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Is it worth it?

F

fopolopoguis

Newbie
I'll have the money to buy this phone by saturday and I was wondering if its worth upgrading from the optimus elite. The elite is complete crap and just feels cheaply made. I see alot about a texting issue and I'm starting to have doubts. Also, I was wondering how I can check if 4G is available in my area. Its redundant to upgrade if the main feature of the phone isnt even accessible. Any support is appreciated
 
Also is it possible to stay grandfathered into the $25 plan at all? I was just going to complain relentlessly about how they are rewarding loyal customers that buy new hardware with a rate hike but is there an easier way?
 
id say its well worth it. coming from an optimus you should love it. this texting bug everyone not having that problem. look at the number sold vs the complaints. no you wont be able to stay grandfathered. only as long as you keep your present phone active. i love this phone. came right out of the box ready to rock.
 
Depends on the service you get in your area.
The phone itself is great, but VM service in my area is spotty at best. I'm a good 60+ miles from a 4g area, so that is not an issue to me. The dual core processor is the most have for me (the reason I didn't go to Boost), not to mention the screen size. Also, don't be fooled by the 3D capability, as it is nice but mostly just a gimmick that will fade fast.
 
The "main feature" of the phone for me was that it is solidly built and had high-endish specs. 4G has very limited coverage, but I don't really care because I'm often on wifi and for $35 a month it's hard to complain.

And the other thing people tout as being a major feature, the 3D, is much more of a gimmick for me than anything useful. I've taken a few 3D pictures, but just to test it out.

However, coming from the Triumph, I was more than happy with the upgrade to the Evo V. The phone is faster, the touch screen is much more responsive and the GPS actually works!

Oh, and having ICS officially come on the phone is a nice touch as well. Shame it's already outdated. :)
 
fopolopoguis said:
Also is it possible to stay grandfathered into the $25 plan at all? I was just going to complain relentlessly about how they are rewarding loyal customers that buy new hardware with a rate hike but is there an easier way?
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I haven't heard anyone saying that complaining about the increase will get you anywhere, but feel free to try.

I looked at it as: Well, they grandfathered us in for a while, I'll just have to accept that I'm paying what everyone else is now.

And $35 is still a wonderfully low cost per month for a phone with a data plan. The closest best deal I've seen is T-mobile, and they only give you 100 minutes instead of 300.
 
If you don't have the issues I had, with the signal and texting, then yes it's absolutely worth $300. Even ignoring the 3D, which I thought was cool as hell, the phone is awesome, great screen, very nice build quality, and very responsive.

That being said, I cannot recommend this phone based on my personal experience with the signal and texting problems.
 
lordj said:
If you don't have the issues I had, with the signal and texting, then yes it's absolutely worth $300. Even ignoring the 3D, which I thought was cool as hell, the phone is awesome, great screen, very nice build quality, and very responsive.

That being said, I cannot recommend this phone based on my personal experience with the signal and texting problems.
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I second this. I have a lot of text/call issue. Whenever the text issue arises, calls can't be made nor received. HTC points fingers back at Sprint/VM. VM/Sprint just told me to do that update profile, ##clear# or reprovision. The most basic function of a "phone" is to make/receive calls. If it can't do that properly, I can't recommend it.

Phone service aside. The phone itself is very good. I like the fast CPU. Like lordj, I thought 3D was cool. Screen was great. Data in NYC has been very good with 4G. Even 3G is better than OV.
 
fopolopoguis said:
I'll have the money to buy this phone by saturday and I was wondering if its worth upgrading from the optimus elite. The elite is complete crap and just feels cheaply made. I see alot about a texting issue and I'm starting to have doubts. Also, I was wondering how I can check if 4G is available in my area. Its redundant to upgrade if the main feature of the phone isnt even accessible. Any support is appreciated
Click to expand...

you can check if you can get 4g at vm site and clear site but they are not 100% accurate since you can have a lot of interference getting from the tower to you.

if you werent on the $25 plan i would just tell you to go to best buy and test out the phone and if you have problems take it back.now you need to decide if it is worth the risk because once you switch even if you return the phone you are stuck paying $35 a month.you might be able to get them to change your plan back to the $25 dollar one if you need to return the phone but i doubt they will.
 
I had an Evo V 4G for about three weeks. I didn't have any real complaints with the phone and I didn't have any phone problems (such as the texting problem). OTOH, while I could get 4G I wasn't overwhelmed with the speed (about 1.5 to 2.5 mbps), though I could have lived with that. My bigger problem was there were too many areas where I couldn't get 4G, and my 3G speeds were horrific. I typically would get 3G speeds in the 250-500kbps range and, in some areas, that would drop down to dialup speeds (50kbps).

I ended up buying a Galaxy Nexus from Google and am using T-Mobile for $30/month. As was mentioned, this plan only gives you 100 talk minutes but I work around that by using GrooveIP with Google Voice and can make most of my calls when connected to WiFi. I'm liking getting 2.5mbps or faster (am typically seeing closer to 5mbps), without having to worry if my 4G antenna is on (and draining the battery). And having Jellybean is great.

I also have the option, if for some reason T-Mobile quits working for me, of switching the phone over to Straight Talk (which uses AT&T's network) and getting Unlimited talk and data (though they throttle at around 2GB) for $45/month.

It really depends on what works best for you. VM/Sprint coverage/speed in my area had become terrible (I'm told it has improved slightly now that LTE has gone live) and that is why I felt the need to switch. OTOH, VM is not throttling 4G Wimax (if it is available in your area) and that can be a major factor if you use lots of data. It really just depends on whose service is best in your area (coverage and speed) and the dis/advantages of their various plans -- and how they fit your phone use.
 
fopolopoguis said:
Also is it possible to stay grandfathered into the $25 plan at all? I was just going to complain relentlessly about how they are rewarding loyal customers that buy new hardware with a rate hike but is there an easier way?
Click to expand...

NO NO NO not gonna happen complain all you want WONT HAPPEN ACCEPT IT! no one has the grandfathered plan on this phone dont be cheapskate. You want better you have to pay for it.
 
fopolopoguis said:
I'll have the money to buy this phone by saturday and I was wondering if its worth upgrading from the optimus elite. The elite is complete crap and just feels cheaply made. I see alot about a texting issue and I'm starting to have doubts. Also, I was wondering how I can check if 4G is available in my area. Its redundant to upgrade if the main feature of the phone isnt even accessible. Any support is appreciated
Click to expand...

The Elite is a budget phone you can get for around $100 if you look around, what do you expect? Honestly, I think it's a nice phone for the money and I'm jealous of it's thin shape but I wouldn't switch to one just due to screen size alone.


As for the Evo V, roms help a ton with the text issues (It's the same as the wifi calling bug). Speeds on the Evo V are a little better, even on 3g, the Visual Voicemail is awesome and saves me minutes. On a heavy month it will save me the extra $10 I now spend.

As for 4g, all of the coverage maps are extremely generous and I wouldn't base your decision on 4g. If it works, it's a bonus.

You may want to look at the One V as it's another alternative, but personally, I prefer the Evo V with a good rom.
 
fopolopoguis said:
Also is it possible to stay grandfathered into the $25 plan at all? I was just going to complain relentlessly about how they are rewarding loyal customers that buy new hardware with a rate hike but is there an easier way?
Click to expand...

It's technically impossible, the system won't allow services to be provisioned for this phone with a $25 plan attached to your account.
 
Nocturnal86 said:
NO NO NO not gonna happen complain all you want WONT HAPPEN ACCEPT IT! no one has the grandfathered plan on this phone dont be cheapskate. You want better you have to pay for it.
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I'm not being "cheap" Ive been on virgin mobile for 4 years and think its ridiculous to charge customers more for their higher caliber lineup.

I'll probably end up getting it tomorrow, I'm just not too happy about the rate increase. I figure I can sell my optimus v (ROM'd to 4.0.3) for $100 and maybe that for my optimus elite.

My main reason for wanting this is the processor. The most powerful phone Ive had was the elite so this should be awesome. I dont expect to use 3D that much, it seems like more of a novelty than anything. I just like it cuz I get two LEDs on the back, Ill probably end up using those more than the camera. Im in love with ICS so I'm probably going to take the plunge
 
fopolopoguis said:
I'm not being "cheap" Ive been on virgin mobile for 4 years and think its ridiculous to charge customers more for their higher caliber lineup.

I'll probably end up getting it tomorrow, I'm just not too happy about the rate increase. I figure I can sell my optimus v (ROM'd to 4.0.3) for $100 and maybe that for my optimus elite.

My main reason for wanting this is the processor. The most powerful phone Ive had was the elite so this should be awesome. I dont expect to use 3D that much, it seems like more of a novelty than anything. I just like it cuz I get two LEDs on the back, Ill probably end up using those more than the camera. Im in love with ICS so I'm probably going to take the plunge
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Sell your Optimus on Harmonia Froyo. If you sell it with 4.0.3, there is no way to activate it.
 
Everyone calls the 3D a gimmick, but I love it. It's like a 3DS with a much better camera.

Even ignoring the 3D, you still have 4g, a dual core processor, 1gb of ram, and ICS for $35 a month. It'll pay for itself in no time with all the money you're saving versus the competitors.
 
fopolopoguis said:
I'm not being "cheap" Ive been on virgin mobile for 4 years and think its ridiculous to charge customers more for their higher caliber lineup.
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That logic makes no sense. From the beginning of time companies have charged more for higher end products. I don't see the big deal. You get more than your money's worth at $35.

And remember this is prepaid, no contract means they had no obligation to let us keep our $25 plans.
 
fopolopoguis said:
I'm not being "cheap" Ive been on virgin mobile for 4 years and think its ridiculous to charge customers more for their higher caliber lineup.

I'll probably end up getting it tomorrow, I'm just not too happy about the rate increase. I figure I can sell my optimus v (ROM'd to 4.0.3) for $100 and maybe that for my optimus elite.
Click to expand...

You can get more money if you don't need to keep your number by selling the grandfathered plan along with the phone, I've seen people selling their plans for $75 to $100 on ebay. You might get what you want for the Elite but I don't think that you'll get that much for the Optimus V. Don't forget that for your extra $10 you get unlimited, non-throttled 4g if it's available in your area. That's what you're paying extra for, it has nothing to do with high caliber phones otherwise they wouldn't be giving you a $5 break if you register a card for paying your monthly fees with the iPhone.
 
fopolopoguis said:
I'm not being "cheap" Ive been on virgin mobile for 4 years and think its ridiculous to charge customers more for their higher caliber lineup.

I'll probably end up getting it tomorrow, I'm just not too happy about the rate increase. I figure I can sell my optimus v (ROM'd to 4.0.3) for $100 and maybe that for my optimus elite.

My main reason for wanting this is the processor. The most powerful phone Ive had was the elite so this should be awesome. I dont expect to use 3D that much, it seems like more of a novelty than anything. I just like it cuz I get two LEDs on the back, Ill probably end up using those more than the camera. Im in love with ICS so I'm probably going to take the plunge
Click to expand...

On the other side, there is no reason for VM to keep the grandfathered plans at all. I've been amazed, and very happy, that VM has allowed grandfathered plans -- I wish other companies, particularly my cable company -- would do that as well.

I also can't complain too much about VM; in order to get people to change their plan, they are saying if you get one of the new phones you have to change your plan. I give them credit for not forcing everyone off the grandfathered plan. Instead, it is your choice; though there is the incentive (new phones) to encourage people to change.

Now, as a consumer, I would have been happier if they had made it that you only lost your grandfathered plan if you bought a 4G phone. OTOH, I assume that VM is thinking that the new phones have faster processors, larger screens, and so people are more likely to use more data since the phone is more usable.

At the end of the day, though, I think Virgin Mobile has been great. I can't think of another company I've dealt with that has done as good a job at protecting their customers when they change their prices.
 
I totally agree with mogelijk.
You aren't under contract and yet they treat us the same as contract customers, you really can't complain too much.

Things can always be better, but they could be a whole lot worse as well. Deal with other companies who provide a service for a bit and you will find Virgin is extremely accommodating.
 
I wholeheartedly agree with the above posters, even when I went through my Triumph nightmare they were extremely accommodating. Who else lets you cross ship replacement phones and don't even put a hold on your card? Plus something that's totally unique, if I got a replacement phone tomorrow my 1 year warranty would restart from the date that I activated the new phone. Everyone else gives you the remainder of your year from the date of purchase.
 
fopolopoguis said:
Whenever I restart it it has an activation screen?
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So I take it you now have this phone fopolopoguis? Text and text a lot and let me know what happens. Dont forget to try Wifi and see if that triggers a problem. I was also thinking of getting this phone but held off because of the issues so i hope you test and retest and let us know something. Also check for fluctuating signal. Im crossing my fingers. Good Luck
 
I seriously love this phone. The processor is awesome, the screen is a vast improvement on my old phones and ICS is great. The 3D just trips me out and makes my head hurt so I probably won't use it alot but its still cool. so yeah. is rooting it worth the risk for this phone? what other capabilities does it have rooted that I can't do already?
 
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