RIP Contracts

[cronos]

So is it a given that if you have a grandfathered unlimited plan, this doesn't affect that? Can you still switch phones and keep unlimited data (non-subsidized of course)?

That's what people have been doing to keep their unlimited plans.

 

[NutBucket]

The day may come where you cannot switch devices and keep UDP. Time will tell....

In the mean time, I will be very nice to my Note4

 

[openwheel]

Yup, I am on Verizon unlimited plan. Just used subsidy to get a new S6. Sometimes I feel bad for those who panicked and gave up unlimited too early, but then sometimes I don't because most likely they were just too eager to get that latest iPhone 4.

Sad to see the subsidy party coming to an end.

 

[NutBucket]

I did the math in another forum post:

1400 shared minutes/unlimited text - $100
2 x 2GB data plan - $60
2 x unlimited data - $60
5 x lines - $50

For a total of $270 (minus some discounts) puts me at $217

New plan

12 GB data - $80
5 lines (assume dumb phones are $20 too) - $100

Total of $180 but doesn't include phone subsides

Currently have a G3, Note4, One M9, GS3 and just ordered two GS6.

So that's 4 phones being paid for (approx $100 assuming $25 per phone) puts me at $280 total before discounts. The discounts probably work out to less than I get now (given the phones aren't subject to any discounts) plus less data. Granted, I don't use 12 GB per month between all 4 lines but I need as close to an apples to apples comparison as possible.

So technically it's cheaper if you're not paying for any phones but of course you have less data. Once phone subsidies come into play its definitely more expensive.

 

[s44]

I tried T-Mobile for 2 months and finally switched. Service was great out in the open but as soon as I went into a building or sitting in my office at work my service dropped to 1-2 bars of 4g.

Band 12 should change this... if you're in a market that will get it.

The day may come where you cannot switch devices and keep UDP.

Not until Verizon abandons Band 13 (and the C-block rules).

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Band 12 should change this... if you're in a market that will get it.

Doesn't look like iPhone 6 does.. :thumbsdown:

 

[s44]

Doesn't look like iPhone 6 does.. :thumbsdown:

Yeah, I think the Note 4 was the first Band 12 device. So it's another reason to upgrade to the 6S or 6C or whatever.

 

[holden j caufield]

Tmobile indoors can be a pain if you are using a verizon unlocked lte phone, flashed att or sprint phone since they usually lack the bands tmobile uses. I mean it works but not to it's full potential. Much happier on a tmobile phone that has all the bands. Plus wifi calling covers me anywhere there is no coverage.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Yeah, I think the Note 4 was the first Band 12 device. So it's another reason to upgrade to the 6S or 6C or whatever.

Sadly my iPhone 6 is paid in full and I was hoping just to keep it for a while.

 

[vi edit]

So does this mean that anyone that was under contract with an iPhone5s and was planning on upgrading to the 6s for $200 is now looking at paying full or the $28/mth phone plan fee?

If so...that's going to be a lot of unhappy iphone buyers. Apple probably winced a little bit...I know they wanted subsidies dead too since they don't make as much. But they probably aren't happy with the timing being 2 months away from a major release.

 

[NutBucket]

I don't know what will happen to those folks. Verizon hasn't made it clear either. Wait, you said under contract for a 5s. That would imply the contract is up if you mentioned a $200 upgrade price. That said, VZW would simply force you to a new plan or make you pull full price.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

So does this mean that anyone that was under contract with an iPhone5s and was planning on upgrading to the 6s for $200 is now looking at paying full or the $28/mth phone plan fee?

If so...that's going to be a lot of unhappy iphone buyers. Apple probably winced a little bit...I know they wanted subsidies dead too since they don't make as much. But they probably aren't happy with the timing being 2 months away from a major release.

Yes. It's basically the same anyways. They've always hidden it in their contract rates. Now people just see it. The problem is explaining it to people. So many people didn't understand how T-Mobile's pricing worked when they made the switch and I had to lay it out to them.

 

[dlock13]

Yes. It's basically the same anyways. They've always hidden it in their contract rates. Now people just see it. The problem is explaining it to people. So many people didn't understand how T-Mobile's pricing worked when they made the switch and I had to lay it out to them.

I just had to do the same for a coworker. He had no idea how this new pricing worked. I told him flat out that it is better for the consumer to see $800 instead of $200*. I can't believe how many people are brainwashed thinking that being stuck on a contract is better than understanding how much something costs and whether or not they need said device or should just buy something in their price range.

 

[vi edit]

Yes. It's basically the same anyways. They've always hidden it in their contract rates. Now people just see it. The problem is explaining it to people. So many people didn't understand how T-Mobile's pricing worked when they made the switch and I had to lay it out to them.

Not for everyone. My wife is on a loyalty plan which is unlimited voice & text, plus 1 gig data a month for $50. Plus it's a subsidy plan. Every two years would have gotten her a new phone for $200.

I don't think she'd come out ahead going to a payment plan.

 

[NutBucket]

I think the manufacturers stand to lose the most here. If you pay for the phone out of pocket, there's less incentive to upgrade as often. If the subsidy is baked into the plan it would be stupid not to upgrade as often as possible.

 

[NutBucket]

Not for everyone. My wife is on a loyalty plan which is unlimited voice & text, plus 1 gig data a month for $50. Plus it's a subsidy plan. Every two years would have gotten her a new phone for $200.

I don't think she'd come out ahead going to a payment plan.

Agreed. Those are exceptions. Even my example isn't a good one given two UDP lines.

 

[vi edit]

I think the manufacturers stand to lose the most here. If you pay for the phone out of pocket, there's less incentive to upgrade as often. If the subsidy is baked into the plan it would be stupid not to upgrade as often as possible.

Exactly. I wonder how many people with a 5s on Verizon contract are going to sit back and think about if they really need to upgrade or not when the 6s comes out and it starts costing them $30 a month instead of nothing out out of pocket when they sell their old phones and eat the subsidy price.

 

[cpacini]

Exactly. I wonder how many people with a 5s on Verizon contract are going to sit back and think about if they really need to upgrade or not when the 6s comes out and it starts costing them $30 a month instead of nothing out out of pocket when they sell their old phones and eat the subsidy price.

You're probably overestimating the problem. Tmobile has been selling phones this way for a while, as had AT&T and vzw. The I only change for Verizon is this is now mandatory, they were pushing the edge plans aggressively already. This hadn't led to a major drop in phone sales.

What's going to happen for most people is they will walk into a Verizon store looking to upgrade, find out their monthly bill will stay about the same on the new plans give or take a couple of bucks, but they can walk out the door with a brand new phone for 0 down. And in two years they can do it all over again.

 

[openwheel]

more people are going to buy used phones, so yes I agree manufacturers lose the most.

 

[NutBucket]

I disagree with "most people" buying used phones though.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I guess I'm confused, those of you still grandfathered, how are you activating different phones? I could not get them to let me keep it regardless of activating a new phone of my own or getting one through contract. Are you just sticking with your old phones? I mean..I went 5 years and thought that was insane. Android 1.6 ftw!

 

[Chess]

I guess I'm confused, those of you still grandfathered, how are you activating different phones? I could not get them to let me keep it regardless of activating a new phone of my own or getting one through contract. Are you just sticking with your old phones? I mean..I went 5 years and thought that was insane. Android 1.6 ftw!

Swappa eBay CL hofo etc

I've never had an issue ever

 

[Ns1]

more people are going to buy used phones, so yes I agree manufacturers lose the most.

I disagree with "most people" buying used phones though.

They will [buy used phones] once the phone becomes $699 instead of $199.

 

[openwheel]

I guess I'm confused, those of you still grandfathered, how are you activating different phones? I could not get them to let me keep it regardless of activating a new phone of my own or getting one through contract. Are you just sticking with your old phones? I mean..I went 5 years and thought that was insane. Android 1.6 ftw!

Use old sim card in new phone. Voila!!!
You can also cut micro sim to nano sim, and use adapter vice versa.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I guess I'm confused, those of you still grandfathered, how are you activating different phones? I could not get them to let me keep it regardless of activating a new phone of my own or getting one through contract. Are you just sticking with your old phones? I mean..I went 5 years and thought that was insane. Android 1.6 ftw!

Don't need to. Just have to swap sims nowadays.

What's going to happen for most people is they will walk into a Verizon store looking to upgrade, find out their monthly bill will stay about the same on the new plans give or take a couple of bucks, but they can walk out the door with a brand new phone for 0 down. And in two years they can do it all over again.

You're wasting your money if you're waiting two years. By that point your phone should be pretty much paid off and you should sell it, especially if you have an iPhone.

The best analogy I can put cellphones into now is leasing a car. With T-Mobile's jump, and 0 down, you get the most bang for your buck if you swap phones every 6 months when you're allowed to.