The time is approaching for me to be looking at new phones (and networks...) and I'd like some advice.
I have enjoyed using 4G LTE, but it is frustratingly unreliable - sudden disconnections, long lags when the service reconnects, and the verizon 3G here is incredibly slow.
So for the Iowa/Wisconsin area, (and all the rural between) is there a better network?
In addition to that, is there a phone that can last more than a few hours while browsing, checking stocks, streaming music, youtube, audio books, twitter, etc (no games) that will reliably have fast speeds? I'd also like to be able to use said phone internationally in a pinch. I would guess that I use somewhere between 2 and 4 GB of data in a month.
I would guess that I use somewhere between 2 and 4 GB of data in a month.
I can't offer advice on your area (So Cal, here) but based on all the things you said you'd like to do (browse, stocks, music, etc.), you're looking at 5+ GB of data if you're not on WiFi. I'm a frequent victim of AT&T throttling because of my data usage, and I pretty much just stream music and use GPS for my drive home. Make sure you don't exclude high data usage plans from your search.
I also think they're the best deal around (other than maybe StraightTalk). It's awesome that you can save money buying a phone up front, not have bandwidth caps, and not be under contract.
Edit: looks like T-Mobile signal is scarce in your area. Moving seems to be the only sensible answer.
Edit Edit: I think StraightTalk SIMs use AT&T towers. They've got better coverage than T-Mo, so that might be the way to go. $45/mo unlimited everything.
Edit Edit Edit: Confirmed, StraightTalk can send you a SIM compatible with either T-Mo or AT&T towers.
It sounds like a non-Verizon iPhone 5 would fit your criteria. Not that I expect you to commit such techy blasphemy. I'm personally interested in getting an unlocked one for T-Mobile when my contract runs out in June (I hear they will be available in October sometime).
All LTE is GSM-based, which is why it's such a shoddy and unreliable service when put next to a CDMA radio on Verizon. The two just weren't meant to coexist.
That said, if coverage is your concern, you should street clear of US Cellular and MetroPCS, no matter what the coverage maps tell you.
midga"There's so much hot dog in Rome" ~digi(> ^.(> O_o)>Icrontian
Looking hard at the Note 2. I've read it's supposed to be out on AT&T the 21st of next month. Not sure what the differences are going to be between that international version you have listed and the US version. Unless that's an international version release and not a US version release...
Compare the performance delta between the US Galaxy S III and the int'l Galaxy S III to see how much slower the US Note 2 will be than the int'l version. The gap will be virtually identical.
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midga"There's so much hot dog in Rome" ~digi(> ^.(> O_o)>Icrontian
Then what's the disadvantage to getting the international version and using it instead? At least, I assume that can be done. I know I did it years ago with an old Razr 3.
International version doesn't have LTE modems. If you're planning on using LTE, it could be a dealbreaker.
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midga"There's so much hot dog in Rome" ~digi(> ^.(> O_o)>Icrontian
Yeah, I did some reading around and was just about to edit my post XD
From whatI'vebeenreading, though, it looks like it's quite possible the 1.6GHz 4core Exynos will be in the LTE version as well. At least the "reputable source" has said the US carriers' versions will be "virtually identical to the international version." We'll see when it happens, I guess.
I know the 4-core Exynos is planned for LTE, but not quite sure where they're at with it yet. Was hoping we'd get that for the S3, but the Qualcomm S4 is pretty beefy as it stands, and LTE rules.
Comments
I have enjoyed using 4G LTE, but it is frustratingly unreliable - sudden disconnections, long lags when the service reconnects, and the verizon 3G here is incredibly slow.
So for the Iowa/Wisconsin area, (and all the rural between) is there a better network?
In addition to that, is there a phone that can last more than a few hours while browsing, checking stocks, streaming music, youtube, audio books, twitter, etc (no games) that will reliably have fast speeds? I'd also like to be able to use said phone internationally in a pinch. I would guess that I use somewhere between 2 and 4 GB of data in a month.
Can you make a plausible recommendation?
Good luck!
GNex + T-mobile non contract $50/$60/month unlimited everything
basically http://www.google.com/nexus/#/galaxy plus http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit plus http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans
I also think they're the best deal around (other than maybe StraightTalk). It's awesome that you can save money buying a phone up front, not have bandwidth caps, and not be under contract.
Edit: looks like T-Mobile signal is scarce in your area. Moving seems to be the only sensible answer.
Edit Edit: I think StraightTalk SIMs use AT&T towers. They've got better coverage than T-Mo, so that might be the way to go. $45/mo unlimited everything.
Edit Edit Edit: Confirmed, StraightTalk can send you a SIM compatible with either T-Mo or AT&T towers.
Buy the Galaxy Nexus and choose your GSM provider
*Caveat: I did not go through Madison, I only skirted it. As I got further north, I roamed into a provider called "Bug Tussle". No Joke.
Seems like another thing to motivate me here.
Edit: I might change to T-Mo / StraightTalk AT&T for pricing reasons. Wow those are cheap. Now if i can cover the $260 verizon contract closure...
EDIT EDIT: No US Cellular towers (shown) in this area on that map. They share with Verizon, right?
EDIT: nevermind, looks like T-Mobile is switching it's 3G from 1700 to 1900 and will get LTE in 2013 sometime. So yea, an unlocked iPhone would work
As an apple fanboy, I'm surprised an unlocked iPhone isn't against your moral compass Lincoln lol
That said, if coverage is your concern, you should street clear of US Cellular and MetroPCS, no matter what the coverage maps tell you.
I think the moving option seems to be the best choice.
Compare the performance delta between the US Galaxy S III and the int'l Galaxy S III to see how much slower the US Note 2 will be than the int'l version. The gap will be virtually identical.
From what I've been reading, though, it looks like it's quite possible the 1.6GHz 4core Exynos will be in the LTE version as well. At least the "reputable source" has said the US carriers' versions will be "virtually identical to the international version." We'll see when it happens, I guess.