Handset options for Tmobile

[mattsd]

Hi guys. I've decided to jump ship from Virgin Mobile to Tmobile and am trying to decide on a handset.

Here's a little background - I get horrific service here in San Diego on VM, the GPS (which I use a lot for work) is terribly unreliable, not to mention dropped calls, bad reception (can't make a call in my house) and very slow data. I know that in many respects you get what you pay for but honestly I'm embarrassed to be paying anything for the service I get. I can easily eat the $5 more per month it will cost on Tmobile (if it's better service) if I go with the Simple Choice family plan with my GF. I've been using a Samsung Galaxy SII on VM which (coming from an iPhone 4 about a year ago) I absolutely hated at first but has grown on me, however I'd really like to try something other than a Samsung. I'm really not a fan of AMOLED screens. I'd say around $250 is my budget.

So I'm trying to decide between a Nexus 4 or the new Moto G that's available now. The N4 strikes me as still being fairly expensive considering the N5 just hit shelves. I'm seeing prices of about $280 (not going to pay that) on average for mint examples online and around $200 to $250 on Craigslist. As far as I can tell from reviews the Moto G is a great value but I'm wondering if it will stand the test of time and beat something like the N4 just because it's newer. I know the battery life is supposed to be very good. The N4 definitely has some nice specs and I like the idea that if I need or want to I can replace the battery myself, although not on the fly which is really a shame as sometimes I have very long work days where I run out of phone battery, I currently have 3 batteries for my SII. Anyway, I'm open to any and all advice or suggestions. What would you do?

Is there anyone on Tmobile in SD? If so, what's your experience? How's the reception and data? Pretty much everyone I've talked to has held the opinion that anything would be better than VM.

Thanks in advance guys!!

 

[gtbarry]

Moto X is on sale Monday for slightly more than your budget.

Moto G is a great deal! Nothing can beat it dollar for dollar and you won't get all the bloatware from the manufacturer (like Samsung did to the S4) or the carrier.

Nexus 4 is good but the glass back is fragile and you won't get many more Android updates for it as it is over a year old now. Nexus 5 is probably the second best phone dollar for dollar.

I would go and actually hold all four devices I mentioned where you can. That way you will get a better feel for them and how good the screen is to your eyes. That matters a lot.

Not knowing what you most commonly use the phone for or what matters to you spec-wise - I will just guess that you should get the Moto G AND the Power Pack slim to alleviate your battery concerns while staying in budget (charging with the Power Pack is sort of like "changing a battery on the fly"). Don't know the Power Pack pricing yet, but it is a universal Micro USB charger so you could find a use for it if you don't need it for the G.

Also, getting the Moto G GSM unlocked from Motorola means if you get terrible reception on t-mobile, you can always try AT&T

 

[saptech]

I'm sorta in same boat as you on choosing a phone. MY plan ends next month with verizon and I'm looking at these two phones and Tmobile. I've never used tmo so I can't say how well it works in SD or St. Louis. Around here, this is AT&T country, but these phones do give you the option of trying different carriers.

Motorola Moto G vs LG Optimus F6 - Phone specs comparison

 

[mattsd]

Thank you, gtbarry, that's very helpful. I have been trying to find somewhere that actually has all of these or even one of them in stock to handle haha. So far I've only been able to handle a dummy version of the N5. I really like the idea of a barebones OS sans bloatware. With the N5, I was almost all set to get one but then I got thinking about it and with tax it's approaching the $400 mark. I have no problem with expensive handsets, I understand the price of cutting edge tech is going to be high and that's totally cool. I guess I just don't feel like I need cutting edge with my phone.

Mainly I use the phone for email, txt and navigation (maps) and web browsing. I don't use many minutes per month talking. I use all the usual social apps like Twitter/ Instagram etc. I don't use it for watching videos really. Streaming music sometimes, that's about it really. Not having a replaceable battery in a lot of the new phones seems like a MASSIVE oversight.

sap tech, I'm in AT&T country too. I feel like the Moto G beats the F6 purely on specs. I guess there's something to be said about how it feels in the hand like gtbarry was saying. Out of those two I'd probably opt for the G. I may not say that after handling it though! Am I right in thinking it will be in stores in December to check out?

 

[mattsd]

Oh, also wanted to ask about the fragility of the N4, typically I always have my phone in a case. I've grown to love the Incipio NGP cases and have had one on my last 3 phones (iPhones and the GSII). It seems to do a pretty good job. Is the N4 particularly fragile? Is it a known issue? I don't want to take it out of the running for my next handset just yet as it seems to be a really decent device, especially if the price drops over the next few weeks.

 

[mogelijk]

A slight correction, the N4 should still get OS upgrades for another year. The Galaxy Nexus was just cut off when the N5 was introduced and the comment was that it was over 2 years old -- which means the N4 should continue to get upgrades through at least next October.

It is possible the N4 will get OS upgrades for even longer. One of the theories for the GNex not getting KitKat is that, because the GNex has a TI OMAP processor, and with TI no longer building/supporting their mobile processors, that it was the lack of CPU drivers provided by TI that caused Google to discontinue support.

 

[gtbarry]

A slight correction, the N4 should still get OS upgrades for another year. The Galaxy Nexus was just cut off when the N5 was introduced and the comment was that it was over 2 years old -- which means the N4 should continue to get upgrades through at least next October.

Galaxy Nexus, which first launched two years ago, falls outside of the 18-month update window when Google and others traditionally update devices.

https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/3468085?hl=en

The Nexus 4 was intro'd November 2012 so you have no guarantee beyond May 2014

 

[gtbarry]

Mainly I use the phone for email, txt and navigation (maps) and web browsing. I don't use many minutes per month talking. I use all the usual social apps like Twitter/ Instagram etc. I don't use it for watching videos really. Streaming music sometimes, that's about it really. Not having a replaceable battery in a lot of the new phones seems like a MASSIVE oversight.

I agree about the battery, but that is just where the market is going.

If you use less than 100-minutes a month consider the prepay $30/month plan with unlimited data (first 5gb at 4g speeds). But maybe the family plan with your girlfriend will be more beneficial to you both.

Prepaid Cell Phone Plans, No Credit Check | Monthly 4G | T-Mobile

 

[jhawkkw]

Another thing to consider about the Nexus 4 is that LTE can be enabled on it for T-Mobile if you're willing to unlock and root. Moto G doesn't have LTE.

 

[mattsd]

All things to think about. Bearing in mind that most of my web browsing and streaming music is done over wifi is 4g and LTE a big deal? To my understanding Tmo's data rates at 3g are much better than VM anyway. I wonder if the 4g LTE thing is something to really worry about? What do you guys think?

If I get a nexus 4 that was already a Tmo phone do I still have to unlock/ root it for LTE? Is that a complex thing to do? Does it hobble the device in any way?

 

[jhawkkw]

All things to think about. Bearing in mind that most of my web browsing and streaming music is done over wifi is 4g and LTE a big deal? To my understanding Tmo's data rates at 3g are much better than VM anyway. I wonder if the 4g LTE thing is something to really worry about? What do you guys think?

If I get a nexus 4 that was already a Tmo phone do I still have to unlock/ root it for LTE? Is that a complex thing to do? Does it hobble the device in any way?

Yes, the reason why you need to unlock and root is to install older/hybrid radio firmware that can only be installed if the bootloader is unlocked. Root is helps make it stick between reboots. LTE speeds will cost a bit more battery than HSPA, but not that much. The big difference between hspa and lte is going to be ping times and upload speed. LTE wins that hands down.

 

[mattsd]

Yes, the reason why you need to unlock and root is to install older/hybrid radio firmware that can only be installed if the bootloader is unlocked. Root is helps make it stick between reboots. LTE speeds will cost a bit more battery than HSPA, but not that much. The big difference between hspa and lte is going to be ping times and upload speed. LTE wins that hands down.

I see, so for a casual user like myself maybe not something to be too overtly concerned with? Assuming I can even get LTE in my area!

TBH I've been fairly happy with my GSII and VM's slow ass speeds, when it's working... I just want things to work. More speed would be great though.

 

[mogelijk]

I see, so for a casual user like myself maybe not something to be too overtly concerned with? Assuming I can even get LTE in my area!

TBH I've been fairly happy with my GSII and VM's slow ass speeds, when it's working... I just want things to work. More speed would be great though.

It ultimately will come down to how you use your phone. Coming from Virgin Mobile 3G, you should see a huge difference in data speeds. In many areas, the 3G HSPA+ speeds on T-Mobile are relatively close to the LTE speeds. The difference, as was mentioned, is faster Ping times and better upload speeds - the biggest complaint is with things like VoIP apps, apps that need a quick and steady connection.

One other thing that will slow it, a bit, at least initially, is that T-Mobile (for battery saving purposes) only connects with basic 3G while your phone is idle, when you start using data it will then connect with HSPA+, meaning there can be an extra second or two delay when you first start data. While you won't notice it while streaming music or video, when web browsing it can delay web pages coming up for a second or so. Again, it should feel a lot faster than what you currently see from VM but will seem slow compared to friends with LTE connections.

 

[saptech]

Good advice for me also. I'm thinking of going with the Moto G & Tmobile. But I can't seem to find many people in my area that uses Tmo. I stopped by one of the stores once and asked a customer leaving how did he like their service and he seems satisfied. I just hope he really understand the mobile technology and not just the voice & texting services?

 

[gtbarry]

Good advice for me also. I'm thinking of going with the Moto G & Tmobile. But I can't seem to find many people in my area that uses Tmo. I stopped by one of the stores once and asked a customer leaving how did he like their service and he seems satisfied. I just hope he really understand the mobile technology and not just the voice & texting services?

When you sign up with a new service you usually have 2 weeks to return it no questions asked if you have service issues. Make sure you find out about this and see it in writing before you leave. Then test your new service in the places you will most commonly use it.

 

[new optimus]

Moto X is on sale Monday for slightly more than your budget.

Moto G is a great deal! Nothing can beat it dollar for dollar and you won't get all the bloatware from the manufacturer (like Samsung did to the S4) or the carrier.

Nexus 4 is good but the glass back is fragile and you won't get many more Android updates for it as it is over a year old now. Nexus 5 is probably the second best phone dollar for dollar.

I would go and actually hold all four devices I mentioned where you can. That way you will get a better feel for them and how good the screen is to your eyes. That matters a lot.

Not knowing what you most commonly use the phone for or what matters to you spec-wise - I will just guess that you should get the Moto G AND the Power Pack slim to alleviate your battery concerns while staying in budget (charging with the Power Pack is sort of like "changing a battery on the fly"). Don't know the Power Pack pricing yet, but it is a universal Micro USB charger so you could find a use for it if you don't need it for the G.

Also, getting the Moto G GSM unlocked from Motorola means if you get terrible reception on t-mobile, you can always try AT&T

The Nexus 4 back glass is not that fragile, but it is glass and not gorilla glass. If the phone is in a case there should be no concern I have had my phone since feb 2013 it is in a slim case and it is in perfect condition, I have only dropped it one time and that was short distance onto carpet. If you frequently drop it or onto cement surface the glass can shatter.
Also nexus devices seem to get updates longer then typical devices.

Oh, also wanted to ask about the fragility of the N4, typically I always have my phone in a case. I've grown to love the Incipio NGP cases and have had one on my last 3 phones (iPhones and the GSII). It seems to do a pretty good job. Is the N4 particularly fragile? Is it a known issue? I don't want to take it out of the running for my next handset just yet as it seems to be a really decent device, especially if the price drops over the next few weeks.

I would recommend the galaxy s3, if you can get it the LTE enabled one, I know you said you were tired of amoled screens and samsung but the s3 would have most of your requirements, removable battery, great phone for the use you would use and likely cheap.

A slight correction, the N4 should still get OS upgrades for another year. The Galaxy Nexus was just cut off when the N5 was introduced and the comment was that it was over 2 years old -- which means the N4 should continue to get upgrades through at least next October.

It is possible the N4 will get OS upgrades for even longer. One of the theories for the GNex not getting KitKat is that, because the GNex has a TI OMAP processor, and with TI no longer building/supporting their mobile processors, that it was the lack of CPU drivers provided by TI that caused Google to discontinue support.

Good point

Good advice for me also. I'm thinking of going with the Moto G & Tmobile. But I can't seem to find many people in my area that uses Tmo. I stopped by one of the stores once and asked a customer leaving how did he like their service and he seems satisfied. I just hope he really understand the mobile technology and not just the voice & texting services?

If you can swing the price the nexus 5 might be your best bet, or used tmobile version s4.
I think t mobile has a very low presence in st luis area And if im not mistaken there is very little band 4 spectrum available to t mo there. So getting a phone that can handle both t mo and att frequencies would be the best way to go.

 

[saptech]

If you can swing the price the nexus 5 might be your best bet, or used tmobile version s4.
I think t mobile has a very low presence in st luis area And if im not mistaken there is very little band 4 spectrum available to t mo there. So getting a phone that can handle both t mo and att frequencies would be the best way to go.

I would have to wait past Dec., when my contract with Vzw ends, and save to get a new N5. Do you think the Moto G will work with both tmo and att?

Thnx.

 

[new optimus]

I would have to wait past Dec., when my contract with Vzw ends, and save to get a new N5. Do you think the Moto G will work with both tmo and att?

Thnx.

I will look into the moto G, I have not checked on new phones in a while so I dont know what freq it has.

I will let you know as I am curious now too.

 

[new optimus]

Ok, the moto G is a solid mid tier phone, but no LTE it will work with both att and t mobile hspa.

 

[Cluckerm]

Hsn has a deal for 149 on the Samsung galaxy light. It offers a mid-range quad core performance with LTE connectivity. I just bought one as a portable music player for my car because of it's microSD slot but I have taken the sim out of my N4 to use with the galaxy and have to say I was impressed. If a 4 inch screen isn't too small it seems like a solid option.

 

[mattsd]

Do you guys think that Galaxy Light is a realistic rival to the Moto G? I realize that the MG doesn't have LTE but I'm wondering how much I'd get to use it anyway, for example VM claims to have 4G in my area and my phone is 4G capable but I have literally never used it. I guess the Galaxy Light has expandable storage and probably a removable battery going for it other than LTE.

 

[new optimus]

Do you guys think that Galaxy Light is a realistic rival to the Moto G? I realize that the MG doesn't have LTE but I'm wondering how much I'd get to use it anyway, for example VM claims to have 4G in my area and my phone is 4G capable but I have literally never used it. I guess the Galaxy Light has expandable storage and probably a removable battery going for it other than LTE.

If you live in san diego t mo lte is probably going to be useful all the time.

Looking at sensorly.com the entire area is blanketed with tmobile LTE coverage.

 

[mattsd]

If you live in san diego t mo lte is probably going to be useful all the time.

Looking at sensorly.com the entire area is blanketed with tmobile LTE coverage.

That's good info. Thank you. When I looked at Sensorly it looked great until I zoomed in much closer, then I found that things looked very spotty, but perhaps that's got nothing to do with the actual coverage and more to do with how that website is displaying their maps or something.

So I'm trying to decide whether to go with the incredible deal on HSN.com, Galaxy Light for 149 inc. sim starter for Tmo or whether to go for a Moto G. I'm really not that well versed in mobile network technology and I just read that the Moto G has no 4G capability, just 3G, I thought 4G and LTE were two different things, apparently not. My question is - is the galaxy light a realistic competitor with the Moto G? Is it going to be a faster, more useful phone for GPS, browsing the web etc. I can't find any real info on the Light. Nor can I find any cases or replacement batteries. Perhaps it's just too new? Truth be told, I much prefer the form factor of the Moto G and I'm not even opposed to spending a bit more and going with a Nexus 4 or Maybe Nexus 5. I have read several times that the Moto G gets true all day battery under 'very heavy use' which kind of solves my problem of needing to carry extra batteries.. and I'd like to keep it as frugal as possible at the moment while still getting some decent bang for my bucks.

Sorry for the long post, the GF and my Mom need new phones at this point too and are going to switch over to Tmo with me, so naturally I've been given the responsibility of choosing for everybody!

 

[mogelijk]

"4G" and LTE are not necessarily the same, a lot of times it depends on who is using the term. Verizon largely wants to claim that 4G equals LTE. Both AT&T and T-Mobile use the 4G designation for HSPA+ (an extension of the 3G standard), which has download speeds that are often similar to LTE speeds. On both AT&T and T-Mobile phones, they typically show "3G", "4G" (for HSPA+), and "LTE" for the connection speeds.

As for the Moto G, it does support HSPA+ 21 (which in the real world will typically max out around 12 Mbps). By contrast, the Nexus 4 supports HSPA+ 42 (and LTE Band 4, if you flash the radio to enable it), and the Nexus 5 supports HSPA+ 42 as well as LTE.

 

[new optimus]

That's good info. Thank you. When I looked at Sensorly it looked great until I zoomed in much closer, then I found that things looked very spotty, but perhaps that's got nothing to do with the actual coverage and more to do with how that website is displaying their maps or something.

So I'm trying to decide whether to go with the incredible deal on HSN.com, Galaxy Light for 149 inc. sim starter for Tmo or whether to go for a Moto G. I'm really not that well versed in mobile network technology and I just read that the Moto G has no 4G capability, just 3G, I thought 4G and LTE were two different things, apparently not. My question is - is the galaxy light a realistic competitor with the Moto G? Is it going to be a faster, more useful phone for GPS, browsing the web etc. I can't find any real info on the Light. Nor can I find any cases or replacement batteries. Perhaps it's just too new? Truth be told, I much prefer the form factor of the Moto G and I'm not even opposed to spending a bit more and going with a Nexus 4 or Maybe Nexus 5. I have read several times that the Moto G gets true all day battery under 'very heavy use' which kind of solves my problem of needing to carry extra batteries.. and I'd like to keep it as frugal as possible at the moment while still getting some decent bang for my bucks.

Sorry for the long post, the GF and my Mom need new phones at this point too and are going to switch over to Tmo with me, so naturally I've been given the responsibility of choosing for everybody!

Sensorly is user uploaded data, so any "spotty" coverage could just mean that users do not go to that location, thus do not report it. Typically roads are shown because the user drives down that street/road, however if you see coverage on all roads/streets in an area the entire area will have coverage.
I know nothing about the galaxy light, so I can not nor will not advice you on it, I do know the nexus 4 and I like the phone tremendously however if your not a techie person I would advice against it as LTE is hacked on it you want a phone that supports LTE right out of the box, the nexus 5 for sure is a great choice but failing that the (slightly) older S4 and HTC ONE will both do, just be sure to get the t mobile versions. Or even the older yet t mobile LTE enabled S3 its the T-999L That L at the end is very important the T-999 has no Lte.
There are other phones that will work too, I will do a bit of searching and give you a short pro/con on what I find.