Should I switch to Sprint?

OK. Sprint is a lot cheaper. Doesn't mean it's better. But all in all, it is a better deal.

Yep, I am debating the same thing. I am not sure I can stand another year of ATT promises to improve their network. 70% of my conversations over 3 minutes have at least one drop. I think CDMA is a better technology. On the minus side: 1>Would loose my grandfathered unlimited data. 2>ATT theoritically better speed on 4s as could use dual HSPDA+ antennas for up to 14.4 3G speeds (I do not think Sprint or Verizon will be able to use the dual HSPDA antennas) 3> Most of friends/family on ATT and calls to them do not use minutes.

Will be interested to hear real world testing on Sprint network to see how fares for speed and reliability of service compared to ATT.

(Saddened by the passing of Steve Jobs. His passion for technology is evident in all the Apple products I own)

cant comment on what tech is better but

gsm is supported in much of the world and cdma not so much

and gsm had voice and data at the same time since the first gprs data feature was created (unless the isp had old hardware in their end)

but the fact that iphone4s have both cdma and gsm is pretty cool gives you more choices if you buy it unlocked

not where I live in Europe where cdma is 99% absent

I was wondering the same thing. Ive been with Tmobile and have no idea how Sprint's service or coverage will be as I dont know anybody who has them. Pretty much everyone I know (in the US anyway) with an iphone has ATT and yet Ive always heard them complain about them. So I dont know what to do.

If you need unlimited data, Sprint seems to be the way to go...but I have been worried as Ive seen al ot of blog posts about people bashing Sprint's network and saying its unilmited cuz its crappy. Now I dont know if thats true or not. Are they worse than ATT or Verizon - or does it really depend on where you live? (I may move within 2 years so thats also in my thoughts)

Also if youre looking into Sprint - I cant post it here, but check online, there is a promotional code that will save you $10 a month on the Everything Data plan. It definitely works but I dont think they want it posted everywhere. But if you check Sprint sites you can find it - while it lasts.

Also I dont know that any cell phone carrier has to honor their grandfathered unlimited data plans, do they? Especially once your original contract ends. Im just wondering as I hear many people saying theyll never leave ATT/Verizon cuz of their unlimited data plans...but they can decide to stop honoring that at any time if its not profitable...or they can use some technicality of now they have a new network or something.

As a new comer to smartphones, I wonder do you really need unimited data? Or for some people would ATT at $55 (450 minutes, pay per go text, and 200 mb data) gonna be a better deal? Ive read that 95% of people use 2gb or less and 65% use 200mb or less. Is that true? Because I dont want to be someone who is paying for more than I need. I think a lot of people are enticed by the perceived value of unlimited data but they might not need it. (But given ATT now charges $20 for texts -that would put their 450 plan to at least 75 so at that point , if youre thinkinga bout price, Sprint looks good. Same with verizon where just 450 and 2gb of data is 70 before you even think about texting.) Its all very confusing to me as I dont want to get swept up in the hype.

You are right that Sprint probably will discontinue the unlimited data at some point although right now they keep saying theyre not - thats really their only selling point.

I do wish we'd get to the point where you just buy a phone and then choose whatever carrier you want. From friends I speak to in other countries, the cell phone industry elsewhere is much different than in the US.

I still think that unless I go for an iphone, Id end up with a prepaid carrier where you can get unlimited everything for $50-55. There does seem to be that Apple surcharge to get an iphone

Id also like to hear ATT/Verizon/Sprint customrs talk about what fees/surcharges they pay. Im wondering if theyre equal or not. On Sprints website , I saw the fine print mentioned a 15% surcharge. (My current Tmobile plan only has a 3%)...But if youre paying 80 for a monthly plan - the fees could boost you up to 100 which would be a real shock when you get your bill...and unfortuantely you dont find out about those fees until you get your first bill (Ive been told that you dont pay those fees with prepaid; you just pay sales tax for minutes. If that is true, that would save even more money)

So obviously theres a lot to think about...and I dont think you know what kind of coverage youre going to get in your area until you try the service...Thats the risk.

sprint has unlimited data.. they are the only company that has continued to have unlimited data when the other 2 went to tiard data. I am actually switching to Verizon from sprint just because i cannot upgrade and i need to get away from android. In terms of service, they are ok but sometimes you may not get signal. Just depends on where you are.

I am stuck to ATT because of upgrade issues .. i was locked into a contract for which i was not supposed to .. because i had returned the phone ... but they didnt update their system .. so i was in a phantom contract for the past 1 year without a phone !!! I had sprint USB internet and it used 4G from my home ! It was awesome .. though i didnt really use it outside .. i was using it for internet browsing - I had to return because i wanted for multiple devices and only hotspot was an option , but didnt want to pay for the cost. Overall sprint is great, when i returned i did not have to pay a penny, even for the 7 days i used it. They are certainly better in customer service, i would go to sprint anytime.

Several thoughts

Do people even need unlmiited data? Sprint has all or nothing but I keep reading that most people are fine with 2gb of data.

I also have seen several head to head comparisons of iphones on Sprint, ATT, Verizon and the Sprint phone was so slow it looked like slow motion. It really scared me from going to Sprint. (Theyd be smart to do a cheaper iphone plan with 450 minutes, 100 texts and 1gb data)

Every carrier is going to have strengths and weaknesses depending on where you live but youre not going to know until you get it. I dont know anyone with Verizon or Sprint. Everyone around me has ATT. Ive had TMobile and I get great coverage at home and yet if I go to a friend's house a couple miles away, and cant even make a call.

I wish ATT wouldnt have their all or nothing texting plan...That really turns me off.

Ok... I had Sprint about 2 years ago.... IT STUNK SO BAD!!! Now im on Verizon and have an iPhone 4 with unlimited data and happy. IDK if Sprint is any better now. From everyone around me (all have AT&T or Verizon) switched from T-Mobile and Sprint because of their spotty coverge. Mind you that you will also get a lot slower data speeds on Sprint. Sprint and Verizon use CDMA tech. that can reach thoretical Download speeds up to 3.2 MBps. (you will never get speeds like this in the real world unless you are standing right next to a Sprint (or Verizon) tower. AT&T iPhone 4S can reach up to 14.4 MBps. (NOT all the time)

It all comes down to what you are going to be using you iPhone for. Be it data or calling. Most importantly... what you are willing to shell out for being able to say... "I have a new iPhone 4S".

Probably wait for an iphone 5 adn then think about it again. Just switched to a $30 prepaid plan now that my contract had expired.