Potentially switching to T-Mobile

[aeroencychris]

My family and I have been long time Verizon users and currently have a shared 11GB plan with unlimited call and text. They (3 others) have various iPhones and I have an LG G3.

I've seen a lot of ads for T-Mobile and after seeing their plans it looks pretty tempting. Currently 4 lines, unlimited call and text, and 6GB of data each is $120/month, with it going up to $140 after their promotional deal ends. Keep in mind this is ontop of them not charging data for most music and video streaming services like Spotify and Netflix.

To me it seems like a no-brainer since we currently pay $140 to Verizon right now, but my parents seem hesitant since they aren't sure about call quality. I know it's been pretty shitty over the past couple of years but from what I've seen it looks like it has improved quite a bit. Can anyone confirm decent call/data quality or recommend any other plans/carriers?

 

On a side note, any good near-stock Android phones to get if I do end up switching? Can't use my G3 since it's CDMA and won't pick up 4G through them. Nexus 6P looked nice but kind of pricy.

 

Thanks,

-Chris

[arnavvr]

DON'T DO IT. I have T-Mobile and their coverage is shitttttt.

 

 

Also OnePlus 3 is a good phone.

[paincow]

It really depends on where you live. The call quality is great where I live in South Carolina, but I'm currently in Indiana, and I barely get any reception. I would ask people who you know have T-Mobile and ask them.

As for your second question, My brother has a OnePlus 3 and really likes it, and it's a great phone for the price. If you're looking for something cheaper, the Nexus 5X was on sale recently. I have it, and its a good solid phone.

[Superspeed07]

If you live near a major city / interstate highway t-mobile is fine, call quality i've never had any issues with it, data has also worked for me, I just browse imgur or listen to spotify 99% of the time

[Nena Trinity]

Is this to play Pokemon GO? o3o

[aeroencychris]

Just now, Nena360 said:

Is this to play Pokemon GO? o3o

shhhhh don't tell my parents

[aeroencychris]

10 minutes ago, arnavvr said:

DON'T DO IT. I have T-Mobile and their coverage is shitttttt.

 

 

Also OnePlus 3 is a good phone.

 

2 minutes ago, paincow said:

It really depends on where you live. The call quality is great where I live in South Carolina, but I'm currently in Indiana, and I barely get any reception. I would ask people who you know have T-Mobile and ask them.

As for your second question, My brother has a OnePlus 3 and really likes it, and it's a great phone for the price. If you're looking for something cheaper, the Nexus 5X was on sale recently. I have it, and its a good solid phone.

 

2 minutes ago, Superspeed07 said:

If you live near a major city / interstate highway t-mobile is fine, call quality i've never had any issues with it, data has also worked for me, I just browse imgur or listen to spotify 99% of the time

My mom runs her business off of her personal number so I think call quality anywhere is really important to them. Maybe I'll look into it when I get my own plan off in college

[Woahduds]

my experience is the same with speedy, never had issues with call quality and coverage in cities. check Axon 7 out, i think you'll like it

[deVIZtation]

I have never really had issues with T-Mobile. I don't get good reception in back country type areas. I live near DC so that's probably why I get good reception and everything. Suggestion would be to just stick with Verizon since your mom uses her personal number for her business. When you get your own plan, it's your own destiny.

[Suika]

6 hours ago, cdsboy2000 said:

Currently 4 lines, unlimited call and text, and 6GB of data each is $120/month, with it going up to $140 after their promotional deal ends. Keep in mind this is ontop of them not charging data for most music and video streaming services like Spotify and Netflix.

This is a great plan, I use it myself personally. With Binge On!, all the data I use is basically spent on reading articles and browsing the forums here. I run a hotspot time from time as well (which Binge On! works off of) and still don't have an issue with data. Best part is, with T-Mobile, all plans have "no-overages," so if you do happen to consume all of the data, you'll still be able to use data for free but at 128kbp/s. Enough for Pokemon GO and browsing the forums, but nothing else, really.

 

I love the plan and recommend it to others, but I dislike it morally as it's against net neutrality. The FCC hasn't complained yet as T-Mobile hasn't declined providers from joining, even porn sites, but we'll see in the future.

6 hours ago, cdsboy2000 said:

To me it seems like a no-brainer since we currently pay $140 to Verizon right now, but my parents seem hesitant since they aren't sure about call quality.

I have to be honest, I haven't heard a complaint from any carrier in years. Call quality at this point is just going to be limited to the speaker on the actual device, especially since T-Mobile includes VoLTE.

6 hours ago, cdsboy2000 said:

I know it's been pretty shitty over the past couple of years but from what I've seen it looks like it has improved quite a bit. Can anyone confirm decent call/data quality or recommend any other plans/carriers?

I can confirm that T-Mobile has expanded, and the only area I don't have data around me is a small donut around my house (I have data in my house however?). I live out in the sticks, though, in civilized areas, it's fine. Call quality is fine and as I mentioned pretty limited on the device now. Data is great, I benchmark areas I infrequently visit and get anywhere between 25Mbp/s to 50Mbp/s.

 

The only other comparable option is Sprint in the near future. At some point in time, they're supposed to be offering unlimited everything (data, talk, text) for 4 lines @ $150/month, presumably to compete with T-Mobile. It's currently being tested in some markets so I'd imagine it'll officially rollout soon, but I don't have an exact time frame.

6 hours ago, cdsboy2000 said:

On a side note, any good near-stock Android phones to get if I do end up switching? Can't use my G3 since it's CDMA and won't pick up 4G through them. Nexus 6P looked nice but kind of pricy.

What's your budget? I've seen the Nexus 6P jump around the $325-380 market pretty regularly recently.

6 hours ago, arnavvr said:

DON'T DO IT. I have T-Mobile and their coverage is shitttttt.

 

 

Also OnePlus 3 is a good phone.

DISCLAIMER: The coverage around you.

 

T-Mobile is perfectly fine where I live, probably my favorite carrier of the big four.

 

Also if he can't afford a 6P, why do you think he can afford a OP3?

[aeroencychris]

5 minutes ago, Suika said:

This is a great plan, I use it myself personally. With Binge On!, all the data I use is basically spent on reading articles and browsing the forums here. I run a hotspot time from time as well (which Binge On! works off of) and still don't have an issue with data. Best part is, with T-Mobile, all plans have "no-overages," so if you do happen to consume all of the data, you'll still be able to use data for free but at 128kbp/s. Enough for Pokemon GO and browsing the forums, but nothing else, really.

 

I love the plan and recommend it to others, but I dislike it morally as it's against net neutrality. The FCC hasn't complained yet as T-Mobile hasn't declined providers from joining, even porn sites, but we'll see in the future.

I have to be honest, I haven't heard a complaint from any carrier in years. Call quality at this point is just going to be limited to the speaker on the actual device, especially since T-Mobile includes VoLTE.

I can confirm that T-Mobile has expanded, and the only area I don't have data around me is a small donut around my house (I have data in my house however?). I live out in the sticks, though, in civilized areas, it's fine. Call quality is fine and as I mentioned pretty limited on the device now. Data is great, I benchmark areas I infrequently visit and get anywhere between 25Mbp/s to 50Mbp/s.

 

The only other comparable option is Sprint in the near future. At some point in time, they're supposed to be offering unlimited everything (data, talk, text) for 4 lines @ $150/month, presumably to compete with T-Mobile. It's currently being tested in some markets so I'd imagine it'll officially rollout soon, but I don't have an exact time frame.

What's your budget? I've seen the Nexus 6P jump around the $325-380 market pretty regularly recently.

DISCLAIMER: The coverage around you.

 

T-Mobile is perfectly fine where I live, probably my favorite carrier of the big four.

 

Also if he can't afford a 6P, why do you think he can afford a OP3?

I think they're really looking for the best all-around call experience so if it drops even in some areas of the US it's a dealbreaker for them. Verizon works really well for them but yes, I agree with you, most every carrier is good at this point. Not much I can do here, they ultimately decide

I saw the 6P for $500 on Amazon but aftermarket ones sound nice.

[Suika]

6 minutes ago, cdsboy2000 said:

I think they're really looking for the best all-around call experience so if it drops even in some areas of the US it's a dealbreaker for them. Verizon works really well for them but yes, I agree with you, most every carrier is good at this point. Not much I can do here, they ultimately decide

Well, all four of the big carriers cover all major travel spots, so unless they figure visiting the sketchiest, most remote places of America as a means of vacation, you'll be good. I will admit, though, Verizon has the best coast to coast coverage, but they'll have some areas oddly missing coverage. In my state, there's a huge circle that Verizon doesn't cover that every other carrier does.

 

Don't bother looking on Amazon then. I mean, I'm seeing new devices sell around the $350~ mark, just from other market places such as Newegg and B&H Photo. I got a 6P from Newegg for $425 with a $25 gift card, at that was a few months back, there are better prices now.

[aeroencychris]

1 minute ago, Suika said:

Well, all four of the big carriers cover all major travel spots, so unless they figure visiting the sketchiest, most remote places of America as a means of vacation, you'll be good. I will admit, though, Verizon has the best coast to coast coverage, but they'll have some areas oddly missing coverage. In my state, there's a huge circle that Verizon doesn't cover that every other carrier does.

 

Don't bother looking on Amazon then. I mean, I'm seeing new devices sell around the $350~ mark, just from other market places such as Newegg and B&H Photo. I got a 6P from Newegg for $425 with a $25 gift card.

My dad is an avid ConsumerReports user and they gave it a somewhat subpar review, at least relative to Verizon. Seriously, they want the best of the best.

[Suika]

21 minutes ago, cdsboy2000 said:

My dad is an avid ConsumerReports user and they gave it a somewhat subpar review, at least relative to Verizon. Seriously, they want the best of the best.

What better way to be an informed consumer than relying heavily upon the information from a single source?

 

Don't know how much you'll be able to do in convincing him then, typically the people I speak to that are in your father's predicament only ask for my advice when they want me to validate their "informed" choice in wireless carriers, as opposed to genuine information. You can try and convince him that T-Mobile has a superior value and typically similar, if not faster data speeds, but total coverage hands down goes to Verizon.

 

Funny story, an AT&T representative I used to work with would advocate to people, purchase from the carrier that works for you at the best value, there's no point spending additional money or losing real benefits just to have a minor benefit you'll never take advantage. He was very certain that AT&T was the best value, and in many instances it was. Probably the only AT&T rep I'll ever meet that sold somebody a Sprint phone, but he was also the best representative in his market, so I hold his opinion in high regard.