New cell phone and provider

[USAFDoug]

OK so we are getting ready to leave Germany in Feb and we are heading to NC. I was wondering what is out there for cell phones that rivals the iPhone? I know I can search it but from personal use what are the thoughts of the 'normal' user like you all!? We have had iPhones since they came out and I am not sure with everything that is out there now that I want to get another one. Will there be a newer better phone coming out by Feb? Anyone move from an iPhone to an android based phone that has any input? I don't want this to be another apple bashing or fanboy thread either I just would like some good insight! I know I will have to check with the locals on cell phone service providers and which one is best in whichever area but any certain companies that have better contracts or data plans that are better than others? I have not seen a commercial in 4 years really so I dont really have any other info than what I have read and what people say...

Cliff Notes:
Which phone and why?
Which company has the best plans?
Anything new by Feb 2012?

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[Silver_Bullet_00]

Re: New cell phone and provider

The competition for the Iphone is the Droids. In NC your best providers as far as signal and service (not price) is Verizon, AT&T, Sprint/Nextel.

In rural areas on the east Coast sprint is almost useless. They are fine in the piedmont region.

Verizon is the best with coverage and edges out AT&T because of better service in rural areas.

I have used all 3, and Alltell had the NC market covered as far as service almost everywhere, then Verizon bought Alltell and their towers.

With Verizon I get 3G almost anywhere in NC. 4G in the cities only right now, but its supposed to cover rural areas in 2013.I believe they are the more expensive of the 3.

 

[USAFDoug]

Re: New cell phone and provider

OK so I will probably be looking into the Verizon stream then. Thank you for the help! Now its time to figure out what phone to pick up.

 

[WPG]

Re: New cell phone and provider

Which phone is better? Iphone or Droid? I am also looking to upgrade.

Thanks

 

[USAFDoug]

Re: New cell phone and provider

I really think it comes down to personal prefernce. I have had the iPhone since the day it came out... I want to switch up to a Samsung Galaxy II or something like that but I have everything in iTunes already so I might just go ahead and stick with iPhone when we get back to the states.

Best way to tell which is better is go in and play with them for a bit.

 

[Texas_Hooligan]

Re: New cell phone and provider

No need to worry about transferring you stuff from iTunes to the Android platform. A free software called double twist will take care of the transfer for you, it will even sync your playlists.

If you any wild questions about anything regarding cellular communication I can facilitate the answers. You are probably better off PMing me specific concerns. I work in the wireless industry and for once on this board I can claim "expert" status on a topic...