• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

I need other people's POV on this!

wyndslash

wyndslash

Android Expert
So, as everyone on this forum knows (lol), that I'm getting my Note 2 soon. I want the LTE version, so I originally had my sister buy it for me from a website in Singapore. Unfortunately, they are out of stock on the grey and do not know when they will be getting it. After tax, the price of their N7105 is around $814 (given the very favorable exchange rate, this is an okay price, but I found one on negrielectronics that's cheaper at around $749, but I think they are US-based, and the grey one is already on backorder).

I don't think I want the white, so I started browsing around. I found out that an online retailer based here is offering the N7105 (and they have grey!) for around $862 or so. Anyway, that's a bit more expensive, and I suddenly remembered that a local coupon site is offering the N7100 for around $624, and that suddenly seems a lot more tempting, especially since the quantity is unlimited and the offer only has 1 day remaining.

So it started me thinking...will I really ever use LTE? I mean, I'm trying to be realistic here. I estimate that I will get around 2-3 years use out of this phone, and reading around here and other forums, it seems that 4G is currently very expensive and that when people migrate to the higher speeds, 3G will be much better for the remaining users. My carrier has just finished rolling out their LTE coverage, so I know I'll be able to use the LTE version here. It's just that I'm wondering if the 4G capability is worth it enough for me to shell out an additional $200 for it.

I need some other perspective to ground me! :)
 
i guess i'm more concerned about the price and how usable LTE will be for me. Grr...i hate being unable to decide.
 
4G only benefits you IF your carrier has it setup in your location. I have AT&T and it's, supposedly, the largest 4G coverage in America.....supposedly. Where I live, the 4G is really spotty and, for the most part, pretty useless since I'm not constantly in a 4G area. Even when I am, it's not as fast as advertised/promised so, for me, 4G isn't a huge deal for me. I'm sure when they start rolling out better coverage then it'll get better but, for now, not so great.
 
wyndslash said:
So, as everyone on this forum knows (lol), that I'm getting my Note 2 soon. I want the LTE version, so I originally had my sister buy it for me from a website in Singapore. Unfortunately, they are out of stock on the grey and do not know when they will be getting it. After tax, the price of their N7105 is around $814 (given the very favorable exchange rate, this is an okay price, but I found one on negrielectronics that's cheaper at around $749, but I think they are US-based, and the grey one is already on backorder).

I don't think I want the white, so I started browsing around. I found out that an online retailer based here is offering the N7105 (and they have grey!) for around $862 or so. Anyway, that's a bit more expensive, and I suddenly remembered that a local coupon site is offering the N7100 for around $624, and that suddenly seems a lot more tempting, especially since the quantity is unlimited and the offer only has 1 day remaining.

So it started me thinking...will I really ever use LTE? I mean, I'm trying to be realistic here. I estimate that I will get around 2-3 years use out of this phone, and reading around here and other forums, it seems that 4G is currently very expensive and that when people migrate to the higher speeds, 3G will be much better for the remaining users. My carrier has just finished rolling out their LTE coverage, so I know I'll be able to use the LTE version here. It's just that I'm wondering if the 4G capability is worth it enough for me to shell out an additional $200 for it.

I need some other perspective to ground me! :)
Click to expand...


If you intend on using the phone for 2-3 years, try to think about how you might feel a year from now with a non-LTE device knowing that you'll have to wait years if you then decide that LTE is important to you.

Another way to look at the additional cost of the device is to break it down in monthly terms:
...$200 over 2 years is about $8+/month
...$200 over 3 years is about $5+/month
This may make it more palatable.

Also, if LTE service is more expensive than 3G where you live, that's another cost factor that you'll have to consider.
 
h1r0ll3r said:
4G only benefits you IF your carrier has it setup in your location. I have AT&T and it's, supposedly, the largest 4G coverage in America.....supposedly. Where I live, the 4G is really spotty and, for the most part, pretty useless since I'm not constantly in a 4G area. Even when I am, it's not as fast as advertised/promised so, for me, 4G isn't a huge deal for me. I'm sure when they start rolling out better coverage then it'll get better but, for now, not so great.
Click to expand...


Isn't the marketing of these companies funny? It's amazing how they all rely on the general public's ignorance to (try to) entice people to switch.

In case you're wondering how they're able to claim that is that AT&T uses both HSPA+ & LTE for 4G. When combing both, they are larger. When discussing LTE only, they're not even close.
 
nlitenme said:
If you intend on using the phone for 2-3 years, try to think about how you might feel a year from now with a non-LTE device knowing that you'll have to wait years if you then decide that LTE is important to you.

Another way to look at the additional cost of the device is to break it down in monthly terms:
...$200 over 2 years is about $8+/month
...$200 over 3 years is about $5+/month
This may make it more palatable.

Also, if LTE service is more expensive than 3G where you live, that's another cost factor that you'll have to consider.
Click to expand...

at the moment, LTE service is around 3x as much
 
With AT&T "4G" in my area I am able to get 2-3mb down and usually around 1 up. With LTE I get anywhere around 15-45mb down and 10-15 up.
 
You're getting a phone you're going to keep for 2-3 yrs. All the more reason, (IMO) to go for the LTE phone. That's where we're heading anyway. You were already going to spend the money.

Also, Negri Electronics is very reputable and they're located in Las Vegas, NV (I got'em on speed dial).
 
wait...i just remembered. there's a chance i could get the N7100 for free. My dad is thinking of switching to my carrier (postpaid), and my carrier is offering a 20% discount off postpaid plans to customers of their competitor for one year.
 
wyndslash said:
wait...i just remembered. there's a chance i could get the N7100 for free. My dad is thinking of switching to my carrier (postpaid), and my carrier is offering a 20% discount off postpaid plans to customers of their competitor for one year.
Click to expand...


Well, free is as cheap as you can get. :D
 
wyndslash said:
i know! plus, it's the unlocked version and our carriers here don't put any bloatware or branding on the phones.

i'll ask my dad when he gets home tomorrow ;p
Click to expand...


Now you're just rubbing it in ;) - I'm still waiting for a Verizon (bloated AND branded) Note 2. :rolleyes:

Any which way you get it, enjoy it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom