unlimited data line and I was due for the upgrade, I moved the upgrade to my dads 4gb tiered line and pre ordered on his line and everything appears to be just fine.. I wonder what the difference was? Did you try and go online and do this? I am not second guessing you, I just dont know what the difference is between our situations..
drum747 said:
I will be giving up unlimited data this go around. After getting laid off of my job of 6 years I had to take a lower paying gig and the only way I could talk my wife into the Note 2 was if we combine our plans. I have never used more than 8 gb in a month and she uses 1 gb. We will either go with the 8 gb shared and save $30 a month by combining or maybe the 10gb plan. Its a small price to pay for me to upgrade from my X to the N2. It is what it is, I will make it work even though it does suck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you considered dropping carrier texting and lowering minutes to 450 while keeping unlimited data and using Google Voice and Groove IP for unlimited calls and unlimited SMS over data? You can also look into applying a corporate discount on your plan. As far as the Note II you're bound to find a good deal on Craigslist.
Yeah I'm buying it at full retail just to keep unlimited. This will also be my last phone with Verizon. Moving to prepaid T-mobile after this one, hopefully they have real 4G by then
I've got a 5th line with a 3g dumb phone on Family Share Unlimited plan. Upgrading that to the Note 2 for 2year contract discount. Killing that in 24 hrs and transferring N2 to me/current Gnex and putting dumb phone back on 5th line. Keep unlimited data

[Q] My phone upgrades are available, what are my options?

I'm on Verizon obviously and I was lucky enough (at the time) to have been grandfathered into that 1400 minute plan with unlimited data. We have two phones, HTC Rezound(mine) and a Motorola DX2(wife), both do for upgrades in August. I'm probably going to wait until some new phones come out, nothing I see entices me right now.
Down to the point, how can we upgrade without losing our unlimited data? What are our options, any way to get around this? My wife is dying for a new phone, here DX2 is 2 years old and falling apart plus I'd love to get away from HTC. I appreciate any help with this.
Really the only way is to buy a phone off-contract.
Yeah as far as buying new, either catch a sale right around launch and buy it retail or wait until the phones been out a few months or so until they're cheaper than the retail price at online auctions or classified listing.
Or you can add a new line and get a new phone. Then swap Sims and activate an old dumb phone on the new line which allows you to not have to pay the $30 smartphone package. Ends up costing about 12-15 after the 9.99 monthly charge with taxes and usage fees added on.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta
I guess you have to buy one off contract. Swappa is great for buying gently used phones. Or you could buy a Nexus 4 or Nexus 5 when it comes out.
GrayTheWolf said:
Really the only way is to buy a phone off-contract.
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This
#BlameAnt
Can I at least pay monthly if I need to pay full price? I really don't want to leave VZW but $1200 for knew phones is crazy.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
xXezmacXx said:
Can I at least pay monthly if I need to pay full price? I really don't want to leave VZW but $1200 for knew phones is crazy.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
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I am pretty sure they will let you spread out payments.
GrayTheWolf said:
I am pretty sure they will let you spread out payments.
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Too bad I can threaten them by leaving and going to tmo or sprint lol. I also saw a post a while back that someone went to Costco or a similar store like them and the rep at the kiosk gave him the 2yr upgrade price and kept his unl data. I wish I could find it.
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xXezmacXx said:
Too bad I can threaten them by leaving and going to tmo or sprint lol. I also saw a post a while back that someone went to Costco or a similar store like them and the rep at the kiosk gave him the 2yr upgrade price and kept his unl data. I wish I could find it.
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Click to collapse
If I remember that thread he got it by transferring the upgrade from one line to his or something. I think that's what happened.
Right now I'm on the old Nationwide Family Talk & Text plan. We have 2 phones; 1400 min, unlimited data and text. My girlfriend and I don't even come close to 1400. I took a screenshot of my data usage and my gf's from the vzw app. I believe it shows that I used over 5gb for this billing period so far? Am I able to see last months total data usage online? My 3yr old uses my phone a lot so I'm worried about tier data plans. Oh and we pay about $175 a month for this plan for two phones which is insane
I think these are all of my options? Which do you feel is the best for me in the long run?
A. Pay full retail for two new phones and use the monthly payment plan so I can keep my unlimited data?
B. Switch to a data tier plan and drop unlimited so I can get the 2yr phone discount prices?
C. Wait until Dec when my contract is done and then switch to another carrier?
D. Try and find a use phone on Craigslist?
Right now I have a Rezound (used from Asurion) and my GF has a cracked DX2. Where looking at maybe the S4 or a 5s when it comes out. We always wanted to try iPhones.
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Mobile Share Value Plans

Not sure if anyone really cares or not but I just knocked $105 off my AT&T Family plan bill with their new Mobile Share Value Plans.
I'm not a sales agent for AT&T, I'm just letting my fellow XDA users know.
https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/data-plans.html#fbid=K-dU-76XrWB
This is a real deal if you have a large family plan like i do with 5 lines and all smartphones. I was able to lower my bill to $192 a month from $306 the previous month with one phone call. And even better we are getting 10gigs a month now vs the 6gigs i was on.
I know I'm going to take some heat for spamming the board but if one person saves some money I'll be happy
ok flame away
Not sure if its worth giving up an unlimited data plan for this plan.
Ya, I saw those plans, heck, it's even worth it for just 2 lines and 10Gig, $100+$15+$15=$130. I am paying 70 for my single line and only 2gig of data. I know, everyone will tell me to go to a prepay, but I HAVE to have the microcell so I am stuck.
lemonz23 said:
Not sure if its worth giving up an unlimited data plan for this plan.
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yeah .. unfortunately we lost are unlimited plans back in 2009 when we all got iPhone's
clsA said:
yeah .. unfortunately we lost are unlimited plans back in 2009 when we all got iPhone's
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Unl plans are caped at 3 GB... Then u get the slowest speed...
10 GB = $100 + 15 per device
15 GB = $130 + 15 per device
Completely worth it. Now if you do an upgrade after moving to the plan instead of paying 15 for that line you will pay 40... they are trying to cope somehow how T-Mobile works.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
I went ahead and jumped on this. I had to give up 1 unlimited (LTE) data plan, which was throttled after 5GBs anyway. I think it's worth it to save $90/month.
We went to the value plan. Only two lines, so no massive savings. Went to from 6 to 10 GB for $10 cheaper
I was under the impression that once you switched to one of these plans, you no longer would get subsidized phone upgrades. Correct? In other words, the next time you want to upgrade you basically are on the AT&T Next setup (full unsubsidized price of phone broken out over x payments)
chp said:
I was under the impression that once you switched to one of these plans, you no longer would get subsidized phone upgrades. Correct? In other words, the next time you want to upgrade you basically are on the AT&T Next setup (full unsubsidized price of phone broken out over x payments)
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This is correct. Also, if you have currently been in contract for 6 months, they will allow a switch to AT&T Next. I feel it will not be long before they completely go to this method, especially with T-Mobile and others doing much the same.
Ive held on to my 2 line unlimited everything plan for years, paying about $185 before taxes and fees. I think it makes sense to go for this new plan, which drops the price down to $150 while sharing 10gigs. i've only ever gone over 3gigs in a month two times.
codejunkie83 said:
This is correct. Also, if you have currently been in contract for 6 months, they will allow a switch to AT&T Next. I feel it will not be long before they completely go to this method, especially with T-Mobile and others doing much the same.
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Okay, so if that is the case, it seems like you will only save money if you do not intend to take advantage of subsidized upgrades in the future (assuming still available).
chp said:
Okay, so if that is the case, it seems like you will only save money if you do not intend to take advantage of subsidized upgrades in the future (assuming still available).
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From a purely monetary standpoint, yes - however, when you compare the data that you receive (10 GB vs 4/6GB), you are still saving money if you use that much data. But without taking advantage of the subsidized upgrades, you would most likely even out.
chp said:
I was under the impression that once you switched to one of these plans, you no longer would get subsidized phone upgrades. Correct? In other words, the next time you want to upgrade you basically are on the AT&T Next setup (full unsubsidized price of phone broken out over x payments)
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Click to collapse
Do you remember where you heard this? It's the first I've heard about this aspect to the new plans, which means I may regret making the switch.
joshfalk said:
Do you remember where you heard this? It's the first I've heard about this aspect to the new plans, which means I may regret making the switch.
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My understanding from the AT&T rep (and my bill) is that each smartphone in the value plans are now $40 per month with a $25 monthly credit, so net $15.
If I upgrade using a Next plan, the $25 credit remains. (Next = a 0% interest loan to purchase the phone over 20 months.)
If I upgrade using a 2-year subsidy, the $25 credit is removed. (Making for a really expensive upgrade-- 24 * $25 + $200 up front = $800 for an iPhone 5S that I could purchase outright for $650.) Not that I'd purchase a 5S, but just an example of how an already overpriced phone just got even more expensive.
Basically, they really do not want people buying subsidized phones, and that's fine with me. I'd rather purchase the phone I want on my own timing and pay for it outright.
Up until the value plans it made sense to do 2-year upgrades because AT&T was already padding their rate plans with the subsidy cost, whether you upgraded or BYOP you paid for it.
Now, it makes more sense to just BYOP.
Yes you have to stay on the next plan, ability to get a new phone yearly or 18 months, to keep the $15/month. I also saved 50% on my phone bill.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
ronf1011 said:
Yes you have to stay on the next plan, ability to get a new phone yearly or 18 months, to keep the $15/month. I also saved 50% on my phone bill.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
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This is good news, I was worried that when i upgraded with NEXT it would go from $15 to $40. I guess I should have read into it a little more, but yeah, my family is saving close to $100 since we switched to the value plan.
Love this plan. Switched to it immediately.
The Next program is basically a phone leasing program. So if you pay $30/month for Next18, that $540 is gone when you trade in for the new one. It would be cheaper buying the phone out right then sell it when you wanted to get a new one.
HTCm7One said:
The Next program is basically a phone leasing program. So if you pay $30/month for Next18, that $540 is gone when you trade in for the new one. It would be cheaper buying the phone out right then sell it when you wanted to get a new one.
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+1 and you are still dealing with the bloat. Going unlocked from here on out. These value plans are nice. Thanks @t-mobile! ? and AT&T for falling in line..
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Upgrades?
I changed to the shared plan two months ago, losing my useless unlimited plan. I moved 5 phones. Two of them were eligible for upgrades at the time, but I was holding them for when I really wanted them. I need one now. I went to the ATT website and checked upgrade-ability. The two phones seem like they have subsidized plans available to them. I can also do the Next plan for any of my phones for the same price. So I can pay zero interest for 20 months, have no plan commitment, and pay in full for my daughter's new iphone over 20 months, or I can pay $199 for the phone, a one-time $36 upgrade fee, and commit for another two years of my shared plan. There is no change to the basic rate.

Who upgraded phone on VZW website THIS year and KEPT their Unlimited Data plan?

In March, I did. It's in my new contract. My old Unlimited Data/email plan from 2007....im definitely NOT complaining. Though, im still paying big bucks for VZW. Sucks when they are the only ones that work well in your area.
I should add that I bought this GS4 on VZ's website. $137 after taxes and other crap with 2 yr contract.
Moved from Sprint to VZW. Back in 2011 VZW had better signal here. 3 years later, Sprint has the better towers, unlocked phones and unlimited data. Def regret that transition.
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Got my vzw galaxy s4 from best buy(phone, case, and screen protector) for $85. I also got to keep my unlimited data plan. The asshole at vzw lied and told me that best buy could only offer the 2gb.
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Rooted, running CM 10.2 [4.3.1]
I upgraded...I used the available upgrade on my unlimited line, transferred the upgrade to my wife's 2GB line, bought the S4 on upgrade, then had it activated on my unlimited line. She still has her upgrade coming up too.
THE-COPS said:
In March, I did. It's in my new contract. My old Unlimited Data/email plan from 2007....im definitely NOT complaining. Though, im still paying big bucks for VZW. Sucks when they are the only ones that work well in your area.
I should add that I bought this GS4 on VZ's website. $137 after taxes and other crap with 2 yr contract.
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You did this by transferring an available upgrade to another line (that does not have Unlimited Data), then upgrading that line? Or how?
I upgraded two of my lines to the s4 and kept unlimited on both of them. I used two dumb phone upgrades, once the phones arrived I activated them, swapped my SIM cards and called to pull data off those lines. Was really easy.
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stuartv said:
You did this by transferring an available upgrade to another line (that does not have Unlimited Data), then upgrading that line? Or how?
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Only have one line. Always only one line. I am familiar with the trick of using a second line to keep the unlimited, but I never did that. All I did was go to the website, login... click upgrade... add GS4 to cart ...pay for..confirm..finish.
That was actually my second attempt to buy the GS4. I had went online to buy it a week before but backed out in the 2nd step. It was where a popup would come on screen and force you to change your data plan to a tiered data plan because it said my current unlimited data plan could no longer be used. ....Well..the 2nd time I went to buy it, that screen never came up. Idk man. I was like.....whistle whistle..just waiting for it. Im glad it didnt because that More Everything plan is a joke. I cant believe they'd charge THAT much for just 2GB..WTF how they call that MORE?
Thanks, Cops. That is good to know, Very interesting.
I got my GS4 last May and I did it using the transfer-an-upgrade trick, but it was a PITA because I didn't actually have a second line at the time (and still don't, but that's another story). Anyway, I'll probably be sticking with my GS4 until my current contract is up - so, another ryear. But, it's good to know a new trick to try the next time I want to upgrade.
Yeah, it has to be a glitch in the VZW website. I was using Firefox so maybe its an issue with how FF handled the script on the page?
Wish I had better choices here where I live. I researched....only AT&T and T-mobile..AT&T is just as bad as VZW in crappy plan pricing. TMO has crappy coverage here as well as Sprint. I hate having very limited choices.
Edge plan
THE-COPS said:
In March, I did. It's in my new contract. My old Unlimited Data/email plan from 2007....im definitely NOT complaining. Though, im still paying big bucks for VZW. Sucks when they are the only ones that work well in your area.
I should add that I bought this GS4 on VZ's website. $137 after taxes and other crap with 2 yr contract.
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I went with the edge plan with 2 lines and 12 GB data for $172. Sacrificed unlimited data for every year upgrade.
Gahar said:
I went with the edge plan with 2 lines and 12 GB data for $172. Sacrificed unlimited data for every year upgrade.
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damn dude you went from the very best value plan to the very worst value plan
joshm.1219 said:
damn dude you went from the very best value plan to the very worst value plan
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My bill was around $185 with unlimited data and1400 minutes but total data usage for both phones were around 5 GB. So i went with edge plan and now no need to wait two years for upgrade. $10 saved is $10 gas for my car. Lol
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Gahar said:
My bill was around $185 with unlimited data and1400 minutes but total data usage for both phones were around 5 GB. So i went with edge plan and now no need to wait two years for upgrade. $10 saved is $10 gas for my car. Lol
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Well if you simply don't use a lot of data i guess you save money dropping the unlimited data. Edge is the worst plan though. You have to pay half of the phone's full retail value before you can upgrade, then you trade the device in. So an S5 that would normally cost you $200 will now cost you $350. Say you bought the S4 for $200 on an upgrade last year, you could've sold it for ~$400 right before the S5 dropped. You could spend another $300 and get the S5 so still cheaper than Edge. Then next year, when you have another upgrade, you could sell the S5 for say the same $400 and spend the usual $200 for a phone on an upgrade. Then you're up $200 as well as having a new phone.
So, over two years, just by doing some simple work and selling your old phone yourself, you'll spend a total of ~$300 for three new phones. Getting three new phones on edge over two years will cost you about $1,050.
joshm.1219 said:
Well if you simply don't use a lot of data i guess you save money dropping the unlimited data. Edge is the worst plan though. You have to pay half of the phone's full retail value before you can upgrade, then you trade the device in. So an S5 that would normally cost you $200 will now cost you $350. Say you bought the S4 for $200 on an upgrade last year, you could've sold it for ~$400 right before the S5 dropped. You could spend another $300 and get the S5 so still cheaper than Edge. Then next year, when you have another upgrade, you could sell the S5 for say the same $400 and spend the usual $200 for a phone on an upgrade. Then you're up $200 as well as having a new phone.
So, over two years, just by doing some simple work and selling your old phone yourself, you'll spend a total of ~$300 for three new phones. Getting three new phones on edge over two years will cost you about $1,050.
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Damn. I guess HR people from my job didn't do their math and if they did its their lost. Nice to know the price breakdown. Thanks
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