Verizon vs. Sprint in Madison, WI

[Cubs619]

Hello,

I'm currently looking to change my cellular provider... for the past year, I've been with Cingular under their Spiderman promo Nation w/5000 N&W minutes and no roaming (plus 250 anytime, all for $29.99). While I haven't really had any trouble with them as a provider, I'm looking to upgrade to a better network with more anytime minutes (between 300-400) and also not have to worry about roaming. I'm in the market for a flip color phone, not necessarily a camera phone with all the bells and whistles, and I want a phone with good easy to use Calendar functionality with the ability to sync with a PC.

After doing some extensive research and looking at many other posts on this website, I've narrowed things down to Verizon and Sprint. I like Verizon's America's Choice $39.99 (400 total anytime, unlimited N&W) but I'm also looking at Sprint's F&C America. With Verizon, I'm looking at either the Motorola 720 or LG VX4400. The Moto is definitely cooler looking and supposedly they fixed all the bugs, but I'm not terribly thrilled with the operating system/menu options and I'm not sure what the reception is like. The LG on the other hand has a much better OS in my opinion and has been rated better than the Moto on average, but it feels cheaper and doesn't look quite as nice as the Moto - plus, it's kind of hard to believe LG would make a better phone than Motorola. So that's one problem...

Plus, the problem now is I walked into Radio Shack yesterday and found out that the Sanyo 8100 seems to be the perfect phone - performance, price, feel, looks, etc. I played around with it at Radio Shack yesterday and I loved everything about it. However, the basic F&C America is $40 in my area with only 300 total anytime, 1000 N&W, and no Vision. So I'm faced with the dilemma of going with Verizon and getting overall better coverage and service (from what I've heard) and paying less or Sprint where I don't have to worry about roaming at all and get the better phone... but less minutes for the $$$. If I want more minutes with Sprint F&C America, the next step is $50 for 500 anytime, unlimited N&W... but still no Vision. That's pretty much double what I pay now for Cingular and it's hard to justify getting the Sanyo 8100 without Vision.

I would appreciate any feedback owners of the Moto 720, LG VX4400, and Sanyo 8100 have regarding their phones and their service, either Verizon or Sprint, could provide me with. Also, does anybody know if Verizon will be releasing any new phones soon comparable to the Moto 720 and LG VX4400?

[sillybilly]

Whats up Cubs? I live in Sun Prairie, Wi and just signed up with Sprint on Monday. So far I am very happy with them. I bought the Sanyo 8100 for $100 and it rocks!! The reception is great and so is the sound quality. I have only used the phone in Sun Prairie and the east side of Madison(east town mall) and had no problems making calls. Vision is pretty cool, no problems with it so far. I'm new to Sprint and Vision so I am still learning about all the cool things that I can do with the phone. You are right in the fact that Sprint is a little pricey but I feel it is worth it. I will be going to Portage and WI Dells tonight and I will be able to see how well Sprint works (if at all!) in some rual areas. I'm post my findings tomorrow!

[Cubs619]

Thanks for the response sillyBilly. Are you on the F&C America plan or something else?

Recently, I discovered the existance of the Samsung a530 (Verizon Wireless) and this has added even more complexity to this problem. The phone is seriously sweet and has all the features I'm looking for in a phone... except for the fact that it's digital only (no analog capability) and from what I hear, all of Verizon's new phones will be also.

If anyone has any advice, please let me know!

[Tdog]

Cubs,
I just got the 4400 and its pretty damn good...battery life, features etc. I won't go into details, since you can search other threads...but overall I am pretty happy....well sort of...I too am on the fence right now with Sprint vs VZW. I have the VZW National Single Rate...for the coverage when I travel, I have zero problems. The new Sprint FC America plan is in comparison to the National Single rate of VZW, but again, its more expensive...but you get more.

I have 4 days to decide and keep VZW (4400) or go to the Dark side..(Sprint FC America)...seems both have their +/-... I like the 8100 alot...the price for photos especially. The Sanyo 5300 is another great phone with better camera but more expensive....PCS really interests me...unlimited browsing, text, pics, etc...VZW charges for Txt, and Browsing..extra, so its about comparable in price with the added features...I want to go with Sprint, but I am affraid of loosing the coverage that I am used to....

As for the a530, I would stay away, my opinion. Battery life, size, and no analog is a problem if you travel or roam away from major metro areas...good luck..T.

[Cubs619]

Tdog,

Thanks for your comments... I'm definitely feeling the same way as you with respect to coverage. With the Cingular plan I'm on now, I have coverage everywhere... but 250 anytime just isn't cutting it anymore.

I'm still kind of leaning towards the a530... you mentioned battery life is a problem but supposedly it gets close to 3 hours, plus you get two batteries with the phone (one normal, one extended). And the small size is nice in my opinion. The digital only is what is turning me off right now... from what I've heard, Verizon has roaming agreements with US Cellular in the area though so I guess I should technically not have to worry about it... and that in the long run, it won't affect me at all since coverage is constantly expanding.

[Kenster]

The a530 comes with an extended battery and users report that the battery life on this is excellent.

[Tdog]

When the Verizon Guy showed me the phone...he didnt know much about it. Battery life included...so much for getting a straight answer. Its funny, researching the phones and plans...I never seem to get the same answer twice.....

I am tired of trying to decide which service to go with, VZW or Sprint...someone please just make up my mind for me...my wife will pay you! (kiddin of course) but I am driving her crazy with my indecision....If i go with Sprint, I need to get her off USC and on Sprint too, (Share) so I can use those pcs to pcs unlimited minutes....she just like her nokia and USC. (she doesnt travel much and is not a gizmo type of person).

??

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

[Airb330]

Minutes wise Verizon is a better deal. Unless you really feel you will go to an area not covered by America's Choice but covered by Sprint. Why get the 8100 w/o vision...it's a waste, and with Vision it is even more expensive than Verizon!

[Cubs619]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I want to go with Verizon over Sprint... it's definitely a better deal, minute for minute. So choosing between these phones now becomes the real problem. As of right now, I'm leaning towards the Samsung a530 but I want to see what Verizon is going to charge for it on Monday. The salesman I spoke to indicated that they wanted around $250 for it but that he wasn't sure if there'd be any rebates... which seems odd since the phone is $200, not including the available rebates that come with the phone in other markets. The Motorola is $79 after rebate and the VX4400 is $99 after rebate.